This will be the last chapter posted on this blog spot. You will have to contact me directly for future chapters. Due to the publication factors giving out more of this story now would not be a good idea. If you message me I may send you chapters privately. I hope you enjoy Wes, and Farrah and their story.
Chapter 11
Ruins
Wes went into a daze. He stared through his mother, like a window. She really wants to get clean he thought? Since when? She always said she would stop and never did. There were countless let downs when it came to school plays, recitals and conferences for Farrah. She had missed his student art show. He placed first in 2 categories, but instead of feeling elated he was hurt that everyone including kids whose work looked more like kindergarten finger paintings had proud parents there supporting them. There were days she said she would go and buy groceries and come home so far gone that she went to the next door neighbor’s apartment door. This women who Wes had cried and pleaded with to stop, had not, what was so different now. That was all he could stop and ask. “What is different now?”
“Everything and nothing.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Wes said.
“I am still an addict. I am not taking care of you two. I am still struggling and those things are all the same. But, I don’t want to use anymore. I don’t want to be addicted. I want to be there for Farrah, I have already ruined you. You were so sweet before, now you are so hard. I ruined you. I have a chance to help Farrah. I am sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
“I am not ruined. How can you say that? You don’t even know me.”
“Your right I don’t know you anymore. You are not the same Wes.”
“You are not the same mother.”
“You see we have both grown differently, and maybe you will forgive me one day, I don’t expect it, but I hope it.”
“I will do whatever you want, just leave Farrah out of your life. She is doing good without you. She is strong and smart and I don’t want you to ruin her, as you have said you have done to me.”
“It will take time but I will get better and you will trust me again with her. I am her mother.”
Wes boiled inside. A rage lit from deep within. When he heard Sabeen say I am her mother. She was not a mother.
“Well, you’re not. You were for some time but you gave up that job. I’ll call my lawyer, but you will have to fight me for her. Farrah will not be sold. Do you remember that mom? Huh, do you? Do you remember when you got offered $300.00 from some pervert for an hour with Farrah? Do you remember me having to threaten to call the police? I do. Maybe that is what ruined me. Maybe that is why I am so hard, like you say.”
“Maybe it is. I am glad you were there, I am glad you protected your sister. I will never do that again. I promise I will kill myself before I put you or her in harm’s way ever again. This curse is mine to bear not yours.”
Wes was already walking out when Sabeen was making what he thought were empty promises. He wanted to call the lawyer as soon as he got back to the house. He took a cab home instead of walking. He was seconds in the door when he saw Acacia sitting in the living room.
“Hey, I wanted to talk to you.” She said.
“I kind of need to make a phone call can it wait just a little bit?”
“Yeah, go for it, my mom won’t be here for like an hour.”
“Awesome thanks.”
Wes felt a little better, something about being around Acacia calmed him.
Wes left a message for Gina on her voice mail when she didn’t answer.
“Hi Gina, I found my mom. She is crazy she thinks she is going to get better and get Farrah back. Now we have to fight her and the state I am so mad. Anyway I will talk to you later.”
Wes hoped Gina would call him back soon, but was happy to sit and talk with Acacia.
“So what’s up?” Wes asked.
“Well you know I came over this morning and did Farrah’s hair. Check it out it turned out so cute.” Acacia held up her phone with the picture of Farrah on it.”
“Wow you did good. I am sure she loved it.”
“Yeah, it was really fun, but we had this conversation, you know girl talk and she has some things going on at school that I think you should know about.”
“Like what? She tells me everything.”
“Well, she might be scared to tell you what she told me.”
That comfortable feeling he had around Acacia disappeared. She knew Farrah what two days and now Farrah tells her things she couldn’t tell him. His thoughts raced and anger crept up again.
“What would she be scared to tell me?” His words came stronger than he intended.
“Some girl at school is making up roomers that she tried to have oral sex with some boy.”
Wes’ anger changed to confusion. He understood immediately why Farrah would not want to tell him this, but telling Acacia? Why would she do that he wondered.
“I bet it is Missy. That girl is always starting crap. You know even after she announced to the class room the Farrah had gotten her back pack from a thrift store, the girl had the nerve to have her mom ask me to paint her a backpack like Farrah’s. She is nuts.”
“Take it from an ex-mean girl, sometimes we do things just to one up. I don’t think I changed until reality smacked me in the face and I was treated the same way. If Missy has it out for your sister, she won’t stop, until Farrah has lost it. I still remember when one of my friends had it out for this girl named Bianca in 5th grade. We tormented Bianca until her parents pulled her out of school. I still feel horrible about it. I can’t believe we did that?”
“Why, why would you do that?”
“Because that is what my friends did, so I did it. There was nothing wrong with Bianca to be honest I can’t even remember the roomers we started or why we did, except that Bianca was a really talented dancer. I mean she was awesome and I think my friend hated that Bianca always got chosen for bigger parts in ballet.”
