Breathless

Chapter Three

Elizabeth glanced up when she heard a commotion at the nurses' desk. "I wonder....," she mumbled to herself. Walking quickly to the desk, she tapped the young woman on the shoulder. The blondish-redhead quickly turned around. "Are you Molly Taylor?" Elizabeth asked.

Receiving a frantic nod, Elizabeth continued. "I'm the woman that called you. Elizabeth Abrams." Motioning to a few seats together against a far wall, she added, "Let's go over there and sit down."

Molly silently followed her to the chairs. When they were seated, Molly demanded, "How is he? How is Justin?!"

Elizabeth sighed. "Right now, he's asleep. Because of everything that he's allergic to, the doctor had to give him a strong pain medication. Craig Taylor, your father, has been beating Justin for a long time. From what I could gather from Jennifer Taylor, it started when Justin was three.

"Last night, Mister Taylor beat Justin on his back with a belt. The belt caused a lot of cuts, several of them deep. Your mother finally called an ambulance later that night and Justin was brought here. They were able to get his fever down and they were able to take care of the cuts. But, from what the Doctor McKenzie said, Justin will have scars from the cuts. Of course, plastic surgery is always an option when he's older. Your father has been taken to jail and will be arraigned Monday morning. Your mother is at the house getting a few of Justin's things. "

"They're not my parents!" Molly vehemently cried. "They lost the right to be called my parents when my ass was kicked out on to the street ten years ago!"

Elizabeth nodded in understanding. "Well, Justin is going to be remanded to foster care. You are his biological mother, so you have the right to take him. But, should you choose to do that, we will reserve the right to make unscheduled drop-ins and keep an eye on how things are going."

Molly nodded. She didn't even have to think about it. Justin was her son and it was time that he knew the truth and that she started acting like his mother. She just hoped that he would be able to forgive her and that he would understand everything one day. "I want him to live with me."

"Alright. Well, Doctor McKenzie said that Justin will be here for a couple of days. For observation. During that time, I will need to inspect your place of residence and do a background check. We have to make sure that you will be able to take care of him," Elizabeth explained.

Molly nodded, hoping that everything would work out.

"Elizabeth, we're back," a male voice said. They both looked up and saw Jennifer standing with the two policemen that had escorted her to the house. There were two suitcases on the floor, beside Jennifer's feet. She looked surprised to see Molly.

"Molly!" Jennifer gasped.

Molly jumped up, anger written all over her face. "You *bitch*!" Jennifer took a step back, while Elizabeth and the two policemen took steps forward, ready to intervene if necessary.

"Molly, I--," Jennifer started.

Molly held up a hand, cutting Jennifer off. I don't want to hear whatever excuses are about to pour out of your mouth. You let Craig kick me out when I was fifteen. Did you even care about what happened to me?!"

"I didn't know where to look," Jennifer lamely replied.

Molly snorted. "As if you even bothered to look!" Nodding in Elizabeth's direction, she added, "She managed to find me. Now, I find out that you've been letting that son of a bitch abuse Justin since he was three! How can you even live with yourself?!"

Jennifer had tears streaming down her cheeks. "Molly, sweetheart, I---"

"Don't say another word," Molly interrupted.

Before anyone could say anything else, they heard a throat clearing. "Doctor McKenzie," said Elizabeth. "This is Molly Taylor. Molly, this is Doctor McKenzie... Justin's doctor," Elizabeth said. Doctor McKenzie was a kindly looking doctor, who seemed to be in her late forties/early fifties.

"Justin is awake," Doctor McKenzie said.

"Can we... see him?" asked Jennifer. Molly glared at her but waited to see what the doctor would say.

Doctor McKenzie nodded. "Yes. Just try and keep him calm." Looking at Elizabeth, the doctor continued. "Mrs. Abrams, it might be better if you go in first and explain things to him. Just try and keep him calm. Alright?"

Elizabeth nodded. "I'll come and get you when I'm through," Elizabeth told Molly and Jennifer.

A few minutes later, Doctor McKenzie showed Elizabeth to Justin's room, and said, "Get me if there are any problems."

Elizabeth walked into the room and saw Justin laying in the hospital bed, a styrofoam mat underneath him to potect his back. Justin silently looked at her as she walked over to the bed and sat down on a chair.

Giving him a gentle smile, she said, "Hi Justin. My name is Elziabeth Abrams. I'm with Child Protective Services."

"You're one of those people that throws kids in foster homes," Justin stated in a quiet voice.

"I don't actually *throw* them," she teased. Getting no response from Justin, she continued. "When a child needs to be placed in a different house, yes, I do that. Sometimes children need to be removed from their parents. Do you understand?"

Justin nodded. "Am I one of those kids?"

"Yes," Elizabeth said. "Your house is not safe for you and I'm going to be placing you in another home. How do you feel about that?"

Justin shrugged. "Doesn't really matter, does it?" Honestly, Justin didn't know whether to be ecstatic that he was finally getting away from his father or scared. What if where he was going was worse?

Elizabeth silently sighed, feeling bad for the broken ten year old boy that she saw in front of her. " I have some other news." Taking a deep breath, she said, "Justin... I found out that Jennifer Taylor is not your... mother."

Justin's eyes widened in shock. "*WHAT?!"

"Justin, try and stay calm. Alright?" After a few minutes, Elizabeth continued talking. "Jennifer informed me of that earlier. And Craig is not your father. Your real mother is Molly Taylor."

"She's my sister!" Justin blurted out. "I wasn't supposed to find out about Molly. But when I was seven, I found a box with some of her stuff in it. Dad was pretty angry when I asked who Molly was."

