All Of Me

Love, some say is a double-edged sword that cuts both ways. I never was a supporter of that notion. My mom always told me that I had a big heart and having a big heart gave me a higher risk of getting heartbroken. She always said that love made you weak and it was just an illusion and never failed to give her failed marriage with my dad as an example.

Growing up, it was mostly my mom, my younger brother, Shawn, and me. My dad was always working and never had time for us, this always caused arguments between my parents leading to shattered glasses and broken tables. I remember how I'd always go to Shawn's room and hold him right while we tried to fall asleep. After some years my dad moved out and he never came back.

Though my parents had a terrible relationship, I still believed in love. I always dreamt about having the type of relationship our neighbors the Laurentis had. They were this old couple that have been together for 35 years and yet their love was still blooming. Shawn and I always stayed there when our mom was out and they were always very welcoming. Mrs. Laurentis always told us that love was all that mattered and you just had to find the right person.

I grew up following all that and I thought I had found the man of my dreams. Now I was in my truck driving as fast as I could by 2 am with my daughter in her car seat, trying to get away from someone I called the love of my life.

I dialed my mom again, but it went straight to voicemail. Deciding to just go to her house, I took the next turn that will lead me there. Parking in front of her two-bedroom house, I switched off the ignition and picked up my daughter Chloe from her car seat. She was sleeping, so I carried her as carefully as I couldn't so she wouldn't wake up.

As I walked up the front door, the sound of stones crunching filled the environment. I pressed the doorbell and kept on ringing it so mom would hear the noise and wake up.

"Hold your horses", I heard her shout from inside as she unlocked the door and came into view.

"What the hell Diana?", She asked baffled. "I thought you were some crazy person, what are you doing here at this time?"

"Can we crash here till morning, I promise we'll be out of your hair in a few hours", I replied brushing Chloe's hair as I carried her in my arms.

"What's wrong with your house?", mom asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Em, there was a pest break out so we had to leave immediately and Tom isn't around", I lied, hoping she won't see through it.

She folded her arms scrutinizing me," Really? You could only come up with a pest break out?", She asked while rolling her eyes.

"Tom called me", she added.

I should have known he would have called her by this time, such a piece of shit.

"Look, Mom, it's complicated. Can we just come in and I'll explain everything in the morning?", I pleaded.

"I don't think anything is complicated. You're just overreacting as usual", she remarked. "Why would you take Chloe and leave in the middle of the night, Diana? Do you know how dangerous that is?"

I could sense mom already judging. It wasn't surprising in the least. She always treated Tom like he was so angel, if only she knew what a devil he was.

"What I'm running from is more dangerous than driving in the middle of the night", I stated as I rocked Chloe. It was getting a bit cold being outside for this long.

She scoffed and chuckled, "Always a drama queen. Don't forget all he's done for you and me."

"I don't care about all that, I'm sick and tired of his episodes".

She looked me up and down and sighed, "I'm going to call him and let him know you're here".

"Don't", I shouted. "Mom, he's abusive okay? He hits me sometimes and calls me names", I said, my eyes getting teary.

I expected a reaction from her, but all I got was a blank expression and a long pause.

"Love is all about sacrifice", she finally said. "I told you it wasn't easy, but you're going to be okay. He loves you and takes care of all your needs. I can even talk to him if you'd like".

I couldn't believe it was my mother saying all those things after what I had just told her. She was encouraging me to stay in an abusive relationship all because of finances.

"I can't believe you're saying this", I said, shaking my head in discontent as tears began to drop from my eyes.

"Quit being a crybaby and grow up. How do you think I took care of you and your brother? Do you think it was all rainbows and unicorns?", She questioned

"I'm not going to lose my sanity just because I want to save a relationship", I sniffled.

"Well, that's your problem. You two can't stay here, I wouldn't do that to Tom. It's either you go back to him or you find somewhere else to say", she said as she blocked her front door.

I looked at Chloe sleeping in my arms and noticed she wasn't sleeping comfortably. I know I had to prioritize Chloe, but going back to Tom wasn't an option.

"You make me sick", I spat with disgust and headed back to the truck. I placed Chloe back in her car seat and started the car. I drove past my mom and gave her the middle finger before driving off.

As I drove I tried thinking of a place I could stay, but I couldn't come up with anything. My phone rang and I saw it was Tom calling for the hundredth time. I took my phone in my hands and blocked the number, not wanting to have anything to do with him. Chloe and I were going to have a fresh start away from all his drama.

I decided that parking and resting for some time was the best option because I was exhausted. So I drove to the nearest church, pulled over, and carried Chloe who was still asleep.

I knocked on the huge door and a woman opened the door. She looked at me and the child in my arms and stepped back allowing me to enter.

"Do you need some food to eat?", She asked as she brought two blankets.

"No thank you. I really appreciate you for allowing us to stay here", I said

"You're welcome, the house of the Lord is open for all", she smiled.

Even though I wasn't much of a believer, I was still very grateful for her kind gesture. Spreading, the blanket on the floor, I laid Chloe and laid beside her. I knew things were about to change in my life but whatever was coming I was ready to face them for myself and Chloe.