Updated 7/30! Everything Changes: Working Towards Change (Part 9.2)

[Nukeya]

** This story is set to explore losses, depression, substance abuse, and recovery process. It will be told through the eyes of a child, so will not have DIRECT explanations of any of these things, but an adult reader should be able to understand the references. **

Part 1: An Introduction

Mommy had had a grand childhood. Her mommy, my Granny had pictures of her growing up still hanging up on her walls because she had always been so proud of her. Mommy was very pretty when she was young. She still is though. Most of Granny’s pictures also had my daddy in them when he was young too.

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Mommy and daddy were neighbors growing up. They had been friends ever since they were little and Granny says they never spent a day apart. She says they were sweethearts in high school too. They graduated the same year and mommy had applied to go to some big college out east. She wanted to be a doctor. My daddy just kept on working at the car shop fixing cars. Mommy never got to go to that big college though. That summer, she found out she was pregnant with me.

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Mommy would only have been able to be in school a few months before she would have had me, so she stayed here and she and daddy got an apartment together. Mommy took a few classes at the college here, but didn’t ever finish cause she got pretty sick before she had me. The doctors told her that she was working too hard and she needed to take a break or get sicker. She was so busy with going to school and trying to work that it was making her too tired. So, she just had to stay home and stay in bed for a while. She and daddy did end up getting married a couple months before I was born though.

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I was born in the beginning of March. March 13th, actually. Granny said that my mommy was so excited. Mommy was still a bit sad about not being able to go to that school, but Granny said that she was happy to just have me and daddy.

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Mommy stayed home with me after I was born. Mommy taught me how to count and would read me stories. Some days, we would even dance together in the living room. I found some of mommy’s old picture albums of those times and mommy was so happy.

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As much as I loved my mommy, Granny says I was always my daddy's girl. She says that it was my daddy that taught me all kinds of important things like how to walk and use the potty like a big girl. Whenever I was sad, it was always my daddy who made me smile.

[Petlover1217]

Beautiful so far. Can't wait for the next chapter!

[Nukeya]

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Mommy finally ended up going back to school after enough encouragement from daddy. She was so happy! She had waited for so long to be able to become a nurse. She had gone back to work when I finally started going back to school during the day, but then went to her classes in the evening. Daddy would pick me up from school and take me home with him when he got off of work.

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Daddy still worked as a mechanic and would be so tired some days when he got off of work, but he knew that mommy was working even harder with school and a job, so he didn't mind it much. With mommy being gone so much to work and then school, daddy and I spent a lot of time together. I missed mommy not being home with us, but I loved getting to spend time with daddy.

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Some days if I had a bad day at school or was missing mommy, daddy would understand and he would help me feel better. He would listen to what was making me sad and then would rub my back and tell me it would be okay. If it was nice outside, we'd sometimes even walk down the street to the ice cream store and get ice cream cones.

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Daddy and I never got bored! First, when I got home, I had to do homework if I had any, and then, daddy always had some great idea. He taught me to be the best rock-paper-scissors player around. I got so good, daddy couldn't even beat me. Of course, I still think sometimes that he was just letting me win.

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Some of our adventures would have made mommy SO MAD! But it was our secret. Some days we'd stand on the edge of the couch and pretend we were surfing. We'd watch the boys on the tv surfing and try to do the tricks they were doing. I almost fell off a few times, but daddy never did. I asked him once if he'd ever been surfing and he just laughed and shook his head.

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After we'd had enough of "surfing" we'd pretend to be acrobats. Sometimes we'd be walking the tight-rope high above the cheering crowds. Other times, we'd be doing flips while bouncing on a huge trampoline. We had so much fun those days, me and daddy.


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One day when mommy didn't have school after work, daddy told her he had a surprise. He had been offered a job as the branch manager at his work. He said that that meant he would be in charge of running the whole place! He said that the old manager had moved somewhere else to run a new store that was opening. This meant that daddy would be making alot more money, but it also meant that he would have to be at work more, probably, and that he wouldn't be able to be at home with me. It also meant that I would have to go to my granny's house after school on the days when no one was home. I didn't think that I would mind it...I love my granny after all.

Mommy was happy for daddy and his promotion. But mommy told daddy that SHE had a surprise for daddy too. Mommy was gonna have another baby! As happy as daddy was to tell mommy HIS news, daddy was even happier to hear MOMMY'S news. I was going to have a baby brother or sister! I was SO EXCITED! I don't think I had ever seen mommy or daddy any happier than I saw them that day. It seemed things were changing for all of us and finally working out. All mommy and daddy's hard work over the years was paying off.


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Daddy and mommy talked about things that night and daddy told mommy he didn't want her to be working so hard. He said it wasn't good for her or the baby. Mommy talked to her boss at work and she was able to do most of her work from home on our computer. Mommy's classes at school changed after a few months and she got into some classes that she could work at home too. This meant that mommy would be the one at home when I got home from school. As much as I loved mommy, it wasn't the same. Mommy was still busy working when she was at home. Sometimes she was working on stuff for her job, and sometimes she was doing homework. She couldn't go on adventures with me like daddy used to. It made me sad, but I knew mommy couldn't help it.

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Mommy's belly grew bigger and bigger. I told her she looked like she had swallowed a watermelon one day and we laughed. Daddy would get up each morning and after giving us our good morning kisses, he would pat her belly and say good morning to the baby.

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He was getting excited for the baby to come. Mommy and daddy decided they didn't want to know if it was going to be a boy or girl. They wanted it to be a surprise for everyone when the baby was born. Even for them.

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My birthday came and mommy took the day off from working on anything. She even let me stay home from school and we had a girls' day. She took me to get my hair cut and my ears pierced. She told me I was getting to be a big enough girl now that she thought I could get them done. I was turning 8. I was SO excited! We even went out and bought matching pink dresses, and a new pink shirt for daddy. Daddy didn't EVER wear pink, but I hoped he would to match me and mommy. Me and mommy spent the whole day out shopping and had a picnic at the park. We hadn't ever done anything like this before and I felt SO special! I just wished daddy could have been there. He said he wised he could, but he had to be at work because he had a lot to get done.

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When we got home, I was surprised again! Daddy hadn't been at work for all day. He had been home working on my birthday stuff. There was a cake and balloons on the kitchen table....

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...and a whole new purple playground set all set up in the yard. Mommy had kept me out all day while daddy had been putting everything together at home. They had even invited a few of my friends from school to come to my party and daddy and gone and picked them up.

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We had fun playing games and playing on my new playground. Mommy said that she and daddy had been saving up for it for a long time. I think mommy and daddy even had fun. Daddy even wore his new pink shirt we bought for him, just for me!

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The biggest surprise came at the end of the party. Daddy and mommy had gotten me an "Anella" doll. I had wanted one for so long and every time I saw the commercial on tv, I wished I had one. "Anella" was a ballerina doll that was life size (at least for me) and she danced!

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Mommy pointed for me to look when daddy was coming back outside and when I saw her I almost screamed. Daddy knew how much I had wanted that doll for a long time. We used to sit and watch tv together some nights and he said he could tell how much I wanted one every time a commercial came on. He told mommy they had to get me one.

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I couldn't believe how beautiful my new Anella doll was. Her hair was curly brown and pulled up into a high ponytail. She even had on a little bit of make-up and a little pink dance costume. I couldn't wait to play with her and I knew my friends wished that they had gotten an Anella dolly for their birthdays too.

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After everyone left and we took my friends home, we finally went upstairs to watch Anella dance. She had her own ballet warm-up bar (that I could use too) and came with an extra costume, just for me. Daddy hooked her up to the bar and turned her on and she began dancing. She even talked and told you what each thing she was doing in her dance was called and how to do it.

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After Anella got done with her dance, I put on my costume and tried it out. I listened to what she would say and then tried to do my best, but some of it was hard. Daddy told me that I just needed to practice some more and I would get better. I danced with Anella one time through and then mommy told me it was time for the "little ballerinas" to get to bed.

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Mommy and daddy asked me if I had had a good birthday and I told them it was the best birthday ever. They tucked me in and we said our prayers together. Mommy and daddy kissed me good night and I closed my eyes. I remember waking up hearing the phone ringing downstairs and hearing my daddy talking, but I couldn't hear what he was saying. A couple minutes later, I heard him coming upstairs and heard him tell mommy that he had to go to work because something was wrong there and he needed to fix it. As he left their room, I called out to him and he came in and knelt by my bed. I asked him what happened and he said that the big machine that lifted up cars had broken and that he needed to go fix it before tomorrow. I told him thank you for all the birthday surprises and he kissed my forehead and told me he loved me and he'd see me in the morning.

*****

I remember waking up again because I could hear my mommy yelling downstairs. I got up and as I walked downstairs to see why she was yelling, I could tell she was crying. Mommy hung up the phone and fell down on the floor crying. I ran over to her and she grabbed me in her arms and held me tight. I asked her what was wrong and she told me, "It's daddy, baby. There was an accident at work and daddy got hurt."

[decoyenderek_SC]

The story's good so far. What happened to the dad?

[Petlover1217]

Sooo cute and sad! What happened to the dad? WANT MOORE!

[Nukeya]

The story's good so far. What happened to the dad?

Sooo cute and sad! What happened to the dad? WANT MOORE!

You'll find out soon enough ;) I have to keep up the suspense so you'll wanna keep readin :P Glad you're liking it so far...It's my first story...hope all goes well.

[Nukeya]

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I started to cry. Really hard. My daddy? Hurt?! Not my DADDY! I held onto mommy and we cried together. She told me it was going to be okay and I needed to be strong for my daddy now. But daddy could fix anything! How could he get hurt like that? It couldn't be my daddy!

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“Go on upstairs baby and get you some clothes for school tomorrow. Mommy’s gonna take you over to granny’s house so I can go up to the hospital and see how daddy’s doing. Go on now, please…we need to hurry baby.” Mommy hugged me for a minute and then picked up the phone again.


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I rubbed my eyes and went upstairs like mommy told me to get some clothes. Mommy called my granny and told her about my daddy. She told granny that daddy had gotten a call in the night to come to the shop because the big thing that picked up cars…mommy called it a hoist…had gotten stuck and the guys that daddy worked with couldn’t get it to bring a car back down after they fixed it. Mommy started crying again really hard and I heard her tell my granny that the “hoist” had fallen on top of daddy when they were trying to make it work again. Mommy said it crushed daddy’s tummy. She asked granny if I could come stay the night with her and granny must have said okay, cause mommy hung up and came running back upstairs.

“Got your things baby? We need to go!” Mommy grabbed my clothes and I got my school bag.

“Is daddy going to be okay mommy?” I asked her.

Mommy looked down at me and I could see she was really afraid. “Daddy’s hurt pretty bad baby…Just pray for him tonight, okay?” Mommy asked me and took my hand. I started to cry. I wanted her to carry me, but I knew she couldn’t because of the baby.

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I got my Anella doll from off my bed and brought her with me. Mommy kissed me and told me everything would be okay. We got in the car and drove to granny’s house. Mommy gave me a big hug and told granny she would call her as soon as she knew anything.

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Granny took my hand and I could see she looked worried too. She took me upstairs and let me sleep in her bed with her. She had made Anella a bed on the couch in her room and then put the phone next to the bed in case mommy called. Then, she lay down with me and patted my hair until I fell asleep. It reminded me of the way daddy used to play with my hair when I had nightmares and couldn’t sleep. I closed my eyes and prayed that my daddy would be okay.

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The phone rang early in the morning. The sun was just barely starting to lighten things up outside. I could hear mommy crying through the phone. Granny kept telling mommy to calm down and tell her what was going on. All I could hear was mommy crying on the phone. Finally, she asked granny to bring me and come up to the hospital. She said she needed us there. Granny told her that we would be right there and told me to go get dressed while she called my school.

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Mommy was asleep in the chair next to daddy's bed when we went into the room. There was a big bouquet of flowers on a table next to her that she had gotten for him. We had to put this foamy stuff on our hands before we went in. The nurses said that I could only stay in the room for 15 minutes and then I would have to come back out. Daddy was really hurt and they said that he needed as much rest as he could get.

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It was scary to see my daddy in that bed hooked up to those machines. There was a pole with a little box on it right next to his pillow that kept flashing with numbers when daddy would breathe and when his heart would beat. Mommy woke up as soon as she heard the door shut and granny went over and hugged her.

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Granny asked mommy how daddy was doing and mommy said that daddy might have to have more surgery on his stomach. The doctors did surgery on him last night when he first came in, but they told mommy that when that big metal thing fell, it broke some of the bones in daddy's tummy and one of them cut what mommy said was daddy's spleen. The doctors said they weren't going to take it out yet because they wanted to see if it would get better. My daddy has to be very careful though and can't move around because if he does and his spleen gets hurt worse, he could bleed to death. Mommy said that there were some other parts of daddy's stomach that were hurt too, like his lungs and his liver, so they were keeping a close eye on him. I walked over and kissed my daddy's cheek and told him I loved him, just as the nurse came in. She smiled at me and then turned to mommy. "If you'd like, I can take her down to the play area for you. There's nurses there that supervise the playroom and I'm sure she would do just fine with them."

I turned to mommy, "No, mommy, please...can't I just stay with daddy? Please!?" I didn't want to go with this strange lady and leave my daddy here when he wasn't doing very good.

Mommy shook her head, "I'm sorry baby, but right now, you can't. You can come back in a little while and see daddy again, okay? Take Anella with you sweetheart and go and play for a little while. Daddy's sleeping right now anyhow. I'll come and get you if he wakes up so you can see him. Okay?"

I could feel tears coming back into my eyes again, but I whispered okay and took Anella. The nurse told mommy where to find the playroom and then took me by the hand and started walking towards the door. Mommy got out of her chair and said that she'd walk down with us. I felt a little better having mommy come too, but I still didn't want to leave my daddy.

[decoyenderek_SC]

Aww. I hope the dad's fine.

[addict12]

Good story. Poor papa. D:

[Petlover1217]

soo sad! I hope the dad gets better!

[Whatwedobest]

Great job!

[Nukeya]

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The nurse opened the door to the playroom. There were a couple other girls who looked like they were about my age in there. One girl…who I found out was Clara was dancing with the nurse who was watching everyone. The room was really big. In the back were baby cribs, but it didn’t look like there were any in there. That part was closed off by glass so it wasn’t too loud for babies. There was also a desk back there for the nurse in charge. There was a big tv with a curved couch to watch movies and a bunch of toys and a dollhouse.

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I sat down and started to play with the dollhouse and Anella played with me. I was so glad to have her for a friend. Even though she was just a dolly, I liked to pretend like she was a real girl just like me. We played with the little dollies in the house for a while. There was one in there that reminded me of my daddy cause he had brown hair just like my daddy did. It made me sad that I couldn’t be with him. But with Anella, I was okay. She always made me feel better because I knew she was something special from my daddy.

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It was a long time later when mommy came in to get me. Me and Anella were playing a game with Clara. I could tell she had been crying really hard. I asked her if I could go see daddy now and she just shook her head. I could see there was another lady with her. Mommy took me by the hand and told the playroom nurse she was checking me out. The nurse said okay and we left the playroom. We went into a little room and mommy asked me to sit down. Granny was already in there waiting for us. Mommy and the other lady sat down and mommy took my hands.

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“Sweetheart…” Mommy started to say, and I could see she was trying not to cry again. “Baby…I wish I…they had to take daddy back into surgery just a little while after you and Granny got here. He started to bleed again in his tummy. Remember how mommy told you he had to be really careful because of it?” Mommy was biting her lip.
“Yes, mommy.” I said. “Did the fix daddy mommy? Is he gonna be okay now?” I asked.
Tears started to run down mommy’s cheeks. “No baby…your daddy didn’t make it through. The doctors couldn’t make the bleeding to stop in time. Daddy passed away, sweetheart.” Mommy wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me so tight I couldn’t hardly breath. I fought against her. I wanted my daddy!


“NO!” I screamed. “Not my daddy! I want my daddy RIGHT NOW! Let me see him!” I yelled at my mommy and fought to get away from her. I didn’t want her, I wanted my daddy. Mommy held me tight though, even though I struggled to get away. Finally, I was crying so hard I gave up and just held onto mommy and we cried together. I couldn’t believe my daddy was gone. I’d never get to see him again, or have him hug me…we’d never have our special adventures together anymore. I cried and cried and mommy just held me. Granny and the other lady hugged mommy and me and I could see Granny was crying too.

The lady talked to me and told me what had happened to my daddy and told me what the doctors had done to try to help him get better. Then she talked to mommy and Granny and mommy had to fill out some papers.

I just sat in the chair. A few tears still were running down my cheeks, but I didn’t care. I didn’t really care about anything. I was mad that the nurse had made me leave my daddy and I didn’t get to say goodbye. I was angry that God took my daddy away from me. My daddy wasn’t a bad man. He shouldn’t have died. I just wanted to run out of the room.


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Granny took us back to her house after the lady was done talking to mommy. I ran upstairs to one of Granny’s extra rooms and slammed the door and locked it. I didn’t want anyone to talk to me and didn’t want to see anyone. It was their fault for making me go! I wanted them to leave me alone. Everyone except Anella. I hugged her close to me and ended up falling asleep on the couch in the room.

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Granny came in later when I was asleep and helped me change into my pajamas and covered me up. I was so tired I didn’t feel like fighting her. I just let her help me change and let her tuck me in. I had some horrible dreams that night about losing mommy and Granny too. I got up off the couch and took the blanket Granny had given me and found the room mommy was in. She was still awake when I went into the room. “Victoria,” mommy whispered when I walked into her room, “Baby, come here.” I snuggled up to mommy and could tell she had been awake because she had been crying. I cried too. I missed my daddy.

[decoyenderek_SC]

No! Are you going to kill off the dad?

[Petlover1217]

I cried when I read this! I cried I said I cried! I never cry!

[Cabrini6000]

Omg. I just felt a tear go down my cheek. This is a really sad story.

[Nukeya]

Thanks for the comments guys/gals! You know, I totally LOVE this Sim family and in writing the story, I couldn't bring myself to actually kill him off or get rid of him from my actual game :P. Story wise though...yes he's gone :'(.

[Nukeya]

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The day of daddy’s funeral was horrible. Me, mommy, Granny and all of our family and friends were there. Anella too. I missed my daddy so much, but seeing those men burying my daddy made me hurt all over. I tried not to cry, but I couldn’t keep in my tears.

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Granny tried to comfort mommy, but nothing helped her. Granny knew what mommy was going through because she lost my grandpa before I was born. But grandpa and Granny weren’t young like mommy and daddy were and Granny wasn’t gonna have a baby. Granny rubbed mommy’s back while the pastor said a prayer over daddy before we all threw in our flowers. Mommy had taken me to get a special pink rose for daddy. I thought about the whole day that daddy was in the accident and started to feel like it was my fault. If Daddy hadn’t stayed at home to do my birthday stuff, then he could have been there during the day at work and maybe the machine wouldn’t have gotten broken. ‘Oh daddy, I’m so sorry!’ I wanted to scream. ‘Come back to me and mommy and the baby!’

The baby! Daddy was never going to see if the baby was a boy or girl. He’d never get to hold it, or go on adventures with them when they got bigger like we used to! I threw my rose on top of my daddy’s coffin and then covered my face with my hands and cried.

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After daddy was buried, we planted a rose bush for him. Then, me and mommy and Granny just stood there by it for a while and prayed. It was going to be just me and mommy and the baby now. I was going to have to help mommy out around the house like daddy used to and do some of the things she can’t because of the baby. I would do it though. I’d do it for my daddy. I wanted him back so bad, but he was gone. Gone.

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When it was finally time to leave the cemetary, mommy asked me and granny for a few minutes alone. Granny said for mommy to take her time. Mommy stood over the rose bush and held her tummy…held on to the baby. And she talked to daddy. I couldn’t hear her as me and granny walked away. Mommy’s heart was broken.

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Mommy got really sick over the next few weeks. She couldn’t eat anything and when she did, she would throw it back up. She stayed in bed most of the day and I didn’t see her awake very much. We were staying with Granny, so Granny took care of me most of the time. Granny tried talking to mommy and telling her that she needed to take care of me too, but mommy just couldn’t get up. Granny took mommy to the hospital. Mommy’s eyes were dark and she looked really skinny, except for her belly. Granny was worried about the baby.

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The doctor was really nice that checked out mommy. He talked to me and Anella when he came in the room. He said the babies were doing just fine, but said that they were going to need to keep mommy for a while because she needed to have an IV and they wanted to keep an eye on her. Granny was surprised when she heard the doctor say babies. There were three of them! This news made mommy cry again. Mommy asked the doctor if he was sure and he showed mommy the picture and there they were! Granny had teased mommy about how big her belly was for how far along she was, but mommy told her she only had one in there.

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When the doctor left, mommy was so tired again. She held me for a few minutes and then asked me if I was doing okay. I told her I was and brushed her hair with my fingers..like daddy used to do. Mommy smiled and then closed her eyes. "Take a nap mommy, I'm still here," I whispered in her ear. Mommy finally fell back to sleep and I sat back in a chair next to her bed and watched tv. Granny watched it with me for a while, and then she fell asleep in a chair. That night when Granny was ready to leave, mommy asked me to stay up there with her. She talked to the nurses and they said it would be okay since mommy wasn't in a special room and really really sick.

I had never stayed in a hospital before, or at least not that I could remember. The nurses came in every couple hours to check on mommy and they made me a bed on a cot next to mommy's. My mommy needed me and I was going to do anything that I could to help her.

