"Let's go Caleb…" Not believing that he agreed to go, she told him to pack some clothes and they hit the road.The whole way he was apologizing that he struck her.Mariyah explained to him that if he went and completed the rehab then she would forgive him.
An hour and a half later they reached their destination, it was just as hard watching him walk through those doors as it had been watching him walk through the prison walls the first time.Just before they closed the doors he turned back to her."I'm nothing like mum, I'm so sorry…" With that he was gone.Mariyah cried as soon as they closed the doors.Her heart was breaking for Caleb.How did life get so messed up?He had been her rock for so long and now he was a broken man and dare she say, it was entirely her fault.Hopefully he would get through this and be a stronger person for it.
CHAPTER 11
After two months Mariyah was finally allowed to visit with Caleb.He looked so much healthier, he seemed more positive."They said if I continue to progress the way I have been I should be out in a few more months."
"That’s' excellent news Caleb, so what do you do in here?"
"They train my mind, they cleaned out my system from the shit.They want me to talk a lot.Anyway it was exactly what I needed.I'm so sorry about hurting you, I really didn't know what I was doing."
"Hey you are forgiven.As long as you’re getting better.I got offered a full-time position at work.I'm going to take it."
"That's great Mari."
"Turns out I was the only teacher who was able to handle and control these kids.I felt so important."It was just so nice to be able to sit and chat with Caleb, her brother was back and that's all that mattered."So I get to visit you once a month.I will definitely be here a month from today.”
"I might even be allowed to call you soon, see what good behavior does?"She smiled and waved as he left with the nurse.
***
Busying herself with work Mariyah was elated that Caleb was on the road to recovery.She was making a cup of coffee when she heard the front door.Who the hell could that be?Mariyah had to fight the urge to panic.Still she took a knife and held it behind her back."Who is it?"She yelled out.She heard a reply but couldn’t quite make out what they were saying.Opening the door, she was glad they had installed a security door as well, which stayed locked.It was a dirty looking guy, about early thirties.
"Sorry to bother you, but is the guy that drives this truck here?"Mariah’s heart dropped.
"No, he left months ago, I have no idea where, if you find that asshole can you tell him he owes me money for rent."She was trying hard to sound believable.
"Do you have any idea where he could have gone?"
"Sorry hun, he left me as I said without a single word.You’re free to take the truck, I have no use for it."The guy nodded his head.Relieved when he turned and walked down the front stairs.Once he was off the front porch he turned to look at her.
"If you see him, pass on a message to him, tell him that he's a dead man."Mariah’s face drained from color.Holy shit they had to run again...Would this never end.At least he was safe for the time being.It was good that they couldn't get to him.At least for now.
Mariyah visited Caleb and told him what had happened.He knew the guy she was talking about, Fernando Rodriguez.She told him they took the truck and Caleb nodded.
"You used your wits, I'm impressed."He praised her
"Seriously Caleb he seemed dead set serious.What the hell are we going to do now?"
"Nothing at all.I'm in here for at least three more months, it's a great hideout, by the time I'm released they would have moved on.Don't worry about it.If anybody comes around to the house again you call the police and you leave, understood?"
"Yes I understand.Wow we seem to be on the run forever...I just wish it will all just settle down for us."
"I know, we went through a bad patch, it has to get better."Mariyah hoped that was the case.
***
Nobody came around to the house, that Fernando must have believed her story.Lucky she thought to say that, usually she buckled under stress.Turns out she was getting used to it.It had to get better for both their sakes.How much more could life want to hurt them?
Mariyah was readying herself for her visit with Caleb, she dressed in dark denim jeans and fitted blue tee shirt, with a vee at the collar revealing a little cleavage.She tied her hair in high ponytail and applied a little makeup.When she arrived at the rehab center and asked to see Caleb Hayworth, the nurse behind the reception looked at her a little weird."Honey he left three weeks ago."Mariyah felt the world freeze
"What do you mean he left?"
"Some guys came to visit him and he signed himself out that day, we tried to reason with him but he wouldn't listen."Mariyah shook her head
"Can I see the names of the men who came please?"
"I'll find it for you."The nurse looked through the signature book and turned it around for her to see.There it was in black pen, Fernando Rodriguez had visited the day Caleb signed himself out.Three weeks, that meant he was in some serious trouble.Mariyah felt like she was going to faint.This was not happening, not Caleb, what would she do without her rock?
