Taking A Different Path part 2

Chapter 62-1

Taking A Different Path

Part 2

 

There was very little I or Mom and Dad could do in stopping it from happening. Mom and Dad, however, drew the line when it came to me going without my monitoring device. My mother tried to convince them that it was infringing upon their privacy knowing every seconded where I was located.

My new caseworker having read and mean actually read my file asked my mother one simple question. Why did matter so much to her were I was unless she and her husband are trying to find a way to harm me or kidnap me? My mother quickly dropped the subject and accepted the terms outlined by the Rothwell’s and my caseworker, which included a search of the home and my person up to twice a day. Stating if they find one mark on me, their visitation rights would end forever and their children that lived at home would be removed and never be returned.

Regardless that it was in writing and notarized with two stamps, one for the notary and the second from Social Services. Things always had a chance to go wrong. My mother went as far to get the current dosage for my sleeping tonic and tranquilizer in case of an episode. My caseworker agreed to it considering it was a possibility and having the extra protection enforced and being monitored 24/7 made it unlikely that my parents would try anything. A compromise was made having both sides agreed to the terms visitations were set for the following weekend. I would leave on Friday and be returned on Monday by 3’ o'clock, considering it was a four day weekend.

Mom and Dad didn’t like the idea of me being away from them that long of a time, but neither did they have a say in the matter, considering it was a done deal. Yet it didn’t stop them from contacting my grandmother making her aware of the situation and getting in contact with their Bishop to make damn sure I would be there in church and nowhere near the church basement. Grandma may have broken the rules when it came to my parent’s wishes, but anyone and everyone was allowed to attend church. She would be there for me just to make sure my parents didn’t try anything.

Arthur didn’t have any close family, and Danny couldn’t be trusted so home visits were a rarity in the Rothwell home considering most boys age out before they allowed to leave the Rothwell home, so in a way, it was a historical moment. Not a good one considering what and who my parents were. Mom tried not to cry, hugging me tight when the day came. Dad did his best to hold back any emotion, but even he couldn’t resist the tears and hugging me close to him when the day and the hour approached. He gave my caseworker a firm warning regarding that it would be her head and her job if I was harmed in any way. She shook his hand to seal the deal. I am not saying she didn’t sweat under his gaze, but neither did she break the contact until he did.

It seemed like a short ride considering how scared I was even more so when we didn’t arrive at my parent's trailer. Instead, we drove up to a new subdivision that had been built across the freeway. My parents had sold the trailer and purchased a modest home. A white frame home with an average front yard and large fenced in backyard. Personally, at first glance I was impressed, and at the same time frightened because it had its own basement. The second we pulled into the driveway my mother quickly came out of the house with my brother Aaron. Aaron had grown some since the last time I had seen him, but of course, he would considering it been almost two years since I had seen him last. Even I had changed considerably.

Aaron quickly took my suitcase into the house why mother stared at me wondering if it was ok to hug me, shake my hand or slap me. I in turned didn’t do either, instead looked in her eyes and until she looked away. I smiled inside seeing the fear and watching her tremble slightly before she looked away. It also took great courage to stand in front of my enemy.

It was my caseworker that brought us back to reality. Leaning me closes to her as if protecting a baby chick. They both knew I could defend myself and had done so in the past, but neither party wanted a demonstration. Dad and I had many long talks regarding when it came time for visitation if ever, he had stressed what would be acceptable and what would not be tolerated and when I needed to defend myself. Just because I can doesn’t always mean I needed to.

No signature was required as my mother carefully put her arms around my broad shoulders as we all walked into the house. She had promised the moon and she had to live up to those promises or lose big if she didn’t. So I let her near me, it still didn’t mean I trusted her. In some ways, we were both nervous and afraid of each other, and in some ways, we had both grown.

My caseworker was a mother of 4 boys ranging from 9-17 and had one in the oven. She knew me mostly by my file, and what the Rothwell’s had told her. On the way over she had told me she would be my caseworker until she had her baby. It was a shock at first when she gave me her home and work number in-case I needed anything day or night and she personally took my case because of its uniqueness.

Stating I wasn’t a bad kid. I was a kid that needed someone to care and trust. I didn’t need Jeff to tell me she was a good person or that I could trust her. All I had to do was look her in the eye and I knew it, some people are like that. Her name was Lori Holliman she hated to be called Mrs. Holliman said it made her feel old.

Like most women they don’t like their age known but if I was to guess she was in her early 30s. She had long blond hair and green eyes when she smiled it made you want to smile too. She was a small framed woman with a big heart that stood almost a head taller than me at 4 feet 5 inches.