“I don’t get it. Farrah is not mean to anyone. She doesn’t deserve this.”
“That is probably what it is. Farrah is nice, people like her because of it, and I am guessing Missy knows people don’t really like her.”
“Okay Dr. Phil, so what do I do?” Wes said.
“Well talk to her tonight, see if she will talk to you about it, and then maybe give her some advice to talk to a counselor, or something so that Missy has to stop.”
Wes paced the floor after Acacia left. He waited for Farrah to come home or the phone to ring. He was anxious about both issues. He decided to calm himself by reading in his dad’s journal.
My angel is alive. Her name is Sabeen, the boy is her brother. He might not make it. She doesn’t remember that it was me who brought her in; she only remembers handing him to me. She has a concussion the docs say. She is not sure how she got it. She speaks English very poorly, but I can understand her. She waits by his bed. I think she prays, but it sounds more like singing. A nurse today had to force her to eat. She said she would not eat until her brother was well, so the nurse told her she couldn’t stay there anymore. Sabeen swallowed a whole bowl of oatmeal without question. I am drawn to her. I feel like I should talk to her, but I stay away. What would come of my infatuation? We are worlds apart. I would have to leave her. I just wish we met in a different way.
Wes was curious about what changed in his dad. How did he end up with his mother if he didn’t even talk to her? He wanted to read on and get his questions answered, but the phone rang.
“Hello.” Wes answered.
“Hey Wes, it’s Farrah. I am going to go to my friend Veronica’s house today. Her mom will drive. Do you think Peter or Dana can pick me up later?”
“Well I kind of wanted to talk to you.”
“Oh, well we have a big project can it wait?”
“Well was today okay?”
“Yeah, actually it was Veronica and I have a new friend, she is going to help us too. Her name is Layla.”
“Oh, as in Princess?”
“No, Lay Lah, not Laya.”
“Oh I see, well what is the project?”
“Actually it is really cool. I had the best grades in class so I get to pick 2 people and we get to plan the entire Spring Dance. We even get a $200.00 budget. It was left over from the last fundraiser.”
“Way to go, best in class!”
“Thank you, thank you, please quiet the applause.”
“Have fun Farrah, you deserve it.”
Wes left the conversation feeling better about Farrah. He still wanted to talk to her, but knew she was okay for the moment. The pacing began again not to long after he hung up with Farrah. It was short lived, when he looked at his watch. He was supposed to be at Burger Hut in 20 minutes, and he hadn’t even changed into his uniform. Neither Dana nor Peter were home, so getting a ride from them was out of the question. He checked his pockets and figured he could call for a cab, but had remembered he already spent money on a cab earlier. Wes was going to have to call and let work know he would be late for the first time ever. He felt like apologizing to Maggie.
When he called his manager answered.
“Thank you for calling Burger Hut, are you calling in an order?”
“Hey Mike it’s me Wes, I”.
“Oh, Wes, hey I am glad you called. Raymond called in sick so I left a message for Sam and Todd and now they are both coming in. You want a night off? Then you can take Todd’s dayshift tomorrow.”
Wes was relieved at how perfect this turned out.
“Yeah that is fine.” Wes said.
“Great, oh, I forgot what did you need?”
“I called to see if you needed me to pick anything up before I came in.”
“That was thoughtful, and a first, kind of weird Wes, but thanks I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay bye.”
Wes went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. It was hard to remember a time when a fridge was this full. There were too many choices. Three different packages of lunch meat looked especially appealing. He began making a monster of a sandwich, and a monster of a mess. By the time he had finished the counters were covered in cut tomatoes, onions, lettuce leaves, pickles, and dressings. Peter walked in through the garage door and into the kitchen.
“Did the fridge explode?
Wes mumbled incoherently to Peter, trying desperately to swallow.
“Don’t choke on my account I can wait.”
Wes swallowed down his bite and again tried to talk. “Sorry, I will clean it up, after I made my sandwich I couldn’t wait to eat it.”
“Dana busts me on the same thing all the time. I tell her the bread would get hard just sitting out.”
“I will have to remember that.”
“So, how did it go? Did you find your mom?”
“Yeah, I did. I found her and found out she wants Farrah back. She says she is going into a Step 2 program that will give her a place to get better and live.”
“I am familiar with Step 2. It is a good program if the person is really wanting to change.”
“She should never have Farrah back.”
“Wes, I have seen a lot of kids and even parents who have messed up and gotten healthier are better than none at all. I know your grown but you need a clean and sober mom too.”
“How can you say that? I don’t need her. Farrah doesn’t need her. She will just mess up again.”
“Did she seam clean today?”
“Yeah, but she won’t stay that way. She will use again and then need money and then hurt Farrah.”
“And hurt you.” Peter said.
