Bad Dreams Part III

The little girl sits on the couch with her pink bunny rabbit. It was far past her bedtime, but when daddy was home she got away with plenty. Boomerang was the best bet for her, all cartoons all of the time. She focused in on the television as the yelling behind her was almost deafening. And yet, saddled with Mr. Big Ears she was able to be okay in her own little world.

The dream returns again for Kaylee for the third time.

Randy: You stupid bitch! I told you I would be coming home at eleven. I expect a hot meal on the damn table!

Rita: Randy! I am sorry. I got the days mixed up. Let me make you something-

Randy: No! I am not going to wait. I will eat this goddamned cold mush. I work sixty goddamned hours. SIXTY, bitch! And I cannot even get a hot meal? You are lucky that I am such a nice guy, Rita.

Rita: You are right. I am lucky.

A loud smack sound is heard followed by a loud wail. The little girl looks over the couch as Rita was holding her face. Randy had a cigarette sticking out of his mouth, and a beer in his other hand.

Randy: Mouth off again, bitch.

Rita: Randy! I am sorry!

Randy: You will be!

Kaylee saw this going on, and did not realize what was going on.

Randy: Sweetie. Turn around for daddy. Watch the 'toons. Okay?

She nods as she flops back down and continues to watch the television. Little did the girl know that this night would be the night that changed it all. This would be the catalyst for all of it. For her growing distant from people. For her seeking out attention. For using her body to feel something. And for her being adopted. And yet, she still does not know just why she was adopted. No one did, except for her adoptive parents. And they intended on keeping it that way. Well, that was until her mind began to reveal memories that she pushed so far back into her brain that they began to reveal themselves as dreams. Dreams? More like nightmares.

Randy: I've had enough of this bitch. I am going to smack some sense into you!

Another wail from Rita in the kitchen as some sort of physical altercation was taking place. The chair pushed against the floor as if it were forced to move with weight on it. The sort of sound that hurts your ears, but you know just what it is. It was followed by a few smack sounds. And a thud. And then nothing. Just quiet.

Randy: That's right, bitch. Lay there. Just like you used to do at the strip club.

The sound of someone spitting at the ground was heard. The trailer shook a bit as Randy headed into the back of the trailer and into the bedroom. The thin door slammed shut as the trailer felt him flop onto the bed.

It was time for a commercial. The little girl did not like commercials. She was thirsty. Into the fridge for her! Grabbing Mr. Big Ears, she slid off of the couch and towards the kitchen. As she approached, she saw something weird. Often mommy would cry or she would have boo boos... but this time, she was laying on the floor.

Kaylee: Mommy?

She shakes her softly.

Kaylee: Mommy? Why are you sleeping on the floor? Mommy?

The little girl moved to the other side as she saw the face of someone that was not her mommy. Her face, beaten and bruised. Swollen. She was out.

Kaylee: Mommy? Please wake up mommy.

There was silence from the bedroom. Randy had fallen asleep or blacked out, not like it really mattered anyways. Kaylee didn’t know what to do. She decided to head towards the couch and grab a couple of pillows, and a blanket. She decided it was best to sleep with mommy and keep her comfortable. She set a pillow next to mommy, and then one for herself. A blanket over them, and Kaylee decided to call it bed for the night.

The next morning Kaylee wakes up as her father was still passed out drunk. Knowing how to get herself some cereal, she gets a bowl and pours in a heaping helping of Captain Crunch. Following by milk, which spills all over the table including some into the bowl luckily. Kaylee gets a towel and wipes the floor up. Mr. Big Ears sat on the table next to Kaylee as she ate breakfast all alone.

Kaylee: That’s right Mr. Big Ears. Momma is sleepin’. Shhhh.

Kaylee continues to eat as she let Rita “sleep” on the floor; pillow pushed against her and a blanket covering her.


* * * * *

Kaylee: Mom!

Kaylee pops up from sleep. Her and Josh were on their honeymoon in Tahiti. Josh had been getting something to drink as he walked back into the room at the time of the nightmare waking her up.

Kaylee: Mom….

She begins to cry. Phorry wakes up and starts licking her face and hearing the crying her husband rushes to the room.

Josh: Kaylee? Kaylee what’s wrong?

Josh is quick to her side and places a hand on her face, his thumb stroking her cheek.

Josh: Another nightmare?

Kaylee: My mom… my real mom….

She was short of words as far as anyone else had known, she was not adopted.

Josh: Your….real mom?

Josh looked confused.

Josh: Cassandra… You can tell me. You can not tell me. No matter what I’m gonna be here loving the hell out of you. You’re safe.

Josh leans in and embraces her gently.

Josh: I somehow tricked you into marrying me so you’re stuck with me now.

Kaylee: My mom? And dad? They adopted me when I was very young.

She lowers her head.

Kaylee: My biological mom was killed…

Josh: Killed? Oh sweetheart… I had no idea.

Josh’s embrace tightens and Phorry hops off of the bed so they have their privacy in this matter.

Kaylee: I was there…. I didn’t even know she was…

She chokes up. Josh doesn’t even know what to say, knowing there’s nothing he really COULD say that would cover this...wound she was showing him.

Josh: You were...there? Cassandra… Oh my God how… What happened?

Kaylee starts to shed more tears.

Kaylee: My dad… beat…. her….. Death……

She can barely get the words out as she was obviously torn up.

Kaylee: I blocked… out… my head…. But…. the dreams….

This revelation leaves Josh stunned. He releases the embrace and holds her at arm's length, looking at his wife who put up such a tough front for everyone except him. Another layer had peeled away.

Josh: Cassandra. That man is gone now and he’s never coming back but if he did...he wouldn’t be looking at the same scared little girl. He’d have to tangle with Kaylee Kassie and Kaylee Kassie would kick his tuches.

Kaylee: I thought…

She clears her throat.

Kaylee: I thought she was just asleep. I laid down with her, Josh. I laid there. She never woke, Joshie. She never woke.

She looked at him in the eyes; hers were bloodshot and irritated. His eyes were starting to tear up, too. Oh how he wished he could just be strong for her but this was…No. He would find a way to make this better.

Josh: Some people…they go without anyone there… without someone who loves them when they pass. You didn’t understand fully what was happening...but you knew your Mom needed you.

Josh brushes a strand of hair out of her face. Choked up, she nods.

Kaylee: I just…. I was so little. I don’t even know how I remember. The dreams… they are like trapped memories. I cannot sleep well anymore Joshie.

She looks at him as if he has some sort of answer, but she knew he didn’t.

Josh: Cassie...I am gonna do absolutely everything I can to help you… We can talk about therapy, hypnosis, voodoo, Scientology… whatever it is if it maybe has a shot at helping you sleep at night… but until then you have me...and if you ever need to stay awake with somebody and talk I will put a pot of coffee on and we will talk til sunrise, sunset, longer if needed. I’m always gonna be here for you.

She nods as she wraps her arms around his neck and buries her head in his chest.

Kaylee: For now, stay up with me, Joshie. Please?