To Get Away

Beautiful Tragedy

Today was the first swim meet for all the kids. James and I were rushing to get there. We both did our last table and ran into the locker room. James was ready first. He had all his stuff ready to go. I came a little later. We both left at the same time, him slightly after me. He trailed me all the way to (T.A.S.C.) we both got out the car and ran into the building. We were only about 5 minutes late. We opened the door to the building. We immediately saw swim posters that lead us to the pool. We weren't the only late ones. Luckily for us they hadn't started yet. We took our seats and got prepared for the show.

First off was girls. I saw Erin come out ready to swim. "On your mark, get set, go!!!"
She was off. She dived in to the water, I didn't know she was that good. She swam and swam and swam. When she got to the end she flipped so flawlessly. And was off once again. Her and another girl were neck and neck for first. Well at least I thought. Another girl came out of nowhere and swam past them both. Erin came in second. She was happy either way honestly. After they dried off. The boys were next, Komori was next his age group was youngest. But of course ladies first. Honestly Komori group was sad. They went pretty fast for some 6 year olds. Lastly was Charles, he was the same age as Erin, 8, his group wasn't the very last, the last of our kids. Charles was ready he was in position. "On your mark,get set, GO!!!" Charles was off. He was moving so fast. when he turned we could see him getting tired. He was still going though. He finished first place. James and I almost jumped out our seats. We cheered so loud. He stepped out the pool happy as hell. We were cheering when we heard a announcement." Attention all parents please help out and get your little one dressed. The teen swim will start in 20 minutes. Thank you." I gave James a look. "I'll take the boys you get Erin. Deal." "Deal." I walked over and grabbed Erin's hand and led her into the bathroom. We went in a stall and got her dressed. As we walked out, Erin said goodbye and hugged all her little friends. We went upstairs and met and waited for the boys. They were up in no time. We all gathered at the front of the building. The kids played in the front while James and I discussed plans. As we were talking Charles ran over to James and grabbed his leg. James kneeled down and ask him what was wrong. "James I Don't want to go home. I want to stay with Erin and Kamori." I saw the pain in his eyes. Charles was his life, everything he lives for. To see him to see him in such a state killed him. James started studdering like he was serching for the right words to say. I cut in, "Charles, how about you come over tonight. It's Friday,no homework, how bout we go get something to eat. How does that sound?" Before he could respond Erin had responded for him. James spoke,"That sounds like a great idea. Let's go to your house drop off your car and we take my truck to get some well needed food." The kids got all happy and ran out the door to my car. "So nobody wants to ride with james, I see." James said in a playful tone. We all laughed as they climbed into my car. I had one leg in when I felt James looking at me. I turned my head to see him staring at me. No words were needed, his eyes Said it all. Thank you.

We decided to go to a buffet. We were seated pretty fast. I volunteered to take them all to get plates. We all stood, but James stopped us. "Yall dirty handed kids need some Hand sanatizer." He said with a laugh. We all stuck our hands out and received our sanatizer. They left rubbing their hands together running to get their plates.

After we had all sat down and started eating we began to joke around. We did this for about twenty minutes, till James got a phone call.

Levi pov (James dad)

Man, I'm drunk. I stumbled down the street, into the store. I needed a mint, my breath stunk. I walked in and grabbed some breath mints, the guy at the window was tripping, saying I was going to steal something. I really didn't have time. He was fussing and cussing. I threw 3 dollars at him and left. I was walking down the street when I saw a group of guys. I got closer look at one of them. I realized I owed him money. "Shit." I started to run, more like stumbled. I ran about half a block before I fell. The man ran at me and hit me with a blunt object. I was not out, just stunned. I laid in my back drifting in and out of consciousness. I was hit again and again. Before I knew it I was out. I heard sirens going off. I just laid there prepared for what ever was next.

James pov

We were in the car heading to the hospital. I had gotten a call from the hospital saying my dad was there. He had been beaten alive. My thoughts were rushing through my mind. I pulled into the hospital worried. I left the keys in the truck. Figured Jay would get them. I Marched in the hospital to the desk. The lady lead me to my..my...my father. I walked into his room ready for what I was about to see. What my eyes saw was gruesome. He looked horrible. I walked over to his bed side. He slowly opened his eyes. "I'm sorry." Was the last thing he said. I heard a high pitched beeping noise. I walked out the room bumping into Jay as I left. I walked outside trying to keep myself together.

Jay pov

I walked outside to the truck to see a emotionless James standing by the car. When I got to the car he requested his keys. "You are in no position to drive." "Fine I don't care." He climbed in the passenger seat. I got in the car, Crunk it up. I looked back at Charles sadly he had no idea what was going on. I made a decision. I drove by James' house and went in. He started to protest, but I gave him a look. He stopped and I went in the house. Went upstairs and located his room. I grabbed a lot of shirts and cloths for him and Charles. I went downstairs out the house and got in the car. I drove to a hotel and went in. I booked us a room for 3 days. I came back out and grabbedthe kids. I knocked on the window and got James' attention. He got out and walked in the building. We all went in and up too the room. It had two king sized beds, a sofa, night stands, TV, and a bathroom. The moment we walked in the kids started running and jumping on the bed. I fussed at them to get down and behave. We all were in desperate need of a shower/bath. I bathed them all and sent them off to bed. The moment they were sleep I crawled into the bed with James. He looked me in the eye and kissed me. I laid my head on his chest, where I slept.

In the morning we woke up with 3 little kids in our bed. We both giggled as the squeezed themselves in between us.

James pov

I woke up with all of them kids in my bed. Gotta love em. I snuck out of bed to go use the bathroom. When I came out the room all them were up. They were watching television and Jay was on her phone. I sat down on the bed and looked at my own. I had gotten a text from a friend. It was a screen shot of a digital paper. I opened it. It read " Last night a drug user was beaten to death by local gang members." The head line said " What a beautiful Tragedy."