One Boy's Journey Chapter 33

Written by Brianna Demonet

Saturday morning I had my weekly therapy appointment and my monthly endocrinologist appointment. My test is at 3 pm. After I finished my office work and Aunt V finished her appointments, we went to the olive garden for lunch.

We got back to the house at 1 pm. I changed into the gui John gave me and grabbed my change of clothes, packed my bag and purse, and we left at 2 pm.

4 others were testing with me today. Sammy was testing with me. I liked Sammy, he was a quiet boy, but he was nicer to me than most everyone else in my class. Sammy was 15 and a freshman. I was a sophomore and 14. However, I skipped two grades in elementary and junior high.

Sammy was really good, I knew he'd pass today for certain. I was still worried about myself.

We stretched out together. All of us looked worried about testing today. I looked at everyone and tried to take a leading role like I did with my cheerleading squad.

Guys, I know you're all a little nervous, and so am I. We can do this and we'll all do it together! Just remember your training. Remember to focus. Just think about what you're doing. Forget the parents forget the people. It's just us. We do this twice a week for the last 8 months. It's time to shine!

Rianna's right said Sammy, we can do this; we do it all the time!

Everyone began to relax a little bit. Mrs Park called us to form up. We slapped our sides in unison. Yes, Master! We exclaimed.

Mrs Park barked instruction after instruction. Each of us performed just as we were taught. Over and over, we ran through our forms and punches, blocks, and kicks. Two hours turned into 3 hours of non-stop testing.

We each had to spar with John. Everyone was intimidated by John. Everyone has seen how good he is. We all had to score one strike on him.
That was a test all in itself.

Sammy went first. John was only allowed to block and counter-strike. It took Sammy 9 attempts to gain one strike. Sammy did it with a roundhouse kick to John's stomach. It was impressive.

I was last. It gave me time to catch my breath.

John didn't take it easy on me. It took me fifteen attempts to get one strike just above his belt. I hit him pretty hard too. But John is a brick! He can take a punch, especially from a 110 lb girl!

Almost 4 hours later, we were in formation, awaiting our names to be called. Everyone was called before Sammy and I. I was sweating! I was scared that Sammy and I would fail. Sammy was called, there was a silence that seemed to fall over the dojo then my name was called.

I walked up to Master Yon Park and bowed. She handed me my yellow belt. It felt as good as the day I made the cheer squad. I got back in formation and we were dismissed.

Aunt V said let's celebrate!

Aunt V invited Yon and John. Yon declined. But she said John was welcome too. John and I showered quickly and got ready.

Aunt V took us to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.

We had a great meal. I rode with John back to my house.

Aunt V went upstairs to get ready for bed. John stayed until 11:30 pm. We watched the TV part of the time. He sat lengthwise on the couch. I rested myself on top of him. We kissed and petted each other. I could feel his erection. I wanted to rub it I restrained myself. It felt big.

11:30 came and I walked him to the door. We kissed goodnight and he congratulated me on my performance.

I watched him drive down the driveway. Then headed upstairs to bed.

I woke up in a cold sweat. I wasn't screaming. I shaking. I had flashbacks to the original attack. Only this time, I was floating over my bed as my mom and Aunt V were crying. I watched as a nurse pulled the sheets over my head. I could feel pain everywhere I was originally injured.

I went to the bathroom to shower and clean up, and when I looked in the mirror, I had a flashback of an injured Ryan, all disfigured. I screamed and fell to the floor. I was barely conscious when Aunt V walked in.

Oh my goodness! Ree!!!!

Are you alright? What happened, honey?

Did you have another night terror?

Yes, it was horrible! I was floating above my dead body, watching you and Mom crying as I was wheeled out of the hospital room. I came into the bathroom to clean up and I saw my disfigured self in the mirror!

Ohh! Sweetie!!! You're alright now. Just sit up and I'll start the shower! Said Aunt V

Aunt V propped me against the wall. She started a shower and then grabbed her doctor's bag.

She took my pulse and blood pressure. She checked my eyes, nose,, and ears.

155 over 97! Pulse 135! Your high young lady!

Come on, let's get you cleaned up and changed, and you can sleep with me tonight.

Aunt V woke me up at 8 am. The first thing she did was check my blood pressure and pulse.

102 over 59 and a pulse of 66. Much better. Come on, get ready, sweetheart brunch in 2 hours!