[Nukeya]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_12.jpg

Mommy was in the hospital for two whole months...until she had the babies. I stayed with Granny during the week when I had to go to school, and then with mommy on the weekends. In the afternoons, Granny would take me to see Mommy at the hospital. Even as old as Granny was, she never complained about anything and did everything she could for us. I had really started to like spending time with Granny. It seemed like she and Anella were all I really had for a while.

Mommy wasn't really all that sick, but the doctors were scared because of all that had happened to us with daddy and everything, that mommy being so sad would make her have the babies too soon. They were born almost 7 weeks earlier than they should have been and had to be put into a special nursery because they were so small and had some problems. I had never seen such small babies before! Two boys and a little girl.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_16.jpg

The oldest one we named Alexander Davis Goodall...after daddy's daddy....my grandpa...who died when I was 2 years old. Mommy said that she had loved him just like her own daddy. Xander was the biggest and didn't have to stay in the special nursery for too long. Granny and mommy could bring him out and hold him.

The little girl was second to be born and we named her Estel Grace Goodall. I remembered mommy telling me once that when she was a little girl, she had wished her mommy had named her Estel, just like some girl she saw in a movie. Mommy laughed for the first time in a long time when I suggested it. She hugged me and said she thought it was perfect.

The last of the "trips" to be born was the littlest. He had to have a lot of special care. He had an IV in his head and a feeding tube that gave him his milk because he wouldn't eat like he was supposed to. He also had to have oxygen to help him breathe. He was the special baby, and we gave him a special name. We named him Ethan Martin Goodall Jr. ...after my daddy.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_15.jpg

Mommy had to stay in the hospital about a week after the "trips" were born, but then the doctors said she seemed to be doing okay and could be out. Mommy asked them if they had an extra room she could stay in until all the babies got to go home because she didn't want to leave them there and not be there with them.

They were doing better each day. Xander (as we called Alexander) was doing good and could come home when mommy got to come, so she kept him in the spare room they had set up for mommy. Estel was doing good too and got to go 2 days after Xander and mommy. "Junior" (as we called my littlest brother) was getting better too and got to go 10 days later. He was a fighter, just like our daddy and started eating and being able to breathe on his own.

The doctors had put mommy on some medicine to help her not feel so sad. The doctors said she was, "depressed". The medicines helped mommy to feel better and mommy seemed like she was feeling much better when we got to bring the babies home finally.

Mommy and Granny had talked when mommy was in the hospital and decided it would be best if we all stayed with Granny for a while. Mommy wanted to sell the house. She said that it had been ours when daddy was still alive and that she didn't want to be there without him. She said it would be too many memories. She said that she would take the money she got from it to pay for all the doctor bills she had now and then find someplace to start over again.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_35.jpg

While Mommy was in the hospital, me and Granny went shopping and to garage sales. We made a nursery out of the big open room upstairs that went to the bedrooms. Granny had found some cribs and a changing table and painted them to make them nice again. She had even painted the room and bought some other things to make it look like a baby room. Mommy was so surprised when she saw it that I could see tears in her eyes again, but this time they were happy tears.

[Nukeya]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_14-1.jpg

Mommy, me, and the "trips" stayed with Granny for almost a year. Slowly, things started to get better. Mommy got our old house sold. A man and his wife had two little kids and they bought it. I never really had gotten to play on my new playground from my birthday that daddy had taken the time to put together for me. It made me sad, but at least I got to play on it with daddy and mommy before everything changed.

Mommy got enough money to pay for some of the hospital bills. She also got some money from the place that made the big machine that hurt daddy because there was something missing in the machine and that's why it got stuck. Mommy said something about the same thing happening at a couple other places, only, no one had died, only hurt.

Mommy was feeling better after a while and she went back to working. She kept her job during the day at the office, but had to quit school again to be able to take care of me and the "trips". I know it made her really sad because she wanted to be able to finish it finally. She said she would one day when the babies got older. For now, we needed her more.

Mommy also got another job too, working at Parker Place. Parker Place had a restaurant downstairs and a bowling alley, and then upstairs it had apartments. There were some other small stores inside too in the lower part. It was owned by Silas Parker, a guy mommy used to go to school with in high school. Mommy worked as a waitress there a few nights a week so she had some extra money.

One day mommy came home and said that she had found us a new place to live, so we wouldn't have to stay with Granny anymore. There was an open apartment at Parker Place and she had talked to Silas about us moving there. Granny was really sad to see us go, but mommy told her that she could come visit us any time. Mommy told Granny that she needed to get back "on her own two feet" again.

I didn't know what that meant cause mommy could walk just fine after she had the babies. I asked her one day if she had hurt her foot cause I heard what she told Granny. She laughed at me and then kissed my forehead. "No, baby. I didn't hurt my foot, silly. I just mean that I can't have your Granny taking care of us anymore. I need to be taking care of us. Your Granny's getting too old to be chasing after the "trips" all the time."

Mommy got some movers to come and pack up our things and then move them into our new apartment for us. She had sold most of our furniture when we moved in with Granny, so there wasn't really a whole lot of things to move. We just had boxes of clothes, dishes, decorations, and some bedding and stuff. Mommy went to a furniture store and got us some new furniture. I didn't get to go cause I was in school, but mommy told me it would be sent to the apartment the next day and then we would move there.

The next day at school I was scared and excited all at the same time. I had been by Parker Place a few times in the car and it looked huge! I couldn't imagine us living there! It also meant I was going to have to start riding the bus to school. I had never been on the bus before. Mommy, Daddy, or Granny had always taken me, or I would walk with my friends.

After school, mommy picked me up and we drove to our new apartment. Granny had helped mommy go and unpack all of our things while I was in school. I was shocked when mommy pulled up to the building. It was even bigger than I remembered! They had even put in some new pools and some play stuff outside, like swings and basketball hoops. We got out of the car and mommy took me out to explore.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_5-1.jpg

There were two pools. One was a little one for kids and then there was a bigger one with slides in it. I had already taken swimming lessons, so mommy promised that she would take me swimming in the big pool and let me go down the slides. Next to the pools was a playground with swings, jungle gyms, monkey bars, and a merry-go-round. It almost reminded me of the ones I had gotten for my birthday last year, but bigger. At the back of the yard were basketball hoops and a big net for playing soccer. Behind the building were smaller yards that had fences all around them so that only the apartments with doors to them could go in.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_9-1.jpg

After mommy showed me the playground, she took me inside. She took me inside the restaurant and showed me where she worked. I got to meet all the people that she worked with and go behind the bar and get myself a soda.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_15-1.jpg

In one corner of the room, I could see a music station and mommy said that that's where Silas worked most of the time when he was there. He liked to be the "DJ". He was over there, and mommy asked me if I wanted to meet him. I shook my head no and buried my face in her side. She said okay and waved to Silas. He was waving his hand for us to come over, but mommy shook her head no. Silas frowned a bit as we walked by, then went back to playing his music. "He's not gonna hurt you, baby," mommy told me. He's the guy that owns this place. Mr. Parker. It's okay though if you don't. I'm sure we'll see him again soon enough."

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_8-1.jpg

Next, we went in to see the bowling alley. There were bright lights shining down on the shiny wooden floors. I had never been bowling before and mommy said we could come down and go bowling once we got all moved in and settled in. I watched some of the people playing and couldn't wait to try it too.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_7-1.jpg

The last place down there was what mommy called a "spa". There were machines in there that people could use to exercise with and some lockers to put your stuff in. There were tables in there too, but it looked like someone had put holes in the tops. I asked mommy why someone would want tables with holes in them and mommy giggled. "Those are massage tables, Victoria," mommy told me. "People can come in here and lay down on them and then there are people that come in and will rub your muscles or your back if it's hurting." Hearing mommy talk about it, I remembered I had seen something like that on tv once.

Mommy pointed to the side of the room and I saw they had dance bars hung on the walls! I could bring Anella down here and we could practice ballet! Next to this, there were a couple of little pools that had steam coming off the top and the water was bubbling inside. I asked mommy if they were boiling water and she said that those were "hot-tubs". We watched as a woman slowly stepped inside the pool and sat down. "The water in the hot-tubs is pretty warm and the reason that the water is bubbly is because it sprays out of these little holes in the side of the pool," mommy explained.

When we left the "spa" mommy looked down at me. "There are a lot of people that come in and out of here Victoria," mommy told me, "I don't want you to ever leave the apartment without me, okay baby?"

"Yes, mommy," I promised, and then thought a minute. "What about if Granny or someone is with me?"

"Well, I just mean that you need to have a grown-up with you. There are some people around here that might not always be very nice, and I couldn't bear something happening to you." Mommy hugged me and then pushed the button to the elevator. Our apartment was on the third floor.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_12-1.jpg

I didn't know what to expect when we got to our apartment. Mommy pushed in some buttons with numbers on them and the door unlocked. Mommy opened the door and stepped inside. We walked in and were in the livingroom. Mommy's desk was right by the door. There was another door, a glass door, in the front that opened out to a porch. It was kind of scary to stand out there because we were so far up. I liked being able to see so far out though. I think I could almost see Granny's!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_10-1.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_11-1.jpg

There were two short walls in the livingroom that were between it and the kitchen. It was nice in there, but I didn't like the color of the walls. One part of the kitchen was plain and mommy had put the new table and chairs she had bought in there. Past the kitchen was hallway with another glass door and patio at the end. The bathroom and bedrooms were down the hallway too. The bedrooms were small, but mommy said we would have to make it work, at least for now.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_22-1.jpg

I found my room. There were 2 beds in that there were almost like my old bed. Mommy told me that they could push together to make a big bed when I got older, but for now, I could keep them apart, in case I had a friend stay. I told her that it would be Anella's bed then, and she laughed. "Whatever you want, sweetheart."

I could tell mommy wanted me to like our new apartment, so I tried to be happy. She was doing the best she could, but it wasn't the same. At least when we stayed with Granny, it was like we were just visiting and would go home again soon. This place was lonely. It was our new home, and daddy wasn't with us.

I asked mommy if she would take me swimming. She told me she needed to keep working on getting things put away. Granny told me she would go down there with me though, if mommy didn't care, but she had to finish feeding Xander first. Mommy said that was fine, so I got changed into my swimming suit.

Anella was standing by my dresser, so I picked her up and sat her on the floor. She'd keep me company until Granny was ready.

*******************
Feel free to let me know what you think and comment! I've had the story and pictures for a while but was too busy with the holidays to get everything posted.

I hope that the style in which this is written makes sense. I'm trying to keep things from a child's perspective, though at times it's hard to keep all the wording simple and use a child's vocabulary.

[Cabrini6000]

Really good. Keep writing

[Nukeya]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_3_14.jpg

It had been almost a full year since my daddy had died. We were doing okay. I brought home my first A+ report card from my new school. Mommy was so happy about it. I liked my new school and had a bunch of new friends. I even got to ride the school bus to school al by myself now!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_3_13.jpg

Granny was there when I got home until Mommy would get off of work. Sometimes it was late when she got home and granny already had made us go to bed. Those nights she would go to sleep in my extra bed and Anella would sleep with me. When I got out of school, granny would let me stay downstairs for a little while and play some of the games. A few times she would have mommy come up just for a few minutes so she could take a break. Then, granny would come down with me and watch me play and cheer me on. Just like daddy would have done if he was here.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_20-1.jpg
Mommy was feeling better too, even though sometimes she still got really sad and would cry. She tried not to let me see her, but sometimes when I would sneak out of my room at night to go sleep with mommy, she wouldn't be in her bed. She would be out in the livingroom, staring out the window, tears running down her cheeks.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_24-1.jpg

One day on mommy's day off, she had let me go down and go swimming all by myself. She said I had to stay where she could see me through the window. I decided I should go back up and get Anella a little while after I was down there because there wasn't anyone else to play with. Mommy couldn't come down with me because the trips were sleepin and granny was home. When I opened our front door, there was a man sitting on the couch talking to mommy. When he heard the door open, I saw the man had turned his head to the side and I could see that it was Silas Parker.

"Honey, you remember mommy's friend Mr. Parker?" Mommy asked me. "I've asked him to come have dinner with us tonight. Can you say hello? Victoria?"

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_25-1.jpg

Now he wasn't just mommy's boss and the owner of our apartments, but he was mommy's new friend and was coming to dinner. I don't know why I was, but suddenly, I got really angry. Super angry. "NO!" I screamed, and ran to my room and slammed the door.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_23-1.jpg

Why was mommy being so nice to him. All of her other bosses from her other job she didn't like. She never had them come over to eat with us. I didn't want that man here with us. If daddy couldn't be, then no one should. Just me and mommy. And the trips.

I was really missing my daddy tonight. Having Silas here reminded me of when daddy used to be with us and mommy would cook dinner for us. I started to cry. I cried harder than I had ever cried before. I cried for daddy, for mommy, for the trips and them never knowing our daddy. I just cried and cried until I eventually fell asleep. What I didn't know until later, was that mommy had been watching me through a crack in the door. I woke up late in the night and heard mommy crying.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_21-1.jpg

I went into mommy's room and we held each other and cried. Then we talked about a few things. We talked about daddy and what happened and how much we missed him. We talked about the trips and how their 1 year birthday was coming up. That night was special for me and mommy. It was the first time since losing daddy that we had really talked together about our feelings. Mommy asked me if I was hungry since I missed dinner. I said I was and she got up and made me peanut butter and jelly with some milk. We didn't talk about what happened earlier that night though. After, we snuggled up in mommy's bed together and fell asleep.

[Nukeya]

Something happened to us that night. To me and to mommy. It was the last time that either of us cried about missing daddy for a long long time. We talked about Silas Parker and mommy asked me how come I had gotten so mad. I didn't really know and I told her that. She just hugged me.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_13-1.jpg

Mommy kept on working at the clinic and downstairs. She still couldn't go back to school yet. The trips were still too little and it was getting harder for granny to keep up with taking care of them. Mommy seemed alot happier though. Silas was around alot more now too. He would come over and watch movies and sometimes he ate dinner with us. Mommy seemed happy whenever she was around Silas.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_17-1.jpg

We had a birthday party for the trip's first birthday and Silas came too. They were growing so fast! Little Junior had started to pull himself up on the tables and Estel loved to color. Xander seemed to be the happiest and most playful. My birthday was a sad day for all of us. It had been a whole year since we lost daddy. I didn't think my birthday would ever be a happy day ever again. I got to stay home from school for the day because it was hard to remember last year. I told mommy I didn't want to have a party. We went and visited daddy's grave and took him flowers. Me and mommy spent the night together, just us and the trips and we went swimming down at the pool. The trips stayed with granny. Then, mommy made my favorite spaghetti for dinner and we watched a movie. We tried to have fun even with it marking a year since the accident. We didn't cry though. I think we had finally cried out all of our tears.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_19-1.jpg

The days went by quickly and the trips kept getting bigger. They started to walk and even talk a little bit. Sometimes when I came home from school, they would all be asleep on the floor and granny would be asleep on the couch. She was getting tired alot now. Finally, mommy talked to Silas about working downstairs full time. Then she could be at home during the day in case granny needed anything. She could make enough money by doing that to be able to quit her clinic job. Silas said that would be alright. She was his best worker.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_27.jpg

He was over more and more; almost every night. He started helping mommy out with the trips and would give them a bath sometimes to help mommy out.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_28.jpg
I really didn't think he liked us too much though. And really not the trips. I asked him one day if he had any kids cause I never saw them, and he said no. He got mad sometimes when the trips would cry alot or if one of them threw up on him. I think he just did stuff with them to help mommy out and try to make her happy.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_30.jpg

One night, mommy was supposed to be working late, so granny stayed the night with us. I was still awake when mommy came in the door. I heard her in the livingroom and was going to go out to her, but when I saw her, I stopped in the corner of the hallway. She didn't have on her work clothes, and Silas was with her. She had on a fancy black dress I hadn't ever seen before.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_34.jpg
I stood watching in the hallway and they sat down on the couch together. I was getting angry again! Mommy lied to me and said she had to work. Just as I was getting ready to run back to me room, I saw Silas kiss her. I was shocked!

"NO!" I screamed, and Silas and mommy got up off the couch.

"Victoria, what on earth are you doing still awake?" mommy asked me.

"I thought you were working late!" I yelled back at her. Mommy had never lied to me.

"Victoria, come here. I think it's time we had a talk." Mommy said, lowering her eyes and turning to look at Silas.

Mommy explained that she had been out on a date with Silas. She said she wasn't sure how I would feel about her going out with Silas, so didn't want to upset me. She said granny was supposed to make sure I was in bed before she got home.

Mommy looked at Silas and then back to me. "Honey, Silas and I aren't just friends anymore...not friends like the kind that you have. I love Silas, Victoria. I know that's hard for you to understand, but..."

"What about daddy!" I cried. "I thought you loved daddy!"

"Victoria, I do love your daddy, and I always will. He will always have a special place in my heart for him. Afterall, he gave me four beautiful babies. But in order for mommy to feel better and not be sad about your daddy all the time, mommy has to move on and start getting to know some new people, make some new friends, and learn to love again. " Mommy was whispering by now, and she patted my head. "You understand that Victoria? It doesn't mean I don't love your daddy still. I do and will forever. But it doesn't mean I can't share my love with other people."

I thought I understood what mommy was saying, but I didn't know how she could love anyone else but daddy, even though he wasn't there.

Mommy took me in and tucked me into my bed. It was late and I fell asleep pretty quick. But before doing so, I promised myself that if mommy could like Silas, then so could I.

[Nukeya]

Since Silas had been around, we had gotten better. Mommy was happy, the trips seemed to love him, and I was slowly getting used to having him around. It wasn't so bad. He spent Christmas and the holidays with us. When my next birthday came, Silas took me and mommy on a fancy date.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_3_4.jpg

I had never been to the restaurant before, but it was nice. I felt weird inside of there. Everyone was dressed up all fancy. Even the waiters and waitresses were dressed up in black and white. The called mommy "Ma'am" and Silas "Sir". They even called me "Miss".

We all sat and talked for a while while we waited for our food to get there. Silas asked me about school and my friends. Mommy just watched us and smiled.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_3_2.jpg

"Victoria," Silas asked me. "What would you say about you and your mommy and the babies moving in with me to my big house?" I just stared at him.

"You mean...to your big house with the pool?" I had been to his house a couple times with mommy. It was huge and really fancy. I couldn't imagine us living there.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_3_3.jpg

"We're just fine in our apartment." I told him. I looked up at mommy who wasn't smiling anymore. "Right mommy?"

Mommy frowned. "Victoria, why do you always have to make things difficult?"

"I'm not making things difficult, mommy. I just thought that you said things were better. That we had enough money now and everything was going okay. That's what you told granny isn't it?"

"Victoria, what Silas means is that we have talked and Silas would like it very much if we went to stay with him. There's no reason really for us to keep on at the apartment when we have Silas and he has a nice house with room for all of us. This way, some other nice family that needs a home can have our apartment."

I sat and thought about it. Silas's house was huge compared to our apartment. He had a pool and lots of rooms and gardens. I could have big sleepovers and....

Our food came as I was thinking. So, I looked at Mommy and said, "Ok, mommy. We can." And so it was, we were gonna be moving in with Silas.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_3_8.jpg

Silas's house was huge! His gardens were perfect and were all around the house.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_3_11.jpg

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There was a big fountain in the front.

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At the back of the house there were big stairways that went up to the balconies off the upstairs. And there was a hot tub. Silas hired moving people to help mommy get all of our things moved.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch3_3_9.jpg

The next night, I was swimming in the big pool in our new house.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ScreenShot356.jpg

It seemed like our life was finally changing for the better, but I wouldn't know just how much moving in with Silas would change our lives. And definitely not for the better.

[Nukeya]

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And so it went...for 3 years. We lived with Silas and they were happy years, mostly.

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The trips were growing so fast. Every day after I got home from school, I looked forward to playing with them.

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Silas always seemed to have people at the house at night for dinner parties. The grown-ups would all go downstairs and play cards and have drinks. I had to stay upstairs with the trips. I knew Silas would get upset if we went down there. I had gone down there one night to see what mommy was doing and Silas told me I wasn't allowed downstairs. It was all smoky downstairs and smelled. I asked mommy later why it was like that and she said that something had burned in the oven down there.

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr291/Niyobi/ch4_2.jpg

I had made a new friend at school, Nori. Nori lived with her dad a few blocks away. She came over after school almost every day and would play until her dad called to have her come home. He was an attorney, so he had a lot of work that kept him always busy.

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr291/Niyobi/ch4_4.jpg

When the trips were napping and Nori wasn't over, Anella was always there to play with. I figured out that if I sat her at the piano and turned her on, it was almost like she was playing the piano. The first time I showed mommy, she laughed.

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Mommy took to gardening. With all the flower gardens and the greenhouse, she always had plenty to do. She had told Silas when we moved in that she had always wanted to have a garden and so she would learn how to. She joined the local Gardening Guild and sometimes would have some of the other ladies from the guild over. Only on nights that Silas wasn't having his buddies over. Some nights, they had meeting nights and would all go out somewhere together. Silas said he thought it was silly to get so excited over gardening, but mommy loved it. Along with mommy's plants growing, so did her belly.

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One night when the house was quiet and us kids were all in bed, I heard mommy and Silas talking in the kitchen. The had just come up from the basement where Silas had been shooting pool and having a few drinks. My room was right above the kitchen and I could hear them loud and clear. I think Silas had just come up from downstairs and mommy was making him something to eat.

"Silas...what do you mean I better do something about it!" Mommy raised her voice.

"You heard me, I said you better do something....and now! Before things just get worse. Before anyone else finds out. I TOLD you Martina, I don't WANT kids." Silas yelled back at her. "I won't be the father of a bastard child that I never even wanted in the first place! It's already hard enough to deal with the monsters you've already got, let alone add another one in the mix! So that's right! You'd better go get something done with it...And right damn quick! You hear me?!"

