~~.~~ Michael's POV ~~.~~

I take deep breaths to quell my anger. Remember your high blood pressure Mike. Woosah.

"I got it." I say finally, going in my back pocket to retrieve my wallet.

The policeman scoffs. "You got five grand to bail out that tramp?" He asks.

I glare at him, pulling out the money from my wallet. "Don't call my girl a tramp. Yes I have it." I count out five thousand dollars for the obese officer and I throw it on the counter. "Five bands. Go get my girl." I demand, beginning to see red.

The officer counts it, smiling as he does, and he leaves to retrieve Rashida. She better hope I can keep my composure long enough not to fuck her up! A moment later he walks towards us with Rashida. I grab her arm roughly.

"Took you long enough fatass. Let's go." I growl, dragging her out of the police station.

We get in the car and just as soon as I see Rome heading towards the house, I stop him.

"No. The Park." I say.

She looks over at me. "Michael I'm-"

I put my hand up for her to close her damn mouth. Crack? What the hell is wrong with her?! He parks and I get out of the car in a huff, trying to keep as calm as possible. She gets out, walking around the car towards me.

"It would be wise to stay far away from me girl." I warn, pacing.

"Michael I'm really sorry!" She exclaims.

"How good am I to you girl? Huh? I want you to tell me how good I am to you." I say, wondering just how a stupid mistake like this could happen.

"You give me a place to stay..." She whispers.

"Yes I do." I agree.

"You keep me fed." She continues.

"I do that too. Yes I do. Go on." I push.

"You keep me out of trouble..." She says, messing with her thumbs.

"Obviously not enough. Keep going." I say, rubbing my face.

"You care about me enough to allow me to repay my debt to you." She finishes, making very valid points.

"I am such a good person! I treat you so damn well, don't I? I even give you an entire day off to do what you want! How do you repay me Rashida?" I ask, finally looking at her. She drops her head. "Say it!" I bark.

"I was just trying to make some money... on the side." She explains, almost in tears.

"You sellin fuckin crack and you got yo stupid ass caught!" I laugh sarcastically, running my fingers through my hair. "I don't even... I can't even believe this right now! When I told you to have fun and do what you wanted, I did not tell you to go looking for fuckin crackheads! I run a respectable business and you are making me look bad!" I yell, seething with rage at this point.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I will pay you back every penny Michael! I swear!" She screams.

"You damn right you will!" I yell, running my fingers through my hair once more. "Yesterday was your warning. I'm downgrading you." I say, my heart pounding with every passing second. Lord please don't let me hit this bitch.

She panics. "No! No please Michael! I swear I will never do it again! Please... PLEASE!" She squeals, falling onto the grass.

"Stop begging like a fuckin puppy dog." I warn, pointing my finger down at her, I don't need her making a scene.

She gets to her feet and I snatch her up by her hair. "You are gonna walk those streets all night and all day until I tell you to come back. Do you understand?" She nods, crying. I push her off. "Go."

She runs off and I slide back in the car. I sigh, collecting my thoughts. That just fucked up my investment! I hit the back of the seat and Rome jumps.

"Dumbass! What the fuck am I gonna do now?" I say, thinking out loud.

Rome clears his throat. "I have an idea." He says.

I look at him in the rear view mirror. "I'm not sellin shit."

"No no! Remember in Cabo?" He says, raising his eyebrow.

I laugh, my body relaxing. "Man hell no."

"But you're still good at it. You won't make five bands in three days with just those girls. Cmon man, it's worth a try." He presses.

I run my fingers through my hair. I don't wanna do that shit again. Anna almost divorced me for that. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes. 

"Cabo."

He smirks.

~~.~~ Miracle's POV ~~.~~

It's a snowstorm outside as we drive for hours to somewhere I'm not familiar with. I put my head on the glass window on my door. I see Dad look at me in his mirror.

"You okay?" He asks.

I nod, looking out at the night sky. "Daddy, why did you beat Mom?" I ask, fearing he might get mad at me for asking, but wanting to know the truth.

He sighs. "Because... I was an angry alcoholic. I know it's no excuse, but she has no damn excuse for putting her hands on you either!" He says, getting angry all over again. 

