All for Maddie

by Woodruff, Jettie

  The trailer park wasn’t what I was expecting at all. It was clean, well-kept with flowers, swing sets, white picket fences, and Harley Davidsons galore. I think half the park was occupied by bikers. I looked at the black numbers on the ends of the trailers looking for 719.

  I pulled to the blacktop big enough for one car and got out, looking around at my surroundings. I welcomed the warm sun and 70 degree temperatures.

  “I get out too, Mommy,” Maddie called, wanting out of the restraining car seat that she had ridden in for hours over the past couple of days.

  I lifted her to the ground and she went right to the tiny little yard where a swing set took up most of it. I walked up on the porch and moved the birdhouse, locating the key where Red told me I would find it.

  “Hi, you must be Whitley,” a female voice called. “Red told me you would be arriving, I’m Tank,” she said, offering her rose tattooed arm. She had every color rose possible going up both arms. She didn’t look like a Tank, not even for a biker. I bet she didn’t weigh 100 pounds soaking wet.

  I smiled and shook her hand.

  “I live right next door. Red tells me that you’re a good friend, any friend of Red’s is a friend of mine. If you need anything, you let me know,” she offered.

  “Thank you very much. I appreciate that.” I did appreciate it. What would I have done if Red, practically a stranger to me, hadn’t been there to help me?

  Tank bent to Maddie’s level as she climbed up the four steps to the porch. “You must be Maddie,” she smiled, shaking her hand as well. “I have a little girl that would love to play with you,” she explained.

  “What her name?” Maddie wanted to know. I knew what was next. Maddie touched the roses, covering her arms.

  “Her name is Sage, she is four. How old are you?”

  “I free. Why you paint on you arms? My daddy be mad,” she said, studying the artwork.

  “I like roses. My Grandpa John used to have every kind of rose ever cultivated.”

  I smiled at her choice of words, like Maddie had any idea what cultivated meant.

  “What that wose,” she questioned, pointing to a light pink rose on the back of her hand.

  “That’s a Baltimore Belle rose.”

  “Oh…I have a potty,” Maddie exclaimed, looking up to me as her attention span drifted from Tank’s artwork. We both laughed. Tank nodded, dismissing herself.

  The trailer was actually very nice. It was clean with nice furnishings, a flat screen TV, and more books than I had ever seen in one place. Not that I would be reading any of them. They were all western books by authors I’d never heard of.

  “I have a pee,” Maddie reminded me, holding her crotch.

  We found the bathroom and she made it just in time. She was fascinated by the fish décor in the bathroom. The shower curtain looked like a 3-D fish aquarium and the walls were painted in aqua blue with seashells bordering the top.

  Maddie and I both walked around the trailer, checking it out. There were three bedrooms and the master had an attached bath. It was nothing like Alex’s master bath, but it had its own shower and a decent sized garden tub.

  <><><>

  It was settled. I was going to work for Moe, the owner of the little diner just a mile down the road. Tank was going to watch Maddie for me and refused any payment. I’m not sure why, but I trusted her. Maybe because of how good she was with Maddie and her own little girl, Sage. She was constantly doing stuff with her. I almost wished she didn’t live five feet from me. I couldn’t keep Maddie away from there. Thank God she had a fenced in yard that allowed Maddie to open the back door and go from my trailer to hers. I didn’t have to worry about finding a place until Red’s daughter got spring break from school. I had four months to save enough tips and find us a place. Red wasn’t charging me one penny to stay in his trailer. He said he liked having someone in it while he was away. I knew it was only to make me feel better. He had many friends there, they looked out for him. I was sure of it.

  By the second week, I was starting to relax, other than I missed my dad like crazy. I wondered what he thought, where did he think I was? And what did he know? I had only talked to Regan once since we arrived. It was better that way, I was sure. I didn’t want Alex finding out that she helped me. I was paid two dollars an hour plus my tips. I was making between fifty and eighty dollars a day. It would take me forever to save enough money to be able to afford my own place. I did better than that in one shift at the resort, but I was surviving and I had Maddie. That was what mattered.

