Chapter 40

Wednesday August 2, morning. 8:00 am Demi's POV "Jordan wake up baby. Come eat. Then you need to get ready." She growls and flips over, covering her head in blankets. "Come on get up." "Fine." She groans. "Dad made eggs and bacon. I'm going to pick out your outfit. Then I need to shower. Go eat and then get in the shower." "Okay, whatever." She snaps. "Hey! I know it's a hard day for you but drop the tude." She just stomps downstairs. I lay out a black skater skirt, with a purple plaid button up shirt, a pair of pearl earrings and her black toms. Then get into the shower. By the time Nick and I are ready Jordan is blow drying her hair. I go into her room. "We need to leave in ten minutes you need help?" "No, just leave me alone. I'll be ready." She says blankly. I sigh. Nick and I get into the car. Jordan gets in the car with her hair in a bun, and headphones in loud. I can hear 'breathe me' playing. I tap her leg. She pulls out a headphone and raises an eyebrow. "Starbucks?" I ask. "No." She says and puts her headphone back in and slams her head on the window. Which causes Nick to break very hard. "What the hell!" "One, twenty five cents. Two, stop being disrespectful. Three, I will put you in a helmet if you hit your head on the window one more time. Do you understand?" "Okay." She says rolling her eyes. She's lucky my phone rings. "Hello?" I ask. "Mommy?" Meadow asks crying. "Yes, sweetheart what's wrong?" "Mommy, where are you? I want to be with you. Don't leave me." "Baby, calm down. Breath. Listen, I'll be home soon. Then you and me can do what ever you want. Okay?" "But, what am I going to do?" "Well, let me talk to Dallas." "Hello?" "Yeah, why's she so upset?" "A bad dream. She went to go get you. Then she started to have a panic attack, so I had her call you." "Okay um... She likes to draw, get her some paper. Um... Draw with her. We should be home in a few hours." "Okay, good idea." "So, we're pulling in. I have to leave my phone in the car." "Okay, I love you." "You too." We get to the courthouse and Mr. Tompson meets us outside the courtroom. "Good morning guys. Okay, he's in there now. The Judge will come in, we will rise. Then the Jury will come in. You are going to be called to the stand first. I'll question you first then his lawyer will question you. Understand?" She nods. Then we are called into the court room. Sam and his attorney are already there, whispering. They both stop as Jordan walks in. Sam smiles and I want I claw out his throat. Jordan stares at the floor and follows Mr. Thompson to their table. She's about to sit as the officer says, "All rise." She remains standing. The judge walks in and sits. She waves and the officer opens the door. Twelve jurors walks in. I take a deep breath. "All may be seated. The Chavez vs. Mendez case is now in session." Mr. Thompson stands, "I would like to start with a statement: You all are here to bring my client's abuser to justice. I would like to call my client to the stand."

Jordan's POV "Please state your full name." The officer says. I stare at Dad, who nods, "Jor- Riv-River J- Jor-Jordana Men-dez. " "I'm sorry. Miss I need you to speak up." He says. "River Jor-Dana Men-dez." I say louder. "Please, place your left hand on the bible and raise tour right hand." I do as I am told, "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you god?" "I do." I say shaky. "Please be seated. " I sit at the stand. I tap my foot anxiously. "Hello, River how are you?" Mr. Thompson asks. "I've been better." I mumble. "Can you speak up and clearer?" "I said, I've been better." I say louder. "Alright. River, how old are you?" "Fourteen. " "Your birthday?" "October 17th, 2001." I state. I take a deep breath. My stomach is beginning to hurt. There are so many people here. Aunt Michelle, Marie, and Paige are here. "River, can you tell me what is accused of the defendant?" "Rape, kidnapping, and assault. " "Can you please point out whom the charges are for." I left a shaky hand and point to Sam, "Samuel Carlos Chavez." "How do you know this man?" "He is my cousin." "Samuel is your cousin. Were you close?" "No. My biological parents died when I was four. I lived with Sam and my Aunts and in different foster homes." "Alright,  thank you River. How long did you live with Samuel and his mother?" "On and off for eight years. Months at a time. I ran away when I was twelve." "Can you please tell the Jury why you ran away?" I turn my head so I could see the faces of the jury, "I ran away because Sam-uel and his friends hurt me. And wo-" "Hurt? What do you mean by hurt?" "Samuel and his friends would beat me and rape me. When one of his friends sliced my side open. I thought that was the