Beyond the mountains

The party!

It seemed like we drove for a couple of hours into another town. What we call “across the river” into the state of Kentucky.

I had been in this little town a few times with Melissa, and Amy Beth whenever I could get away from my family, which is a rare occasion.

We finally turned onto this long paved driveway that seemed to be half a mile long. I could feel my heart beating faster as we pulled up to this massive,beautiful home. It had these large white Pilar’s, with water fountains, and lights , and the most beautiful landscape around it.

We get out of John’s truck and made our way to this side door that didn’t look like it should even be there.

John was really good friends with Ben, he was comfortable walking in and making himself at home.

We came into this breezeway that had potted plants sitting on both sides of the entrance, and big French doors that led into this open room with a huge staircase that had naked statues at the bottom of the hand rails, a large chandelier hung down from the ceiling.

This home smelled so good and was the most luxurious place I had ever been in.

We walked through this living room that had a water fountain in the corner of it, as I was admiring this beautiful sight; I bumped into Melissa as she had came to a sudden stop while John started talking to someone he knew.

She turned and grabbed me around my arm and said calm down it’s gonna be fine, she could tell I was shying up and very nervous.

We finally came to a set of doors that had a set of stairs that led down into a basement that was bigger than most people’s homes.

I could feel my neck turning red with heat as I heard John say “Hey Ben,” how are you Buddy?

I could tell he was looking around them to take a look at me. I couldn’t hardly take my eyes off the floor I was so nervous.

I hate being shy, I feel like I’m not good enough to talk to anyone that comes from wealth.

I think maybe it comes from years of abuse and being talked down to from my family.

Ben finally asks us to sit down and ask us what we would like to drink.. John says I’ll have a beer.

Melissa said I’ll have a wine cooler, then all eyes on me as I said “I’ll have the same,” wine cooler sounds good.

I had honestly never had a drink of alcohol in my life, I’m not even sure if I’ll like it or not.

While Ben went to grab the drinks John turns to me and ask “well, what do you think of him Bethy”?

He seems nice as I shrugged my shoulders. Melissa could tell I was uncomfortable, she speaks up and ask, where’s the bathroom?

Some girl said down the hall turn right, so she grabs my hand and pulls me along with her.

As we made our way through all the people standing elbow to elbow I kept my head down so I didn’t have to make eye contact with anyone.

We found the bathroom and we shut and locked the door, she turns toward me and grabs my hands and said Bethy you have to relax, it’s your night to enjoy, you look beautiful your hair and makeup is on point, and you have no worries tonight.

She added that I deserve this and maybe this could be something that would change my life.

I nervously laughed and said you know what..you’re right I need to breathe and walk out like I own the place.

Now you’re talking.. let’s do this, no one here knows you or your family, you make this your night.

As we returned to ours sets John ask if we were alright and Melissa said we sure are and gave me a wink and a kind smile.

Ben came back with our wine coolers, he apologized for taking so long.

I had to go into the garage and get these for you gals,with a playful smile. He handed Melissa’s her drink

He held mine out for me as I grabbed it he reached up and twisted off the top for me, I swear my heart fluttered a little at that moment,

I looked up into his beautiful Hazel eyes, “Thanks” I said with a smile.

As the night went on I caught Ben looking over at me, he would smile and keep talking to John.

Ben was a tall well built guy with shaggy brown hair that was well kept, has a beautiful smile and he smells amazing.

The night started to die down a little, people was starting to leave and soon it was getting so late I thought we would have to go before I had the chance to talk to him.

Before I knew it..it was only Ben, us, and a couple of others sitting around a table with everyone talking and laughing at things they had done at other party’s a such.

I kind of felt out of place again until Ben got up and pulled his chair next to mine and sit down beside of me.

He asks “so are you having fun” I answered him with a strong yes and instantly felt like I sounded stupid.. why did I say it like that?

I could feel my face turn red. He laughed and said good, I’m glad you are enjoying yourself.

