Liberty

 

Chapter 1:

            “Hello?”

            “I’m looking for Rebecca Taylor.”

            “May I ask who’s calling?”

            “Tell her it’s Susan.”

            “Hang on,” Liberty put the phone down and headed into her kitchen.  “Mom?” she called, tentatively, afraid to disturb her mother.  Rebecca looked up from her bottle of Scotch with glassy eyes.

            “What do you want?” Rebecca asked, her speech slightly impaired.

            “Telephone.  Someone named Susan,” Liberty said, staying in the doorway.

            “I don’t know anyone with the name Susan.  Tell her not to call here anymore,” Rebecca commanded.  She returned to her bottle and ignored her daughter.

            “Um…she’s not feeling well.  Can I take a message?” Liberty asked.  There was silence on the other end except for the faint sound of someone breathing.

            “No, thanks.”

            “Alright.  Bye.”

            “Bye…wait!”

            “Yeah?” Liberty questioned, wondering what the caller wanted.

            “My name is Susan White.  Rebecca Taylor is my mother.”

            “What?” Liberty asked after a moment of silence.

            “She’s my mother,” Susan repeated.

            “Maybe you’d better not call here anymore,” Liberty suggested.

            “Can you at least tell me your name first?” Susan asked.

            “Liberty.”

            “Emma Liberty Taylor?”

            “Yeah, how’d you know?”

            “You’re my sister,” Susan said, positive.

            “And you expect me to believe that?” Liberty asked.

            “Yes.  We’re twins, born on May 5, 1983, in Albany, NY.”

            “Why should I believe you?” Liberty asked, the hair on her neck standing on edge.

            “Because you know it’s true.”

            “Who are you on the phone with?” Rebecca slurred, she pulled the phone away from Liberty’s hand.

            “Can I have the phone back please?” Liberty asked, reaching for the phone.

            “Just who where you talking to?” Rebecca asked, furry in her watery brown eyes.

            “No one,” Liberty mumbled.

            “Don’t lie to me girl!” Rebecca yelled.  “Now tell me!”

            “What business is it of yours?” Liberty dared to ask.

            “Don’t back talk me!” Rebecca screamed as she slapped Liberty across the face with such force Liberty saw an explosion of colors in her head.  “Go to your room and don’t leave it until your father comes home!  Well…go!”  Liberty swallowed, not looking forward to the upcoming confrontation with her father.

            “Liby,” a tiny voice called when Liberty was in her room, the door locked.  Liberty looked around and saw a tiny head peering out of her closet door.  “Are you all right Liby?”

            “Yeah Hope.  You can come out,” Liberty told her 5-year-old sister.  The child, skinny with pale skin, freckles over her little nose, wide blue eyes offset by long curly lashes, a tiny pink mouth, and her heart shaped face framed by shoulder length, thick curly sandy-blonde hair came out of the closet and sat Indian style next to Liberty.

            “Liby why is Mommy so mad?” Hope asked, her voice tiny and frightened.  Liberty shook her head.

            “I wish I knew Hopie.  I wish I knew.”  Liberty heard the steps creaking under her father’s heavy step.  “Hopie I want you to hide in the closet and lock the door.  Don’t come out, no matter what until I tell you it’s all right.  Do you understand?” she asked the child, her father already at her door and trying to force his way in the room.  “Understand?”

            “Yeah.”  Hope nodded.  She looked at the door with wide, frightened eyes then looked at her sister for reassurance before hiding deep inside the dark closet.  When the closet lock clicked Dennis broke the lock on the door to the room and stood in the doorway blocking the only escape.  In his large work roughened hands he held a thick leather belt and his black eyes squinted at her in a glaring fashion.

            “Have you been back talking your mother?” Dennis asked, his voice quiet with his unhidden rage.  Idly he slapped the belt against the palm of his left hand.

            “Not really sir,” Liberty answered politely.  Dennis took a step further into the room.

            “Don’t lie to me,” he said, raising the belt and swinging it.  With a crack it landed across Liberty’s shoulder.

            “I’m not,” Liberty said, trying not to flinch as another swing of the belt landed on the other shoulder.

            “Like hell you’re not!” Dennis said, seething with uncontrolled rage as he viciously swung the belt repeatedly at Liberty over and over until she started shaking unable to stop.  Spasms of pain shot through her body from head to foot.  “Stop shaking!” he demanded, dropping the belt.  Liberty hugged herself tightly trying to ignore the pain that shot through her body at the movement.  “Look at me when I’m talking to you!”  Liberty forced herself to meet his cold eyes and shivered again, only this time at the eyes that looked at her with no remorse.  “Don’t let me hear that you were back talkin’ your momma again.  Do you hear?”  Numbly Liberty nodded her head and Dennis left the room.

            Stubbornly she refused to let the tears that formed in the depths of her intelligent, deep, sapphire-blue eyes fall.  After securely shutting the door she looked in the mirror.  No evidence of the abusive attack showed, they were all concealed under her loose clothes.  Satisfied she wouldn’t scare Hope with her appearance she knocked softly on the closet door.

            “It’s all right Hope.  He’s gone,” Liberty called softly.  Hope cautiously opened the door to the closet, tears trailing down her cheeks.  “Oh sweet Hope, I wish I could get you away from here.”  Liberty hugged Hope tightly, ignoring the painful welts forming where the belt had landed.

            “Liby,” Hope sobbed, the only word she could get out between the sniffs and wails.

            “Ssh,” Liberty soothed, trying to calm the frightened child.  “It’s alright.  Forget it happened, I’m fine, and I won’t let anything happen to you.  Forget all the bad, little Hope.”  Hope took comfort in her older sister’s strength and when her tears were spent she looked at her sister with red, puffy eyes.

            “Can I sleep in here with you?” Hope asked with a final sniff.  Liberty smiled, for her sister’s benefit, and nodded her approval before tousling the child’s hair.  The sound of their father’s truck leaving the driveway brought both girls to the window.  They watched as both their parents sped down the road in the truck.

            “Hope why don’t you bring your pillow and Brigetta over so you’re ready tonight?” Liberty suggested.  Hope ran out of the room, happy to oblige and raced down the hall to her own room.  Liberty, too, left her room but headed in the other direction.  In the attic she found the boxes where her mom kept all her important papers.  Quickly she searched through the unorganized papers.

            “What are you looking for?” Hope asked, she sat Indian style, Brigetta with her yellow braids, blue dress, black boots, and straw hat sitting on her lap.  Liberty looked up, she hadn’t heard Hope come up the stairs.

            “A paper,” Liberty said.  “My birth certificate actually.”  She continued to search.

            “What’s that?”

            “A paper with your name, parents names, when you were born, where, how much you weighed, stuff like that.”

            “Oh,” Hope said content.  Liberty continued to search for over an hour and finally as she took out the last handfuls of papers she found what she wanted, her Birth Certificate.  Beneath it was another paper, a copy of a birth certificate for a Susan Charity Taylor.  Both papers she folded and put in her back pocket than she started putting the papers back in the box the way they had been.

            “Who’s in the attic?” Dennis demanded in a slurred voice, obviously Rebecca wasn’t the only one to hit the bottle.  Hope looked at Liberty, fear in her eyes, even she knew to stay away from Dennis when he was intoxicated.

            “Hide behind the boxes in the corner,” Liberty hissed.  Hope rushed toward the boxes and cowered behind them, her 5-year-old body trembling gin terror.

            “What the hell are you doing up here?” Dennis demanded of Liberty who still held the papers she was about to put away only now she was standing, read to face him.  “What have you been snooping in that you have no business in?” he demanded to know when he saw the papers in her hands.

            “They’re my records,” Liberty replied honestly, her eyes remaining on him, wearily watching his every move.  Dennis slapped the papers from her hands and grabbed a fistful of her thick waist length golden curls with streaks of brown running through occasionally.  “Ow, let go of my hair!” she cried out, trying to free herself from his grip.

            “What did you find?  Anything worth wild?” he asked, almost pleasantly only his grip, unrelenting on her hair the other hand holding her face tightly so she had no choice but to watch him, told her that he was angry and drunk.

            “None of your business,” Liberty replied not thinking.

