To Save My Daughter

Part 1: Please Take Out The Trash

Part 1: Please Take Out the Trash

My life is normal. Well as normal as it can be with a preteen at home. I truthfully have nothing to complain about. Life is good for the most part. Sure at times I have wished for some excitement. Nothing major, just something to take me out of my daily routine once in a while. Still, lets be honest; what kind of excitement can a single mom living in the suburbs find. Especially while raising her daughter on her own.

I'm so tired tonight. Work seemed to drag, thanks to some inter-office drama and now a have a mountain of laundry to do; including the dinner dishes that are waiting in the sink for me. Again I find myself  pleading with Grace to do her simple chores. Why does it always feel like I’m talking to myself l when I need her to pitch in around the house?

“Grace Ashley, I’m not asking you again. Take out the trash, NOW!” I could hear the irritation in my own voice.

Finally grabbing her attention, she looked up from her book; popping off her ear buds. Giving me those innocent eyes, she stated in her typical flapped tone, “Fine, whatever you say mom”.

Sulking into the kitchen, she grabbed the white trash bag from under the sink. Turning and walking outside; I jumped as she slammed the screen door. Standing at the kitchen window, I finished the last of the dinner dishes; wishing I had a dishwasher. 

Still, I wondered when this attitude would stop. Having to remind myself that this attitude is normal for her age, was getting old.  I know She’ll grow out of this; one day my sweet little girl will come back to me. Right?  Sure I did the same thing to my mother. Honestly, I think I was worse. I went through that whole Goth stage; thinking my shit didn’t sink. Laughing to myself; I remember believing that my mom knew nothing. Here I am years later, probably thinking the same thing she did. How grand life is, that it repeats itself. Mothers all over the world have said the exact same thing.

Glancing out the window; I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. Movement that seemed out of place. Suddenly the world was too quiet. Panicking; Grace should have been back in from taking out the trash by now. It wasn't as if she had to go down the street. The can was on the side of the garage. 

Throwing my dish rag on the counter, I was full of mixed emotions. Part of me was pissed, since the reason I had wanted her to take out the trash was because I didn’t want to go outside myself. I was in my pajamas for god sake, and I always get stopped by that crazy guy next door that wants to take me out for a nice romantic dinner. For some reason he never takes the hint. I'm not saying romance wouldn't be nice, but romance in my life is a carton of ice cream and my Kindle. Not the slimy next door neighbor. 

Taking a deep breath; I knew something wasn’t right.  There was that weird, sick, tingling feeling in the pit of my stomach. This aways occurs right before something bad happens. My grandma would say, "That is your six sense sweetie. It's in your blood." I always blew it off as a child. What did Grams know. I figured it was just one of her gypsy tales. I would smile and nod; listening to her with the wide eyed innocence of a child. Part of me always wondered what did Grams really know? True, I had thought this six sense thing was just a tall tale; that was until I had Grace. Once she was born, I learned to never doubt those feelings. I knew right at this moment, something wasn't right.

Heading out the door, I turned the corner by the garage. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had to be seeing things. There was no way this could be happening. What just happened to my nice, peaceful, normal, boring life? This wasn't the kind excitement I had been talking about. 

Standing over my precious little girl, was a man! No not a boy, but a full grown, deadly man. His figure clad in black; I assume to blend into the darkness surroundings him. This man wasn’t your typical street thug. I could tell by his stance that there was something more menacing, dark, and dangerous about him; something unnatural. The terror of seeing my daughter standing under him, made the bile rise to my throat. Knowing i should fear him, vanished. The only emotion in me was the over whelming urge to save my daughter. At this very moment, saving my child’s was my only purpose in life, My driving life force.  

Holding Grace in his arms like a rag-doll; I noticed the white the trash-bag she once carried had torn apart, and its contents were skewed all over the ground around them. I could see Grace's eye, as they were locked in an intense stare with this predator.  It was as if she was in a trance. The look in her eyes made my blood run cold.  

Not even stopping to contemplated a plan, I ran straight at him. Jumping on his back, I did everything I could think of to get him to release Grace. I hitting, kicking, and clawing at him, I tried with all my might to rip into him. The adrenaline running through my veins was nothing that I had ever felt before. The only thing I could think about was saving my her.

“Who the hell are you”? I screamed at him as. Still trying tried to beat the crap out of him. “Get your mother fucking hands off my child!” Throwing insults, along with punches; I did whatever I could to get  at him. Anything I could think of to get him to drop Grace. Wanting to kill the bastard, I continued my assault. Hasn’t this moron ever heard that you don’t mess with a mother and her child? This guy was going to feel my wrath, if it was the last thing I ever did.

Finally, after minutes of beating the crap out him him, he dropped Grace. Seeing her hit the ground, I began screaming her name. "GRACE! RUN! NOW! GO!”

Looking dazed and confused, she sat there, staring at both of us. Shaking her head. Finally I noticed the realization hit her face. Get to her feet, she took off running. I prayed for her safety as I screamed at her to run.

Once I saw her turn the corner, I finally exhaled. "Oh fuck!"

What was I going to do now? How am I going to get way? Still on his back, I continued clawing at him. Doing anything I could to keep him distracted from Grace. Praying that she'd be safe when this all was finishe’d. Knowing that what happened next would not all be done in vain. Somehow, deep down I knew the normal peaceful life I had was gone forever.