Saved By Carli

XVI

Sage's POV

"DADDY PLEASE STOP." Why was he hitting me? What did I do? Where is Mom?

"SHUT UP YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT." He says while he slaps me more and more vigorously

"MOM MOM MOM MOM."

"SAGE WAKE UP. YOU'RE SAFE WAKE UP." What the fuck? Where did that voice come from? "BABY IT'S JUST A NIGHTMARE WAKE UP PLEASE." Thats Mom's voice. Holy shit what is she doing here. Wake up Sage. WAKE UP

After hearing Mom's voice I immediately awaken and my breathing because rapid and heavy. Mom wraps her arms around me and she just holds me until I calm down. Why wont this stop? The only comfort about this situation is Mom hasn't left me yet. She hasn't got tired of my shit.

"Sage are you okay?" Mom asks. I shake my head no and she sighs. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"It was a memory of when my dad would beat me when he was home from duty." I say through tears while Momma rocks us back and forth.

"Well I'm sorry you had to go through that Sage, but I promise as long as you're with me you are safe."

"I know. Im sorry I woke you up."

"Its okay baby."

Looking at the clock it's one in the morning. "Can we go back to sleep?"

"Of course sweetie." Momma says and I cuddle up into her and lay my head on her chest and fall asleep to her heart beat.

After my nightmare me and Mom slept until 10 in the morning and woke up and ate breakfast where I learned the plan for today, which was Mom, her brother, and father were going to Mom and I's house to set up my room while me, Aunt Ashley, and Grandma are going out to eat and do some other stuff. I don't know how this will work since I won't be with Mom for a while today.

"Hey Mom can you go with me to talk to Aunt Ashley and Grandma?" I ask walking into our room.

Mom comes over and puts her arm around my shoulder. "Yeah. What do you need to talk to them about?"

"Well since you won't be with us today for a little bit then we need to explain to them about what may happen if something sets me off."

"You know I can come with you Sage."

"No it's okay. You need to do stuff at the house and I want to see if I can handle being away from you for a period of time."

"Okay. Let's go talk to them." Mom says as she leads me to where her sister and mother are.

"Hey we need to speak with you two." Mom says sitting across from Ashley and grandma.

"Okay what about?" Ashley asks.

"Since I won't be with you three for a little bit I need to tell you how to stop her panic attacks should they happen." Mom looks to her two family members who nod telling her to go ahead. "Okay well Sage can sometimes get a minor panic attack and when those happen she will want to hold someones hand. She can also get a medium attack which basically her breathing will quicken a lot and she may cry. When those happen just hug her and let her listen to your heart beat or breathing. And lastly she can have a major attack which is what happened last night. If that happens one of you hug her and the other one call me and I will be there as soon as possible."

After she's done explaining everything I bring my knees to my chest and look away from all of the ladies in the room. I hear foot steps leave the room and Mom turns to me. "Hey don't you ever feel embarrassed about this. We love you for you. Nothing will ever change that baby." Mom whispers in my ear when the ladies leave to get their purses.

Me, Aunt Ashley, and Grandma went to a shopping center to get clothes for my room, then we got pedicures, and finally we stopped at a local restaurant. The three of us are talking while we eat and a little before we leave Grandma got up from the table and went to the bathroom. Aunt Ashley decided to say something. "So Sage how are you doing?"

"Depends on which way you mean that question."

"Well how are you doing right now?"

"I'm good right now."

"And how are you doing with everything the has happened the last month or so?"

"Well ever since Mom adopted me I've been great but there are some days that are difficult, but having a caring mother makes them better." I say smiling just as Grandma sits down.

"Hey Sage will you tell us why you have panic attacks?" Grandma asks.

Speak of the devil I can feel one coming on. Just breath Sage you'll be fine. "I...I will but only with Mom around. I can't do it otherwise. Sorry."

"It's okay Sage."

After we finish eating Grandma, Aunt Ashley, and I head to Mom and I's house which is 15 minutes from Grandma and Grandpa's house which is nice. I learned a lot about Mom and her family today. It's nice to finally have a family who cares. After the drive we arrive at the house and it's a nice house. Mom is on the porch waiting for us and when she see's me she gets a big smile as do I.

"Hey how was today?" Mom asked bringing me into a hug when I get to her on the porch

"It was fun." I pull her to the side so nobody can hear us. "I had a small one while we were out. But I got it under control. "

"Thats good. What happened?"

"They asked me to tell them why I have panic attacks. I told them I couldn't say until I was with you. And honestly Mom I can't tell them. I want them to know but I can't tell them so can you tell them while I sit next to you?" I ask sheepishly.

"Of course I will sweetheart. We can do it after dinner tonight." I just nod and we head inside. Mom gives me a tour of the house and my room is right next to hers which makes me happy. Grandma cooks dinner which was delicious then we decided to go to the living room and just talk. After about 30 minutes I grab Moms hand and intertwine our fingers to let her know I'm ready to talk.

After another 30 minutes of Mom talking about my past all of her family members look sad and also angry. They don't say anything to me thankfully because I probably would snap on them and I really don't want to snap on them. Once everything sinks in the family heads to bed so Mom and I do the same. After doing our nightly routines Momma and I do my favorite thing of every day. Cuddling before we go to sleep. Every time I cuddle into Mom she smiles and her grip on me tightens which makes me feel safe and loved. Damn I love my Momma.