            “None of my business?” Dennis asked in amusement, letting go of Liberty’s hair and face.  “None of my business, like hell it’s none of my business!” he yelled as he swung his hand out and caught Liberty’s face with the back of it, knuckles slightly raised.  “You are not allowed up in the attic, how many times have I told you that?” he asked, his voice booming with furry as he again struck Liberty.  Already she felt the bruise on her eye that would be puffy and purple and tasted the blood from her split and swelling lip.  Again he struck Liberty with his semi-fisted hand and advanced toward her each time she retreated.  A loose board sticking up from the floor tripped Liberty and she fell backward, her elbows scraping against the floor as they hit solid wood.  With swift kicks Dennis kicked Liberty in the ribs, legs, stomach continuously until she was curled into a tight ball in the middle of the dirty floor.  He continued to kick her until his anger was spent then he hovered over her unmoving form.  “Don’t ever come up here again!  Clean up the mess you made and get out of here!” he said and left the attic.

            For a long minute nothing moved, not a sound was made in the entire attic.  Hope rushed out of hiding and knelt by Liberty, the blue eyes of the child growing round at the sight of blood on her sister’s face.

            “Liby!  Liby?!?” Hope cried, shaking Liberty’s arm.  Slowly Liberty opened her eyes, every inch of her body ached.  She uncurled, suppressing a groan and smiled weakly for Hope’s sake.

            “I’m all right Hope.”  Liberty crawled to the papers and threw them into the box they belonged in.  “Come on, let’s go to bed,” she suggested, holding a hand out to the child, the other around her bruised, and probably cracked ribs.  Hope took the hand offered with her left hand while her right clutched Brigetta, her favorite doll.  While Hope preformed her nightly rituals Liberty pulled the two papers from her pocket.  She looked them over and two things caught her attention; both she and Susan had the same birth date, although Susan was the elder by six minutes, and both had the same parents, Rebecca Taylor and David White.  A door closed and Liberty shoved the papers into her green Jansport.

            “Bathroom’s empty Liby,” Hope said.  Liberty smiled, slightly, and watched the child crawl onto her bed and cuddle Brigetta close as her head hit the pillow and her eyes drifted shut.  PJ’s in hand Liberty made her way to the bathroom to wash the dirt from her body in the form of a shower.  Quickly she showered, the pelting water irritating her sensitive skin.  Gently she pattered her skin dry and saw in the mirror across from the shower that most of her body was covered in either black bruises or red welts.

            “Damn,” she whispered under her breath as she surveyed the damage done to her soft flesh.  With a frown she dressed in her PJ’s and brushed her teeth.  As she bent to spit in the sink Dennis came into the bathroom, wearing boxers.  He grabbed Liberty from behind and pulled her tight against his body.  Fear took hold of her and she couldn’t move.  He lowered his mouth toward hers and she struggled against him desperately.  His grip was too strong and she couldn’t escape.

            ‘No!  I won’t let him rape me!’ Liberty’s mind screamed.  On instinct she clawed and kicked at him.  It didn’t work.  His face neared hers and she remembered the tooth paste still in her mouth.  Blinded by fear and the need to escape she spit and it landed in his eyes.  With a curse he threw Liberty away from him, pushing her into the edge of the open door.  Not paying attention to the new pain she ran to her room and barricaded her door with her desk.  Quickly she undressed and redressed in baggy black JNCO jeans and a long sleeved baggy blue shirt that brought out the color of her blue eyes, the same shade as Hope’s, maybe a little deeper.  Into her Jansport she threw a change of clothes, her meager collection of CD’s, a few other cherished possessions, her hairbrush, and other toiletries that were in her room.

            At the door she pressed her ear.  Nothing.  She heard her mom and Dennis and then their door shut.  Silence.  Time ticked by and only silence was heard.  Quietly she slid the desk from the door and slipped down the hall into Hope’s room.  She pulled a couple changes of clothes from her dresser and closet, grabbing shoes along with books and her hairbrush.  The hall was clear and she headed back to her room.  She packed Hope’s clothes into her Jansport and zipped it up.  From the corner of her room she slipped into her blue Vans and tied the laces.  Out of the desk she pulled a role of money, nearly $3000, all her savings, and shoved it into her pocket.  With the Jansport in place over her shoulders she wrapped Hope in a blanket, to keep the night chill off of her, and lifted her and Brigetta into her arms.

            “Liby?” Hope’s small voice asked, her eyes barely open.

            “Ssh,” Liberty whispered.  “We’re getting out of here.  Go back to sleep, it’s going to be a long night.”  Hope leaned her head on Liberty’s shoulder and went back to sleep.  Silently Liberty left her room and traveled the  hall.  Like a shadow she slinked against the wall as she passed the only occupied room.  Down the stairs she crept and into the kitchen.  She paused by the phone at the call ID box and searched for the address she knew was there.  On a piece of paper from the tablet by the phone she wrote the address and put it in her pocket.  After deleting the address and number from the memory she slipped out of the house and into the street, New York City after dark.

 

 

Chapter 2:

 

            “Can I help you?” a shorthaired brunet asked Liberty.

            “I need to buy two tickets to Tulsa, Oklahoma,” Liberty told her as she shifted Hope’s sleeping body to her other arm.  The older woman, in her mid 30’s, gave both Liberty and Hope the once over.

            “Where are your parents?” she asked.

            “In Tulsa.  That’s why I have to get there,” Liberty said.  It wasn’t a lie she told herself, her dad did live there.  The lady peered at Liberty through narrowed eyes.

            “What happened to your eye?  And Lip?” she asked, noting the bruise on her eye and the swelling of both eye and lip.

            “What does it matter?  Can I buy two tickets or not?” Liberty asked, not about to disclose personal history to a total stranger.

            “Coach, business, or first class?” the woman asked.

            “What’s available as soon as possible?” Liberty asked, wondering how much money she’d have when it was all set and done.

            “There’s a flight set to leave a 10 in the morning with an hour layover in Chicago.  Coach and first class are available for that.”  The woman with a golden name tag that said her name was Donna looked at Liberty, waiting for her to make her decision.  “One way in coach is $779, first class is $1075,” she added to make the choice simpler.  (AN:  I have no clue about airfare.  Forgive my ignorance if the prices are off.)

            “that’s the earliest?” Liberty asked, biting her full lower lip.  Donna nodded.  “Then I’ll take two first class.  They will be next to each other right?” Donna again nodded and using Liberty’s ID she readied the tickets.

            “$1075,” Donna told Liberty.  Liberty pulled some money from her pocket and handed the lady what she needed to.  The rest of her money went back into her pocket.  With the tickets in hand Liberty went over to some vacant chairs.  She set Hope in one and wrapped the blanket tighter around the child.  In the seat next to her little sister Liberty thought about what had prompted her to make such a hasty decision.

            ‘I couldn’t stay,’ she thought to herself.  ‘It’s worse everyday and God look what he tried to do to me today.  Besides Hope had to get away from it.  That is no environment to grow up in.  How long until he tries some of those things on her?  At least she’s safe now, even if I have to keep running.’  Hope stirred in the seat and her head fell gently to Liberty’s shoulder.  Liberty put her arm around the child and resumed her thoughts.  ‘What will happen to us?’ she wondered.  ‘It’s not like I know this man who is m father or this twin sister I seem to have.  What if they tell me to leave?  What if they don’t want Hope?  What if someone comes after us?’  What if’s ran through her mind at top speed making it difficult to think.  ‘Oh well,’ Liberty thought.  ‘Whatever happens I’m not going back there, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Hope safe and happy, even if that means I have to run from the law.’  Time passed and Liberty still had no answers for her questions only more questions.  The sun was rising and more people were moving through the airport lobby.  Hope slowly woke up, taking in where she was and looked at Liberty.

            “Where are we Liby?” Hope asked, sitting up, her hair sticking to her head where she’d been leaning on Liberty’s shoulder.

            “At the airport,” Liberty told her.  “We’re gonna go away where we’ll be safe.”  Hope digested what she said and looked at her older sister.

            “Liby we should have left sooner.  Then you wouldn’t be hurt,” Hope said with a touch of sadness in her voice.  Liberty sighed with relief, her biggest fear had been that Hope would want to go back.  Then she would have had to stay because she couldn’t leave her 5-year-old sister to defend herself.