Yes ma'am! I smiled.

I love brunch at the country club. The 6 of us sat together as normal. Brunch was great; Lexi, Emma, and I got caught up on the social news.

We chatted about everything school-related. Lexi and Emma were cheering on the winter sports. They told me Cheryl was doing really well.

We were all busy with our boyfriends and extracurricular activities. Anita and I were invited to a Spanish-language event at the Bellagio Hotel for the weekend coming up in a few weeks.

The JV cheer squad was invited to the regional cheerleading competition. I was invited to join them. I was excited to join my squad again.

The next five weeks went by fast. Our swim team did not make the postseason. We were 5-5. I won 7 of my races. The three I lost were to some really fast girls.

My parents had been back twice to get things started with the house.

Julius's uncle Colton was hired to finish work. According to Dan (aka Dad) his estimate was very reasonable. We picked out our paint colors and had everything set.

John's uncle Jun was hired to do our flooring. He was a bit more expensive than many other estimates Dad got. But when Mom and Dad saw his company's workmanship, they were sold.

I went over to the house on Sunday afternoon after brunch sometimes. I'd check on the progress and sometimes just daydream a bit about it.

I know it sounds crazy but I think the house actually was talking to me. I felt thankful for this beautiful home we were creating. I think the house loves the fact that we love it.

I walked into the garage and just walked through every stall. I pictured a nice SUV for Mom, Dad's truck, and Corvette in the next two stalls. I pictured a Camaro in the fourth stall for myself.

I was pretty sure I was going to be getting a Jeep for my first car. With everyone and everything I was doing, I figured I'd need the room for it. I love this place. I can't wait to move in.

Moving in, a happy thought that turned bitter-sweet. It hit me I would be moving out of Aunt V's house. I teared up a bit. Truth is, I love living with Aunt V.

Don't get me wrong I miss my mother terribly. Add to it, I will have a real Dad very soon, which is more than I could ever have hoped for. It's all something to look forward to. But Aunt V has been a godsend.

I like to think we made each other very happy despite all the circumstances that led me to her. There is absolutely no way I would be where I am without Aunt V. I love her so much!

I just walked into Aunt V's place and my phone rang. It was a different number but the same area code as the last one. I looked at it, I waited for it to hang up. I texted it to Dad and Cathy

I called Cathy.

Hey little sis, how are you. Asked Cathy.

I'm alright; I just got a call from that strange area code again. I texted you the number. Do you know anything about that at all?

We are tracking the number, but they are coming from burner phones. For now, change your number. I'm going to talk to Bree about this. She has a friend who specializes in secure cell phones.

I'll get back to you soon, alright?

Thanks, big sis!

You're welcome, lil' sis!

I love you, Cathy,

I love you too Ree, bye!

I was a bit saddened by the fact that I had to replace my brand-new phone. I really liked this phone.

I was still worried about the mystery calls. I can't help but wonder where it's coming from and who was doing it. The other thing I couldn't shake is how they got it. The only phone I call back home is Mom. Don't do Facebook or any other social media.

It's weird for a girl my age to not be on social media. Truth be told I don't have the time for social media.

I did notice that my Mom and Dan paid for everything in cash. While they were here, So did I.

I tried putting it out of my head for now. I have too many things to worry about. Spring break is coming up, and I have the displeasure of wasting it going back to Ohio for a hearing, maybe a mediation, too.

The week before spring break, I was as busy as ever. I had to stop going to gymnastics and concentrate on ballet. Again I was Shelly's understudy. Being Shelly's understudy was great, and I was learning a lot from her.

The bad part of being her understudy was other girls. I was mutually hated by the other girls. It wasn't my choice to be the understudy. Mistress Walker makes those decisions, not me.

I Told John all about it, he already knew. Julius' little sister told Julius about it. She was worried about me. She's a little sweetheart. Mistress Walker knew about it too! She told me not to worry about it.

She told me if those girls worked as hard as you, one of them might be Shelly's understudy. But because Shelly and I get along and I always listen to her, I'm it!

I ignored their comments in the dressing room. I hate confrontation and I was not going to be the one to instigate an issue. I knew I had court and the last thing I needed was to confront anyone.

It was Friday the last day of school before spring break. John drove me home and helped me finish packing, I had a 5 am flight to Ohio. Aunt V took me to the Airport. I was flying alone back to Ohio. Aunt V walked me to the plane. I sat in business class, and Mom had bought the ticket.

