by Rod Lee
“Sounds like you’ve heard this many times in the past.”
“All too often. I hadn’t called them much lately, in fact it has been two years. I stopped talking to them, I got tired of them always putting me down.” She admitted.
“If you want I can be there with you when they come in. Just call me and I’ll come up.” Chase commented.
“I don’t know, it’s embarrassing to have them put me down. I don’t want you to have your opinion of me changed by hearing what they say.”
“How could it change my opinion of you? I don’t think you’ve dressed like a whore in the past. Though I haven’t seen all the work you’ve done, I’ve seen a lot of it lately.”
“Well they think that if I dress like a whore I must be one.” Kitty scoffed.
“That’s pretty stupid of them but again I don’t think any of the shots I’ve seen were all that bad. Though I guess people who are older than us might see it differently.” He had to admit.
“They do and they always tell me so. I just get so tired of it, I don’t understand why they had a child if they didn’t want to raise one.”
“It will be okay, call me if they come up and I’m not around. If we get lucky I’ll already be there visiting you.” Chase said.
***
Kitty hung up feeling a bit better at their conversation. She might just call him for a friendly face in the room when they came to visit her. But part of her still thought he might be scared away if he met them too.
She smiled as she closed her eyes and thought of both Chase and Veronica. She really did adore the girl her hugs were the best, and she was always so enthusiastic.
That little girl could make any bad day she was having turned into a good day. She had proven it today, by the time they were leaving, Kitty couldn’t help but smile, even though she was thinking about her parents.
Chapter 20
The next day was a day that his mom would pick up Veronica after school. Of course, his daughter reminded him that they were going back to the hospital after work too. Making sure to say the words in front of the teacher who was always flirting with him.
Chase shook his head as he left the school, Veronica really was quite blunt but it made him laugh a lot. Jen had always been the same way, never hiding her feelings about anything. If she didn’t like something or someone, there was no doubt about it, she was not into being fake.
He was really quite shocked how much like Jen, Veronica was without her around. It made him wonder just how much genetics had to with the building blocks of a child.
Chase wasn’t always as blunt as Jen had been. He would be kind to someone even if he didn’t like them, not wanting to cause a problem when none existed. However, he wouldn’t lie either, so normally he wouldn’t get into situations where he would make hard choices.
Getting to work, he walked into the station, “Hey Daniels I heard you were looking to replace John Williams as inspector when he retires, had enough of being in the mix?” One of the other men asked him.
“You know Tommy I don’t think I would ever get tired of it. But sometimes we have to think about our family and what might happen if we get hurt.” Chase commented.
“Yeah don’t I know? Remember the first year you started, when that big fire happened downtown?” Tommy said.
“Yep, that was my first fire I was involved in, almost passed out from all the heat in there.” Chase recalled.
“You remember Johnson, the guy who fell through the floor? He ended up paralyzed from the waist down. It was hard on his wife to take care of him, she ended up leaving him. He killed himself just last year, it was a shame man. He loved his job so much but he didn’t ever think about what might happen if he got hurt.” Tommy stated.
“Oh man that is horrible. I didn’t realize all that had happened. I kind of lost touch with him after he was hurt. I didn’t really know him well though to begin with.” Chase said sadly.
“Well even a lot of the guys who knew him stopped seeing him. I went to see him a few times a week but it was hard to do. He was always so down and sad, it was like talking to someone who had lost their will to live.” Tommy explained.
“Yeah, I know how that feels, I was like that for a bit after Jen died. If Veronica hadn’t been around, I don’t know if I would have made it myself.” Chase admitted.
“Right man, it’s our loved ones that keep us going. When Johnson’s wife left him, he got worse. Guess he figured he’d never find a woman who would deal with his injuries. He went downhill quickly and one day I showed up and found his body. Worst thing I’ve ever experienced man, worst thing.” Tommy got a faraway look in his eyes as he spoke.
“Man, I’m sorry you had to deal with that.” Chase patted him on the shoulder.
“I still have nightmares to this day of finding him in his home. He had taken a shotgun and placed it in his mouth. It was gruesome man, not something I hope to ever experience in my life again.” Tommy shuddered.
Chase couldn’t even imagine how hard it had been on Tommy to find his friend dead. He shuddered at the thought of finding anyone he loved dead from a suicide, especially a shotgun wound.
“Hey if you ever want to talk don’t hesitate man. I’m here for you.” Chase commented.
“Sure, appreciate it but don’t you worry, I won’t be putting a gun in my mouth, I plan on living a long and full life!” Tommy smiled at him.
Chase felt better, then his thoughts turned to Kitty. She would be going through a lot of depression through the coming months. He hoped that he could help her through these tough times.
He made a note in his mind to tell her not to hesitate to call him ever when she was feeling down. Though he didn’t know if she would, he knew she would at least realize that he cared enough about her to be there in the tough times.
After she had agreed to go with Veronica and him for pizza, Chase had thought, this is going to be our first real date. But then another thought popped into his mind, why we should wait that long for a first date, I’ll be sure to ask her out before that time too. After all, Veronica seemed to be pushing him to get to know Kitty better, and he took that as a good sign.