            “Come on let’s go into the bathroom so you can get dressed,” Liberty said, holding her hands out to pick up the child.  Hope gladly climbed into her arms and they made their way to the ladies room.  Hope dressed in a lavender sundress, white shiny dress shoes, and a white soft cardigan sweater and gave Liberty her other clothes and the blanket.  Liberty folded them so they’d fit in her Jansport and pulled out Hope’s hair brush.  Gently she brushed the child’s soft curls and watched them straighten as the brush went through then spring back to their previous curly status.  When her hair was free of knots Liberty looked Hope over, finding her appearance acceptable she gave her a hug.

            “Beautiful,” Liberty told Hope.  “You’re absolutely beautiful and so is Brigetta.”  Hope beamed with pleasure.  Liberty put Hope’s brush away and pulled out her own.  With her hair being so long it took awhile for Liberty to brush it but Hope didn’t mind even though se was hungry.  She loved to watch her sister carefully brush through her long lustrous curls, the light shining off their golden sheen. 

            “Alright, are you ready for breakfast?” Liberty asked after she put her brush away, put her Jansport on her back, and looked in the mirror.  There was nothing she could do for her swollen lip or eye so she ignored them just like she ignored the rest of her pain.  Hope nodded an slipped her hand into Liberty’s as they left the bathroom behind. 

            Leisurely they ate their breakfasts, lingering over their hot chocolates.  By 9 they were waiting patiently by their gate.  People started to gather around them, and when the plane was ready they boarded.  Soon they wheels left the runway and they were on their way, nothing to stop them, no turning back. 

            “Liby, I have to go potty,” Hope said well after the ‘fasten your safety belt’ sign went out.

            “Come on,” Liberty said.  She led Hope to the bathroom and waited outside the door for her.

 

            After the plane took off from Chicago they were finally on their way to Oklahoma.  Liberty’s emotions were alternating from apprehension to excitement to dread to regret.  She couldn’t decide what she was feeling yet she was certain she made the right choice.  She had gotten her sister out of that hell they had called home like she’d wanted to.  Now the problem was keeping her safely away from it.

            “Liby we’re landing,” Hope whispered.  Liberty woke up and fastened her seat belt.  Hope fastened her own and they waited for the plane to descend.  “Where are we going now?”

            “We’re going to go visit some people,” Liberty told her as they followed the other passengers off the plane.  Hope wondered who but didn’t ask realizing Liberty had her thoughts on other matters.

            Liberty hailed a taxi and gave him the address she found on the caller ID box.  Hope sat in the back with Liberty, playing with Brigetta.  Liberty kept half her attention on her sister, the other half on where they were going and what passed on the way.

            “Here you are girls,” the driver said as he stopped before a large red brick Tudor style house.  Both Liberty and Hope gawked at the splendor of the house and its size.  “That’ll be $35.50,” he said, bringing Liberty out of her trance.  She gave him $40 and the girls got out, each with her bundle, Liberty and her Jansport, Hope carrying Brigetta.

            “Liby is this it?” Hope asked in awe.

            “Let’s find out,” Liberty said.  They walked to the front door.  On the porch, standing before the door, Liberty rang the bell.  No answer.  She rang again.  Still no answer.  “I guess they’re not home.  Let’s wait a little while,” Liberty suggested.

            “Where is everyone Liby?” Hope asked as the two of them sat on the top step.

            “Work?  School?  I’m not sure, but let’s hope they come home soon,” Liberty said, sweat beading on her forehead.  The sun beating down made her wish she weren’t wearing dark, heavy clothes but she was glad her bruises didn’t show.

            “Liby,” Hope whispered, shaking Liberty awake.  “There’s a car Liby.”  Liberty woke up slightly, her eyes wanting to close once again.  She saw a silver Honda, sitting in the driveway and from the sound of it, two people, a guy and a girl, were approaching the house.

            “Charity?” the guy asked, looking at the girl in his arms.  “Why are there people on your porch?”  Charity looked around and saw the two on the porch.  She saw Hope staring at her, her mouth hanging open slightly, and the other girl had her head bowed so she couldn’t see her face.

            “Can I help you?” Charity asked.  Hope looked over at Liberty and back at Charity seeing the unmistakable resemblance between the two.  They were identical in everyway except Liberty’s hair was curly and golden blonde where Charity’s was sandy blonde and straight, Liberty’s eyes were deep blue, like Hope’s where charity’s were dark brown, the color of special dark chocolate and of course the bruises on Liberty weren’t mirrored on Charity.

            Liberty didn’t respond but handed Charity the two medical documents she brought with her.  Charity looked at them and tears formed in her eyes, words not coming.  She started at the papers for the longest time, silence surrounding the four of them.

            “Charity, what’s wrong?” the guy asked.  He had his arms around her waist and felt her shaking slightly.  Charity shook her head, unable to force words from her mouth.  She looked at Liberty, her face hidden by shadows.

            “Emma?” Charity asked, unable to believe her sister was there.   Liberty nodded slightly.  “Oh my God, you’re actually here?  I can’t believe it.”  Liberty watched her, dispatched from the excitement as fear gnawed at her stomach.  “It’s me, Susan, well everyone calls me Charity, but…what’s wrong?  Aren’t you glad you’re here?  I never thought you’d be allowed to come.  How’d you find me?”

            “Liby?” Hope asked, looking at Liberty.  “Who is she?” she pointed a tiny finger at Charity.  Liberty looked at Charity then back at Hope.

            “Hopie, that’s your sister,” Liberty said.  Hope looked at Charity with renewed interest, looking over the similarities she had with Liberty and herself.  Hope smiled and nodded her head confirming the resemblance.

            “Charity, what is going on?” the guy asked, trying to make sense of the whole situation.  Charity looked over her shoulder at him, finally remembering he was there.

            “Ikey Pooh, his is my sister, Emma and Hope?”

            “Call me Liberty,” Liberty insisted.

            “I’m Chelsea Hope Taylor,” Hope said proudly.  “Liby calls me Hope so do Mommy and Daddy.  I’m 5,” she told Charity.  Charity smiled and leaned closer to Hope to see what she looked like better and to extend her hand to her.  Hope took it and shook it.

            “It’s nice to meet you Chelsea,” Charity said with a sincere smile. 

            “You can call me Hope, if you want.”  Charity’s smile widened.

            “And you can call me Charity,” Charity told her.  Hope smiled her blue eyes shimmering in the sunlight with happiness.  “You have beautiful eyes.”

            “Thank you,” Hope blushed shyly.

            “Oh am I rude or what?” Charity asked.  “This is my boyfriend, Isaac,” she said with a loving smile.  “Why don’t we go inside?  I have to grab some clothes.”

            “Did we come at a bad time?  We can leave if we’re bothering you,” Liberty told Charity, feeling out of place and in the way.

            “Don’t be silly you both can come with.  I’m babysitting and need to get my bathing suit.  You can come and I’ll get the chance to spend time with my two little sisters.”  Charity unlocked the front door and lead the way into the shadowed house.

            “Are you sure?” Liberty asked.

            “Positive,” Charity declared.  “I’m going to get my suit, make yourselves comfortable.”  Liberty remained in the dimly lit hallway while Isaac roamed into the kitchen, Hope following him, curious.

            “Would you like a soda?” Isaac asked Hope, the refrigerator door open as he stooped to grab a coke for himself.  Hope’s eyes grew wide; she hadn’t had a soda in a long time.

            “Can I Liby?  Can I?” Hope asked, running back to her sister.  Isaac came into the hall and handed a soda to the 5-year-old.

            “Okay, I’m ready,” Charity said, coming down the wide staircase with a black CK bag over one shoulder.  “Do you wanna leave your bag here?” she asked, looking at Liberty, her eyes squinting to see her face but she couldn’t make it out.  Liberty shrugged and Charity opened the closet for her to place the Jansport inside.  Liberty put the bag on the floor and Charity got to see her sister’s face for the first time.  Her eyes widened, noting the bruise on her face and the swelling.

            “Liby,” Hope said, coming over to her sister.  “Can Brigetta come too?” she asked still holding the doll.

            “Of course she can,” Liberty assured her.  Hope smiled and threw her arms around Liberty’s waist.  Charity didn’t comment on the state of Liberty’s face and if Isaac noticed he didn’t say anything either.

            “Ready?” Isaac asked, looking around at the three of them.  Liberty shrugged, Hope scooted closer to Liberty, and Charity nodded  “Then let’s go,” he said, opening the door and stepping into the sunlight. 

            “Where are we going?” Liberty asked Charity.

