The Baby Project [#Wattys2018]

Chapter Twenty-Two ~ Aut vincere aut mori

Jake pulls me out of the court room and into a corner down the hall; where no prying eyes could witness what would happen next. How could we even think about this at a time like this? With John in a nut house?  We were crazy to think this could work - wait, let me rephrase that -  we are too crazy to think any of this could work out for the better. It's like we have to conquer or die. There is no between stage of the game. Either I get Jack back with no strings attached or I die trying.

"Rosie. You are strong. You are stubborn. Oh for the love of all things holy - you are freaking crazy; but I love you. There is no doubt about it. I feel like if I would've told you that I was a twin - then some of this wouldn't have happened - but you can't blame yourself for John's mental illness. Add depression to it and social isolation - well you got yourself a ticking time bomb." babbles Jake as I lean up against the wall; constantly looking over my shoulder as if I was being watched.

Then a silly and outrageous thought ended up in my head: You need to see John. You need to get your qualms about him out of your system - and the only way you can do that is by going to him. Apologize to him. You might feel better.  "Jake...I want to see him. No... you will let me see him. I don't care if he's been forbidden any visitors... I will see him and the sooner the better. He will see me. I cared for him once and just for the love of god - let me see your damn brother okay!" I softly shout as  my fingers jabbed into his arm. Yanking his arm back, he sadly looks at me and nods with, "He will only see you. His orders, not mine. Oh and Ro - we're going to win. I just know it. He's our son. Tomorrow is friends and family give a short statement and answer questions on why you should or should not be a parent. We got this. He's our little nugget."

I grabbed his keys out of his hands; and he raced through the courthouse after me - like a bat out of hell. "Wait up! You're running way too fast for a girl who weighs like 105 pounds soaking wet!"

"110 pounds thank you!" I shout as I run out the revolving doors and straight to his car. Opening the doors, I insert the key into the ignition and start the car from the passenger side; and wait for slowpoke to get into the vehicle. "I'm just warning you - he may be a little out of it."

"Have you met me, Jake? Like seriously? I birthed a child and now I am fighting for that baby. I didn't tell my mother until basically the whole town knew - and I couldn't tell who the baby's father was - once I found out that he was a twin. I can handle him being out of it - I am the only one that can control him to a certain extent. Now let's go before he changes his mind and doesn't want me there!"

Putting both hands up he replies with, "Okay." Then we flee the parking lot and heads towards White Willow Psychiatric Sanitarium or otherwise known: Hell with pearly white gates of glass tears. You don't ever want to be admitted to this place; even on your good days. I wonder why John tried to hurt himself like this. Did he do it to stay away? Did he do it because all he feels is pain and guilt? I needed to do this - and I needed to do it without my boyfriend. I begin tapping on the door; because I was becoming highly impatient and a complete nuisance in the car. "I can only go so fast. We're already fighting a battle with the law - I don't believe you want another one to fight. Right?"

"Yeah-yeah. Can't you go a little faster?"

He shoots me a daring glare and I instantly shut up and look out the window. I pulled out my phone and swiped until I got to my Instant  app and clicked on it; so I could make polaroid's on my way to a dark place.

"We're here." utters Jake as we slowly pull into the parking lot; and in the back of my mind you could hear the creepy organ music play; and that sends quivers down my back. The gates open up for us and then we turn into a spot and park. "No day like the present."