by Barb Shuler
“Shit. I want to come with you. You gonna be okay, baby? I’ll come over as soon as I can,” I said, kissing her forehead.
“I’ll go with her, Jacks, no worries,” Stella said, standing.
“Thanks, Stella,” I gave her a smile as I gave Kristol a tight hug.
“Yeah, don’t worry about me,” she said, also standing. She was a bit unsteady at first but recovered quickly. She laid her hand on my chest. I took it and gave it a squeeze before I turned to go see what crawled up Gabe’s ass.
“Boys, shut the door and sit down,” Gabe said, a scowl on his face. We all nodded as I shut the door and turned to face him.
* * *
Kristol
* * *
“Hey, do you mind if I walk? I need some air.” I asked as we made it to the side walk. Both doc’s shared a look and then they nodded.
“I’ll be with her, we’ll meet y’all in a few,” Stella said as she looped her arm with mine. “Let’s take it slow, okay?”
“Yeah, slow,” I repeated. I took in a deep breath and glanced her way. “Is everyone mad? Ya know, about what happened? I didn’t mean to lose my temper… I just… I know what it’s like to be face to face with one of them and not be able to get away. I’m just kinda fed up with them all, ya know?”
“No, no one’s mad. Well, Jackson’s maybe a little shocked. I, for one, say it’s about damn time someone knocked the shit out of that little bastard. Just wish it was me,” Stella said, laughing. I could tell by the look on her face she wasn’t joking.
“I’ve never lost my temper that bad before. I mean, not to go search someone out. I’ve had to fight men…” I tried to hold the tears back. “I’ve had to fight them off for the last six years or so.. The only good things to come out of my life, well come into my life, I should say, are my babies. I miss them so fucking much,” I said. I heard Stella let out a gasp and realized what I had said. I glanced at her with wide eyes. “Oh, God.”
“You, you have kids?” her eyes darkened and I looked away with a nod. “Hey, don’t do that. Don’t tell me something this important and then turn away. I’m your friend, I want to help you.”
“I miss them so much… I’m scared I may never see them again,” I whispered, my eyes already full of tears. “I can’t lose them… I just can’t.”
“Hey, you won’t lose them. We will get them back. Where are they, babe? Where are your kids?” Stella asked as she gave my hands a squeeze.
“They… they have them,” I said looking around. My God, how in hell had all of this gone so fucking wrong?
“We will get them back. The boys will not stand for this,” Stella said, a bite to her words. “Neither will me or the girls. Come on, we gotta get ya to Doc’s.”
I stayed silent as we slowly made our way up the street. I looked around the small town and was hoping I could call it home, soon. Hopefully my kids would be able to as well. Soon. I just needed to figure out how to get to them. When we stopped to look around, making sure the street was clear before we crossed, I heard someone around us say “mommy”. The people in this town were so lucky. They got to have their kids with them… I sighed and took a step out into the road but stopped when I heard it again. It was louder this time. I scanned the sidewalks and that’s when I saw them. Taylor was tugging himself, trying to get out of the hand holding him back.
“Oh my God,” I gasped and took off running - well more like stumbling - but I made it across the street and up to the group of women. Tanya, Travis’s little whore, was yanking on Taylor’s arm until I moved closer. She let him go and I scooped him up. Not missing a beat, I went to Caitlin, who was holding a now squirming, crying Ryan.
“Mommy,” Taylor whispered and I held him tighter, careful to not let my cast hurt his back.
“Just a minute, buddy, I have to get sissy,” I said, kissing his head. “Give me my daughter, and get the hell out of town,” I said moving closer to Caitlin. She wavered but handed her to me.
“Don’t let her take them! They’re Clinton’s kids. We’ll get in trouble,” the other girls cried. I turned to walk away and Tanya grabbed my arm.
“Let me go,” I snarled.
“You’re a disgrace,” one of them seethed. I bristled.