"Monsters!? My children are NOT monsters Silas Parker...You're the monster! And you don't have to worry about having another because I'm leaving! You hear me! I'm done with you! Go back downstairs and have your fun!" Mommy's voice lowered almost to a growl," And you had better be careful Silas, or there's gonna be a lot more than a child for people to find out about. I'm sure Officer Bartholomew would love to know about your little place downstairs."

I heard a plate shatter against the wall, followed by something else much softer and then mommy's muffled gasp.

"You EVER say a WORD about ANY of that and YOU will be the one to be sorry, trust me on that one, Martina."

There were loud footsteps leading to mommy and Silas's room and then the door slammed. I moved to the railing and looked out. Mommy was downstairs on the phone. I ran down there to her and grabbed ahold of her. "Ok mom, I'll see you in a bit. Please hurry!" Mmmy hung up the phone and looked down at me. I knew she was scared. "Victoria, go upstairs and grab your clothes. We're going to spend the night at granny's baby. I have to go get the trips."

[Nukeya]

We stayed with Granny for the night. I don't think Mommy slept at all. She was too nervous. I think Silas had really scared her. I woke up several times in the night and mommy was awake. One time when I woke up, mommy was cleaning for granny. She said she knew that granny wasn't really able to take care of her whole house anymore, so she was going to suprise her.

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The next time I woke up it was just getting to be daylight and Mommy was still up. She was reading through the newspaper, looking for a new house. She said she didn't want to have to stay with granny for too long. Then, all of a sudden, she tossed the newspaper on the floor and was on the computer. It was really strange to me. Mommy wasn't even crying like she usually would have when she and Silas had had a fight.

"Mommy, are you okay?" I asked her.

Mommy turned to me. "Of course I'm okay, hun," she nodded and then quickly turned back to the computer. "I just need to find us a house. Go back to bed Victoria, you have to be up in a couple hours for school."

I didn't want to go to school. I wanted to know what was going on. I was thirteen and I didn't want mommy to keep things from me. I was old enough to know what was going on.

"You know Nori's dad owns a house, mommy." I told her. Nori had told me about the weird people who had just moved out and left the house a mess. She hadn't been able to come over for a couple weeks cause she had been helping her dad clean the place up.

"Really?" Mommy asked me. I nodded. "I'll call Andy today. Now get back to bed Victoria. Please, I need some time to think."

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And so it was. We made our final move. Nori's dad was going to let us rent the old house he owned. Since mommy wouldn't be working for Silas anymore, she wasn't going to be able to pay rent. So, mommy made a deal with Andy that she would clean and take care of getting the house back in order in exchange for us staying there until she got another job. I didn't know why she didn't want to just stay with granny, but she refused and seemed upset if I said anything about it.

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Mommy worked for days to clean the house. Andy and Nori had done a lot, but it had been trashed. Andy let mommy pick out paint and she painted the whole inside. Still, it didn't seem like mommy hardly slept at all. Her eyes were dark and even though she cooked supper for us kids, she didn't hardly eat anything. After a few days of living in the new house, mommy was finally able to sleep. I think it was because she wasn't so scared of Silas anymore. She slept for a long time. For almost 2 entire days. She woke up a few times for a drink and stuff, but then she would go right back to sleep. I asked mommy if she wanted me to call Granny to come over, but mommy said no, not to bother granny. She asked me if I could take care of the trips until she was feeling better and I said I would. I didn't know if it was because of the new baby that mommy was so sick or if it was just everything that had been going on. She had gotten really sick with the trips, I remembered, and I didn't want mommy to have to go back to the hospital again. I would do anything.

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Nori would come over after school and she helped me with the kids. I asked her please to not tell her daddy about my mommy being sick and she promised she wouldn't. I was worried about her, but prayed she'd get through. A few times when mommy woke up, I noticed that she was sweating, even though it was really cool in the house. She'd hold her head and say she just needed to lay down cause she had a headache, and then go right back to sleep again.

I worked on unpacking boxes and putting things away. I looked through everything for my Anella doll and couldn't find her anywhere. I didn't play with her anymore cause I was too old, but she was still special to me because my daddy had given her to me.

I called granny and she said she wasn't there either. Then it dawned on me. She must have been left at Silas's house! There's no way I could call him and ask him for her back because I couldn't stand to talk to him after the way he had treated us...and momma. He had never liked me having that doll in the first place because he knew that she was from my daddy and didn't like it when I said anything about him. I was crushed, but I had so many other things to worry about now.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/BritskyB/Sim%20stories/ch4_17.jpg

The trips wondered what was wrong with mommy. I told them that she just had the flu. I hadn't remembered ever seeing mommy like this before, and I wasn't really sure about it myself.

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The third day, mommy was up and around more. She said that she still had a headache but that she was feeling better. When I asked mommy what was really wrong with her, she said it was because she couldn't take her meds anymore because of the baby, so she was having "withdraws". I knew mommy hadn't always taken her meds like she was supposed to and had never seen her like this, but I believed her anyhow.

[Petlover1217]

Oh noes! So awesome! I haven't commented on the last few chapters because i was on vacation.

[Nukeya]

Oh noes! So awesome! I haven't commented on the last few chapters because i was on vacation.

Thanks for the comments and I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. I've been kinda scared as I write to know what everyone thinks. I felt like I was kind of dragging out the beginning, so I tried to step things up and now I feel like I'm rushing it. Is the flow okay? Honest thoughts and constructive criticism are most welcomed!

[Tootpla]

I'm hooked!!!!

[Nukeya]

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Estel had started to become a huge help around the house. Between the two of us, we kept things mostly done so that mommy could rest. Estel would go through the house in the mornings and make sure all the beds were nice and neat while I got breakfast for us. Mommy felt better some days and would already be awake before we came down. She said she was feeling better and that she wanted to get some things done. Other days, she would still be sleeping when I would get home from school at 1 o'clock.


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On the days when mommy was feeling good, she was happy and loved to have fun with us. When she wasn't feeling so good, she was grumpy and would get upset about the littlest things...like the boys making too much noise. She'd spend most of the day either asleep on the couch or in her room. I hated seeing her like this. I couldn't wait for her to have the baby so she could get back to feeling good again. I could tell she was feeling really horrible most of the time now, cause she had stopped really fussing over herself anymore. Mommy used to always take time to comb and fix her hair, iron her clothes, put on her make-up...But now, she didn't seem to care anymore. She rarely wore makeup anymore and some days she wouldn't even change her clothes.

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Finally, little Sylvia was born. She seemed so small and fragile and she cried alot. Sometimes she'd start crying and just cry and cry. I would try feeding her a bottle, rocking her, changing her diaper...everything. Nothing seemed to help her. Not even mommy could get her to calm down. Sometimes she'd get so worked up that her entire body would shake. It was scary sometimes, but after a while, she was okay.

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I loved helping mommy with Sylvia. She was almost like having a little doll to care for. I'd give her baths, feed her her bottles, and sometimes just sit and hold her and rock. Silas never came to see her at the hospital when she was born. He never even tried to call mommy. I couldn't imagine how he could just not care, but he seemed to be able to. I felt bad for my baby sister. I had lost my daddy, but I knew he loved me more than ever. She had a daddy who didn't want her. I think that that would be even worse.

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One day when I came home, I heard mommy talking to someone in the livingroom. I put my things down on the counter and went to see who she was talking to, expecting to see Granny. Much to my surprise, it wasn't granny. It was Chester Black. One of Silas's old buddies. I started to get angry. How could mommy let one of Silas's friends into our house? I remembered that Chester used to come over to Silas's house and play cards with mommy, Silas, and some other people. I didn't understand why Momma would want to have anything to do with Silas's friends.

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Mommy had done herself up. She had washed and curled her hair and even put on make-up. She was the prettiest that I had seen her in a long time. Maybe this meant that after feeling so horrible for so many months that she was finally feeling better. I was happy to see this, though I wasn't happy that the reason she had done so was because of Chester.

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After Chester left, Mommy seemed especially happy. She danced and played Sylvia. She asked me about my day and then went on and on telling me about her visit with Chester. Chester had told mommy that Silas sure was a damn fool and that she was better off without him. He also had fallen in love with Sylvia and he had thought she was just a little doll and Silas was a damn fool for not having anything to do with her. I listened to mommy talk, though I wasn't really paying attention to her. I could really care less about Silas OR Chester. My baby sister was all that mattered when Silas was concerned.

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When Sylvia started fussing, mommy put her in the crib downstairs to take a nap. Just as mommy was stepping away from the crib, she gasped and leaned over, holding her chest.

"Momma! Are you okay?" I asked, standing up. I went over to her and I could see she was sweating again and very shaky. "What's the matter!?"

"Just a dizzy spell." she said, and straightened up. "I need to go lay down for a while I think. Can you keep an eye on Sylvia for a little while?"

I nodded that I could, and momma went to her room. The days kept on like that. One day momma would be just fine. She's laugh and play and have fun with us. She'd be awake and doing things around the house and taking care of the younger ones. Then some days, she'd be tired and sick. I didn't know what was going to happen to her or us. She hadn't been able to find a job yet because she was always so sick, but I knew that Nori's dad Andy wasn't going to let us live there forever without paying him.

A couple weeks later when I got home from school, Mommy was excited and met me at the door when I got off the bus. "I finally found a job, Victoria!" I could see that she was very happy. Her eyes were wide and she grinned as she was telling me about it. She would be working as a receptionist at one of the local doctor's offices. Finally we would have money to take care of the bills. I was happy for mommy and knew she must have felt relieved by the news.

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That evening, mommy came downstairs and was all dressed up once again. She handed Sylvia to me and asked if I would be able to keep an eye on the kids tonight. Chester had asked her out to dinner and a movie to celebrate her new job. "Chester?" I asked her. "How can you stand to be around him?"

"Just because he was friends with Silas doesn't mean he's a bad person, Victoria. There's no harm at all in being friends with people." A horn sounded from out front and mommy looked out the window. "Ok, Chester's here. Don't stay up too late and make sure the trips are in bed by 9. Love ya!"

I was kinda scared. Well, actually, alotta scared. Mommy never even gave me a chance to say much about the idea before she rushed out the door. I had never stayed home alone with the kids at night before, and I wasn't sure where mommy was going or when she would be back.

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Hopefully everything would be okay and mommy would be back soon. I tried to reassure myself that everything would be fine. If anything DID happen, I could always call granny, or Nori's dad Andy. I got out my homework and sat down to work on it. The trips were all upstairs playing, and Sylvia was laying in her bouncy seat. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

I started to feel weird the more I thought about things that had been happening. Something just wasn't right and I felt helpless to fix it. I didn't know what was going on, but it felt like things were crashing around me. Little did I know that things were indeed crashing, though not just for me...

[Nukeya]

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It was way late when mommy finally came home that night. In fact, it was almost 5 in the morning. And Chester was with her. I could hear the two of them laughing and talking downstairs, as well as doors and cupboards being opened and closed. I went down to see what was going on. Mommy and Chester were both drinking. And mommy looked drunk already. I watched from the stairs as she walked into the kitchen. She had two new drinks in her hand when she came back to the livingroom and she stumbled, spilling some of it on the carpet. She made it back to Chester and handed him a glass. "To us!" she laughed loudly and clinked her glass on his before drinking almost the whole thing. Mommy saw me on the stairs and motioned for me to come over to her, so I did.

"My daughter is so good to me, you know that Chester. She helps me out with the kids and the housework." Mommy's words came out a slur and her head bobbled as she talked, trying to stand still. Then she turned to me. "It's all okay now, Victoria. You hear me? It's all gonna be okay. I got a job and Chester....and Silas Parker can go to hell!" She laughed. It wasn't her laugh though. It was cold. And mean. And sounded almost crazy. I tried moving away from mommy, but she had her arm around my shoulder now and was leaning on me heavily.

"Mommy, I need to go back to bed. I just wanted to come down and tell you goodnight." I told her, lifting her arm from my shoulders. I didn't want to me close to her now. Mommy was being weird. She smelled like strong alcohol and something else, though I couldn't tell what the smell was. And she was all sweaty. Loud. Abnoxious. I think my mommy was going crazy. And I needed to get away from her. Seeing her like that made me hurt.

I ran upstairs and shut myself in my room. I was starting to feel so lonely. I started to miss daddy again. If he was here, mommy would never be like this. I didn't even have my Anella doll for comfort.

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When I got up the next morning, Chester was leaving. He had stayed the night and was walking out of mommy's room. I wanted to scream. I was starting to hate him even more than I hated Silas. Mommy had started getting really sick again ever since he had been around. I wanted him to leave. I wanted him out of our house and away from my family.

Mommy was awake in her room and wandered out shortly after Chester left. She looked horrible. I watched her as she picked up the phone. She was supposed to be starting work today, but she was calling in sick. Her voice sounded hurt when she hung up the phone and she sank down on the stairs. "Those bastards! How can they do this to me! Don't they know I have a family to feed!? I NEEDED that job!" Mommy began to sob. Then, she stood up and jerked the phone off of the wall and threw it on the floor. I just stood there watching. I had never ever seen her so angry. And never seen her throw things. But, we were back at the beginning again. So much for the celebration last night, I thought to myself. It just costed us mommy's job.

I went to school that day, worrying about mommy and Sylvia. I knew mommy was angry when I left and she was sick. I wanted to stay home that day, but I had a big science test that I had to take. Nori could tell something was wrong, but I couldn't tell her about mommy and what was going on. She asked me if I wanted to hang out after school and I told her no, I needed to get home.

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When I got home that day after school, Mommy was on the phone again. She had managed to clean herself up though. I didn't know who she was talking too, but she looked much better than she had when I left. It was probably Chester. She seemed to be happiest when one of her boyfriends was around.

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Things kept on for the next couple months. Sick. Well. Happy. Excited. Sweaty. Dirty. Sick. Well again. For Sylvia's first birthday, we had a little party and granny came over. I was glad when Chester told mommy he couldn't make it. It seemed like he wasn't coming over nearly as much as mommy wanted him to anymore. He'd come over when mommy wasn't feeling very good. He'd stay for a little while, and then it seemed like mommy was feeling better. I don't know what he did, but he always seemed to make her feel better.

Two weeks later, I had a school trip. I would be gone for 2 days. Nori was going to be there and we planned to have a blast. Granny had paid for it since mommy didn't have any money. I really hated to leave mommy and the kids, but I was excited for the trip. I hadn't really ever been on much of a vacation before, so I was thrilled to be going with all my friends from school.

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Junior begged me to take him with me that morning as I get ready to go to school. I laughed and told him to go get in my suitcase. He did! It amazed me how much he looked like my daddy. He even acted silly just like daddy used to. I dumped him out of the suitcase and got my things packed. I had to hurry before Nori and her dad got her to pick me up.

The trip was a blast. We got to go explore the capital city and all the government buildings. After that, we got to break off into groups with the parent chaperones and explore. Nori's dad Andy came with us, so he was in charge of me and Nori. I had wished that mommy could have come, but I knew that she had too much to take care of to be able to.

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The house was a disaster when I got back. The stove was dirty from cooking, dirty dishes were piled up in the sink, food wrappers and bags were all over the floor. half-empty bottles and dirty diapers were all over the floor. To top it off, there were 2 bags of groceries that hadn't been put away. It smelled like something in there had gone bad and the whole house stunk. I dropped my bag on the floor when I walked in and yelled out for mommy.

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She was laying on the couch in the livingroom. Sylvia was asleep on the floor next to her. Empty glasses and bowls sat right next to the couch. I picked up Sylvia and she woke up crying and hugged me. I had let her down. I didn't know what was going on. The house had never looked a wreck like this before, though of course I had always been there to take care of things. Mommy must have had Chester over while I was gone, because there were alcohol bottles left around as well as ashtrays.

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Mommy got up, but didn't say anything to me. She picked up a bag from the floor and started towards the kitchen with it. She was wearing the same sweatsuit that she had had on 3 days ago when I left. I sat Sylvia down and started cleaning things up. It bothered me that mommy didn't even say hello to me, but went right in to the bathroom. I heard her start the shower.

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Sylvia started crying again, but I couldn't sit and hold her. There was too much to get done. I got out her playpen and some toys and sat her in it. She seemed to be occupied.

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A few minutes later, mommy came out of the bathroom. I had gotten things mostly cleaned up at least. Mommy stood beside me. I could tell she was angry. "So what, you think I'm a bad mom now? I know you've been running your mouth to people, Victoria. So what have you said. Huh?"

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I was speechless. I didn't know what mommy was talking about. I hadn't said anything to anyone. Not even to Nori who was my best friend. "I said I want to know what you've been telling people! Nori's dad called here while you were gone and asked me if everything was okay. He said that you seemed upset on the trip. I want to know what you said to him, and I want to know RIGHT NOW!" I winced. I was scared to death. What was going on with my mom?

"I never said anything to anyone, mommy. I promise..." I started, but she interrupted me.

"I don't know who you think you are Victoria, but you had better watch it. I am the mother here, not you! And this is MY house! If you don't like Chester coming here, then by all means. Find some damn place that you might like to live better. I'm tired of this bullshit! I'm tired of always feeling like things are never good enough for you. Always feeling like I'll never compare to the way you felt about your dad. If he hadn't been so damn worried about his job and being the one to save the day all of the time, he'd still be here right now! Wouldn't he!? WOULDN'T HE!" Mommy was screaming at me now. And her words cut me to the bone. I was angry. I was hurt. And I didn't hold back this time. I had never talked back to my mother, but I couldn't contain my anger any longer.

"If YOU were the mom here, YOU wouldn't be leaving all of this stuff here for ME to do! YOU would be the one cooking our dinners and taking care of Sylvia! I would be able to be like a normal thirteen year old girl and have fun when I go on a school trip, not sit there and worry about how my mommy and brothers and sisters were doing without me!"

*Slap!* I felt mommy's hand against my cheek and it stung. Mommy had never EVER slapped me before, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to cry or just get even more mad. "You're treading on some pretty thin ice, little girl." With that, mommy walked into her room and slammed the door.

[Petlover1217]

I don't get what mental issue that woman has. Love it.

[Nukeya]

I don't get what mental issue that woman has. Love it.

You'll find out what's going on pretty shortly. I've tried to include only as much information as a child could figure out on their own at this point. It will all be explained soon enough :P Glad you're enjoying it though!

[KyleTheArtist]

she remind some of my dad-in-law. Is she on drug or something? xD

[Nukeya]

she remind some of my dad-in-law. Is she on drug or something? xD

You shall find out shortly ;) But you're on the right track.

[KyleTheArtist]

My dad-in-law has a metal plate in his head and he is a bipolar. I hate the man. He is violent and attacks my husband and says it was all my husbands fault. he then has 200 stories for what happened. I have to bear with him till college because hopefully then husband and I can move out.

and wow, I am guessing right all the time xD

PS: I gave you a 'Thanks'. You deserve it hun.

[Nukeya]

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I walked over to the door and stared out the window for a long time. I was lost. I didn't know what was going on or what to do. I had never seen mommy like this before. Something was VERY wrong with her. I couldn't keep it to myself anymore. I was hurting so much inside, but all I could be was angry. I wanted to scream. How come things used to be so good when daddy was around. Ever since he passed, they had been utterly horrible. I turned from the door and reached for the phone. I was calling Granny.

As soon as I heard Granny's voice on the other end, I broke. Tears washed down my face and I couldn't speak. I just sobbed. "Hello? Martina? Is that you? What's the matter with you? Martina!?" Granny was getting worried, I could tell it in her voice.

"No, Granny, it's Victoria," I whispered. I didn't want mommy to hear me on the phone with granny for fear that she's get really mad again. She had never hit me besides earlier and I was afraid of what might happen if she knew I was calling granny. "Granny...it's Victoria...Mommy needs your help. Something's wrong with her."

"What do you mean something's wrong? Is she hurt? Victoria, tell me what happened!" Granny was getting frantic and I knew I needed to calm her down.

"Remember how she used to be sick all the time? It's like that again. Can you come over? Please granny?" I was trying to fight back the tears and keep quiet. "I have to get off the phone granny. Can you come?"

"I'll be right there, Victoria!" *CLICK!* Granny hung up the phone. I hung up the receiver just as I heard the door to mommy's room open up. I started up the steps, anxious to get away from having contact with her. She didn't even turn her head, but went straight into the bathroom and shut the door. I could hear her getting sick.

I went up to my room and changed out of my good clothes. I looked at my face in the mirror and the bright red hand mark across my cheek was streaked with tears. I went into the bathroom and put a cool cloth on my cheek. It took away some of the sting. Then it dawned on me. Where were the trips?

Terror struck me for a minute. If mommy could let the house go like it was and not pay attention to Sylvia, I could only imagine what could happen to them. I went first into Estel's room, but no one was in there. Then I went to the boys' room. They weren't in there either. "Oh my gosh!" I thought to myself. Then, just as I was starting down the steps, I heard Junior's voice outside. I ran back and looked out the window and saw them, playing in the open lot next to ours. I was glad that they hadn't been there to see mommy and I's argument.I took a deep breath and went back to my room. I closed the door and laid down on my bed. I was exhausted.

I woke up when I heard footsteps outside my door and saw the handle being turned. I braced myself, hoping that it wasn't Mommy coming in. I feared her for the first time in my life. Slowly the door opened, and I heard a soft voice call my name. It was granny.

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I jumped off my bed and ran to her. Granny was here to save us. She had always been the one to help us through things, even at her age. "Granny!" I sobbed and hugged her tight. Granny held me close and then whispered to me, "It's all going to be alright Victoria." Granny kissed my cheek and then pulled back, looking at me.

