How to Save A Life (Anthony Rizzo)

69- Needed You

Clara

Anthony was back at home with Daisy and Maddie probably watching some kids show and trying to get Daisy to smile at him. Maddie was probably out back playing in the pool or in her dog house. As for me, I was out getting food and dog things for us for the near future. The end of the season was right around the corner and we were ready for the post season. But with us being gone for a while at a time again I wanted to get Maddie things for her dog house to keep her happy until whoever dog sits can get over there. But I still needed to grab a few things to be really ready and that's what I was doing. I honestly hated shopping, but someone had to do it and if I sent Anthony to do it I'm sure he would come back with another dog and no food.

After getting everything I needed I was on my way to check out but stop when I see a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Now I've seen a lot of flowers in my life, almost every day actually, but these ones were the nicest flowers I've ever seen. So many bright colors and arranged nicely. They were the kinds of flower that just made you feel good on the inside. I decide to grab two bouquets and purchase them with the rest of my things. I pack everything up into bags and before going home I go somewhere I haven't been in a very long time.

I drive to a place I haven't been to in at least 7 years, if not more. I pull into a parking spot before grabbing the flowers and getting out. I walk a little before I come to a tall headstone. Just under my feet laid my parents, they lay there side by side, right where they belong. I set the flowers on their headstone and let out a long sigh. I see the words "mother" and "father" on there and fight back the tears. That's two things I could have used in the past eight years of my life.

"What I would give to have you guys here" I sigh as I set myself on the ground. It was a nice day here in Chicago, the sun felt good on my exposed skin as the September winds flip through my hair. I play with the engagement ring on my left ring finger as my sight started to get blurry from the tears forming in my eyes. I wipe away the tears that had fallen and sniffle away the rest. "There was so many times in my life that I needed you. I always needed you guys, even when you were still here. You guys raised me right and made it so that I didn't need you, but I still did.

I remember when I first started dating Eddie. You guys were never thrilled about him but I loved him and you loved me and that was enough. So you guys took him in and treated him like he was one of your own. He didn't deserve your love but you gave it to him anyway, and when you guys were here he was a great guy to be around. Maybe daddy threatened him and I didn't know it, I'm not sure. But when you guys left you trusted that he would take care of me because you no longer could. But that's not how it happened and I would give anything to have you guys back.

I needed you more than anything when Eddie started hurting me. I needed you every time he hit me, every time he degraded me. Lord knows that if I got out of there when I could things could have been so much different. But I couldn't because I didn't have you guys to guide me, I was so lost. All I wanted to do was run to you guys and confide in you. For you to listen to me and tell me everything was going to be okay. For you to tell me that I can't go back there and that you'll take care of me.

But I couldn't have that because some guy decided to get drunk and drive home when he shouldn't have been driving and his life was spared while I was left without parents. He gets to keep living meanwhile you guys did nothing wrong and you're dead. At least I know he will rot in jail for the rest of his life, sometimes he probably wishes he was dead.

I guess you guys being such great parents made this that much harder to go through. I went from having the best parents in the world to having no parents and my world crumbing down around me. I can hear Dad telling me to keep my head up, for I won't see the stars if I'm always looking down. And I can see
mom encouraging me to chase after our dreams, making sacrifice after sacrifice to get me to be the best I can be. But then reality sets in and I see it was just a dream. I'm met with my fate and it was something that no one should have to go through, let alone go through it alone.

And if you guys were still here you would have never of let me stay with that sad excuse of a man. Eddie... he was a terrible person. I know you know because he passed and he wouldn't be in heaven with you, no. He's rotting in hell for what he did to me. I needed him in the worst ways when you guys left me, and he knew that. I trusted him with everything, and I put my everything in him. He knew I would never get rid of another person I cared for after losing you guys. So he treated me like shit because he could. And boy did he, I didn't know one person could feel so much physical and mental pain. I thought going through that would take my mind of the pain of losing you but then I remembered that if you were here this never would have happened and it hurts that much more.

But then you guys send me a angel. Someone who reminds me a lot of the both of you. Someone who could take everything Eddie did to me and make it possible for me to say it was worth it to go through that, as long as I got him in the end. I know it sounds crazy, but I would go through it all again as long as I ended up with him. I really would.

You guys would have loved Anthony and his family. They have a lot of morals and a higher understanding of how life should be lived, and how we live for each other. I wish you guys could have met him. He's the most incredible person I have ever met and I love him more than anyone should ever love someone.

I guess I wanted to come by here today to say that I don't need you anymore. I want you more than anything in this world. But you guys sent me just what I needed, and I get to marry him in two months. And as I stand on that beach with a bundle of daisies in my hand I'll remember...

I'll always pick him."