"She did it because you beat her." I whisper.

"I don't care. I am gonna be the best father for you and if that means protecting you from her, then so be it." He says, smiling down at me.

I smile to myself. I can't believe I have my Dad back. This is kinda unreal. I got so used to the drunken mess that he became, but now I can enjoy who he really is.

"Dad, we have to move?" I ask, knowing why the drive is taking so long.

"Yes."

"Am I gonna have to go to a different school?" I ask.

"No."

"But..." I start, knowing we aren't in the same school district anymore.

"I'm just driving around to control my anger honey, we are still staying in the same district. Once I find a house outside of here, we are outta here! Maybe even another state." He mumbles to himself.

I sigh in relief. I actually have a friend back in school. Matt. Oh, well, there is that other guy who I gave my number to... I'm glad my concealer held up until the end of the day. He would have never asked me out if he saw what my face really looked like. Oh, his name was Shawn. We pull up to a nice apartment building and Dad shuts off the car. Finally.

"You can stay here." He says, getting out of the car and grabbing our bags.

I grab some bags, walking towards the front door. We pass through the lobby, taking the steps to the second floor where our room will be. Dad unlocks a door, pushing it open and allowing me to step inside. I take a good look around. I walk into what will be my room from now on. It's not as big as my room at Mom's house, but it's a room and I'm fine with it. I begin unpacking.

"Miracle." My dad calls from his bedroom.

"Yes?" I reply, walking into his room.

He hands me my cellphone. The one that Mom bought me six months ago for emergencies, but I haven't seen until right now. "Call for you." He says, unpacking.

Miracle: Thanks. Hello?

Shawn: Hey Miracle. It's Shawn.

Miracle: Oh hey Shawn.

Shawn: So, about us going out...

Miracle: Well, I have to ask my Dad first.

Shawn: I understand.

Miracle: Can you hold on please?

*Puts hand over phone* "Daddy?"

"Yes honey?" He doesn't look up from folding his ties.

"Can I go on a date with my friend Shawn?" I ask.

He frowns, placing his ties in his drawer. "I thought you were going out with Matt?" He asks. I shrug. "Well, as long as he is a nice boy, I will allow it. I have to meet him before the date." He says, as a compromise.

I nod, taking my hand off of the phone.

Miracle: Hello?

Shawn: So?

Miracle: We can go out, but you have to meet my Dad first.

Shawn: Fine by me! So, Friday?

Miracle: Friday is good. See you then.

Shawn: Bye.

Miracle: Bye.

I hang up the phone smiling and Dad smirks out the corner of my eye.

"So tell me about this other boy, who is not a Matt."

I giggle. "He is on the football team, he is nice, respectful..." I start.

"I'll be the judge of that. He seems okay, but those athletes are usually no good." Dad warns.

"I will be careful Daddy." I promise.

"You don't need to be careful, I will take care of any problem you're having baby." He assures, hanging his suits in the closet.

"But Dad..."

"No buts! If he even comes onto you the wrong way I will have his ass handed to him!" He bellows, putting his hand in the air.

I nod, walking back into my room. I'm glad Daddy is finally involved in my life. If not, I would have already been in the hospital again, for injuries. I finish unpacking and sit down at the table for a home cooked meal. Collard greens, red potatoes, fried chicken, and biscuits. I didn't even know he could cook! Especially soul food. I can hear my Grandma now:

"That white man don't know nothin about no soul food! Tell him to get his ass out the kitchen before he sets somethin on fire!"

Grandma always liked Daddy, she just gave him a hard time because he was an alcoholic and she wanted to  help him. Grandpa couldn't stand the sight of him. It made no sense to him that Mom would want to marry a white man over any other black man in the world. All I know is, I'm glad I can finally eat regular food.

"You are done being a Witness. You can be whatever religion you want... except a devil worshipper. That is where I draw the line." He says, making me laugh.

"I won't do any of that Dad." I say.