last straw." "I would like to show the jury evidence number one." Mr. Thompson says. He pulls out a remote and turns on the T. V. and pushes it closer to the Jury. "River can you tell the Jury, what this picture is. " "That is the picture of the scar from being sliced open." I say. I try to keep my voice steady and clear. "Now River, can you please take the Jury through the night of June 29th 2015?" "Well um... My adoptive mom and grandma were having a discussion I over heard about how basically I was too much for adoptive parents to handle. I became upset and ran-" "Why did you run?" "I ran because I am involved in a lot of sports and running helps clear my mind." "I understand. Now you we're upset and ran continue. " "I ran for about an hour, I stopped and called my adoptive dad. While I was on the phone I waved down a car that I thought was my adoptive mom's sister. It was actually Samuel. I asked the name of the street. He made up a street and insisted on giving me a ride. I said no, but he insisted on giving me a ride. I kicked him in the bal-crotch and ran to the street sign. Then I told my adoptive dad the street I was really on. Then Samuel hit me with his car." I spue out. I start panting. "Okay, River take a deep breath. Then please continue." I stare directly into mom'a eyes, as mine begin to water. "River, I need you to continue." I stare at mom. "When I woke up I had no pants on and I was strapped to a bed." "Did you know where you were?" "No, it was dark. I screamed and he came into the room and smacked me. He began to rape me. I screamed and cried. I began to count and he punched me. I asked him what he wanted. He said he couldn't believe I still did that shit, meaning counting when I was being raped. He told me he wanted to give what I wanted him to do." I began to sob, everything was flooding back, "I asked him to let me go home. He said not till him and his friends were done with me. He then raped me. He finished. Then the door bell rang and he went and got the door. He had six of his friends come to the room. They paid him. He told them to do whatever they wanted. I passed out and woke up in a hospital." I sob. "Thank you River for your bravery." Mr. Thompson sits down and Sam's lawyer stands and walks toward me. I shrink into my seat. "Hello, River is it?" "Yes." I say. "This is hard on you. I understand you lived with my client Samuel. How was living with him?" "When my Aunt Michelle was home, it was okay." "When your Aunt was not home?" "Samuel could do what he wanted to me." "You say that he hurt you. But isn't he the one who sewed you back up when that man you say is Samuel's friend... What did you say? Sliced you open?" "I'm not sure who sewed me up, I was unconscious. " "Now you say your cousin raped you. Do you know what you are accusing him of? Do you know what rape is?" He asked shouting. I tried to contain myself. I looked over to dad who mouthed, 'stay strong.' "Yes, sir. I do know what rape is. Rape is forcing a person against their will to do sexual acts. I am under oath. I will not lie, sir. " I state. "You will not lie?" He chucked, "I understand you have been arrested five times, shop lifting and selling marihuana?" "Yes, sir I-" "No, I did not ask for an explanation. When you were arrested did you say you did not do the things you were charged for." "Yes, sir the first time I shoplifted." "So under oath you swore you did not steal." "Yes." "Is it true that while in the custody of your aunt Michelle you stole money from her." "Yes. " "Is it true, you lied about the theft?" "Yes." "Is it true when in the custody of your Aunt Marie, you stole her daughter's bike and sold it?" "No, sir." "Now the night of June 29th 2015 you claim to have run away and flag down a car. You claim to have thought was your adoptive mom's sister. Then to be hit and knocked unconscious and taken." "Yes, sir that is what happened on the night of June 29th 2015." "It seems to me you run away quite a bit. " "No, sir." "Lie!" He shouts, he gets very close to me, "You ran away June 29th 2015. September 4th 2014 from your foster mother Meredith. May 16th 2014 from you foster mother Clair. Your Aunt Marie November 7th 2013." "You don't understand." "I don't understand!" He chuckles, he slams his fist down in the table. "Objective! Permission to approach?" Mr. Thompson shouts. I begin panting and my head is dizzy. "Overruled." The judge says. "Make me understand. " Sam's lawyer shouts. I begin to wheeze, "You ran away from two foster homes and both Aunts. Make. Me. Understand!" I'm breathing so fast, "My fost- foster mother," I sob, " Meredith, is an al-alcho-alcoholic pa-p-p-ain ki-" "Spit it out!" He shouts. That's when I passed out.

