Taken Back

Risks I Must Take

Everything went crazy! I cleaned up my kitchen and got things cleaned up since my husband and I are taking a break and that way he can think. I heard a knock on my door. "It better not be you Danny!" I opened the door to see my brother and his wife! He laughed. "Hey sis!" I laughed nervously..."I thought you guys were kidding when you said you would show up today?" He laughed. "Silly you! We came to tell you our news! And we got bored at home and so we wanted to stop by!" I laughed and scratched my head. "Oh well...come in!" They walked in and sat on my favorite couch. I sat with them. "So what is the good news?" They smiled, my brother held her hand. "Well we planned to adopt and now, we are going to have a baby!" I gasped. "Oh wow! I'm happy for you both! Is that going okay?" His wife scoffed. "I hate adopting because I would rather make my own babies with my babe but since he can't reproduce or help, I have to adopt so we are excited!" I laughed. "So when is the newborn coming?" He sighed. "Well the mom said that she is due anytime! So we could have our baby anytime!" I gasped. "That's shocking how come you didn't text me about this or call?" He coughed. "Because of the lockdown we are on. We are always so busy and can't always make the good news appear through communication!"

My son came to me. "Mom can I go to Willies house for homework?" I smiled. "Honey your aunt and uncle are here!" He scoffed. "Please!?"
I smiled. "Then go but be home at 7! No later or your grounded!" He got his shoes on. "Okay mom love you bye!"

My brother questioned me, "How do you know if he will be safe? How do you know anything?" I sat up and took a breathe. "I set rules for him say if he goes to a friends house I meet parents first and ask for number and they can call me if emergency...or if he is going with friends to a movie, I make sure an adult goes! I trust my son he's old enough to know what to do! He was taught to take charge of his rules...meaning if he does something wrong I set that as a rule. He doesn't like that so he behaves! It's normal to worry!" My brother smiled at me. "We have more news!" I sat up. "What's that?" They laughed. He spoke out happily..."We are moving back here!" I gasped. Oh hell no they can't! They would ruin my work but he's family! "Awe isn't that exciting?"

I got a call..."excuse me one sec" I got up...
Me: Hey what's up?
Cheif: We need you to come in now!
Me: I can't my brother just arrived!
Cheif: Then bring them!
Me: My daughter is with me too!
Cheif: Okay have your brother watch her we need you now! It's urgent!
Me: Okay I'll be there...
-------
My brother looked curious. "Who was that?" I sighed, my boss he needs me and I have to go! Can you guys watch Madison? She's sleeping but if she cries give her the medicine that is said on the cabinet! I'll be quick! Call me if you need anything!"

I rushed to the lab...I saw the cheif..."What's going on? What's the urgency?" Everyone looked sad...the cheif said..."It's Pam..." I look desperate..."well?" He sighed. "She was murdered earlier this morning...her sister found her dead..." I cried..."Who killed her?" He shed a tear, "This time, it was a bullet...no stabs no bruises just a shot...one to the head..."

I cried. "God no! How could this happen?! Where was this?" He sighed. "Around here...I wasn't here until she called me about Pam. I'm so sorry! I know she was like a sister to you!"
I cried out, "I have to take a few..."

She was my best friend...her smile lightened up the rooms, her eyes showed courage...she was brave enough to get shot in the leg...she had kids...a beautiful life! She was always there even if she had the worst of things...who could kill her?

I called my brother....
Him: Hello?
Me: Hey it's me, I won't be home until 6:30. If James comes home, tell him...(sobs)...
Him: Are you okay Amber?
Me: Yeah I'll be okay. Just make them a pizza or pasta. They eat at 5, sometimes 6, then they read a book or play games and shower after that, then bed time at 8:45 for Mads and 9:15 for James. They know the drill.
Him: Sure. Oh Mads wants to say hi...
Her: Hi mommy!
Me: (cries) hey BabyGirl! Mommy is sorry she is working!
Her: It's ok. Love you mommy!
Me: I love you too baby...please follow what your uncle says! I won't be home until I get data set out. I love you so much!"
Her: I love you mom...bye!
------
No words can fill my mouth...who killed my best friend and why?