Rebuilding A Home

Ma's House

"Olivia!"

A soft sigh escaped her partially closed lips as Olivia placed a hand on the hood of her car. Without turning, she knew Jackie was running after her, doing what he could to convince her to stay at Evelyn's home instead of wasting her money. Once he was beside her, Olivia turned to look at him. "Don't give me that look," Jackie pleaded, huffing. "Please don't go." With his words came a hug. Feeling him lightly kiss the top of her head, Olivia raised a brow, looking up at him.

"I gotta find a hotel room Jackie, but I'll call the house when I find one." Olivia went to open her car door. Jackie reached for the arm, stopping Olivia's departure with a loose grip on her arm.

"It's 'cause of Bobby, isn't it?" She stood frozen, unprepared to admit the inevitable. While they hadn't seen each other for years, little Jackie could still read her like a book. "I can see how the two of you tense when you're in the same room." Olivia peered up at him through her lashes. "Livy, you're the strongest person I know. You were always there when I needed you; I need you now. Don't let Bobby decide about leaving; your little brother needs you, and you need your little brother."

Being the 'toughest person' and working in her line of work, there were very few moments Olivia allowed herself to break down her walls enough to felicitate tears, and yet, Jackie knew exactly what to say, causing them to jerk.

But he was right. In times like these, a family needed family whether she liked it or not. He was also right about Bobby; why now if she didn't allow him to control her before? Closing the door to her vehicle, Olivia took a few steps closing the gap between her and Jackie, wrapping her arms around him.

"Okay, Jackie, I'll stay." The smile littering his lips brought a smile to her face. Seeing the joy in him made her miss being around the troublemaker.

"Alright, since we're done with family reunions, let's get the hell out of here," Bobby announced as he walked toward his car.

"Can I ride with you?" Jackie asked with pleading eyes. Giving him a nod, Olivia entered her car and immediately revved it on, blasting the heat. Olivia trailed behind Bobby, pulling out from the spot, with Jerry following her. There was no need to play follow the leader as Olivia remembered how to get to Evelyn's house; the streets were all familiar. The trek didn't take long, but by the time they arrived, the sun had fully set - waving goodbye as the night sky welcomed the moon and stars. That night brought a bright full moon, illuminating their paths accompanied by the dim street lamps.

Olivia happily took the last open parking spot in front of her childhood home. Looking over to the now rundown house, the woman spotted a small light lit in the living room with a figure visible on the couch.

--

"Where do you think you're going?" Rolling her eyes, a young Olivia zipped up her jacket as her father, sitting on the couch stuffing his face with Doritos, looked his daughter up and down.

"I'm gonna hang out with the brothers for a little. I told you that earlier." Grabbing her wallet, she headed for the door but was met by her father blocking her exit. "Wow, Dad didn't think you could move your fat ass that quick." Her comment resulted in her father striking her cheek with his backhand. Rubbing the pain away, Olivia harshly stared back at her father. "How'd that make you feel?"

"Not as good as what I'm about to do to you." Realizing what he meant, the girl ran for the back door but was quickly caught before she could reach it.

"Let go!" she screamed, trying desperately to escape his grasp, but his grip was too firm. Feeling his hands go up her shirt, the girl cried as she braced herself for the following actions.