The Lies that Divide Us

A Suprise Visitor

I sat the phone back down! I could still hear my father struggling to breathe in the livingroom.  I walked up the stairs to my toom, oblivious of my surroundings,  I turned my music as loud as I could to block him out. Feeling numb and tired I lay down on my bed and fell into a dreamless deep sleep.

     I awoke witha start sometime later and sat up in bed. The house had grew dark a d shadows from the trees outside danced in the moonlight across my bedroom wall. The radio still blaring, and that's  when the realization of what happened, hit me and I was suddenly overcome with fear. I knew I had to go down the stairs and check on my father, but the thought terrified me. "What had I done? How could she not call 911 to get him help?" I pleaded to myself.  I walked over to the radio and clicked the power button and the house went silent.  I mustered every ounce of courage I could and slowly opened the door of my bedroom. The house was eerily quiet. I made my way down the stairs stopping on every stair to listen for any type of movement. When I heard none I made my way into the living room. There beside the coffee table exactly where he fell lay my father. I had seen him so many times like a monster, and was terrified at the very sight of him, but now he looked so fragile and Ill.  His lips were a bluish purple color and his eyes hard dark rings underneath. I rushed to him and quickly checked his pulse. Tears fell from my eyes as the realization that he was gone hit crashed through me like a category 5 tornado. He may have been a monster,  but he was the only family I ever had, that hadn't abandoned me. I began to get mad at myself for the guilt of not helping my father, and for loving him. How could I be so sick, as to love my abuser?

       I finally mustered the strength to stand up, my legs feeling like jello, I used the coffee table to steady myself. I made my way to the kitchen and finally called 911! "911 where is your emergency?" The operator asked. "Its a 564 pleasant view street." I stammered finding it hard to recall the information. "My father is laying in the living room floor," I cried! "He has no pulse, I think he's dead." I told the operator. I left out the fact that I had left him their struggling for breath,  and begging for my help.  I had just left him, like I had so many times before wished that I could. 

                                            1 week Later

      I shut the door behind me and leaned up against it, breathing out a breath I had been holding for what seemed like forever. The last guest had just left. I was glad to finally be alone. Everyone for the last week had sent their condolences, telling me how sorry they were for my loss, and what a wonderful man he was. A wolf in a sheep's skin is what he was. His obituary had even been a lie, " Loving father and son who will be dearly missed, " I thought to myself. "There was nothing loving about him." 

Anna had been by my side everyday, staying with me so I wouldn't be alone in my house. It had taken alot of convincing to get Anna to leave. I needed to decide what I wanted to do, what my next step was going to be, and I needed to be alone to do it. 

     I was startled from my thoughts by a knock on the door. I groaned and slowly inched the door open. On the doorstep stood a short elderly man with silver hair, big blue eyes, and the kindest smile I had ever seen. "Can I help you?" I smiled back at him. "Ms. Martin," he cleared his throat, "I'm your father's lawyer. I have his will here I need to go over with you." He explained. I was confused, I didn't know my father had anything aside from our house and an old beater truck that he drove to work. Maybe that's what it is?" I thought to myself as I nodded and stood to the side motioning for him to come in. I led the man to the kitchen. "Please have a seat!" I insisted, motioning to the kitchen table. He smiled and nodded his head as he sat down. "Would you like some coffee or water." I asked. "No thanks Ms. Martin, I won't be very long." He explained. I smiled and took the seat across from my father's lawyer. "My name is Alfred Manfield." He started as he rummaged through his briefcase and finally pulled out a manilla envelope.  "I may have misspoke a little earlier when I told you I was your father's  lawyer, but I said that per your mother's instructions. She is the one that hired me. Your mother came to me  some time ago with the orders to come see you in the event of your father's passing, if you are ever emancipated, or when you moved away from your fathers home. Your mother visited me just before she left, she instructed me to make sure you were to receive everything inside this envelope." He explained. "So here I am" he smiled. Confused and angry I managed a smile back. Mr. Manfield cleared his throat once more and began,  " I leave the following to my daughter Blythe Martin upon the event of her father John Martin's  death, her emancipation, or when she leaves her fathers home." Alfred read. " My home in Pennsylvania at 564 pleasant view st. , my f150 1999 Ford truck, my country home In Foster, Kentucky and lastly the sum of $500,000." Alfred looked up from the papers he was reading and smiled. He reach into his brief case and passed and envelope over to me. "Inside you'll find the deeds to both homes, the title to the truck, and the account information that contains your money." He explained. "I dont understand?" I stammered. "I didn't know my mother had anything like this, especially  that amount of money, I mean look at the house we live in, and the car we drive." I whispered in disbelief. "Well miss your mother wanted to make sure you received what was rightfully yours, as for the rest she left a letter among the papers in the envelope that will explain everything ." He reach me a small envelope and smiled. "Well that's about it. I must be going, I have another appointment." He told me as he stood up and walked to the door. "If you have  any questions please don't hesitate to call, my number is on the paper work. " he reassured me as he walked out the door. I shut the door and walked to the living room. I fell into the couch and just sat there in disbelief. 

       Finally coming to my senses I realized I was still holding the letter. I was reluctant to open it, but curiosity got the best of me, and I needed answers. 

            My dearest Blythe,

I know you must be so angry at me for leaving you, and even angrier that I couldn't protect you. For this I am sorry. Please  understand that I had no choice. I fought so hard to take you with me, but your father hadto much power in this town and when I tried to fight him he used that power against me anyway he could.  I'll always regret not filing police reports ever time that evil man had put his hands on me. He has never touched you and while I fear it may my only wish is that it stays that way.

I have everything set so that you will receive it when you are away from him. He doesn't even know that it exist, nor will he ever find out. It's hard to go on not knowing if you'll be okay, or what you'll have to endure, but I fear by staying I'm only making it worse for you. I am leaving you with my grandfather's country home, and some money I have set aside so that you can have a fresh start if you so choose to do so. I couldn't leave this with your father because I feared you would never receive it, so I have had to do it this way.  Alfred is a dear friend of mine and I am positive that this will reach you at the correct time.  I hope to see you again one day, so that I can show you the wonderful life you could have as your true self my beautiful girl. I love you.  Mom

P.S Dont be afraid of who you truly are my dear girl, because all of you is beautiful!

The tears streamed down my face, as I finished the letter.  Was she talking about the wolf side of me when she said my true self, and that all of me was beautiful. For years I had thought my mother had abandoned me. If my father had lied about this, then what else was there. Had he lied about the wolf part if me as well. She had tried to take me but my father and his cop buddies wouldn't allow it. I had alot to think about and needed to figure out what I was going to do with my life. I hadn't heard from any colleges, and I definitely couldn't live in this house. Maybe a new start in the country would be just what I needed to heal from all the physical, mental, and s****l abuse I had suffered over the last 10 years. 

I looked up from the table with tears in my eyes. Alfred smiled sweetly at me, with knowing eyes. "Everything is yours, " he started. "The house, your father's life insurance,  the truck, and everything your mother left you which includes the trust and the country home. Now I know you have alot of thinking to do. Everything you need is in this envelope. " He handed me a big envelope and got up from his chair. I followed him to the door and we said our goodbyes. Exhausted I rubbed my eyes and made my way up stairs to my room. I would sleep on it and make a decision in the morning.