“Whatever, I’ll clean the kitchen.” Wes left his sandwich at the table and began cleaning the kitchen.
“Your bread will get hard.”
“I am used to stale bread.” Wes’ tone left no question that he was done talking to Peter about this subject. Wes knew that at least the attorney would be on his side. He wondered if she had listened to his message yet, and thought he would try calling again after he finished eating and cleaning.
Wes called Gina’s phone again. This time it went straight to voice mail. He hung up before leaving a message. Wes wanted to do something, anything to get his mind off waiting for the phone call. He decided to read his dad’s next entrée.
Sabeen talked to me today. I think she saw me staring. It is hard not to. She is a gorgeous creature. She has the biggest pouty lips that curve down on each side, it makes me want to make her smile. Her eyes are weary and sad all the time. She asked me how I was, and I admitted better than her and asked for an update on her brother. His name is Zaid. He was hit by some kind of bomb explosion. From what I calculated she walked more likely ran him about 7 miles to our medical tent. She is 19. He is 11. She wants to tell her parents she is okay and give them an update but she can’t leave Zaid alone. I offered to keep an eye on him, but she refused. I need to stop thinking about this girl. I know nothing can happen.
Wes was approaching another entry when the phone in the kitchen ran. Wes went running through the house. He had forgotten where he left the phone. He heard the beep of the phone and then Peter’s voice say hello.
“Sure hold on I will get him. Wes it is Gina.” Wes had already found Peter and took the phone.
“Hello.” Wes said.
“Hi Wes, I got your message. When can she meet? I have an opening tomorrow at 3:00. I can meet her and you wherever.”
“Did you get my message?”
“Yeah, that is why I am calling.”
“Well can we fight her? She can’t have Farrah. What is the plan?”
“Wes she can get Farrah back, I know you don’t like hearing that, but that is a plausible option. If she can prove to the court she can take Farrah they will allow her to. This could be a good thing. Maybe a judge will let you have guardianship until she is determined to be a suitable placement.”
“You are supposed to be on my side. She is not and never will be a suitable placement.” Said Wes.
“Well than you have nothing to worry about.”
“She can’t go with my mother. A foster home would be better.”
“Don’t whatever you do, don’t say that in court. Let’s talk with your mom tomorrow and work out our plan. I have already called and gotten a court date for you. We have one week to work all this out.”
“You can talk to my mom. I am not going again. Whatever I need to know talk to me about later.”
“Fair enough.” Gina said and then hung up.
Wes hung up feeling defeated. His mother was not supposed to be in the picture. She was bad for the picture. Now she could waltz in and take Farrah, like everything was fine. He wanted nothing to do with his dad’s journal, it was all about her. For a second he wished that his dad never met her, or listened to himself. Then he thought of himself and Farrah and realized that his mother had served a purpose, but wanted to distance himself from her even more. Wes went to his room and grabbed the journal, his first instinct was to burn it or begin ripping it. He stopped himself and walked it into Farrah’s room and laid it on her bed. She enjoyed this journal, so he didn’t mind giving it to her.
Wes’ week took a slugs pace. He felt like he was barely seeing Farrah. She was always at Layla’s or Veronica’s, and if she wasn’t he was working. Wes’ manager Mike started training him for an assistant position. Wes had no ambition to move up at Burger Hut, but the extra $2.00 an hour was all the incentive he needed. Dana kept him busy at the travel agency. Wes spent hours on the phone negotiating flights. He discovered he was good at getting low rates. His people skills were acquiring better discounts than even Dana had after 20 years of working with airlines. He researched every company first then used their own internal information against the. He would call one and explain that they might use another airline for their needs from now on because of their increase in delays due to plane malfunctions. The increase might only be 1% but that 1% turned into another 10% off the entire ticket price. Another tactic that worked was to let a major airline know they were going to stop using them because of the increase in prices on baggage and that other airlines were not doing this to them. That airline took off all the baggage fees and gave a 5% discount on any flight scheduled in the next year. Dana was happy to be able to offer her customers better prices, and was impressed by Wes and his dedicated spirit.
Wes was avoiding two things this week. The first was calling Acacia. He didn’t understand his desire to call her, but she nagged at him. The second was giving into the feeling like he was fighting alone for Farrah’s safety. His mother, Peter and Dana, and even his lawyer thought it was okay to give Farrah over to his mom. He hated this. Thought of this as a slight against him, did her not do a good job with Farrah after all? When his thoughts raced like this he shut them down because all he wanted to do was take Farrah and run.
Wes stared at himself in the mirror. He had had just enough time the day before to get a haircut. Acacia came to do Farrah’s hair again, and Dana had found a suit for Wes and a dress for Farrah. Wes’ stomach was tail spinning he was nervous. He kept repeating in his head Farrah will stay with me. He wanted to believe this was true but pictured visiting her at some random foster home.
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