Lee, That's Me! - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: It's life!

"Stop right there!" Demanded Grandma, her finger pointed directly towards Stephen, she looked very serious.
I wouldn't mess with Grandma if I were him.
Dad hesitantly moved around the broken door that was on the floor. He gave Grandma an awkward look.
"Grandma!" Panted Bethany, as she came into the room, hands on knees, gasping for breath. "Did you really knock the door down?"

Mum came just after her. She immediately charged over to Stephen and slapped him.
"What do you think you were doing?!" Screamed Mum, her fists shaking. Whoa, she's angry like she was before. You know with Grandma... Gulp.
I felt the tight grip of my hands loosening. Ahh... Finally!
"What are YOU going to about it?" Snapped Stephen, looking her up and down, whilst holding onto his red cheek. He laughed unpleasantly.
Yup, he clearly doesn't know the danger he's getting himself into. Stephen, get ready to cry like you've never cried before, I wanted to say. But I decided to let Mum finish off then I'll speak. Of course, I wouldn't interrupt her at this time. Although, I must admit, it was very tempting.

Before Mum could do anything, Bethany pushed past her and started to punch and kick Stephen everywhere. "You bastard!" She spat, "How could you?!"
By now, I could move my hands freely. I smiled gratefully at Leo. "Thank you," I whispered in his ear. "You're welcome." He replied, tickling my chin. I giggled a little but then rolled onto the floor in a heap with him.
It wasn't my fault! It was the ground's fault! It started to shake, so I couldn't even keep my balance! Bethany flew back and hit the wall. Stephen stood there, breathing heavily. He didn't look too happy.

"Bethany!" Mum cried, running over to her. Dad kept cursing at his phone, constantly repeating how the Police service sucks. Grandma tutted, and Leo and I looked at each other helplessly.
Come on, Lee! I find myself thinking. Do something! Think, Lee, Think!
I didn't have to do much thinking. Bethany got up to her feet again and this time ran furiously to Stephen along with Mum by her side. They both started punching, kicking, scratching, pulling hair, spitting.

Grandma marched over and ordered them to stop. Bethany and Mum refused to listen. Grandma pulled them by the ears, so they had to admit defeat. Stephen was on the floor, groaning in severe pain.
"Now, let Stephen say sorry and then it's all over." Grandma assured them. It seemed like a pretty good deal! Except...
"You old bitch." Stephen hissed.
The whole room was silent, and my heart raced furiously. It went BANG, BANG, BANG against my heavy chest. I could actually feel myself boiling with anger all over. How dare he! How freaking dare he! How dare he call MY Grandma, the greatest woman ever, a b-
"Aarrgghh!" I screamed, charging over to him. I kicked him where I hoped it would hurt him most.

He was hopping about and holding onto his knee, his face scrunched up with agony.
"No more Mr. Nice Lee!" I shouted, outraged with his manners. "It's Mr. Bad Lee to you!"
"Wow," Dad muttered, shaking his head. He looked a bit shamefaced but definitely pleased. "I have three strong girls." He moved his head away from me and then to Bethany and Mum.

"Uhm," Grandma coughed, moving her hands up and down her body, indicating to herself. "You don't think I can do it, do you?"
"N-no. That's not what I mean." Dad stammered nervously, "Oh, Mum! Don't do that! -You'll hurt yourself!"
Grandma swung her arm and gave Stephen a B-I-G punch under his chin. He choked out blood. I thought she would stop there, but she didn't. She did a lot more stuff, which I cannot even mention. I had to look away for most things, whereas Leo had a wonderful time watching and laughing at the bloody scene before him.

"Who'd have thought?" He chuckled. I nodded my head in agreement. Yes, who would have thought? Grandma is a really, really, good fighter!
"Now who's tough?" Grandma asked Dad. Obviously he doesn't need to answer, we all knew. Dad threw his hands in the air in surrender, "OK, OK! You a-"
"-Talk to the hand cuz the face don't wanna talk to ya," Grandma clicked her tongue and then snapped her fingers. Whoa! ...Cool! Dad just got told, or whatever it is you say.
All this time, I was still aware of Stephen. He was lying on the floor, covered with blood and bruises and scratches. It was a horrible sight! I guess it's game over for him. So wait... Does that mean I've won? Yay!