Demi's POV His lawyer is shouting in her face. She's shaking, like a soaking wet chihuahua. She's hyperventilating and crying, stuttering. "My fost- foster mother," I sob, " Meredith, is an al-alcho-alcoholic pa-p-p-ain ki-" "Spit it out!" He shouts. It's taking everything in me not to punch this guy. She opens her mouth, but her face pales, and her eyes roll and she falls out if the seat. "JORDAN!" I scream. "ORDER!" The judge shouts, "Officer get her to a bench and a glass of water. Let's get her stable. Court is adjured for today. August 21 is the next court date." "Oh my god! Nick!" I sob. "Jordan, wake up." I say softly holding up her head. "We need to take her to the hospital. I think she hit he head." Nick says. "Okay." I begin to cry. We carry her to the car and I sit in the back with her. "Hand me my phone please." I ask. He hands it to me and I call Dallas, "Hello?" "Hey, um we are taking Jordan to the hospital. Please just keep Meadow occupied for a little longer." I ask her.

Dallas' POV After Meadow talks to Demi and I get her all calmed down. "Meadow how about we get some breakfast. Then we can draw." I grab her hand and bring her down to the kitchen. "What can I make the princess for breakfast." I ask. She doesn't say anything so I turn toward her. She sits quietly, staring blankly. "Hey princess Meadow what can I get you for breakfast?" She shakes her head no. I decide not to push her. "Okay, well I'm going to get some paper and markers." I tell her. She nods. I hurry to the office and grabbed the paper and markers. I bring them into the kitchen and I sit across from her. "Music?" I ask. "Mommy's?" "Okay." I plug my iPod into the stand and put Demi's albums in shuffle. "What should I draw?" I ask. "Umm... A dog?" "Good idea, what are you gonna draw?" "My new family." I smile, we draw. When 'For The Love of a Daughter' Meadow continues to draw but I stop to listen to her sing:Four years old with my back to Am I your child or just a charity ward?You have a hollowed out heartBut it's heavy in your chestI try so hard to fight it but it's hopelessHopeless, you're hopelessOh, father, please, fatherI'd love to leave you aloneBut I can't let you goOh, father, please, fatherPut the bottle downFor the love of a daughterOhIt's been five years since we've spoken lastAnd you can't take backWhat we never hadOh, I can be manipulatedOnly so many times,Before even "I love you"Starts to feel like a lieYou have a hollowed out heartBut it's heavy in your chestI try so hard to fight it but it's hopelessHopeless, you're hopelessOh, father, please, fatherI'd love to leave you aloneBut I can't let you goOh, father, please, fatherPut the bottle downFor the love of a daughterDon't you remember I'm your baby girl?How could you push me out of your world,Lied to your flesh and your blood,Put your hands on the ones that you swore you loved?Don't you remember I'm your baby girl?How could you throw me right out of your world?So young when the pain had begunNow forever afraid of being lovedOh, father, please, fatherI'd love to leave you aloneBut I can't let you goOh, father, please, fatherOh, father, please, fatherPut the bottle downFor the love of a daughterFor the love of a daughter

It takes everything in me not to cry. Her voice is beautiful. She has so much passion yet so much pain behind her sparkling blue eyes. She shows me her drawing and I can't help but smile. She drew Demi and Nick holding hands. With a heart around her and Jordan. With Maddie and I in front of the house and Shadow jumping. "Hey, why don't we hang that up on the fridge and go swimming." "Okay." We hang it up on the fridge and she runs upstairs to change. My phone rings, "Hello?" "Hey um... We are taking Jordan to the hospital. Please just keep Meadow occupied for a little longer." "What? Why?""It's hard to explain right now, but please tell me you can just take care of her for another hour?" "Yeah, she drew a cute picture. We're going swimming. Text me what's going on." "Okay. "I hang up and change. Meadow and I go outside and she jumps in the pool. "Hey princess Meadow, sunscreen." She sighs and gets out. I spray her down, "Okay face me, close you eyes and breath out." She does as she's told and I spray her face she flinches. I rub it in, "Okay go swim. I'm going to tan." I tell her. She