God Bless the Broken Road

The following day, I woke up in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. At first I was confused but then the events from last night caught up with me, along with the pain. Dad got drunk again and I got sick of being his punching bag so I packed up my things and left. I Ended up meeting Eric, Marc, Jordan, and Jared and they brought me to their house after I told them everything.

Now that I think about, I don’t ever remember actually walking through the door last night. Even more confused than I was when I woke up, I grabbed my bag and made my way into the connecting bathroom. I turned on the shower and stripped my clothes off. I looked myself in the mirror, the bruises were more visible all up and down my arms and across my chest today, there was one across my stomach that had the very distinct shape of my father’s foot. The bruises on my face were already turning dark purple and yellow, lots of make-up was going to be needed to cover those suckers up.

Pissed off at my father, I stepped into the stream of hot water and let it do its work, calming me. Jordan was right, this wasn’t my fault. It was my dad’s, he got drunk and thought it was right to beat me. I just needed to keep reminding myself that it wasn’t my fault. I shut off the water and reached for my towel. I quickly dried myself of, mindful of my bruises and slipped on jeans and a t-shirt. I was drying my hair when there was a knock at the door. I jumped and expected my dad to come busting in, but then I remembered dad didn’t knock before coming in my room.

“Um, c-come in.” I stammered, taking a step closer to the wall and away from the door.

The door opened slowly and Eric poked his head in. “Hey, how are you?”

“I’m so sore.” I admitted, taking a seat on the bed.

“Would you like me to get you some aspirin?”

“Would you mind?”

Eric shook his head and left the room, returning seconds later with two pills and a cup of water. “So, my parents want to meet you.”

I almost choked on the water, but managed to swallow it. “They do?”

“Yeah, they saw me carry you in last night and mom started firing off questions at my brothers while I brought you in here.” He looked at the bed. “I hope you were comfortable enough last night.”

“I was, thank you.”

“Come on, I promise you my parents aren’t that bad.” He said, pushing himself off the bed and reaching for my hand.

I placed my hand in his and sighed, this was going to be okay. I followed Eric downstairs and ran right into Jordan, causing me to whimper in pain.

“Oh Mackenzie, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Jordan asked, steadying me.

I bit my lip to keep the tears at bay and nodded. I took a small breath and looked around me and noticed a small sitting area that was crowded. I instantly recognized Jared and Marc, but not the other three people. Though I was going to assume that the two older people where Mr. and Mrs. Staal. I was suddenly very nervous, I was meeting the parents of the guys I just met last night. What does that say about me?

Eric came up behind me and gently placed his hands on my shoulders. “Relax.” He whispered in my ear. “They aren’t going to hurt you.” He gently pushed me into the sitting room and as soon as I stepped foot on the carpet all conversation stopped. Marc and Jared both jumped off the couch and gave me hugs and then stood next to me, along with Jordan and Eric. My four new friends.

“Mom, dad, Heather. This is Mackenzie, Mackenzie this is our father Henry, our mother Linda, and Jordan’s girlfriend Heather.” Eric smiled, introducing us.

I just stood in the middle of the four boys and stared. Their parents were clearly looking me up and down and the Heather chick was smiling sweetly at me. She got off the couch and stood in front of me.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Mackenzie. Jordan told me about what happened and I am so sorry.” Heather smiled.

I looked over at Jordan who was blushing because he just got ratted out by his girlfriend. I couldn’t help but laugh at him. I turned my attention back to the blond in front of me. She was a little shorter that my 5’5, she had blond hair, the most gorgeous green eyes, and a body that I was jealous of. Now, I wasn’t fat but I wasn’t super skinny either. Mom called me healthy, but I have always been jealous of other girls’ bodies.

“Thank you and it’s nice to meet you too.” I looked over Heather’s shoulder to Mr. and Mrs. Staal. “It’s also nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Staal. Thank you for letting me stay last night.”

Mrs. Staal got off the couch and made her way over to me. She was a petite woman and I couldn’t understand how she has such huge sons. As she stood in front of me, she took in my bruised face.

“Linda, dear, call me Linda and that’s Henry.” She said pointing at her husband. “Mr. and Mrs. Staal makes us sound old.” She chuckled.