Instantly, she saw the marks on my cheek. "Victoria...what happened to you?" Granny reached over and closed the door before taking my hand and leading me over to my bed. She sat down and then patted the bed next to her. "Come, sit down child. Tell me what's going on."

So, I told her everything. I told her about the fight I heard between she and Silas, about mommy being sick all the time, about Chester and his visits, about mommy going out and getting drunk and not coming home until the next morning, about mommy's calling in sick and losing the job she hadn't even started, about the house and it being a disaster when I got back, and then I told her about the fight me and mommy had. I told granny the whole story as far as I can remember.

Granny tucked my hair behind my ear and shook her head. "Not again," she whispered, and kissed my forehead. Granny stood up and reached out her hand to me. "This had GOT to stop."

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I followed Granny downstairs and paused when I got to the bottom. Mommy was laying on the couch. She opened her eyes and then sat up when she saw Granny. "I didn't know you were here, Mom," my mommy said. I could tell she was shocked to see granny, and perhaps a bit angry.

Granny walked right up in front of mommy and stood, looking at her. "What in the HELL is the matter here?!" I perked up hearing granny curse. I had never seen her get upset about anything before, let alone get upset enough to cuss. "Look at me RIGHT NOW Martina! You remember what happened last time? You remember the hell that was your life back then? You just couldn't stay away from it, could you? It wasn't enough that it almost killed you and your unborn children the last time?" Mommy was more alert now too. She began to stand up and then Granny stepped in closer to her. "Don't you walk away from me child!" Mommy stood up, but remained looking at Granny.

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"One shot....that's all I'm giving you this time. You better tell me what's going on and you better tell me what's going on RIGHT NOW or I promise I will call the police and you and your little friends will be locked up good and tight. I'm NOT going to let you do this to yourself or your children again, so you had better start talking." I watched Granny. I was confused at her words. I didn't remember anything like this really ever happening before. Granny pointed at me and continued. "And, you see that sweet child of yours standing over there? She's going to know what is going on. You are going to TELL her what's going on. She's old enough know to know the whole story. You're NOT keeping her in the dark anymore."

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I saw that tears had started down mommy's cheeks and for the first time, mommy looked desperate. I waited for mommy to get angry and yell back at granny like she had me, but she didn't. She just stood there.

If what had happened earlier had boggled my mind, this was above and beyond even that. What was granny talking about? I watched as granny walked over to the table and pulled out two chairs and then took a seat herself. "Come sit down Martina, Victoria. Let's talk." I was nervous at what was to come, but I did as Granny said and sat down. I was in for a HUGE surprise.

[Nukeya]

My dad-in-law has a metal plate in his head and he is a bipolar. I hate the man. He is violent and attacks my husband and says it was all my husbands fault. he then has 200 stories for what happened. I have to bear with him till college because hopefully then husband and I can move out.

and wow, I am guessing right all the time xD

PS: I gave you a 'Thanks'. You deserve it hun.

I'm sorry to hear about your DIL. Hope things get better for you and you can get away from that situation soon.

I've tried to write it so that it doesn't come right out and say what's going on, but that you can hopefully have some kind of an idea if you give it a bit of thought.

Wow! Thanks for the "thanks"! I'm glad you seem to be enjoying the story so far. There's much more to come, but I'm trying to pace myself and not just put it all out at once :P

[Petlover1217]

Crazy b****. Go Granny!

[KyleTheArtist]

I'm sorry to hear about your DIL. Hope things get better for you and you can get away from that situation soon.

I've tried to write it so that it doesn't come right out and say what's going on, but that you can hopefully have some kind of an idea if you give it a bit of thought.

Wow! Thanks for the "thanks"! I'm glad you seem to be enjoying the story so far. There's much more to come, but I'm trying to pace myself and not just put it all out at once :P

I am really hoping things get better. God forbid if I get pregnant or something( Don't get me wrong, I don't want children at this point) and he cause a me a miscarriage with all the stress and fighting that is happening here because of him.

To good stuff. Great update, I can't wait to see what happens :D Keep up the good work hun :P

[LethalLaurie]

This is a great story, so full of twists and turns! But then the title suggests that, huh? ;)

I only have one criticism--the tone of the narration. Victoria has just become a teen, yet her "voice" seems to be stuck in time. She just doesn't sound much different from the little girl in the first chapter. Maybe try expanding her vocabulary a little to show how she's grown. Also, I don't remember if I still called my mother "Mommy" at 13.

This is just my $0.02, and you can spend it however you will. I think the overall story is grand and can't wait to see what happens next!

[Nukeya]

*The following update is quite long, but I couldn't see breaking it up any, so please bear with it. There are comments at the bottom with a possible spoiler. Hope you enjoy and that I've not offended anyone or broken any rules in the process of explaining the mother's history. If so, please feel free to pm me and I can make changes. I've just tried to be as realistic with this story as possible.**

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Mommy pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one before she sat down. Granny shook her head slightly, but said nothing for a few minutes. She just watched mommy. I watched mommy too, and she was trembling.

Finally, Granny spoke. "You're back to using again, aren't you Martina?" Granny didn't sound angry anymore, but her voice was still firm. I could tell that there was alot more wrong with mommy than what she had been telling me. I was scared to find out the truth, but I needed to know.

Mommy buried her head in her hands and began to sob. She wasn't just crying, her whole body shook. It didn't seem to phase granny at all. In fact, the expression on her face was even colder. I just sat and watched my granny and my mommy, unsure of what to say or if I should even say anything at all. "Tell me the truth, Martina. Because I already know."

Slowly, mommy uncovered her face and wiped away her tears. Without saying a word, she nodded her head "yes". I heard a deep breath escape from granny. "Now, I want you to tell your daughter what's going on with you. Why is it that you're always sick? Why is it that most of the time you don't care if you look like the bum from the streetcorner?"

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Mommy started to speak. "Mom, Victoria doesn't need to kn.."

Granny cut her off. "Either you tell her yourself or I will tell her. She's thirteen years old Martina, and if you want to make her an adult by having her take care of YOUR children and YOUR house, then she's old enough to know about your drug problem."

Drug problem. DRUG problem. The words hit me like a truck. Why hadn't I thought of this before? I had heard stuff in school, but I never ever EVER thought that my mommy could get involved in something like this. How long had she been doing this, and why hadn't I thought of this before? I repeated the words in my head, unable to think straight. Drug problem. Drug problem. I didn't want to believe it, but I knew it was the truth.

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Granny's voice cut through the silence. "Victoria, your mother..." Mommy held up her hand. "Mother, I'll tell her."

Mommy looked at me and I could see how much she was hurting. It was hard for me to look at her. It hurt me even worse than her slapping me earlier.

"Victoria...baby...I'm so sorry...I don't even know how to tell you this." Mommy was crying again, and I could feel tears streaking down my own cheeks as I just sat there and listened to her. I didn't even bother to brush them away. "Victoria, do you remember when you were little and I was gone all the time? I was so busy with trying to go to school and work, both, full time? I couldn't do it, Victoria. I felt horrible because I couldn't be there to take care of you and to raise you. But I wanted so much to be able to finish school and make something of myself. To make a better life for us. I promised myself that I would be done soon and would make it through." Mommy took a deep breath. "And then I met Chester."

Mommy looked down at her hands. "Before you ask, yes, the Chester that has been here and that had been friends with Silas. Chester was studying to get into the medical field as well, though he was going to be a pharmacist. Well, we became friends and we talked more and more. One day, he said something about how tired I always looked. I told him about working and going to school. He said he had something that would give me more energy and make it easier for me to get through. I believed him and trusted him. I was wrong. He gave me some pills and I took one. I didn't know what was inside. They just looked like the energy capsules that you can get at the gas station and I had taken those plenty of times if I had to stay up and study. But, he was right. I was able to get through the long days and come home and be up to take care of the house. But they weren't just normal energy pills, Victoria, it was meth. But I didn't know that until after I had already taken it."

I had heard all about that stuff in school. I couldn't believe that my mommy would be someone who would do stuff like that. Again, I was stunned. The day seemed to get worse and worse every minute. I turned my focus back to my mother. She was sweating heavily again and wiped her face with her hand. "I didn't take them all the time and I was able to keep up. I didn't like taking it, but after the first couple times, I couldn't stop. Then, I found out I was pregnant. I knew that I needed to quit. You were in school by then and your dad was working all the time. When I worked from home, I found out about the NA program and I joined a group. I would go to a couple meetings during the day. With their support, I was able to stop. I don't think your dad ever even knew, or if he suspected anything, he never said a word. I thought my secret was okay....until...until your father was killed." Mommy covered her eyes again with her hands and cried. Granny reached over and rubbed her back.

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"I didn't know what to do without your father, Victoria. I was lost! So lost! We had been best friends as kids and he was the love of my life. I couldn't imagine living the rest of my life without him. One day, I called Chester and asked him if he had any more. I needed something to make me feel better again. To help me get up in the mornings and keep myself going throughout the day. So I started using again. More and more. Except, I took too much of it one day, and that's when I ended up in the hospital. It wasn't just because of the trips. It was because I overdosed. Do you remember that?"

Things were starting to make sense now, as I listened to my mother's story. I nodded and looked up at granny. She was nodding her head slightly as my mommy talked. "Every day when I looked at you, I remembered him. You look so much like him, baby!" my mommy cried. "And then when I could feel the babies moving, it killed me inside to know that he would never be able to see them, know that we were having three beautiful babies, to raise them together... I think that honestly a part of me wanted to die along with Ethan. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't leave my children."

My stomach was starting to hurt, but I couldn't get up from the table. I had to know everything and I knew there was still much more for my mommy to tell. After a couple minutes, she calmed herself down again and started. "When your granny found out about me using, Victoria, it was the most shame I ever felt in my life. But, when I overdosed, there was no way for her not to find out. Your granny promised me that if I ever used again, she would turn me in and take you kids away from me. I couldn't bear that, Victoria. I couldn't lose Ethan and you kids too. And then, when the trips were born...They were sick. They didn't know if Junior was going to make it. And part of the reason was because of me using when I was pregnant. I hated myself for that so much. I promised myself and God that if my babies made it, I'd never touch it again. So, after I got out of the hospital, I started going back to those NA meetings again a couple times a week. Your granny would watch after the trips for me. Everything seemed to be calming down there for a while, and I was feeling better. I even went to a doctor about my depression and got on some normal medications. And then, I got that job working for Silas and we moved to Parker place. I thought I could handle being on my own once again, but moving into that new place...it made me feel so alone again. From the start, I knew that Silas had a thing for me, but I always brushed him off. I still wasn't over losing your father yet. So, Silas would come up to the apartment occasionally and we'd hang out and watch movies or something. Then, when the twins were almost a year old, something changed in me. I wanted to move on. I was too young to spend the rest of my life on my own with four children, so I gave Silas a chance. I knew he never really liked kids. I knew that from the start, but I hoped that he would grow to love you guys as much as I did, perhaps, in time."

Granny got up and got a pitcher of water and a couple of glasses and set them on the table. Then, she looked out the window to the lot where the trips had been playing. I could see that there were tears in her eyes, even though she tried to fight them back. Hearing mommy's story made me appreciate and love my granny so much more. All that she had been through and all the care she had given us through the years. And all of this battle she had helped my mommy to fight through since my dad had passed. Tears fell from my eyes as I watched the old woman. I knew she was hurting, yet she stood so strong.

"He never did, though." Mommy's voice broke the silence, and she reached for the pitcher of water. "I don't know what I ever saw in that man, to be honest. I guess maybe I was just tired of being alone. Anyhow, one day shortly after we had moved in with Silas, Chester showed up. I was completely stunned. I didn't know that they had known each other. You know how a few nights a week, some of his buddies came over to play pool, or cards, or something downstairs? Well, we had all gone into the basement and were having a few drinks, when Silas started smoking. I knew instantly what it was and felt my mouth start watering. I had never smoked, but I felt the cravings hitting me heavily. I had had a few drinks, and I couldn't say no when they offered it to me. So, I started again." Mommy gasped and laid her head on the table and cried. Granny closed her eyes and I could see the anger building in her expressions.

"I knew then that Silas was where Chester must have gotten the stuff. But once I had done it again, I couldn't give it up. I tried going to meetings, but living there and being around Silas and knowing everything, I couldn't overcome it. I was trapped. Again. And I couldn't give it all up and start over again. And once more, I was afraid that if your granny found out, I'd lose you kids too. But, then I was pregnant with Sylvia. I knew Silas would leave me when I told him, even though I hoped and prayed that he'd change his mind. When we left there, that night, I was a nervous wreck going back to your granny's. I didn't want her to find out about me using again. That's the reason I was so adamant that we find a place. When you said something about Andy having this place, I just knew he's let us move in. I knew Andy pretty well and we had talked alot, though I can't really go in to detail, and that's not really important. When we moved in here, I was coming down. I think I slept the first three days we were here. When I couldn't deal with it anymore, I called Chester. I knew he'd help me out, because I knew him before I ever knew Silas. And so, he did. And he has been. I've tried to quit...I have, but each time, the withdrawals get so bad, I just want to die."

**RING** The sound of the phone ringing cut through the heavy air like a knife. I think all three of us jumped. Granny got up and answered it. A short minute later, Granny turned to me. "Victoria, it's Nori." I stood up and walked over to Granny. I took the receiver in my hand.

"Hello?" I asked. Nori wanted to know if I wanted to come over and watch a movie tonight. She said that her dad was going to be late at the office. I watched Granny and mommy while I talked to Nori. Granny was whispering something to mommy that I couldn't hear, but she was leaning over and almost hugging her while she rubbed her back. Mommy was crying. Her arms were folded on the table and she had her face buried in between them.

"Hello? Are you still there?" Nori asked, and I realized I had been spacing out.

"Ill have to talk to my mom and call you back in a little bit, okay Nori?" I asked and she agreed. I hung up the phone.

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Mommy stood up from the table and walked over towards me, then stopped and buried her face in her hands once again. I walked over to her and put my arms around her. And, we cried. It felt like the whole world had crashed down around us. My stomach hurt and I felt almost like I could barely breath.

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Granny had been standing behind us, and when mommy finally let me go, Granny wrapped her arms around mommy and held her tight. Granny was crying now too. "I love you so much baby." my granny cried as she held on to mommy. "I just wish you would have told me sooner!" For the first time in a long time, I knew it would be okay. I wasn't sure how it would be or what it was going to take to make it that way, but I was sure that it would be okay.

**SPOILER ALERT**

I wanted to thank those that left comments on the last updates. I was thinking about changing up the use of "mommy" in the story, but the story isn't happening as it unfolds, hence the past tenses of everything. It's being told to someone, which you will find out in the ending. Also, this is the reason why I haven't changed the way Victoria talks or describes things. I think I may have given away too much already, possibly, but hope that in the ending, the way I have written the story will make more sense :P

[Petlover1217]

Love your story! It just gets better and better every chapter! I support it 100%!

[Nukeya]

Love your story! It just gets better and better every chapter! I support it 100%!

Thanks Petlover! I appreciate your support. This is my first story and have been having a BLAST writing it.

[LethalLaurie]

Well, after I read the latest chapter to the end, I have a better idea of why the writing style is the way it is. (I won't say anything--my assumption could be wrong anyway!) It makes a lot more sense though, thank you for clearing that up for me. This really is some great work, especially for your first story. :)

[KyleTheArtist]

Great update. Glad to know things are getting better.

[Nukeya]

Well, after I read the latest chapter to the end, I have a better idea of why the writing style is the way it is. (I won't say anything--my assumption could be wrong anyway!) It makes a lot more sense though, thank you for clearing that up for me. This really is some great work, especially for your first story. :)

I didn't want to give anything away, but hoped that some sort of a hint would help clear up the reason it's being written as it is. Glad to know you're enjoying the story though!

[Nukeya]

**The following is a continuance of the last section, so is kind of short, but still tells more of the story.**

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I sat at the table for a while, thinking about all that had been said. It was overwhelming. How could this happen to us?! Why my mommy?! I found comfort in staring out the window, watching the lightning bugs flicker outside.

After what seemed like an eternity, I was brought out of my daze by the ringing of the phone again. Mommy answered it and I could tell it was Nori again. "Victoria, it's Nori baby." Mommy called. I was glad. Nori always had a way of helping me through things. I took the phone from Mommy. I told Nori I would love to come over and she said she'd come pick me up in a few minutes. I hung up and then threw on some clothes.

Mommy came upstairs and hugged and held me for a few minutes. "I'm so sorry to have let you down, Victoria. I never meant to hurt you, baby. You've been such a wonderful daughter all these years, I'm so sorry about earlier."

"It's okay, mommy," I told her, holding her tight. "Granny will help us and we will get through." I heard Nori's horn downstairs, and let go of mommy. "I love you, Mom!" I told her.

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Granny was cleaning up the kitchen the rest of the way when I came back down. I stopped on my way out to hug granny once again and thanked her for coming over.

"Any time, my dear child, any time," Granny whispered. "Now, go relax and have some fun with Nori. Don't worry about us here. Everything will be okay."


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I felt better as I climbed into the passenger seat of Nori's car, though my whole body still felt slightly numb. "Is everything okay, Victoria?" Nori asked me when I had shut the door.

"No, Nori...It's not." I told her, on the verge of tears once again. Nori put the car in drive and started off.

"So, what's going on? Your mom sick again? Nori asked, not taking her eyes off the road.

"Yes, she's very sick, Nori. And it's not just the flu, or a cold. It's drugs, Nori." The silence that followed was nearly deafening.

I wanted Nori to say something, to make everything alright. Finally when she spoke, her voice was strained. "I know Nori. I've known about your mom for a long time now. I just, could never say anything to you. I knew how much you loved your mom and how much she meant to you. Every night, I just prayed that she'd get better. I couldn't be the one to tell you about it, Victoria."

Nori knew? What?! But how? I wondered. Nori had only lived a few blocks away, so the car ride was short. As she pulled the car into the driveway and parked it, she turned to me and took ahold of my hand. "Victoria, I know what you're going through. I don't know that I've ever told anyone this, but my mom and dad went through the same thing. That's the real reason my mom isn't around anymore. Because she just couldn't leave 'em alone. They were the most important thing in her life." Nori explained as she got out of the car and shut the door. I followed behind her and we went in the house. It was dark inside except for a small night light in the kitchen. "C'mon, let's go talk," Nori said, leading me back to her room.

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We both climbed into our pajamas and then plopped down on Nori's bed. I felt right at home at Andy and Nori's house. I had spent quite a bit of time here. When we were both settled, Nori began again. "One day, my mom left me at my dad's house because she was going to go out and then, she just never came back. My dad knew it was time to quit or risk losing me. He got an attorney and won full custody of me. Then he started going to counseling and meetings..." Nori paused for a second.

"He met your mom there and they used to be friends. Your mom would come over here and talk to my dad when she was feeling bad or needed someone to talk to. And my dad would call her when he needed some help with something about me. But, then she stopped coming around when you were living with Silas. My dad said he figured she was probably back at it again and he couldn't be in that situation. It was one of the reasons that I didn't come around a whole lot there for a while. It wasn't just because we were working on that house. I confirmed his suspicions when I told him about how your mom would be sick one day and just fine the next. My dad worried about your mom alot, Victoria. I don't know if you knew that. When your mom called about renting my gramma's old house, he was happy, Victoria. He hoped that perhaps she would be able to break the addiction once and for all. Plus, I think he missed their friendship."

More secrets. More things that happened right under my nose and I never knew about it. I wondered what more people knew about things in my life that I didn't know. Although, in a way, it was almost a comfort. Finally, all the pieces of the puzzle that was my life were starting to be put in place and I could see the whole story that it was telling.

[Petlover1217]

At least she knows the truth now...

[Nukeya]

**Please note: I've had a rough last week or so, so it's been a little while since I've updated. I apologize and will try to keep them coming a little more regularly. If only there were remotes for things like "real life" :P. Also, there are only a couple pictures this time and mostly writing because when I *thought* I had my "printscreen" program on and was taking pictures, it wasn't. And I had already made some changes in the "set" that I didn't want to have to redo in order to go back and take pictures again. These were about the only pictures that I was able to capture that don't give away some things that are to come. Hope you enjoy and please feel free to leave comments and let me know what you think!**

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The next day was Saturday, and when I got home, I found Nori's dad was at the house fixing the trash compacter. "Good morning, Victoria," Mommy said.

"Good morning, Mom. Morning Andy." I called to Nori's dad. It was somewhat odd to see him at the house, even if he did own it.

"So, come talk to me, Nori." Mommy said from the table, waving her hand for me to come sit by her. "You never really said too much last night. Tell me what you're thinking. And don't worry. Granny took the trips to the zoo for a few hours, so it's just us."

Honestly, I really didn't know what to think. I knew that something needed to happen, but I wasn't sure what would help the situation. "I'm really not sure what to think, " I admitted. "I guess, it's still a surprise for me to learn all of that stuff. I mean...I always thought that we were like any normal family. We don't have all of the family problems and don't live on the streets like they always talk about many people with drug problems do. Even if we don't have daddy anymore, we still have each other. We have granny. I never thought that anything like this would happen to us."

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"And that's just it, Victoria. So much of what you hear gives people the wrong impression. Drug problems and addictions don't just happen to people of a certain race or to a certain "kind" of people. They can happen...and DO happen to anyone. Addiction is one thing in life that's not prejudiced. I wanted help, Victoria. And I knew I needed it. But I couldn't stand anyone to know that I had a problem. Especially you, baby. I couldn't bear putting you through all of that pain and hurt after all that you have already been through. But, thinking about it just made feel even worse and I just wanted to use even more to make the feelings go away. And then doing it made me feel guilty, but I was too hooked on it to let it go, even though I wanted to." Mommy took a long drink of her coffee and then set the cup back down.

