"That is the last time you ever bring that boy near my house," She yells while pointing at me with an accusing finger as if I was an inch from committing murder. 

I glare at her because that's the only thing I can do. Mr. White sits at the kitchen table drinking what seems to be tea, he doesn't bat an eye to look over here. The feeling of numbness starts to spread to my face. 

She shows me an opened envelope, "Explain this."

Carefully, look at the letter in front of me

To the parents/ guardian of Abigail Johnson

It's the basketball team letter for the scouting trip. 

I don't dare look at her eyes, I look away and say nothing. There's nothing to say, I can't get out of this with an excuse. I breathe slowly to calm down; My whole face is numb.

"You're not going. Don't even think about it, " she threatens. 

"What? Why?" I protest. I've worked hard for this, spent hours with Luke practicing to be able to get on the list. I am not about to let my hard work go to waste. 

She scoffs, "Because I said so. Do you really think you're good enough? Don't make me laugh. Even if you were, you're still not going."

I try to hold back my tears, the last thing I want is to tear in front of this witch. She already has ripped my life apart, taken away my own life, basketball, and even my insanity.

"I did nothing wrong, I don't see what the prob...." I am slapped across the face.

I fall to the ground but as I get up I ball up my fists. There is nothing holding me back what's the worst she can do, hit me?  I have done nothing but just be quiet and live as I was invisible- yet she finds any excuse to lock me up or hit me.

"I'm tired, "I accidentally mumble my thoughts out loud. 

Mrs. white taunted, "What? Say that again. You're tired?" 

My nostrils flare and I start raising my voice, "Yes, tired of you and sick of living in this house. I'm tired of being blamed for everything. I'm tired of your crap." She approaches me with wide eyes,  hitting me again. 

"You ungrateful brat," pushing me to the floor and whacking me continuously she starts yelling. " Your tired of me! I'm tired of you, you stupid ungrateful orphan! You useless trash, I took you in and this is how you repay me? Do you think I care for you and your sister? I was sick of being second to Sarah, I wasn't going to let some stupid kid, take what was mine. I only took you in to keep the company! "

Huffing and puffing, Mrs. White stops as she hears the door slams close. 

Mr. white who was sitting at the dinner table looks up from his paper and he slowly puts his cup of tea.

Standing at the door, with eyes wide open and a shocked expression, Jess just arrived from school. 

At that moment, everything seems to have stopped, even time itself. My breath has become heavier with the numbness still there. 

Finally, Mrs. White breaks the silence. "Jess, your home early. Come here, "She tries to give Jess, what appears to be a warm smile

Jess terrified takes few steps back.

"Jess, run," I yell as loud as I can as I try to get up from the floor. "JESS, GO!"

Jess recovers bolting out through the door. 

"Brian, don't just sit there!" Mrs. White shouts. Mr. White quickly gets up heading to the door. 

"Leave her alone!" I manage to push Mrs. White out of the way. She falls to the floor as I jot toward the door. 

Before Mr. White opens the door, I grab an umbrella from the coat stand; Hit him on the back as hard as I can. He falls to the ground, as I run out to find Jess. 

"Jess!-" I bump into someone. "Luke, What-"

He grabs me, "She's in my car. Come on."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hate feeling vulnerable, but I can't stop shaking. 

"Here," Luke hands me a bag with ice.

I mumble thanks as I place the bag near my eye. 

Jess is in Stacy's room, as Luke suggested it will keep her mind off things. While Luke and I wait for Honey to come home. 

"What are you feeling?" Luke breaks the silence.

I swallow, "I'm fine. I'm just-" 

"It's O.K. You don't have to explain anything. 

In the next moment, Honey bursts into the house looking for Luke; he calms her down, and we start to tell her everything. 

Honey hasn't said a word, nor has she made any type of movement. I glance over at Luke, he gestures me to wait. 

Finally, Honey sighs, "Here's what we're going to do. As you guys were able to get the papers we need, then I will as one of my lawyers to take this case. Since your not eighteen yet, it will work in our favor. However, once your eighteen you have to be ready with a job, so no one can claim your not independent, and you'll be able to announce yourself as your own guardian as well as Jessicas. Does all that make sense?"

I nod, attentively paying attention.

"Is there anything else, I should know?" She asks

I think about it. 

"Well, I have this card of my parent's lawyers, and every month through this card," I hold up the card the lawyer gave me after my parents died. "He told me to take care of till I came of age-"

Her eyes have gone wide, " Abby! With this, we can report Mrs. White for fraud. We have to move fast. Tomorrow we will go and contact your parent's lawyer. We can actually take this court, now."

"Mom," Luke grabs her attention. 

She looks surprised, "Yes?"

"Can Abby and Jess, stay here for now?" Luke asks a bit sheepish.

"Sure! Fix them a room, I'll go up and help you in a bit." Luke heads upstairs.

Honey turns to me, "We'll talk more in the morning, today must have been a very long day for you and your sister. You're welcome to stay as long as you like. You've even made Luke call me mom." 

She gives me a smile.

A smile that means she's happy.