  I loved Tank and her normal husband Craig. They were the odd ball couple if I’d ever seen one. Craig went to work in a suit and tie every morning. I laughed several times seeing him kiss her on their porch before leaving for his office job. It reminded me of some married man leaving his mistress when he had another family at home. That wasn’t the case at all. Craig was very much in love with Tank and his daughter. He still took off on the Harleys every weekend with half the other park, but by week, he was a businessman.

  I was seeing less and less of Maddie. If I worked a split shift, I could cover lunch and dinner, which made me more money. Maddie didn’t seem to mind and excitedly showed me whatever it was Tank had done with them that day. That particular day they had made bird houses out of milk cartons. Hers was every color paint she had access to, I was sure. She was so proud of it. She rattled on and on about how Tank had to cut the hole because she might get cut, how they put grass inside for the birdies, how they glued Popsicle sticks on to make a roof and last but not least, all the colors she used to finish it.

  “Craig’s going to throw some burgers on the grill. Come over and eat in a little bit,” Tank offered.

  “No, I don’t want to take any of your family time, but thanks.”

  “You’re not taking our family time. I like hanging out with you. Tell me you couldn’t use a relaxing beer. Maddie wants to eat a burger, don’t you, Mad?”

  “I eat a hotdog,” she countered.

  “I’ll make you a hotdog, sweetie.”

  “Fine, let me go get out of this ugly dress. I’ll be over in a few.”

  We sat at the cheap plastic table and chairs watching Maddie and Sage trying to lure a stray cat to the fence. They succeeded when Craig gave them a hotdog. The kitty was hungry. I laughed when the cat nipped Maddie’s fingers and she squealed. I looked down at the new text message from Regan and froze, reading the one word as my heart stopped.

  Run……

  I didn’t have time to run. She didn’t give me enough time. Three cop cars were surrounding my trailer seconds later. I immediately grabbed Maddie.

  “Put the child down,” one of the officers said, cupping the gun on his hip. What the hell? I wasn’t a murderer. Was he planning on shooting me?

  “She’s my daughter,” I tried.

  “Put the girl down…NOW!” he demanded.

  Tank took her from me right before I hit the ground. I looked to Maddie screaming and kicking as a female officer took her from Tank. She was terrified. She thought they were hurting me, they were actually. My arms had an instant sharp pain that shot straight through the middle of my shoulder blades, and the knee in my back as I was being cuffed felt like it was going to crack my spine.

  I didn’t care about the pain. I cared about seeing where Maddie was, and following her screams as she was placed in the back seat of a cruiser. I knew my rights were read. I knew I was being arrested on kidnapping charges, but I had no clue what the guy was saying.

  “Let her go with me. She’s scared,” I begged, still hearing her cries even after the door was shut. I watched her being driven away, sitting on the lap of someone she didn’t know. Why did they have to be so cruel? What would it have hurt to let her stay with me?

  I was taken to the local police department where I was finger printed, mug shot taken, and shoved into a holding cell. Nobody would talk to me. They wouldn’t tell me where my daughter was, or what was going to happen to me.

  I was
finally taken from my cell at least an hour later for my one phone call. I only had one shot. Who did I call? Regan couldn’t help me, my dad couldn’t help me, and the only person that I knew could help me might not even talk to me.

  “I need the number for Charlotte Westfall.”

  “Do you have an address,” the cold female officer asked with her fingers on the keyboard.

  “No, she’s the Governor of Nebraska.”

  The lady sat back and crossed her arms. She thought I was crazy too.

  “I know her,” I pleaded. She was the only one with any power to go up against Alex. I didn’t know anyone else. Nobody would believe me.

  She took a deep breath and entered the information. She didn’t care if I wasted my one call being a nut job. “What’s the address?” she asked.

  “South Sioux City.”

  “The only number is an 800 number,” she explained. It would probably go to a recording, and I would never get the chance to talk to her. She would never call me back.