“Mom you are old. You have three sons in their twenties and one that’s almost twenty.” Marc said, draping his arm over his mother’s shoulder. I couldn’t help but laugh when she smacked him in the head.

“Mackenzie, would you mind helping me make breakfast?” Linda asked, heading in what I assumed was the direction of the kitchen.

“Mom!” Eric protested.

“It’s all right Eric, I don’t mind helping at all.” I told him, following Linda.

At first I was kind of nervous because this ‘helping’ felt more like a test to me. She was going to drill me for answers as to why I was here, I just knew it. But as we made breakfast and talked I eased up some. She really did just want some help with breakfast and to get to know me. I knew that she was judging me, trying to figure me out. She was protecting her sons.

Once we finished cooking, we all sat at the table and ate. The five Staal men were talking about none other than hockey…surprise, surprise. I’ve only known them for a couple of hours and it seems to me that a majority of what they talk about is hockey. Linda and Heather were talking about going shopping and I just sat there listening to the conversations and thinking how different this family’s breakfast was from mine.

Breakfast with my father was usually a quiet ordeal. Usually I would eat by myself because dad would still be passed out. I would have to be really careful about not making noise while I made my breakfast and I was usually good about that. I shuttered at the memory of the one time that I wasn’t quiet. I had made tea for myself and I was pretty good at catching the kettle before it whistled and this time was no different, but I forgot to grab it with a mitten and I dropped it. I had a headache for a week after that.

“Mackenzie. Mackenzie? Mackenzie!” Heather shouted, shaking my arm slightly.

I shook my head and looked around the table, all eyes were on me. I blushed and looked down at my plate. “Sorry.” I mumbled. “Just got lost in my thoughts.” I was waiting for the blow that came after I didn’t answer my father, but it never came. You aren’t with daddy anymore I told myself.

“Are you okay?” Henry asked.

I forced a smile and nodded. “Yeah, totally.” I winced at how fake that sounded even to my own ears. “Like I said, just lost in thought.”

“So like I said, you should totally come with us.” Heather said launching into her conversation from a earlier.

Was she talking to me? “Um, go where?” I asked.

“The mall, silly. We’d have to go on a weekend though because I have to baby-sit all day and the mall is an all day adventure.” She giggled

Jordan groaned and I chuckled. “The mall sounds great.”

As Heather and I hammered out some more details for our girls’ day out, Eric cleared the plates and refilled every ones coffee. As I was talking to Heather I couldn’t help but follow Eric’s every move. There was something about the eldest Staal that drew me into him. It wasn’t just his looks because all the brothers were good looking, it also wasn’t the way he was being protective of me because again all the brothers were. I wasn’t sure what it was, but there was something defiantly about him that grabbed my attention.

“So Mackenzie,” Linda smiled. “Tell us about yourself.”

I looked around the table again and a certain pair of brown eyes caught my attention. Eric smiled at me and nodded in encouragement. I took a deep breath. “Um, my dad and I moved to Thunder Bay about a month and a half ago. I turn nineteen in about three weeks.” I had never lost eye contact with Eric, so I saw his face fall slightly when I said that. Hmm, that was interesting. “I take some courses online at the University of Phoenix.”

“What are you studying?” Linda asked,

“Journalism and English. My major is Journalism and my minor is English.”

“Do you know what you want to write about?” Henry asked.

“Not at the moment, no.”

“Hockey!” Jared exclaimed.

I chuckled. “Well usually you’re supposed to write about something you know about or are comfortable with.”

“So you don’t know anything about hockey? Heather asked

“I know some, my aunt and uncle had season tickets to the Coyotes and I went to a few games with my cousin. Now he is a huge hockey fan. He always tried to teach me about it but I could never grasp it.”

“Well it a good thing you know four amazing hockey players.” Jordan stated

“I do? Who?” I asked laughing.

Eric stood up. “Hi, I’m Eric Staal. Captain of the Carolina Hurricanes. I play center. Stanley Cup champion of 2006” He smiled and sat back down.

Next Marc stood up. “Hi, I’m Marc Staal, one of the Alternate Captains for the New York Rangers and I’m a Defenseman.”

Jordan tried to stand up, but winced and stayed in his seat. “I’m Jordan Staal, the hottest player on the Pittsburgh Penguins and I play center as well. Also a Stanley Cup Champ, but of 2009”

I laughed and looked at Jared who was standing now. “I’m Jared Staal, I’m a left winger for the Charlotte Checkers.” He smiled and sat back down.

