Take Me Home

By Jackie Hales

Jamie had spent her life in care, she felt alone in the world, until she meets Mary, who gives her a home, security and the love she so desperately needed.
As Mary tries to heal Jamies wounds, Jamies past comes back to haunt her.
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• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Dec 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491887042

Jackie Hales

It was always an ambition to write a book. And when Take Me Home was published, it was a dream come true. And although she thought it would be a one-off, the follow-up was already being written, and the story continues.

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2013 by Jackie Hales. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/18/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-8703-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-8736-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-8704-2 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER ONE

Jamie was sitting at the window in the hospital watching the world go by.

She looked over at her foster mother. She had cancer and now it was a waiting game.

Jamie had been placed into Sue’s care eight months ago with Steve and Sue and their two children Steven and Jake.

It was Sue who wanted to foster and Steve just went along with it, but over time she found Jamie hard work, it was causing problems between her and Steve and when she found out she had cancer Steve wanted her to give up Jamie but she refused.

Jamie had been put into care at a young age. Her parents had died in a car crash. She never mixed well with others, a bit of a loner. She had problems at school.

Sue had been called to the school a few times. They seem to think she was not interacting with others, a lack of concentration, late homework or none at all. They had a list.

Sue felt like she was being told off, however she decided that she wasn’t going to tell Steve anymore because it would give Steve the reason for Sue to give up Jamie.

Steve was finding it hard having Jamie there while Sue was ill. It was causing arguments between them, but Sue saw it as a distraction from her cancer, but in the last few months Sue had gone down hill quickly and was to spend her last days in hospital.

Jamie Sue called.

Jamie walked over to the bed. She sat down in the chair and put her hands on the bed.

Sue held Jamie’s hand.

I’m so sorry I couldn’t give you want you wanted, what you needed she said with tears in her eyes. Jamie said nothing. She had half a smile on her face because she knew what Sue was saying was true.

The door opened and Jake and Steven ran in. Mommy! They both jumped onto the bed.

Jamie got up from the chair as Steve and Julia (Steve’s mother) walked in. He kissed Sue. How are you feeling?

I’m o.k.

They were all around her except Jamie. She stood there all awkward. She looked at Steve; he looked tired. He had been drinking a lot lately and Julia his mother had come to stay.

Jamie come here Steve said, We need to talk to you together

She stood closer.

Sue had decided that it would be for the best that the children should say goodbye while she was well enough to do so and today was that day.

Now, mommy is not getting better and soon I will be in heaven with grandma and grandpa said Sue.

But I won’t be able see you anymore Jake said with tears rolling down his face.

There was a silence in the room.

Steve lost it. Squeezing Sue’s hand he started to cry.

Come on Steve. Julia said, grabbing his hand, pulling him away from the bed.

Come on lets get a coffee, give you time with the kids Sue.

Sue smiled at her. Thank you.

Julia took Steve out of the room.

I don’t want you to go! Steven said to Sue.

Well I don’t want to go either, but I will be with you everyday, putting her hand on his heart, Right here.

He held her hand. Everyday, everyday she replied. Tears rolled down her face.

Both the boys were either side of her.

Jamie found it so hard, but she never showed any emotion. She’d had to look after herself for so long, she never trusted anyone. Although she liked living with Sue she had never really opened up to her and Jamie knew it would be a matter of time before her life would change all over again once Sue had gone.

Sue held her hand out to Jamie. She walked over to the bed and held Sue’s hand, but Jamie said nothing.

An hour later Julia and Steve came back and the kids said goodbye for the last time. Julia took the kids’ home.

Steve stayed with Sue as they had been told she didn’t have long left. He lay beside, her cuddling her.

What am I going to do without you? he said.

Listen to me Steve. I know you don’t want to hear this, but when you’re ready I want you to find someone else. No, I don’t want you to be on your own. I want you to live your life, for me. I want the boys to be happy. We have had a wonderful life, however short. I wouldn’t have changed a thing; we were blessed with two beautiful kids. And Jamie she said

Don’t worry about Jamie I’ll make sure she is O.K. said Steve.

Good she said smiling at him.

They fell asleep in each other’s arms.

As he awoke he looked at Sue smiling, she looked so peaceful, he kissed her, she was cold. He tried to wake her but she had gone.

The nurse entered the room.

She’s gone, he said crying.

Come on Steve lets get you a coffee. She took him to the relatives room and gave him a coffee

Is there anyone I can ring for you? she asked.

My mother, she will be taking the kids to school. I’ll ring her, he said.

Julia had just dropped the kids off when the phone rang.

She’s gone mom, Steve cried down the phone.

I’m coming now

What about the kids?

Let’s leave them in school for now, I’ll be there soon she said rushing to the hospital.

She ran in to find Steve. He got out of the chair. She hugged him.

Steve I’m so sorry Julia cried.

What am I going to do without her? Steve sobbed.

She sat him down beside her with her arms around him.

I don’t know Steve, but I promise you I will be here as long as you need me, ok?

He wiped the tears from his face.

Julia hugged him tight, but she felt helpless.

The nurse came into the room.

Do you want to see Sue now?

Yes

They walked in and Steve sat in the chair by the bed holding Sue’s hand.

Julia stood right behind him. She got a tissue out of her pocket to stop her mascara running.

They stayed a while and then Julia took him home.

Julia picked up the kids from school.

When Jamie saw her she knew something was wrong. What’s happened?

She’s gone They waited for the boys.

Julia saw the boys running to the car. Not a word she said to Jamie. Come on, get in, put your belts on

They were laughing with each other.

Julia looked at Jamie, Come on lets get you home.

Where is daddy? Steven asked.

He is at home waiting for you.

As they walked into the house Steve was sitting in the living room drinking. They ran to hug him. Whats wrong? they asked him.

She’s gone

Jamie stood there helplessly watching. She didn’t show any emotion, nothing.

Julia watched her, just standing there.

Come on Jamie you can help me with dinner" Julia said.

As Jamie laid the table Julia had noticed that Jamie had not cried at all.

Are you o.k. Jamie? she said.

Yeah she said in a quiet voice.

Julia left her to lay the table.

At dinner you could have heard a pin drop. There was silence at the table, no one talking, not even the kids.

Steve picked at his food, hardly eating a thing.

An early night I think Julia said. Come on kids.

They all got up from the table and went to bed.

I will be up in a minute, she shouted up the stairs. Julia went back to the kitchen to clear the table.

Steve was still playing with his food, Julia took his plate away and he got up from the table. He left the kitchen saying nothing. He poured himself a drink.

Julia went up the stairs. She checked on Jamie and tucked the boys in, kissing them goodnight.

"Are we