Aunt V wanted to go but she had patients she couldn't reschedule. I had a window seat and tried to sleep most of the flight. I missed the in-flight meal; no great loss there.

Dan/Dad picked me up at the gate. There was still snow on the ground. We got to his truck and drove for quite a while before we got home. I knew it was about a 15-minute drive. It took us over 30 minutes to get to his house.

His house was in a fairly nice neighborhood. Dad had a ranch-style home with a two-car garage. He parked his truck in the driveway and opened the garage. One stall was empty. There in the other was his Corvette. It was beautiful! Le mans Blue with a black interior.

We walked into the house, and he showed me to my room. It was definitely a girl's room. It was nice. Dad kept looking at me. I wasn't talking much. I would rather be on a deserted island right now than here and he knew it.

Ree, it's alright you're with me now! Nothing is going to happen here! Your safe!

Thanks, Dad, but between you and me, being in this town doesn't feel safe to me.

Well, no one followed us from the airport, and no one was watching the house. Can I show you something? Asked Dad

Sure! I said.

I follow my new father downstairs. In the basement, there are several rooms. He slides the wall panel back revealing a large safe. He put in the combination and opened it.

I see a good-sized collection of guns and a few knives.

Check this out! You like technology! Dad showed me his phone. He had security cameras surrounding the entire house. All of them are displayed on his phone. The phone alerts him if anything larger than a mouse is moving around.

You have nothing to worry about Rianna. Anyone who tries to get to you has to come through me first. I won't let anyone or anything happen to you.

The look on his face was very serious; his voice was direct but low-key. I took the whole week off while you were home. Consider me your personal bodyguard! He gave me a soft smile.

I hugged him. Thanks, Dad! I said.

Your mom should be home soon. Do you want to help me with dinner?

Sure what are we having? I asked, I was starving.

Spaghetti with meat sauce and cheese garlic bread.

We started dinner together. He had homemade sauce already made. All we had to do was heat it up make the noodles and toast the cheese bread.

I heard Mom pull into the garage. Dad started toasting the garlic bread.

I waited patiently for Mom to walk in. Seeing Mom and Dad was the only positive thing about being in Ohio.

Mom!!!! I exclaimed as she set her purse down.

Baby! She said excited to see me.

I'm so happy you're home. I hope you are hungry?

It smells great. Mom said.

Dan's a much better cook than I am.

Guess who I talked to today?

Mrs Newhouse?

No, Cathy! She'll be flying in tomorrow afternoon. We have meditation on Monday at 11 am, and on Wednesday morning, there's a hearing about the Bond and Jeffries sentencing.

Do I have to go to it? I really don't want to face them again!

You don't have to, but if you want them to stay in prison, it's a good idea said Dad. As a victim of the crime, you have the right to make a statement before the judge makes a ruling.

If you don't make a statement they could get a reduction in sentence or possible release.

They can't release them! Can they? I asked getting very scared.

Regardless, Ree! Your statement can make all the difference between release and continued sentence for them. That's exactly what Cathy told me. Said Dad

Let's eat, said Dad. We can talk shop tomorrow when Cathy gets here.

We ate around the dinner table as a family. A small family but I really felt like we were family.

Dad's spaghetti was really good. I had a big plate of it and finished it.

After dinner, Mom went to change into comfortable clothes.

I asked Dad if he knew anything about the strange phone numbers.

He said they traced the phones back to a convenience store outside of Cleveland. They checked the security video and found the two numbers that called me were from two different customers who live in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The police are looking into it, but it's almost a dead end. They could look harder, but there was no threatening message or anything aggressive about the call. As far as the police could tell, the only calls those phones called were yours. Both phones are deactivated now.

Thanks for the update, Dad. I just hope they stop calling me.

I help Dad clean up the kitchen. I went to my room and called Emma and Lexi. After that, I called John, and we talked for a while. Master Moon's training was taking its toll on him.

John said his skills were growing. He said he felt ready today. But the tournament was 2 months away and Master Moon insisted he continues to train every chance he gets.

Master Moon showed John a video of his opponent. The young man was Jon's age but a bit shorter than John. His opponent was a 10-generation martial artist and master of Ty Kwon do.

I told John you got this! Just picture Blake back at the diner in a drunken rage!

Good Idea Ree. I'll do that!

