Milly's Journal - Chapter 6 - "Middle of the Night Concern"

Milly gets a scare in the middle of the night.

Milly's Journal

Chapter 6
"Middle of the Night Concern"

(Please remember to read the footnotes at the end of the chapter.)

Dear Dad,

Well I should be sleeping right now. Because in about two hours it will be time for me to get up and get ready for school. But something very scary and disturbing happened in the middle of the night at Eric's house. It was so upsetting I couldn't go back to sleep after it happened.
  
It all started a little after 3:00 A.M. I was actually sleeping pretty well this time, which is another thing I've not yet really been able to do since we moved here.

But all of a sudden, something startled me enough till I felt my body actually jump...and then I was fully awake.

For a few seconds, I laid there and listened to see if whatever it was would make another sound so I could figure out what woke me up like that. But after a few seconds I heard nothing.  I was about to go back to sleep...until I thought I heard a few voices outside talking with each other along with the sound of a car door slamming shut a few times. The noise was coming from Eric's house, which I thought was extremely unusual since I've never seen any other activity going on over there except for Eric sitting on his windowsill.

I sat up in bed and tried harder to listen to what the voices were saying. Since I still couldn't figure out what they were talking about, I got out of bed and went over to the window to look out.

There was a car parked in Eric's driveway. Two men wearing suits, (kind of similar to what a policeman or someone like that would wear) were at the back door of the car doing something, while another lady, also wearing a business-type suit was standing in the yard talking to my teacher Mrs. Sherman. Another older looking man was standing on Eric's porch watching all that was going on. (I think he was Eric's uncle Hugo.)

I tried not to move or make a sound as I watched from my window, hoping they wouldn't look up and see me. Thank goodness it was dark so it was easier for me to stay hidden.

I could hear the woman telling Mrs. Sherman something about Eric still exhibiting antisocial behavior, and he needed to be kept in the institution. Mrs. Sherman was saying something back to her about how sick Eric got the last time he was there, and that he was afraid of being confined. The woman sounded like she was starting to get angry and was explaining to Mrs. Sherman that it was "just a fever," and that it had nothing to do with being in the institution.

What???

Hearing that really bothered me, Dad. Who were these people and what happened to Eric?

I continued to listen as the woman went on arguing back and forth with Mrs. Sherman for awhile.

Suddenly, I heard one of the men at the car shout out extremely loud, "WOAH, STOP HIM!!"

Since it was dark it was a little hard to see at first, but someone had gotten out of the backseat. It was Eric. And he was tightly wrapped up in a straight jacket.

After he was out of the car, he tried to run away, but both men firmly grabbed him and held on to him as tightly as they could. Eric was struggling with all his might, but they had him bound! They would not let him go! They were just too strong for him!

They led Eric to his house and had to drag him inside while he continued to fight, trying desperately to break free. Even Mrs. Sherman pleaded with them to let Eric go, but they didn't listen.

Dad my heart was just aching for Eric and what he was going through. Why was this happening to him? And I especially wanted to know why he was in a straight jacket.

It was just awful! I could even tell that Eric's uncle was bothered by all this. Because when they were taking Eric into the house, he asked if they needed any help. But they just went on by as if they didn't hear him or knew he was even there.

Mrs. Sherman and the woman she was talking to followed the men into the house as they both continued to argue with each other about Eric being at an institution.

I was then interrupted when I heard a little voice in the background behind me ask, "Mil...what's happening?"

I looked back and saw Louis standing in my bedroom doorway. He was looking at me sleepily, but also with a worried look on his face.

I felt really bad that all this commotion woke him up too. Since he seemed pretty confused and frightened, I whispered to him to be quiet and motioned for him to come over to me.

Together we both silently watched as these mean people, whoever they were, were now forcefully bringing Eric into his bedroom. They turned the light on, so I reached over and pulled Louis closer to me and we both hid near the side of my window. I hoped and prayed that they still wouldn't see us.

The noisy arguing still continued with the woman and Mrs. Sherman. But then after a few minutes, the men got into it and started arguing as well. They were yelling at each other so loudly I could hear almost every single word they were saying.

Dad it was just terrible!! Those people weren't showing any care or real concern for Eric as they should have. I'm sure he was scared to death with how they were being so cruel to him, and I doubt he understood what all was going on around him.

Oh how I desperately wanted to go over there and help him and make those people leave him alone! But I'm sure they wouldn't pay any attention to me either.

From the angle of the window we were watching from, we weren't able to see everything going on in Eric's bedroom, but enough till we could see that he was running back and forth in his small room, still in a straight jacket, trying to get away. But they would grab on to him every time.

