What Doesn't Die

I woke up to the sound of people talking downstairs, I rolled over and saw that Emma was still asleep. I carefully got up and walked down the hall into Emma's parents room, hoping that Robert, Emma's father, kept a gun in his nightstand like I do; luckily he did. I walked cautiously down the hall and down the stairs. I heard the talking in the kitchen, I walked to the doorway and flicked the light on, wincing from the slight pain it caused my eyes.

“Put your fucking hands up!” I yelled aiming the gun at the intruders, once my eyes adjusted to the light, I mentally cursed myself.

“What the hell are you doing here, boy.” Robert, Emma's father, the anger evident in his voice.

“Um, sleeping...” I said with a shrug, hoping he wouldn't call my bluff.

“Right, what are you doing with that gun?” he asked walking over to me and taking the gun from my hand, “Or should I say, my gun.” growing even angrier.

“Brian.” Emma asked her voice barely above a whisper as she made her way down the stairs. I hope to god that she is wearing more than just my shirt, but of course not.

“Dad, what are you doing home?” she asked, turning a light shade of pink. I walked over to her and grabbed her hand,as a comforting gesture. She smiled up at me before turning her eyes back to her father.

“Why do you have that gun, Daddy? Were you going to shot him?!” she asked no becoming angry herself.

Robert looked at me as he spoke, “I think you should go home, boy, before I do shot you.” he said.

“Yes, sir.” I walked up the stairs with Emma following me the whole way.

I walked into her bedroom grabbing my clothes and dressing while Emma sat on her bed, I couldn't help but notice that she looked a little scared.

“What's wrong?” I asked, walking over to sit beside of her on the bed.

“Are you mad?” she asked looking at her hands.

“No, why would I be?” I asked reaching out and taking her hand into mine.

“Dad's mad.”

“Yeah, I can't say I blame him.” I said with a laugh, she laughed with me.

I left after kissing her and telling her to call me if she needed anything.



“BRIAN!” Suzy yelled, ugh. It's a fucking Saturday, can't I sleep in.

“WHAT!” I yelled back.

“Emma and Abby are here, and your father is coming up to talk to you.” well, fucking peachy. I mean I am glad my girls are here, but what the fuck does dad want.

I heard a knock then saw my father walk through the door, I got up and began getting ready for the day.

“Whelp, Suzy and I are going to watch Abigail so you and Emma can get out, and be kids.” he said with a laugh.

“Thanks.” I said, looking over at him.

“Your mom called last night.” he stated, I could almost literally feel my blood begin to run cold. I hate her, I don't even think of her unless something forces me too.

“Yep, she tends to do that sometimes.” I replied, trying to shrug it off.

“Are you going to call her back, son?” Papa asked as I walked past him.

“Do you even have to ask that?” I said getting a little pissed.

“Guess not.” I heard him say once I go to the stairs.

“BRI!” Abby yelled when I came into the living room.

“Hey sugar.” I said leaning down to her.

“Are you gonna be a good girl today?”

“Yeah, I promise.”

“Alright, tomorrow is our day, right?”

“The Zoo!” she yelled, jumping up and down.

“Yea.” I laughed.

“Are you ready?” I asked Emma, taking in her beauty.

“Sure.”

We said our goodbyes and began our day.



I can't stop thinking about my mother, I don't call her mom that is what Suzy is to me, anyone can be a mother, but it takes a special person to be a mom. Fuck, I sound like a damn greeting card.

“Brian!” Emma yelled, snapping me from my thoughts.

“What?” I asked looking down at the water from the pier.

“What's wrong?” she asked.

“It's nothing, baby, don't worry about it.” I reassured, she has enough to worry about without me burdening her.

“Bullshit, now talk, Haner.” she said, getting in my face, I couldn't help but laugh.

“Alright, well let's sit down.” I said, walking over to a bench, and sitting.

“My mother called last night.”

“Suzy?”

“No, my real mother.”

“Oh, what did she say?”

“I don't know, I haven't talked her since she moved.”

“Hoe long is that, Baby?” she asked, intertwining our fingers.

“Since I was five.”

“Why?”

“Well, she has always been a crack head, but she was really fucked up and forgot that I was at home waiting for her.” I paused, Emma nodded for me to keep going.
“She moved so that dad couldn't find me, she didn't want him to have custody of me. But she didn't never came back.” I said, getting both angry and sad from the memory.

“Aw, sweetie, how did your dad find you?”

“A neighbor heard me crying, and called the police, who took me to dad. I spent a week in the hospital, from malnourishment and dehydration.”

“Did she get better?”

“Not from what Papa told me.”

“Well, I think you should just keep doing what your doing. But if you ever decide that you want to talk to her, I will be there for you, hell I'll even go with you.” she said before kissing my cheek.

“Thanks, baby.”

“I love you, Brian.” she said, when ours eyes locked.

“I love you too, Em.”

“Hey-” I started to say but was cut off when Allison came walking up. I swear this girl bitch just won't quit.

“What do you want?” I asked, not really in the mood to deal with her.

“I just wanted to know if you thought about what I said.”

“Alis-” I started but was cut off by Emma this time.

“Alright, listen, I have had enough. I have tried to be nice to both you and Kyle, but I don't give a fuck anymore. Leave Brian and I alone.”

“Or what.”

“Or I will kick your face.”

“Yeah, more like you'll get daddy to hire someone to 'kick my face'.” Allison responded.

“Just cause my dad is a successful lawyer doesn't mean I won't hurt you.”

“Yeah right. I mean just look at you. Brian doesn't belong with a stuck up fancy slut.”

oh shit, they keep getting closer. Now the million dollar question, do I let Emma beat her ass or do I stop this now, I like the first one best.

“Alright just because, I have class doesn't make me stuck up and just because I have a daughter doesn't make me a slut.”

“I am pretty sure it does.”

“So I guess that means you are a trashy wannabe 'stuck up' whore. Since you are obviously trying to dress like me and you cheated on Brian with his friend.”

“I guess so, but at least I am not stuck with a little brat to raise.”

and with that Emma punched Allison to the floor, should I break it up or watch for a minute?