Dad had made sure she was and would be present during when came to searches of the house and the property and my person. Even though I hated being searched like a side of beef on display, it wasn’t a big deal, and understanding it was for my own protection made it easier. Mom and Dad were taking no chances when came to my parents. If required her to be present so be it, being a mother of 4 boys just made it easier and I have suffered far worst.

My mother gave her the grand tour of the house which included the basement. I remained sitting at the top of the stairs in the small dining room. Sorry, basements were off limits. Neither one of them forced me as I simply watched them go down them. I counted the stairs and shivered at the thought. Aaron room was down there and so was my sister Susan’s. It had a large family room and an extra bathroom that they shared. It was also where the laundry room was and a small storage room off to the side mainly used for storing fruit and junk. My father was quite proud of his junk being a pack-rat that saved everything, broken or not.

All the main rooms were upstairs were my small room was; know as 8 by nine cells. That held a new bed well new to me considering it used to be an old hospital bed with a new mattress and one dresser and a small closet. Aaron and I had the smallest rooms in the house well his was a bit bigger than mine, but not by much. Becky’s room was average size and the first one down the long hallway with my parent’s room next to her and across from mine. I consider myself lucky that there were no bars on the window and I could easily jump out of it without breaking my legs.

After the tour, Lori gave me the layout of the basement stating she didn’t find anything that would put me in danger to set my mind at ease. She did, however, request a lock on the storage room and that it will be locked during my stay here; with her holding the only key. My mother had until the end of the day to make sure that happened or the visit would be over.

My mother promised it would and I was surprised by her sincerity. Stating nothing was going to jeopardize my visit when she had worked for over a year to get one, and that included my father. I still didn’t trust her, but the way she said it made me think she would keep that promises. Time would tell.

Lori picked up the phone and called the officer that would be my guardian during my stay while my mother and I sat in the living room staring at each other wondering who was going to make the first move, while we waited for the officer to arrive. It didn’t take long like had said earlier Santaquin wasn’t a big town and he was standing by waiting for the call. His name was Officer Tom Kenly, a tall man standing at almost 7 feet tall with broad shoulders, dark brown hair and brown eyes.

He and I would become closes friends in the years to come. He was fairly briefed on my case so he knew my parents and what they are capable of. He too had a good feeling about him and it could be seen through his rugged mannerisms. He was up front and personal meaning he would take his job serious wouldn’t tolerate bad behavior from my parents or me. I promised as long as my life or my brother’s life wasn’t in jeopardy I would obey the rules and the law. I shook hands and sealed the deal.

He too gave me his card with his home number and work number. Stating he was to be first to call if there was a problem or I just needed to talk. Also stating he lived not more than two blocks from the houses and would be here before I could blink an eye. Making sure my mother took that as a threat and a promise. Again she said that there wouldn’t be a problem. He nodded telling her to give him the grand tour.

By the time he was done my father walked in the door coming home from work. The air shifted to the point you could actually cut it with a knife. My father eyed me and my caseworker then growled when he saw the officer coming up the stairs. Neither of them shook hands, but he did growl back. My father quickly backed away and smiled. Not a pleasant smile but a grin that said try me if you dare. Tom eyed him giving him the same warning as my mother also asking for a key. My father growled asking why and in return my mother said stepping in front of my father saying “it won’t be a problem.”

While we waited for Dave, Mr. Stringum’s helper to put on the lock it was time to get down to business. My room seemed crowded with everyone in it. I could feel the blush forming on my cheeks as they simple watched me undress so they could examine my person for any injuries. My mother noted I was quite tan as if I had been sunbathing in the nude, considering my very cute butt was just as tan as the rest of me. My father, on the other hand, decided not to be present stating this was absolute unnecessary; when he hadn’t been given the chance to lay a hand on me in over two years.

Nobody said anything as they simply closed the door so we could have some privacy such as it was. I hated being a side of beef, but I reminded myself this was for my protection and would prove that I was left unharmed. It seemed forever but was only a few degrading minutes. I had endured worst living with the Rothwell’s and I had nothing to be ashamed about. I dressed quickly leaving my shoes and socks in my room sitting them neatly in my empty closet.

My mother said I could decorate the room any way I liked considering it will be mine when I was here. There were no locks on the door or the window, unlike before. I wouldn’t be required to help with chores unless I chose to, which was a surprise in itself. My mother wanted me to promises I wouldn’t run away by giving me my freedom to come and go as I like. In return, I gave my word that I wouldn’t need to if she kept her end of the bargain if not my promise was void.

My caseworker spoke up stating if that happened then she could assure her that all visitations would be canceled and charges would be brought against her and my father and in the process, they would never see their children ever again. Officer Kenly guaranteed it, stating they be lucky if they saw the light of day behind bars. Once again my mother gave her word. When the formalities were over I was left alone with my abusers. I was already missing the Rothwell’s and hadn’t been more than a couple of hours after being home.