"How come you never wanted Granny around? Is it because of that?" I asked her, remembering the times that I had suggested calling Granny and mommy adamantly refusing.

"Yes, Victoria. Your grandmother, as I said, had promised me to take you kids away from me if she ever found me back into it again. I couldn't let that happen. I love you guys too much." I could see a small tear making its way down mommy's cheek. She quickly brushed it away with the back of her hand.

"Well, I think it's all set to go Marti," Andy stated, walking over to the table.

"Oh, thanks Andy," Mommy responded, looking up at him. There was some kind of join message in their expressions as I watched them looking at each other.

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, Marti. And I really hate to...involve myself in your personal business. But...is everything okay?" Andy looked concerned.

Mommy shook her head at him. "No, Andy. It's not." Mommy continued on and told him all about what had happened. Starting with when daddy died. Andy watched her as she spoke, but said nothing. I had always admired him for being so sweet and gentle. Secretly, I envied Nori. I wished my dad was still alive. I knew we would have been close like Andy and Nori were.

Andy walked over to mommy when she finished and leaned over to hug her. "It's going to be okay, Marti," he assured her and then sat back down at the table. "So what's your plan?"

"I'm really not sure." She told him. "I think I need to get into treatment somewhere. Some place that I can't be tempted by Chester anymore. Some place away from here for a while so I can get things back on track again."

"So...some place like Hope House?" Andy suggested.

"Hope House?" mommy asked him.

"Yes. Hope House. It's a treatment and recovery center for women and their children. The wife of one of the guys I work with is a counselor. She talks about it sometimes if I'm over watchin the game with Randy. That's her husband. Her name is Natalie. I can call her and see if she'd be willing to help you out with finding something if you'd like." Andy paused for a moment. "I'm sorry Marti. I shouldn't be so pushy. I mean. It's up to you. I'm just trying to help."

"Please do." Mommy whispered. It was the first time I had ever seen mommy looking desperate. I could tell she really wanted help. And not just wanted it...she NEEDED it.


Andy called and talked to Natalie. He told her he had a friend who was in need of help and wanted to know if she would be willing to come over and talk to her and maybe help her get into the program. She had agreed, but said it wouldn't be until later. Andy told her that was fine and that he'd see her later.

"I think the first thing you need to do, Marti, is get yourself to a meeting. There's one at noon today at the Fellowship Club. You be interested in going with me?" He smiled, looking hopeful. Mommy nodded looking at the clock on the stove.

"If we're going to do that, then I had better get moving! It's already 10:30." I saw a smile form on mommy's face as I watched her get up from the table. She walked over to Andy who was already standing and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you Andy. You know, you've always been the one person in my life that I knew would understand what I was going through and wouldn't judge me for it."

"Marti...I've been through all of this before. If it wasn't for Nori, I might still be. But there's no way in hell I could ever do what her mother did to her. Ever!" Andy hugged mommy back and smiled at her. "We're going to get through this, Marti. I'm here to help you. Now...I'm gonna run home and take a shower quick and put on some decent clothes. You can get your stuff done and I'll pick you up in an hour?"

"Sounds like a plan, Stan." Mommy laughed, and we both watched as Andy closed the front door.

"How come he calls you Marti?" I asked Mommy when I was sure that Andy had gone.

"He's always called me Marti. From way back when I quit the first time and started going to meetings. That's where I first met him. We'd go to meetings together, or special events held by NA. He's always been a pretty good friend of mine, even if we haven't really talked much in years." So what Nori said WAS true. It struck me as a bit odd that I hadn't ever known this, but then again there was a lot that I didn't know.

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Natalie showed up at about 4pm. Andy answered the door and welcomed her inside. He and mommy had come back from the meeting at about 2pm. They spent the afternoon talking about all the things that Andy wanted to do with the house. Mommy chimed in here and there about how awesome it would be to have a greenhouse again and walk-out balconies. They walked around inside the house and Andy would point to something and then tell her how he was planning to change it, and then mommy would ask him, "What about if you..." and he'd listen and nod or wrinkle his nose up. Then they went outside and repeated the whole process. It was nice to see mommy having fun with someone, for a change, that didn't mean getting drunk or obnoxious. Natalie had called at 3:30 and said she was on her way, so Andy had just stayed.

"Anderson, my dear! How are you?!" Natalie cried, giving Andy a brief hug. "So what's new? Anything? You behaving yourself?"

"Oh of course! How could you expect any less?" Andy chuckled. "Coming up on ten years clean and sober in about four months. Hard to believe it's been that damn long."

"Well, good for you!" Natalie congratulated him with a pat on the shoulder.

"And you must be Natalie?" Mommy asked, walking into the kitchen, her hand stuck out.

Natalie took it in hers and shook it slightly. "Excuse me for being an airhead...Andy told me your name, but I have completely forgotten."

"Martina," Mommy smiled. "But you can call me Marti...Tina...just plain Martina, or whatever you like."

Natalie nodded. "So, Martina. Anderson here tells me you are interested in possibly getting into Hope House?" Mommy nodded in response. "You do realize that this is a substance abuse treatment and recovery center, right?"

Mommy nodded again. "Yes, ma'am. I do. And I really need help. I am willing to do whatever it takes. I just need to go somewhere away from here." Natalie nodded and took out a pen and a day planner. "Ok, I will see what I can do. We have a pretty lengthy waiting list, but I can work on trying to get you in as quickly as possible. Luckily for you, I am the intake coordinator and assessment counselor. I brought some things here with me to hopefully get things started. I don't normally do this for people, but since Andy's such a dear friend, I'll see what I can do. Now keep in mind, I can't promise how soon I can get you in, but I'll try, ok?"

Natalie looked up at me and then back to mommy. I had been standing next to the sink since she had gotten here, though she seemed to just now have noticed me. "And this would be...a daughter?"

Mommy nodded. "That's Victoria. She's my oldest."

"You have any other children?" Natalie asked. And so it continued. Natalie asked mommy all kinds of questions. Questions about how long she had used, if she had ever tried to stop before, and on and on.

I had somewhat zoned out until Natalie asked to see mommy's arms. "That's a weird question," I thought to myself. Mommy did as she asked though, and stuck her arms out.

"IV user?" Natalie asked. I didn't understand it at first, but it sunk in when I saw the dark bruises on mommy's arms. Mommy nodded and hid her arms under the table, tossing a quick glance at Andy.

"Well, not that it's a good thing at all, but that fact qualifies you as an emergency case." Natalie explained.

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"So what does that mean?" Andy asked abruptly.

"Well, in the event of an IV user, we consider that to require more urgent attention than some others. I mean, don't get me wrong, all substance abuse issues are important and require attention. But IV use is considered even more a danger and we can push them to the top of the waiting list because they're considered emergent cases." Natalie closed her planner and looked at mommy.

I watched as Natalie reached under the table and took ahold of mommy's hand. "This is a big step, you know. Admitting that there's a problem and reaching out for help. But you should also know that treatment isn't a fix-all. We can give you tools and help in reaching and maintaining sobriety, but you have to want it. It's going to require a lifestyle change and a commitment to it. You can't just go to treatment for a few months and then come out on your own again and think you can go back to the way that things were. Those are the cases that you hear about people going right back to using again within a few months. Don't let yourself fall into that, Martina." Natalie looked over and nodded at Andy before continuing. "If I know Andy, he'll be a great support. And you're going to need that. The road is not easy and I commend anyone who can overcome their addiction. I myself have been through it. I know what it's like. For many many years of my life I would be drunk seven days a week. Most of the time before noon even. I'm not trying to come off as being harsh or unkind, Martina. But this is a serious thing that we're talking about here, and I want to make sure you understand that and be sure that you are really ready for this."

Mommy sat and listened to Natalie. I could tell she was getting nervous and anxious because she kept moving around in her chair. But, she nodded when Natalie was done. "Yes, I understand. As I said. This isn't the first time that I've quit, but it'll be my first time in treatment, which scares me to be honest."

"Don't be scared hun. Everyone there is going through the same things that you are about to. You'll have a peer support person that can show you around and the counselors are all wonderful ladies. So long as you work your program and follow the expectations, you'll get along just fine." Natalie looked at her watch. "Well, I suppose, I should probably head out. It's almost 6 and Randy'll be back from golfing before too long and want his dinner." She turned and hugged mommy. "Hang in there hun. I'll give you a call on Monday and let you know what the plan is. I have to look and see when we're going to have any open apartments and will go from there. In the meantime, " she continued, handing mommy a card, "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call. Here's my home number," she said, writing on the back, "And I mean it...if you need ANYthing, please call me. Doesn't matter if it's 3 o'clock in the morning."

Mommy stood up and thanked Natalie for her help and then waved to her as she closed the door. Andy walked over and put his arms on mommy's shoulders. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?"

Mommy shook her head. "No, and Natalie seems like a wonderful lady. I just hope I can make it through until we can get in there. It's already starting to drive me crazy."

[Petlover1217]

Yay! Crazy lady decides to get help!

[Nukeya]

*The following is a short bit that should have been in the last section, but when I was copying it over...I missed it, and it doesn't go with the next section very well.**

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Granny and the twins arrived home shortly after Natalie had gone. I could tell mommy was relieved that Granny had kept them out so they wouldn't have to know anything just yet. It was going to be hard on them, I knew, and I was afraid at what they would think. They were so young still, though I was young when I had lost daddy and had managed to make it through. But they were my little brothers and sister and I hated anything bad happening to them.

Mommy pulled Granny aside when the trips had gone upstairs to play and started telling her about going to the meeting this morning and then about Natalie coming over earlier. There was the loud slamming of a door upstairs and then Estel came running down the steps crying. Mommy stopped mid sentence and looked down as Estel wrapped her arms around mommy's legs, wailing in despair.

It was Andy who spoke first and he took ahold of Estel's arm. "What's the matter, sweety?" he asked her, slowly pulling her off of mommy's legs. He looked up at mommy and motioned towards the other room with the nod of his head. Mommy nodded and she and Granny went into mommy's room and closed the door.

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"Xander pulled my hair b..be..because I called him stupid!" she cried. I almost started laughing, but covered my mouth with my hand.

"Well, that wasn't very nice of you," Andy told her, rubbing her back. "How come you called him that?" I could tell he was having a hard time keeping from laughing as well.

"Well, because! He colors like a baby! He just scribbles on the pages and he ruined my whole brand new color book!" Estel had calmed down a little bit, but then started wailing more loudly the more that she talked.

"How about you go upstairs and tell your brothers to come down here. What do ya say we have a pizza party? My treat?" Estel stopped crying suddenly and ran up the stairs.

It struck me that the smallest things, like coloring books could get them so upset. I knew Estel would take everything the hardest. Here she was, crying over a messed up coloring book, when we all were on the verge of a huge change. Only, she didn't know it. She seemed so fragile to me and I knew that the next few weeks were going to be very hard on her, though, I hoped that the promise of a pizza party would clear the slate.

It was then at that point that I noticed how different that Andy had been to all of us, compared to other guy friends or boyfriends that Mommy had had. I had never before seen any of them comfort any of us kids. We had always been made to feel like baggage that Mommy carried around with her. Too big to easily hide, yet too important to just leave behind. If I had ever respected Andy before, it was after seeing him with Estel that won my acceptance. It was going to be nice having him as mommy's friend.

The boys came downstairs and we all gathered around the table, looking through the ad section for pizza coupons. The trips almost got into a fist-fight again over what kind to get: Estel wanted cheese, but Alexander and Ethan wanted pepperoni. "How about we get one for you guys that's half and half? Would that work?" Andy asked them. They all cheered. "Alrighty, then that's settled. Now...what about the rest of us?"

We took a few minutes and settled on taco. Andy called and ordered it and then called Nori and asked if she wanted him to come get her. She had spent the day out at her aunt's house, he had told me earlier. They talked for a couple minutes and then Andy grabbed his keys. "I'll be right back kiddos! Hopefully I'll beat the pizza dude back!" With that he ran out the door.

He returned a few minutes later with Nori and the delivery guy right behind him. "Perfect timing!" he said, taking the pizza from the man. Mommy and Granny came out of Mommy's room and I could tell they had both been crying at one point.

"Well, what have we here?" Mommy asked with a smile.

"Oh, just felt like a party." Andy chuckled.

"And I wasn't invited to a party at my own house?" Mommy questioned jokingly.

"Well, if you really consider things, this is technically still MY house..." Andy poked at her.

"Okay, you win," Mommy laughed and grabbed a plate. It had turned out to be a fun night. After the pizza, Nori and went upstairs to my room to hang out for a while. The trips got their showers and were in bed early. Apparently, Granny's trip to the zoo had worn them out. That left Mommy, Granny, and Andy downstairs to talk. I knew what they would be talking about, but I knew Mommy was going to need all the help she could get.

[Nukeya]

The phone rang at 9am the next morning. I answered it. It was Natalie. "Is this Victoria?" she asked.

"This is." I confirmed.

"This is Natalie. I was over at your house last night. Is your mom home by chance?"

"She is, but she's still in bed." I explained. I was tired myself. We had stayed up late last night. Nori had ended up staying the night and we had played games and talked until almost 3.

"Can you do me a favor and wake her up? It's important that I talk to her." I could tell the urgency in Natalie's voice, so I told her to give me a sec and went in to wake up mommy.

Mommy got on the phone and talked for several minutes. "Well, it's kind of short notice, but I will have to make it work. Keep me posted on what happens and unless I hear otherwise, I'll see you in the morning." Mommy hung up the phone and I could see that she was a bit shaken.

"Natalie says that she was called in to work because they had a gal leave there last night unexpectedly. That leaves an apartment open for us, but we have to be there at 9 o'clock in the morning. She has 24 hours to come back there, so if she comes back by 10:30 tonight, then Natalie will call and let us know. If she does, then she will get the apartment back. But, she says she doubts that the lady will come back."

"What about her kids?" I questioned.

"Natalie said she was just a couple months pregnant and was in one of the big apartments because they were planning on putting some of the other pregnant girls in with her until the were closer to delivering. She says it's a four bedroom apartment, so that would be perfect for us."

"I guess we better start packing then, huh?" I asked, and then stopped. "What about the trips? What are you going to tell them?"

Mommy sighed. "I really don't know. But, I guess I'm going to have to tell them something. Mommy turned and headed up the steps. It was going to be a rough day, I could tell already. I hadn't expected things to turn out the way that they had, but I also knew that if we had to wait much longer, the more likely mommy was to change her mind.

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Mommy had gone up and put her hair up and put on a sun dress. She must have called the trips down while up there as well, because they all sat down at the table. Mommy looked up at me and waved me over. I went over and sat down, nervously biting my lip. I wondered how much mommy was going to tell them and I wondered how they would take it.

"We need to have a family talk kiddos. Mommy has some news. Tomorrow, we're going to be moving to a new apartment for a little while, most likely." Mommy finally blurted out.

"A new apartment?! But what do we need a new apartment for? Why can't we just stay here? Did Andy kick us out like Silas did?!" Estel questioned. She was always the talkative and inquisitive one, so leave it to her to be the one asking.

Mommy smiled, though her expression was somewhat pained. "Andy didn't kick us out, sweetheart. I don't think he'd ever do that. No guys, the reason that we have to go to a new apartment is because it's kind of like going to a doctor when you're sick, but only you stay there for a while until you are better."

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"You're sick again, Mommy?" This time it was Ethan, and I could see tears in his eyes. I hadn't figured that he would be the one most affected, but neither of the other two seemed too concerned.

"I'm not sick like I used to be, darling. It's a special kind of sick, and mommy needs to get help to feel better. We aren't going to stay there forever. We'll still come back home when Mommy gets better. But this is something that mommy HAS to do, and I need you guys to be strong and help me out when we're there, okay? Can you do that?" Mommy patted Ethan's hand. All three nodded. "I'm going to get us some breakfast quick, and then we better get to packing."

"Pancakes?!" Alexander yelled. It was the first that I had heard him say anything all morning and it startled me.

"Sure if that's what everyone wants." We all agreed, and mommy set to work.

***

Natalie called us at 6pm that night and said that the lady had come back, but had come to get her things. She wouldn't be coming back to stay. So, we were in. Mommy called Andy as soon as she hung up and told him the news. He agreed to take off of work the next day so that he could take us up there.

At 7:30 am the next morning, we were all packed and on our way to Hope House. I don't think any of us really knew what to expect. Miraculously, the trips were quiet most of the way. Granny said that she wanted to keep Sylvia at our house for the first week until we were all adjusted. She didn't want mommy getting too overwhelmed with the big changes, plus having to take care of all of us kids on top of everything else. Andy would bring Granny and Sylvia up this next weekend.

It was a one hour and 15 minute drive to Bloomington where Hope House was. We had really only brought some clothes, bedding, and some food. Natalie had said the apartments were fully furnished otherwise and had everything else we'd need. Andy told us that he'd bring us stuff that we needed if we found otherwise.


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I think we were all amazed when we pulled up outside. It wasn't at all as we had imagined. There were two long buildings which appeared to be apartment buildings. There was a large fountain in between them which sparkled in the morning sun and some kind of covered area at the back. It looked nice enough from what we could see. Andy called Natalie and told her we were there. A couple minutes later, she came out to Andy's truck and greeted us.

"Good morning!" she said with a smile. "Well, this is it!" She helped us grab our things from the truck and then led us up the steps and into the first door on the left.

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I looked around the room and sat down my bags. The room was white, but there were all kinds of posters and kids' drawing tacked up on the walls.

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On the far right, there was a series of couches lined up in somewhat of a circle with a big flat screen tv hung up on the wall. Natalie must have caught me looking around because she offered us a quick tour.

"That over there," she said, pointing to the tv area, "Is a tv/group area. Several times throughout the week, there will be groups for you kids as well, which I think you will enjoy. They'll talk about all kinds of things with you and do activities and things."

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"Back over there," she said, pointing beyond the tv area, "Is a homework room. There's several desks with computers that you can use to help you with your homework. Then there's also a few empty desks back there as well that you can study at. Of course, there's a bookshelf back there too with a bunch of different books." She led us around from the tv area down the hallway.

"Over there," she said, pointing to her left, "That's the kitchen. They keep snacks and things over there and occasionally, we'll have a pizza party with the kids and stuff like that in there. Oh, as for regular meals, there are full kitchens in the apartments. You'll have your regular meals over there. There are scheduled groups for grocery trips every day and you'll go once a week on your assigned day. You're expected to have menus planned out for the week so that you can get everything that you need on your shopping day. As for snacks throughout the day, the Childrens' Support staff take care of that. We try to always have fresh fruit and milk available for everyone, and the CSS take care of making snacks in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon for the children. Oh, and by the way, this area out here is for the school-aged children, if you hadn't guessed, so the four of you will spent most of your time out here."

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Natalie led us further down the hall. Just beyond the kitchen, there was a set of stairs that she explained led up to the group rooms and counselor offices. "Down here are the infant and toddler room, as well as the preschool room. Infants and toddlers on the left, which is where Sylvia will be for now, and then the preschool room is on the right. We'll probably start transitioning her over there in a month or two when we have a little more room." The nursery was cute and several cribs lined the walls. There was a small white shelf along the front wall with toys and such.

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The preschool room was very similar to the nursery, except they had different toys on the shelves and nap mats instead of cribs. There was also a coloring table almost exactly like the one the trips had when they were little. Sylvia would love getting to go over there.

"Sometimes," Natalie continued, "the preschoolers come out and use the school age area for things if the older kids are outside or out on a fieldtrip. It just all depends."

We walked back towards the front of the school age area where Natalie had sat down at a desk.

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Behind me, I could hear the scuffling of feet and Estel and Junior whispering, "Bang! Bang!" I turned around and shot both of them a glare.

"Dont be playing guns, you two! I'm sure you'd get in trouble for that here. Now you better behave! Or you're gonna be in BIG trouble." They ran down the hall towards me, and then back into the tv area, where two ladies were standing.

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"Hello there guys and gals!" I'm Gloria, said the red-head. "This is Stephanie. Looks like you all FOUR are going to be joining us for some fun this summer, huh?"

Estel looked up at Gloria, unsure of how to react. In reality, it was going to be a change for there to be more than just us around. Besides being in school and the very little interaction we ever had with Silas's dinner guests, we had been pretty sheltered. The trips especially. We had never really gone out much away from the house.

"That's what mommy told us." Estel replied. She still seemed nervous, but had remained surprisingly calm so far. I was shocked.

Mommy had to finish filling some paperwork out, so we sat down with Stephanie and Gloria and they told us all about the room and what happened throughout the day.

Groups started for the mommies at 8:30 in the morning. If you had medicines to take (which you weren't allowed to keep at the apartment, not even Tylenol), then you had to be over here at the med room upstairs by 7:30. Then there were activities that were planned out for each morning. Trips to the park, museums, walks, etc. We went back home at 11:15 for lunch time. We had 2 hours to cook lunch, eat, and come back by 1:15. After that, the moms went back to group again until 5pm, and we got to do more things. Sometimes we'd be going to the pool, skating outside (that's what that covered place was!) playing ball, or working in the greenhouse. The moms and the school age kids were in charge of the gardens in the greenhouse, and everyone got to share what was grown. Mommy was going to LOVE it! We talked some more about rules and such, and then finally, Natalie announced that we were taking our things over and getting to see our new apartment.

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Of course, as soon as Junior picked up his pillow, he had to swing it at someone. That someone ended up being Estel. She swung hers back, and the fight was on! They were annoying the heck out of me this morning, and I didn't know why. Of course, at home, they had their rooms with their own things to do, and here, they weren't so used to what was going on. Usually, they had spent their time upstairs or outside. It was going to be interesting to see what being couped up in a small apartment was going to be like.