            “To Isaac’s house,” Charity said, turning so she could see Hope and Liberty in the back seat.

            “I thought you were babysitting,” Liberty said her confusion reflecting in her eyes.

            “I am.”

            “Who?  I mean you can’t be babysitting your boyfriend.  Well you could, but…,” Liberty said, smiling at the mental image of Charity, thin 5’6”, 117 lbs babysitting Isaac who although he was skinny he was taller and more muscular.  Charity noticed the smile and saw the mischievous sparkle in Liberty’s eyes.

            “I like the way you think,” Charity smiled.  “Out of curiosity are you wearing contacts?”  Liberty shook her head ‘no.’  “I didn’t think so,” she said wistfully.  “I wish I had eyes that color.”  Liberty smiled and her attention went to eh scenery passing by.

 

 

Chapter 3:

 

            “Liberty tell me about mom,” Charity pleaded.  The girls were sitting in the living room waiting for their father to get home.  Hope was up in a guest bedroom asleep, worn out from her full day.

            “What do you want to know?”

            “What does she look like?  Do you have any pictures of her with you?” Charity asked, her excitement barely held in control.

            “I didn’t bring any pictures, I don’t really have any,” Liberty admitted.  “But I can tell you she is pretty.  She’s got hair like yours, straight and shiny, same caramel color to her shoulders.  Her eyes are the same chocolaty-brown too.  When you look at Hope you can see her, when she was younger.”

            “Really?  I have her hair and eyes?” Charity asked, for once not loathing her hair or eye color.  Liberty nodded.  The smile that was on Charity’s face lit it up, her eyes were dancing.  “I can’t believe I look like her.”

            “Charity, honey, I’m home!” David White, their father, called walking in the front door.  He came into the living room, where the lights were on and stood in the doorway.  Across the room from him, facing his direction, Charity sat and next to her he immediately knew was his other daughter.

            “Daddy, this is Liberty,” Charity said, watching her dad stare at Liberty.

            I know,” he whispered.  “I never thought I’d get to meet you.”  Liberty swallowed, uncomfortable, unsure if she’d be welcomed.  “It’s so good to see you,” David said, taking four long strides into the room so he was by the couch and hugged his long-lost daughter tightly.  “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let you go again,” he said, tears choking his voice and swimming in his gray eyes.

            “I don’t think I want to leave,” Liberty murmured back, her tears freely falling.  David held her tight, keeping her safe.  Finally he pulled back and looked her over.

            “What happened to your eye? David asked.  Liberty realizing it was pointless to lie looked down at her hands.  David’s sharp cloudy gray eyes watched her, watching every movement she made.

            “Liby,” Hope said from the doorway, Brigetta clutched in her hands so tight her knuckles were white.  “Who’s that?” she asked as she climbed onto Liberty’s lap.

            “I’m Liby’s dad,” David said, allowing himself to be distracted by the small child.

            “Liby?” Hope asked confused.

            “Yeah, he’s my dad,” Liberty answered the question that was in her eyes.

            “Hope why don’t we go into the kitchen and get some ice cream?” Charity asked.  Hope looked up at Liberty waiting for approval.  Liberty nodded and watched the two disappear into the kitchen.

            “Liberty,” David said, drawing her attention back to him.  “What happened?”

            “I guess I might as well tell you,” Liberty relented.  “You’re going to need to know.  My dad, well the man I thought was my dad, hit me.  Hit’s me.  That’s why I came here.  After Charity called I found my birth certificate and came.  I couldn’t stay there.  He’s an alcoholic drug addict and I can’t take it any more,” she said breaking down into tears.  David was quick to wrap her into a comforting hug.  He held her in his protective embrace until her tears were spent.

            “I suppose your mom doesn’t know where you are,” he asked in statement form as he brushed her hair from her face.  Liberty shook her head.  “That’s running away, you can get into serious trouble for that.”

            “I know,” she mumbled.

            “And the girl, Hope?”

            “My sister,” Liberty said softly.  “I couldn’t just leave her there.  What if he came after her and hit her or raped her or something while I wasn’t there to protect her?  I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.  I’m sorry for coming here and burdening you,” she apologized.

            “What are father’s for?  You and Hope are going to stay here until I have some people look into the situation, alright?”  Liberty nodded acceptance.

            “Thank you,” Liberty whispered, unable to make her voice any louder.  She hugged her dad and he kissed her forehead.

            “Now it’s late and you should be in bed.  Charity!” David called to his other daughter.  Charity and Hope came into the room and waited to see what he wanted.  “Show Liberty and Hope to two empty rooms that they can claim,” he directed.

            “Sure,” Charity agreed with a bright smile.  Liberty stopped at the closet and grabbed her Jansport before following Charity and Hope up the stairs.  Charity having showed Hope to a bedroom already immediately took Liberty to the last empty room.

            “Thanks,” Liberty said, looking around the room, the walls eggshell in color, the ceiling white, and the carpet lavender.  She set her Jansport on the queen-sized bed and opened it.  Charity took a seat on the window seat perching on the cushion in the same shade of lavender as the carpet.  “Here Hopie, go get ready for bed,” Liberty instructed as she handed all of the clothes she had brought for Hope the sneakers, her hairbrush, and her nightgown to the child.

            “Liby I don’t have a tooth brush,” Hope said without moving.

            “We’ll get you one in the morning,” Charity assured Hope.  Hope looked at Liberty waiting for her assurance.

            “It’s okay Hope.  If Charity says we’ll get one in the morning I’m sure we will,” Liberty told her.  Hope nodded and went into the hall and found the room she had been given earlier.

            “She really looks up to you,” Charity commented picking at a piece of fuzz on the cushion she was sitting on.  Liberty shrugged.  “Do you mind having to share her with me?” she asked, her eyes lifting from the fuzz to meet Liberty’s.

            “No, she’s your sister too.  Do you mind having to share your dad?” Liberty asked.  Charity thought for a long moment.

            “If it means I get both my sisters no,” she said finally.  Liberty sighed with relief.  “I guess I’d better go so you can get some rest.”  Charity stood and went to the door.  “Night sis,” she said with a smile, it felt good to be able to say that.  Sis, sister, somehow it seemed right like it was the way it should be.

            “Night Charity,” Liberty said with a half smile.  Charity left the room, shutting the door behind her and left Liberty to her own thoughts.  Quickly she changed into baggy blue flannel pants with a black tank top, bruises on her arms contrasting the light bronze color of her skin she climbed into the big, heavy framed bed and pulled the flat sheet up to her chin and quickly fell asleep.

            Liberty woke up around 9 the next morning, Saturday.  She pulled her hair up into a pony tail, so the knots wouldn’t be noticeable, and went downstairs.  David was cooking breakfast for everyone in faded blue jeans and a white polo shirt which hung in a fitting way, not stretched tight over his muscles and not hanging loosely from his slim build.  Hope sat at the table talk to Brigetta, her hair hanging in wet ringlets slightly passed her shoulders.  The ringlets dripped onto her clean pink shirt as they dried.

            “Good morning Liberty,” David greeted with a smile that faded when he noticed the bruises and welts on her arms.  “Honey I am sorry you didn’t get away sooner.  That he had the chance to lay a hand on you in the first place.  Don’t worry I won’t let him come near you again,” he promised.  He hugged Liberty, his eyes looking like storm clouds, trouble brewing.

            “Where’s Charity?” Liberty asked to break the tension filled silence.

            “Right here,” Charity said, coming into the kitchen.  Her hair hung wet and drying against her red tank top, half way down her back and her blue jean shorts covered the upper part of her thighs, on her feet were a pair of tan sandals.

            “Guess I’m the only one not dressed,” Liberty said looking down at her PJ bottoms and tank top.  David put the food on the table and got out four plates and four glasses while Charity got out the orange juice.  Liberty took a seat at the table across from Hope.

            “Guess what Liby,” Hope said suddenly excited.  “Dave is going to take me to get new clothes.  Pretty new clothes,” she said.  She sat watching Liberty waiting for her approval.

            “That’s great Hope,” Liberty said, truly happy for her sister.  Hope beamed with pleasure, truly if Liberty had been upset or angry with the news Hope wouldn’t have gone, no matter how much she wanted new clothes.  “Have fun.”