I laughed and looked at all four boys, “Is all that supposed to mean something to me?” I asked. “I got that Marc and Eric are kinda important on their teams, Jordan is just cocky, and Jared is the baby.” I laughed as Jared blushed.

Linda, Henry, and Heather were also laughing. “I like you.” Heather said.

“Babe, she called me cocky.” Jordan pouted.

“That’s because you can be, baby.” She told him, placing a kiss on his pouting lips.

“Well back on the topic of you clearly not knowing anything.” Eric chuckled when I glared at him. “We have a little less than two months to teach you everything there is to know about hockey.”

“Marc, Jared, and I can show you the fundamentals and Jordan will have to be in charge of breaking the game down and teaching you the rules.”

“You can’t play?” I asked Jordan, remembering his walking cast.

He shook his head sadly. “Not yet no. I got hurt during the playoffs in May. Ended up having to get surgery and got an infection.” He explained.

“Oh I’m sorry. Did your team….the Penguins right?” He nodded and I continued happy that I remembered something. “Did you guys at least win?”

“No, we lost in game seven.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Don’t worry you’ll get them next time.” I smiled

“Thanks Kenzie.” He looked at the clock on the wall. “Speaking of, I have a doctor’s appointment.” He looked at Heather. “You’re still driving me right?”

Heather nodded and got up to join her boyfriend. “I will call you Mackenzie when I have an idea of when I can do the girls day.”

“Alright, that sounds good to me.”

Heather and Jordan left and Henry excused himself to the farm. Eric and Jared were having a staring contest and Marc was trying to get Eric to lose.

“Boys!” Linda scolded. “Go help your father, you know what needs to be done out there. Now go. Mackenzie and I are going to have some girl time.”

“Mom, the last time you had girl time with Jared’s girlfriend she left crying.” Marc pointed out.

“And then broke up with me.” Jared added.

“That’s because she was using you Jared sweetie. We’ve been over this. She wanted Jordan, the entire time I was trying to talk about you with her all she did was ask questions about Jordan. That’s when I mentioned Heather and told her that they were dating. She left crying and that’s the end of the story.”

“I know mom,” Jared smiled. “Just don’t make Mackenzie cry because we all like her.” He winked at me and I blushed, playing with my hair. I watched the three boys disappear through the door their father walked through.

“So, now that we are alone. Do you mind me asking where those bruises came from? Eric didn’t tell us much when he brought you in last night, just that you needed a place to stay. I was about to scold my son, well all of my sons, about bringing home a stranger, but then I noticed that all four of them had this very protective nature over you.”

I smiled and looked at the woman in front of me. I knew I could tell her because she was a mom, she’d understand. “My father.” I lifted my shirt to show her the one on my stomach. “And this too.” She gasped and I lowered my shirt. “My father drinks…a lot and when he’s drunk he feels the need to beat me. Finally after he left me gasping for air, I ran. I ended up at the diner. I had found it one night when I snuck out of my house. I’d go there when dad was drinking and I’d stay until I was sure he’s be passed out. So I went there and that’s where I met the boys. I was sitting at their table and they decided to sit with me and we all just started talking. I ended up here last night because I’m too afraid to go home.”

“Does your father know you ran away?”

“No, I left him a note telling him that I had enough and that I’d eventually call him. I’m just glad I’m not there when he finds the letter.” I shuttered at the thought of what he would do.

“So your father has no idea where you are?”

I shook my head. “No, I didn’t even know where I was going last night.”

There was a bit of silence, but then Linda asked another question. “What happened to your mother?” she asked quietly.

“She and my aunt were killed by a drunk driver two months ago.” I told her, tears spilling down my face.

Linda grabbed my hand and held it in hers. She sent a small, sad smile in my direction. “I’m so sorry dear. No one deserves the life you’ve been dealt. I’m going to take a guess and say your mother’s death has to do with your father’s drinking.”

I nodded and looked out the window, trying to calm myself down. I noticed the boys across the road doing some work and Henry was on a tractor trailing them. I could feel Linda watching me, but I could care less. Finally she spoke, breaking the quiet.

