She Will Be Loved - Chapter 41 - Part 4

Katniss- Beau is amazingly dark and funny. So these chapters are kinda long and hazy but they foreshadow events to come. Seth tries to be.

Sunay- Because of you, I wrote two chapters and everything worked out the way the I wanted. Thank you so much for that. ( :

Jasmin- True...and I am sorry if they are short. : O And this is really late! Oh gosh!

Chally- Hear him out first before we kill him off.

Abby- Gosh......

Abc123- Yeah I guess it is :D
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Chapter 41- (Insert Title Here)

My head rolls all over my neck. I am trying hard to sleep but I do not want to. Finally I do and when I wake up, I am in a fuzzy, sticky bed. For a minute, I think it is home so I run from the bed and open the door. But it was nothing but very lit outside. There he stood with his back to me. I must have scared him because he jumped when he turned around. He put out his cigarette.

"What happened to your shirt?" He pointed and I looked down. All I had on was my pajama pants.

"It's too hot for it." I say, squinting my eyes. He peered inside. "Can we go for a walk. When I can't sleep, daddy takes me for walks."

He stared at me blankly and decided against whatever he was about to do. "Fine, grabbed your shirt and a jacket."

I pulled back on my pajama shirt and grabbed my red jacket. I cuddle Herb inside my coat. My squishy alligator slippers made a soft squeak noise. I tried hard not to wake up anyone. He eyed me up and down. He opened his mouth to protest but then a car pulled up.

"Ha!" A fat man stepped out of the car. "If you think we're bringing your son to this important match, you're crazy! Especially with him dressed like that. Leave him with Luce, Beau!"

"I don't want to stay Luce." I grabbed onto Beau's belt buckle since I couldn't reach his hand. He pat my head and pulled me close. Luce appeared at the doorway.

"Hey there, Frank. Off to steal my man away from me again?" She didn't even smile. I don't think she was being nice.

"Well, yeah! It's a woman's job to take care of the young!" Frank kicked the gravel beneath his feet. "This is why I don't have kids."

"Yo, fattie, get in the damn car and let's go." Beau twisted Frank around with one hand. "The boy goes or I don't. It's simple as that."

"Wait, Beau, are guys going to be-"

"Just go back to sleep! I don't need your damn nagging right now! Take care of Dylan and try any funny stuff, you'll pay." He placed me on his lap and slammed the door. "Okay, more strange people are going to get it, right? We don't want too many people to see you. So, wear this."

He pulled a red baseball cap over my head. I stared at the back of my hands again. I still see the freckles. Trying to figure out the possible things I could do with them. All this thinking makes me tired.

"Use to be mine." He smiled and I leaned back on his chest.

I tried to pretend it was daddy but he smelled too much of beer and cigarettes. And another stench I couldn't really put my finger. So, then I pretended it was mommy. But she doesn't have manly arms like this. So, I decided to stay awake and watch the many houses we go. We stopped at a corner store got me some snacks. As we drove to wherever we were going, I stuffed my face with pretzels and soda. Beau pat my head. He shaved off all of my curly hair. I don't mind. I felt much cooler without my bush. An old country song comes on. Frank starts to sing along and Beau switches the radio off.

"Frank is an example of failure of life." Beau whispered in my ear. I nodded gulped down the cold soda.

"This is my first time ever really drinking this kind of soda. Makes me feel bubbly." I smiled.

"Wait," Beau looked at his drink. "Aww, Frank! You got our drinks mixed up. You trying to make the kid drunk?!"

Beau placed a different can in my hand. It didn't taste the same and I didn't like the flavor. But there was no way I was going to argue in front of the two men that hand joined us.

"We're here!" Frank parked and the two men jumped out. "Make sure you bring home to bacon, guys. What about you Beau?"

"I am not spending it. I need for a little road trip."

Road trip?

"I am going to...to buy this girl I am seeing-"

"Frank, what woman wants to date a pig like you? Take-out for a date isn't every girl's dreams."

"Well, you hit Luce up like she is punching bag. Now you got kids, do you want them to grow up to be like you!"

"Heck no." He shook his head. "Imma teach them right. And besides, Luce talks and nags too much at the same time. She is quite rude as well."

"Right," Frank shook his head. He looked like he was going to say something else but we started walking.

The carpet looked to be have half an inch thick. It had lots fuzzy stuff and grime on it. That's what happens when you don't vacuum your carpet for months. The walls are painted a thick green. So thick, it was thicker than carpet. I find it kinda sad but the room we went into next was beautiful. It had lots fish tanks, books, a pool table, a poker table and some art stuff. The chairs were sturdy wood. I wanted to go and see the fish but Beau held me in front of him. Three men walked out and smiled.

"So, you bring your kid to fight for you, huh?" The leader spoke first. "I hope he is any good at poker."

