Completely and Utterly Broken

Thirty-Four

3 months later...

My eyes watch over the scenery that passes me. Music quietly plays in the background as Andrew drives me to a place I haven't been to in four years. His hand holds mine in silent comfort.

3 months ago my uncle, Leo, broke into Andrew's house, he tried to take me back with me...and I killed him. The police told me it was self-defense but I still had to get over it, and live with that. But I couldn't deny that a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. Being free for the pain is a serious life breather. It was hard to tell the police in my story of years of abuse but it had to be done. I told them that I wanted to keep this a low profile so not much people won't heard about it, but it got out since it happened at Andrew's house, it was very uncomfortable to have people stare at me.

It was a week after the whole thing with Leo happened that I got a whole bunch of money from Leo, I don't know where he got it from, but it was 25,000 dollars. Plus, a month after, I sold the things in the house, keeping my things, then sold the house, when the help of Andrew's family and the cop that helped me in my case.

His name is John Travis, and he's 32. He actually had the same solution with he was a kid. His parents died when he was 10 and his aunt and uncle took him in. His uncle was abusive and beaten him and his aunt. He now riots in jail.
He has a wife named Jamie, and no kids. But they have a dog named Charlie. He made feel welcomed and I see him a father figure in my life even over a course of 3 months. I actually live with him now, but I give a tent of 10 because he also sees me as a daughter figure. Andrew tried to get me to love with him but I love him, but I'm definitely not ready for that.

But we still are basically together every minute. Now, I'm busy with a schedule of now having a job that I've had for 1 month, and it honestly me happy because it makes me feel that I'm doing something, and have a future. I feel useful with my time. Now, it's two weeks away until school ends, and that means graduation. Andrew is going to the college in the city, and he convicted me to go with him, but I told I'm getting a apartment with him. That boy.

You love him though.

I scowl at my subconscious. Then suddenly I feel a squeeze on my hand, and I turn my head to Andrew. He already is looking at me, and when our eyes meet he gives me a smile.

"We're here." he tells me softly.

And then I notice that car stop has stopped moving. I look out the window to get see a playground, tinier than I remember, and next to it, a small river, lining with rocks, and one huge rock so noticeable.

I let out a sigh, giving a squeeze to Andrew's hand, and I open the door and slowly walk to the rock. I hear the door open and close, and I know Andrew is walking a respectful distance behind me.sl

Getting to the rock, I stand over it, and I smile slips my lips as I see that there are many over names, dates, and mini pictures of things. But my eyes automatically find my Zoe from all those years ago from that night... I blink away tears and crawl onto the rock, sitting down, and running my fingers over my faded writing of my name the date of that night and the stars I drew.

I breath in a shaky breath, and the memory of that fateful night that I lost my parents. Grabbing the pen out of my pocket, I lean down, and write down underneath it, my name, date, and this time, hearts, and I miss you.
It takes a while, but when I'm done, I feel satisfied. I sit there for a moment staring at my writing on the rock.

When I feel a hand on my back, rubbing soothingly, I know that in that moment, everything is going to be okay.

Sliding off the rock, and turn around and hug Andrew. He hugs back immediately, kissing my forehead. And we stand there for a few moments.

"Thank you." I whisper in his chest.

"Of course." he replies, running a hand over my head. Then it's silence again.

I sigh, pulling away from him, and rub away the years from my cheeks.

"Thank you for taking me here, And."I give him a smile.

He smiles back. "Anything for you, baby." he pauses, looking at me. "You already to go?"

I pause looking around the park. "No. Lets walk."I say, looking back at jim, and holding out my hand.

He smiles, and takes my hand. We start walking next to the small river.

"And Zoe?" Andrew's voice whispers in my ear, sending a shiver through me. I reply with a breathy 'yea?'

"Happy Birthday, baby."

5/13/17