  It was a long shot, but I had to leave my message. Maybe she’d get it, maybe she wouldn’t. I had to try.

  I left my erratic message, stating who I was, only giving my name and not mentioning our relationship. I wasn’t even sure she’d know me by my name. I’d never met the lady. I had read about her and followed her through her campaigning. I even voted for her, not because of who she was, but because I believed in her values. Now if she would just believe in mine. Please let her call me back.

  “Do you want to call someone else?” The lady asked me, thinking that I was indeed a basket case.

  “That would be great,” I replied.

  “Dad?” I said as soon as he answered. I could hear the quiver in his voice. My tears were instantly released.

  “My God, Whitley. Where are you? Where is Maddie? I’ve been worried sick about you two.”

  “I’m in Florida. I’m in jail, Dad.”

  “I know. Where is Maddie?” He knew?

  “Where’s my daughter?” I asked the lady.

  “She is in the family room waiting to be picked up by her father.”

  “She’s here. Alex is on his way to get her.”

  “Whitley, what on earth were you thinking. I feel so responsible. I could tell that you weren’t being yourself over the past few months. You should have told me, honey,” he exclaimed. Thank God. He knew something was up. I should have told him.

  “We could have gotten you some help. They make medication for this, Whit. You should have come to me.”

  “Medication?” I asked. Alex got to him. He thought I was crazy too.

  “Yes, there’s help for mental illnesses, Whit. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Alex told me everything.”

  “Everything?” I wondered what everything meant. I would ask, just not at that time. I had to move on. He wasn’t going to help me.

  “It’s the governor,” the police officer said, answering her second line with wide eyes. She didn’t believe me. She didn’t think she would call any more than I did, let alone that fast.

  “I have to go, Dad. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “I’ll see you in Lincoln as soon as you arrive,” he promised.

  “Lincoln?”

  “Yes, you are going to be flown there. Alex has already gotten you set up in the best hospital around. Don’t worry, Whit. It’ll be fine. I love you.”

  “Love you too,” I said in a cloud. Hospital?

  “Hello,” I answered the next call.

  “Is this Whitley Bradshaw?” the strong voice asked.

  “Yes, this is Whitley. I’m sorry to bother you. I just didn’t know who else to call.”

  “It’s okay. I’ve recently been in contact with Alex Wesson. He told me you may be calling. If there is anything I can do to help. I would love to be there for you. I have contacts with the best hospitals and outpatient facilities in Nebraska. Is there anything you need?”

  “Yes. I need for someone to listen to me and believe me. This is all a lie. I’m not crazy. He’s trying to take my daughter from me.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Okay, Whitley? You’re going to be okay. And you’ll be happy to know there is no mental illness in my family. You’ll come out of this. Take care and don’t worry.” That was it. That was my one and only life line to any power. He covered his tracks like a cat covers shit. He had me. He was going to take Maddie. Everyone was on his side. They all believed him. I couldn’t believe that he contacted my mother.

  <><><>

  I was released to the custody of Dr. Shawn Pierce the following morning and flown home first class with him right next to me. I was sure Alex was behind my first class flying arrangements. I already didn’t like Shawn. He wouldn’t answer any of my questions and kept telling me to relax. He would evaluate me once we were at the clinic. I just wanted to know where Maddie was. I knew, I guess. I just needed reassurance. She had to be scared. She watched her mommy being man handled and taken away. I couldn’t imagine what was running through her little mind. It broke my heart.

  Even though Alex had soul custody of Maddie, because of our living arrangement and the fact that we were a couple raising our daughter together all charges were dropped. I could go home to my living arrangements as soon as Dr. Pierce thought it was safe. My dad showed up at the lovely hospital that afternoon. I was actually a little sick and not in the head. He treated me as though I was five and just had my tonsils removed or something.

  I sat there in my given gray sweats and yellow t-shirt, dressed like everyone else in the activity room. Visitors weren’t allowed to be in your rooms. We sat at round tables with plastic chairs. I still hadn’t seen Alex or Maddie. I needed to see Maddie. I needed her to know that her mommy was okay. I hadn’t seen my room yet and looking around the room, I prayed that it was private.

