Make Me Better

I didn't know what to say? What was I supposed to say when she opened the door, if she even opened the door. I was standing on the porch, playing with my fingers. Frank was somewhere off behind me. I saw a light switch on, meaning someone had heard my frantic knocking.

My stomach was in knots when the front door opened slowly. It was my mom, and dad was right. She sure did have a black eye. Top top it off she a tiny gash of her right cheek.

"Mom." My voice sounded strained and tired. She wasn't looking at me. "What happened?" I added. Her voice quavered as she began to speak, I wanted to hug her but part of me was still mad at her.

"Why are you here, Olive?" She finally managed to get out. I didn't have a response. Why was I here? Because I was worried and I had make sure she left this scumbag.

"Well, dad told me. So, I had to come over that were ok." I mumbled, feeling a bit less confident. It was silent once more, too silent.

"Mom, you can't stay with this guy. No if he hits you." I said quietly.

She sighed, "And where am I supposed to go? Back to Jersey?" Why was she even questioning it? If he was hurting her why would she even think of staying with him.

"Mom, I don't know. But, you have to get away from him. Have you even told him you were pregnant?"

"No."

"Well, you see. If he got mad when he see dad, imagine how he will get when you tell him you're pregnant and you aren't even sure who the dad is." I said, a bit quickly. I just wanted her to listen to me. I didn't care much about where she wanted to go but I knew she had to get away from here.

"Olive, I just need to talk to him." She sighed, which angered me. What the hell was there to talk about?

"That's him , right?" I heard Frank ask. I turned slightly to see a car pull into the driveway.
"You shouldn't be here." My mom said quietly. I couldn't help but feel nervous as the man got out the car. He was staring at us intently as he made his way towards the porch.

"What are you doing?" He hissed at my mother. I glared at him as he walked right past Frank and I. He straight to her.

"Nothing." She mumbled. He was so close to her, too close. I could see the nervous glint her eyes. I wanted to punch him myself but I had feeling he would fight back.

"Who are you?" He turned to look directly at me. I cowered a bit before finally stuttering out an answer.

"I'm her daughter."

"What's your daughter doing here? I thought I told you not to tell anyone." He snapped at my mother.

"She didn't tell me anything." I mumbled.

"Then what are you doing here?" He asked harshly, Frank had come up to be by my side. This guy was impossible, what was I supposed to say? I took a moment to think of something to say. I could just be straight forward and say that I'm here to get my mom and take her away from an asshole, but that would probably anger him.
I figured I should just tell him the truth.

"I'm here to get my mom."

He scoffed, and then looked over at my mother. She gave me a look. "Really? You think she wants leave?" He asked loudly, scaring me.

"She should. Why would she want to stay with you?" I asked harshly. He took a step closer to me, he was much taller than I was. Before I could say anything, Frank had pushed me behind his body, shielding me.

"Mom, come on. You can't stay with a guy like him." I said quickly. In a swift movement, he had shoved Frank out of the way. My mom gasped.

"A guy like what?" He asked, his nostrils were flared.

"Get away from her." My mom's voice sounded sharp, but I could still hear the fear. He didn't move at all. I made sure not to make eye contact.

"Or what?" He turned to give her a small smile. I managed to move away from him. Ok, maybe coming here was a stupid idea since this guy was fucking crazy.

"I have to go." She said. She went into the house, and he followed. My heart was beating rapidly as he turned and started to close the door but I lunged forward. I pushed passed him and went straight to my mom.

"You'll get your stuff later. Let's go, now." I urged, tugging on her hand.

"Where are you going to go, huh? Back to your family? You left them for me, remember?" He laughed. I paid no attention to him as I continued to pull her out the house.

"You don't need him." I said

"Your husband doesn't want you." He was leaning against the door frame. Frank had come into the house.

"Let's go." He grabbed my forearm. I looked back at my mom, she was glaring at him. She pulled out of my grasp and reached for the house phone. She punched in three numbers. It happened so quick. I heard the phone ringing and that's when I felt something heavy collide into me. I turned around quickly to see Frank trying to restrain him from getting to my mom.

"Hang up!" He screamed at her. I could hear my mom mumbling something about an address. He turned sharply and got out of Frank's grasp. He was breathing loudly as he looked at my mother, by then she was done talking on the phone.

He was pacing the room, mumbling something. Every now and then he would scream at my mom. He wasn't anywhere near me, since Frank was standing in front of me, and I was standing in front of my mother. I looked to my left when I heard some noise in the front yard.

"Ma'am, were you the one who called?" The officer asked. I moved out of the way so that they could talk to her. It didn't take long. They had to take pictures of my mom's face for evidence. One of the officers had went over and put him into handcuffs. It was bit surprising when he didn't put up a fight. It was a bit awkward after they had took him away. None of us said anything. Once again, I had no clue what to say. My mom had said something but I wasn't paying attention.

"Olive, you should go home, honey." She repeated, this time touching my shoulder.

"What about you?"

"Don't worry about me-"

"How could I not? He isn't coming back is he?" I asked quickly.

"Not for a while, I'm going to leave. I'll pack most of my things tonight. I'll call your grandma, and I'll stay with her until I can get back on my feet." She smiled.

"Ok." I nodded, I leaned in to hug her. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders tightly. I started to feel a bit better, if I didn't come she would have stayed with the douche bag.