Double Or Nothing (Sequel To Double Standards Part 2)

The Setup

Miri

Let me just say that I fill like a total spaz for doing what I did to Cole, but in my heart I believe it's for the best. After I agreed to give him a chance we took off toward home. Cole held my hand the entire ride occasionally placing kisses in my palm. It was sweet but short lived.

My heart was at constant battle with my mind. I knew Cole needed help, more help than I could offer him. Something deep inside of him was royally fucked up and I was afraid that without help he would really harm himself. I was doing this for him. As we neared home I contacted Dem to see where my parents were at, plus I wouldn't go through a lot of hoops like I would with them. Demarco took forever to answer.

"Where the fuck you at Cole with my sis?"

"Hello to you to Dem".

"The fuck Miri. Where the hell are you? You picked a fucked up time to run off".

"Dem I'm okay and we are on the way home. Where's Pape and mom?"

"Well since the house is gone their staying at the apartment".

"What?"

"If you would've stuck around you would know all this. The house went up in flames. Nothing's left".

Tears fell from my eye's as I pictured my childhood home in ruins. Cole looked at me concerned. "I'll be back soon" then I hung up.

"Everything okay Mirimosa?"

Shaking my head I sobbed "no, our home burnt down".

Cole pulled me as near as the car would allow. A few minutes later he pulled over to completely wrap me in his arms. "It's all my fault" I sniffled

"No it's not. No cheer up and look where we are".

I looked out the window at our surroundings and smiled as I saw that we was parked at my favorite chain restaurant."now come. Once inside you can be whoever you want".

Once we sat our waitress approached to take our drink order. "Well let's see" Cole said talking in a very unusual accent. "I think I'll have a beer and my wife here will take a water. We've been on the road awhile now and need to eat"

"Oh where are you from?" The waitress asked.

"Florida maim".

Cole nodded at me for me to join in. "Yes, it's a long ride. We are going to Canada. We left our three kids back home with a neighbor. Egor, my husband" I said concealing my laughter at the name I gave Cole as he smiled. "Said we needed to get away but I tryed to tell him we shouldn't. Our roof leaks in 15 different places, no indoor plumbing, and the cow keeps breaking the fence. We should use the trip money for repairs".

"Bertha" Cole said smirking at my name. "This lady doesn't want to hear our business".

The waitress laughed clearly catching on to our ruse and patted Cole's arm. "Very nice car you have parked out there"

We laughed as she walked off. "Edgar really? And outdoor plumbing,"

"Hey you said I could be whoever I wanted to be".

"Yes I did". He grinned.

Eventually we made our way home and Cole escorted me inside the building. "I'll call you in a bit".

I nodded then he asked. "So this Friday night can we go out?"

"Absolutely" I said. Before I could say more my Pape's booming voice came from behind us. "Just where in the hell you been?"

"Pape..." but he cut me off.

"You take your ass to the den and wait in my office" he yelled at Cole. "Miri your coming to the apartment with me".

My Pape pulled me away angrily and placed us on a elevator. I knew it was no use talking to him when he was like that. I could see him staring at me from the corner of my eye. "Pape I need you to calm down and be reasonable right now. I really need to talk to you".

He jerked me off the elevator and into the apartment. My mom came out looking angry as well. "Miri are you okay? Why would you do that, wait I already know why".

I spoke loudly to get their focus on me and what I needed to say. "Please listen to me for once. Cole is very sick and needs help. More help than any of us can give him. I caught him harming himself and it's pretty bad"

I filled them in on the fire play and how he wanted me to stab him then did it himself.

"How did you manage to get him to come back home?" Mom asked.

"I promised to go out on a date with him".

"Hell to the fucking no". Pape spat. "You aren't allowed near him while he's like this".

"You can't stop me". I screamed.

"The hell  I can't. You and your mother seen to be getting your own ideas here lately and I'm putting a stop to it now".

Pape made a quick call and within minutes a few men walked in. "Ladies they will be guarding this door like a hawk. No leaves nor enters without my say so".

Mom stormed off as I stared in disbelief.

Pape came home later that night and I stood outside his office door listening in on his phone conversation. "Yes he put up a huge fight, took three men to hold him down and give him the shot, but I assure you Conner he will have the best around the clock care at this facility".

"What?" I screamed busting in. "You sent Cole away?"

"It's for the best Miri. Just until he heals".

"Where's he at?"

Pape slammed his fist on his desk. "Miri out and close my door behind you".

Stalking out of his office I gave the door a good slam. I hoped Cole wouldn't blame this on me. Yes he needed help, but being sent away? I figured someone to just talk to like a shrink, not a,straight jacket. I will find out where he is.

Later that night I was woken by my parents yelling at each other which is very unusual. Yes they have the occasional tiff, but nothing like I was hearing now. I heard objects being slammed then what I heard next scared me like nothing else. It echoed through the apartment like a whip. My Pape smacked my mom. He's never laid a hand on her before no matter what. In shock I walked toward their room and peeked in. My mom was sitting on the floor holding her face sobbing. Evidently he struck her hard enough to send her down.

Pape was squatted down before her profusely apologizing trying to pull her to him but she'd push him away.

My mom looked up through red rimmed, tear stained eye's and gritted out between clinched jaws. "Get out, just get out".

Scooting away from the door I watched as my Pape walked out. My family was falling apart before my eye's.