Betty-
I did what I did every Sunday, steal chips and a water from the store and then try to jump off the bridge, but something stops me every time. A bird, the same bird, the same fucking red and black bird stops me every time, I dont know what it is, but that bird makes me think differently. Today was different though, I wasn't gonna look at him. I walked into the store greeted the manager. I walked down the chip isle and carefully slipped a bag of lays into my backpack along with a cold water. I adjusted my bun and walked out of the store. After tying my shoes I walked down to the bridge. I sat on the ledge of the bridge and took my last sip of water. It was refreshing, but not enough to fix me. All of a sudden police sirens went off. I turned around to see cop cars from everywhere I looked. "Get off the rail young lady!" A cop yelled.
"Why can't I just die?" I asked. He walked closer and took the megaphone away from his mouth. Tears streaming my face, he gripped my arm, not in a harsh way but in a gentle and kind way.
"Why don't I take you to the station so we can talk?" He asked.
"No." I told him.
"Say no to me one more time see what happens."
"No!" Damnit. He shoved me to the ground putting his foot on my back. All I could do was close my eyes. As they handcuffed me all I could think about was how I got into this situation. Dragging me into the cop car I got a little scrapes on my face but nothing too harsh. The ride was pretty quick and I remained silent as the cop said. As the car came to a stop he opened my door and grabbed me by my cuffs and threw me into his office.
"Now tell me, what the hell were you going up on that nasty ass bridge?" He asked.
"Can't you just let me end it sir?" I asked. He ignored me.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"Elizabeth Cooper." I answered.
"Do you have anyone you want me to call?" He asked.
"My step brother Archie." I told him.
"Andrews?" He asked.
"Yes sir."
"I'll call him, but as for you young lady, I'd like to see you at community service starting Sunday morning at 8:23." The guards from the door unlocked my handcuffs and escorted me out into a 'waiting room' the town was so small it only took a few minutes for Archie to come bursting out of the doors. He sighed a bunch of papers, dragged me out and didn't speak to me until we got into the house. He slammed his keys on the kitchen table. "What the hell were you thinking?" He put him hands on his hips.
"I-"
"You're right you weren't, you weren't thinking at all, do you know how worried I was? To not find my sister in her room where I left her?" I didn't say a word. "Betty, it worries me when you don't pick up the phone, it worries me every time you leave the house, you are my sister I'm supposed to protect you." He said.
"I was only gone for an hour."
"Hour I didn't know where you were, and the fact the cops had to call me, the fact I had to pick you up from the police station, the fact you now have to show up to community service."
"You're not my dad! And you're not my brother! Thank you Archie for giving me the best birthday ever!"
I stormed upstairs as I saw him put his head in his hands. I slammed my door and cried. It's all I knew how to handle things with. "Betty..."
"Go!"
"Just listen-"
"Go!" I banged on the door.
"I'm sorry." He whispered.
"I am too." I said back.
