Conquer

  Daddy squeezed me tightly before handing me off to Momma. Just like the last time I’d seen her, her hands twisted over themselves. I reached out and placed my hands over hers. “We have a lot to talk about, Momma; but you don’t need to worry. I love you. Nothing will change that.”

  A single tear escaped her eye as she smiled weakly and pulled me into a hug. I choked up from the contact, but pulled myself together not wanting to let her see my reaction.

  “Has Annie arrived?”

  Momma let me go to hug David and Daemon. “Not yet, Paige. She should be here within the hour. Doctor Carter is driving her over as we speak.”

  Momma and Daddy led us into the back recreation area. David moved over to the children’s area taking his usual place as jungle gym. While David was distracted, Momma and Daddy requested that Daemon and I follow them out to the back veranda.

  I gasped at the beauty of the back yard as we exited the building. The sun was an hour or two from setting and had just begun pouring faint streaks of red and gold over the horizon. It was during this time that every detail of the yard and the wetlands beyond were shown in such magnificent clarity. Dragonflies buzzed about getting in their last activities prior to settling in for the night. Birds sang and the cicadas and frogs battled it out with their songs. A warm breeze floated along, picking my hair up and blowing it back.

  Momma and Daddy sat down on one of the outdoor loveseats and Daemon and I took our place in the chairs facing them.

  Daddy spoke first. “Paige, your Momma and I have been worried sick, and quite frankly, hurting over the past few days. I want you to know that we know what we did was wrong. We should have been honest with you when you were old enough to understand. It was our fault and we deserved your anger. Baby, please forgive us. We were only trying to protect you. That’s not to say that if we had to, we wouldn’t make the same choice. We were right about keeping you from Daemon; where we screwed up was continuing to lie to you about it.”

  I was silent for a moment as I gathered my thoughts. Daddy was wrong. They hadn’t made the right choice. They had the wrong opinion of Daemon as a child. He was a misunderstood kid who was only trying to protect me, but was made to believe he was bad because of it. I didn’t want to hurt them further, but it was best that we all lay it all out on the table. The truth needed to come out.

  “Of course, I’ll forgive you. I understand why you did what you did. It just upsets me to know that you two thought I was so fragile, I wouldn’t have been able to handle knowing about this when I was older.” I took a deep breath before revealing the rest. “What also kills me about the whole situation is that both of you were so wrong in what you believed about Daemon.”

  Both sets of their eyes widened as I continued.

  “Momma, I know that you saw Daemon pushing me around when we were kids, and I get your hesitancy to keep him around after his parents died; but you misunderstood what you were seeing.”

  Momma looked from me to Daemon and back again. “What are you talking about, Paige?”

  Daemon’s hand came to rest on my knee, gently squeezing upon contact. “When you saw him pushing me around, he was only trying to teach me not to be like his mom who would cry when she was hurt and not get away or fight back...”

  “But…”

  “…And when you saw him fight other kids around the Center, he was doing so because they were making fun of me. He was defending me mom, not just being a bully or an emotionally troubled kid.”

  Momma gasped and folded her hands together. Daddy’s eyes locked to Daemon. “Is that true, Daemon?”

  Daemon nodded.

  Daddy’s face fell. “But…you kept fighting son. We followed your progress while you were in foster care. That was the biggest complaint of all of your foster parents.”

  Daemon cleared his throat. His eyes traveled to the ground before looking back up at Daddy. “Uh, yeah. I did keep fighting, but most of the time, it was because I was being picked on by the other boys. I never fought any girls. The other boys, well, they enjoyed making fun of the fact that I wore a girl’s necklace. The one Paige gave me.”

  My eyes shot to him as my jaw dropped. He’d never told me that part.

  Daemon continued. “I put it on almost immediately after she gave it to me. I didn’t take it off again until I was about thirteen or so.” His head and shoulder dropped as he remembered back.

  Momma and Daddy were quiet momentarily, before Momma finally asked, “Daemon, honey, why didn’t you tell anybody what was really going on?”

