Take Me Home {Completed}

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Unedited!

***

***

Chapter Twenty-Eight:

"I-I ... I-" Nola's eyes glanced over in the direction of the television. It wasn't the T.V that caught her attention but, instead, the indent in the wall next to the television.

She remembered how Mitch had thrown her at the wall like a ragdoll the night before Parker kidnapped her, causing the indent.

Her chest felt heavy and Nola began to have trouble breathing. "I want to help you," Nola looked over at Douglas, "I-I-I r-really do ... b-but ... unless he," Nola paused as she considered the sudden thought.

"Unless he what?"

"Well, he talked about us moving into an apartment together, several days ago. He said he'd found an apartment and was going to sign the lease. Once he signed it, he told me that we'd be able to move in the next day." Nola's words came out in one huge rush and for a second she wondered if Douglas understood her.

"I've no record of him signing for a new apartment. Records show that he has been living and occupying the same place for a couple of years. Do you know where this apartment is that he was talking about?"

Nola looked away from Douglas to see her aunt walking in the room with a tray full of drinks. Without warning, she zoned out. Her mind recalled the conversion, following Mitch announcing that he'd found a place.

^^^

"Where is it?" The question slipped off her tongue without her thinking twice about it. Nola knew she made a mistake and wished, more than anything she could go back in time and rip the question from her lips.

"Does it matter?" Mitch spat. "Gosh, Nole, I'm giving you a place to live — with me. I'm willing to provide a roof over your head and food. Here you are, questioning me over the damn location." Mitch sat his water down on the counter and shook his head. "You're so ungrateful."

"I-I-I don't — don't care about the location, Mitch. I-I-I was just ... just ... just-"

"Spit it out already!" He hissed.

"I was just — just," Nola fumbled on her words. She knew what she wanted to say but she was afraid of his reaction and the lesson to be given afterward.

"I just, I just, I just, I just," Mitch mocked. "Damn, you really need to cut that stuttering shit out. It's annoying as hell."

"I was just curious."

^^^

Nola's eyes began to water at the memory. She wanted to break down and cry but she told herself she wouldn't. "I don't know."

"He never talked to you about the location of where y'all were moving? Or you never asked?"

"I asked," Nola locked eyes with Douglas as she pointed to the wall by the television, "and that happened," She quickly placed her hand back under her thigh, "... However, may-maybe I can help you n-narrow down where he have gotten an apartment."

"Anything would be great," Douglas said.

"He likes expens-sive things, so he wouldn't purchase any rundown apartments. He doesn't like c-crowds, so it would be an apartment that doesn't have a lot of tenets. Other than th-that, I'm afraid I can't help you."

"You gave me some good information. I'm afraid that it's not going to narrow it down that much because in this town there are a few of those kinds of apartments, that you described. However, he could've gotten apartment anywhere in the world."

"He would have p-picked an apartment somewhere in town. He wanted to s-stay in town until his mother got over her treatments."

"Treatments?"

"His m-mother has cancer. He use to visits her everyday for a-a few hours and, while he dreams to escape this town ... he wouldn't-t leave until she's better - or passes away."

"We might have something then," Douglas stood up. "I'm going to go back to the station and start looking up possible apartments. If you can think of anything else, call me."

Nola nodded, "Will do."

"Want some pizza for the road?" Parker asked when Douglas was halfway out the house.

Douglas stopped for a second, "No, I need to get back to the station as soon as possible. I'll let y'all know if anything pans out."

Once Mr. Harper was gone, Parker asked Nola how she was doing.

"I'm fine," She stated as her mind to digesting everything that just happened. "I think, I'm going to," Nola muttered as she got up, "go to the bathroom."

Nola couldn't reach the bathroom fast enough. As soon as she entered, Nola closed the door behind her. She stood still for a minute, but slowly her vision clouded over with tears. Her mouth opened and she released a silent cry.

Nola got down on both knees, feeling defeated, and covered her face with her hands. Her stomach knotted and Nola felt herself become sick. She knew it was because of how upset she was getting but she refused to go over to the toilet and throw up. Nola wanted to stay there, just like she was and let it all out.

After a while, the tears slowed down. Her thoughts ceased and she felt a numbness wash over her. Along with the numbness came a tired feeling. Nola stood up and found herself drained. She, honestly, felt as if she had been out working in the sun all day and was ready to go to bed.

Wiping her eyes, Nola knew that she wasn't really physically tired - but emotionally she was worn out.

Her head started to throb as she washed her hands. Nola could tell that a headache was starting to form, so she opened the medicine cabinet to get some pain relievers. Her eyes caught sight of some prescription pain relievers.

Her mother had broken her ankle a year back on a trip with her father. She had to come back home for a few weeks in order to heal before going back out and traveling. She never finished her medicine and, in not needing it anymore, left it at home.

Nola stared at the bottle.

She didn't think twice as she reached out and grabbed the prescription. With a twist of the cap, she opened it and looked inside. The bottle was half gone, but it would be enough. Nola put the bottle to her lips and tilted it so all the pills could fall in her mouth.

***
A/N:
So, I decided to post the answers to the last three trivia questions.

1. What two flavors of suckers did Parker get from Mrs. Peach when he was taken to the school's office, by Mr. Kale?
Answer: C. Watermelon and Sour Apple

2. What does Parker's friends, Claudine and Remus, do for a living?
Answer:  D. Claudine works for a marking agency and Remus owns a realtor company.

3.What is Nola's favorite animal?
Answer: A. Rabbit

So, did you get them all right?
***
Please:
Comment, vote and SMILE!