Kidnapping Sophie

The farm

Song: Hey Brother by Avicii cover by Damien McFly and Faes  (I love song...but thought this one would sound good around campfire.) Enjoy!!!

Jessica's POV:

I played with the card in my hand all morning debating on if I should just go and check it out, after all Andy has been really nice to Sophie. He has been giving me hope that one day she will wake up and she will be fine like him. One day.

I get in my car and put the address in my phone and follow the directions. At the end of the road there is this long gravel drive that I take. Trees hover above the drive, so that it looks like a tunnel. When I come to the end there is an amazing view of the farm. It is so breathtaking no wonder people come here to heal.

 I pull up to the barn and see picnic tables lined up under the big oak trees. I debate on if I should get out or not about the time I get out of my car, Andy is standing by the car door.

"Hey you made it. Come on over join the group." He shows me the way and I follow right beside him. "So my family helps run the place and we have only four tenants staying with us at the moment. Once a month they have family that comes out to visit and so well...today is that day."

"It sure is lovely out here and it's so nice of your family to be able to do this for others."

"Yeah...my mom had these vision years ago and when I got into my accident it pushed her more into doing something. She has a kind heart for helping others."When we get up close to the picnic tables he introduces me to his family. "Dad...this is Sophie's mom...Mrs. Baxter. Mrs. Baxter this is my dad...oh here comes my mom."

When I look up...I'm a little shocked she looks so young and so beautiful. I guess I just visualized her a little older and more country like. Not that she wasn't...she had on jeans and a flannel top with some cowboy boots.

She reaches out immediately to shake my hand. "Hi there...I'm Anna...and you must be Jessica...Andy was telling us that he invited you to come out today...thanks for coming and please make yourself at home."

"Andy has been really nice coming to the nursing home to read and check in on my Sophie...you two must be really proud of him."

She looks up at her husband and both look over at Andy and smile. "He used to one of those wild little boys....but he has changed a lot over the past few years. But to answer your question...yes we are very proud of him."

"Well...come have a seat." His dad gestures for me to come and sit down.

  I sit beside his mom and this little girl who keeps smiling ear to ear. Everyone sits down and then an older man stands up and says a prayer as we all bow our heads. Then everyone starts to dig in. I sit back and watch the families interact with each other. I can't remember a time when we would sit back and just talk and enjoy each other's company.

"So Jessica....right?" says Anna, "what do you do for a living?"

"Oh...I'm a secretary down at Smith's law firm...been there for a couple of years."

"Sounds interesting."

"It can be....but then again can be a little boring at times. The good thing is, is that I can get off early to have time to visit with Sophie."

His dad looks over at me with a slight smile. "Is Sophie your only child?"

"Yes...and her dad had left us years ago so it's just the two of us. I don't know what I'm going to do if something happens to her."

"We know how you feel. I mean we have the other kids but no parent needs to lose a child. We pray that she will recover in time."

"Well...seeing your Andy gives me a little hope. He told me that he was in a coma for a while and you guys refused to give up on him."

"We all took turns sleeping by his side...not to mention just visiting and talking to him. He also loved music and still does...maybe we can get him to play us a little something later."

"Mom...stop...she doesn't want to hear me play anything."

"Actually it might be nice." I start laughing at the same time as his mom starts to laugh.After we eat, everyone gets up and I watch as kids play with their loved ones. One family walks down to the pond and sit down on the bench.

I feel kinda lost considering I came here all alone. "Mrs. Baxter...you want to come see the horses?" Andy points towards the barn.

"Sure." I tell him even though I am a little nervous about being around all the animals. As we get closer to the barn the Collie comes running over. I don't mean to jump back but I do.

"He won't hurt you....Charlie...be nice now." I watch as he lets Charlie jump on him and give I'm a nice lick on the side of his face. He rubs him down and he gets back down to walk beside us. "He is actually really obedient."

"Looks like it."

"Well here we are...what do you think?"

I look around and they actually have several animals behind the barn. "It's really nice out here."

"I'm glad you like it...so I was thinking...I think Sophie would like it here. I mean when she wakes up and all...I think she would like coming here."

"What to visit...or live?"

"To live...I know she has been through a lot...I seen the scars Mrs. Baxter. The world out there is a crazy messed up place and maybe being here would help her."

"I don't know...I..." I can feel the sting at the bridge of my nose.

"I'm sorry...I come on to strong. Please forgive me. Look I've been through a lot and I have seen several people come through here and leave a different person...I was just hoping we could help her...when she wakes up that is."

"Maybe...I don't know. Sophie has been through a lot over the years. I'm not sure anything can help her. I don't mean it that way...I love her more than anything but the doctors have tried several medications and she does good for a while and then the voices come back...they always come back."

"You don't have to explain to me; really it's none of my business."

"Oh...Andy...I know I don't have to explain...but you see, Sophie was diagnosed with schizophrenia a few years ago. Growing up she was always talking to visions...she heard voices. No matter what I tried, she kept on doing it. I tried to get her the help she needed and the meds would work at first but then she always ended up going right back. This last time she was actually at the hospital and someone she got out...well as you can see this time she's in a coma..." I wipe the few tears that trail down my cheek. "What if she never wakes up this time? And even if she does...those damn voices will be there controlling her...what....what if...this is the way she needs to be?"

"I don't have an answer for that...I wish I did...but a part of me hopes that she fights this and she wakes up."

"The doctors want to commit her...they say she is not able to take care of herself." I start to sob. This time he puts his arm around me.

"I'm sorry they all feel that way...so maybe you should really think about it...maybe if she does wake up...maybe she should come here. I really think it would help her being around others almost like her."

I look around and watch as families start to gather around the bon fire and look back at him. "They are nothing like her...I'm sure they have no idea what goes on in her head."

"They all have their own problems...but I can tell you...I know she would be better here than in a mental facility for the rest of her life."

I hear someone calling his name and he lets go of me. "Come on...it's time for the bonfire."

I walk beside him and join in around the fire. I listen to the stories they tell and then watch Andy pick up his guitar and start to sing...everyone joins in. I think about what he said...maybe this would be a nice place for her...just maybe.Then I join in with everyone else...singing.