We said I love you to each other and hung up.

I started my bedtime routine and was finishing when Mom knocked on the door.

Come in! I said

Hi honey. I just wanted to check on you before bed. I'm good just trying to get comfortable.

Is everything ok? Mom asked.

Just the thought of being here scares me.

You're safe here. We'll see to that.

No, I meant being here in town. I just know someone knows I am home. I'm not sure how but I have a feeling.

Relax Ree, I didn't say anything to anyone, not even my girls at the salon.

Thanks, Mom.

Do the girls know about you wanting to sell them your salon?

Yes, they do. They're in the process of buying it now. We should be closing the sale in a couple weeks.

What about our home?

Mr and Mrs Chandler agreed to buy it. In fact, they intend to rent it out. It came out really nice. Dan and his friends remodeled the kitchen and put in new carpet and flooring. New doors, windows, and a new furnace and air conditioning.

What about this house? I asked

Dan is working that out with his daughters.

If everything goes as planned we should be able to move in hopefully by the time school starts up again in the fall. The only thing I will have left to do is sell my car.

We plan on getting a moving company to move our stuff. Dan and I will load up his truck and trailer his Corvette and ourselves out to Vegas.

Would you like to see the trailer and the Salon tomorrow? Asked Mom.

Yes, I would. I would like to see Mrs Chandler one final time. She was always keeping an eye on me after I left the hospital. I never got a chance to thank her.

That sounds like a good idea honey! Said Mom.

Mom kissed my forehead and said good night.

The next morning, I woke up and did my usual routine, and Dad was making french toast.

Are you hungry kiddo? Dad said with a smile.

It smells great! I said

One or two pieces?

Two, please, and some bacon.

Dad made me a plate and handed me a cup of breakfast tea.

You remembered the tea? I asked.

I pay attention to everything, it's an old habit from being a cop! Dad said.

Dad, I don't understand something.

What's that? Asked Dan

You were an army medic, then a cop, and you have a degree in HVAC. How did you become a school janitor? You mentioned getting a disability check?

Ree, I was 17. I was fresh out of high school, and my parents could not afford to send me or my sister to college. My father worked in construction his whole life, and my mother was a bookkeeper.

We weren't poor, but we were never had of life's comforts either.

I was wounded in Desert Storm and honorable discharged from the Army. I used the G.I. bill and went to college and got my degree in HVAC. I was having a very hard time finding a job.

I applied at the police academy and was accepted and got a job here in town as a police officer. I loved being a cop and helping people. Keeping the riff-raff at bay! One night, I was part of a raid on a crack house, and I was shot.

It took me almost a full year to recover. My wife demanded I find another job that was far less dangerous. Being wounded as I was I could never go back to the field.

So I took a 50% retirement pension and another disability claim. The school system had an opening for a custodian with a degree in HVAC or electrical. I applied and got the job.

My wife died over six years ago from cancer. When I laid my eyes on your mother for the first time, I fell in love with her. I felt my heart beating again in a long time.

You were in elementary school then. I transferred school every time you went to a different school, to keep an eye on you. I knew you were being bullied and I hated that! I did my best to protect you.

I was always hoping to bump into your mom just to say Hi. I never expected you to be attacked or assaulted.

The day you introduced me to your mother was a dream come true for me. I rang up my courage and went to her salon for a haircut. After talking to her, I asked her out to dinner.

I'm not sure who fell in love with who first. But I knew I never wanted to be anywhere except by her side.

How old are your daughters? I asked.

A little younger than your mother. We had some very long talks about me dating your mother. They weren't thrilled with the idea at first. But they both knew I wasn't intentionally trying to replace their mother with a younger woman.

Rianna, you can't help who you fall in love with. I have thanked God every day for her coming into my life. Having you as my daughter just added to that blessing.

I started tearing up, ohh! Daddy! I cried.

I hugged Dan as tightly as I could. I didn't want to let go.

Please don't cry, baby girl!

I'm so happy! I exclaimed. Thank you, Daddy!

You are very welcome, sweetheart!

Throw on some Jeans and I will take you by the trailer and see Mrs Chandler. Then we'll stop by and pick up Mom for lunch.

Okay! I said.

I put on my skinny jeans and my favorite black boots. I wore my turtle neck black cashmere sweater, my makeup slightly heavier than normal daytime big sunglasses, and a Detroit Tigers baseball cap Bree gave me.