"Good." He says, smiling. I look at my plate when I'm finished. That was amazing. "Look, honey, I know it's weird... us being around each other so much, since I wasn't really around before or I was always violent... but I really am a good person and I'm gonna be a great Father to you." He promises, his baby blue eyes looking glassy, like he's going to cry. I hope not.

I nod. "I believe you Daddy." I really do.

"Do you love me?" He asks, giving me the puppy dog eyes.

I smile. "Of course I love you Dad."

He grins, coming from around the table to embrace me tightly. "I love you too, Pumpkin." He whispers, rubbing my back gently. I am instantly reminded of that perverse nightmare about him and I break the hug, feeling weird.

He looks down at me puzzled. "You okay?" He asks, his brows furrowing.

I nod. "This has just been a crazy few days..." 

He nods. "I know, but I promise everything will be better okay?" I nod and he kisses me on my forehead.

I go to my room and lay down, finally being able to relax for once in my life. At least I won't have to worry about dressing any wounds anytime soon...

~~.~~

I get out of bed and put on a blue sweater and jeans after my shower. I tie my hair back in a bun, grabbing my bookbag as I am leaving my room. I go into the kitchen to see Dad already eating at the table.

"Morning Daddy." I say, smiling.

He kisses me on my forehead. "Morning baby."

I stare at the sausage, then stare at him, the old habits that Mom engraved in me are still there. I need permission to eat this. Dad follows my eyes and sighs.

"Miracle, I am breaking you of your Mother's twisted laws. You are no longer under her control so you will eat what you want, wear what you want, and do what you want. Obeying my rules of course." He adds, making sure I know I'm still a child.

I nod. "Of course."

I sit down to eat the sausage slowly. Bacon is one thing, but this is a lot of meat. I don't know how I will be able to handle this...

"And you will eat lunch at school." He demands.

"Oh, I can't eat lunch." I say.

"Why not?" He asks.

"It just makes me too full, makes me feel sick, I guess I don't digest things fast enough, but I usually only eat breakfast and dinner. Plus, Mom doesn't allow me to eat lunch at the school." I explain.

"Whatever makes you happy sweetie." He says, smiling. I smile, finishing my sausage and eggs. "Ready for school?" He asks. I nod and we drive to my school, which is closer to my new house. "Have a great day!" He says, waving me off when I hop out of his car.

I wave him off, going to my classes for the day. By lunch I am feeling queasy.

"Hey Miracle."

I hold my stomach and smile. "Hi Matt."

"Still waiting on that phone call." He says. I don't know if he is upset or not.

I grimace in pain. "I'm sorry! I forgot. I have a pretty bad memory, but I will remember tonight." I assure him.

He smiles. "It's cool. At least I get to see you during school, right?" 

I smile.

"Hey Miracle!"

I turn around and Shawn is walking over with his football friends. He takes my books from me in my arms.

"Let me carry these for you girl." He says, showing that cute dimple in his cheek.

I smile. "Thank you, but that isn't necessary."

"Who's your friend?" He asks, nodding towards Matt.

"Oh this is Matt. Matt, this is Shawn." I say, introducing them.

They shake hands, but Matt just glares at him. Shawn returns his attention back to me.

"Cmon. You don't wanna be late for class." He says, hurrying me along.

I tuck my hair behind my ear, looking up at Matt as I'm walking away. "Bye Matt."

Shawn walks me to class and hands me my books before I enter the room. "Thanks you." I say.

"No problem beautiful." He says, smirking.

I blush and he quickly plants a kiss on my cheek. "See you Friday." He says, biting his lip and walking away.

I can't wipe this smile off of my face! I walk into class and of course it's boring. My stomach is so upset it's distracting me. I feel like I might throw up at my desk. After another minute I run out of the classroom and hover over the nearest trash can, throwing up three times in a row. I hold my stomach with one hand, and my throat with the other. Oh, that hurted so much! The teacher runs behind me, gasping.

"I will take you to the nurse!" She exclaims.

I wave her off. "I'm fine, I think... I think I got it out of my system." I say.

I stand up straight and brush off my clothes. I take a deep breath and it comes up again. I fall out on the ground and the teacher calls the security guard to carry me to the nurse's office. He lays me on a bad and I put my hand on my forehead, not wanting to open my eyes.