“Better than being a fucking whore!” I hissed, jerking my arm from Tanya’s grip. I had to get out of sight and fast.
“Clinton will come for them. He’ll come for you, too,” she said a little bit of worry in her voice.
“Good, I’ll be waiting on the bastard. I owe him a beat down,” I said and walked away.
14
Not On My Watch
Stella
I walked in silence with Kristol to Doctor G’s office. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her or the kids. Kids, who saw that coming? I sure as hell didn't. Kristol had a look of pure rage on her face. Or was it worry? Damn, what actually just happened? We walked up to the door and I knocked once before entering.
“Doc, we’re here,” I called out and pointed to the room to the left for Kristol. “We can wait in here.”
When we walked in Kristol shifted both kids in her arms. I could see she was fighting back so much. Emotions, tears; God only knew what was running through her head right now. The things that are going through my head right now are crazy. I can't put it together. I didn't know she had kids. I'm not sure anyone else did either…
I was fighting the itch to call Jackson and Dani Lynn to tell them about this. Who were those people on the street? Why would they have her kids and not her? Kristol wouldn't meet my eyes as she paced the floor. I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Dani Lynn.
Stel: Did you or anyone know Kris had kids?
I hit send. A few minutes later her reply made my brows wrinkle.
DL: No, babe. You sure about that?
I replied quickly, “Yeah” and waited.
DL: What's happening? Jacks is still in Daddy's office.
I sighed and replied as fast as I could. Being around a pacing tiger, aka, a pissed off mama, I was beginning to feel uneasy myself.
* * *
Stel: Dude, I think we need you and Jacks at Doc’s place. Kristol’s about to crack. There was a situation on the street.”
It took her a few minutes but she finally replied.
DL: It’s gonna be a few… something’s up. Tell ya later.
* * *
“K,” with that final message sent I slid my phone back into my back pocket before I stood up and moved to step in front of Kristol.
“Can I take one of them for you?” she stopped and shook her head. I nodded and took a step back.
The door opened and I smiled at Doc G. “Stella Grace, Kristol, I'm just waiting for Shelby to get back. We were out of cast padding. She's gone to the hospital to get some. So can…” he stopped when he saw the kids. “Do you need anything for those babies?” His eyes were lit up. The old man really did love kids.
“No, thank you, they're fine,” she said and started her pacing again. After a few minutes the little boy - I think she called him Taylor - patted her arm.
“Mommy, I has boo boo. It hurds,” his little face scrunched up as he looked at her.
She looked at me and I looked at him. “What kind of boo boo, buddy?” I said as she put him on his feet on a chair in the room.
“Where's your boo boo? Can we see it?” Kristol asked.
“My backs, Mommy,” he said, pointing towards his back. I shifted on my knees and helped pull his shirt up. I quickly pulled it down and swallowed hard.
“Kris, we can let Doc put a bandaid on it…”
“What was it? Let me see,” she moved over and pulled up his shirt. She gasped and I let my head fall forward. Someone had hit this poor baby with a belt. Or a ruler. Whatever it was, it was small and the top mark had a deep red mark along the top of it. God, I couldn't imagine. He had four marks across his back. He was a fucking baby. Who hits a fucking baby like that? I stood up and met her gaze.
“Stay cal
m. If you freak out, he will too and won't say what happened,” I whispered as I gave her arm a little squeeze. My mind flashed back to the few times Carter was hurt as a kid. Those times always broke my heart. I knew how she felt. I didn't birth Carter, but he was my baby. I'd kill anyone that had the balls to do this to him. I turned back to Taylor. “What happened, buddy? Did you fall?”
He shook his head and I knelt back down in front of him. “You know, I had boo boo’s when I was a kid too. My little brother, he had lots of them too.”
“Taylor, buddy, can you tell me what happened? We’ll get the doctor to look at it, you can get a bandaid for it,” Kristol’s smile was forced but she did it for him.