Then he ask if everyone would like to go outside to the pool and sit around the fire pit.

As we made our way out to this beautiful in ground pool with all the clear lights twinkling all through this large well maintained back yard, I felt like one day I wanted this kind of life for myself.

I think we talked for two or three hours about everything under the sun, I can honestly say I’ve never felt so close to a guy before. I can’t ever remember when I’ve had such a good time.

Ben came and sit beside of me.

John, and Melissa was facing us and the other couple was sitting in a swinging seat that was hanging from a rafter.

Ben started asking me different questions about me and where I’m from, what was my dreams.

I just felt like I had to tell him what he wanted to hear. I also ask a few questions, I could tell right away he had nothing to hide.

Why would he? He has everything! He has nothing to lie about.

We where there another hour or so and I could tell Melissa was getting tired, my heart sunk to my feet of the thought of this perfect night coming to an end.

Would I ever see him again, would he even want to see me again?

This feeling of dread hit me like a ton of bricks of the thought of going back to my life up in that place I call home. The only thing I cared about was those kids, even though I was a kid myself.

I had to grow up so fast I skipped being a kid. Will my life ever get better?

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes as I sit here feeling the dread of it all.

John finally says well it probably time for us to head back home, I just felt this empty feeling in the pit of my stomach, it was a strange feeling for me to not want to part ways with someone I had just met. As we all stood up, Ben says you all can stay here if you want, there plenty of room and you can leave in the morning. John told him we had to go because Melissa’s mother would be waiting on her to get home.

Ben looks at me and said I hope to see you again.

I could see Melissa pull on Johns hand to lead him toward the truck to give Ben and I a minute alone.

We just stood there for a second in silence. I was starting to feel awkward and was trying to think of something to say to him. Ben spoke before I could say anything. Can I see you again? I said yes I would like that, I really want to see you again. He stepped closer to me and whispered in my ear “can I kiss you”? At that moment my heart skipped a beat, so many emotions started taking over me, I was nervously shaking, I know he could feel my heart beating because he was hugging me.

I stuttered out a shy yes, but Ben I said, I’ve never kissed anyone before. He backed up and looked at me with a shocked look on his face, he smiled and said well let me be your first kiss. I melted at that moment. I leaned in toward him and started to giggle for a split second, it was that very second his lips touched my check, he placed his hands on my face so gentle and kissed my mouth so slowly, I could feel my stomach turning in a good way

It didn’t take me long to learn how to kiss his big plump lips. I surprised myself, it felt so natural, I didn’t want to stop kissing him. He stepped back and looked me in the eyes and said “first kiss” I feel honored. We both smiled a moment at each other, he kissed me again, this time longer with more passion. I could feel something happening to me, I felt a s****l feeling for him at that moment, I believe if he would have tried I would have done it with him right there.

I definitely felt the passion for him.

He grabbed my hand and locked his fingers with mine and walked me to Johns truck, and opened the door for me.

He ask me after I sit down in the truck seat if he could have my cell number.. I didn’t want to tell him I couldn’t afford a cell phone so I told him I had lost my phone a few days ago.

So, Melissa spoke up and said here’s my number call mine until she finds hers, at that moment I was so thankful she knew me so well, she had came to my rescue again. He punched her number into his phone and said I’ll call you.

I couldn’t stop staring at him as we pulled out, he stood there watching us until we were out of sight.

Melissa jumps to her knees and turns around and said, “omg” you have to tell me everything, what did he say, did you kiss,? You can’t leave out anything!

We was getting close to home when Melissa ask me to stay at her house, it was breaking daylight by the time we pulled into her driveway.

I had a nervous feeling as I was standing there waiting on her and John to say their good byes, I hate this feeling I can’t understand what’s wrong, could it be were we stayed up all night? Maybe!

I just felt like something was wrong, like a dread...I should call Amy Beth and check on the kids.

As soon as we got settled into Melissa’s room I picked up her phone and called Amy Beth’s cell... it just went straight to her voice mail, that made the feeling even worse.

