Chapter 2
637 Words
*Johnson's POV*
I called out again, "Jack! Jack, answer me!" The silence was deafening. I rushed around the house, my heart racing with every step. Finally, I saw a small figure huddled behind a snowbank.
"Jack!" I exclaimed, relief washing over me as I scooped him up in my arms. He was shivering, his tiny body cold to the touch. I wrapped him tightly in my jacket, holding him close. "What were you doing out here, buddy? You could have frozen to death!"
Jack's eyes looked up at me, tears streaming down his face. "I-I was just trying to get my teddy Daddy," he stammered through chattering teeth.
I sighed, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. "Let's get you inside and warmed up, okay?"
As we walked back to the house, I couldn't help but wonder what had triggered Vee's behavior. Was it the stress of the past two weeks? The upcoming therapy appointment? Or was it something deeper?
*Vee's POV*
I watched from the window as Johnson brought Jack inside, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. What was wrong with me? Why was I so out of control? I knew I needed help, but the thought of facing Mr. Gabriel, of sharing my secrets and fears, terrified me.
I took a deep breath and turned away from the window. I had to do this for myself and for my family. I couldn't keep living like this, trapped in this cycle of guilt and shame.
As I waited for Johnson to bring Jack back inside, I noticed a piece of paper on the floor. It was a drawing Jack had made, a picture of our family with big smiles on our faces. I felt a pang in my chest, remembering the happy times we'd had before...
*Emily's POV*
I watched as Dad brought Jack inside, his face red from the cold. Mom was nowhere to be seen, but I knew she'd be back to her usual self soon. That's what she always did - she disappeared when things got tough.
I felt a surge of anger mixed with sadness. Why couldn't she just be normal for once? Why couldn't she just be Mom?
I went back to my room, shutting the door behind me. I didn't want to think about Mom's behavior anymore. I just wanted things to go back to the way they were before Mom's mood swings and Dad's constant worrying.
But deep down, I knew that wasn't possible. Things had changed, and we were all just trying to navigate this new reality.
*Johnson's POV*
As I tucked Jack into bed, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Vee had been distant, and the incident with Jack had left me shaken. I decided to talk to her about it to see if we could work through this together.
"Vee, can we talk?" I asked, sitting down beside her on the couch.
She looked up, her eyes guarded. "What's up?"
"I wanted to talk about what happened with Jack tonight. You just seemed... out of control."
Vee sighed, her shoulders sagging. "I don't know, Johnson. I just feel overwhelmed. I'm trying, but it's like I'm drowning in all of this."
I took her hand, feeling a surge of compassion. "We'll get through this together. But maybe we should consider telling the kids about... about what's going on. They know something's wrong, and it's scaring them."
Vee's expression turned panicked. "No, Johnson. I don't want them to know. I'm afraid of what they'll think of me."
Just then, the doorbell rang. Who could it be at this hour?
As I got up to answer the door, I felt a sense of trepidation. What new challenge were we about to face?
*The door creaked open, and a figure stood in the doorway...*
- Writer
