Black Leather Jackets: College Bound

Wires

Robbies POV
a police officer drives us to the hospital and leaves us in a room.
"What if she's dead Ralphy, or paralyzed. She has 3 kids under the age of 6!"
"She's not, she'll be okay Rob,"
I pace around the room until someone walks in
"Coach Mantle?" Ralphy says
I turn and see reggie standing there.
"I thought he shot you?" I say "the sheet, who was under that?"
"Sit down Robbie," he says
I sit beside him and he sighs
"Before Toni and Cheryl met, Toni was in an abusive relationship with a guy named Dougie. He kidnapped her in Miami and hurt her really bad over like 4 months I think it was. He raped her, while she was drugged and she was pregnant with Charlie. But Dougie died in College, can you keep a secret?"
I nod and go wide eyed
"RJ killed him," he whispers "He attacked Toni during freshmen year and RJ ended up getting angry and killing him that night. So he is dead. But his brother Freddy was in love with Toni. Hated Cheryl with a passion. He didn't know Toni died when he attacked Cheryl today, and he would've killed her if it weren't for you two, but when Cheryl told him that Toni died- he committed suicide,"
"Why were there two gunshots then?"
"He shot himself in the stomach first to taunt your mother, and then when he saw me he shot himself in the head,"
"Cheryls okay? She's not shot or dead or anything?"
"She's traumatized, and scared. But she was not shot,"
"She told me to run reggie. I didn't want to,"
"I know, she told me,"
"So his brother dated Toni?"
He pulls up a picture and shows me.
"Toni sent me this picture after she was kidnapped, like when she came home. It's the last picture they took together before they broke up,"
"She looks.. uncomfortable,"
"She was, he used to come over drunk and try and force her to sleep with him, and he was two years older so he would hit her are hurt her a lot. He used to tell her that he could get away with murder if she ever left him. She was so strong at such a young age,"
"And he was Charlie's father?"
"Unfortunately yes, she didn't know she was pregnant. She didn't want a kid, she was far too young and just getting her life started- but I think she wanted to come to terms with it and make a decision,"
"How old is she in this picture?"
"13? Maybe? I never really got an age," he sighs "she was definitely younger than you. Her brothers had already died, so maybe 14- no older than that,"
"Wow, that young?"
"She has a hard life until she met Cheryl," he sighs "even after, but at least she had C,"
"Were you two always friends?"
"Oh no, I hated Toni and she hated me," he sighs "I bullied Cheryl a lot in freshmen and sophomore year, I was a bad dude. Her girlfriend said she was fat so I'd bully her into eating disorders and making herself throw up,"
"Toni told me you talked her out of suicide,"
"Once, after she was assaulted,"
We sit there for a bit and he sighs
"She might not be awake yet, but do you wanna see her?"
I nod and we go to her room.
"Hey mom,"
She's not awake but maybe she can hear me
We sit there for a few minutes and she starts waking up.
Looks at me and tries to talk but then gets angry because she can't
"Cheryl! Cheryl look at me okay? Look at me," Reggie says
She calms down and looks at him.
"Your jaw is wired shut, it's broken- like it was in high school okay?"
She starts crying and hitting him.
"Cheryl, calm down it's okay,"
She grabs a whiteboard from the side table and writes hastily and shows it to him
"Cheryl, Toni died- you know that,"
She stops thrashing and looks broken
That wasn't a dream?
"I'm sorry Cheryl, she died,"
I know. Just hoped I guess
"Are you done thrashing?"
She nods and sighs
"Robbies here," he says pointing to me
Sorry about that
"Don't be sorry Cheryl,"
Are you okay
"I'm fine, I promise,"
"Cheryl, Liz is here with TJ, Lexi, and Mia- do you want to see them?"
She smiles and nods
"Okay I'll go get them,"
Ralphy?
"Oh he's okay, he's in the waiting room,"
He can come in
Sitting alone isn't fun