Melissa told me to not worry maybe she was still in bed and had her phone off or something.

“Maybe” I said in a worried voice. Melissa told me to try and get a couple hours of sleep and we would go pick up the kids, I agreed.

I woke up feeling so drained and I still felt that dread feeling as I raised up to check the time on her phone, 11:38am.. oh gosh! I said as I jumped up to call Amy Beth to check on the kids. Melissa sits up in the bed looks at me and asks, what time is it?

I told her it was going on noon. she was like damn! we died didn’t we?

I called Amy Beth’s number again and she finally answers the phone, “Hey” I’ve been worried I’m so sorry I over slept, how’s the kids? She assured me they was fine and she didn’t mind at all that I had over slept.

She said Bethy you deserve a night out every once in a while... you’re fine, I really enjoyed the kids and even Wrangler was great. She told me to take my time, and to be careful.

I felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders after I called her. Something still wasn’t 100% though..but what? Could it be were I’m not use to being away from that prison I call home?

Maybe I need to walk up there and check on things. I also need a shower and a change of clothes.

I started thinking of Ben on my way to the house, I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face as I was remembering every word he spoke to me, and that kiss. My heart felt like it could bust every time I thought about it.. I really hope he calls, I’d love to hear his voice.

The house was coming in view and I felt a little uneasy as I walked closer. I decided to stand behind the shed for a second and listen for any sign of my dad and Rachel, just Incase they might have came home early for some reason.

I made my way up to the front porch and unlocked the door and stepped inside..all was clear so far.

I took a quick look around to make sure everything was okay before I took a shower..it felt so good to have a hot water running down my body as I just stood there thinking about the last couple of days, I was really wanting to hear from Ben.

I couldn’t help to think about what he would think of me when he realized I came from nothing and how I had to raise my siblings. I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t want any part of my messed up life, and I would never in a million years let him see the mess I live in here.

As I stepped out of the shower I made my way to my bed room to grab some clothes and I heard a knock at the door.

It scared me, I wasn’t expecting a knock at the door. I yelled “hold on a second” as I hurried up and threw on my shorts and a shirt, I wrapped my hair up in my towel and ran to the door and looked out the window to see who it was. My heart dropped when I seen a cop standing on the other side of the door.

I nervously opened the door and the officer ask if my parents was home, I hesitated for a second before I could think of something to say to him, before a word came out of my mouth he ask if there was any children in the home...I stood there in horror as I couldn’t get any words to come out.

“Miss” are you alright? The cop ask with a concerned look on his face, are you the only one home?

I came to myself and I said yes sir, I’m alone. Is everything okay? What’s wrong I ask him as my heart was beating faster and faster by the second.

He ask if he could step in and speak to me. He stepped in and a lady followed behind him carrying a folder.

She glared at me as she walked past me as if I had murdered someone or something.

She ask me who I was..my name is Bethy Hays, she then ask my age and ask where Travis and the twins where. I told her they was at the babysitters house, that I was about to go get them.

She wrote down everything I told her and she looked at me with a smug look on her face and said, Bethy you need to get some clothes you’ll have to come with us, and get the children some things also. By law removing you from this home until further investigation.

I started crying so hard I couldn’t speak.

The officer patted me on the shoulder and assured me everything would be alright.

I ask him if I could call someone to let them know what was going on, He ask who?I told him my neighbor, and he looked over at the Cps worker and ask if it would be alright for me to make a call..she told me to make it quick.

As I grabbed the phone I could hardly remember Melissa’s number.

She answers the phone and before I could say anything she screams “Bethy he just called for you” I couldn’t say a word to her, I could only cry...Bethy are you alright she ask, No! is all I could get out.

The lady then took the phone and ask whom she was speaking with.

I could hear Melissa tell her who she was, and ask her who are you?

The lady told her and added she was taking me and the kids to the police station.

We was walking down the steps and I could hear a car coming up the driveway. It was Melissa and her mother.