"Grandma," I trilled. I don't know why, but I was just soo happy that "Grandma" slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it!
"Yes, Lee?" Grandma asked, turning her attention to me. Oh no... C'mon Lee! Think of something interesting to say... Hmm...
"Grandma!" I repeated again, urgently. My mind was flashing like an alarm system, until the words finally came out. "Stephen wanted me to give him something. What was it?"

Grandma opened her mouth to answer but everyone's head, including mine, turned to Stephen who was laughing weakly. "I killed so many Grandmas, but none of them was YOU!" He snapped his head up and looked at Grandma with huge angry eyes. Then he fell back down again on his blood puddle, laughing and then pausing to cough and choke out more blood.

"Wait! YOU were the one who killed Mia's grandma?" I asked, shocked with all this. It seemed like a very, EXTREMELY, cruel thing to do! To an innocent old lady as well! I didn't even need an answer, it was just soo obvious!
Stephen, that JERK, carried on laughing before his head flopped to his right, lifeless.
"I can't tell you." Grandma said sadly, looking at me. Huh? What was she on about?
"Grandma, what are you saying?" I asked, really confused.

"But don't you worry, Lee. You won't be alone." Grandma patted me on the back, assuring me.
"Are you going to be with me?" I asked my voice surprisingly quiet and pleading. Grandma shook her head slowly. "Leo?" I suggested. Again, Grandma shook her head. "Mum, Dad, Bethany?" I asked, desperately wanting to know. Grandma kept on shaking her head as I said each person.
Eventually I gave up. "Then who?" I asked, curiosity killing me. Well, not really KILLING me, but you know what I mean!

Grandma pulled Bethany by the wrist and patted her belly. "This." She said, her hands moving all over Bethany's stomach. Oh... I get it! Bethany's tummy! Of course! Duh! But... I don't get it?
"This stomach holds life," Grandma informed me. I found this very fascinating. Bethany wriggled away from Grandma's grip.
"Um. No!" She snapped, but then she started laughing. "You would really think I'm that mad?"

"Then who is?" Asked Leo, chuckling.
"I am!" Said another voice, waving her hands about a little. It was another Bethany lookalike. Except, this one reminded me of the old Bethany! You know the one with the red-ish orangey hair? It's so cool seeing the before and after her! A sudden thought struck me, was she here the whole time?
"Yup," Gothic Bethany said, nodding her head, "She's the mad one." Giggly Bethany giggled, she seemed shamefaced. "I didn't think Stephen was ever like that!"

"Me neither." Gothic Bethany said, and then she added, "Typical boy."
"Wait..." I said, ultra confused now. "You were the one who was coo-coo for Stephen NOT Giggly!"
Gothic Bethany seemed taken aback, "Me?" She said in absolute disbelief.
"Yes, you!" I said, nodding my head violently. I was positive! "Remember that day? When I said there was a black-haired guy waiting for you outside? And..." I struggled for words, trying to remember the event. "-And you asked me if he had gray eyes! AND if he had cute freckles-"
"-OHH!" Gothic Bethany said, roaring with laughter. Giggly Bethany laughed too. Huh?

"She's crazy about freckles." Giggly Bethany explained. "She's coo-coo for his freckles, not HIM!"
They both roared with laughter even more. Meanwhile, everyone, including myself, was confused. Oh well, I can't understand why Gothic Bethany loves freckles so much but at least I got my answer. But then...
"No!" I said, shaking my head, once again. "It just doesn't make sense..." I didn't know what else to say! But it turns out, that was ALL I had to say.