Chapter 21
Kitty cringed as she heard her mom approaching the room. She had hoped it would take longer than a few days for them to get here. Actually, she had hoped they had lied to Ms. Simmons and wouldn’t even show up but she should have known better.
“I’m here to see my daughter, what room is she in?” Her mom’s loud tone could be heard down the halls of the hospital.
“What is her name?” Kitty could barely hear the nurse’s response in comparison to her mom’s voice.
“Kitty McComb, M-little C- Big C- O- M – B”, she heard her mom spell out.
“She’s in room 612, it is right down the hall and to your left.” The nurse told her.
Kitty prepared herself as much as she could and a few moments later the two people who had made her feel worthless her whole life walked in the door. She had considered calling Chase but when she looked at the time, she saw it was close to when Veronica and him would normally show up to visit.
She breathed in deeply, “Just don’t take what they say to heart.” She told herself.
“Kitty, oh my goodness that’s a hell of a mark on your face.” Her mother said as she entered the room.
Kitty could swear she saw a small smile cross over the woman’s face. How could she be so happy about her daughter being in pain? She wanted to ask but kept her mouth shut.
“Oh wow, you really aren’t going to be able to continue that god forsaken career of yours any longer. It is like an answer to all my prayers of so many years.” Her mother stated. “I told you Jim prayer does work.” Her mother turned toward Kitty’s father and stated.
He shook his head and made a grumbling sound, “I never disagreed with you dear. I just told you it would be a good thing if something happened that would make Kitty have to quite working as a whore.”
Chase happen
ed to walk into the room at that moment, with Veronica beside him. The young girl looked up at him and said, “I thought she was a model daddy, is whore another word for that?”
Chase’s face turned red in anger, “No it’s not honey. It’s a word that really isn’t very kind to say, especially to your own daughter.”
He turned towards the older couple, and spoke, “I take it you are her parents? He stated the disdain in his voice, but he kept it respectful.
Kitty chocked on the water she had been drinking. She saw her mother’s face turn a bright red as her anger mounted. “Yes, we are and who might you be?” She said haughtily.
“I’m the man who saved your daughter from dying that night. Maybe instead of putting her down you should be happy she’s even alive to talk too.”
Veronica pulled on his arm, “Why would they call her such a bad name daddy?” She voiced her question loud enough for all of the room to hear.
Chase not wanting to ignore his daughter picked her up and said, “Because they are people who think their daughter shouldn’t be able to model.”
Kitty heard her father clear his throat, “It is really none of your business young man.”
Chase stepped in front of him, “Look you are talking to a very good friend of mine like she is nothing, that is my business. The fact that she is also your daughter, should make you a bit more respectful about her dreams in life. But for some reason you are both closed minded and can’t see that this was what made her happy.” Chase said harshly.
Kitty’s mom shouted, “You know nothing about us, and you shouldn’t just make a judgement so blindly.”
Chase laughed but Kitty beat him to the punch, and said, “Kind of like you’ve judged me since I began modeling you mean?”
“That’s not the same thing.” Her mother commented.
“How is it not the same mother? Since the first time I came home and showed you the picture I was in all you did was tell me I was a whore, dressed like a whore and lived like a whore.” She took a deep breath and continued, she had been holding this all in far too long. “Not once in my life have you ever said anything nice to me, or cared that I wanted to be a model. You would always put me down, calling me names and telling me how bad of an idea it was. You have no clue how hard I worked to get to where I was before the accident, and it wasn’t by sleeping around like a whore either. I’m really sorry about the language Veronica. But you haven’t ever told me loved me either. Why in the hell did you even bring me into this world if you never wanted me?”
Veronica came over beside the bed and took Kitty’s hand in her own, “I don’t mind the language Kitty; I’ve heard worse at the fire station; I just never repeat the words.”
Kitty’s mother was upset by what she had said, “We didn’t have a choice by the time I knew I was pregnant it was too late to have an abortion.”
It made Kitty’s heart ache to hear the words and Chase came over to her and covered both Veronica and her hand with his own, offering his support. He knew that it had to hurt to hear the words.
“Dad how come you never once stuck up for me all this time either? You would just agree with every word she would say and add more hatred to it.” Kitty said pointing at her mother.
“You are not even my daughter; how do you think I felt every time I looked at you knowing you had come from another man.” He spat out.
Kitty was shocked, she looked at her mother who had gone a pale white. “What?” She asked slowly.
“Tell her Gertrude, tell her how you were a whore who cheated on me when I was serving in the Navy. I came home to find her seven months pregnant, knowing I would have to raise a child who wasn’t my own. Maybe I shouldn’t have taken it out on you Kitty but I couldn’t help it.” He said apologizing in his own way.
“You were calling me names because she cheated on you, and thought I would turn out to be the same? That is really messed up, you could have stepped up and at least stuck up for me once. But neither of you are really worth my time. I didn’t want to see you, and had Ms. Simmons not have called you I would never have spoken to you again.” Kitty responded.