Laura, Melissa’s mom got out and walked toward the cop and ask what was going on.

He ask her who she was and told her the matter could only be taken care of with family.

Melissa was crying as I was put into the back of the car and she ask if they could come to the station and talk to someone about what was going on.

The officer ask me if I wanted them to know and I shook my head yes.

We pulled into the police station and they lead me out of the car into a door on the side of the building.

Have a seat, another police officer said to me, he smiled and ask if I needed a drink of water or anything.

I told him no and that I needed to know what was going on, he said they will be back in a moment to speak with you.

I set there for what seemed like forever.

I could hear laura talking to them in another room, I heard Melissa ask if she could see me.

Melissa opened the door and ran up to me and wrapped her arms around my neck and we just stood there and cried.

She finally took a step back and tried to fill me in on what the cps worker had told laura.

Seems as if someone had made several phone calls and reported child abuse, that we was running around unsupervised, and was going hungry, and also about all the drugs and drinking that went on at the house from my dad and Rachel.

As I was standing there trying to wrap my head around all of this, the cps worker opened the door and ask me to follow her.

We came to this little room with a table and a couple of chairs, she told me to have a seat.

I ask her where my siblings where.

She told me they was fine and that she needed me to answer some questions.

She ask me a million questions about the kids, if we was afraid, and how did we eat and was we ever abused sexually or if we was beat on.

It seemed to go on for hours with the same questions.

I told her I would tell her everything if she promised me that they wouldn’t separate me and the kids.

She told me that I was 17 and that she was willing to let me go home with Melissa’s mother as a guardian...temporarily, until they could get a court date.

I ask her again where Travis and the twins where. She told me she would let me see them soon, and ask if there was any grandparents that would take them for the night until they could place them in a safe home for a few weeks.

My mothers parents lives in Tennessee and I’m sure they’ll take them.

She ask what their phone number was and left the room to contact them.

I just sat there not knowing what was going to happen to us, could this be a good thing for the kids to finally have a decent life...I don’t think I could stand to not be around them, to protect them.

About thirty minutes later the cps worker walked back into the room and told me the kids was wanting to see me, I started to cry again and she walked over to me, she told me that we was going to be fine, that this was the beginning of a new life for us.

A few moment later the door opened and I could see Tyler standing there holding Taylor’s hand and when she turned and seen me she ran and jumped in my arms, Tyler ran and hugged me. Travis walked up to me with big tears streaming down his face, all he could say was I’m scared Bethy, I reached out and pulled him closer to us and started crying even harder.

Ok, listen to me I said with a stern voice, as I I tried to figure out how to explain to these kids in away they would understand.

We are going to be alright, I need you to listen to everything I’m about to tell you and I want you to do as I say, if you do this we will be together soon and we will have a better life. Do you understand me? They knotted their heads in agreement. I want you to do everything this lady is gonna tell you and I want you to mind her..you’ll be going to a safe house tonight where you can get a hot meal and sleep in a comfortable bed, don’t worry about any of this, and please try to only think good thoughts..I’ll be at Melissa’s house and I’ll do everything I can to stay in touch with you.

I ask them if they remembered our grandparents and told them they might have to go stay with them for a few weeks in Tennessee.

They agreed with me and held me so tight. Tyler ask me what was going to happen to Wrangler, I told him maybe our grandparents will let him come along.

The cps worker told them it was time to go and that I could see them tomorrow.

I cried as she walked them out of the room. A few minutes later she stepped back in there and told me my grandparents had agreed to take them and they would be here late afternoon tomorrow.

Laura walked to the door and ask me if I was ready to go. The cps worker told me her name was Sally Thompson and handed me a card with her number on it, she also told me to not go back to my house, that she would send a police officer to go back in there to get the rest of our belongings after the court date if we was permanently removed from our parents care. I told her after this we could never go back that it would be torture on us. She gave me a of shocked look, she told me to make sure I told the judge what I had just told her.