            “Oh Liberty,” Charity said as she finished her eggs.  “We’re going to the mall today.  Okay?” she asked as David and Hope took their plates to the sink.  “Dad gave me his credit card and he said we could get you some new clothes,” her eyes twinkled at the idea of buying new clothes.

            “Charity,” David said arching an eyebrow at her as he tried to control his smile.  “You’re shopping for Liberty not for yourself.  You can get one new outfit and no shoes.  Do you hear?”

            “Yes sir,” Charity said, trying to hide her disappointment.  “So when you’re done eating and ready we’ll go.”

            “Are we all going together?” Liberty asked, noticing everyone was dressed and done eating and she was still picking at her food.

            “No, Isaac’s coming with,” Charity said a smile spreading over her face.

            “When?” Liberty asked as the doorbell rang.  Charity ran to get the door.

            “Liby will you braid my hair?” Hope asked, standing next to Liberty.  Liberty looked at her plate, the food hardly touched other than when she moved it around on the plate.

            “Sure,” she agreed.  Hope took her hand and lead her into the living room where her hairbrush and two hair ties waited on the couch.  Liberty sat Indian style on the floor, Hope doing the same in front of her.

            “Liberty?” Charity called as she stuck her head in the room.  Liberty looked up as she parted Hope’s hair in the middle and secured one half with a hair tie.  “Isaac’s here,” she said as Isaac and two other vaguely familiar faces entered the living room.

            “Oh,” Liberty said, looking at Hope’s hair.  “Hopie, do you think Charity can braid your hair?”

            “No,” Hope said, shaking her head vigorously.  “I want you to braid my hair Liby.  You said you would.”

            “Alright,” Liberty said in defeat.  “I’ll braid your hair.”  Charity looked at Isaac and the other two.  They shrugged and took seats on the couch.

            “Liberty these are Isaac’s brothers,” Charity said from where she was curling up next to Isaac on the couch.  “Taylor and Zac,” she said, pointing to each one.  Liberty nodded, her attention remaining on Hope’s hair.  With deft fingers she had one side of Hope’s hair in a French braid and turned her attention to the other half.

            “Liby,” Hope said, turning her head slightly to see her sister.  “Can I bring Brigetta shopping?”

            “Maybe Brigetta would be better off resting for the day here?” Liberty suggested.  Hope considered it, her face showing the consideration she was giving the thought.

            “She has been having trouble sleeping lately,” Hope said finally.  “She probably wouldn’t mind staying home.  Can she sleep in your room?  She’d feel safer?”  Liberty finished the second braid and tied the rend with the hair tie.

            “Sure,” Liberty said finally.  “If she’ll feel safer she can sleep in my room.”

            “Thank you Liby,” Hope said, throwing her arms around her sister’s neck.  Liberty gave her a warm smile and returned the hug.  Hope took her hairbrush and ran from the room heading for the stairs and her bedroom.

            “Liberty, how come she doesn’t like me?” Charity asked, getting off the couch and heading out of the living room with Liberty.

            “Who?  Hope?” Liberty asked as they went up the stairs together.  Charity nodded, her look taking on a bit of sadness as she thought about it.  “She needs to get to know you first.  She doesn’t trust you yet.”  Charity thought over what she’d just heard.  “Sorry I’m keeping your friends waiting,” she apologized.

            “Don’t worry about it,” Charity said with a shrug.  “They don’t mind and if they do, oh well,” she said as she headed back down the stairs.  Liberty went into her room and changed quickly into her change of clothes a pair of cream colored cargo pants, a black long sleeved t-shirt, her vans and brushed her hair.  As she was pulling her hair back into a loose braid Hope came in the room.

            “Look Liby,” Hope said, holding up two toothbrushes.  “One for me and one for you,” she proudly stated, handing a clear one to Liberty, keeping the purple one for herself.

            “Thanks,” Liberty told her sister as she took the offered toothbrush.  “Let’s go brush our teeth.”  In the bathroom they found toothpaste and thoroughly brushed their teeth.  “I feel so refreshed.”

            “Me too,” Hope said, smiling widely.  “How do they look?” Hope asked as her teeth sparkled a healthy white in the sunlight.

            “Healthy,” Liberty said as David came into the hall.

            “Ready?” David asked both girls.  Liberty nodded and went to meet Charity and the rest in the living room while Hope went with David and they left for shopping. 

            “You’re back,” Charity said with a smile as Isaac gently nibbled and sucked on her neck.

            “Yeah, but if you want I can come back in a few minutes,” Liberty offered seeing the look of disappointment on Isaac’s face.  Taylor and Zac saw it too and they tried to hide their smiles.

            “Let’s go,” Charity said, standing up and crossing to where Liberty was standing.  “Ready?” she asked of the three guys but didn’t wait for an answer as she went out the front door.  Isaac, Taylor, and Zac looked at each other and stood up readying themselves for shopping with two teenage girls.

 

 

Chapter 4:

 

            “Try this,” Charity said, holding up a pinkish purple dress.  “It’d look cute with a  white sweater,” she told Liberty who was frowning at the dress.

            “Why don’t you try it?” Liberty suggested.

            “Yeah,” Isaac agreed, looking up from where he was looking through tank tops and other summer shirts.  “I want to see you in it,” he said looking at Charity and the short dress.  Charity smiled and considered, she was allowed to get one outfit after all.

            “Well maybe,” Charity said, still looking at the dress.

            “Here Liberty,” Zac said, coming out of a display carrying an arm load of baggy jeans in assorted styles, shorts, tank tops, and t-shirts, short and long sleeved.

            “No,” Charity said before Zac could hand them to Liberty.  “Don’t you want dresses and khakis?  Nice clothes?”

            “No, I want comfortable clothes,” Liberty said, sticking with the style she liked rather than what Charity wanted her to wear.  Charity sighed, defeated.

            “Fine, go casual,” Charity said in an off-handed manner.  Liberty shrugged and took the clothes.  Zac smiled proudly, his pride and ego building with the fact that he picked some clothes that she seemed to like.  Both Charity and Liberty went into dressing rooms to try on their armloads of clothes.

            “Try this on,” Taylor said dropping a shirt into Liberty’s dressing room.  Liberty looked at the shirt, black with silver stars running down the long sleeves, and tried it on.  “What do you think?” he asked from outside the dressing room.  Liberty opened the door wearing the black shirt Taylor picked and a pair of khaki colored cords.

            “I like it,” Liberty said with a smile.  Taylor jumped, not expecting Liberty to open the door.  Quickly he turned and looked Liberty over.  “What do you think?”

            “Not bad,” Taylor said with a smile pulling at the edge of his mouth.

            “Where’d everyone go?” Liberty asked, taking note that no one was around.  Taylor smiled and pulled Liberty completely out of the dressing room to the one next to the one that still held her clothes.  “Okay,” she said, trying not to smile.  “And Zac?”  Taylor pointed to some displays where Zac was browsing.  He looked up and saw the two of them.  With a huge smile he came over to them, an armload of clothes coming with him.

            “I found some more,” Zac said, lifting the clothes a little so Liberty couldn’t miss them.

            “Thanks,” Liberty said, smiling.  “I don’t think, no I know, I have never had people pick clothes for me like this.  Thanks.”  Taylor and Zac smiled as they stood up straighter.

            “Oh, hey everyone,” Isaac said, trying to act like nothing had happened.  Charity came out of the dressing room and stopped abruptly when she saw everyone standing there.

            “Sorry you had to see that,” Charity apologized to Liberty.  “I don’t want you to think I’m a slut or anything.”

            “Are you?”

            “NO!” Charity said vehemently.  Unable to believe her own sister could ask such a question.

            “Then why would I think it?  He’s your boyfriend, you’re his girlfriend, what you choose to do is your business,” Liberty said, turning to go back into the dressing room.  “Although, why the dressing room?  Isn’t it a bit cramped?”  Charity shrugged.

            “Big enough,” Charity said a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

            “One word, protection,” Liberty said and disappeared into the dressing room.  Charity shook her head, smiling.  A few minutes later she reemerged from the dressing room in her clothes.

            “Do you want to try any of these on?” Zac asked, holding up the bundle in his arms.  Liberty shook her head, exhausted from the shopping.  Zac shrugged and tossed the clothes onto the return table.