[Petlover1217]

I'm so addicted. It's as if I'm Martina and your story is my drug...

[Nukeya]

Glad you're still enjoying it. Sorry my updates haven't been very regular lately, but have alot going on IRL. Hope to get more up soon!

[addict12]

Nice. :3

[Nukeya]

**I want to apologize to all my readers for not getting out updates as regularly as I had talked about. The last few weeks I've had alot going on in my personal life, so that has kept me from simming and writing as much as I would have liked. At any rate, I'm still going to try to get back to regularly updating, given that things have calmed down somewhat now. I look forward to comments, thoughts, ideas, etc on where you would like to see this story go. I have it mapped out in my head for the most part, but am open to suggestions and ideas which may/may not fit in to the plans I have for this family.**

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We said goodbye to Andy as we walked across the courtyard to our apartment building. He said for Mommy to call him later and she promised she would. She hugged and thanked him for all his help and then waved as he walked to his truck.

Ours was the first apartment in the first building... directly across from the programming area. I was surprised when we finally got inside. I had expected to see another white-walled cardboard box of a place... like a hospital type place. Instead, though, the apartment was very warm and welcoming. The walls were a two-tone with dark trim. Creamy white was on the top half, then a strip of wood trim, and the lower half was a rusty orange/tan. The sun shining through the window lit up the apartment and gave it a hospitable glow. A half-wall separated the living room and kitchen areas. The stove and refrigerator were like new and there was a table and chairs off to the side. I pulled open a couple of the cupboards and drawers and sure enough, there were towels, clothes, spoons, knives...anything you could ever need, sitting right there.

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The living room was somewhat small, but was furnished as well. There was a love-seat, couch, entertainment center with a tv, and lamps which sat on wooden end tables. "Wow! It's much nicer than I ever thought it could be!" Mommy told Natalie.

"We try our best to keep the apartments fully furnished and well cared for. We do three apartment checks each day to be sure that everyday chores are being done...such as making beds, taking out trash, doing dishes...things like that. Once a week you will have a "major house" check, which will look at things even deeper, such as dusting, cleaning the bathroom...that kind of thing. You'll get the hang of things soon enough." Natalie responded, smiling. "I'm sure once you get a few pictures on the walls and get all situated, it'll feel more like a home-away-from-home." Standing up, Natalie walked towards the door. "I need to head back over for group, so I'll let you get things settled in and put away. There's a schedule in the binder that I gave you. Go ahead and get settled in and get yourselves some lunch...I'm assuming you brought food with you?" Mommy nodded and Natalie continued, opening the door. "Check the schedule and I would like to have you come back over to programming about thirty minutes before afternoon groups start so that we can get the kids all set and you can get in a couple afternoon groups. I'll see ya in a little while!" With that, Natalie closed the door.

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And so it began. Our first few minutes alone in our apartment. Outside, kids were playing on the playground and women were walking across the courtyard. We decided to go upstairs and check out our rooms. Ethan and Xander were going to have to share, and Estel and I would get our own. Sylvia's crib would be in mommy's room. The top of the stairs was bare but for the doors to the rooms.

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Each room had two single beds in it, each with matching blankets. The walls up here were all white, but I hoped to fix that with some pictures and decorations. I wasn't sure how long we would be here, but I planned to at least try to feel at home. I knew mommy needed this.

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That afternoon, after a quick lunch of spaghetti, we went back to the program building to begin getting in to the routine. Estel was a bit unsure about staying here all afternoon with a bunch of strangers, but mommy assured her that the boys and I would be here with her, so she would be fine. We sat and waited for Natalie for a few minutes, and she finally came down the stairs. She welcomed us once again and asked if we got everything settled in. Mommy nodded that we had, and Natalie waved her hand for us to follow her. She took us to meet the childrens' support staff.

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We sat down at the snack tables and a red-headed lady sat down with us. I hadn't seen her there earlier, but she told us her name was Molly. She said that she only worked a couple days of the week but was filling in today because the other staff had taken the kids to the water-park for the day. She went over some of the rules for the room and the schedule for the summer. Then, we were free to pretty much do our own thing the rest of the afternoon.

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I spent most of the afternoon playing computer games. The trips took turns playing against me for a while, and then grew bored. Eventually, they fell asleep watching a movie, so I curled up on the couch near them and read a book I had brought with me. It was peaceful until the other kids and staff returned from the water park. Then it was like all hell broke lose. I kept the trips close to me. It was going to take them a lot to get used to having all these people around.

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We were allowed to stay home after supper for the rest of the night so we could relax after a big day. We had been up early and the day had been long. We took turns showering and getting on our pjs, while Mommy made us some grilled cheese sandwiches. We talked about our days a little while, but I think we were all too tired and worn out from all the commotion earlier to be too enthusiastic about anything.

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We all washed our own dishes, and mommy cleaned up the kitchen. Then she took us upstairs to our rooms. We went willingly and climbed into our beds. She kissed us all goodnight and then went downstairs. The trips fell asleep quickly. I knew, because I could hear them breathing heavily as they slept. I couldn't fall asleep very easily though. I tossed and turned as thoughts of the upcoming days, weeks, and months rumbled through my head.

After a while, I crept down the steps to see what mommy was up to downstairs. I didn't see her at first, but then realized that she was laying down on the couch. She didn't have the tv or anything on, she was just laying there. Just as I started back up the steps, a step creaked and I saw mommy look over at me. "You better get to bed, Victoria. We have some early days from here on out."

"I know Mom," I told her, "Good night!"

"Good night hun," Mommy said again. "And Victoria? I love you baby."

I felt the warmth overcome my body as the words I hadn't heard in so long were spoken. As I climbed into bed once again, I was relaxed and cozy. Hopefully, our family was on the mend.

[Seethatfallingstar]

I'm newly hooked to your story (bad choice of words..)
Somehow Martina keeps reminding me of Jenny in Forrest Gump..
In the flashback scene I keep seeing the scene in Forrest Gump where she goes on the ledge. lol, this is probably because how much I love Forrest Gump, but nevertheless good story(:

[Nukeya]

I'm newly hooked to your story (bad choice of words..)
Somehow Martina keeps reminding me of Jenny in Forrest Gump..
In the flashback scene I keep seeing the scene in Forrest Gump where she goes on the ledge. lol, this is probably because how much I love Forrest Gump, but nevertheless good story(:

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it. As for the Forrest Gump type theme, it had never occurred to me, but you are right. There are A LOT of similarities! I never even thought about it till now :P

[LucyCat]

Nice story! I have been reading this since you first came out with it and I have to say that I love it! I was kind of hoping Martina and Andy would hook up or that Victoria would run away and take the trips and Sylvia with her, but what can I say xD
I really like how things are turning out here!

[Nukeya]

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The next morning I was up early. I didn't want us to be late for our first full day. I was scared to say the least, but I knew everything would be alright once we got settled into the daily routine. I quickly made my bed and got out some clothes. It was a bit odd to wake up in such a bare apartment, I thought to myself as I walked into the bathroom and turned on the water. I stood in the nice warm water and relaxed for a few minutes until I heard a knock on the bathroom door. I pulled aside the shower curtain and heard Estel's voice. "Victoria, can I come in? I need to go potty." I sighed and closed the curtain.

When I got out of the shower, I realized I had left my clothes in my room, so I quickly threw my pajamas back on. I'd change when I got to my room. As I walked out, I saw that all three of the kids were awake. They had even gotten up and made their beds. "Mom's not up yet, Victoria," Junior informed me. "I tried to wake her up, but she wouldn't. She just rolled over and went back to sleep."

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I turned the corner and went into Mom's room. I called her name and she didn't even stir. I walked over to her bed and shook her arm. She barely flinched. I shook her arm again and said her name again, this time more loudly. She rolled over slightly, but didn't wake up. I started to panic. Now what was going on?! I thought all of this would be over. As I turned to leave, I felt my foot hit something beneath the edge of the bed. I knelt and felt around, clasping my hand around something small and rounded. I pulled my hand out and looked. It was a pill bottle. I read the label "Alprazolam .5mg". There was another label which read "May cause drowsiness. Do not drink alcohol when taking this medication. Persons taking this medication should not operate vehicles or heavy machinery." Mommy must have taken a bunch of these. There were only about a half-dozen left in the bottle.

I held onto the bottle and ran into my room to change. I was careful not to let the trips see the bottle. I went quickly over to the program building and looked for Natalie. She'd know what to do.

Natalie wasn't there yet, so I asked one of the ladies to have her come to our apartment when she got in. I quickly went over to our apartment and back upstairs to mom's room. About 20 minutes later, Natalie showed up. She rushed up the steps and asked me what was wrong. "Mom won't wake up. I tried everything I could. And..." I said, making sure the trips weren't around. I pulled the bottle out of my pocket and handed then to Natalie, "I found these under her bed." Natalie sighed and took the bottle from me, placing it in her coat pocket. "Natalie, please get me a cold washrag?" I did as Natalie asked.

When I returned, I watched Natalie wipe mommy's face with the rag and eventually, she woke up. She brushed at Natalie's hand, but Natalie kept wiping her down...her face, her arms, her neck...Finally, Mommy sat up. "Would you stop it already!" she yelled. "Victoria! I said STOP IT!"

"Martina, it's Natalie. Not Victoria. And you need to wake up right now and get out of this bed or I'm going to call 9-1-1 and have you sent to the hospital." Mommy looked around the room and as she wiped her eyes, a look of realization washed over her face.

"Ok, I'm up, I'm up. I'm sorry. I was just...tired." Mommy explained as she climbed out of bed.

"Yep, I know," said Natalie, showing mommy the pill bottle as she got up from the bed. "I'll be downstairs. You need to get moving or you're gonna be late."

Natalie called us kids downstairs and helped the trips get some cereal. Fifteen minutes later, Mommy came stumbling down the stairs. Natalie called her over to sit on the couch next to her.

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"Have a seat, Martina. We need to talk." Natalie informed her. They talked in hushed voices in the livingroom while we finished our breakfasts. "So how come you never said anything about the pills?" I heard Natalie ask.

"Because I didn't think they were that big of a deal!" Mommy answered. I could tell by her expression and the tone of her voice that she was getting upset.

"Martina, if this is going to work for you, you have to be honest. One-hundred percent. Above EVERYTHING! The drugs, the pills. You need to turn in all of your medications. Staff will be coming over to check your apartment."

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"You know what! To hell with this place and to hell with YOU!" Mommy yelled, and we all looked over. "I don't need people coming over here and going through my things like I'm some little kid hiding candy. I'll just take my things and go. Kids, go upstairs and get your things."

We couldn't believe what mommy was saying. She had seemed so excited just yesterday about coming here, and now she was wanting to leave. "Hang on, Martina. Let's not make any rash choices like that. Let's try and work this thing out."

"I'm not working anything out! I'm leaving. I don't need people like you and all your staff treating me like I'm some damn little kid." I could see the anger welling up in mommy's face. "I said go get your things! Now get upstairs and do what I asked!" I got the trips up from the table and started them up the stairs. I got them into their rooms and had em find something to do. I was pretty sure Natalie would talk mommy out of leaving. I had the trips close theirs doors and I sat at the top of the steps so I could hear what was going on.

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"Ok, so let me get this straight. You're going to leave here today. Then, I am going to have to call your mother and she is going to come here and take your children. She has already promised you this, and DHS has been informed. Your mother has custody of your children. You are lucky to have them right now. You need to give this thing a chance, Martina! You haven't even hardly been here for twenty-four hours. It's definitely not as bad as it seems. Like I said though. You have to be completely honest with us...and most importantly...with yourself. You're lying to yourself right now, Martina. You don't think that you have a problem do you? You think that if you're not using the hard stuff, that pills are okay because they're a legal prescription. Believe me, Martina. They are! And possibly even worse because they're so readily available."

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The livingroom was quiet for a while, until Mommy finally spoke again. "I don't know what I'm doing, Natalie." Mommy was crying. "I just don't know!"

[Petlover1217]

Great!Great!GREAT!!!!! I have been reading just not commenting. GREATTTT!!!!!!!!!

[KyleTheArtist]

great update :D

[Petlover1217]

Are you still alive???? It's been over a month since the last update!

[Nukeya]

Are you still alive???? It's been over a month since the last update!

I'm still alive. I just got super busy IRL and had some issues with my game that are hopefully resolved. I will work on getting back to writing. Hopefully will have an update later today.

[Nukeya]

*First off I want to apologize to readers for having been away from updating for so long. Things have been hectic around here and I've had some issues with my game. Hopefully it's taken care of now (thank goodness for back-ups) and I'm back to writing once again.*

New Update! Everything Changes: Hope House- Road to Recovery (Part 6.4)

After a few hours and a few phone calls, Mommy gave up finding a way to leave. She had tried everyone... Granny... Anderson... the few neighbors that she had gotten to know...and no one would come and get us. Granny was furious at Mommy for even suggesting it and Anderson tried reasoning with her, but Mommy was stubborn and ended up hanging up on him. I didn't understand her sometimes. He was only trying to help.

After she hung up the phone, Mommy collapsed onto the couch, crying again. She went on and on about how if she could just get out of this place, she'd be fine. She'd forget all about everything and we'd be a normal family. I was infuriated. "Why don't you just leave here if you want out so damn bad! Walk out the door and go! Granny will come and get us kids and then you can do whatever you want." I yelled. I had tried to go along and support Mommy, but when she suggested leaving, it was apparent to me that she didn't really seem to care. She was willing to lose us kids over having to stay here.

Mommy sat up on the couch and glared at me. "How DARE you talk to me like that! **I** am the mother here! Not you! I will make the decisions around here and I will NOT have my daughter talk to me like that." **CRACK** I felt the burn of Mommy's hand across my cheek and closed my eyes for a minute before standing up. I didn't say anything for a minute and walked towards the stairs.

"You sure as hell don't act like a mother!" I spat. I then turned and ran up the stairs and into my room, slamming the door. Once inside, I collapsed on my bed, as big, hot tears slipped down my face. I didn't want to be here any more than Mommy did, but I knew she needed to be. I had tried to be positive and help keep things in line, but it seemed to be failing. If mommy left here, we'd be taken away from her. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to live with Granny. She'd always taken care of us when Mommy couldn't, but then Granny was getting older. It would be rough on her taking care of all of us kids. It just wasn't fair! Why couldn't we have a normal family that did things together, that had fun and went to ball games, and soccer practices, and... dance recitals. Dance recitals... I had forgotten all about my love for dance. It had seemed like so long ago that I had gotten my Anella doll and my warm-up bar. So long since I had even thought about all of that. I fell asleep then, my mind a whirl of thoughts.

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I awoke a short time later to voices from downstairs. I got up from my bed and checked the other bedrooms and found no one. I didn't recognize one voice, but heard that Mommy was talking to someone.

"We've all been where you're at hun, and it's no fun. It's hard to admit when you really need help. Hard to give in and let someone help you, trust me. I DID leave here when I first came. I left and went back to using. Three days later I was laid up in a hospital bed because of an overdose. I ended up back here and tomorrow I'll be getting my three month chip. I never thought I needed help or this place. But had it not been for them, I'd probably be dead right now."

I started down the steps and realized Mommy was standing near the bottom of the steps. The voice I heard was coming from a young lady with short red hair. Mommy looked up as she saw me coming down and as I looked into her eyes, I could see she had been crying. I could also see a glimmer of hurt as she looked at me.

The woman looked up at me as I descended. "Well hello there, Sweetheart," she said with a smile. "You must be Miss Victoria." I nodded at the lady as I stepped off the stairs. She stuck out her hand in greeting and I shook it nervously. "I'm Valerie," she said, "But you can call me Val. I'm your mother's peer support. It's my job to come over and check on y'all and make sure you're settling in okay. I didn't see you guys across the way this morning, so thought I had better check in and make sure everything was okay."

"It's nice to meet you," I said quickly, scanning the living room. The trips were in sitting on the couch. The boys were watching TV and Estel was reading some comics in the newspaper.

Just as I walked into the living room, there was a knock on the door and in walked another woman with a young girl. "Knock knock!?" said the woman. She had black and blonde hair which was spiked into a mohawk of sorts with braids that hung down her shoulders. "Sorry to just barge in, but this is where I heard the party was at. I'm Saryah, and this," she said pointing to the little girl, "Is my daughter Ruby."

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The little had on a dark-red velvet dress, quite fitting for her name, and waved when her mother introduced her. She was a cutie and smiled happily. Right away she sat down by Estel on the couch and started talking to her about the comics. I think Estel was a little shocked by her forwardness, but the two were soon talking and giggling happily. Saryah walked back to where Val and Mommy were talking and I heard her join in. I didn't pay much attention to the conversation. My head was still a whirlpool of thoughts.

After about a half-hour, I could hear the three of them laughing and hoped that things were going to be okay. I didn't get my hopes up too much though, because things had seemed okay just yesterday when we came here, and it was quite obvious this morning that they still weren't.

I got the kids a quick lunch of macaroni and cheese and hot dogs. Mom and the other two women had gone upstairs to talk more in private without any kids around. I hoped they could work miracles on Mommy. A short time after I finished making lunch, they all came back downstairs. Mommy was now smiling. "Ok kids, I guess it's time to get this show on the road. Get your shoes and jackets and get together anything that you wanna bring with you, cause it's group time." I saw Mommy look over briefly at Saryah who nodded quickly and went to get Ruby ready.

The rest of the day passed rather uneventfully. The trips played with Ruby, but didn't seem to take too kindly to some of the others. It appeared as if I was the oldest of the kids here by a year. The only other kid close to my age was a snotty blonde girl who kept to herself.

It was almost 8pm by the time we got done with groups and chores and got home. We were all exhausted from the long day and no one really talked much. It was going to take some getting used to. IF we ended up staying. We decided on bowls of cereal for supper and all went to bed by 9pm. We had to be up by 6:30am to be up and over to get meds and be ready for the day.

**BBRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIINNNGGGGGGGG**
**BBRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIINNNGGGGGGGG**

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I awoke to the sound of the phone ringing at 2:30 that morning. I stumbled down the steps and tried to make my way to the phone as quickly as I could without falling over toys. "Hello?" I said, picking up the receiver. A moment of silence. "Hello?! Is anyone there? It's two in the morning!" I said, thinking it to be some kind of a prank call. I listened more carefully and could hear someone crying on the other end. "Hello? Who is this?!"

"Victoria...." the voice cried. I recognized it right away. It was Nori. Something was horribly wrong.

[KyleTheArtist]

oh the suspense! you must make another chapter! :D Also I dunno, if you tried to give the mom anorexic features because of the drugs, but in some pictures he looks so skinny at the waist XD

[Kenyurie.]

Wow, I read this all. Amazing. (:

[Gingerxyz]

I just read all of this and it is AMAZING! One of the best stories I've ever read. I had a feeling that drugs were involved around the time of the 'poker parties' but I didn't realise how big a problem it was or how long it had been going on for. Once all was explained to Victoria it made perfect sense though. Everything fit together perfectly.

I'm really looking forward to the next update and I hope it's coming soon. :)
Is this really your first story?

Forgot to say, What's wrong with Nori? You love the cliffhanger endings, don't you!

[Nukeya]

I just read all of this and it is AMAZING! One of the best stories I've ever read. I had a feeling that drugs were involved around the time of the 'poker parties' but I didn't realise how big a problem it was or how long it had been going on for. Once all was explained to Victoria it made perfect sense though. Everything fit together perfectly.

I'm really looking forward to the next update and I hope it's coming soon. :)
Is this really your first story?

Forgot to say, What's wrong with Nori? You love the cliffhanger endings, don't you!

Yes, it sure is my first story, so I'm glad everyone is liking it. And I do love cliffhanger endings :P You will find out what's up with Nori shortly!

[Gingerxyz]

Why is it that all the best writers love cliffhangers? And then wait ages before the next update...

[Nukeya]

Just a quick update for now. Hopefully I'll have some more tomorrow.

"Nori! What's the matter? What's wrong?!" I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Nori was my best friend. She was like my sister...and something was wrong. "Nori! What's going on?! Tell me!" I was almost yelling into the phone.

"It's..... my....my MOM... Victoria!" Nori stammered through her cries.

"What about her Nori? What's wrong? Is she there? What's going on?!" All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind. Scenarios that could possible turn Nori so frantic.

"No, she's not HERE! She's dead Victoria...." I could hear Nori collapse onto the floor and she cried harder than I had ever heard her cry before.

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"What?!" I asked her, feeling my own eyes welling up with tears. "Oh, Nori!" I waited for Nori to calm a bit so she could talk before I asked any more questions. Nori hadn't had much to do with her mom the last several years, but I knew that she always hoped she would come back around. She couldn't be dead. There had to be some sort of mistake. "How did you find out? What happened to her Nori?"

I waited on the line for her to answer and though she tried, she just wept. After several minutes, I heard her hand the phone off and Andy came on the phone. "Victoria?"

"Yes, it's me," I told him. "Andy, what's going on? Is it really true? How did.."

Andy cut me off. "Yes, I'm afraid it is, Victoria. We hadn't heard anything from her in quite some time. Last I had known, she had moved away somewhere. Well, I got a call tonight, from the guy she had been dating. Apparently, she had moved back a few months ago. She had been in some trouble and was sent to rehab. Well, I guess she lasted there a whole two or three weeks and then she left. She just couldn't give in. She went out and used again a few days later, only..." Andy's voice began trailing off and it sounded as if he was choking up. He took a deep breath, and after a long sigh, "she overdosed. Even worse still, she was pregnant."

'Rehab....only a few weeks...left...overdosed...PREGNANT'. The words hit me like a truck. I collapsed on the floor, dropping the phone.

