So Long, Therese I

Mommy's Bug

Angelina Pov
(Just a comfort chapter, not feeling that well today)

"It was luck that he didn't find you. I don't know what I'll ever do if he did." I've had Therese sit in my bedroom, for the past two hours I tried to calm her down. Nothing worked.

Trying to untangle her hair with a hairbrush was also a challenge.

"What would Lizzie do? In this situation, what do you think would she do to cheer you up?" Her back was facing me so I didn't know what her reaction was.

"She distracts me with things, busies me with what to do and at the end of the day what happened doesn't matter anymore." She blamed herself for not jumping into action, for not doing something to save her.

"Ohh, I guess Liz would've been a wonderful mom." I put down the brush as I finished.

"She is, she became my mom when I didn't have one." Liz did tell me she filled my seat when no one can because of my unwanted years of absence.

Therese turns around and faces me, a sincere worry on her face. "I don't want to lose you too."

"You won't, I promise." I bring my hand to her chin, lifting her face so that her eyes would meet mine.

I can't let her sleep alone tonight, it might be best that I keep her with me, the kid is still shaken from the happenings earlier, especially since he had close contact with Martin.

I climb into my bed with Therese following. I open my arms, an invitation for her to snuggle close to me. She does.

"Sometimes I wish I died that night."

"What are you talking about? I can't let my baby die." I pull the blanket over us, with only our heads peaking.

"I hate Martin. He's done too much." I stayed quiet, her anger seemed to thrive towards Martin.

"He's cruel, forces me to steal, hurts me, cleans up all his shit, cooks for him, tolerate him, forces me to swallow his drugs, taught me how to smoke, all the things a great father would do." I stroke her hair gently, yet words caught me.

"Drugs?" I ask, afraid there was more to it.

"He forces me to try it, watches me and as I take a few bits of it, did it many times, I always end up going mad after a few minutes, then it all runs off." I feel sorry for my little girl, too young, too innocent, too many unpleasant experiences.

"Has he touched you?" My fear of her answering yes was desperate yet I breathed heavily when she shakes her head, her eyes were almost closing.

"I'm mad at Martin too, he took away my pride and joy, then the next time I had her back, she was damaged enough that a part of her couldn't be fixed." I glance at her to find a finely asleep Therese. She sleeps beautifully next to me, how I wish she knew how much I loved her.

"Sleep well my princess, Mommy loves you more than the world will cost me." I place a hand at her waist just so I know that she's close to me, after all, slight movements wake me up at night.

The whole night, I haven't slept. I realized Therese was a troubled sleeper, from time to time she shifts uncontrollably, small whimpers came from her, and even a tear or two fell.