What Will It Take

Chapter 5

*CHRISTINE*

"Chase I'm going out!",I shout in the hallway.

I get no response and I just brush it off and leave.

Maybe he's still upset....I think pitifully to myself.

I head out, get in the car and drive off to the police station in Litsy.

I arrive after an hour and I go inside to speak to the police officer who came to arrest Ryes.

"What have you charged Ryes with?", I question.

"We're still holding him in custody waiting for a statement or your mother's",he responds.

"I'm ready to make a statement",I say confidently with one motive behind.

We head to the questioning room and I sit down. I answer all the questions and explain what happened.

"Thank you Miss Emerson",the officer said and got up. "The officer in charge will contact you for an appearance in court",he adds.

"Alright thank you", I tell him and head to my car. When I step outside,it's getting darker than I anticipated. I didn't think I'd spend more time here.

Chase will be worried about me.

I quickly get inside the car and drive off.

*MARSHALL*

I reach my villa and I decide to sit in the car till I pull myself together. I get out of the car and go inside. I go straight to her room and I open it slowly and I enter then I look at her portrait.

I have tried so hard to forget or move on but I’m just not okay mommy.Please come back.

Tears stream down my face and I sit down on the carpet looking at the portrait and I lay down and slowly drift off.

*NANA*

I go to Celine’s bedroom knowing very well he’s in there. I still remember how he became when she just died. He was so pale, stopped eating proper meals and would lock himself in her room the entire day until his grandfather came to comfort him.

His mother came to leave in this house after she moved out of D’Angelo Villa to support her son’s decision and she was always encouraging him to do the very best. But ever since she died he has become so heartbroken and it breaks my heart to see him like this.

I open the door slowly and I see him laying on the carpet in the dimly lit room. I increase the brightness and I walk towards him.I kneel before him and I tap his shoulder softly.

“Dear……”, I call out.

“Marshall,are you okay?”,I continue.

He shifts and I help him sit up gently.

“Nana………”,he calls softly and I see a tear run down his face. His eyes are red and puffy and he looks pale and haggard. His hair is messy and he looks so frail.

He hugs me tightly and he sobs quietly.

“Shhhh……Calm down”, I pat his back and rock him slightly.

“Why did she go?!!”,he questions with a sad tone. “She promised she’d support me always but she isn’t here”,he says moving away from me.

“Let’s go”,I tell him while looking him straight in the eyes. He looks at me with questioning eyes

I get up and hold him by the hand and I urge him to get up. We walk to his room and I push him towards the bathroom.

“I’ll be waiting outside”, I tell him literally.

I go downstairs and prepare a tray of food for him and I go back upstairs and sit on the floor close to his door.

After a few minutes later,he opens the door and I look at him.

“You really meant it Nana?”,he asks sweetly. He lifts the tray with one hand and helps me up with the other.

We go inside his room and I ask him to sit down by the mini dining table he has because he used to like eating alone.

“I’ll feed you myself today because you’re worrying me son”, I tell him with a worried look.

I start feeding him and he eats almost the entire food.

“That’s enough nana,I’m full”, he protests.

“Just one more spoon”, I persuade him.

“No nana I’m full now”,he says adamantly.

“Alright child. Let me tuck you in”, I tell him like a child.

“Nana………”,he protests embarrassed.

I get up and push him towards the bed.He lies down and I tuck him in gently and I kiss his forehead and I tell him good night.I take the plates and leave.

*CHRISTINE*

“Chase!”, I shout after entering the house.

“Can we go and see mother now”,I continue.

The house is quiet and dark. I switch on the lights and dial his line.

“Hello”,he picks the call on the third ring.

“Chase,where are you?!”, I question him with a worried tone.

“I went out for some minutes”,he says awkwardly.

“I wanted us to go and see mom……”,I tell him slowly.

“I’ll let you know later”,he responds rudely.

He immediately hangs up.

What just happened?!!…he cut the call?!

What is going on with him.

I switch off the lights,lock the door and head to the hospital.Luckily,it’s still not very late and I manage to get there quickly.I go inside and head to her room. I knock on the door for politeness and I enter.

“Mommy………”,I whisper helplessly after seeing her state. She’s so pale and it’s as if she’s lifeless.

“Mommy I miss you so much……We finally moved out of the house and we live in the city now far away from Ryes. But how many times are we going to run and hide. I feel like it’s all we have been doing. Running and hiding from that wicked man”,I stop. I shouldn’t bring up the past. Not now,not ever!

“Mommy, I don’t know what’s happening but I think Chase is upset with me and I don’t blame him but I promised you I’ll always look out for him and that’s exactly what I will do. I’m sorry but I need to leave……I love you mom”,I kiss her hand then her forehead. I get up and head out. I decide to go home and wait for him there.

••••••••

Bang!.

I hear the door open loudly. I get up from the couch to check who it is.

“Chase!!”, I gasp.

“What?!”,he responds rudely.He clumsily bypasses me and goes to sit on the couch.

I close the door and I head to the living room and I look at his terrible state.

“Chase why are you doing this to me?!”, I ask him,emotions stirring inside me.

“SHUT UP!!!”, he shouts at me. I flinch taking a few steps backwards.

“You know what Christy?! I’m tired of your stupid act. You’re not mom okay so cut it out! You always do this! Acting like you’re mom,bossing me around and I’m tired of it. I’m old enough to make my own decisions. You’re so draining. Get a job already and stop nagging me!!”, he says angrily.

I feel my face get wet and I touch it. I feel tears.

I wipe the tears from my face and walk to the kitchen.I pour him a glass of lemonade and I put it on a tray with some Advil and a bottle of water and take it straight to his room.I place it on his side table.

I go back downstairs and I help him to his room despite his protests.

“Drink this and go to sleep”,I hand him the glass.

I leave the room,close the door and head to mine.

I sit down on the carpet and I cry my eyes out.