It's Complicated

Chapter 51: She Needs Me

*Kim's POV*

Today is an exciting day! Dan & I both finally have the day off at the same time. I can't wait to spend the day with my husband! We have the whole day planned out! First we're going grocery shopping, then we're cooking lunch together & we're supposed to go have dinner at the lake with some friends. I really can't contain my excitement! I've needed a day like this for so long!

I roll over in bed & see Dan fast asleep. I can't help but admire this wonderful man I'm married to. God, I couldn't picture my life without him. I kiss his nose & giggle, accidentally waking him up. "Sorry babe, you just looked so cute while you slept. I couldn't resist giving you a kiss!" He shines a smile & tickles me before pulling me in to a cuddle.

An hour or so passes & we're still in bed. Dan smacks my leg & says, "let's get this day started Kimmy!" I agree & nod. While Dan runs down the hall to workout, I shower & pick out my clothes for the day. It's still a little cold in Utah so I settle for some dark grey heathered leggings & a maroon sweater dress & some black ballet flats. I toss my hair up into a messy bun, slap some makeup on & I'm ready for the day. Dan quickly showers, gets dressed & we're out the door ready to tackle our first errand of the day. "To Harmon's we go!" I shout as we take off in the car.

It's a quick drive to the grocery store & as a grown woman, I am so excited! Dan always laughs because I find joy in such small things. But let's face it, I love food so why wouldn't I enjoy grocery shopping?

We go down countless isles grabbing things that we need. From apples & kiwis to double fudge ice cream & brownies, you name it, I probably grabbed it. As we walk around the grocery store there's music playing softly over the intercom, a song in specific catches me off guard. Annabelle by Gillian Welch. The lyrics hit me hard for the first time in forever.

"Had a daughter called her Annabelle. She's the apple of my eye. Tried to give her something like I never had, didn't want to ever hear her cry."

I instantly break out into tears & think of my Annie girl. Oh how I miss that girl so much! I wipe the tears from my face & continue walking throughout the store when I see Dan running up to me frantically. "Babe? Did Katie call you? I just got a voicemail that says to call her back as soon as possible?" I swear I could feel my face lose all its color. I'm sure I look like a ghost now. What's going on? What's so important that Katie called Dan? I grab my phone & notice the several missed calls & texts I have from her, I instantly become worried.

I quickly dial Katie's number & anxiously wait for her to answer. "Kimmy?" She says, her tone is much different than normal. I can tell something is wrong. "Yeah, what's up Katie? I wish I would've seen your calls & messages sooner but we're at the grocery store right now." I can hear her sigh & sniffle, "Just call me back when y'all aren't in public. Y'all be safe, love y'all!" She quickly hangs up the phone before I can even get a word in. I assume  it wasn't as urgent as it seemed if she wanted me to call back later.

Dan & I finish at the grocery store & stop at Chick-fil-A to get a quick bite. I get my usual nuggets & two cookies, I can't resist! We stop at a park to eat our food & just enjoy the moment we have together. "I love you. I'm glad we got to do this today. I miss seeing you all the time." Dan hangs his head & chuckles, "that's on you babe. You're always working in that gym. But it keeps you happy, so I complain!" Hearing him say that literally crushes me because HE makes me happier more than anything in this world. We finish lunch & begin to head back to the house so we can continue our day full of errands.

As we're driving on the highway I remember Katie told me to call her back. I figured now would be a good time since traffic is backed up. "Hey Katie, what's up? We're driving home & I remembered I needed to call you!" I swear I can hear faint cries in the background, but I don't think much of it. "Kim.." She says in an eerie tone. "It's Annie." My heart instantly sank. "What's — what's wrong?" I reluctantly ask. She sighs, "This isn't going to be easy.." I try to prepare myself but she's got me worried now more than ever.

"Annie, she um, apparently had been dating that boy Daniel. He was nasty to her. I didn't know. I didn't know any of this." She begins to sob uncontrollably. "He hurt her, he hurt my baby! He pushes her & hits her. He broke my baby, Kim!" My stomach turns, there's a lump in my throat. "He did it in front of all their friends, Brennan was there. He brought her home last night & she had bruises & cuts all on her. I'm scared for her Kim. How did I let this happen?" She spares me the details, but it doesn't make the situation any less terrible. I unknowingly let out a loud screech. "Please come home as soon as you can, please! She needs you!" I begin to hit Dan on the shoulder, "pull over, pull over!" I shout as I cover my mouth. He pulls the car off into the shoulder of the road, I swing my door open & run into the grass. I throw up. Hearing this news literally made me sick to my stomach.

As I clean myself up & back into the car Dan asks me what's wrong, I try my best to hold it together but it all comes out like word vomit. "It's Annie!" I sob hysterically. "Our baby, my baby! She needed me & I left her Dan. I didn't even think twice!" He looks at me with a confused look. "Kim, what are getting at?" He asks in almost an annoyed tone. "She let him hurt her! She let him shove her & touch her in ways he should've never! She's a baby Dan, she doesn't deserve this! She doesn't need to be in an unhealthy relationship like this! She needs me, she needs me! I shut her out when she needed me the most. God damnit, Dan!"

I didn't even have to mention a name, Dan just knew. As I look over at him, I see heartbreak in his eyes. He's breath in heavily & stays focused on the road, really he doesn't want me seeing him cry. I feel so much guilt right now. I can't believe I left Maryland & this was all happening. How did I not know? How did I not see this unfolding?

As we continue driving home, Dan breaks down. He refuses to pull the car over but it's evident that he's upset about the situation with Annie. "What's wrong, babe? Tell me!" I say. He just shakes his head, never speaking a single word. I can only imagine what he's thinking & how he's feeling right now. I mean, hell I'm so torn up about this. How could this have happened to her? I can't stop thinking about her, she needs me. I need to be there for her.

"Dan.." He looks over at me, his eyes are red & swollen from crying. He wipes his face & says, "Kimmy, book us tickets. We need to go home. They need us.. She needs us."