jumps in the pool. Just as I get a text. (D- Demi and Da- Dallas) D- His lawyer was, yelling she was crying, hyperventilating and passed out. She fell out of the chair and hit her head. The doctor is checking her out right now. Da- Okay, Meadow's swimming and Maddie's still asleep. D- Okay, Meadow calmed down? Wake Maddie up. It's almost noon. Da- Yeah Meadow and I drew for a little. You have to have her sing 'For The Love of a Daughter' for you. She's amazing. I'm going to wake Maddie up. Text me when you are on the way home. D- Okay. "Meadow, I'm going to wake up Maddie. Stay in the shallow end. I'll be right back." "Okay, Dallas will you get me a drink?" "Of course, you are the princess. Your wish is my command. Juice or water?" "Juice, please." "Okay, back in a minute." I go inside and into Maddie's room. "Maddie you need to get up." I say pushing the door open. She's sitting up holding her stomach with her eyes closed. "What's wrong?" "My stomach hurts. It feels like someone is stabbing me." "Where does it hurt." She shows me. "Can you move?" "No." I lay my hand on the spot and she screams, "Ow, Dallas! Please it hurts." "Okay, I'll call Mom. Wait here I need to get Meadow out of the pool." I dial Mom's number, "Hey Mom." "Hey what's up?" "I think Maddie needs to go to the hospital. Her stomach hurts, she's crying." "Oh, okay. Um... I'll meet you there, let's get her checked." "Okay." I hang up. "Meadow come inside and get dressed we need to take Maddie to the hospital." Meadow comes in with a towel wrapped around her. "What's wrong with Aunt Maddie?" "Something is wrong with her tummy. I need you to get dressed and get in the car. I need to call Mommy. Okay?""Okay." She runs up stairs. I call Demi, "Hey are you still at the hospital?" "Yeah. Why?" "Maddie has a bad stomach ache. I think it might be her appendix. We are heading that way." "Okay. I'll meet you when you get here."I hang up and go back upstairs to Maddie. She's crying and clenching her teeth. "Do you think you can walk?" She shakes her head no. I pick her up and she winces. I put her in the car and drive to the hospital. When we get there she doesn't even want me to touch her. I pick her up anyways and Meadow follows. I walk to the nurses desk. "Um... I think there is something wrong with her appendix can you help her?" Maddie's eyes are getting heavy and she is very pale. The nurse gets a stretcher. Mom arrives just as they push her into a room. I let mom go in with her. I turn to Meadow who is crying. "Hey princess tell me what's wrong.""What's wrong with Maddie? Is she gonna be okay?" She ask. I pick her up and carry her into the waiting room to find Demi and Nick. "Daddy." She holds her hands out to Nick. She reminds me of a three year old, clingy to her Mommy and Daddy. "Where's River?" She ask. "Well the doctor is almost done with her." "Okay." She says and cuddles into Nick. I pull Demi aside, "Has the doctor come and talk to you yet?" "No, she was still unconscious when we got here. Where's Maddie?" "A doctor is checking her out. Mom's with her. " "River's family." A doctor calls. Nick stands with a sleeping Meadow on his hip and Demi walks over to the doctor. "She has a concussion. She's awake now. Keep her awake for the next 48 hours, no coffee, her brain needs to relax." "Okay, so we can take her home?" Demi asks. "Yes." "Thank you so much." The doctor nods and walks away. We all go into her room. "What happened? Am I hungover?" She asks causing all of us to laugh. "Ugh, not so loud." She moans. "No, you have a concussion." "Well, can I go home?" "Yeah, I need to go talk to Grandma. Nick,will you pull the car up to the enterance. I'll bring her out." "Yeah." He takes Meadow to the car with him. "Dallas, will you go get news from Mom. I'm going to get a wheel chair for her." I nod. I find Mom in the waiting room, "What's going on?" "Her appendix ruptured. They took her into surgery. She'll be fine.""That's good." Demi says."Yeah. Why's Jordan in a wheel chair." "Concussion." Jordan says. "Mom, I'll call you with details Nick's waiting for us." "Okay." "I'm going to stay with Mom." "Alright. Call me when she's out of surgery." Demi and Jordan leave. "How'd she get a concussion?" "Passed out when that sick bastards lawyer was questioning her and hit her head." "Oh, poor baby."

