Domestic Drama, "632 Broken Road" RELEASED
ISBN 1-4241-1305-9
Chapter 11
Emily sat alone in the large high school auditorium. She
could see her Mother and Maxwell sitting just across and three
rows down from her. Sitting directly in front of Ingrid were
James and Charlene with William Jr. He was fourteen years old
now and his resemblance to his father was uncanny. Although
she had caught glimpses of him when she would run into
Charlene in town, Emily had not been allowed to see him since
the day James and Charlene took him away.
Emily sat quietly listening to the principal call out each
student, introducing them as they presented their parents with
a bouquet of roses. Emily sobbed as she watched Samantha
approach Ingrid, hand her the bouquet, and kiss her gently on
the cheek. After the presentation, they began calling out each
graduating student, awarding them with their diplomas and
allowing them to speak briefly.
Emily held her breath as she watched Samantha take
center stage. The young girl extended her hand to the
principle, took her diploma, and then the microphone.
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Samantha stood silently for a minute gathering her thoughts
and then spoke. “I would like to thank my mother and father
for all their encouragement, love, and support for the past
eighteen years. I would like to thank my professors for their
guidance.” Samantha dropped her head and as silent tears
rolled down her face continued. “I also would like to thank
Emily Montgomery, for the gift that only she could give me.”
Samantha handed the microphone back to the principle and
returned to her seat.
Emily lost her breath as a raging river of emotion engulfed
her. She had no idea that Samantha even thought of her. Emily
waited outside at the far end of the building after the ceremony
was over, hoping that she would have the opportunity to speak
to James. She watched as Ingrid and Maxwell walked out of the
building, noticing that, Maxwell had become Ingrid’s physical
support. She watched the woman look around curiously
mumbling incoherently.
James and Charlene finally walked through the exit and
Emily raised her hand waving them in her direction. Charlene
grabbed James by the arm and shook her head. James looked at Emily blankly and walked away. Emily stood and waited for
what seemed to be another hour and finally Samantha
emerged. Emily stood silently, wondering if the girl would
approach her.
Samantha looked around scanning the people who stood
around engaged in conversation and then her eye finally caught a glimpse of Emily. Samantha ran to Emily, threw her arms
around her, and squeezed her tightly. “Momma, thank you for
coming,” Samantha sobbed. “I didn’t think you would come.”
Emily held the trembling girl tightly in her arms as emotion
flooded her heart. “Child, I would have been here all along if
they would have allowed it.”
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Samantha stepped back and gazed deeply into Emily’s eyes.
“Momma, you won’t go away again, will you?”
Emily stroked the girls face, gently wiping away her tears.
“No baby, I won’t go away again.”
Maxwell approached the pair and gently took Samantha by
the arm. “We need to go pumpkin; your mother is not feeling so good. Emily, you’re welcome to come by when you like.”
Samantha hugged Emily tightly and promised she would see
her soon. She then turned and walked away.
* * *
Emily did see Samantha again one week later when she
received a call from Nathanial asking her to come by their
mother’s house. He needed to speak to her about Ingrid. Emily
swung her car into the driveway. Nathanial had arrived, James,
and a car with Tennessee tags. Emily’s stomach churned when
she saw the tag. She walked quietly through the front door and
closed it silently behind her. She could hear the voices of
Maxwell, Nathanial, and James arguing. She walked into the
living room where the group sat and silently, like a ghost, took
a seat. Several minutes elapsed before the group noticed her.
“Oh Emily, I’m glad you could make it. I didn’t even hear
you come in.” Nathanial sighed.
“So…what is going on?” Emily asked hesitantly.
“Well,” James took a deep breath. “It’s Momma, we are
going to have to do something with her Emily. She has become
completely dependant. She cannot feed herself without having
a tantrum and throwing food everywhere. She will not bathe
unless she is forced too, and she has to be watched around the
clock. We don’t have time to deal with her, and well, Maxwell
has had all he can take of it.”
uld.