Cheryl's POV
Robbie goes to get Ralphy and Reggie comes in with Liz and the kids.
"Cheryl I told them you couldn't talk," Reggie says "but we wanted to come see mommy right?"
Lexi and Tony nod and Mia giggles
"Hi Mommy," Tony says
I smile and pat the bed
"Can I go on the bed?" He asks
I nod and he climbs up and hugs me.
"Mommy does your neck hurt?"
I shrug and nod
"How long do you not talk for?" He asks
I look at reggie
"A month and a half kiddo,"
"Oh that's okay mommy," he says "then you'll be good as new,"
I give him and small smile and kiss his forehead.
"Mommy someone hurt you right?" Lexi asks
I nod and fix her hair
"She's okay Lexi,"
Mia was crying so I grab for her and Reggie gives her to me.
"Mommy I sca," she says
"Hmm?" I hum
She starts crying and I hug her and pat her back.
I look at reggie and shrug
"Mrs. Blossom the police would like to speak to you," a doctor says
I nod and they come in
"We're going to show you some photos,"
I nod and they go through a bunch of photos before getting to Dougie
I nod and hide Mia's face.
Don't shoe that to my kids
They don't need to know him
"Mrs Topaz that man is dead, his brother was the one who attacked you,"
I don't care.
"Why not?"
He's dead, don't even release this
My kids don't have to go through it and my wife's past doesn't need to be brought up
"Mrs. Topaz.."
No. My kids will not have the memory of their mother tarnished by him
He's taken too much from Toni already
He gives Reggie a card and Reggie sighs and looks at me
He doesn't get to win because she's dead
"I know Cher, it's okay,"
"Mommy," Mia says "wuv you,"
I kiss her cheek and and bounce her
"Mia wanna tell Mommy what we learned earlier?" Reggie asks
"Mommy I know swix stats,"
"We talked about 6 states," Reggie says
I look at her and she keeps talking
"New ok, Texwas, Floda, Whode I-and, Ilna, and Deawae,"
I look at reggie confused
"She was working on her talking," he says "New York, Texas Florida Rhode Island Illinois and Delaware,"
Good job baby
"You know what that says?" Reggie asks
"I don't wead," Mia giggles
"It says Good job baby,"
"Tank you mommy," she laughs
"Does mommy get to come home?" Lexi asks
"She does, but uncle Reggie is going to sleep over with you guys for a little while okay? So you can let mommy rest," Liz says
It's okay Liz
"Cher, let us help okay?"
I nod and I get changed into normal clothes and head out.
Reggie drives me home and gets the kids inside
"Cheryl, you coming?" He asks
I shake my head and walk around to wear Freddy shot himself
"Cher you shouldn't be back here,"
I shrug and turn on the hose to wash the blood away from the grass and down the ditch.
I turn and see the siding on the house.
Where in his own blood, he wrote "Cheryl = Bitch"
"Cher I can do this," Reggie says trying to take the hose
I rip it back and shake my head
I spray the wall until you can't see the blood anymore and sigh.
"What's wrong Cheryl?"
I just want Toni.
I want a hug
But not just any hug.
I want a hug from MY wife
I just shake my head and point to my teeth.
"I know it's hard. But you're okay,"
I get my phone out and type
I thought I was going to die Reg
"But you didn't, you're okay,"
I nod and sigh
He hugs me and kisses the side of my head.
Make sure my kids are talking if they need to
"I will,"
We go inside and I just wander around
I notice reggie hovering and get angry
I'm fine Reginald
Stop following me
"You're angry,"
Damn straight
"At who? Yourself? Frankie?"
Toni
"Why?"
She left me alone
I miss her
He hugs me and I start bawling again
"Cher you're okay,"
I'm going to bed
Can you make sure Lexi eats enough?
He nods and I walk upstairs
I walk around my room and look at different memories
I open Toni's night stand and my eyes lock on an a bunch of envelopes

Reggie
Cher
RJ
Lexi
TJ
Mia

All written in Toni's handwriting
I open the one addressed to me

Hey Cher,

I just wanted to write this to remind you how much I love you.
Every day since I met you, and with every cell in my body I loved you baby.
You're the best part of every single day, I can't imagine my life if I didn't meet you that night.
You're the strongest, most fearless person I've ever met. Our kids are so damn lucky to have you.
You're the best wife I could ever ask for. Our memories are some to look back on and smile! Be proud, and happy with the person you became
I'm super proud of you.
If you ever need to be happy, look at my shoebox of photos in the closet.
I love you forever and always Cheryl, you're amazing

Remember me babe, but don't be scared of new adventures- I'm always with you,

Toni Topaz xx

Ps the letters for the kids are for their
- next
- 10th
- 16th
- 18th
- 21st birthdays
- Wedding
- and one of they're really sad

I'm crying and Reggie comes in.
"Hey Cher, are you okay?"
I wave him over and hold up his envelope
"Who is this from?"
I point at Toni's picture on her nightstand
"Toni wrote them?" He asks
I nod and wipe a tear.
"C-Cher do you mind if I hold on to this and read it alone?" He stutters
Of course Reggie, take your time. Just let me know when you do it?
"Of course Cher,"
Did the kids eat?
"Yep, all are done,"
I nod and give him a small smile
If you ever need to get home- let me know
"We'll be good. Liv is staying with Liz and RJ and Ty are staying together,"
I hate causing all of this
"We got you Blossom, all of us okay?"
I nod and shrug
I guess I got a village