"Don't worry," Beau whispered in my ear. "This is just for fun. They just like being that way."

I nodded and asked, "What's poker?"

~Leslie's POV~

I watched as Sam ran around in his underwear and a baby blue T-shirt while being chased by Darcy and Gracie. He shakes his butt at them and runs off with their dolls in a clear bag. I would have stopped him but being four months pregnant makes things difficult for me bend over. Heather sits outside the room while Graham and Spinner paint. We're trying hard to act normal. Praying that we'll see our son again. Graham smiles and he looks so pretty in the windy sunlight. Sam runs in between my legs. He sticks his tongue and runs away. Without looking where he was going, he bumped his head into the wall. He bawls and I pick him up by his arms. His feet rests on the sides of my bump. He sobs into my neck. I walk with him up and down. Heather lets me hold him and pretend for a moment. I am driving myself insane this way. I rub his back until he slowly stops crying and drifts off to sleep. Gracie runs into Graham's arms. Darcy runs to her mother. We're all quiet. I place Sam in Travis' unmade bed. I pull the sheets over him and kiss him. Everyone watches me. Travis was never like that. For one he was always in yellow.

"Aunt Leslie, when we will get to play with Travis and Dylan again?" Darcy smiled at me.

Gracie looked down at Graham. Of course we couldn't tell them.

"They went on a little trip. They'll be back." Spinner explains, tugging on Darcy's blue ribboned ponytails.

Huge lumps go to my throat. I run off to my bedroom to cry privately. I think I am secretly driving myself crazy.

~Graham's POV~

The next few days past like nothing. While my dad worked on a heavy case, I took Gracie out to the tennis field. She had decided on being a tennis player. She was already one in my eyes. Her hair pulled back into a ponytail, I watched as it swished with body movements. Behind her smiles, I can see the curiosity and sadness of this situation. She hit the ball back and forth to me.

"It is just that someday's I forget about him. Like he never existed and Leslie smiles more these days."

"Sometimes it's just easier to forget about the pain. The police has not even found anything yet. And it's not like I am pursuing them. I am sure Travis is safe." I smiled and passed the ball back to her. "My dog days are over."

"I am glad. I just don't want her to go crazy and use Sam as a replacement." She stood there and looked up at me. "I am so sorry."

"What's wrong?" I scratched the back of my head. She could Sam as a replacment but I am afraid that Spinner spends too much time for Leslie. More than I do. What if, this time around, she leaves me for him?

"Many times during lunch, Dylan would ditch Travis for that table where the boys traded snacks. Travis would sit by himself and when I tried to sit next to him this man grabbed my arm really hard. Travis even stuck up to me. He just gave me this dark look and so I said to him I hope you disappear because you are such a pain. But I didn't mean it, I was just offended."

"Hey, do you remember that man's face?"

"Of course I do. I saw him in the courthouse once too. He does the mail there. I use to eye him funny because of what he did. I was going to tell you so you could beat him up but then I thought about what he did to my arm. He could probably do that to you too." Her words rushed out of her mouth like it has been hiding there forever.

"I will hurt anyone that even tries harms you, Gracie. No matter how small or big."

She ran into my arms. I have not seen her cry since ever. But then I remember, those are fake smiles.

"I want to see mommy. I miss mommy and her hair."

"I know isn't she here now but maybe when things are better-"

"When are they going to get better? Doesn't mommy want to see me anymore?"

Then I remember the sweet little pink room my mother worked so hard on. People can change. It takes a lot to forgive someone. And I know now what my mother feels like everyday. The missing feeling and no child to run into your arms. Lonely. The only thing that keeps you up and straight.

"I am so sorry you had to got through that. But if you really want to forgive her then I'll take you to see her."

"You're the best."

"I'll do anything to see you smile."

"Then bring my nephew home." A little quiet chuckle left her mouth. I could tell this smile was real.

Leslie's POV

"When I was little, I use to love shopping with my mom. I use to sneak off to look at toys."

The person I get stuck with to do this with is Spinner and Sam. People in the store have stopped every ten minutes to look at Spinner and Sam's hair. Apparently, Sam got all of Spinner's genes. Sam apparently wanted a little purple mohawk on his head that matched Spinner's. Of course, they showed off their looks in the baby store. Mothers all over gave me that look. That look that says I pray for you because that husband of yours is just trouble. Of course Spinner likes to put on a show and smiles like we are any other normal couple in the store while Sam runs off to get into baby strollers. He is trying to pick the best one. Color and structure wise.

"He still likes them. But it's time for a big boy one."

Sam shook his head and continued his search.

"I hear Graham is taking Gracie home." He smiled at me. "That's pretty neat."

"Yeah but now I am stuck with you." I muttered.

"That really hurts. I am going to run off into the corner and cry."

