Saved by Silence

Chapter 6

                                                                                              Kaley

    Carrying a sleeping Everly out of my parents house, I was drained. She didn’t wake up the whole drive home. Pulling into my driveway, I park the car and lean over the seat waking Everly. “Hey sleepy head, we are home, gotta get up”. She slowly wakes up and we both get out of the car. Grabbing my stuff and her bag, we make our way into the house. 

    “Baby, you need to shower quickly and then get into bed okay?” as I place our stuff down on the table. Nodding her head, she walks to her room, where I hear her grabbing clothes and then the shower turns on. Walking to my bedroom quickly, I decide to jump in the shower and wash the grim of the day off. 

    Getting out and throwing yoga's and a sweatshirt on, I don’t hear the shower in the other bathroom any more. I make my way to Everly’s room and see her getting into bed. “Momma, did you know Mema and Papi have someone staying with them?” she asks, as I pull the covers over her. 

    “Yeah, baby girl. Papi told me tonight. How do you feel about that?” wondering how she is handling this, especially since she was born she has been the center of their world. 

    “I’m fine with it. I get to help out, like you said they used to.” curling up and facing me she mutters, “when do I get to meet her?” right before she falls asleep.

    Whispering back, “I don’t know yet baby girl, hopefully soon”. Giving her a kiss on the head, I head to the living room and grab my k****e to read in bed. Getting under the covers, I start reading and the next thing I know I am out cold. 

    “Ahhh!”, I jolt up from bed, trying to orient myself to where I am. Muttering to myself “I am not back there, I am safe at home”, trying to calm  myself. It was just a nightmare, I remind myself, scrubbing my hands over my face. 

    Grabbing my phone off my charger, I see it’s almost five thirty in the morning. Seeing a text message notification, I pull it up. 

Mom: Hey K, I know it is late and you are probably asleep. Your father and I talked. We are not going to send Arabella to school tomorrow. Can you come over with Everly for dinner though? XOXO Mom

    Knowing it that my Mom was probably still asleep I replied.

Me: No problem Ma. I already figured you wouldn’t send Arabella to school with everything that happened yesterday. And yes Everly and I would love to come over for dinner. Be there around 5. Love You!

    Placing my phone down, I brace myself for today knowing it is going to be tough.  

                                                                                     …………………………………….

    Sitting at my desk, grading papers, I glance up to check on Everly. She is hard at work trying to finish her math homework before we head home for the day. Hearing a knock on my door, I look up to see Sam just outside it in the hallway. Waving her hand for me to come talk to her, I get up and let Everly know I will be just outside the classroom. 

    “What?” I ask as soon as Everly is out of earshot. 

    “You have some explaining to do!” Sam states with her over the top dramatic tone.

    Taking a deep breath I know she is right and that talking to her about it will probably help. I explain a little about Arabella’s situation and how I walked into my parents last night to find out they would be fostering her. Sam just stares at me in shock. “Don’t you have anything to say, Mrs. Always has a comment?” I say sarcastically. 

    “Nope, I got nothing. But this is crazy and I am here for you. I know this may be different, but it also must bring up bad memories for you.”

    Sam knew me so well, that I didn’t even have to say anything, and she knew it was affecting me. Pulling me into a hug, I just embrace her strength, and know I have the best friend. “You know, you are the best friend anyone could ask for. I am so grateful to have you in my life”, I say as we pull apart. 

    “Psshhh, what would you do without me? Nope, actually what would I do without you?” She says laughing easing the mood. 

    With one last hug, she heads down the hall motioning for me to call her if I need anything. God what would I do without her friendship. Taking a second, I turn back to the room and see Everly standing in the doorway, staring up at me. I do not want to have this conversation with her. 

    “Momma, what’s wrong?” My eight year old asks me, being way too intuitive for her age.

    Even knowing she is too big for this, I pick her up and sit her on my desk so we are eye level. “Nothing is wrong sweetheart. Mommy just had a rough few days and Auntie Sammie was giving me a hug to make me feel better.” and before I could even finish Everly was launching herself into my arms. Stumbling backwards, she wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. “What is this for?”.

    She speaks into my neck, as I hold her just as tight “I love you Momma”.

    “I love you too” and place her on the ground. 

    She tells me she has finished all her homework, and I gather our stuff. Glancing at my phone I see it is already four thirty in the afternoon, and decide to just go to straight my parents house.