“I had heard you were lost at sea Robert, and thought you would never come back. I’ve told you that before. Steven was just there to comfort me and one thing led to another, you know I love you.” Kitty’s mom told her husband.
“So, you do know how to say those words but you never once said them to me mom, why not?” Kitty demanded.
“I was ashamed of what I had done. I didn’t want to raise you and well, as far as I’m concerned you made it quite clear that you didn’t want to see us again. Come on Robert let’s go. Let her continue to be a whore if she wants too.”
Kitty sat up in her bed, even though it hurt her leg to move, “What don’t you understand about me? I’ve never slept with a man in my life, I’m still a virgin. Just because you were a whore doesn’t mean I would ever be one. Now get out of here and don’t come back to see me. Don’t call me and don’t try and contact me ever again.” Kitty screamed, the tears were streaming down her face as she finished.
Chase watched the old couple leave and knew that if they were smart they wouldn’t contact Kitty for a long time. The wounds were fresh and obviously a lot deeper than he had known. It hadn’t helped that her mother had told her she didn’t want her either. He was sure Kitty was hurting more on the inside than she was currently showing on the outside.
He squeezed her hand in support and Veronica leaned up to kiss her cheek.
Chapter 22
Veronica hugged Kitty and smiled at her, “It is okay, you can apart of our family.”
Kitty smiled down at the girl, “Thank you sweetie but I’ll be okay. Really, I should have had that conversation with them so long ago. But I kept putting it off, making myself angrier inside.”
“Are you sure you are okay?” Chase asked looking at her with deep concern.
“I have no other choice but to be okay.” She admitted sadly.
“Hey we don’t have to do the book tonight if you don’t want.” Veronica said to Kitty.
“No, I really enjoyed it yesterday, and honestly, the distraction will be nice.” Kitty responded.
“Okay good, the stars always make me happy.” Veronica smiled up at her.
Chase sat beside them and studied Kitty closely as she helped Veronica read. Her red hair had been trimmed by someone but not very neatly. Her burn was still a red, ugly welt but it looked a bit better than the day before.
He wondered if his mother would be interested in cutting Kitty’s hair for her. She had retired from the field some time ago but from time to time she would still cut people’s hair.
“Hey I’m going to make a quick call.” He told the two women and walked out of the room.
“Mom, got a favor to ask you.” He said when his mom had picked up her phone.
“Sure son, what is it?” She asked.
“You know the woman I saved, Kitty?” He began.
“Yeah I heard all about her from Veronica today. She seems to think there might be something between the two of you, and she likes the idea.” His mom laughed.
“Yeah she’s made it clear to me too. Well anyway, during the fire some of her hair was burnt, and now it’s all messed up. She really needs someone who knows what they are doing to fix it up to make her look nice. Do you think you could help out?” He asked.
“Hmm, well of course. I would be delighted to do it. I can be up there in a few minutes.” She said.
“Thanks a lot Mom.” He hung up the phone but not before telling his mom he loved her. If nothing else he had learned that he had a great mom, and he wanted to make sure she knew he appreciated her.
He went back into the room. “Hey I noticed that someone tried to trim your hair but didn’t do a really good job.” Chase interrupted the reading.
Kitty blushed, “It was the best I could do. I borrowed a scissors from the nurses and cut off what I could. I know it looks horrible.”
“It doesn’t look that bad. All I was saying is, I invited my mom up to cut it. She’s a retired beautician and she was happy to do it. She’ll be up in a few minutes. I just wanted to let you both know.” Chase explained.
“Grandma’s coming up!” Veronica jumped up and down. “Did you tell her to bring some cookies?”
Chase rolled his eyes, “No I didn’t tell her to bring any cookies. But maybe she’ll bring them anyway.”
“I hope so.” Veronica pulled a face that looked close to a pout but not quite there.
“If she doesn’t we’ll stop by her place on the way home and get some, okay?” Chase tried to smooth things over.
“But then Kitty won’t get to try them.”
“We’ll bring some to her tomorrow if we need too.” Chase said.
“Okay dad but you should have told her to bring them, it would have been easier.”
“Honey I don’t really need any cookies, I’ve already put on so much weight.” Kitty said.
Veronica looked at her seriously, “You are too skinny; I have to fatten you up for my daddy.”
Chase choked and cleared his throat, looking down at the ground embarrassed. “Young lady, you and I are having a long talk tonight after we get home.”
Kitty was laughing on the bed, looking at Veronica like she was the most precious thing in the world. “You know Veronica I love you.” She gave the girl a hug.
“I love you too Kitty. I’m sorry that your mom and dad were so mean to you though. I know my daddy would never say anything like that to me.” Veronica gave Kitty another hug.
“Thank you, sweetie. Why don’t you read a bit more for me until your grandma gets here?” Kitty said.
“Okay, where did we leave off?” Veronica flipped through the book and opened it to a page, “Here it is!”