"Miracle?" The nurse calls.

"Yes?" I ask.

"Are you feeling a bit better?" She asks.

I shake my head no. I feel terrible.

"I will run some tests on you, but, we don't need to pump your stomach for anything, do we?" She asks, scribbling something on a piece of paper.

I open my eyes a little. "What?"

"You didn't consume alcohol, did you?" She asks, clarifying.

I frown. "No! Im fourteen!" I exclaim.

I writhe in pain from the bright lights and my pounding headache.

"I had to ask... just rest until your parents get here. I think you got all of what was making you sick out." She says, leaving the room.

I curl up in the blankets and eventually drift off to sleep.

"Miracle?"

I open my eyes. "Dad?"

"Hi baby. Be a good girl and bend over for Daddy." He says, his voice thick with desire.

I look down at myself. I'm wearing a tight schoolgirl outfit, equipped with a revealing top and a way too short skirt. I'm also in my old room.

"What are you doing?" I ask, breathlessly looking over my Dad.

He grabs my hands and holds them behind my back roughly.

"Do what Daddy says and bend over!" He says, louder this time. He turns me around and bends me over. "That's right. You've been a bad girl. I'm gonna have to punish you." He slaps me on my butt and I scream.

"No! STOP!" I yell.

He laughs evily. "No one can hear you and no one can stop me. You're MINE." He growls, slapping me again on my butt.

I am jolted out of my dream, breathing heavily. I clasp my hands together roughly, praying away that evil dream. Not today Satan. Not ever. I shake my head. That is the second time I have had a dream like that! The devil must really like to ride me. I stand weakly and the door opens.

My eyes get wide and the breath leaves my lungs. "Mom?"

Mom places her hand on the knob to shut the door.

"Nurse!!" I yell and she runs into the room.

"What's wrong?" She asks, looking from my Mom to me.

I look at Mom, terrified, then I look back at the Nurse. "C-can you please call my Dad?" I ask.

"We don't have your Dad's number. We only have your Mother's." She explains.

"Well... I don't stay with my Mom. I'm not allowed to go with her so please call my Daddy." I urge the Nurse.

I quickly scribble his number down on a post-it note and hand it to her. She calls him from one of the school phones and my Mom glares at me.

"Bitch." She says under her breath.

"What was that?" The nurse says to my Mom.

Mom looks at the Nurse, frowning. "Nothing.

The Nurse takes the call outside and I reach for her to come back. Mom returns her glare back to me.

"You little devil! You have officially taken my husband from me and you will pay! May God have mercy on your soul, because I will give you as much hell as I possibly can." She yells, looking like the devil incarnate.

My heart is pounding and I am actually fearing for my life as the Nurse walks back into the room.

"Your Father will be here soon. You may go now." The Nurse says to my Mom, standing between us.

Mom rolls her eyes, turning on her heels and leaving the school. The Nurse turns around, looking me over.

"Are you alright honey?" She asks. I nod, shocked and scared. "You can lay down before he gets here. You look a bit pale." She says.

I lay back, thinking about that horrible dream and the very real threat that Mom just gave me. I don't want to tell Dad because he will kill her if he knows she threatened me again. I will just keep it a secret. I don't want to worry him with more mess. He is being such a great Father, I don't want him to start drinking again.

Dad finally walks in, kneeling down next to the bed. "What happened honey?" He asks, rubbing my hair.

I shrug. "I just felt really sick all day and then I threw up." I say.

"How could this-" His face falls and he runs his fingers through his hair. "This is all my fault." He whispers.

"No it isn't Dad." I assure him.

"Yes it is. I should not have given you that sausage. It's been years since you have eaten that stuff! Your body rejected it, I should have let you eat what you normally eat. I'm so sorry." He says, pity all in his voice and over his face.

That probably is what happened, but I won't let him beat himself up about it.

"It's okay Daddy. You didn't know." I say.

He rubs my cheek. "Do you feel better?" He asks. I nod. "Good. Anything else happen?" He asks, wanting to hear about my day.

I think about Mom threatening me and I look at the ground. "No."

To be continued...