Listen, Just Once, Page 3

  She smiled a small smile and took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart, her rocking motion has stopped again and she did not realize her parents moved. They were now in the kitchen speaking lowly but with agitated voices. Hearing her name again, she slowly got out of the bed and moved closer to the doorway to hear what was being said she gasped on a breath at what she heard her father say.

  “Do you even want to know what made me come home last night, Ann? What had me hightailing it down the highway to our home? Do you even care?”

  “Not really. But I know you’re going to tell me anyway, so spit it out.”

  “I was with Ronnie and the guys over at Ralphie’s Place and Ronnie told me that John’s sister told her parents that he’s been visiting her bedroom at night and trying things with her, to her. Bad things that violate a person. Their parents are confused what to do about it. No reports have been made, yet. But you know how news travels quickly around here. I think they’re going to press charges and have him put away for as long as possible.”

  There’s a brief pause. No one speaks or moves for a few minutes time.

  “Ann, are you even listening to me? What if he tried something with our girls? Our sweet, innocent girls. Attempting to take away their innocence, violate them in ways no one should have to go through. The guy is sick, demented! I refuse to take any chances having him around, whether it’s all the truth or not. I saw him last night. Saw the look, the gleam in his eyes. I wanted to kick the living crap out of him, but refrained myself because of our girls. Don’t you get it? If Lizzie was telling you John was doing something, it’s more than possible that he truly was. I hate that you always dismiss her and assume the worst of her and not the ones who deserve the dismissal and poor treatment. Wake up Ann, wake up!”

  “Yeah, fine. I get it! Whatever. Are we done here?”

  Lizzie did not realize she was holding her breath and listening until she felt pressure in her chest. She then dragged in a great gulp of oxygen, gradually catching her breath. She continues to listen to what was being said in the kitchen.

  “You have nothing else to say about this, Ann? Anything?”

  “No, Rob.”

  “Do you at least agree with me, knowing what that man just may be capable of? That it’s best for him to stay away from our home, our children?”

  “Yes, I understand. Just—just don’t tell the girls, all right? I don’t want them freaking out, getting all panicky and telling false stories.”

  Rob let out an exasperated sigh and walked out of the kitchen towards the bedroom. His eyes shift and he spots Lizzie near the bedroom door. A small knowing smile graced his lips when he spots his eldest daughter. He did not halt his steps, but slowed a bit and whispers to Lizzie. “Everything will be all right, my angel. No more worries. Daddy loves you.” He gave Lizzie another smile, went into his bedroom and shut the door.

  Lizzie stood frozen to the spot. Wide-eyed and triumphant. No more worries, sound sleep, no more trying to talk to someone and tell them about what was happening on the nights John was there. The weight of the world lifted and Lizzie felt tons lighter than she remembered feeling for some time. She ran to Rose’s side of the bed with more happiness than she can ever remember having within her. “Rose… Rose! You’ll never guess what!”

  “Huh, I don’t wanna guess. I wanna dream of the princess tower. Go away please.”

  Lizzie giggles and just tells Rose that they don’t have to worry about John ever coming into their home again. She tells her everything their father said, heard and did. That their father is their knight in shining armor and Rose smiles, then giggles at Lizzies happiness and retelling of all she witnessed since last night. Well, the good parts of it all anyway.

  The effect of Lizzie’s happiness is contagious. Both girls have lightness to their steps, their days, but Lizzie’s steps are the lightest. She gets to sleep without fear once again, and no longer has to worry about the monster that haunted her dreams and her reality.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The future

  Many years later, Lizzie is walking to the store to pick up a few things for her and her son at the local supermarket. Being in her own place, no longer living with her mother and sister is a great feeling. She’s now an independent woman who currently has her day’s happenings and the night’s meal on her brain. Not paying attention as she walks into the supermarket, she bumps into someone. Looking up quickly to apologize. She stares into the familiar, burning eyes of the monster that once haunted her dreams day and night—John.

  Deciding not to speak a word, she quickly looks down at her feet and turns to go to the first isle to begin to get what is on her shopping list. She feels eyes on her, but is afraid to look up into the monster’s face. She doesn’t want to see him—to relive that part of her life that she has let go of, doesn’t want that monster and the bad vibes he gives off around her son. She does not want him around her son at all!

  Apparently, he works the stocking portion of this supermarket. Lizzie made a mental note to walk the extra few blocks and avoid this one for the rest of her days. Hurriedly, she grabs everything she needs to get out as quickly as possible without even checking her coupons or looking around for what’s new. She goes to the register to check out her purchases and pay, so she can leave. She turns to retrieve her cash from her purse and feels eyes on her once again. Glancing through her lashes, she sees John once again, staring at her. Looking as if he wants to approach her and say something. Lizzie’s pulse picks up in tempo as she brings her eyes back to her task and pays the cashier.

  The woman at the register must be very perceptive and the local gossip because she feels the need to say something, “You know that man staring at you? Well, he just got out of prison a couple of weeks ago. He served ten years for child molestation, more than one child as far as I’ve heard, but only one family has pressed charges against him. I don’t understand how he can get hired here after something like that and why he didn’t do more time than ten stinking years. Kids are in here all of the time and the parents are clueless to his crimes. He really shouldn’t be here. Just saying.”