  Daemon shrugged his shoulders and looked back up into Momma’s eyes. “I don’t know. I guess when you’re as young as I was, and enough people tell you that you are bad, you start to believe it. I stayed that way until you two sent me to live with Frank.” He chuckled. “I think you both already know his opinion on the matter. It didn’t take him long to straighten my head up.”

  Daddy smiled. “Yeah, rest his soul, Frank was one hell of a man. It’s a damn shame he couldn’t have stuck around with us a little longer. The world lost a great person the day he died.”

  “How did you know Frank, Daddy? Why did you send Daemon there?” I couldn’t help my curiosity about the man my parents chose for Daemon.

  Daddy sat back in his chair, sighing loudly as he did so. “I knew Frank from high school. When I was a sophomore, he moved to Florida with his mother. His father was apparently just as abusive as Daemon’s dad, but Frank had endured it longer. Frank’s mother eventually left his father and moved here to be closer to her family, bringing Frank with her. He was very much a loner when I met him, but we got to know each other when I tutored him in math. Eventually, he admitted to me the things his father had done to him over the years. He had a lot of anger inside of him, but kept it together so that he could help support his mother. We remained friends through high school and he joined the Marines the day after we graduated.” Daddy looked serious as he said, “Frank is one of the reasons I wanted to start The Center. We kept contact over the years through letters and he eventually returned to Florida after ten years in the military. He was a changed man when he returned.”

  Daddy turned to look at Daemon. “I’m sure you know most of that already, Daemon. I chose Frank because I knew he was strong enough to deal with your rage, but I also knew he would understand what you’d gone through growing up. From the looks of you, it appears I made at least one right decision.”

  Daemon nodded. “Yeah, Frank told me about his childhood.” He chuckled before continuing. “He never would hear my excuses for being angry. He said it didn’t matter what happened in my past. The only thing that did matter was what I did with the rest of my life.”

  Daddy smiled. “Like I said, I knew he’d be the right choice for you, son.”

  We grew quiet again. Daddy finally broke the silence when he asked, “So what happened at the club, Daemon? They’ve reported that they suspect Chris of arson because of what happened.”

  Daemon launched into the story, explaining about the fire at Tomb and also the information we discovered about Chris’ youth. Daddy cursed quietly when Daemon told him about Bill’s unfortunate ending.

  Momma remained abnormally reserved as we discussed the details of the past few days. I finally looked over at her and asked, “Momma? Is everything okay?”

  She looked up at me and the redness of her eyes gave away that she had been silently crying. Wiping at her face to remove the evidence of her tears, she said, “My heart is broken, Paige. I didn’t know any of those things about Daemon.” She choked back a sob. “And then to hear about Chris’ history…I mean, nobody helped that poor boy. I’m so angry that nobody stepped up to stop his mother from her abuse, but then I just grow angry with myself because I’m no better than they were. Daemon needed help and I failed him. Oh, god, Daemon, you could have turned out just like Chris.” She lost the battle to keep herself composed as tears flowed down her face. Her chest and back heaved with her sobs as she attempted to hide her face in her
hands. Tears sprung from my eyes and I started to stand up to go and comfort her. Daemon’s hand fell on my leg and I looked over as he stood up to walk over to Momma.

  He knelt down in front of her, gently pulling her face up so he could look at her. When her bloodshot eyes finally locked with his, he said, “You didn’t fail me. You made a mistake, yes, but don’t ever think that you failed me. If it hadn’t been for you and Mr. Stone, I would have been lost and forgotten in the system. If it hadn’t been for you, I would have never found Frank, I may never had straightened up. It was your actions that did that. Sure, they weren’t the most informed decisions, but they were the best ones that could have been made at the time. You did save me.” He his eyes flicked to Daddy’s before returning to Momma’s. “You both did.”

  Momma’s arms were suddenly around him and I started crying as a result. It was way too much emotion for me to handle, but I threw myself over to them, taking them both into a hug. Daddy eventually joined in while we hugged and cried and forgave…together.