"Are you still there? Are you okay Victoria? Hello?" I could hear Andy in the phone, but I couldn't pick up the receiver. My body was frozen. Could it be possible that Nori's mother had been here, in this very place only a few weeks before? Everything clicked.

Mommy knelt next to me and picked up the phone. I hadn't heard her come downstairs. "Andy? What's going on?" Mommy asked him. Then she turned to me. "Victoria? Are you okay? What's the matter?"

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I couldn't say anything but pointed towards the phone. I could hear Andy talking to her. "Oh my God!" Mommy exclaimed and sat next to me on the floor. "Uh-huh...Oh no, Andy...I'm so sorry!"

After several minutes, I heard Mommy was crying as well. "It was her, Andy! It was her that was here... her leaving allowed a place for us...Oh my God, I'm so, so sorry..." Mommy was shaking now. I could tell because she was holding onto me. We sat together on the floor for a long while, as Mommy talked to Andy. I didn't know what to say or even do, so I just sat there and held Mommy. It wasn't fair that Nori lost her mother so that mine would hopefully be saved from the same horrible disease. I couldn't imagine how terrible Nori must be feeling right now. I wish I could just be there with her... to comfort her and be there for her like she had always been for me.

"And what about the baby? Were the doctors able to save it or was she not far enough along yet?" Mommy asked shakily. I watched for a sign of Andy's answer and I could tell it wasn't good, cause Mommy closed her eyes and shook her head as tears fell down her cheeks. It was like something broke inside my Mommy that night there on the phone. I had never seen her cry like that before, but she held on to me after she hung up the phone and cried. "I'm so sorry, Victoria, for all I've put you through, honey. I couldn't bear ever losing you." We just sat together there on the floor for a long while. We had both cried our fill and just sat together, Mommy stroking my hair. I must have fallen asleep there in Mommy's arms, cause she shook me awake and followed me upstairs. "You can sleep with me tonight, Victoria, if you would like. I know it's going to probably be a rough rest of the night for you." I longed to be mothered, finally...to have my mom there to comfort me in times of need...as most mothers do. I crawled in the bed and Mommy put her arm around my shoulder. Perhaps, finally, I had my Mommy back.

[Gingerxyz]

Wow, that was unexpected! I thought it was her dad or something, would never have thought of her mom. And Victoria's family taking her place, that was, I don't know, it's weird, I didn't think about what happened to the other woman at all, I was just glad that she left. Now finding out, I feel guilty for thinking like that.
Amazing update. Thank you!

[Nukeya]

Wow, that was unexpected! I thought it was her dad or something, would never have thought of her mom. And Victoria's family taking her place, that was, I don't know, it's weird, I didn't think about what happened to the other woman at all, I was just glad that she left. Now finding out, I feel guilty for thinking like that.
Amazing update. Thank you!

Thank you and I'm glad you've enjoyed it thus far. I've tried to keep the story moving and turning in ways that may be a bit unexpected. There are brighter days to come though :P

[Kenyurie.]

Wow. I just cried.

[KyleTheArtist]

Very wonderful update! I am just shocked and speachless D8

[Nukeya]

The next morning, Mommy was the first one up. I hadn’t even felt her get out of bed, but I could hear her moving around in the kitchen below. I looked over at the clock and it was only 5:30am. Slowly I climbed out of bed. It had been a long night and I was still haunted by Nori’s phone call. I wrapped up in my robe and walked down the steps. When I got to the kitchen, I saw mommy sitting at the table. Something was cooking on the stove. She looked up when she saw me walking towards her and smiled. “Well good morning, there, sleepyhead.”

“Good morning.” I yawned.

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“Victoria, come sit down and talk to me for a while will you?” Mommy asked me. I walked over and pulled out a chair and sat. I could see in Mommy’s eyes that she was troubled. When I was sitting, Mommy reached over and took my hand in hers and looked at me. “Victoria, I’m sorry to hear about Nori's mother. Last night after that phone call, it was the longest night ever. And..." Mommy's voice trailed off. She looked down at our hand and then back up to me. " I know I've said this before, Victoria...But it's different now. I'm sorry Victoria. I'm so sorry." Mommy turned away a moment and then back again. "I realized last night that I've messed up....and this could be my last chance to make things right Victoria. To make things right for us... If it hadn't been for Nori's mom leaving here...who knows when we may have gotten in here. That could have been me that used just one more time....It could have been me whose daughter lay crying in her bed last night because the one thing that meant more than anything to me....than my family... my kids... finally killed me." Mommy was crying, but she wasn't fighting it this time. "I'm going to talk to Natalie this morning when she gets here about all of this and see what we can do to help out Andy and Nori. I meant what I said though Victoria. I promise you, I'm going to do this thing. I owe it to you kids....I owe it...to...myself."

"Mommy?" Estel came down the steps rubbing her eyes. Mommy stood up from the table and went over and help her tight. "What's the matter Mommy? How come you're crying?"

"It's nothing honey...I was just talking to your sister. How about you run upstairs and wake up your brothers? I've got a special breakfast for us this morning." Mommy kissed Estel's cheek and Estel ran back upstairs. Could it really be that things were going to be better now? I hoped so, but I had heard it all before and yet, things never seemed to last long.

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Mommy had made sausage gravy and biscuits. It had been our favorite. Granny used to make it for us on Sunday mornings when we had stayed with her. I had never remembered Mommy having made it before, but it was surprisingly good.

After breakfast, Mommy had us all help her clean up the table and put the dishes in the washer. The trips looked at her funny when she asked them to help clean up, but they did as she asked them. The rest of the morning was filled with making beds, taking baths, and getting ready for our first day in "treatment". Mommy even helped the trips with combing their hair. "I thought we were going home, Mommy!" Junior asked her as she drug a comb through his hair.

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"This is our home for a while, Junior," she told him, "Go get your shoes on." It was weird for mommy to be so attentive to us.

Natalie was in at 8am and mommy put the trips in childcare and we went to talk to her. Mommy told her all about Andy and Nori and the phone call last night. I saw Natalie wince when Mommy told her about Nori's mom and what happened to her.

"Well, we don't generally allow passes off campus or visitors in the first few weeks, Martina. But, given the circumstances, I'll work with you on this. Are you wanting to go to the funeral?" Natalie questioned.

"I'm not sure on any of the details yet, Natalie. But I think it's important for my daughter and I to be there for Andy and Nori. Nori's been like a part of our family, and I've known Andy for years. He's a part of the recovering community, Natalie. And if it will help matters any, I can have my mother go as well. I know I've made trouble since I've been here, but I really want this. This whole situation has made me realize how serious this is. However twisted it may sound, I feel like that woman gave me a second chance. One she never got. I feel like I owe it to her." Mommy said, fighting back tears.

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Natalie nodded. "Yes, I understand. Well, you find out the details and let me know. I'm trusting you on this Martina, so please, don't let me down."

Mommy and I went back to the apartment and Mommy called Andy. She talked to him for a while and got information about the funeral. It sounded as if it would be a few days from now... that the few family members who were able to be contacted were out of state and would be flying in. When Mommy was done talking to Andy, she handed me the phone. Nori was on the line.

"Nori! How are you?" I asked, for the first time, unsure of what to say to my best friend.

"I've definitely been better. It was hard to take it all in. Dad has helped me though. You know, Victoria, in a way, it's almost a comfort to finally know for once where she is. I don't have to worry about something happening to her... anyone hurting her anymore. I suppose it's not been as hard as it might have been had I really had anything to do with her." I could hear Nori was crying, but she seemed to be taking everything a lot better than I ever imagined she would. "I think what scares me the most though, is finally meeting the rest of my family. I know I visited them a few times when i was younger, but I don't really even know any of them anymore."

We talked then for a while, Nori and I, though the conversation was a bit strained. When we finally hung up, I felt a bit lost, unsure of what the future held for us. I knew everything happened for a reason, yet, I felt selfish in thinking that Nori's pain was so that my family could heal.

[Nukeya]

We returned back over to the main building when we were done talking to Andy and Nori. Mommy didn’t really seem to say much…wasn’t as talkative as she had been this morning. But, then again, I know that everything really hit her hard. Mommy peaked her head around the corner of Natalie’s door. “Come on in ladies,” I heard her say. I followed Mommy in and we sat down. “So…what did you find out?”

“Well,” Mommy began. The funeral is Friday morning at 11am. Andy said that he could pick me up if need be, or that I could have my mother come and get us. I really don’t like the idea of taking Sylvia or the trips though, so would it be possible for me to have my mother keep them while we’re gone?” Mommy asked.

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Natalie looked away suddenly, but not before I could catch a glimmer of a tear in her eye. “Excuse me for a second,” she said and stepped around the corner. When she came back, her eyes were still a bit watery and red. She sat back down and looked down at us. “You know, I must confess to you, this situation is hard for me as well. I have also been quite close to Andy and Nori. You know this, seeing as how it was Andy who called me for you. But I also knew Tanya as well.” Natalie sighed. “But, no mixing work and personal matters, so on to your plans.” It was a bit odd to see a counselor cry, but I guess we’re all human.

“So I guess my plan is…I will have my mom come and get us all on Friday morning and take us back to her house. The trips can stay there with her, and I can have Andy pick Victoria and I up there.”

“Sounds like a reasonable enough plan. I know Andy and trust that he won’t let anything happen to you or put you in a bad situation. So,” Natalie continued, handing Mommy a piece of paper, “I need you to fill out a pass so that everyone knows where you are going.” Natalie then explained to Mommy what all information needed to be filled out, and when Mommy was done, Natalie took it and signed it. “Alrighty, then that’s taken care of. You will need to drop a UA when you come back and you must be back by 5pm.” Natalie smiled up at Mommy. “One more thing before you go?” Natalie stood up and walked over to Mommy. “Martina, you are a very special lady. From hearing your story and all that you have been through, your’s is a special case. Not everyone gets the second chances that you have been granted. So, please…PLEASE take this to heart and really take a look at what’s going on.” Natalie placed her hand on Mommy’s shoulder and smiled.

When Natalie was done talking, Mommy nodded silently and turned towards the door. But before she walked through it, she turned and hugged her. “Thank you for everything.” Mommy whispered. Mommy finally let go and turned towards me. “Ready Vic? I’m gonna go sign you in and then I need to head up to group.”

“You know, it may be possible for Victoria to eventually be able to stay at the apartment during the day rather than going into childcare. She’s certainly old enough, with you just being across the walk. But that’ll be something to look into once you all are in and settled.” Natalie explained. Mommy smiled at me and then motioned for me to follow.

The rest of the day trudged by. I kept to myself for the most part, except for listening to the trips’ grand stories of adventure. I kept thinking about everything going on around me and wondered why it was that my family were the ones going through it.

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Friday came, and we all got up early. We had to get showers and breakfast and get ready for Granny to pick us up. She arrived at 8:30am just as she promised, and Mommy went over to sign out while Granny got us all in her van. Sylvia was in the van in her car seat and she squealed when she saw me. My beautiful little sister. I hadn’t realized until I saw her sitting there exactly how much I missed her. I leaned in and kissed her before I sat down next to her. The trips buckled up in the back seat just as Mommy opened her door. “Thanks for your help, Mom” Mommy told Granny as she leaned in and kissed Granny’s cheek. Granny closed her eyes and lowered her eyes and then looked over at Mommy.

“Before I pull away from this place, Martina Goodall. Promise me…promise me with everything that you have that this isn’t some scheme to get me to come take you from here. PROMISE ME that you plan on returning here.”

Mommy appeared a bit shocked at Granny’s words, though I was as well. “Well, yes, mother! I can’t believe you would say that to me!”

“I didn’t mean to offend you, my dear, but I never know about you, Martina. And I’ll be quite honest with you. I was a bit hesitant to have anything to do with this until I talked to Andy and he assured me that he’d see to it that you went back. It was just a couple days ago that you were calling me to come and take you…”

“And it was just a few days ago that a woman left here…giving our family a place to stay…a place for us to get healthy again…And only a few days ago that she overdosed and died, leaving behind a daughter that she barely knew existed, but that has been almost like a sister to my children.” Mommy’s face was red and I could see that Granny had angered her with what she had said.

Granny’s expression softened and she smiled. “You’re really serious this time, aren’t you?” She asked, looking deeply into Mommy’s eyes.

“Yes, I am, Mom.” Mommy said and looked straight ahead through the windshield. Granny nodded and turned the key in the ignition. We were off.


The drive wasn’t too bad. No one really said much except for Sylvia who sang most of the way. She seemed to have changed so much in the short time that she had been with Granny. I was glad that she was finally coming home with us today after the funeral. She cried a bit when she saw Mommy and realized she couldn’t get out of her seat to go have Mommy hold her, but she was fine as long as I was there sitting next to her and we were singing.

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Andy and Nori were already at Granny’s house when we got there, to our surprise. I couldn’t wait to get out and hug Nori. She squealed and came running over to me, throwing her arms around my neck. I held her tightly. I looked at her when she pulled away from our embrace, and surprisingly enough, she didn’t look like she had been crying. I would have figured today of all days would be the worst. Nori caught me looking her over. “I’m not going to cry today,” she told me. “I am at peace finally with at least knowing that now no one can hurt her anymore… not even SHE can.” Nori nodded matter-of-factly, but I was sure her walls of support would crumble later when she realized the finality of the situation.

Andy walked over to Mommy’s side of the van and opened her door. “Well hello there young lady,” he told Mommy, grinning. “How’re things going?”

Mommy got out and opened the side door to get Sylvia out. “I’ll get her.” Andy offered.

“Oh, well, okay, I suppose. I think some of the stuff that they do there is quite ridiculous myself, BUT…I guess that I don’t really know it all…I am an addict, afterall.” Andy took Sylvia out of her car seat and as soon as he turned around, Mommy wrapped her arms around the both of them. To our surprise, Andy put his arm around Mommy’s back and kissed her forehead, smiling.

We helped Granny get the trips and Sylvia inside and we all sat and talked a while. No one mentioned a word about what was going on today. There was just an overall pleasant warmth in the room.

At about 10am, Andy stood and suggested that we get ready to head out as we would need to be there a bit early. Well, Andy would, anyhow, and Nori.

The funeral parlor was relatively small, but then again, it didn’t need to be huge. There were only a couple handfuls of people that attended besides us four. I watched Nori the entire ceremony and she didn’t shed a tear. I was amazed at her ability to maintain her composure. The toughest part, I thought, would be the actual burial. I remembered how it was for my daddy. I remembered how mommy fell down on the ground and cried and cried.

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At the cemetary, there were even fewer people. I couldn't imagine not having family around at a time like this. We didn't see our aunts and uncles and everyone very often because they lived out of state, but we had Granny still. And good or bad, Mommy always had friends around. Nori's grandma was at the graveside and I don't know if she cried more at burying her daughter or at seeing her only granddaughter. Nori's aunt and uncle and their families were also there with a couple of their kids.

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The preacher held a quick ceremony and afterwards, when everyone was finally leaving the cemetary, Nori's walls crumbled down and she wept. Andy stood next to her, his hand rubbing her back. Reaching below the chairs where they had both sat moments earlier, they pulled out beautiful bouquets of roses. One red and one pink. They placed them on the top of the casket, and stood together silently again for a moment. Finally, I heard Nori whisper, "Goodbye mom. I know you probably never really knew how much I really loved you, but I did." We all walked back to Andy's car together quietly. There was nothing more that could be said.

[Nukeya]

I seem to have lost the flashdrive that has my story on it, so...sorry about the delay in the next chapters. They'll be coming soon. Hopefully I'll find it today while cleaning.

[Gingerxyz]

Thanks for letting us know. :)
I hope you find it soon.

[Nukeya]

Andy and Nori dropped us off at Granny’s house. Andy hugged Mommy and thanked us for coming. Nori had fallen asleep in the car, and rather than wake her, I asked Andy to tell her to call me in the morning. Andy nodded and got back in his car. The air and emotion suddenly felt stagnant. Rolling down his window, Andy waved goodbye and thanked us once again as he backed down the driveway. Turning back towards Granny’s house, we could see Junior looking out the window. Not even a minute later, the front door to Granny’s house flung open and the trips came racing out. They wrapped their arms around Mommy’s waste and almost knocked her over. “Easy guys! My goodness!” Mommy exclaimed, laughing at their excitement to see us.

The days after the funeral had flown by and already we had been here almost a month. Each day seemed to blend into the next. Mommy seemed to get better each day and the trips were growing so quickly. Sylvia was working on potty training in daycare and talking more and more. As for me, I kept myself busy reading and writing. I was getting restless though. I was missing Nori and Andy and Grannie... I hated being in this room of screaming kids. Natalie had said something about me being old enough to stay home on my own, but even that was a drag. I was starting to feel very resentful towards Mommy for all she had done that had brought us here.

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“You can’t stay held up over here forever, ya know,” said a soft voice and I looked up to see a short, brown-haired lady with a young boy on her hip. She looked vaguely familiar and I had seen her around before, but had never talked to her before. “Hi! I’m Celia.” She said, adjusting the boy before holding out a hand. I looked up at her and shook her hand. There was a friendliness and understanding in her eyes. “Mind if I sit down?” she asked, nodding her head to the sofa next to me.

“That’s fine,” I told her and sat up straight. She sat down beside me and put the boy down on her lap. “So, how come you aren’t over at least talking to the other kids?” she asked curiously.

“Well, I don’t know.” I told her, shrugging. “I guess I just have a lot to think about. A lot has happened in the last few weeks, well…months even.”

“Care to talk about it?” she asked. I hesitated. I didn't want to talk about anything, especially to a stranger. Before I could respond though, she began speaking again. “Actually, you know what? How about I tell you a little bit about me, first, and then you can decide what you would like to share with me, if anything.”

I thought about it and then nodded at her. “Ok.” I agreed. I guess it couldn't hurt. It would at least take up some of the long hours of the day.

She took a deep breath and I watched as she put the now sleeping youngster across her shoulder. “Well, when I was your age,” she began, “my mom was a lot like most of the moms here. My mom was addicted to drugs and she’d use all kinds. Alcohol too. So she came to treatment and my sister and I came here with her. This very place, except it was a lot smaller back then. She didn’t end up ever staying though. She didn’t like their rules and didn’t think that she needed help. But, my mom had never really been a mom, and so I took advantage of that. I was a wild child. My sister was as well. When mom was out doing her thing, we were out doing ours. And we didn’t really mind the fact that our mom wasn’t around. Sometimes, we’d even party along with her. But then, when my sister was 17 and I was almost 16, we were in a really bad car accident. My mom had been drinking and using. We all had actually. But she was driving. She ran head-on into another vehicle. My sister was killed instantly because she didn’t have on a seatbelt and was ejected through the windshield. My mom died a few days later due to severe head trauma. I got a bit banged up and had a broken arm. I also found out I was pregnant with my daughter Sadie.” There was a sad sort of happiness in her eyes now, and she paused for a moment, thinking.

“Wow,” I said. “So did you have any other family or anything?”

She shook her head. “Nope. I sure didn’t. Well, none that really wanted anything to do with me or that were fit to take care of me. Drug and alcohol addiction runs heavy in my family. So DHS finally sent me to a foster home. I was only in the 1st placement a little over four months before the family had had enough of my attitude and behaviors. I’d run away, steal, lie, drink, use…I didn’t care about anything or anyone. The only two people in the world that I cared about had been killed, so I didn’t care what happened to me either. Finally, I was court ordered to treatment for teens. I did what I needed to do to get through my 90 days. My daughter was born 2 weeks before I was scheduled to graduate, but they let me stay and finish up. By the night that I got out, I was back out there again. I had been released into an independent living program when I graduated treatment. I just couldn’t bare being alone and that was the only way I could find to numb the pain and hurt I felt. I was all alone, sixteen years old with a baby to look after. No job. No money. I was staying with a couple friends in a big house at the time. We got busted one night and DHS came and took Sadie from me. After that, I was only allowed visits and I wasn’t very good at it. I didn’t go like I was supposed to, or I’d come up with some excuse as to why I had to reschedule. It was all because I was still using.” Saryah shrugged and exhaled a deep sigh. “When Sadie was 2, my rights were finally terminated. I was horrified and it drove me further into my addiction. I also found out I was pregnant again. I tried keeping it a secret. I didn’t want to have another baby. I couldn’t even take care of the one that I had already so she’d been taken away. But I didn’t know what I was going to do. Then, I heard about the safe haven laws and planned to just take the baby to the hospital and leave it. Then, I could go about my business. That didn’t work though.”

“The night that Jonathan was born,” she continued, “I was way out of it. I was at this party when everything started. I knew what it was, I remembered it from Sadie, but I didn’t want anyone else to know. I don’t know why now, but it was so important to me back then. I didn’t want to be judged for giving up my baby and leaving it somewhere, so I couldn’t let anyone find out. I hadn’t gotten very big and could mostly hide it with baggy clothes. I figured I would have time to walk the few blocks to the hospital. On the way there, I was too out of it and ended up falling and lost all track of where I was. A lady came by walking her dog and found me laying there. Jonathan was born before the ambulance got there. His cry sent shivers through me. It wasn’t like a normal cry. It was really shrill and desperate. It was there, as the EMTs loaded me and my son into the ambulance that I knew something had to change. I couldn’t give my baby away. He needed me and needed me to be well. I needed to be well. After we got to the hospital, the lady that had found me came into my room and held my hand and talked to me. She said she could tell I needed help and then told me about this place. I guess she had gone through here herself a few years ago. When she said the name of it, I remembered having been here with my mom.”

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Celia patted the boy’s back as he started to fuss and he calmed back down. She continued on. “I hated it at first, it reminded me of my mom and sister and when we had been here before. All I could do was cry and cry and cry when I’d think about things that we had done here before. Finally, my counselor set me straight. We talked about everything that had happened… my entire life’s story… and I felt a strange release afterwards. There’s been a world of difference since then."