            “What are you getting?” Charity asked.  Liberty sorted what she liked from what she didn’t.  she kept a pair of black cords and the khaki cords, two pairs of blue jeans, a pair of khaki colored cargo pants, the black long sleeved t-shirt with silver stars on the sleeves, a blue long sleeved t-shirt with the Japanese symbol for peace in black on the back, a gray t-shirt, a green baby t-shirt, three pairs of blue jean shorts, a pair of khaki shorts, a white tank top, a purple tank top and a red tank top.

            “Now the question would be what can I get?” Liberty said looking at Charity.

            “Whatever you want.   You need clothes, Dad said get new stuff,” Charity said, shrugging.  Liberty looked at her in disbelief of her sister’s attitude toward how much it would cost to buy everything.  “Don’t worry about it.”

            “Now I see why Dad said you could only get one outfit,” Liberty said her eyes bright with excitement.  “So do you think we could do some more shopping?”
            “You are so my sister,” Charity declared.  Liberty and Charity carried the clothes to the register and Charity charged it.  “Can you guys carry these to the car and we’ll meet in an hour at the food court?” Charity asked Isaac, Taylor, and Zac.

            “Sure,” Isaac said and the three guys took the bags and went one way while the girls went the other way.

            “Come on,” Charity said, leading the way into Victoria’s Secret.  “Figured it’s be a bit less embarrassing without the guys.”

            “Thank you,” Liberty said, grateful.  Quickly they bought an array of undergarments for Liberty and they headed into the Deb.  Liberty found a pair of gray PJ’s, the bottoms baggy and covered with lady bugs, the top a gray tank top with four larger lady bugs in the middle, a couple pairs of baggy JP bottoms, one green with thin blue stripes, the other blue with thin blue stripes.  She also found a few pairs of socks with designs and a bunch of solid colored socks.

            “Lib do you have a bathing suit?” Charity asked.  Liberty shook her head.  “Well you need a couple then.”  Liberty and Charity looked through them and came up with a few choices.  Liberty tried them on and decided on a two piece in a blue that faded into green and deepened into purple, the bottoms in the style of shorts, the top like a regular bikini.  She also decided on a green and blue sixties flower print one, the bottom in the shorts fashion with the flowers in green, the top in the bikini style the flowers in blue.

            “These,” Liberty said, holding them up for Charity to inspect them.  She nodded her approval and they paid for the purchases, which included a black mini skirt with a slit up the side, a lavender tank top, the black jacket with a thin feathery boa around the cuffs and hood, for Charity.  The woman at the desk handed them a couple of bags, which were large enough to put the Victoria’s Secret bags in.

            “Did you find everything you wanted or do you still want to shop?” Charity asked Liberty as they made their way to the food court to meet the guys.

            “I think I’m pretty good for now.  I could probably use some more shirts and another pair of shoes but I can live,” Liberty said.  Charity nodded her agreement.

            “If you want you can always borrow some of my clothes,” Charity offered.  Liberty smiled as they found the guys, they were sitting at a table eating French fries and sandwiches from McDonald’s.  “Spoiling your dinner I see,” Charity teased taking a seat next to Isaac.

            “Have a seat,” Taylor told Liberty as he moved over to make room for her.  Liberty took a seat next to him.

 

            “Liberty can I talk to you for a minute?” David asked after he set a box of pizza and plates on the coffee table in the living room that night.  Liberty got up and followed him into the kitchen while Taylor, Isaac, Zac, Charity, and Hope attacked the pizza.

            “What’s wrong?” Liberty asked.

            “Nothing,” David assured her immediately.  “I just wanted to let you know what was going on.  My lawyer talked to your mother.”  He paused letting it soak in.  “She wants money and will let me adopt Hope.”

            “What about me?” Liberty asked, fearing the worst was yet to come.

            “You are old enough to choose where you live,” David said.  “Your mother has the power to go to the police and tell them you ran away and took your sister.”

            “So she wants what?  Money?” Liberty asked.

            “No.  You,” David said sadly.  Liberty’s eyes widened. 

            “What?”

            “Yeah,” David said.  “She wants you to go back and if I don’t let you I loose you, Hope, and she’ll call the police.”

            “What are you going to do?” Liberty asked.

            “I already told you, I won’t let you go back to that,” David said.

            “What about Hope?” David frowned.  “Will you keep her safe?  Love her?  Protect her?” David nodded.  “Then I’ll go.”

            “Liberty no,” David said.  “I can’t let you do that.”

            “And I can’t let Hope grow-up there,” Liberty said.  “I’ll go back in the morning.”  Liberty left the room and went back into the living room as if nothing were wrong.

            “Are you guys ready?” Isaac asked his brothers around 9.  Taylor and Zac nodded and stood up.  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, looking at Charity.  “Night.”

            “Night,” Charity said and gave him a quick kiss goodnight.  “Are we still going to the movies?” Isaac grinned.  “I guess that’s a yes.”

            “Liby what are we doing tomorrow?” Hope asked after Taylor, Zac, and Isaac left.

            “I don’t know Hopie,” Liberty said.  “Can I talk to you about something really important?”  Hope nodded.  “Let’s talk in my room.”  Hope followed Liberty up to her room and sat on her bed when they entered.  She looked up at her sister expectantly, waiting for her to tell her what was wrong.

            “Hopie you like Charity and Dave right?  Liberty asked starting with a subject easily approached.

            “Yeah,” Hope said looking at Liberty expectantly.  “Why?”

            “Hope I have to go away for a little while,” Liberty said.  “I want you to stay here with Charity and Dave.”

            “No!” Hope’s head shook back and forth backing up her answer.

            “Please Hope.  I wouldn’t go if it weren’t dreadfully important,” Liberty pleaded.  “I want you to stay here.  Dave and charity will look out for you, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

            “I don’t want you to leave,” Hope cried her head buried in her sister’s pillow.  “I want to go with you.”

            “Little Hope, you know I love you.  With all my heart I wish you could come with me, but I want you to stay here.  Here I’ll know you’re safe and well taken care of.”

            “Will you come back?”

            “Nothing could keep me away from you.”

            “Promise?”

            “I promise,” Liberty swore.  “Now get some sleep,” she insisted.

            “Can I sleep in here?” Hope asked, looking up at her sister with blue eyes surrounded in tears.  Liberty nodded and helped Hope crawl under the covers.

            “Sleep well little Hope,” Liberty whispered as Hope fell into a restful sleep even before the covers were up to her chin.  With her purpose driving her Liberty searched her Jansport and found paper.  Quickly she scribbled a note, kissed Hope’s forehead, and slipped silently from the house she had learned to love as home.

 

 

Chapter 5:

 

            “Good morning Hope,” Charity said cheerfully when she saw her little sister come out of Liberty’s room.  “Is Liberty up?”

            “She left,” Hope said, her eyes filling with tears.

            “What do you mean she left?” Charity asked, her voice coming out in a squeak.  “Where’d she go?  When is she coming back?”  Hope shrugged her thin little shoulders.  “When did she leave?  Did she say anything before she went?”

            “Bye,” Hope said, trying to be helpful.  “And this,” she said, holding up a folded piece of paper.  Charity took it with trembling fingers and opened it.

            “Dad!” she screamed, her face ashen.

            “What’s wrong?” David White asked, coming up the stairs two at a time to find out what had happened.  Charity handed him the note without a word.  He opened it and read it.

                        Dad and Charity,

                        I’m really sorry all I’ve done is make trouble.  I didn’t mean to.

                        I am truly sorry, and grateful for what you’ve done for me.  The

                        Clothes you bought for me are in my room so you can return

                        them and get your money back if you want.  I’m going back,

                        it’s only until Hope is legally adopted.  Then they can’t get her

                        and if you still want me, I’ll come home.  I’ll call when I get there.

                        I love you all,

                        Liberty.

            “Where’d you get this?” Dave asked looking at Charity.

            “Hope.”

            “Liby left it on the table in her room.  When I woke up it was there,” Hope sobbed.  She knew her sister said she would be back but she missed her already and wanted to be with her.

            “You slept in Liberty’s room?” Dave asked, his voice harsh even though he hadn’t meant for it to be.

            “She said I could,” Hope defended herself.  “She said she had to leave and wanted me to stay here.  I begged her to take me and she said she couldn’t.  I want Liby back!” she cried, tears streaming down her face.

            “Shh,” Charity soothed hugging the quivering child close to her body.  “It’ll be okay.”  The phone rang, making them all jump.  Dave reached the phone first.