Demi's POV It's about 7:30 when we finally get home. We are all exhausted, but we have to stay up for the next forty eight hours. Meadow is still asleep so Nick puts her in her bed. "You have to stay awake for forty eight hours." "Ugh, but I'm so tired." "I know, but we can do this." She nods. "What should we do?" I ask. "I don't know." "Aw look at this." Holding up Meadow's picture. "Yeah, it's cute. I love that kid." "I don't know if you heard, but she called before court bawling. What's up with that?" "She's kinda like a toddler. She's very mature but has server separation anxiety issues." "Understandable. You wanna draw or something?" "Yeah sure." We draw in silence for thirty minutes. When I notice Jordan's head start bobbing, "Hey, stay awake. Come on. " "Sorry. You wanna see my photo albums?" "I would love to." She grabs my hand and pulls me upstairs with Shadow behind us. We sit on the floor against the bed. She opens the book and it's a picture of a baby in a incubator. It has a folded piece if paper behind it, Jordan pulls it out, "My Mom and Dad wrote letters for some of these pictures, I'll read them too you." I nod. "River Jordana Mendez, two days old. River: Daddy wanted to name you something normal. Generic that's why your middle name is Jordana. When you get older you'll understand Mommy doesn't like the status quo. That's why you're River. Simple and calm but rapid and strong. That's what imagine you will grow to be. You're only two days old, but you're beautiful. We love you so much, and you are meant to shine like the reflection of the stars off a river. I love you, Mommy." "Look at you." She points to the next picture,"That's my Dad and me." "Hey baby, welcome to the world. It's the first time I have got to hold you. You're four weeks old now and your lungs are strong now. Sorry, for the crinkled spots. I can't stop tearing up at the sight of you. You're beautiful like your Mommy. I'm sorry I didn't get to name you. I can never win a battle with your Mom. She wanted River and I wanted Jordan so I guess I did win in a way. Daddy really wrote this letter to tell you that I love you. You are my baby and I will protect you forever.I love you, Daddy. "You see the little crinkles in the paper it's like it was put through a sprinkler." She chuckles, "My Dad was a sap." "Who's holding you here?" I ask. It a picture of a little girl about 3 siting in a chair holding her." "That's my cousin Sophie.We had so much fun together." We got through the baby pictures and I make her her stop at a picture she's about three on the shoulders of a man laughing. Sophie is holding his hand and Sam is beside her, next to her aunt. "Who's that man?" "Oh that's my Uncle, well I guess Ex- Uncle Jeremy. He's Sophie's dad." "Oh, do you think that is who she lives with?" "Yeah, maybe." She continues flipping a couple pages and explaining each picture to me. In this picture she's about four, she's holding flowers in a little ballerina outfit. She pulls out the letter. "Hey River, this is your first dance competition you came in fourth. Bravo princess. You were amazing. I hope you never quit dance your amazing. Truly talented. I'm not just saying that because your my kid. Oh, your four year old self is sitting next to me, she says hello. You're too cute. Okay Daddy wants to write now. Love you. Mommy. Hey baby, dance. I mean wow can't believe you're four and placing in dance competitions. You're still screaming you won and running in circles in the living room. Mom's trying to get you to calm down. But you just keep running. You're too funny. You also have too much energy. I think we will go to the tree house. Love Daddy. The next series of pictures of the inside and outside of the treehouse. The last picture is just the door. She pulls out the letter. "Hey, it's Mommy again. Happy early birthday, you're almost five. You have your own tree house. I always told myself that when I had a child of my own they would have a little house of their own. I never wanted you to feel trapped. I wanted to give you a place of your own. Thus tree house is yours. I hope you like it. I love you, Mommy." She starts to cry I hug her tight and hold her while she sobs into me. "I love you, so much." "I know. I miss them. Look at this picture you can see how happy they are. Why did they have to leave me." "I don't know, honey. You know they love you. Look at their faces they love you so, so, so, so, much. They loved you then and they still love you now. They are your nightingales. They are watching you grow and they are loveing everything you do. Now, Nick and I, love you so much we will never be your real parents, but we will do our best to be the best mom and dad ever, to both you and Meadow. " "Thank you. Mom, I'm so tired. " "Let's go for a run." "Okay let's go."