Mrs. Sherman was still trying her best to get them to leave Eric alone. I could hear her explaining that he needed to be at his own home - that he feels safe when he's in familiar surroundings. The more they ignored her words made her get even more furious till even she was practically  shouting angrily at them to "STOP IT!!" and that they were hurting him! Would you believe she even used a curse word while yelling at them to take the straight jacket off of him?!

With the way everyone was so loud over there, I wasn't surprised when I heard Mom come into my bedroom asking us what was going on. I told her to be quiet and motioned for her to come over. She too, like Louis, had a very concerned and nervous look on her face.

All three of us watched as they were still going at it saying things like, "This child is out of control...his home is too dangerous for him to remain here," and that "he could seriously hurt himself with the way he acts."

But Dad, I have to say I am SO proud of Mrs. Sherman! She was the only person who understood what Eric really needed. She wasn't afraid to raise her voice and let her anger and true feelings out toward these people and boldly let them know what is right! And she was not going to back down! But sadly, they continued to ignore her every word.

In my honest opinion Dad, they were treating Eric more like a wild animal than a person! It was so heartbreaking and unfair that he had to be mistreated this way. I wanted it all to stop!!

Mom then tried to get Louis and me to back away from the window, and told us that we shouldn't be watching all that was going on. But I wasn't about to move, and neither was Louis.

After a minute or so I heard the woman ask the others to go out into the hallway...something about showing them how even the stairs were dangerous.

But then all of a sudden Eric, (thank God he no longer had the straight jacket on) stepped out of his window, sat down on the windowsill, stretched his arms out to the side and started moving from side to side. He looked up into the sky as if he was desperately trying to find any way that he could to escape these abusive people. And the look on his face about killed me Dad! He looked so terrified! He had nothing but intense fear in his eyes. My heart was just breaking for him! He wanted to get away so badly, but there was nothing he could do. And I was wanting just as bad to help him some way...any way...but of course there was nothing I could do either.

Then I heard the woman let out a shout. She had just realized that Eric was now outside his window, so she quickly alerted the others. And within just a few short seconds, both men raced to the window. They reached out, grabbed Eric by his arms and even his head, and violently pulled him back inside. Eric kicked his legs and struggled with all his might...and though he didn't say anything with words, he was making these heartbreaking groaning sounds. But like earlier, they had such a tight grip on him, there was no way he could break free from their grasp.

Why couldn't they have just been more gentle with him? He couldn't hurt anyone. Couldn't they see how scared he was? By the way they grabbed on to him like that, not only were they frightening him, it really looked like they were physically hurting him also.

After they had gotten Eric back inside, they immediately closed his window and pulled down the shade till we could no longer see what was going on.

Though the window was closed, I could still hear that they were still arguing loudly with each other. But I could no longer make out any of the words being said.

Mom then firmly urged Louis and me that we should get away from the window and that we really needed to get back to bed. This time I actually agreed with her.

All three of us said "goodnight" to each other as Mom and Louis left the room.

I couldn't help but look back at Eric's closed window and wonder how much longer could this go on? Still, I seriously wanted so badly to go over there to help Eric. I was feeling so weak and helpless, Dad!

I went over and sat down on my bed. I hadn't noticed till then that my eyes were a little wet, although I had tried my best to fight away the tears that had tried to come. I was just so...SO furious with those people! That is just NO WAY to treat someone like Eric, or anyone for that matter! He wasn't doing anything wrong, Dad. He didn't deserve any of this! It's just not fair!

I leaned against the back of my bed and looked up at the ceiling. After thinking about it for awhile, I came to the conclusion that more than likely these people (not counting Mrs. Sherman of course) were from some sort of hospital or mental institution that they had brought Eric back from.  (1) But why had they taken him to have him brought back home in the middle of the night? Because he was here yesterday afternoon when I was in the backyard with Louis and saw him sitting out on his windowsill.

Even though I was fully awake, all of this felt like a big nightmare to me. And this may seem childish to you Dad, but I was so angry, that I grabbed my bed pillow and punched it hard a few times while pretending it was those guy's faces! Yeah Dad, I know....I'm sorry. But that's how mad I really was!

(2) But even if what I saw tonight wasn't a bad dream, I still felt the same feelings I would feel when I was a little girl, and a bad dream would scare me enough to wake  me up. Remember Dad, how I would get out of bed and come into your bedroom? No matter what time it was during the night, you and Mom would sit up and open your arms to me. I remember I would climb up into your bed, and you (or Mom) would lift me into your lap. Then you would put your big, strong arms around me and you would hold me tightly for a little while. I also remember how you would push my hair back so gently with your fingers and kiss me so sweetly on my forehead. And you and I would talk for awhile. Sometimes you'd point out the window to the sky to remind me how beautiful the moon and stars were. And we would just sit there...amazed at how God had made such a beautiful masterpiece for us to enjoy! And a lot of times you would tell me little jokes and funny stories to get me to laugh so I could feel better. And I always would. You always knew just what to do to help me to feel so warm and safe again. When you held me like that Daddy, it made the bad dreams I had become quickly forgotten.

