Many the Miles

Part 13

I got done helping Priscilla and as promised she let me use her phone as she sat out back and smoked. I didn’t know what I was going to say to Benji so I called Ella to check-in.

“Hello,” Ella said.

“Hey it’s me. How are things going? Did Ben get back yet?”

“Mia, what’s going on? John gave Ben a custody agreement,” Ella replied in a soft whisper.

“I know things are off, but I need to do it this way,” I said and I heard Ella groan.

“Mia, you need to leave him now. He is turning your home into a prison. You’re miserable, and you don’t deserve that. I know you think what you’re doing is going to make things easier, but you know he’ll do whatever he has to do to make you stay.”

I knew there was a ring of truth in Ella’s words. However, I couldn’t gamble with my children’s lives. I didn’t have a solid plan of what I was going to do. Things were in motion, but so far from being set. Alyssa and the boys are my everything and they deserve a happy mother.

“Ella please just trust that I have this. I need you to help me more than ever and I don’t think I can do this without you guys,” I begged.

Ella was of two minds. She knew Mia felt like she had no other choice, but there was another option. “I have money in my college fund we can just leave. Go to Miami where Tia Josie leaves, head to Cuba or Spain. We can protect the kids until the divorce is over.”

I sighed. If I ran and they caught me… “Your going to college. I promised daddy that already. I’m going to get a divorce as soon as possible. Right at this moment it’s not, but know that I’m not staying in this moment.”

I could hear Ella crying and I knew there was little I could do to put her mind at ease. Even if I were going to run, I’d never use her college fund to do it. “Come home.”

“Ill get there first thing in the morning,” I promised her. “Give them kisses for me.”

“Okay,” Ella replied in a small voice. And that was that. I went to my room and packed my clothes.

“Why are you leaving? What did I do wrong?” Karen pleaded.

I sighed, “My little sister needs me I really have to be home in the morning. I don’t want to ruin the rest of this for you so I called a friend to take my place. Her name is Priscilla she works in the kitchen. She’ll be with you for breakfast and lunch. And you have to pair facial and yoga class.”

“Priscilla is sweet. She gave you that peace cobbler.”

I knew Priscilla was getting the short end of the stick but I promised to help her in her bakery for a month for free. “Yep and she is making blackberry crepes tomorrow.”

“Do you need help packing?” Karen asked.

“I’m good I’ll give you a call when I get back home. I’ll make sure they give you the message right away.”

“Good.”

Benji

Stella said that Mia came back this morning, yet she was still not answering her phone. I needed to make sure she was okay. I needed to hold her, to be at peace. Then my phone rang. It was my parents.

“Hey guys.” I smiled seeing my mom and dad try to fit into the phone screen together.

“Mom just sit it in the charging dock,” Tim yelled in the background.

“Benny Boy, your sister just got here are you and Taj coming home soon?” my dad asked.

“We’re a little busy with a situation.”

“I hope you’re not planning a wedding in Vegas.” My mom said.

I could hear a snort and knew it came from Katie. “Look that got out of hand”-

“We know, we know. It comes with the territory.” My mom said.

“It doesn’t make us any less worried about you,” my dad added. “You and Lauryn had a long run.”

I knew the second I talked to them I was going to get a relapse lecture. “I’m fine, just busy. I actually have to go.”

I hung up the phone and continued my attempt at a hot lunch for Alyssa. She was up at the pool with Taj and I was trying to figure out how to keep her longer then allowed. My phone rung again. This time it was Mia.

“Where have you been?” I yelled into the phone.

“I hope that’s not how you speak to your fiancé,” John laughed.

I was really tired of his s**t. I couldn’t fathom what got Mia through 10 years of being with this prick. “I have her for another day. Why are you calling.”

“I told you; you could get the boys today as well. I have them downstairs. We’re waiting for you in the lobby. Unless you want us to go.”

“I’m coming down now,” I said and hung up the phone. I turned the stove off and rushed to the lobby. True to his word there the boys were. I lowered myself to their level and the each greeted me with a hug.

“Ella will pick them up,” he said and walked to the car. I could see Mia’s silhouette. My heart raced.

“You’re a real bastard,” I said remembering Ella was supposed to facilitate drop off and pick up. He came out of his way to drop the boys off with Mia.

“You have a real potty mouth Rockstar.”

“You don’t need to flaunt Mia in my face.”

He smirked. “But I can.”

“Don’t come back here again.”

“Don’t forget that legally, I’m their father. You signed away any claim to them when you left that clinic. I hope they’re worth more than $500 to you now.”

Taj came down with Alyssa. I guess I was taking longer than promised to return.

“Hi papa.”

“Hi baby girl I’ll see you for dinner tomorrow.” John waved goodbye and went out the door. As the doors open Mia’s eyes met mine. She quickly looked ahead and soon John was in the car and they were driving away.

“Take the kids upstairs,” I directed Taj.

Taj eyed me. “I know you’re not gonna follow them.”

“Taj can we argue afterwards this time,” I said heading to the exit.

Taj grabbed me. And I hated the stern look in his eyes. Then they softened and looked over at Alyssa. I promised to be there for her and I looked at my boys. “Let’s eat