"Today, however can change things for better or worse. The outcome depends on you."
When a marriage fails the residue trickles down to everyone in the family. Sixteen-year-old Daya Nicole Johnston must fight to understand what is happening in her li...
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* Dennis Johnston *
Sweat was dripping down my body as I held my throat. I felt my chest heave up and down. My heart was beating arduously and at an irregular pace, visibly desperate for a sense of relief. I awoke in a jolt of panic as the screams rang in my ear like the bells at school, continuously and on a loop.
"Baby, it was just a dream," were the words that I could barely hear over the obnoxious ringing in my ears.
I secured my hands over them and sealed my eyes to better block out everything that was trying to suffocate me.
"No, no, no," I mumbled under my breath as an uncontrollable convulsing started up in the core of my body, and soon took me over, captivating me.
Two warm arms wrapped themselves around me and a gentle hum overboarded my eardrums. The melody had a sense of familiarity to it. It was still drowned out by the other sounds capsizing it.
I wanted, no needed, to focus on the song and the calming way it was presented to me. The shaking was slowly leaving me as the song climbed its way to the forefront of my mind.
My breathing gradually returned to its normal tune, as I fixated my attention on the melodious humming coming from the person next to me. The harmony engrossed me, swallowing me up into its dulcet nature. My mom used to sing this to me when I was younger and needed ease.
"Mom," I whispered as I gradually detached my hands from my ears and my top lash line to my bottom.
"I'm here, there's no need to be afraid," she said to me in her consoling voice that I was so accustomed to hearing.
I breathed, "I'm glad."
Maybe thirty minutes went by. I finally started to feel the normal amount of anxiety I possessed come back, rather than a domineering one.
"Mom I, I feel better. I can get up now. Where's Dennis?" I looked at my hands.
Then, we were surrounded by an eerie quietness that brushed every inch of the walls. Words escaped me as I looked up and saw her peering down at me with an intent, layered look.
If one could look behind the blank canvas, they might become open to a realm of damage. Just look deeper.
My eyes turned away from her as I lifted myself against my headboard. I immediately knew where I needed to be.
Words couldn't escape my mouth as I peeled myself away from the warm, comforting arms of my mother and into the coldness of my house. I breathed in the frigid air as I took steps toward one of the most important aspects of my life.
Standing in front of Denny's door, I felt fondled by the smooth wood that had been painted some off-white color years before I was born. My fingers contacted the door, and I swung it open not even bothering to knock. He looked so different but familiar at the same time.
