I Choose You

Chapter Nineteen - Dad or Dud?

So apparently not only was Fred a people abuser, but a drug and alcohol abuser, also. How excellent. It just goes to show that people aren't always as they seem, big time. I thought he was the nice dad who made sure you were okay, sat and watched movies with you on the couch and helped you with your homework. Instead, he was the dad who started fights with his wife, abused her, blamed it on his kid and then drank and popped pills to take the pain of his harsh personality away from himself.

Jessie was finally out of the hospital, but both Ann and Jessie were now in a room as I was in the precinct, talking about his issues. I highly doubted they'd ever get him for a charge or child support, though, considering he took a bus to God-knows-where. Don't get me wrong, I want him out of their lives forever, but they deserve the money and he deserves the time. A three-way abuser does not belong on the streets as a free bloke, if you ask me.

The familiar waiting room was both safe and cold at the same time. No one ever did find whoever it was, and we don't know if he'd go any further. I carried a notebook now, since I've been spending tremendous amounts of time waiting. I decided to make a list of what Philip did.

1) Hack my twitter @alex_bertie.

2) Hack Jessica's twitter.

3) Creepy comments!!

4) Threats. . .

5) Drove next to me with notebook-lady.

6) Stalked me in the market!

7) Cyanide poisoning :(

8) Had "forces" try to shoot me, twice!!!

9) "Hung" Jessie 

I came to a conclusion - this guy-lady-it was completely insane. And I mean for, like, an insane asylum, not even a therapist. No, he's way past that point. I wasn't sure, but I was sure that this thing was a mass murderer or something of that sort. I didn't understand, though. What did he have against me? I'm either guessing the next plan is being plotted now, or that they got what they wanted. Who knows. Hearing my name shook me from my mystery-solving antics. "Yes?"

"Please, go into the office with Jessica and Ann, they're in with Jim Brooks." I nodded and made my way down the hallway back into the officer's office. I knocked on the door and let myself in. I stood behind Jessie and rubbed her shoulders, causing her to turn around.

"Hello," said Jim.

"Um, hi. . ."

"Pull that over, and sit down, please. " he tilted his head to the spare wooden chair in the corner. I walked over and picked it up.

"Anywhere?" He nodded. I placed it next to Jessie's seat. Her wrists were exposed, showing her still-red lines from the rope. Ugh.

"So," he said, flipping through papers on his clipboard, "Have you seen this alleged Philip lately, Alex?" It surprised me, in all honesty, that I haven't. I was sure he would show up at the hospital and make a scene, because we all know how much he loves to makes scenes - especially when it comes to me. Maybe he was done and got what he needed, and needed a more evil plan since he seems to keep failing. If he was some mastermind criminal, how in the hell did he fail at cyanide poisoning!? It's very easy to kill someone with that, I don't get it.

"Nope," I replied, truthfully. He pursed his lips together and nodded, then scribbled down some notes. I hope he could read them, because I certainly couldn't. The room fell silent, and I swear, you heard all of the breathing patterns of everyone in the room.

"Okay, well, Ann, Jessica, we will try our best to find Fred. When and if we do, child support will be owed and he will face the charges he deserved. Same for you, Alex, except the child support, since he is not your parent in anyway, but that's common sense. If any of you have trouble, please feel free to contact us. We're here to help you. Have a nice day, miss, ma'am, young man."

"Thank you," we all muttered at once before getting up and leaving. We said good-bye to Lynn at the front desk ands walked out the door before getting back into the car. Jessie and Ann were in no shape to drive, so I took the wheel and drove them back to my house.

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Jessie came into my room with a cup of water and sat on my bed. "Alex. . ." she said quietly. I looked away from my computer screen and faced her. "My mom is still a mess, I was wondering if you'd do her and I a huge favor."

"Depends on what it is." I smiled.

"Can we stay a night or two? I don't want her driving that far like this. Plus, I'm worried my dad might have gone home to get his stuff and I do not want to run into him."

"Of course. Let me call my mum. She hasn't been home all week but she's coming back today with y sister and dad. I'm sure she wont mind." I pulled myself out of my seat and dialed my mum's number. It wrung seven times before someone answered.

"Hello?"

"hi, mum, it's Alex."

"Hi, sweetie! How's it going?"

"Good. Um, I was wondering if maybe my friend, Jessie, and her mom, Ann, can stay here for a day or two. Fred, the father, kind of abused Ann and was an addict. . . he ran away and her mom is a mess, and is in no shape to drive all the way home. Would you mind?" The line fell silent and I thought I got disconnected before my mum's voice came booming through the speaker.

"Yea! Sure! Be home later! Can't wait to meet them! Love you!" Why in the world was she so excited? Alcohol.

"Okay, thanks, love you." I disconnected, turned to Jessie and nodded. She hugged me and smiled.

Then there was an ear-piercing shriek from downstairs.