We pulled back into Melissa’s driveway and Laura told me she was going to pull the car in the garage so anyone wouldn’t see me there, to not take a chance of my dad and Rachel knowing where I was.

Melissa’s mom fixed us dinner and told us to go lay down for the night and get some rest.

Melissa tossed me a night gown from her dresser and told told me I’d be fine, I agreed with her and told her I think this could be a new start.

We laid there and talked for hours about everything that was going on. She turned to me and said I know the timing is off but Ben called asking for you, omg Ben! I chimed in..I totally forgot with all the drama. She grabbed her cell phone and looked at the time and told me it wasn’t to late to call him.

I just looked at her with a big smile on my face, “no” I can’t.

She picks up her phone and said yes you can, call him, you don’t want him to think you’re avoiding him.

I scrolled through her numbers until I found his number and called, I felt so nervous it rang twice and he picked up, Hello, he said with his raspy voice...Hey, how are ya? Sorry I missed your call, Melissa said you had called.

I sure did he replied..I thought you’d forgot about me.

“Never” I told him...as we both laughed.

He was so easy to talk to..I was dying to see him but with everything going on I think it would be impossible at the moment.

We talked for about twenty minutes or so and he ask me when he could take me out on a date. I was so excited I froze up for a second.. reached over and dug my nails in Melissa’s arm, I looked at her and whispered...I’m so sorry! She looks at me and said what? What’s he saying in a low whisper.

I cleared my voice and told him maybe Friday if that was a good day for him.

That long he said...how about Tuesday?

I ask him if I could let him know for sure tomorrow on what day.

He said okay that’s fine. We said goodnight and hung up.

Melissa sit straight up and said spill it sister! I told her what he ask me and that I was going to have to figure something out, I want to see him so bad.

I’m not sure your mom will let me out with all that’s going on right now.

She told me I had a point..let’s sleep on it, I’ll think of a way for you to see him.

I could hear Melissa’s alarm going off as I slowly opened my eyes and squinted to see what time it was..5:30am.

What’s going on? I ask, as I sit up and placed my feet on to the floor to run into the bathroom.

I have to go to school today, I have one last payment to make today for my senior pictures.

While I’m there do you need me to do anything for you or ask any of the teachers if you need to take care of anything before we graduate?

“OMG” Melissa, my cap and gown!

I had forgotten about it with all the drama that had been going on. She came over and leaned against the bath room door way and told me not to worry about it, that she would explain to our principal what was going on and see if there was an extra one I could wear that day.

What about your senior pictures Bethy?

I told her I wasn’t worried about them, I just wanted to walk across the stage and get my diploma, that’s all I was worried about.

She laughed and said..really it is a money racket..that diploma is all that matters in the end any ways.

Melissa always had away of making me feel better in any situation.

She never cared how much money I had, or what kind of family I came from...she loved me know matter what..I felt the same.

she rushed from her bedroom to head to school she told me she would try and make it back in time to go to the station with me to see my grandparents.

I just sit on her bed after I had took a shower, wrapped in a towel thinking about the events there were about to take place today, I was worried and I didn’t know what my dad and Rachel would try and pull when they found out child welfare had stepped in.

Laura knocked on the door and came in a took a seat in front of me holding a box in her hand. Bethy, Melissa and I bought you this for your birthday, but I’m going to give it to you early. She handed me a box with a new Apple iPhone in it.

I didn’t know what to say, it was the best gift I had ever received..all I could do was hug her neck and cry.

She said I think you’ll need this to be able to talk to your siblings while their in Tennessee and so you can stay in contact with me while you go on your date Tuesday with Ben.

I looked at her so surprised, but how did you know?

Melissa told me this morning... as she stood up to leave the room.

Now get ready Bethy, we will stop by and get Melissa from school and go talk to Mrs.Thompson, about your grandparents and when we can talk to a judge.

We was pulling out of the driveway, Rachel pulled in and said your dad has been arrested. Laura kept driving.