  We were still wrapped around each other when the back door slammed open and David was heard crying out. “What the hell?! There’s a family hugfest going on out here and I wasn’t invited!” He sniffed. “I feel so unloved. Momma? Daddy? I thought I was the favorite.”

  We let go of each other and our heads turned to look at David in unison.

  Crossing his arms over his chest he squared his shoulders and look down his nose at us. “I’m sorry, Daemon, but I can’t allow this. Paige, we need to sleep together so that I can be the favorite again. Daemon has an unfair advantage.”

  My jaw dropped as my cheeks heated. I looked over to find a pained expression of Daddy’s face. I know that the man would believe I was a virgin until the day I got married. Momma and Daemon’s faces weren’t much better.

  My eyes shot back to David. “Shut up, David! My parents don’t want to hear that!” I screeched.

  He chuckled. “Oh, whatever, Paige. Your parents had to know something would happen between the two of you. Soul mates can’t sleep under the same roof without a little nookie happening every once in a while. Anyways…” He rolled his eyes. “I came to tell you that the intercom went off just a second ago. Annie and Dr. Carter are at the front doors.”

  My heart leapt into action, beating happily in excitement to see one of my best friends. Daddy pushed himself up and reached down to help Momma to her feet. Her hands brushed down the front and back of her dress before she said, “Daemon and David. I’d like for you both to stay outside or in the recreation area while we bring Annie in to get her settled. The only person she has requested to see at this point is Paige, but I’ll be sure to ask if she feels she’s at a point where she wants to see the two of you as well.”

  “But Momma, she’s already seen David. He went with me when I visited her at the hospital, “I protested.

  Momma had her business face back on; the effects of the talk having disappeared completely. “Now, Paige, you know the rules around here. Nobody visits the women or children who live here unless I’ve been told that it’s okay with them. I’m sure Annie will have no problem seeing the boys. Dr. Carter advised that she’s made excellent progress and just needs some fine tuning at this point. However, I’m sticking to my rule.”

  I nodded my head in agreement. “Okay, Momma, you’re right.”

  “Now let’s go open those doors. It’s rude to keep her and Dr. Carter waiting.

  Chapter Ten

  I stood back as Daddy swung open the large doors at the front of the Center. Sunlight invaded the darkened foyer, backlighting Annie and Dr. Carter as they walked through. Daddy reached out to grab a suitcase from Annie’s hands. My breath caught as I was reminded of the day I watched Daemon and his mother enter through those doors. Annie looked nothing like Daemon’s mother. Her time in the mental facility had all but erased the physical marks of Chris’ attack. I knew, however, that the emotional injuries were still very much present within her.

  Once Daddy closed the doors, we led Annie to a small sitting and receiving area situated to the right of the foyer. Momma and Daddy spoke quietly with Dr. Carter as Annie moved across the room to take a seat on one of the chairs. I followed her across the room and sat down in the chair next to her.

  “Hey, Annie. Long time, no see.” I smiled brightly at her, trying to convey my absolute joy at her arrival.

  To my surprise, she returned the bright smile. “Hey, Paige. I’m so freaking happy to be here. No offence to the place I was just at, but mental facilities are really depressing and creepy when you are no longer a basket case.”

  I laughed and jumped up to give her a hug. My hand came up to ruffle her hair. “You’ll have to tell me all about it later. I’m sure you probably heard or saw some strange shit there.”

  Annie nodded in response just as Dr. Carter and my parents moved to join us. “Now, Annie. Don’t go telling Paige about all the patients at my facility…but if you happen to mention the exceptionally odd cases, just remember to keep their names private, okay?” Dr. Carter beamed pridefully at Annie.

  “Will do, Doc.”

  We spoke as a group for about an hour and then Momma asked me to show Annie to her room. I’d pulled some strings and convinced Momma to make sure Annie’s room was private, unless Annie decided later on that she preferred to have a roommate. Normally the private room were reserved for women with children, but Momma conceded to allow Annie a private room as long as a mother and child didn’t arrive in need of it.

