One Too Many

Chapter Seventeen

*******Six months later*****

"Every night, it's the same dream."

"What do you see?"

In a whisper, "Flashes. So many flashes."

*****Scene by Scene , Flash by Flash******

It's dark and you hear a woman giggling, "Eyes on me Tyler."

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You see Cassandra crying in bed as Tyler taunts her, "What does it feel like to be a whore?"
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You now see a drunk Tyler trying to rape Cassandra. Her head tosses. She sees herself the day of her wedding, she blankly turns to face you, and flatly says, "I do.."

******
Her chest is heaving as she sees Olin screaming at her, "Get out!"

*****

Cassandra is now sobbing as she heard Olin whispering, "I want you so bad..."

*******
Cassandra cried out as she springs up alone on a couch, she is dripping wet from a cold sweat. She covered her face and rock's back and forth, "Just another dream. Same.. Damn.. Dream.."

***********

Cassandra sat in a daze as Sid studied her from across the table, "You woke me up again.."

Cassandra rolled her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair, "I'm sorry Sid.. You don't  have to deal with me much longer. I'm getting my apartment this weekend."

"How come you cry every night?"

She didn't know how to respond, but scoffed, "I  don't."

"Sure. What ever you say..."

Cassandra looked down as she tried to remember all of the scenes from her dream and thought, "Why do I keep dreaming the same thing every night?"

**********

Tiffany held in a gasp as Cassandra lead them to her new home. Her eyes frantically studied the graffiti and questionable characters that stood outside as they talked.

Inside was no better.

Tiffany's lip quivered as she looked around the apartment. Cassandra sighed as she dropped a box of belongings and pressed her hands against her back. Her little round bump poked out as she did, "God, my back, and I'm not half way there." She turned to her sister and wrinkled her brow, "Tiff? Tiff, why are you crying?"

Tiffany started to sod, "Because you don't deserve this.. I'm not leaving you here."

Cassandra rushed to her and grasped her hand, "Hey, I'll be okay."

"Please come home with me."

Cassandra cut her eyes to Sid then back to her, "I.. I have to do this."

Tiffany stepped to her, "Cassi! Call Olin, tell him that you need money.."

Cassandra snapped her hand away and spoke through pressed teeth, "No.."

Tiffany threw her hands up, "What do you want me to do? I'll do it.. Just come home."

Cassandra leaned her head to the side and sighed. She pulled her sister into a hug, "This is home. I'll be okay."

Tiffany squeezed her tighter and held back tears, "Okay."

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Later that night, Cassandra was thrashing in bed as she dreamt the same nightmare as before, but this one had a different ending. She heard Tyler's loving voice as it  whispered, "You will be happy.."

She cried out again, waking up alone, in the same cold sweat.
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"Brett! Put that down!"

Brett cut his eyes up to his dad as he placed a glass candy dish back to its resting place. Olin huffed as he boxed up His belongings from his and Cassandra's apartment. His brother Kevin never asked him why Cassandra ratted him out. Kim did leave, but moved back in, two months later to reconcile. They were now expecting their second child. It seemed every time Cassandra crept into his mind, he pushed her right back out. Sure it worked out for the best, but what if it hadn't? He still couldn't forgive her carelessness with his family's lives. Plus, she admitted seeing Tyler that day. After what she said he tried to do to her, how could she? Was she sleeping with him under his nose the entire time? Then there was his crazy ex Vicki. She continued to ask for money, even though they were going through their own divorce. She threatened to hurt Cassandra for ruining her lifestyle, but he didn't believe she would be capable of doing it.

With Brett's boredom, he flopped on the living room rug and sighed, he turned his head and noticed a present under the couch covered in dust. He pressed his tongue to the side of his mouth as he reached and retrieved the package. He then skipped into the office where his uncle was still packing, "Happy Birthday!"

Olin smiled as he continued to pack. When he turned to his nephew his smile disappeared, "Where did you find that?"

"Under the couch. It has your name on it."

Olin's hand slightly shook as he took it from the toddlers hand, "Open it! I love surprises!"

Olin pushed the fear from his mind and carelessly opened it. His eyes widened as he dropped the box, but kept the positive pregnancy test in his hand. Brett studied it with curiosity, "What is it?!"

His face snapped to Brett, but he couldn't speak. His attention turn to the door as his brother appeared, "Brett, it's time..." He looked to Olin with a confusion, "What is that?"

Brett smiled to his dad, "I found his birthday present under the couch!"

Both men looked to one another in silence.

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