            “Hello?” he asked, holding his breath, hoping it was Liberty on the other end.

            “Dad?”

            “Liberty where are you?  Are you alright?” he asked relieved by hearing her voice.

            “I’m at the NY airport, I’m fine.  I just called to let you know I’m alright.”

            “Why didn’t you tell us you were leaving?”

            “I was afraid you’d try to stop me.  If I’m here she’ll let you adopt Hope.  Until it’s all finalized and Hope’s safe I have to stay here.  When there’s nothing she can do to get Hopie I can leave.  Choose to live with you, if you still want me.”

            “Of course,” Dave assured her.  “I just don’t want anything to happen to you,” he said, his heart tightening in his chest as he thought of what could happen to her.

            “I’ll be fine as long as Hope’s safe.”

            “You don’t have to worry about Hope.  She’ll be well cared for, she’s part of the family.”

            “Thank you Dad,” Liberty said, her throat closing around a lump and her eyes burned with unshed tears.  “I love you.  Tell everyone not to worry and I’ll call as often as I can.”

            “I will.  Love you too.”

            “Bye,” she said and hung up the pay phone.

 

            “How’s Grandma?” Charity asked her father after he hung up the phone he had been on for over an hour as he talked to his mother.  He looked around the house, it was quiet, lie it often was, seemingly not whole and he knew why.

            “Her leg’s getting better but with her leg and Grandpa having the flu I think I should go down and lend a helping hand.  We could all go, a little vacation might be just what we need,” Dave suggested watching Charity’s face, waiting for her reaction.

            “I’m not really up for Florida.  I’ll be down before school starts so I’ll see Grandma and Grandpa soon.  Besides I want to be here incase Lib calls,” Charity said, declining the invitation.

            “Then me and Hope will go and you can hold down the fort.  If there’s an emergency call me and if you need immediate assistance call Diana then call me.  Understand?” he asked before picking up the phone again.  Charity nodded and watched for a few minutes as her father called the airport and ordered two tickets to Florida where her elderly grandparents lived.

            “Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Dave asked once more as the taxi he ordered to drive him and Hope to the airport pulled into the driveway.

            “It’s alright Dad.  I’ll be fine,” Charity said with a smile, slightly amused by her father’s over protectiveness.

            “Bye,” Hope said when she scooted into the taxi and across the seat making room for Dave.

            “See ya Hope,” Charity said, waving to her little sister.  “Bye Dad,” she added as he shut the door.  He waved and the taxi pulled out of the driveway.

 

            “Charity are you alright?”  You seem distracted,” Isaac commented after the movie.  Charity looked up into his caring eyes and sighed.

            “I’m just thinking about Liberty.  What’s she doing now?  Is she all right?  Where is she?  Why hasn’t she called in so long?  I just miss my sister and want her home,” she said ending with another sigh.

            “Do you want to head home?” Isaac asked. 

            “Could we?  I’m not really up for going out to dinner.  Not right now anyway.”  Isaac nodded and placed his arm around her shoulder as they walked into the parking lot of the movie theater and to his car.

            “Feeling better?” he asked as he pulled into Charity’s driveway.  She nodded and got out of the car.

            “Do you want to come in?” Charity asked Isaac as they walked up the walkway to the house.  “Oh my God!” she cried running ahead and collapsing on the porch.  “Liberty?  Liberty wake up,” she said, shaking her gently.

            “Open the door,” Isaac said in a commanding tone.  Charity did as he said while he leaned forward and picked up Liberty’s unconscious form.  With Charity leading the way Isaac carried Liberty up to her room and carefully laid her on the bed.

            “Do you want me to stay?” Isaac asked, watching Charity fuss over Liberty.  She looked up at him and nodded, grateful.  “I’ll be right back,” he left the room and headed to the phone in the kitchen.

            “Hello?”

            “Tay.  It’s me, Ike,” he said thankful it was his brother who answered.

            “And what do you want?” Taylor asked, already suspicious.

            “Cover for me.  Just tell mom and dad I’m at a friend’s house or something.  Please?”

            “Where are you really?”

            “At Charity’s,” Isaac sighed.  “Liberty came back and Charity’s worried about her.  She asked me to stay for awhile.  Please, will you cover for me?”

            “Yeah,” Taylor agreed.

            “Thank you,” Isaac said with relief and hung up the phone.  Taylor hung his phone up, too, and turned to locate his mother.

            “Mom!”

            “I’m right here Taylor.  No need to shout,” Diana said admonishing his thoughtless behavior.

            “Sorry,” he apologized blushing.  “Ike called, he’s sleeping over at Dave’s.”

            “But he doesn’t have a change of clothes,” Diana said, assuming her son was staying at his friend Dave’s house.

            “I know.  If it’s alright I’m going to sleep over too and I’ll take him some clothes.”  Diana nodded and Taylor raced out of the room.  Hurriedly he jammed clothes, his and Isaac’s, into a blue backpack and grabbed his keys.  “Bye,” he called and ran out of the house.

            In a rush he drove down the road, taking the quickest routes to reach Liberty.  For some unexplainable reason he had to get to her.  To see if she was alright.  The need to be able to reach out and touch her, make sure she was real, was greater than he could control.  He had to get there, for no explainable reason he had to.  Once he pulled into the driveway he stopped the car, grabbed his keys and bag, and raced up the front steps.

            “I’ll get it,” Isaac said when the doorbell rang.  He went down the stairs and opened the front door.  “Tay?  What are you doing here?” he asked astonished.

            “Clothes,” he said, panting, trying to catch his breath.

            “You came over to give me clothes?” Isaac asked in disbelief but didn’t receive and answer because there was a scream from up in the bedrooms and both Taylor and Isaac raced up the steps to find out what had happened.

 

            Charity sat on the side of Liberty’s bed, watching her sister sleep or at least she hoped it was sleep.  Downstairs she heard voices, it sounded almost like Taylor but she wasn’t sure.  She concentrated on the voices and tried to decide who was at the door talking with Isaac.

            Liberty opened her heavy eyelids with an effort.  Sleep was a luxury that had been eluding her for some time and she hated giving it up.  She saw Charity sitting by her side, her face concerned and concentrating on something else.  She reached up and touched her sister’s shoulder.  Charity jumped and screamed at the same time.

            “Don’t do that,” Charity said before she wrapped her arms around Liberty.  “You scared me half to death.”

            “Sorry,” Liberty said, trying not to laugh as she tightly hugged her sister back.  “Did you miss me?” Charity pulled back, tears in her eyes that were mirrored in Liberty’s, and nodded.

            “So much,” she whispered as Isaac and Taylor ran up the stairs and skidded to a halt outside the door.

            “Where is everyone?” Liberty asked nodding toward Isaac and Taylor to acknowledge their duel presences.

            “Dad and Hope went to Florida.”

            “Florida?” Liberty asked shocked.  “My sister replaced me with a trip to Florida?”

            “No, Grandma broke her leg and Grandpa has the flu.  Dad took her because he figured it would take her mind off of you.  She sleeps in your bed you know.  Every night.  It doesn’t matter where she falls asleep she always ends up in your bed in the morning,” Charity said smiling at the memories of the many mornings she had seen her sister sneaking out of Liberty’s room in the mornings.

            “She always did,” Liberty said, remembering the many times she had awakened to find her sister snuggled in her bed sound asleep.  “Maybe she’ll stop and bug you.”

            “I doubt it,” Charity said shaking her head.  Liberty shrugged and turned so she could survey the room and everyone in it.  “What’s wrong?”

            “Nothing,” Liberty said a smile spreading across her face.  “Absolutely nothing.  Oh, here,” she said pulling an old photo in black and white and a more recent color photo out of her huge pockets.  Charity took them both and looked at them.

            “Who are they?” she asked taking in every detail.

            “Grandma and Grandpa on the day they were married,” Liberty said, looking at the black and white picture she had memorized from looking at it so often.  “They were so happy.    Grandma with her rich mahogany colored hair piled on top of her head, her brown eyes sparkling with love and happiness.  Grandpa, his blond hair curling softly around his head, his blue eyes as pale as the noon sky filled with adoration and devotion and adoration.

            “You would have loved them.  They were so kind.  So loving.  So wonderful,” Liberty said, her eyes focusing on the long forgotten happier times.  “They would have loved you too.  Grandma always found me looking at that picture when I was at their house and one day said I could keep it.

