Who Am I? Chapter 19

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Mum reacted better than what I thought she was, I mean yeah she was upset, but all in all I think she was just happy to hear from me. I told her everything that had happened leaving out, how I obtained the information and who I was staying with, I knew she wouldn’t be able to digest this properly. I had also called Taylor, I felt stupid for the way I acted on the phone the last time I talked to her, but like the good friend she was; she didn’t mention it. 2

I wasn’t sure of what to do next, sure I knew that she was here; but I couldn’t really go charging at this full steam ahead. 3

So for three weeks, I sat in the caravan, not knowing what to do. I didn’t go out, I just watched TV. I talked to Mum nearly everyday, she kept asking me to come home, but I couldn’t not until I had talked to Charlene. I had asked how Luca was but she told me she didn’t know. She had not heard from him. Taylor didn’t know either she sad he hadn’t been at school. I knew that I had to move on but it was harder than I thought it would be. I really liked Rhylan but like was enough when you were in-love with someone else. 4

There were times where I wanted to go home, It would be easier if I just went home, but in the end; that was the thought that snapped me out of it. My whole life up until about 2 months ago was easy. It was time to step up to the ONLY challenge that had been set before me. Before I even knew it I was knocking on the door of number 18.5

“Who is it?” A rough voice said. 6

“Um, I need to talk to you.” I replied as the door swung open almost hitting me in the face. 7

I was shocked with who was standing in front of me. This had to be some kind of mistake. I must have read the page wrong. It was the woman that Rhylan had told me about. 8

She was about 5 cm taller than me, Her dirty and greasy blonde hair knotted down to under her rib cage line. She was paper thin, her black imitation leather pants clung to her stick like legs. Her arms looked more like bones and her ribs were clearly visible through her tiny black halter neck . Her face was rough and was covered in white blemishes and craters. She had a eyebrow ring, her nose pierced three times with a chain connecting to her three lips rings in the top of her mouth. Her eyes, were covered in heavy shadows and her lips were cracked and dry. 9

Her arms were covered in what I am told to be track marks. (Track marks are needle holes) and her veins looked like they were about to collapse. 10

This was a mistake, a big mistake. I wanted to turn around and run, I had never seen anything like this in my life, I was terrified. But the next sound I heard made me want to stay. It was a baby screaming inside. 11

“Oh great.” She muttered walking out of site. “Come in!” She added. I didn’t want to but I wanted to see if the baby was alright. 12

Her caravan was disgusting, something again I had never seen. This was like something out of some horrible film. There were bongs on the table, saddy bags laying everywhere, full of god knows what kind of drugs. Used and unused needles laying all over the place. This was no place for a baby to be!13

“I’m gonna take a wild guess, and bet you’re Lowy’s new girl. You’ll be turning tricks like a pro in no time, with looks like yours.” She smiled taking a drag of her joint., still holding the tiny baby in her arm. 14

Her voice was so husky, she sounded and looked off her face.15

I coughed from the fumes. Who was Lowy? 16

“Don’t just stand there, sit down, I know why you’re here. I’ll give you something to mellow. You look a bit nervous.” She said handing me a needle with some kind of liquid in it. 17

I looked down at the seat before I sat, to make sure I wasn’t going to sit on something sharp. She sat across from me. 18

“That’s not what I am here for, I’m actually looking for someone.” I said refusing the needle; and refusing to believe that this woman was my mother, it couldn’t be right. 19

“Who are you looking for?” She said with the needle still in her hand. “Sure you don’t want it? All of Lowy’s girls get there first shot free” She added.20

Was I dreaming? Was this real? Was this really happening? Wake up Hayleigh! Wake up! Come on!21

“I’m sure, I don’t know any Lowy. I am looking for Charlene Davies. I thought she lived here.” I said clearing my throat.22

I should have thought this through, suddenly she got really defensive. She grabbed my wrist and held it tight.23

“Why are you looking for her? What are you like a cop?” She hissed squeezing it tighter. 24

“AH! A cop? No! I’m not a cop! I swear!” I cried as she squeezed again. 25

“Don’t lie to me you little bitch! Tell me what you want.” She demanded. 26

“I’m her daughter!” I screamed as she dug her nails in.  She immediately let go of my arm. 27

“Charlene is Dead.” She said with a cold stare. 28

My heart jumped into my throat. DEAD?29

DEAD?30

“She’s dead?” I gasped, with tears spilling over my cheeks. 31

“The one you are looking for anyway. I’m Charlene, you’ve come looking for a mother. You won’t find that in me. That part died before I got a chance to get it.”32

She was Charlene, this woman was  my Mother.33

“But you have a baby, you are my Mother.” I cried. 34

“What this?” She asked looking at the bundle in her arms. “She doesn’t even have a name yet. All she does is scream. As soon as I find someone to talk her off my hands she’ll be gone. Just like you, bad for business she is, bad for business.” 35

“How old is she?” I asked in disbelief. 36

“8 days old, kept this one longer than you’s.” She said as if she were talking about a pup. 37

What happened to her? Why was she like this? When she left she wanted me! This didn’t sound like the girl who wrote that note! 38

“I’ve come a long way to find you…” I started but she cut me off.39

“And it will be the same way back, I suggest you get a move on.” 40

Her eyes, told me that she didn’t feel like this. I told myself she just needed a bit of time. 41

“I am in number 9 if you change your mind.” I cried.42

“GET OUT OKAY, I’m not going to change my mind!” She yelled, I jumped out of my seat with fright and ran for the door. 43

“And what’s with the other one? Is she too good to come and see me?” She yelled behind me. 44

The other one? What was she talking about? What did she mean?45

“The other girl you idiot! You’re sister! I left you with um….what’s there name again…Saunders…and the other one with the Jenkins…or did I leave you with the Jenkins?”46

I turned and ran back to the caravan. This was too much to register all at once.47

The Jenkins…..I had a sister.    Taylor…….48