“That mans. Him says him…” he stopped to think about what he was going to say. “Mommy, hims says.. him us daddy…” he struggled to get that out, the tears in his eyes made Kristol’s face redden. She took his hand and sat beside him.
“Which man, buddy?”
“That mans… um… um hims the ones that pways wif you. You m-m-members that's games you pways?” The look on Kristol’s face said enough for me. I cursed under my breath and gave her a look.
“Oh God,” she whispered. She paled and sucked in a breath.
Before I could say anything there was a commotion outside. I stood up and moved to the door, peeking out just in time to see the outer door fly open. Gerald fucking Jacobs and some douche I'd not seen before busted in. Doc G tried to make them leave, but things escalated fast. I saw Gerald hit Doc and he crashed to the floor. I cursed and turned to Kristol, making sure to keep my voice low.
“You need to hide with them. Now!” I pointed to the supply closet in the corner. She moved to it, whispering something to Taylor as she settled him inside with the baby. When she moved to my side I gave her a look, my brow raised.
“I’m tired of running,” was all she said before she grabbed the door and flung it open. Well, shit. I ran after her and the two of us were face to face with that Jacobs ass and the douche.
“Where are my kids, bitch?” If looks could kill, that fugly bastard would have fallen over dead.
“You. Hit. My. Kid!” her words ground out as her fist curled up. She was one seriously pissed off mama bear. I adjusted my stance and eyed both of the assholes before us. I was packin’, as always, my gun was in my holster hidden by my shirt but I think an old school beat down was in order right now. Yes, they were bigger than we are, but I knew how to fight. My brothers and daddy made damn sure of that. I gave her a cheeky grin when she glanced at me as I shifted on my feet. As soon as the ass before her opened his mouth he drew her full attention.
“Little bastard wouldn't listen to me, so I made him!” he snarled.
“He’s four, you fucking pig! You do not beat a four year old like that!”
“Both of them need to learn to listen. I’m their fucking father. They will listen to me,” he glared and moved closer to her. “Keep showing your ass and I'll do it to you in front of him. Show him exactly where a woman's place is.”
“Kristol…” I warned when I saw her shift, but it was too late. She charged him. Gerald looked at me and smirked. Oh yeah, game on, bitch.
* * *
Kristol
* * *
I’d heard enough. This sick fuck thought he was going to get away with hitting my kid? Oh, hell to the fuck no. I had to endure it to keep them safe, to give them more than I had, but I would not let them be abused as I was. I'd kill this bastard first. I charged him, slamming him back into the door. He stumbled outside onto the porch and I charged again, giving him a roundhouse to his chest. He stumbled back and fell down the stairs. When he got up I moved down the stairs and waved him to me.
I heard a crash behind me and Gerald curse. I gave Clinton an evil grin. “Come on, old man, I've been waiting for this fucking day. Just you and me.”
“You stupid bitch,” he snarled, the spittle flying from his lips as he grabbed for me.
I dodged and moved behind him, kicking him in the knee. I knew the points that would hurt the most. I was going to use every advantage I had, too. He managed to get closer and his fist slammed into my jaw. I stumbled back. Fucking hell, that hurt. I think I actually saw stars. That only thickened my resolve to show him he was not going to take me down. How’d Brittany put it…
* * *
You might think that I won't make it on my own
But now I'm
Stronger, than yesterday
Now it's nothing but my way
* * *
“I’m going to beat your ass, Kristol. You won’t be able to sit for a month,” his eyes flicked over my body and he smirked. My shorts and tank top didn’t hide much. Let the fucker look. He’d never be touching me in that way again. I would kill him. I’d rip his throat out if I had to.
“I think not, Clinton,” I moved back as he kicked. Guess he was gonna just bore me to death. He faked me out. I should have seen it coming, but when he went to the right I went to counter, only for him to throw out his left hand. I stumbled back and landed hard on my ass. I gasped as pain shot through me. The arm I’d put behind me was the casted one. Needless to say, I regretted that decision now. Yet again he’d managed to hurt me. I shook my casted arm, trying to ignore the burning sensation. I jumped to my feet and there was only one of three things I could do. I charged, dropping my shoulder into his gut, slamming into him hard enough to knock us both onto the ground.