“I don’t want to sound like a bitch or anything, but you aren’t just using my sons are you?” Linda asked. “I just don’t want to see them getting hurt.”

“Linda, I seriously had no idea when I met them last night who they were. So no, I’m not using them. To me they are four really sweet guys that could have started a problem because I was sitting at their table, but instead they shared with me and actually listened to me. They really seemed to care about me.” I blinked a few times trying to clear the tears from my eyes.

She smiled proudly at me. “I agree with you there, they do care about you.” She stood up from the table and looked at me. “I’m going to go talk to Henry, I’ll send the boys back in.” She smiled and disappeared out the same door Jared, Marc, Eric, and Henry walked through earlier.

I continued to sit at the table, thinking about my mom and dad before everything happened. We were the type of family that did everything together and always had fun doing it. Much like the Staal family. I wiped away the tears that were falling down my face and continued to look out the window.

“Mom, I miss you.” I whispered, fingering the necklace she gave me for my birthday last year. “Daddy has changed so much.” I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn’t hear the boys come back in, so when I felt the hand on my should I jumped.

“I’m sorry.” Eric whispered. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Oh, no it’s okay. I was just thinking about my mom.” I admitted.

Marc came in from outside, “Eric. Jared and I are going to the lake. You coming?”

Eric looked at me and then at his younger brother. “Yeah, a day at the lake sounds like a perfect idea. You wanna come Mackenzie?”

“Um, I don’t have anything to wear.” I said.

“Heather has a bathing suit that she leaves here. I don’t think she’d mind if you borrowed it just this once.” Marc said. “Come on Kenz, have some fun.”

I laughed at the red head. He was practically begging me to go for a swim. I saw Eric smiling at me, hopeful. Jared just walked in and went up the stairs.

“Please?” Eric pleaded.

I bit my lip. “Fine. I’ll go swimming.” I said.

“Yes!” Marc cheered and ran up the steps.

I laughed and looked at Eric who still was looking at me with worried eyes.

“Eric, I’m fine.” I placed a light kiss on his cheek and went up to the room I was staying in. When I was in the safety of the room I leaned against the closed door. Did I really just do that? I don’t what had come over me, but that seemed like the best thing to do at the moment. I sighed and pulled out my phone.

New Text to: Heather.
Hey Heather, it’s Mackenzie. The boys want me to go swimming with them and Marc said you had a bathing suit here. Would you mind if I borrowed it?

I clicked send and waited for a response. Seconds late my phone chimed.

New Text from: Heather
Not at all! It’s in Jordan’s room. I wouldn’t go in their if I were you. Get one of the other boys to get it for you. They know what it looks like.

Reply To: Heather
Thanks. Girl

I opened the door and walked into the hallway looking for one of the other boys. I heard talking coming from one end of the hall so I made my way towards it. Marc and Jared were sitting on a bed talking with each other.

“Oh, sorry guys. Didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation.” I shifted my weight nervously. “I’ll just go find Eric.” I went to turn around, but a hand on my arm stopped me.

“Chill Mackenzie.” Jared smiled. “We weren’t talking about anything important. What did you need?”

“I was just wondering if one of you could go into Jordan’s room and get Heather’s suit for me.”

Jared’s eyes lit up. “You’re going with us?” He asked excitedly.

I couldn’t help but laugh at how excited he was. “Yeah I am, I just need a bathing suit.”

“I’ll get it for you.” Marc said, pushing past us.

“So I see mom didn’t scare you off.” Jared laughed.

“No, she’s just trying to protect you guys. There are a ton of woman who are going to try and get in the way of everything just because of who you guys are.” I told him.

“Wow, you’ve known us for what, thirteen hours? And you already understand everything. You are good.”

I laughed. “No, I’m a girl. I knew why your mom wanted to talk to me. It’s the same way when you would meet the parents of the girl you liked and her father started grilling you while she was still upstairs getting ready.”

Jared chuckled and scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, that’s never fun.”

“Mom’s do it too, for their sons. No need to worry though, I passed with flying colors.”

Jared smiled and Marc returned with a black bikini in his hand. I grabbed the pieces of cloth and retreated back to the quest room. I carefully stripped my clothing off and slipped the suit back on, pulling my shorts and tank over top. There was a knock at the door and I opened it to see Eric standing there in a black tank top and grey and red swim trunks. He looked really good.