I laughed, "I was just kidding!" I pulled him back. One of the workers looked at us dirty. I let go of him.

"You know what? Screw them, Leslie. It's not like nobody is playing twenty dollars on a pair of shoes your kid is going to outgrow. You see Sam? He is wearing the same shoes I use to wear. Parents spend billions of dollars on clothes and for what?"

I laughed and agreed.

"See look at her husband. He is only going to last like what? Two months? Rasing a baby isn't easy."

"Maybe for you and Heather but I had the best baby in the whole world."

We looked for Sam but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Yeah but I don't. Be right back."

I walked around for a few minutes when I saw Spinner dragging Sam over. He cried and kicked.

"See what I mean?" He laughed picking up Sam. "You know how many black eyes I got from him?"

"He is just in his toddler period. Happens to the best of us."

"Yeah but when Travis was two, he was walking and talking. He use to sleep half the afternoon."

"Because you use to tire him out." I giggled. "And one time he lost my favorite hat at the beach. He was so disappointed."

"Well, he needed it. What are uncles for, eh?" He smiled. "And you use to dress him in yellow mostly."

"But you make an even better as a dad."

"True." He nodded and Sam finally relaxed. "Hey you want to go get something to eat and blow this dump?"

"I thought you would never ask!" I laughed.

"Before we go I have one thing to say." He passed me Sam and went to the front of the store. "Excuse me everyone! But while you pay like over hundred dollars in this stupid store with poor service, I have something to say! I heard the baby store like five blocks from here is giving away free stuff because they are closing down!"

I laughed and he pulled me out of the store. We waited and surprisingly, a lot of people left.

"Is that even true?"

"Yeah, plus that was revenge for making you be unhappy."

"Why thanks Spinner. You're the best."

"I know I am."

~Graham's POV~

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to." We stood in front of the gate.

I watched her as she looked up at the house.

"If you can forgive mommy for hurting you then I can forgive mommy for hurting me." She bit on her bottom lip. "Besides, you need a mother right now."

I nodded and I watched her reach up for the doorbell. When my mother pulled open the door, I watched as they hugged. Before I knew it, I found myself in her arms too. I hate it when Gracie is always so right.

~Leslie's POV~

Seth tried to make me laugh by pretending he was a soilder coming home to his wife. It wasn't working. Even though he got the outfit and the hat and everything. I just didn't laugh.

"What's wrong? Graham will be very mad if I don't please you with joy and happiness." He was hanging off one of the columns that held his house up.

What if I were to stand on it? Would it break? Does that classifiy me as fat? I began to laugh. Something not even funny but it is something Travis would say. I know my son more than I do myself. Seth smiled at me.

"My parents went out of town for a few days because they are trying to deal with him not ever coming home." Seth frowned. "But oh no! Graham goes fishing with his buddies because that is real fun."

"Of course, how come you didn't go with them?" I giggled.

"His friends don't suit me. Besides John has run off somewhere with Valerie."

"Was that supposed to happen?"

"I don't know. We can't play with the hands of time. They are listening!" He held his big ear and leaned forward. I laughed again.

"Yeah, yeah very amusing but what if you had two comedians at once!" Beau grabbed Seth and placed him on the floor. "Are you trying to harm the baby? She should be sitting down."

"What are you doing here? I thought you be too busy getting drunk and beating up girls." Seth sat down next to me. "Besides, why do you care?"

"Well, look at you! Just as big as a watermelon. How much longer?" Beau ignored him and looked at me.

"Three." I tell him, looking him straight in the eye. I am not really scared of him anymore.

"Hmm, is it a boy or girl? Oh wait! That's right! Idiot and son of idiot were deciding to name him Thomas right? You remember that night right? When I took a precious thing from you into the night and killed him? You're not getting your son back until you open your eyes. Then we'll kill him together and get rid of this baby. Then, we'll be together. Forever."

Seth stood up. "What's wrong with you? Are you trying to give her nightmares! She is crying!"

I was not crying. I stood up. Face to face.

"It won't work on me."

"You know, baby, you are just turning me on with all this hot talk. Heck if you weren't pregnant with idiot's baby then-"

"The last time I checked, my name is Graham." Graham stood there with his arm crossed.

"The last time I checked, I should have killed you when I had the chance." Beau nodded his head and looked at me. "Idiots these days."

"Come on, Leslie, we're going inside." Seth tugged on my arm.

"We should have called the authorities. You just claimed the to the kidnapping both boys."

"Oh no," Beau walked away. "I pretended. But let's face it, there is something deeper here. You afraid of her. Did you know that Leslie? He is afraid, you'll leave him."

Beau leaned closer to Graham. He had confidence as he said, "You should like a child. Remember. Leslie likes men, not boys."

Graham's expression was gloomy. What did he mean by that?