            “I was so happy.  It was like taking a piece of the magic that was their house with me where ever I went.  The next day they died.  Their house burned to the ground, everything destroyed.  The only thing left is the picture and this,” Liberty said, pulling her necklace out from under her shirt where it hung against her skin.  She stared down at the gold cross and remembered the day her grandmother gave it to her.

            “Here,” Charity said, holding the picture out to Liberty.

            “You keep it,” Liberty said, pushing the picture away.  “I’ve memorized every detail.”  Charity looked at the picture in her hands and held it to her heart, thankful her sister let her keep such a treasure.  “That’s mom.”  Charity looked at the other picture in her hand and stared into the face so like her own.

            “She’s beautiful,” Charity whispered.

            “Maybe,” Liberty said, her attention shifting to anything but the picture.

            “Isn’t she beautiful?” Charity asked Isaac.  Isaac and Taylor stepped into the room.  They both looked at the picture and nodded their agreement.  “Don’t you agree Liberty?”

            “No.  Not really,” Liberty said, looking out the window into the dark street and town stretched below.  “She is beautiful on the outside.  Inside,” she paused her eyes closed, fighting to keep her tears inside.  ‘Inside she’s ugly.  There is nothing beautiful about her where it really matters.  Trust me.”

            “Can you excuse us?” Charity asked Isaac and Taylor.  They left the room without complaint or objection.  “Lib are you okay?” she sat next to the window watching Liberty.

            “What kind of mother sells her child?  She made my grandmother and grandfather pay money if they wanted to see me.  She made Dad pay for Hope.   What kind of mother let’s her children’s needs come after her need for drugs and alcohol.  What kind of mother let’s her boyfriend beat her child?  Certainly not a beautiful one, certainly not a good one,” she said, tears escaping and running down her cheeks.

            “Lib, I’m sorry.  I’m sorry you had to live thorough that,” Charity said, hugging Liberty, sharing in her pain.  “I’m glad you’re here now though.”

            “I’m glad too,” Liberty said, pulling away from her sister.  She wiped her eyes and tried to smile.  “Can I ask you a question?”  Charity nodded as Liberty sat next to her on the window seat.  “Why are Isaac and Taylor here with you?”

            “Isaac and I were out on a date and he brought me home, we saw you.  Isaac carried you up here and called home so he could stay overnight.  I have no idea why Taylor came over.  My guess is he heard you were here and came to see you,” Charity said, watching Liberty.

            “I doubt it,” Liberty said in denial.  “Do you think it could be why he’s here?” Charity smiled.  “I’m gonna get a shower if that’s alright.”

            “Knock yourself out.  Your clothes are in your dresser and closet.”  Liberty stood and looked around for the clothes Charity told her about.  She pulled out clothes and went to the bathroom.  “Here are towels and wash clothes, use whatever you need.”

            “Where’s Liberty?” Taylor asked seeing Charity but not Liberty.

            “Shower,” she said and went into the kitchen to find Isaac.  Taylor followed her into the kitchen and found his brother and Charity sitting at the table, starting into each other’s eyes.  Without a word he left the kitchen and went into the living room.

            “Hey,” Liberty said, coming into the living room a little while later.  Taylor, half asleep on the couch covered with a blanket, looked up.  He smiled and lifted part of the blanket so Liberty could crawl under.  “Thanks.”  Once settled snuggly under the blanket next to Taylor she turned her attention to the TV.

            “I can change the channel if you want,” Taylor said, watching Liberty out of the corner of his eye.  She shrugged slightly.

            “Actually I like this movie, but if you want you can change it.”

            “What is it?” Taylor asked, paying more attention to Liberty sitting with her knees to her chin, then to the movie.

            “Shawshank Redemption.”  Taylor watched the movie, his eyes slowly closing.  He woke up with a start when Liberty’s head ended up on his shoulder.  Carefully he moved his body and hers so he was in a more comfortable position, his back against the arm of the couch, and leaned Liberty against his chest, her head coming up to the hollow of his chest.  Deeply he inhaled the scent of Liberty’s semi-dry hair and fell asleep the smell of watermelon Loreal for kids shampoo lingering in his memory.

 

 

Chapter 6:

 

            With sunlight streaming in the living room windows Liberty awoke.  Her eyes slowly fluttered open and she smiled.  She felt Taylor’s warm breath stirring tendrils of her hair and his heart’s steady beat.  Slowly sitting up she noticed the TV was still on and the room was empty.  Taylor woke with Liberty shifting her weight away from him into a sitting position.  Gently sighing he sat up and blinked his eyes a few times in the bright morning light.

            “Morning,” he said, his eyes half closed, not entirely focused on anything.  Liberty smiled instead of answering.  She tossed the blanket aside and stood up, stretching her cramped legs.

            “Wonder where Charity is,” she said, thinking out loud.  Taylor’s eyes quickly searched the room, noting the absence of his brother and Charity.  “Hungry?”

            “Sure,” Taylor said, standing up and walking into the kitchen with Liberty.  They paused in the doorway, noting the open refrigerator, food melted and strewn across the floor in a trail.  The trail led into the dining room.  “Don’t look,” Taylor said, turning from the scene in the dining room and blocking Liberty’s view.

            “What is it?  Is something wrong?” Liberty asked concerned but not trying to see around Taylor.

            “Nothing’s wrong,” Taylor said slowly.  “You just don’t need to see that,” he said feeling the need to protect the girl in front of him.  “Come on let’s go swimming or something.”

            “Where?”

            “In your backyard.  You really haven’t had time to look around have you?” Taylor asked as he lead her to a window in the sun room where she could see the fenced area that surrounded the in-ground pool.  “So, wanna go fro a morning swim?”

            “Yeah, I’ll be right back.”  Liberty went up the stairs to her room and quickly changed into a bathing suit, the blue and green one with flowers.  From the bathroom she grabbed two towels and returned downstairs.  Taylor looked up when he heard Liberty coming down the stairs.  His breath caught in his throat and he had to force himself to breath.  “Aren’t you swimming?”

            “Yeah,” Taylor said as if it were obvious.  “I’m gonna use my boxers.  Is that alright?”  Liberty handed him a towel and headed out the back door toward the pool.  Outside Taylor uncovered the pool, revealing a large, oval shaped pool with clear water and a blue inner tube floating on top.  Without pausing to test the temperature Liberty jumped in.  On the side, by the sun chairs, Taylor pulled off his shoes and socks, his shirt, and paused at the button of his jeans.  He watched Liberty swim under the water.

            “What’s wrong?” Liberty asked, resting her arms on the side of the pool, suddenly self-conscious Taylor blushed and dropped his hand away from his pants.  “Do you want me to turn around?” she asked, noticing the blush spreading over his face.

            “No, it’s okay,” he said, his face changing to a deeper shade of red.  “I’m just going to sit for a little while.”  He sat in a lounge chair, his eyes shut so he didn’t have to make eye contact.  Liberty climbed the steps on the side and came out of the water.

            “What’s wrong?” she asked, her hair, dripping wet, hanging a few inches over his bare chest.

            “Cold!” Taylor said, jumping up with a startled gasp.  Liberty suppressed the smile that surfaced, but her eyes sparkled with her amusement.  “You’re evil,” he said, reaching out and grabbing her around the waist.  He easily picked her up and carried her to the edge of the pool.  With a heave he threw her into the water.  Quickly stripping off his jeans and tossing them onto a chair he dove into the water.

            “That was mean,” Liberty informed him pouting.  “I’m sorry,” Taylor said, looking innocent and sincere. 

            “No you’re not,” she said, seeing the laughter he was trying to hold back.

            “Well you deserved it,” he said, splashing a small spray of water at her.  Liberty retaliated and soon they were in the middle of a full-fledged water war.

            “Okay, okay,” Liberty said, holding her hands up in defeat.  “You win.”  For good measure he splashed her once more.  “Hey!” she said, wiping water from her face.  “That was rude.”

            “Children!” Charity said, watching the two for a few seconds from the side of the pool, Isaac standing next to her.  Liberty and Taylor looked up from their game, waiting for Charity to go on.  “What are you doing?” she asked, taking a seat in a dry chair.

            “What’s it look like?” Taylor asked, not too happy the moment was spoiled.  Liberty got out of the pool, wrapped her towel around herself and sat on the cemented ground next to Charity.

More to come!!