Joey Leaves Home To Start Afresh

Joey's POV

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I counted the seconds in my head, preparing myself for when she showed up.

I hid my hands beneath the glass—right where she wouldn't see them—scratching the skin right after my nails.

She hated it when I did that. Said it made me look weak. “Men shouldn't think you are weak,” She would always say to me.

The door creaked open, and the officer from earlier walked in.

“You have five minutes,” The officer said as she held the door for her to walk in. “So make it quick. She's not really in the right frame of mind to talk for long.”

I swallowed hard, knowing what she meant.

She let out a quick chuckle. “Thanks, Officer Sharon, but I'm pretty sure I can handle a little conversation with Missy over here.”

“Yeah, right, Monica. Well, see you soon.” The officer shrugged, shutting the door on her way out.

She folded her arms in front of her and crossed her legs as she wore her usual expressionless look. She had a way of trying to look dignified even behind bars.

“So, what now?” She asked, eyes fixed on mine.

I took a deep breath, preparing myself. I had just five minutes. Maybe I could use less. “I'm taking Cassian to another state.”

Surprise kicked into her look, but she masked it immediately. “You can't do that.”

“But I can,” I braced myself. “I got custody of him last week, which means I can take him anywhere I want to.”

She remained calm, her gaze never leaving mine.

Then she nodded. “Why do you have to move to another state? Because I'm sure Cassian didn't decide that?”

Of course, he couldn't. He's only seven. But I didn't tell her that.

“I have no other choice. Besides, it'll make it a lot easier for Cassian to accept the distance as a reason why we can't visit you every day—"

She slammed her hand on the table before her as she stood, losing her cool. I tried to stay calm. Good thing she sees me pricking my fingers harder.

“That's bullshit, and you know it!” Her eyes shifted to that gaze I loathed a lot. “You have no right to take him away from me.”

I let a chuckle escape my lips as my gaze remained on hers. “Well, I do now. The court granted me custody of him. Besides, how were you planning on taking care of him... From behind here—" I gesture towards the room she was in. “And let's not forget about that stuff you keep taking that's messed your head up.”

Tears prick the corners of my eyes, but I hold them back.

“For crying out loud, I thought you were getting treated here. How did you get your hands on more of those—"

“Shut up!” She shakes her head as if trying to shake the reality of my knowing that she was still taking crack. But I knew that was what the Officer was talking about when she said she wasn't in the right state to talk for long. And then there was the redness in her eyes, and the dark lines coating her lips. It was all there. “That doesn't change the fact that you are trying to steal my baby! Cause that's what Cassie is, my baby!”

There it was, that pull on the door that was holding my tears back.

I stood up in my seat, letting my own anger through.

“And what about me, Mom? Aren't I your baby? What happened to being your little girl who—"

The scoff she made had the rest of my words tumbling back into me.

“I don't have a child like you, especially one who ruined my life!”

Her words pierced my heart, causing an ache like never before.

Officer Sharon barges into the room, definitely tired of the yelling, or maybe my five minutes were up.

“That's it, Monica, we're done here.” She grabs Mom's hand, yanking her towards the door, but Mom grabs the chair in front of her.

“Just so you know,” She spat. “I detest giving birth to you. Not only did you steal my partners in the past, but now, you're trying to steal Cassie! You're trying to steal my baby!”

Suddenly, her gaze goes wild, and she starts yelling at Sharon. “You can't let her. You can't let her take my baby from me. She's a thief and a lying bitch. You can't!”

Sharon flashed me a look of pity before finally pulling Mom away.

I, on the other hand, stayed speechless.

Memories flooded my mind—both the good and the bad—as I walked through the door behind me.

My arms found my face, wiping below my eyes.

I didn't know what hurt more: the fact that she hated me, or that she was still hooked on that... substance.

But I knew one thing: changing schools and moving out of the state was a good decision.

“Your hands,” An Officer gasped, pointing towards them.

I raised them, staring at the blood that now coated the skin below each finger.

“Oh,” I muttered, then looked at her. “It'll heal.”

It always does.

****

I hurried up the stairs and towards my apartment. I didn't think the extra hours I put into work would cost me that much. But then it did, and now I have to live with that.

“Shit,” I muttered as I glanced at my watch. It was already eight in the morning. After getting home, I had to take Cassie to the university daycare, and now I had to get some books from the library so I could prep for my next class.

It's been a month since we got to Cavern Bark University, and settling hasn't been easy.

At least I was able to get two jobs. Thinking of adding another to the list, which Winona, my roommate and only friend here, already suggested.

Tutoring others was never my strongest suit. But if doing it would help with the extra bucks, then I was in. 

I practically ran through the hallway trying to make it to the library.

I had already been late twice this week. So, I wouldn't want to leave a wrong impression, which I guess I already had.

I turned the corner, taking the final corridor that led to the library, when someone bumped into me, my books spilling out of my hands.

“Shit!” The word left my mouth as I crouched down, picking them up.

“Sorry,” A male voice muttered. But I didn't look up. I didn't have time to yell at someone to watch where they were going, since I was also in a hurry.

But what I did notice was that he didn't have the courtesy to help out; neither did he walk away. Rude much.

When I was done, I looked up, ready to shoot lasers at the asshole in front of me.

But when I did, I froze, my eyes widening in shock, and the books falling out of my hands again.

I couldn't believe it.

“Gab... Gabriel?”