  One girl, as young as me even, sat at the next table baking imaginary cookies for a bake sale. I ignored her when she offered me one. One girl was playing checkers by herself moving from one side of the table to the other as she took turns with….herself. One girl sat with her arms crossed and stared out the window. She seemed to be the only normal one there. She looked pissed, like me, like she didn’t belong there and was being forced against her will. Some of the girls were watching an old black and white movie. I wondered if there were other sections of the hospital. All the girls there seemed to be young. Were there other women somewhere else? I knew all of these girls seemed to be around my age, and they all seemed to be crazy except for the one who looked pissed off. I didn’t belong there.

  Dr. Pierce stood off to the side, monitoring me as my dad and Dana treated me like a child. I wanted them to leave. They wouldn’t tell me anything. Alex had them fooled. They believed everything that he had told them. My dad even asked what I was thinking when I had my breakdown and ran on Christmas day with Maddie being sick.

  I was finally shown to my room and given something to help me rest. I didn’t need medication. I wasn’t sick but I took it. Maybe if I slept I wouldn’t think. I wouldn’t think how screwed up all of this was. I was being portrayed as the bad guy, and there was nothing I could do about it.

  “I’m not sharing a room, am I?” I asked Dr. Pierce, seeing the other bed.

  “Yes, we like to keep our visitors in the company of others. It helps with learning to socially deal with others.

  “Whatever, are you staying too?” I didn’t need to learn how to socially deal with others. I was raised around strangers. I was socially flooded.

  He snickered. “No, I’m going to let you rest awhile,” he replied and left me to my gray wall room with yellow border matching my dedicated attire. These people were crazy, not me.

  I walked over to the caged window, looking out to a courtyard with high concrete walls. I wasn’t getting out of there that way.

  “Planning your escape?” my new roommate asked from the door.

  I turned seeing the pissed off girl from the activity room. “I don’t think I’ll be escaping thi
s way,” I acknowledged, shaking the metal bars.

  “I’m Alissa,” she offered, taking the bed furthest away from the door. I wanted that bed.

  “Whitley,” I replied.

  “What are you in for?” she asked with a smile, insinuating the prison cell that we would be sharing.

  “Kidnapping,” I smiled. “You?”

  “Oh, just grand theft auto, but it was my dad’s car, so it doesn’t really count. Does it?” she asked teasingly, scratching her head as if she was wondering.

  “I would say no,” I agreed.

  “Yeah, me either. He thought this would be easier on his career than having me sent to prison, you know ‘my daughter is sick,’ she said, rolling her eyes.

  Chapter 12

  I’m not sure what I was given, but I slept for four hours straight. Maybe it wasn’t the pill at all. Maybe it was just the fact that I was emotionally exhausted. I looked to see Alissa air drumming with ear buds stuffed in her ears.

  I was pretty much left alone that night, other than Alissa seemed to be a chatter box. I didn’t care about her problems. I had enough of my own. I wanted to see Maddie. Nobody would let me see Maddie. I wasn’t allowed to use the phone or walk outside. Hell, I wasn’t even allowed to shower alone. I’m not sure if they were afraid of me trying to commit suicide or what the hell that was all about. Some lady that could have passed as a man stood crossed armed waiting for me to finish. I was fed something that I can’t even describe, maybe Salisbury steak or something. I didn’t eat it.

  I spent three days talking to Dr. Pierce. I’m not sure what his diagnosis was, but I was put on antidepressants. I wasn’t depressed. I just wanted my daughter and for Alex Wesson to die a horrific, slow, painful death. I didn’t think I was asking too much. Of course, I didn’t disclose my need to watch Alex die an agonizing death to Dr. Pierce. I wanted out of there.

  Thanks to the noble bastard himself, I was released to his custody three days later. I dropped to my knees as soon as I saw Maddie. She ran as fast as her little legs would let her and threw herself in my arms. She cried like she couldn’t believe it was me.