  The woman says the last part so nonchalantly it gives Lizzie goose bumps. Undesired thoughts creep into her mind as she decides to ask the woman the first thoughts that pop into her head. “Do you know who any of his, umm—victims were? Are they local kids? Did he hurt them?”

  “Yeah, I know one of them was his sister. She’s local, or was. She moved away years ago. We grew up together. She told me at the time it first happened. Man was it sick; he left bruises on her and everything! I got her to tell her parents, finally, after the third time he touched her or at least the third time, she told me about it. It was a frightening experience let me tell ya! I’m just glad when she finally spoke up, others did as well. Not sure why they didn’t all press charges. Either way, it put him away for a decent amount of time, not nearly enough. I personally think he’d of been better off staying in prison for the rest of his years. I feel he’s a very troubled soul.”

  “Yeah, he should have been left to rot in prison. He doesn’t deserve to be free. Well, thank you. Have a great day,” Lizzie says with a tight smile and a wave. All along, she’d been wondering how those children got to tell their parents and if it was easy for them to do so, not like it was for Lizzie. Just left lingering with a slight recognition from her father and a promise from him that John would never return to there home ever again and he never did.

  *~*~*

  Since the day in the supermarket, Lizzie had been having an inner battle, a war even. It’s all about going to her mother to tell her about what she learned from the cashier about John. Will she actually listen to what Lizzie has to say, or will it be as it has always been. Just Lizzie hearing her own voice, hearing her own pleas and truths—always ignored, never heard or believed. It’s been so long since she’s even seen her mother. It’ll be two years in a couple of months, due to a choice Lizzie made. The choice to keep her son away from the neg
ativity that she had to grow up with.

  Thinking of her mother she can’t help but wonder…Is she still drinking, partying and staying out all night or has she matured into a responsible woman as she should have been years ago?

  There’s only one way to find out!

  Straightening her spine and deciding to accept the invitation to her mother’s house for New Year’s. Lizzie gets a phone call or card for every holiday from Ann, apologizing and asking her to come back to her. But Lizzie has refused, politely, until now.

  She tells her son that he’ll get to see his cousin’s, aunt and grandma for the New Year, with hopes it’ll all be okay. That Ann won’t react without a thought or care. She’ll never know until she tries.

  Now, to call and get it into motion.

  *~*~*

  New Year’s Eve night is cold and bright. So many people on the street heading to their desired party destination, Lizzie and her son are no different. Their night is going to be spent in ‘Grandma’s’ house with quite a few other family members. They are both excited to see their family. Lizzie, however, is more nervous than she ever remembers being. She knows this is going to be hard, speaking to her mother always was and most likely always will be, but she has to do this. Give herself a piece of mind and let her mother know that if only she would have listened to her, John’s poor sister could have had a much better life. One free of abuse, one where she’d know true love and trust. Not the nicest topic of conversation to have, especially on a holiday…

  Arriving at the front door to Ann’s apartment building, Lizzie fixes her and her son’s hair. They both got stirred up from the cold wind and long walk from the train. Ringing the bell, she’s instantly buzzed in. Going right to her door, she’s greeted by her sister, Rose with bright smiles, hugs and laughter. All contagious and welcomed.

  As soon as Lizzie and her son are all settled in, Ann greets them and hugs Lizzie awkwardly. Patting her on her back once, then pulling away quickly, never looking her in the eye or showing any real emotion.

  Lizzie brushes it off, not wanting to cause any problems. She can tell her mother has already been drinking just by her stance, the smell that surrounded her when she received the hug and the fact there’s a half empty gallon of red wine on the kitchen counter. She also knows that Rose and her husband are not drinkers at all. The only other adult is their mother’s current boyfriend—a real piece of work about fifteen years younger than she is.

  Lizzie stays quiet for a long time and just observes. No, Ann has not changed in anything but years. She still overly imbibes and acts a fool. So sad that nothing was learned throughout the years. That nothing has changed.

  After dinner, Ann corners Lizzie and asks her a bunch of questions about her life, her son’s father and some other small talk. Ann—out of nowhere—starts bad mouthing Rob, Lizzie’s father. Saying how he violated the girls and was a worthless male that deserved nothing but the worst in life.

  Lizzie defended her father immediately. Telling Ann that her father was nothing like what she says. He’s not perfect, but a good man that actually listened to his children, actually noticed when something was not right, even when he was not around much.

  Then Lizzie mentions John, their old babysitter and how she heard some information about him that Lizzie tried to tell her many times, over when he was over their house and continues on to let her mother know that if she would have listened to her, believed her—even only one time. So much would have—could have been avoided.

  Ann sat their shaking her head, denial etched all over her face. Blood rushing so quickly to the upper portion of her body that she turns a bright shade or red. Then she looks at Lizzie with pure hatred in her eyes. “All you’ve ever done is lie. Lie, cheat and steal. You were never worth a dime and you never will be. Stupid child and YOUR LIES! Always vying for attention, always trying to steal the spotlight, ALWAYS…”

  Suddenly, Lizzie finds herself bent awkwardly and unable to take in a full breath of air.