Elizabeth nodded in sympathy. "What did he do?"

Justin remained silent for a few minutes, then he whispered, "Hit me with a switch a few times on my legs and butt. It really hurt. The switch had sharp things that looked like small spikes on it."

Before Elizabeth could say anything, Justin asked, "Are they really not my parents?"

"They aren't, Justin. Molly is your biological mother. As for your actual father, we don't know yet." After a slight pause, Elizabeth gently asked, "Would you like to see Jennifer and meet Molly?"

Justin sighed, then timidly nodded his head.

Elizabeth stood up and left the room. When she reached Jennifer and Molly, she saw Molly glaring at Jennifer and Jennifer sitting as still as a statue. "Jennifer, Molly, you can come and see Justin now."

A few minutes later, the three women entered Justin's hospital room. When the door opened, Justin looked at them in silence for a moment. Elizabeth was getting ready to introduce Molly, when Justin turned pale and started hyperventilating and shaking. Elizabeth quickly stepped out of the room and jogged up to a nearby nurse. "Come quick!"

The nurse followed Elizabeth without question. When she saw what was happening, the nurse quickly hit a CALL DOCTOR button and spoke into an
intercom. "CALLING DOCtOR MCKENZIE TO ROOM 211! CALLING DOCTOR MCKENZIE TO ROOM 211!"

A WEEK LATER---MOLLY'S POV

I sigh as I sit down at the kitchen table. This past week has been...something. I was scared to death when Justin started to shake and hyperventilate at the hospital. Doctor McKenzie had made me, Jennifer, and Mrs. Abrams leave the room, so she could get Justin calmed down. About an hour later, she had told us that Justin was asleep and we needed to let him rest. She suggested that we come back the next day, but I just couldn't bring myself to leave the hospital.

Then, I had finally remembered to call Lindsay and Melanie to let them know what was going on. To say that they had been shocked to find out that I had a son and what had been happening would be the understatement of the century! I had never confided in them, even though Melanie is my cousin, that I had a son ten years ago. I don't know why. I guess I didn't want them to think that I was a terrible mother because I left him with Craig and Jennifer. But I *was* a terrible mother for doing that. I especially think that now that I know what Justin has gone through all these years.

Then, Elizabeth hadn't been sure about me getting custody of Justin because I live in an attic apartment in the house of two lesbians. I'm still furious about that! Finally I had pleaded my case and Mrs. Abrams decided to give me a chance. But she did warn me that she would be stopping by, unannounced, when she felt like it to check out how things were going.

As for Justin... all I can is that he hates me. He hasn't told me that, but that could be because he hardly talks to me. He only talks to me or looks at me when he *has* to. And he avoids being alone with me. He gets along alright with Lindsay and Melanie, but he doesn't talk to them a lot either.

I have my elbows resting on the table, my head on my hands, when a hand touches my shoulder. "How are you holding up?" Lindsay asks.

I shrug as she sits down beside me. "Alright I guess. I just wish...."

"Wish what?"

I sigh. "I just wish that Justin didn't hate me so much."

"He doesn't, Mol. I'm sure that--"

I interrupt her, "I know that he does. He doesn't have to say it. And I don't blame him, not a bit. I deserve it."

"Molly... why didn't you ever tell me that you had a son?" she asks softly.

I stay silent for a minute, thinking over my answer. "I don't really know. I'm not ashamed that I had him, never have been. I guess I didn't want you telling me what a bad mother I was for leaving my baby. Especially now that we know what he's been through. I never thought that Craig would... hurt him. I thought he would finally have the son that he had always wanted!"

I feel tears rolling down my cheeks as Lindsay starts rubbing comforting circles on my back. "It's alright. Everything will be alright," she whispers. I just wish that I could completely believe her.

 

THAT NIGHT

"Are you ready?" I ask Justin after I enter his room. Lindsay and Melanie let him have the guest bedroom. They had told him that he could decorate it anyway that he wanted, but he had left it the same.

He shrugged, not looking at me. I sigh. I seem to be sighing a lot lately. Lindsay, Melanie, Justin, and I are going to Debbie's for the weekly 'family' dinner. When I had informed Debbie and the others that I had a ten year old son. there had been shock and a lot of cussing. Debbie couldn't believe that I had never told her that I had a son. That I had never even talked to my son. When I explained what had happened and that I had been fifteen at the time, she had given me a motherly hug.

When I had explained about what Justin had gone through, there were tears. I had seen the shadows cross Brian's face, and I thought that the fourteen year old might be able to help Justin. They had similar backgrounds.

Justin stood up and followed me out to Melanie's car. Twenty minutes later we pulled up in front of Debbie's house and parked. I could see Justin's trepidation abut going to the front door.

He slowly followed us and we all waited for the knock to be answered.

"Hey all!" Debbie, the boisterous red-head greeted us. Justin jumped and looked like he wanted to bolt.

Debbie gave Melanie, Lindsay. and myself a hug. When she went to give Justin one, he cringed and backed away. She looked heartbroken, as did we, and she opened the door further. "Come on in!"

We entered the house, which was colorfully decorated, and headed into the kitchen. Justin lingered behind us, his eyes widening when he took in all of the people sitting around.

Debbie gave Justin a warm smile and said, "Let me introduce ya, honey."

Pointing at each person, in turn, she started the introductions. "This is my brother Vic, Emmett, Ted, Ben, and my sons Michael and Brian. Everybody, this is Justin."

Justin's blue eyes locked onto Brian's hazel ones and Brian smiled. Justin slowly returned the smile.

 

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