“You ready?” he asked

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Eric grabbed my hand and I followed him downstairs where we met up with Marc and Jared. I looked around the room for Linda and Henry but they were no where to be found. The four of us piled into one of the trucks and made our way to the lake. As we drove I just took in my surroundings, not really paying attention to what the boys were talking about. The Staals’ farm was huge, over five hundred acres and it was beautiful. The lake we were going to was actually on their farm.

“We use to skate out here before dad built us a rink closer to the house when we were younger.” Marc said, turning the car off.

“It’s beautiful out here. I can’t imagine what it would look like in the winter.” I said.

“It’s even more beautiful.” Eric said, helping me out of the car.

“Last one in the water is paying for lunch!” Jared yelled, running to the dock, stripping off his shirt.

I laughed as his brothers followed him, doing the same. I just stood there watching them, not caring that I lost and would have to pay for lunch. Slowly, I made my way down the dock and sat at the edge with my feet dangling over it. I watched the three boys fight with each other and try to drown one another.

“Come on Kenzie. The water’s nice.” Marc called, waving me in.

I bit my lip and shook my head. I was to self conscience about my bruises and the markings left behind.

“Come on, please?” Jared begged.

I sighed and slowly stood up and unbuttoned my jean shorts, dropping them to the wooden dock. I didn’t have bruises there, but I was leaving my shirt on. Quickly, before I could change my mind I jumped in.

The four of us played in the water for what seemed like hours, just horsing around and having a good time. Then the sound of my phone ringing in my jeans pocket. With the help of Eric I got out of the water and made my way over to my phone. Without checking the screen, I answered it

“Hello?”

“Where the hell are you?”

oh shit

*****

Later that night I was still a bit shaken up about the call. The Staals’ and I were sitting in the living room, watching TV. I was sitting between Eric and Jordan on the couch, when my phone rang again.

I jumped and looked at the screen, it was him again. A shiver passed through my body, causing both boys to look at me.

“What’s wrong, Mackenzie?” Eric asked quietly.

“My dad keeps calling me. I don’t want to talk to him.” I told him, still looking at my ringing phone like it’s going to bite me.

Before I could blink, Eric took the phone out of my hand and pressed the answer button, before walking out of the room. I looked around the room before placing my head in my hands. He was going to ruin the one thing that actually made me happy since my mom died. Silently, I let tear fall and just as silently Jordan placed his arm around my shoulder and Jared, who was at my feet, patted my leg. I looked up and smiled sadly at them all. They were the big brothers I never had, but always wanted.

Couple of minutes later Eric came back and his face was all red. “Eric, what happened?” I asked, as he sat back down next to me.

He took a deep breath and let it out loudly. “I told him off, he has no idea who I was or where you are. I just told him to leave you alone, that you were safe and can handle yourself.” He placed a kiss on my cheek, causing me to blush,

“Thank you.” I whispered, giving him a hug.

Marc cleared his throat and Eric kicked him. “What was that for?” he whined. Eric didn’t answer him, he just gave him a look.

“Boys, knock it off.” Linda said. “Mackenzie, we would like to talk to you.” She said suddenly.

Uh oh, all the boys and I exchanged looks before I turned my attention to the Staal parents. “Yes?”

Henry muted the television, this is more serious then I thought. They are kicking me out, they don’t want me here messing with their sons. I began messing with a loose string on my sweatshirt and avoided eye contact with anyone, scared that they would see my tears.

“Mackenzie,” Henry spoke. “Linda told me about your situation and we’ve talked it over all day and we want to know if you’d like to stay with us?”

“Not we would like to know.” Linda interrupted. “We want you to stay with us. Sweetie, you aren’t safe at your house and you get along with the boys.” She smiled. “Plus, I could use another girl in the house to keep me sane.”

I laughed, despite my tears. I looked at the family before me. They cared about me. “Linda, Henry. I would be forever grateful if you let me live with your family.”

Linda stood up and pulled me up and into her arms. “Welcome to the family dear. You will be safe here.”

I couldn’t stop the tears now as they fell. “Thank you so much.”

That night I went to bed happier that I have been since my mom died. I now had a family that cared about me, even though I was merely a stranger to them. Before falling asleep, I told mom about Eric and his family.