I had been trying to figure out why she was telling me all of this, but after she got done, I realized that it made me feel a bit differently. I had been feeling so sorry for our family, but I realized that compared to what Celia had been through, I had a lot to be thankful for. She had had a rough life compared to mine and although I was irritable here, I knew I was blessed.

[Nukeya]

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After my talk with Celia, we got to be pretty close. She was one of the youngest mothers there, and eventually, I had told her about all that I had been through. She had smiled at me and told me that if ever I needed to talk to someone, to not hesitate to call her or come over. I had also made friends with one of the other teen girls there, Marnie. The three of us got along quite well and break times between groups often found us hanging out outside.

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One afternoon, Marnie and I had been outside listening to music. We'd taken a few of the kids out with us to play on the playground. Celia had eventually wandered over to find out where the noise was coming from and laughed when she saw us. "What're you doing just sitting there? You should be up and dancing ya know! A beat like that shouldn't go wasted." With that Celia started dancing.


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Eventually, we joined her and were having a blast, when this old man came walking past. We guessed him to be a neighbor. We didn't pay attention to him, but kept on dancing. He stopped and turned and just stared for a minute. When we stopped and looked over at him, he turned quickly and acted as if he was watching a bird or something up in a tree. We just laughed. I was starting to enjoy myself more and more each day as we began to become more involved in the Hope House community.


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Saturdays were becoming my favorite days of the week. On Saturdays, we had cleaning for major house, in the morning, but then the rest of the afternoon until 5pm was for family time. It was nice to be able to spend time together as a family and was a great break away from being in groups all day.

After six weeks, which had seemed like an eternity, we were able to have weekend afternoon visits. As soon as we were given the okay, I made a pass for Nori to come over for the day. When I called Nori and told her the news, she was ecstatic. Mommy had requested that Andy come over as well. We were all excited. Hopefully at last, we'd get back to having contact beyond the fences of Hope House.

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I hugged Nori as soon as she got there the next Saturday. It had been a long few weeks since I had seen Nori. We had talked on the phone since the funeral, but it was never mentioned. It seemed as if she wanted to just forget all about it.

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Sylvia saw Andy and immediately raised her arms to him when he walked in the door. Andy smiled and picked her up. Andy had really been the only guy around that Sylvia could probably remember. Her real father Silas had been worthless, and I hoped he'd never come back around. Mommy laughed when she saw Sylvia and went over and hugged Andy. It was good to see them again.

After a while, the trips got bored with hanging around in the house. Ruby had come over and asked them to come outside so they went out to play. Nori and I headed up to my room to hang out. Andy and Mommy had settled at the table to talk over a cup of coffee. Sylvia sat perched on Andy's lap chewing on a cracker.

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When we came back down from upstairs, I could smell something burning and rushed down to see what was going on. I laughed when I found the source. Andy had attempted to make us all lunch and ended up burning it. Mommy sat laughing at the table. Andy stood at the stove, sipping his burnt concoction from a spoon. "Hmmm...I've done far worse, I suppose," he chuckled and turned off the stove. "When all else fails, there's always pizza!" he said, pulling his phone from his pocket. Saturdays were definitely going to be something to look forward to.

[Nukeya]

[**I've found my flash drive and been trying to be diligent in working on my story, so please, let me know your thoughts so far or even give me your rating. I'm considering changing my storyline a bit from what I had originally planned (which included the reasoning behind still referring to Martina as "Mommy") because I've thought of some new directions I'd like to go with some of the characters in the story. The changes would keep the story in the here-and-now, with it being told as it happens, rather than being a story being told to a certain someone. I haven't decided though, because I still like both ideas. Let me know what you think and prefer! If I do change the way it's being told, I can go back and change the "mommy" stuff to evolve without really changing the story. Also, as Sims aging is kinda wonky, I can't remember how old I have Victoria right now, or if I even have much of a reference, but she should be about 16-17. I'll have to do some digging and see if there's any specifics anywhere that conflict. Anyhow...let me know what you think, how you'd rate the story this far, and whether or not you'd be okay with changing the telling of the story to be an "as-it's-happening" kinda thing! Without further interruption... the story!]**

I had talked to Natalie a few weeks later and she had agreed that I would be allowed to stay at home during the day from then on. I had proven that I was trustworthy and responsible enough over the last few weeks. One day as I sat at home, a knock came on the door. When I got up to open it, there stood Natalie.

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"Good afternoon, Miss Victoria," she said as she came inside. She held out her arms and hugged me. Natalie had been a God-send to our family and there would never be thanks enough for all she had helped us through. "So how are things going for you?" Natalie walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. I followed her and sat down as well.

"Umm..they're going okay, I guess," I mumbled. I couldn't tell her that I was bored to death here, cause I knew how important it was to be strong for all of us.

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Natalie chuckled and smiled at me. "Okay you guess?" I shrugged. "Well, here's the deal, Victoria. When it comes to addictions, it's not just the addicts that need support. The families do as well. I've watched you the last few weeks, and you seem to be withdrawing a bit. I know you hang out with some of the younger ladies here, but you've lost your spark in some ways. You need to be out with people your own age... you need to meet people on the community who have gone through things similar to what you have. I know you have Nori, and you are great friends, but I would love to see you get involved in something like Alateen. It's for the friends and families of addicts...a branch of Alanon that's specifically for younger people your age and I think it would be a great benefit to you." Natalie opened a brochure she had been carrying and handed it to me. "There's a meeting here in town every Wednesday night. Sometimes they have dances and lock-ins and things on the weekends. I'd like for you to consider going. It's at 5:30 in the evenings."

I thought about it for a minute. The idea of having people know about our problems scared me. It was hard enough to keep things quiet when I was in school, let alone to get involved in something like this. Natalie must have seen the look of apprehension in my eyes and spoke again. "Victoria, you don't have to be scared, honey. Kids from several towns around come here for the meetings."

"No, Natalie. It's not that. I just..." I trailed off for a minute.

"Then what is it?" she questioned, taking my hand and looking deeply into my eyes.

"I don't know, I...I guess..." I sighed. "I don't want people to know about Mom and everything that's going on." I looked down at my hands.

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Natalie nodded understandingly and released my hand. "Victoria... None of this is your fault. Your mother made some poor choices, as everyone does, and she's getting help with it. You have nothing to be ashamed of, my dear. You are a beautiful, smart, ambitious girl and it doesn't matter what other people think. It would be good for you to get out, meet new people. Who knows, maybe you'll even find some nice young man while you're out." Natalie winked at me and I couldn't help but laugh. "So what do you say? Give it a try? See what ya think? You don't have, to... obviously the choice is yours. I just thought I'd suggest it." Natalie smiled at me again.

"I'll think about it." I told her. "Maybe you're right. Maybe getting out would help me feel better."

"That's my girl." She told me. "Actually, that wasn't what I originally was coming over here for," Natalie explained. "I saw the pamphlet on my bulletin board and couldn't figure out why I hadn't thought about it before. What I was wanting to talk to you about was school...college... what your plans are for your own future."

I blinked as she spoke. I hadn't even thought of my own future really. So far, my every day was spent worrying about our family, mom, the trips, granny, Nori... I hadn't even stopped to think about what I wanted. I hadn't even realized that college was coming up and I hadn't thought about where I would go or even *IF* I would go. "I guess, I don't really have many." I told her with a shrug.

Natalie opened her planner and got a piece of paper and pen out. "Well," she said. "You're going to be finishing high school this next year, my dear. I think it's about time that you started." Natalie wrote my name at the top and underlined it. "So... any thought as to what you might like to do? Anything you've always thought you'd be when you grow up?"

I knew exactly what I had always dreamed of, but I knew it would only ever be just that. A dream. I'd never be good enough to be a dancer. I'd never had a whole lot of formal training. And here I was...about to graduate high school in a year. But it sure would have been fantastic. Daddy would have been so proud.

"What is it Victoria?" Natalie asked, breaking me from my thoughts. "I can see there's something in there. So what is it?" I shrugged, not wanting to admit my childish fantasy. It'd never happen, so why even talk about it.

"Well, I lied. I've always been good at taking care of kids, so like... a nurse... or a doctor or... I don't know... maybe even a teacher?" I shrugged, lying. I had never thought about being any of those things before, but I guess they sounded easy enough.

"I don't believe that, Victoria. You're good at caring for kids because you've had to your whole life, and you love your brothers and sister. I don't think that that's what you were thinking about." I blushed and looked away, finding myself looking at the ballet bar that Andy had brought over and put up. Natalie caught me. "That's it, isn't it?" she asked. "Dance?" I turned and looked down at my hands again nodding. "Why didn't you say that in the first place then?"

"Cause I'll never dance!" I almost shouted. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, and an anger beginning to boil up. I didn't know why, but as I said those words, it was like a wall broke. The one dream I had held on to suddenly felt crushed. Natalie stood and hugged me. "Don't you say that, Victoria. The only way you'll never dance, is if you never try."

"And how am I supposed to do that when I'm here because my mom's a drug addict, my dad's dead, and we have no money. No money to hardly pay for our house, let alone to send me to dance classes or even college!" I guessed that maybe I had thought about this all before but had stuffed it all away, not wanting to really think about it. Dancing was something that I had loved my whole life...and every step of the way, something had always got in the way. Now I was too old and had no experience. I felt tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Victoria, if you really REALLY want to dance, you will. Nothing could stop you. There are people every day who do the impossible... something that they've always wanted to do, but that seems so far out of reach. It's not too late to try, you know. I wiped my face with my sleeve and looked at Natalie, who was writing something on the paper. "So. If you want to dance... want to get into a dance school. Let's figure out how to make it possible."

I looked at Natalie, and could see that she was serious. "But how?" I asked her.

"Well, for starters, you should probably get into some classes of some kind, right?" I nodded. "Well, you know they offer them down at the gym, right." Again, I nodded. "Well, that'd be a good place to at least start."

I sighed in frustration. "And how am I supposed to afford that? Mom doesn't work and we sure as heck don't have anything in savings anywhere."

"Well, there's nothing saying that you can't work, now is there?" Natalie stated, again writing on the paper. "You're old enough to get a job, and I'm sure you could afford to pay for your classes... even save up anything extra to put towards college. Besides that, I'm sure there's families looking for babysitters in the evenings or after school. There's all kinds of possibilities, Victoria. You just have to be creative and find ways to make things happen."

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I thought about all that Natalie had just said and took it all in. I hadn't considered any of it, really. The more I listened to Natalie talk, the more I realized that perhaps itwas possible. But, it was going to take some work.

[Gingerxyz]

Well, I'd definitely rate it 5 stars! As for changing the way the story's being told, well it's your story, so whatever you think is the best way of telling the story is the way you should use. Have you tried writing a chapter or two both ways and comparing them? That might help.
It really depends on where the story's going. It might be a nice ending, the reveal of who the story's being told to. But it might work better the other way.
Anyway, it's your story, tell it the way you want to tell it, and if it doesn't work, you could always go back and change it. :) Hope that helps in some way.

[Beccapixie10]

GREAT story. It seems very real, and i would also rate it 5 stars. I'm not really sure about changing the way it's being told... I guess, as Ginger said, it's your story, so whatever you think would work best!

[Nukeya]

My laptop with my story and family on it is on the fritz so not sure if I'm going to be able to continue this story right now or not. Hoping that it's still under warranty :( I'll try and let y'all know if I get it up and working, though may have to make a new family to continue the story with.

[Gingerxyz]

Thanks for letting us know whats going on. If there's any way you can continue the story then please do, it would be awful if you had to end it because of computer problems. It really is a very good story.

[Nukeya]

Well, my laptop is officially out of commission for now. It appears to have a motherboard problem so I'm trying to decide what I want to do from there. I will try and make another family with which to continue the story, though I have to start all over from scratch for all of it, but I will try my best to get a family and places together that may somewhat resemble the original family :( I don't want to give up on the story :(

[Nukeya]

I am happy to announce that I have managed to successfully restore my original family and shall be continuing the story!

[KyleTheArtist]

I'm glad you did! Loving the story, 5 stars :D

[Gingerxyz]

That's great! Looking forward to reading more :)

[Nukeya]

Two laptops and some major issues later, I'm hoping to be able to continue on once again, though it's been a few months.

[Nukeya]

*My Sims for this story are back and I hope that I can finally finish what I started in this story. Again I apologize for the long pause!*

I thought long and hard about what Natalie had told me and decided that I would do what I could. I really didn't have anything to lose, I supposed. I spent several days looking through the newspaper for a part-time job. School was almost over for the summer and I would have more time available soon. After a week and a half, I began getting discouraged, sure that I'd be stuck here all summer long and would never find anything.

After a little while of searching, I went over to the main building and used one of the computers in the kids' room. I found but one ad: a temporary housekeeper. Someone was needed for cleaning several apartments in a complex. I wrote down the number and went back over to our apartment. I called the number listed and took a deep breath. My nerves seemed to be getting the best of me as I sat listening to the line ringing. Eventually, a lady answered and explained to me the details of the job and said I could come by sometime and talk to her about it and see the apartments. I hung up the phone feeling at least a little bit hopeful that I'd be earning some money soon.

It was Wednesday, which meant that there would be an Alateen meeting this evening and I knew Natalie was going to want me to go. I still wasn't sold on the idea of talking to strangers about my family issues, but if she thought it would help, I couldn't really argue. Plus, it would get me out of the apartment and away from everything for a while.

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Natalie dropped me off at the meeting and said one of the girls who helped to run the meetings would bring me home. I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest as I walked up to the double doors and entered. I didn't see many people around, except for two girls who appeared to be about my age. They introduced themselves as Jacqueline and Grace, twin sisters, who had helped to establish the group. The gave me a quick tour of the place and assured me I would be fine. I couldn't have disagreed more, though, I didn't tell them that. I wanted to run out of there, but I had no where to go and no way to get anywhere unless I wanted to walk.

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As the meeting began, everyone took a chair in a circle around the room. There were a few announcements, and then we were asked if anyone had anything to share. There were several teens who shared some things that had been going on for them over the last week: some good and some bad. After each had shared, others were offered the opportunity to share their thoughts/ideas/experiences or whatever, and then we moved on to the next person. I had to admit, it was interesting to hear some of the things that the others had been through, and I had kind of started to feel not quite so alone in my situation.

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I listened intently as the others shared, though sometimes, I couldn't help but to think back on what I had been through. Some of it was hard to think about again without feeling anger or hurt welling up in my chest. When that happened, I tried to focus more on what the others were saying and let my own troubles be pushed from my thoughts.

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As I listened, I couldn't help but to notice the blond haired boy sitting next to me. His eyes seemed filled with genuine compassion as he listened to others speak. He didn't really say a whole lot though. I found him to be rather cute, though I felt my face flush when I realized I was kinda scoping him out rather than paying attention to the meeting. I was a little embarrassed, cause I wasn't here to check out boys.

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Eventually, we made our way around the circle and I was asked if I would like to at least introduce myself and then if I had anything I wanted to share. I felt myself choke up when I realized the whole room was looking at me, and my words caught in my throat. I wasn't used to being the center of attention by any means and had no idea what to say, so I just told them my name and that this was my first time coming to something like this. I shrugged and then passed. The blond kid was next and before he turned from me, he smiled and whispered to me, "You did fine." I returned a faint smile and then he started to talk. 'Why on earth did I let Natalie talk me into this,' I thought to myself.

[Gefremede]

ooh I want to know what happens!

[Nukeya]

When I got home, Mom was waiting for me. She was wanting to see how the meeting went. I just shrugged and said it was okay. She smiled, but didn't dig any further. When I said I was going up to go to bed, Mom looked a bit surprised, but said she'd see me in the morning. As I lay in bed, I thought about some of the things that the others had said and admired their openness. Maybe someday I'd be able to do the same. It didn't take me long to fall asleep.

The next morning, I got up and got dressed. Mom and the kids had already gone over to the main building so I was alone in the apartment. I went downstairs and picked up the phone to call the apartment lady back. I'd do whatever I could at this point, even if it meant cleaning.

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I had to double check the address that the woman had given me, for it lead me to the Gardner Dance Studio and Gym. I walked up to the receptionist window, sure that I had gotten the address wrong. A blonde haired lady was sitting behind a computer and took a minute to notice me.

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I noticed the young girls at the ballet bars behind her and found myself watching them more than paying attention to the woman. "You must be Victoria!" she said when she noticed me and opened the glass window.

"I am." I said, unsure of what to say. Seeing those girls made my chest ache slightly, so I turned and looked back down at the woman.

"I'm glad to meet you, finally. " She smiled and came out to greet me. "I'm Ellen," she introduced herself, sticking out a hand. "It's been so busy around here lately, I swear I barely have time to think! So let's see... I'll tell ya... I'm kind of new to this whole process. Long story short, I've leased this suite for the past few years, but in the last few months, it went up for sale. I didn't want to pack up and move my studio because I love it here, so my husband and I ended up buying the place. The only problem is... there's about a dozen apartments upstairs that we inherited as a part of the deal. Several of them have been empty for a while and aren't in very good shape. A good cleaning would do 'em good, but I just don't have the time. My oldest son Ryan's been helping me, but he works another job too, so..." she shrugged. She seemed like a nice enough lady. "Interested in checking them out?"

"Sure!" I said. Surely they couldn't be all that bad, could they? Boy was I surprised! But, I needed the money, so after a while of talking, we agreed. I'd come over at 8am for the next however many days it would take to clean them. She had a few papers to have me fill out and then I was on my way. I had a job! At least for a little while.

I spent the rest of the day back at the apartment. I went over to the main building and told Natalie the good news. She was excited for me and asked me if I needed anything else. I said I really didn't. I planned on walking or taking the bus downtown in the mornings. We celebrated that night with ice cream and movies.

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The next morning I was up early and threw on some old clothes. I pulled my hair up and was heading out the door just as everyone else was waking up. Mom gave me a big hug as I put my shoes on and told me she was proud of me.

I got down to the gym about 20 minutes early and ran across the street to grab a sandwich and some chips for lunch. When Ellen arrived she commented about my being early and then let me into the apartments. She said if I needed anything, not to hesitate to ask.

I set to work cleaning the worst of the bunch. Whoever had lived there must not have ever cleaned anything, for there was crud all over all of the counters, walls, floors... It was no wonder they no longer lived here. I was determined to make a good impression, so I worked hard. The first apartment took the majority of the day to clean and I hadn't noticed when lunchtime came and went. I looked at the clock when I felt my stomach growling and it was almost 3pm.

I took a break and ate my sandwich, looking around the apartment. I was surprised that it was turning out to be a pretty nice place once I had gotten it cleaned up. Two hours later, I went downstairs and let Ellen know that I had the first apartment taken care of. She followed me back upstairs and I showed her my work.


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"Wow! Amazing job!" she exclaimed when she opened the door. "I can't believe how nice it looks in here! I had little hope for this place, aside from completely remodeling it!" Ellen walked around the apartment, a smile across her lips. I followed her, sure that she'd find something I'd missed. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out some money and handed it to me. I took it from her, unsure of how much was even there, but rather than counting it, I stuck it in my pocket and thanked her. "No, hun. Thank YOU!" She smiled again, "We'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes ma'am!" I told her.

That night my whole body seemed to ache. I knew it was because it had been a while since I had worked so hard. I had forgotten the money in my pocket until I was changing into my pajamas. I pulled it out to count it and was surprised at what I found. There were twenty-dollar bills in the stack and I counted them. One... two... three... four... five... Ellen had paid me one-hundred dollars for cleaning that apartment! It was more money than I had ever had at once! Along with it, there was a small note that read:

Victoria:

I just wanted to thank you for all the hard work you did on this apartment. I knew we had agreed on $10/ hr, but I wanted to give you a bit extra. Think of it as a "tip". Thanks again for your help!

-Ellen


I was still stunned as I lay my head down on my pillow, but I was thankful. It had been hard work, but nothing that I hadn't ever done before. I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow. It seemed like only a second later, my alarm was screaming in my ear for me to wake up.

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I set to work on the next apartment as soon as I got there the next morning. The rest of them wouldn't take near the time that the other had taken, for they had been taken better care of. By 1130 am I was almost done with the second apartment. As I was finishing up mopping the floor, I heard a familiar voice and looked up. It was the blond kid from the meeting. I felt my face flush.
"Fancy meeting YOU here," he said with a grin. I think he could tell I was embarrassed, cause he chuckled a bit. "No need to get all worked up," he said. "Mom just asked if I would come up and invite you to lunch with us. Said she noticed you hadn't brought anything with you this morning."

"No thanks. I'm not really hungry right now and I'll just run across the street later and get something. But tell her thanks for me." Mom. MOM. So this was Ellen's son? What a small world it was. I managed a bit of a smile and began mopping again.

"Oh, come on! She's just ordered some pizza downstairs. It's not like we're going out to some fancy restaurant or something. She'll be hurt if you don't." I stopped again and looked up at him. HE looked like the hurt one. I looked down at the mop in my hand and in doing so, realized I didn't have much on for a top. It had been warm outside today, so I had worn a light work-out suite and taken off the jacket. When I looked up again, he was holding it.

"Here... if that's what you're worried about, you can put your jacket back on." He tossed it to me. I sighed and put it on. "So... you coming or what?"

"Well...Okay." I said and leaned the mop against the cabinet. I felt a bit uneasy at how nice they had all seemed to be, and hoped that I wasn't in for a rude awakening somewhere down the road.
I tiptoed across the wet kitchen floor and followed him out the door. He turned and closed it behind us. "By the way, I'm Ryan."