The Worst of Times

Chapter 20

I woke up the next day, home alone. I had no idea where Sean and Mike were, they were no where to be found. I panicked a little, but remembered they would come back. Wouldn't they? They wouldn't just leave me. They couldn't.

...But would they?

The door opened and I breathed out in relief, which was quickly followed by a gasp and I saw Mike holding a german-shepherd puppy in his arms. Sean came in next to him with bags that I could see were full of dog food and toys.

"Mike...?" I said in confusion and he smiled brightly. He put the puppy down and it ran to my feet. I lifted him and looked at his collar. Robin. My eyes teared up and a happy smile spread across my lips. Mike went out and got me a puppy, naming it after my deceased friend who risked his life to save mine. "How...?"

"I've been planning this for a while, but decided now was the best time. I asked Sean and he said it was alright. The apartment doesn't allow big dogs so we'll have to move before he gets full-size," He explained and I set the puppy down, but it jumped on me. It was trying to get back in my arms. I smiled again and simply pet it, sitting on the ground next to him. He jumped in my lap and curled into a ball. 

"I...love...him," I breathed out and he smiled, coming next to my side, sitting next to me. Sean was unpacking the bags of dog supplies. "Thank... you... so... much."

"Don't thank me too much. You have a doctor's appointment today. I know how much you love those," Mike chuckled and I smiled a bit and pet the dog - which was a great idea to get. I'll be more protected with him and he can act like a therapy dog. He's absolutely perfect. I can't believe Mike and Sean would do something so nice to me after doing so much as it is.

"I'll... live..." I giggled the best I could, not wanting to risk damaging my voice. I'd be lost if I could never sing again. My entire future rides on my voice, I need it or else I don't know what I'll do. 

"Hopefully the doctor will tell you that you can speak more, the swelling went down a bit," Sean noticed with a small smile and glanced between me and Robin. "Maybe we can find a way to certify Robin as a therapeutic dog, so you can take him whenever you want him with you."

"That's a good idea and if we can save up enough money, we can train him to protect you," Mike added and Sean nodded in agreement. I smiled and continued to pet Robin, who was peacefully enjoying it on my lap. "We should get going to the doctor's soon."

"Can... I... ask... stuff... first?" I asked, having a few questions on my mind. Mike nodded as Sean went and grabbed my notebook and pen, so it'd be easier to ask questions. 

"Fire away," Sean smiled and I started writing on the paper, Mike waiting for me to hand it to him.

'Where's Mark?' I asked the first question on my mind and handed the paper to Mike, who read it.

"Last I heard from DeLeo, he's living with Sam," He replied and handed the notebook back. Sean sighed, not needing to read the paper to know what I asked.

"Don't worry about him, he doesn't know where we are and neither does Sam. Only DeLeo knows," He filled me in a bit more and I nodded, going back to my notebook.

'Where's John?' Was my next question, about my second enemy, and handed it to Sean - who probably knew more about him than Mike. 

"I've been keeping an eye on him. I didn't want to freak you out, but I'm sure he's planning something, I've been trying to figure out what. I'm going to talk with Bobby and Dave soon though and hopefully I can get something out of them," He replied and I nodded, glad he was taking care of it. I wish I could show him my gratitude, but I still can't speak fully. One syllable words couldn't amount to what I wanted to say to him or Mike.

'Where's Emma?' I asked, trying to figure out what exactly was going on with my family next and handed it to Mike. 

"She's back with your mom. Frank was arrested after the police found out about what he was doing to her and the twins - which were taken away and are being put through a foster service. Those poor girls hopefully won't remember any of it, but Emma will. They didn't take her because they figured she was too old," He answered and I frowned a bit, but nodded. I felt bad for my family, it was falling apart, but Frank is a terrible person and I'm glad he's finally away from them all. I know my mom loves Emma and the twins to death, but all the grief going on around her is what she needs to focus on before possibly trying to get them back.

'Is my mom okay?' I asked, though she is also terrible. After thinking about it, I understood why she wanted Frank to abuse me instead of the girls - it'd be better for them, but not for me. She should've simply went to the police, I don't know why she chose to stay with him and let him ruin her life and the lives of her children. 

"Emma said she's ridden with guilt and sadness last I texted her. She's going to try and help her mother and herself get back on their feet. They're going to start therapy soon," Mike said and I was glad to hear that, but wondered why I was never updated on any of this.

'How come nobody told me anything?' I wrote and passed it along to Mike again.

"You've been stressing over everything, we didn't want to pile everything on you. It's a lot to take in. I figured I'd wait to fill you in until you asked - when you were ready," He smiled reassuringly and I nodded. 

"Thank... you..." I breathed out and stopped passing notes. I was sick of writing down everything I wanted to say or not being able to speak fully, I can't wait to get my voice back and go back to singing, so we can finally get the band on track. 

"Don't thank me, Chazzy," Mike chuckled and bent to gently pet Robin, who wagged his tail slightly. "We better get going to your appointment before we start running late."

"O...kay," I sighed, not looking forward to it, but with Mike and Sean by my side, I can do anything - even if this is just a lousy visit to the doctor.