But what about Eric, Dad? I'm sure he feels like he's going through a horrible nightmare right now. And he too needs someone to hold him and comfort him. He needs someone to let him know that everything is going to be all right.

After a few minutes, I looked over and saw that the light was still on in his room which let me know that those crazy people must have still been over there.

So I closed my eyes tight and quietly cried out to God and asked Him please....to somehow let Eric know that even though all that's going on around him seems so terrifying, that he is not alone. And that there IS "Someone" in that room with him that loves him. And He will keep him safe. (3) I prayed that God would reach out to Eric, and just hold him in His arms....just like an earthly father would hold his little boy, and comfort him. And I also asked God to let Eric know that He is the peace in the middle of "the storm," (4) as well as our refuge and our strength.

Dad I don't know if Eric believes in God or not. But I do know in my heart that no matter what, God can and will still be right there beside him. And because I know God loves Eric so much, I know that (5) He will never leave him or forsake him.

After I prayed for Eric, I finally felt this peace come over me, and I felt myself calm down. I knew then that he was going to be okay.

I looked back over at his window. The light was still on but I could no longer hear anything going on over there anymore. I hoped those institute people had left by then.

I laid back down in bed, but I didn't close my eyes for awhile. I noticed after about ten minutes or so, the light in Eric's room finally had been turned off. So I hoped he had been able to calm down and could go to sleep.

I closed my eyes to get a few more hours of sleep myself, but all I could do was think about Eric. I couldn't think about anything else which kept me from being able to go back to sleep. So I decided to get up and write to you to let you know about what had just happened.

Well Dad, the sun is going to be up pretty soon. Mom and Louis will be getting up also, so I'm going to go now and start getting ready for school since I don't feel like trying to sleep anymore.

You know Dad, ever since the day we moved here, it seems like every single day has had some sort of an adventure. I've met some interesting people and made new discoveries. I can't help but wonder what might happen next.

Know I love you Daddy! I find myself remembering things about you from when I was little that I hadn't thought of in such a long time. In years even! And when I think about those times, it's like for just a moment, I'm really with you again. And I just have to thank God for letting me remember and cherish those special memories....because I know those memories will last a lifetime. They always help me to feel so happy and peaceful once again.

So...until my next letter,
I love you, my Daddy! -

Milly

FOOTNOTES: By Lynn McFall

(1) I myself couldn't figure out the part in this scene in the movie of why Eric had been taken somewhere and brought back in the middle of the night. So I wanted to work it into this story and have Milly wondering the same thing.

(2) I can't remember a time when I was little when a bad dream would wake me up enough to make me want to go into my Mom's room. But as I was writing this part, it did remind me that when I was little, I was VERY scared of thunderstorms at night. So scared till I would go into my Mom's room and she would let me sleep with her until the storm was over and it was quiet again. I remember how safe I felt being beside her. But I will admit I would've loved to have been held in my Daddy's arms like I had Milly mention in this chapter. Those of you who have a father that shows love to you like that, always remember how blessed you are. I do know before he died that my Dad held me many times of course. I've seen several photos of him holding me in his arms. One photo you can see is in the Introduction section of this story. But being only 2 years old when he died, I have no memory at all of how it felt when he held me.

(3) The part I wrote into this story where Milly prayed that God would let Eric know that He (God) is there with him, and that God would hold Eric in His arms like an earthly father would is very very special to me. Because when I was writing that part, I was actually  going through a really rough time myself where I was hurting from a sad situation that had just recently happened to me. That part just came to me as I was writing this chapter so I feel that maybe God was speaking to me too, and was holding me in His arms as an earthly father would...since I no longer have and earthly father in my life. So writing that part was something my heart really needed at the time. And I am so blessed that I could work it into this story. I also thank God so much for this and for giving that idea to me! What a great God He is!

(4) Bible verse: Psalm 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

(5) Bible verse: Deut. 31:8 - "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid..."

I do want to make mention in the part about where Milly was praying to God about Eric, the "Someone" I have in quotes means "God" as well as "He" with a capital 'H' means God as well. I know most people know that but wanted to be sure I was clear with "who" I was talking about in that part. :0)

Author's Note

If anyone wants to review this chapter or my story, feel free. All reviews are welcome, good or bad. But if they are bad, don't be too hard on me ok? Ha ha! I still struggle with grammar, I have a horrible time in making paragraphs, etc. But I'm trying.