Unfinished (Chapter-32)

CHARLIE’S POV

I arrived at my mother’s house in the early morning. The sun was just starting to rise, and the birds were just starting to chirp. I dreaded what I had to do, but I knew that mother would prefer to hear it from me before anyone else.

I brought my laptop with the evidence, but I don’t think I will share it with her. As sick as it made me, I couldn’t imagine how she will feel watching her little girl gets violated by the man she thought the world of. Don surely acted like the best husband, especially after Cassy died. He handled everything and took care of mom.

Letting out a sigh, I opened the door and stepped out of my vehicle. I knew, even with how early it was, mother would be up. She has always been an early riser and normally enjoyed her coffee and a book on the patio while watching the sunrise.

Walking around the back of the house, I spotted her with a blanket wrapped around her as she sips on a mug with a thick hardcover in her lap. I smile at the scene before I remembered why I’m here.

Walking closer, I speak up softly, so as not to startle her. “Hey, Ma. A good book?” Her head whips to look my way before a motherly grin settles on her face. She places her cup down on the table beside her and hops to her feet, scurrying closer to me and throwing her arms around me.

“My son! What are you doing here so early? Not that I’m complaining! You haven’t visited in so long.” She scolded me before her loving smile returned. “Let me go wake Don and I will make us some breakfast. Surely, you must be hungry.”

I shake my head, grabbing her hand before she turns fully. “Actually, Ma. Can we talk?” Her eyebrows raise but she nods her head, sitting back down and covering herself with the blanket. Scratching the back of my head, I take the seat across from her.

“What’s wrong, my son? You seem nervous. Are you okay? Did something happen?” I wanted to roll my eyes at her questions but I knew it wasn't the time. Taking one last deep breath, I leaned forward, taking her hand in my mind before I started to speak.

“Ma, you have to listen to me. Things are going to change pretty drastically, and I don’t want you to feel blindsided. I want you to know, I’m going to be here for you, and support you through this all, okay?” She nods her head confused.

“What is going on, Charlie? What’s happened?” Her voice was laced with all the worry she was showing on her face. Shit, this is going to break her, but it has to be said.

“A girl, her name is Abby, bought our old house. She found some old pictures and stuff she didn’t feel right throwing out so she contacted me.” I knew I couldn’t tell her that Cassy was still around, so I have to change some details. “When I picked up the stuff, there were some video tapes… Ma, Don was assaulting Cassy sexually… These videos...” I choked. Clearing my voice and trying to be strong for my mother. “These videos, Ma, they are vile. Everything he said to her, her pleas for him to stop… I contacted the police and showed them the evidence... They will be here this morning to arrest him and put him in prison.”

Finishing, I let out a deep breath as I look over at my mother. She was completely still. Eyes wide and unblinking. Her breaths quickened and she squeezed my hand. For a moment, she just sat there before a sob broke out of her. “What?” She questioned as she clung to me. I wrap my arms around her, my heart breaking for her. Her tears soaking through my shirt, but I didn’t care.

“I’m so sorry, Ma. I know you love him, but I had to turn him in. I can’t let him get away with what he did to Cassy. She took her life because of him and what he was doing. I-” She cut me off. Pulling back and wiping her tears away angrily.

“Charlie Cooper! Don’t you even!” She lets out a sniffle before her broken gaze meets mine. “I want to see the videos.” She states quietly. I immediately shake my head in protest. “Charlie. I wasn’t there for your sister when she needed me most. I need to see what she went through… What I didn’t protect her from.” Her teary eyes hurt my soul, but I knew I couldn’t fight her on this.

Nodding my head dejectedly I excuse myself to grab it from my vehicle. Once I was back on the patio, mother was nowhere to be found. Looking around, I wondered where she went. Although, I didn’t have to wonder for long as she was slipping back through the door of the house.

“I wanted to make sure the bastard was still sleeping.” She spat with venom. Understandable. I set up the laptop and bring up the videos. I look at her in question, making sure she wants to see it. She meets my gaze and gestures for me to play it.

Letting out a sigh, I hit the button. It was kind of like a car wreck. You knew what was going to happen but you couldn’t look away. Immediately you could hear Don’s voice come over the video. “Babygirl, are you up?” There were shuffling sounds as he lay down in the bed, scooting up closer to Cassy. “Of course, you are. You’re a good little girl for daddy.”

You could hear Cassy whimper in discomfort. Her quiet voice cracks as she speaks out, “Please, stop. I don’t want to do this.” Then a cracking sound as Don’s hand lands down hard on her cheek. Cassie lets out a cry, and then my mother lets out a sob. Suddenly, I turn my attention back to my mother, her whole body is shaking and tears are pouring down her face as her heart and soul shatter at the experiences her daughter went through.

I quickly shut the laptop and cradle her in my arms. “Shh. It’s okay, Ma. I’m here, I’ve got you. Okay?” I run my hand through her hair like she has done to me many times growing up to soothe me.

We sat like that for what seemed like hours but could have only been minutes before there was an audible knock on the front door that we could hear from back here. I hold her shoulders and look into her eyes. “That is the police. Are you ready for this? If not, you can stay here and I can come to get you when it’s done. When he is gone.”

She stands, shakily, but with a new look of determination in her eyes. Forcefully clearing the tears from her face, she states. “No. I’m coming to watch them drag his ass out of this house.”

I smile at the strength of my mother, before nodding and we make out way to let the police in. Finally, Don is going to get what he deserves and we all are going to move on from this and be free from the consequences of his actions.