Tough times never last, but tough people do

Chapter 3

Carrie drives to pick up Aubrey and they head home. Carrie makes dinner and Aubrey watches t.v.

Aubrey: "Mommy you're phone beeped!"

Carrie: "Okay sweetheart!"

Carrie's thoughts: Oh my gosh, it's Mike! I can't believe He texted me.

To Carrie:

"Hey, I was wondering if I could bring dinner to your place tomorrow for you and your daughter?"

To Mike:

"Sure! Sounds like a plan. By the way, I hope this isn't a big deal, but I'm vegetarian."

To Carrie:

"Okay, not a problem. See you two tomorrow around 6?"

To Mike:

"Yeah, (Carrie types her address) see ya then Mike!"

After dinner Carrie puts Aubrey to bed. She kisses her head and shuts off the lights. Carrie takes a shower and lays down. She can't stop thinking about Mike. Or about how tomorrow is going to be with Aubrey meeting Mike. There's just one thing, is Mike just like John? Is He going to abuse her???

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The next morning...

Carries thoughts: I better go and check on Aubrey. She's probably still asleep, but ya never know. Sometimes I worry that one day I'm going to wake up and Aubrey's gonna be gone. I'm still scared that John's gonna take her away from me. Ever since I moved, I've gotten texts from him saying he's sorry or misses me and Aubrey. But I can't take his word for it. I've been through way too much. I can't do it again... I just can't!

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Flashback:

John: "You can't hide forever Carrie. I will find you! Oh look, there you are. My sweet, sweet Carrie! You shouldn't have ran from me. I feel back doing this to you, but I can't say I didn't warn you of you're consequences babe."

Carrie: "John, please, don't... Aubrey's in the next room. She can't see any of this happening!"

John: "It's not my fault you messed up Care bear. You shouldn't have came home so late. Damn it, I trusted you! You asked to go out with you're friends, and I let you. You were supposed to be home by 8:00. But instead, you come home at 10:00?"

Carrie: "John, I'm sorry I lost track of time, it was an...."

Just then, John had lost his temper and started abusively hitting Carrie.

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Carrie loses her mind, and falls to her knees crying. Aubrey sees her mom losing control and runs to get her mom's phone. She didn't know who else to call, since she can barley read, so she called Mike, the first number in her mom's texting history.

Mike: "Hello?"

Aubrey: "This is Aubrey, my mommy needs help."

Mike: "Aubrey, it's you're mom's friend, Mike. What's wrong, is everything okay?"

Aubrey: "Um, I don't know? Mommy's acting weird."

Mike: "Okay, Aubrey I'll be over in less than remember minutes. Hang in there."

Aubrey: "Okay, hurry!"

Mike and Aubrey hang up. Mike drives over as quick as he can. Aubrey waits by the door and sees a man with dark brown hair show up. He knocks on the door and Aubrey answer's it.

Mike: "Are you Aubrey?"

Aubrey: "Yes I am! Mommy's upstairs in the hallway."

Mike runs upstairs and sees Carrie crying into her knees.

Mike: "Carrie? Are you okay?"

Carrie: "M-Mi-Mike? Wha-What are you doing here?"

Mike: "I got a call from a little fairy, she was worried about you."

Carrie: "Oh gosh, you weren't supposed to see me like this Mike... I am so sorry Aubrey called you."

Mike: "It's fine, really, I'm glad I can help. Why are you crying on the floor, if you mind me asking?"

Carrie: "Actually, Well Uh... It's not important now. Thank you for coming, again, I apologize!"

Mike: "Don't sweat it, I'm just glad your okay. I was a little scared when Aubrey called. By the way, She's a cutie! She looks just like her mom."

Carrie: "(Laughs) Thanks! I'd hope so, it'd be dreadful if she looked anymore like her father."

Mike: "Why do you say that?"

Carrie: "Well, he's just not the best memory for me. Maybe I'll tell you about him someday. But I don't wanna scare you off just yet, so that story will have to wait."

Mike: "Alright, That's fine."

Mike takes Carrie and Aubrey out for breakfast.