  After walking Annie back to her room, I sat and watched as she put up the things I’d brought from the apartment. I noticed that she’d continued wearing the dragonfly bracelet that I’d bought for her and my chest swelled with pride that she’d liked it. It wasn’t much, but it was all I could do for her at the time. Annie’s beautiful red hair was growing out and was just long enough to drop below her shoulder. Sunlight shining in through the window danced along her hair causing the golds and reds to shimmer. When Annie turned to look at me, I smiled to see her beautiful green eyes sparkling back at me once again.

  “So, Momma was going to ask, but I might as well while we are sitting here. Would you mind seeing Daemon and David? They are in the recreation area or the backyard and I’m sure they would love to see you.”

  Annie smiled. “Of course, I want to see David. Are you kidding me?! The man is a walking ray of sunshine...well, that or a court jester. I haven’t made a decision on that one yet.”

  I laughed at Annie’s levity. She really had made progress and the girl I knew and loved was seemingly back. As Annie put away her clothes, her brows furrowed as she frowned. “Paige, could you do me a favor?” She turned to me with a few of her shirts in hand.

  My eyebrows raised up. “Sure, Annie. What’s up?”

  She handed me the shirts and then turned to grab some other items to give to me. “Would you get rid of those clothes? I don’t really need much while I’m here, but once I get out, I’m going to need to go shopping for a new wardrobe.”

  I looked down at the clothes she’d handed me. Most of them were practically new, having been purchased shortly before the attack. “Yeah, no problem, Annie, but if you don’t mind my asking, why do you want me to get rid of these.”

  Annie looked hesitant to respond. “Because I want to start dressing more conservatively. Those clothes are way too revealing and it attracted the wrong kind of attention to me. I’m starting over, Paige. I need to start over. So the first place I’m going to do that is my appearance.”

  “Annie, you can dress however you want. What happened wasn’t in any way your fault. Your choice in clothes can’t be blamed for the actions of another person.”

  She smiled. “I know that, Paige. I don’t in any way blame myself for what was done to me. That was the act of a depraved person. I’m going to move past that, Paige. I have to; but I also need to work on other problems I have as well. I believed a lot of stupid things about myself before…you know…before. I had a lot of tim
e to think while I was at Dr. Carter’s facility. The counseling sessions helped me figure a lot out about myself as well. I didn’t respect myself enough. That’s why I kept going for the same types of men and it’s also the reason I put up with their disrespect. I want to change my life, Paige. I don’t want to keep making the same mistakes over and over again. I wasn’t happy, not truly anyways. I deserve so much more than what I was getting. I deserve everything I dreamed about as a child; a loving husband, kids, a white picket fence, the whole thing. My former beliefs prevented me from finding that, and I’ll be damned to fall back into the same pattern. Things are going to get better and I’m sure that with your mom’s help, and yours, I’ll walk out of this place with my head held high and I won’t take shit from anybody ever again.” She paused briefly and smiled. “I’m excited, Paige. For once, I’m really excited about my future. It sucks that it took…well, that I had to go through the things that I did, but for once, I have something to really look forward to.” She nudged me with her shoulder. “Who knows, maybe I’ll even give the big and bad Paige a run for her money on who can be the toughest chick.”

  I couldn’t contain my smile. “Annie, you already are giving me a run for my money. Hell, I think you’ve surpassed me as the toughest chick. I can’t believe how well you’ve pulled through all of this. It’s amazing. You’re amazing.”

  When she winked at me, I couldn’t help but laugh. I loved Annie to death, and I was looking forward to meeting the new and improved version of herself I knew she would become. I also understood that she would need a lot of guidance, but I couldn’t have been more proud of her for her strength and perseverance. She made me proud. I hated that it took something so dramatic to finally make her see the error in her ways. However, I couldn’t be more happy to know that from here on out, she would be a stronger woman. When Logan suddenly popped into my thoughts, I chanced asking her about him.

  “So, Logan is still wanting to eventually see you again, Annie. He knows it won’t be anything more than as friends, but in the short amount of time he knew you, he grew to care about you immensely.”