Testimony

Lost In My Mind

(Trey)

Our house was full of familiar and stranger faces. I turned off the coffee maker and took the mug to Erica. She took it but didn't drink. The detective was still talking to her. I went back to the kitchen watching her.

"Why would he take them" Jenesa asked thinking out loud. "I should have locked the window. I sh-"

"This is not your fault j. Stop it." Erica said Looking at her.

I shrugged trying to control my anger. I couldn't believe what this man did. Tearing apart my family I squeezed my mug hard. Erica and Jenesa had started to cry again and I heard glass break.

"Trey your hand" Niecey cried

I looked down and saw my mug broken on the ground a cut on my hand. Niecey placed a paper towel in my hand as she dapped the cut.

"Leave it" I snapped jerking my hand away.

"Trey you need to get it" she began again.

"I said leave it" I snapped again moving toward the living room.  Tess blocked my way.

"Can I talk to you" she asked not waiting for an answer from me. She steered me toward the patio door an out to the backyard.

"What do you want Tess" I glared at her

"Look it's not your fault The twins got snatched". I held my breath. "It's not Erica's fault either. She's going to need you to be strong for her right now not this angry at the world shit that's starting. Look at her" she pointed at my Erica who was breaking down is hysterical cries again. Abgail was at her side rubbing her back.

Niecey was talking to the detective a card he handed to her. They began walking to the front door.

"You can't have a pity party for yourself now" Tess continued very distant "She needs you more"

"I couldn't protect her I couldn't protect her or our children . I failed her again". I was rambling What if he hurts them like he did Erica. "What if we never see them again? I don't..."

"Don't think like that Treyvon". I looked at her it was the first time she called me that. "The police will find her. You believe in God right"? I nodded. "Then trust HIM trust that HE will bring your children home."
~
Our friends stayed late into the morning. Erica had finally fallen asleep around ten that morning. I walked Abgail , Tess and Niecey to the door.

"Call me when she wakes up" Abgail said to sadly.

I nodded "I'm sorry about earlier, Niecey". I looked down at my hand. After Tess and I came back in she had sat me down to bandage it up.

She cupped my face and getting up on her toes kissed my cheek. "It's okay, Trey"

Abgail ave me a hug "I can stay you know. She...she needs me. We could take turns watching over her".

I smiled for the first time in hours "Thanks Abby I...I'd like that"

We said goodbye and Abgail went to check on Erica.

"She's still asleep" she sighed heavily as she sat across from me at the kitchen table. I slid a glass of brandy to her.

"Thanks" he mumbled taking a sip.

I took one as well the liquid burned my throat as the pain it cause took my mind to the events of tonight. If I was a better person I would have been able to Abgail interrupted my thoughts.

"Trey we can't blame ourselves" she said quietly reading my mind. I looked up at her.

Her brown eyes were swimming with tears.

"You're damn right I blame God for doing this to her. She did nothing wrong yet HE fucks up her life like this. She is a good person she's the best person I know. Erica doesn't deserve this". I felt my temper rise. Abgail put a hand over mine.

"Trey" she smiled softy "do you remember the book of Job in the Bible".

I shook my head "It's been a while since I've read" I confessed

Abgail smiled "Well Job was a man of God through and through. He did no wrong. Then one day God allowed Satan to test Job. He took away everything his children his property everything. Everyone his wife and friends told him to curse God and die. But he wouldn't he remained a loyal servant to God".

"Are you saying I'm Job" I asked.

"No Erica is Job, you're more of Jobs wife".

I snorted "So if God allowed whoever to do this why would he it doesn't make sense"

"No one knows why Trey and it's not our business to question".

We were quiet for a long time both on our second glass.

I downed my drink and poured another. "I'm going to go check on her". I told Abgail as I headed toward our bedroom.

I passed The guest room on my way and saw her sitting on The bed.

"Erica" I said softly entering. She did answer. I crossed the room and sat next to her. She got up and moved away from me.

The gesture stung like an ice cold pick stabbing my heart.

I stood up "I brought you a drink" I said quietly making my way over to her and handing the glass to her. She took it and sipped it. I sucked in my cheeks watching her. "It's not your fault Erica".

"Not now Trey" she whispered

"But you need to know this Bunny; what he did..."

"What I need is another drink" she rasped downing the rest in a gulp. She got up and walked out of the room.

I followed her into the kitchen it seemed that Abgail had gone to bed. I watched her pour the half full into the brandy glass. Then down half in a large gulp.

"Erica" I whispered taking the liquor bottle out of her hands "You can't drink your problems away".

She glared at me swaying a little she wasn't one that could handle her drink. "So I'm a problem now" she snapped.

"I didn't say that"

"Yes you did" she said hiccupping. "But you know your right it's my problem." She fumbled with her hands.

I watched her take off her ring. I lost the ability to feel. She set the ring on the table and stumbled back towards the bedrooms. I quickly blinked back my tears grabbing the ring I tucked it into my pocket. I went after her picking her up and carrying her to our room.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and won't let go when I set her down on the bed. So I sat her in my lap and just held on to her. We were silent for a long. I slowly laid back on the pillows pulling her on top of me. She still hadn't let go of me.

"It was a mistake coming back here" she said barely audible.

I tensed pulling her closer. "No it wasn't Erica. You needed to come back here it's where you belong. It's where you are loved. You're family's here your friends are here I'm here. We love you and The twins very much".

"I know you do, I know all you do, but still I should have known" she whispered shaking her head.

"How" I asked I lifted her chin so she could look at me. "You did everything right". I watched her shake her head closing her eyes she shuddered in my arms. I held her tighter.

Erica opened her eyes sadly to mine. "I should have left when he found me again".

"Then you'll be running for the rest of your life. You said he was like a blood hound" she chuckled slightly at my joke. "I promise, Bunny we will find them".

"I hope so" she moving off me but stayed close to my side she closed her eyes and went to sleep again.

I was almost into slumberland myself until the phone rang.

It was Erica's phone I answered. "Hello"?

"Bunny , will always belong to me Baby boy" Jason husked came through "No one but me"