"You see," Gothic Bethany began, everyone listened closely. "I came over for a visit to see Beth. We met each other last year? Yeah, Beth? -Yup, we did! We became close and then we actually felt like sisters. She's constantly been telling me about her - our family. I came over to hers secretly, and hid in her room. I remember that day when Beth was really scared cuz she found out she was-"

"-OK!" Giggly Bethany snapped, cutting her off. "Skip that part!"
"No!" Gothic Bethany argued back. But then she saw the look on Giggly Bethany's face and sighed, "Well, yeah. She screamed and I hesitated because Lee was banging on the door. Then I got even MORE worried when Mum was involved. I urgently whispered for Bethany to go out there and calm you two down, since I didn't want the risk of you both finding out about me."

"But why?" Mum interrupted. She didn't seem cross, just hurt.
"Because... You thought I was dead and I-"
"So are you both called Bethany's?" Interrupted Leo. I considered the thought.
"Technically..." I began, ready to state my view, but paused as I saw Grandma put a finger onto her lips. That is so not like her! She's always insisting that I speak and everyone hears me out!

"No, I'm Courtney," said the Gothic one and then she pointed to Giggly, "-And this is Bethany."
"Why did you hit me on the head?" I asked. It pained me to ignore Grandma but I had to find out!
"Because..." Courtney said, struggling for words. "Look, I've had a tough life. OK? I've been raised by violent people. I didn't mean to hurt you..." Her voice trailed away, but she coughed it up and continued, "Twice."

Oh yeah! I remember! When I got hit on the head, AGAIN, and - Mum saw!
"MUM!" I practically yelled that, "You knew all along!"
"Yes, but not everything." Mum quickly said and then, "Your Dad knew just as much as me."
"I knew EVERYTHING!" Grandma announced proudly, "And I still know a whole lot
more."

************************************************************

I held onto the cutest baby in the entire world. What? He could be! But then again, he's the very first baby I've ever held -touched even.
Mum kept hovering nervously beside me, unsure of whether I could handle this great responsibility. Of course I could! Dad was videoing, but at times, he too would look over his shoulders anxiously. Bethany rested her head back peacefully, exhausted but happy.

"What are you going to call him, Bethany?" Asked Mum.
"Um... I dunno. Lee, you pick."
I felt warm all over. I was soo very, EXTREMELY, happy that Bethany asked me. Me! I thought about all the boys names carefully. I wanted a unique one, but I knew Bethany far too well, and I know she would want something simple.
"Why her? She'll pick something weird." Courtney protested, rolling her eyes. Bethany giggled and shrugged carelessly. Mum was suggesting a bunch of names. It was getting really irritating as I couldn't even think properly.

"Charlie." I interrupted her. I expected Mum to get annoyed, but she smiled cheek to cheek. Courtney laughed and said, "What a surprise, no really it is!" Bethany nodded her head and said she liked the name. Dad agreed with her too. Everyone seemed happy with the name Charlie. Yay!
I gazed into the little baby's honey brown eyes and grinned. Little Charlie and I will have the best of adventures. That's a definite for sure!

"He looks a lot like you Bethany," I said. Everyone smiled even more with this. "He's chubby, pink and sweaty."
"WHAT?" Bethany snapped her eyes wide open. "No!" She insisted, shaking her head.
I thought about it. "Yeah, you're right. YOU were way fatter and sweatier and you had practically gone EXTREME red!"

Dad shook his head sighing, Mum looked annoyed, Bethany glared and Courtney chuckled. What? It's true! Bethany had a pretty huge stomach; I always had to be careful when I wanted to go past her. She'd always get annoyed with me and asked me what my problem was. I answered back truthfully, that I didn't want to hurt the baby inside. Plus, she was really sweaty and had gone really red at times. So, what was wrong with what I had said?

"Lee!" Everyone chorused.
Little Charlie's tiny hands wrapped around my pinkie, assuring me that everything's going to be OK.
"Yup, that's me!" I trilled, beaming brightly.

************************************************************

This story has unfinished answers, I know. But I hope you enjoyed this! And don't you think that's the last you'll see of Lee. Keep your eyes peeled out for Series 2: Lee and Little Charlie's Fairy Tale!

You'll find out more later. Guaranteed. Please comment! I want to know if it's worth continuing. Thank you!