Still With Us by Regina Walker

Author:Regina Walker [Walker, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Regina Walker

Chapter Seventeen

Tammy parked the truck in front of the police station. She made Ella wash her face at the barn, and tears still trickled down her cheeks from the sight of the bruises under Ella’s eyes and along her cheek. Anger bubbled within her toward the man who did this to her daughter and Amy, covering it up with makeup like it was to Ella’s shame and should be concealed.

“Let’s get this over with. We have another hard conversation afterward,” Tammy said.

“About?”

“Whether you want to go live at your dad’s or not.”

“Why would I want that?” Ella’s eyes widened and her jaw hung slack.

“Well, he’s adamant about it and we may have to go back to court. I just needed to know if you want me to fight baby girl or if you want to go live over there.”

“Please don’t make me go live over there. They hate me.” Ella covered her face with her hands and started crying.

“Shhhh,” Tammy reached across the truck and pulled Ella into her arms. “I will always fight for you, my precious Ella. I just don’t want to take up battles that drive you away. If you don’t want to move to your dad’s, then I will do everything in my power to keep things the same.”

Ella nodded her head against her mom. Her mom’s warm embrace brought new tears, and she shook as she sobbed. Tammy held Ella tightly. Dripping from her eyes, tears ran down Tammy’s cheeks.

The pair must have been quite the sight, as a Midwest City officer tapped on Tammy’s window to check on them. Tammy released her daughter, and they both stepped out.

“We’re here to report an assault, Sir,” Tammy said.

The officer led her inside the building. Within a few minutes, they brought Ella and Tammy to a quiet office with a detective. Ella told him about hanging out with Kevin, where Kevin lived, that she was unsure what provoked him, and that she had more marks than just the ones on her face. Tammy told the officer that drugs had been involved. Ella’s face fell and she stared at the floor.

He listened intently, took notes, and took photographs of the bruises. He told Ella he was sorry this happened to her and then asked to speak with Tammy alone. Ella stepped out and sat on the bench in front of the detective’s office.

The officer asked Tammy when Ella left the house and quizzed her about the girl’s use of meth. As Tammy relayed the details to him, he shook his head sympathetically. He offered Tammy a couple of brochures for treatment centers and let her know that at Ella’s age, she could face charges if she was caught in possession of drugs or paraphernalia. Tammy understood, and they shook hands.

The officer called Ella back into the room. “Does this man know where you live?”

“No, he doesn’t.”

“That’s good. You know, after we confront him, it would be very dangerous for you to go back over there, right?”

“Yes, I know. I wasn’t going to, anyway.

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