The window behind us shattered and my head jerked up. Clinton used the distraction of Stella’s battle cry to his advantage. He punched me in the gut and I crumpled over, gasping for breath. I coughed and struggled as he flipped me over. I kicked out, hitting him in the chest hard enough to make him drop the belt he was pulling off. I scrambled to get away, only to have him tackle me to the ground.
He had me pinned in such a way that I was stuck. He flipped me over and with a snapping sound his belt whipped across my exposed legs. The notches on the edges dug into my skin sending pain ricocheting through me. I screamed with pain and rage. I pushed back and he shifted his grip.
With a grunt I twisted, remembering how I got away from Willie in the gas station. I shifted my hips and yelled as I folded myself up under him. With a fist to the face he eased up enough for me to get a good position for my feet and I shoved, screaming through the sheer strain of pushing his mass off of me. He easily weighed twice what I did.
“Kristol!” I heard Stella yell for me and then there was another scuffle. She kicked Clinton in the head before grabbing me up off the ground. I yelped as pain shot up my leg. Jesus. What damage had he done now?
“Whe-where is Gerald?” I panted out as we both took a step back from him. There was a noise from the front porch and I saw Gerald stumbling down the steps, a big ass knife in his hand.
“Son of a bitch…” I heaved in a breath and stood up straight, ignoring the pain in my body. “Why can’t y’all just leave me be?!” I yelled.
Stella grabbed my hand and tugged me back. It was then that I got a look at her face. She was bleeding from her eyebrow and her lip. Her cheek was bruised… I was sure I looked about the same. Great.
15
Facing the Monster Head On
Kristol
I was fucking tired. I was tired of men - well these men at least. Assholery. And so much more. It was like a never ending thing. Stella and I were on our own and the bricks were stacked against us. We were running out of energy and I’ll be honest, I was just over it all. But I had to remember my babies were in that house. The Doctor was in there.. God, this was a clusterfuck of all clusterfucks.
“You boys want round two?” Stella smirked and glanced over at me. Her whispered voice was almost low enough I didn’t hear it. “I called for help. We need to buy like, ten minutes…” I nodded. Ten minutes. God give me strength. I could do ten minutes… That thought was crushed and I felt my heart drop when I heard Taylor call out for me.
“Mommy!”
I glanced at the porch and moved
around Stella as I met his eyes. He had tears running down his face. Fucking hell. Gerald was between me and my son. He had a knife, but nothing was gonna stop me from getting to my kid before he did. Gerald turned towards Taylor and I panicked.
“Taylor, run!” I screamed as I charged Gerald. There was a loud scuffle behind me and I heard Stella and Clinton both curse and then a thud.
“Fucking whore,” I glanced behind me to see Clinton on top of Stella.
I punched out at Gerald, turning back and kicking his legs out from under him. There was more of that burning sensation in my leg and I cried out. With an “oomph” I was shoved to the ground. Gerald came closer and I kicked out, hitting him in the nuts. I pulled back and kicked again, toppling him over. I picked up a planter from the ground and broke it over his head.
Again, that nausea inducing pain ran up my arm, but I bit it back. I tried to limp to where Stella was, but couldn’t. I reached the knife on the ground and prayed this went right. I flipped the handle in my hand and tossed it as hard as I could. It slammed into Clinton’s leg. The bastard shrieked like a stuck pig. It was enough of a distraction that Stella was able to get free and kick the fucker in the face. He toppled over and I fell back onto the ground, panting as tears rolled down my face.
Fear, pain, and so many more emotions were running through me right now. I heard tires squealing, sirens, and what sounded like bike engines rolling in closer.
“Taylor! Buddy, are you safe?” I didn’t hear him and I started to panic.
