The Stepdad

Nine

Brianna

"Why did you do that, Bri ?"

"I'm just tired of her. She just gets on my nerves. I thinks she needs to die."

"But that is your daughter."

"So ?"

"When they come for you, don't call me."

"Whatever."

Jim

"Family of Renee Payne ?"

"Yes that is us."

"She was shot in her chest near her heart. But we had to sedate her to save her in time. Chances are, that she might trouble breathing. So we are keeping her in the hospital for another week so make sure everything is alright. Will you like to see her ?"

"Sure."

"Follow me."

We all followed him to see Renee with tubes everywhere. She was sitting there unconsious. When I find Brianna, she won't like me.

Walking towards her, I sat on one side and her father sat on another. I'm just mad at the fact Brianna is so stupid.

Renee

I see a light but why do I feel closer and closer to it. My grandfather came out with his gray eyes.

"Grandpa ?"

"Hey sweetie."

I lost my grandpa when I was in freshmen year. It was one day in school when they told me.

(FLASHBACK)

"The office is calling Renee Payne."

I went up to the principal office and my principal was crying too. She had the phone in her hand giving to me.

"Hello ?"

"Hey sweetie."

"What happened, mom ?"

"Sweetie, grandpa just died."

My grandfather was in the hospital for cancer. My grandmother was with him at the time.

I just dropped the phone and bursted into tears. Why did he have to die now ? It was just too soon.

The principal picked up the microphone and spoke through the P.A. intercom.

"Guys, our student Renee just lost her grandfather. So if you see her, pay some condolences."

(END OF FLASHBACK)

"But grandpa why would your daughter do that ?"

"I don't know. I was watching over you guys and she was just mad about something.

"Jim is gonna get her."

"But make sure he doesn't kill her. You know how he is."

"Yes I know that."

"Remember she is still your mother."

"No she isn't. My mom is not like that, gramps."

"Well remember she always will love you. I gotta go."

"Ok, grandpa."

"If you need me, all you have to do is call me. I will be watching over you."

I watched as he walked back into the light and it disappeared. His words kept reappearing in my head.

I can't believe my mo- Brianna still loves me. If she loves me, why would she try to kill me ?

'I think it was for your own good'

'Is that you grandpa ?'

'Yes. I can speak to you like this.'

'Well since you can, you can teach me a lot of stuff.'

'Exactly.'

Jim

After we left the hospital, they went home and I searched around town for Brianna.

She ain't getting away with this. I remembered the last place I went to search for Michael and I sat there waiting for him.

Turning off the headlights, someone came to my window. She looked like a prostitue. Like Brianna.

"Hey sexy."

"Hey."

"You need some fun ?"

"Alright, hop in."

She hopped in and I drove away. She didn't know where I was going. I took her to my house.

I took her in and turned on the lights and it was Brianna sitting there. She looked at me in shock.

"Hello, Brianna. Miss me ?"

Jim

"Jim, how did you find me ?"

"Remember when you was looking for Michael ? Well I knew your dumbass was gonna be there."

"I'm going to call Rodrick."

"And what is he going to do ?"

"Ummmmm."

I went into my safe and unlocked it. I grabbed a random gun and closed it and pointed it to Brianna.

"Exactly. Now since you wanna shoot family, I think I need to also. Any last words ?"

"Ummmmmm."

"Jim, stop."

I turned around to see Renee dad and Sasha standing there in shock. Dropping the gun, Brianna tried to run but I caught her.

"What are you doing ?"

"She shot your daughter. I think karma is a bitch."

"Don't shoot her."

"I need to. This woman is crazy and this needs to stop."

"Let her go."

"No."

"Jim, I'm telling you now to let her go."

"Alright."

She was out of my grasp and ran out of the door. They came in and sat down.

"Jim, if we never showed up, you would have been in jail right now. If you kill her, what would that solve ?"

"A lot of crime around here."

Renee

"Grandpa ?"

"Yes, sweetie ?"

"Why can't I move or see my family ?"

"You are sedated. You were shot near your heart. That was the only way for them to save you."

"When can I come out ?"

"I don't know."

"Am I going to die ?"

"No. You are just knocked out."

"But--"

"But nothing."

"When did you begin to become so mean, gramps ?"

"I seen Jim try to kill Brianna."

"Why ?"

"Because she tried to kill you."

"I need to be unsedated soon."

"Don't rush it. It will happen."

"Ok thank you."

"I will be back. They are calling."

"Don't leave me, yet."

"Just call me. I have to go."

"Ok."

Brianna

"So you are going to go to the hospital ?"

"Revenge is sweet, right ?"

"You are not going nowhere."

"Yes I am."

Rodrick pulled out a gun from the drawer and pointed at me c*****g it and pressed it on my head.

"I said you are not going nowhere."

Jim

"Yes, Avery she is in the hospital."

"Why ?"

"Because her mother shot her."

"Can we see her please ?"

"Ok."

Avery and Brittany hopped into my car and we drove to the hospital. I glanced at my clock and it 3:30. Visiting hours are still open.

We signed in and went to her room. Renee was still the same. I sat on the side of the bed and held her hand.

I just wish she can wake up. Then someone was coughing. I looked at Avery and Brittany but it wasn't them.

I looked down and it was Renee. Her eyelids slowly opened and she looked at us in shock.

"Renee, your up."

"I can't believe it Grandpa was right. It takes time."

"Huh ?"

"Nothing."

"So good to see you."

"I was told that Jim tried to kill Brianna."

"How do you know that ?"

"Let's just say that a special person visited me while I was out. I can't believe you."

"Sorry. I was mad."

"Avery, so did you do what I said ?"

"Yes, and it turned out right. Thanks."

"Yall look so cute."

"Thank you. I know I'm bute."

We all started laughing. Brittany is a mess. I thought about Grandfather and what he said.

'Thank you.'

'Anytime.'

I was released from the hospital. It was April 8. Two weeks before we all graduate.

I know, I haven't been attending school for a while. Today I am showing at school and for the rest of the time.

I got up and took a shower. Hopping out, I was freezing. It is that moment when you hop out the shower and it is cold.

I put on my gray shirt that said 'Love Me' in blue and white words with blue sleeves.

I put on my acid wash ripped jeans and my gray and blue adidas and let my hair drop wet.

Arriving to school, all eyes were on me once again. I ignored it and did my regular routine.

When I walked to class, I sat down in the back and waited for Ramona. She came in with Raven and seen me and sat down next to me.

Glancing at Raven, she had a smirk on her face. The class began and the teacher began to teach.

At lunch time, Raven walked up to me and spit in my face. Everyone just oohed.

I wiped my face and got up and walked to her and Sharkqueshia'd her in the face making fly across the lunch room.

"It's everytime I come here and you are starting. You are not winning Jim from me ever."

I walked out the school, not caring about anything. I arrived home and Sasha was there by herself.

"Hey, Sasha."

"Renee, what are you doing here so early ?"

"I ditched school because of this girl that has been getting on my nerves for so long."

"Oh okay."

"Where is my dad and Jim?"

"Oh they went out."

"Oh ok."

Jim

"Michael, I did not want that girl."

"Yes you did. I seen you."

We were at McDonalds and some girl name Shaquanna was trying to give me her number but I dodged her.

"She wasn't even my type. And plus I'm dating Renee."

"Oh I forgot."

"Yea."

Then I bumped into someone. I glanced up to the person and it was someone I haven't heard from in a while.

"Robyn ?"