  Rose screams and yells for her husband.

  Lizzie’s son cries, “Mommy! Mommy!”

  It all seemed to take so long, but finally Rose’s husband, Dan and Ann’s boyfriend pulled Ann off of Lizzie. Ann continues screaming and yelling nonsense while trying to get free of the arms of the two men.

  Lizzie quickly gains composure. Her mother had her by the throat and punched her in the gut and she felt nauseas. She made her way to her son. Picking him up and nuzzling his neck. Telling him not to worry, she’s all right. That it’s now time for them to go.

  He snuffles and nods his head, clinging tightly to Lizzie, not looking around at anything or anyone.

  Lizzie goes to grab their coats and things and heads to the door.

  Only to be stopped by Rose. “I know it’s the truth Lizzie, I do know. Please know that and know that I’m always her for you my sissy. I love you and hope one day; he’ll be brought to justice. There’s so much I wish, but most of all, is that she listened to you, heard you out and fixed everything for you, for us.” Rose pulls Lizzie tight into her arms, cheeks moist with tears, “I love you Mookie. She’ll see one day and that day…That very day is when she’ll actually have regret. Know that.”

  Lizzie nods her head. Knowing—yet again—there’s nothing she can do to make Ann see. “I love you too, Pookie and thank you for always believing in me.”

  Letting go, they stare at one another for a moment. Then make promises to get together with their kids the following week and more often from that day forward.

  Lizzie sighs knowing nothing else can be done. She gives one more look toward her mother, shakes her head in sadness, then turns to the door. “Goodbye Rose. I’ll see you soon.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Closure

  Three months later, Lizzie is waiting for the bus to come to take her to her job in the city. A woman is standing beneath the glass enclosure alongside her with the day’s newspaper open in a way that who ever passes can see the front page. Lizzie felt like snatching the paper out of the woman’s hands when she read the headline.

  “Molesting monster strikes again! Guaranteed life sentence this time around...”

  The picture was a very familiar face—a face of a monster that she seems to never be able to escape. But this time, when she looks at it, a sort of thrill goes through her. The type of thrill that tells her…her wish and the wishes of other’s has finally come true. Karma, fate or whatever you would like to call it, came through for the good of many suffering in silence, people who want—need to see justice served.

  Lizzie glances at her watch and decides she has enough time before the bus arrives to grab her own paper from the corner store just a few feet away from the bus stop. Running in, grabbing the paper and tossing exact change on the counter with a muttered, “Thank you,” she runs back out just in time to see her bus at the light. She has to see if it’s really true, that’s it’s finally happened all of these years later. Read it for herself and bask in the glory of righteousness.

  Climbing aboard, paying the fare and taking a seat on the bus, Lizzie takes a deep breath, then opens the paper to read the story of another’s horror, even worse than she experienced in the past.

  “… Comes forth with clear markings of abuse and a full statement that the abuse that has been inflicted upon her after she was grabbed off a swing at a local park in the Tri State area, a week ago today. The young lady says the male in custody was fondling, grabbing and trying to penetrate certain orifices of her body. She tried to fight, but only managed to scratch his face. Officials say she’s in stable condition and able to speak freely. At only eight years old, this female, whose name shall remain hidden, has endured a very traumatic event and is in the process of healing, both physically and emotionally…”

  The words blurred in front of Lizzie’s eyes. Tears of guilt filling her eyes, flowing down her cheeks. Once again, she finds herself wishing that her mother would have just listened to her all of those years ago. Maybe
...Just maybe this could have been avoided and the poor girl would not have gone through what she did. Sighing, she closed the newspaper and tucked it into her purse. Thoughts wondering back to the brave young girl who was strong enough to voice what happened and be heard. Glad that John will finally be off the streets—for good, this time. No bail and no chance of early release due to good behavior.

  Glancing out the window, she silently thanked whoever was watching and guarding the innocent. Knowing there’s still more like John out in the world who will try and harm others. Hoping that those who go through what she and John’s other victims have, will not get easily intimidated by their parent, guardian or whomever they trust. That they will continue to speak and demand to be listened to, without the fear of being ignored or disregarded. They will end up saving many others. The many others, who will be able to fully live, laugh and love uninhibited, just as Lizzie has gradually learned to do.

  ~Fin~

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  A.R. was born and raised in Bronx, NY and is the oldest daughter of two girls. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science and Information Technology, which was only briefly used. She’s a mother of two entertaining teen boys (as well as a lovely fawn Chihuahua, whom she considers her furry daughter.) She’s also a wife to a delightfully handsome and amazingly funny man-beast.

  She loves anything dragon and fantasy related. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, writing, listening to music, hiking, cooking, dancing and reading. She also loves a great adventure in and out of a book! She writes to free her mind of its constant wondering and clutter. She thrives on the fact she can share some of it with readers that have the same passion for a great story.

  She also loves to hear from her reader’s and chat away, so feel free to reach out to her any time.