Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Slight mentions of racism in this chapter.

***

"So you won't believe me when I say this man didn't kidnap me?" Jessie asked and her voice broke.

The officer in front of her stared at her with his mouth set in a straight line. The he closed his eyes, almost like he was fighting the urge to roll them. "Ma'am until we're able to confirm your mental state is okay, we won't release him."

Jessie stared away, trying to not to let the tears in her eyes fall. All this was her fault! If only she hadn't told Theo about what Patrick had said, he would never have gone and confronted Patrick. Jessie didn't know what happened, but it was so bad that Patrick had gotten Theo arrested under the charges of kidnap and harassment.

So here she was, all alone, sitting in the lobby of the precinct, with the only person who supported her locked up. They wouldn't even let her see him. Apparently, he would "influence" her.

She tried again. "So there's really no way I can see him?"

"No," the officer sighed, "there's no way you can see him". He was being condescending and it was aggravating the hell out of Jessie. But she couldn't say anything. She did not want to risk him getting downright mean. It was better she kept her mouth shut for the moment.

"And I can't bail him out either?" she asked.

"Not today. I've already told you that ma'am," the officer said, scrunching his eyebrows and Jessie could tell he was getting annoyed.

At that moment, Jessie made up her mind. She got up without a word and went out to the streets. She hailed a taxi and got in, her mouth set in a frown.

Soon enough, she reached and gave the driver the money she had to. She walked to the apartment and knocked on the sturdy door waiting for a reply.

A few moments, the door was opened.

"What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk," Jessie replied.

"No we don't."

"Pattie, it's long overdue, don't you think?" Jessie asked, sighing. They had never really spoken after Pattie had done what she did and Jessie hated to admit it, but there was still a part of her that loved her once little sister.

"All I know is you're a murderer and I have no desire to talk to you," Pattie replied and attempted to close the door.

"So that's why you're trying to destroy my happiness? And my life? Because you believe I killed mom and dad?" Jessie asked, holding the door.

"Don't call them that! You have no right! Not after what you did!"

"And that's the thing? What exactly did I do? What did I do for you to hate me so much?" Jessie cried.

"Stop pretending. Stop pretending it's not because of your kind that they died," Pattie replied making Jessie furrow her brows in confusion.

"My- my kind? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean a black! African! Don't you know it's one of you that killed them?"

"No- Pattie, so that's why you've hated me? For something I didn't even do? Do you know how stupid that sounds?" Jessie asked, incredulous. It was stupid, really. She didn't hate any Caucasian because of what Pattie and Patrick had done to her.

"Yeah, sounds stupid. You can leave now," Pattie sneered and tried to close the door again.

"Pattie, don't you miss us?! Don't you miss me? Sometimes?"

Pattie hesitated, then all of a suddenly closed the door violently. Jessie stared at the door for a moment, hoping that Pattie would open up again.

She waited for a few minutes, then turned and started walking towards the parking lot, the tears she had tried hard to contain finally fell.

"Jessica, wait!" Pattie said and Jessie turned so fast. The blonde at the door beckoned her to come with a gesture and she went quietly, wiping her tears.

"Come in," Pattie said and Jessie walked in quietly. She looked around the apartment, but was too shaken up to notice anything. In her head, there was nothing that stood out. It was an apartment like any other on that moment.

Jessie stood awkwardly until Pattie motioned for her to sit. She sat gingerly on the chair nearest to her. It was obvious she was uncomfortable. It was very clear both of them had been kicked far out of their comfort zones.

"So you really blame me for their deaths?"

"I- no," Pattie said then broke down crying. Jessie was confused for a moment. She stared at Pattie, hoping she would stop crying, but that did not happen. So she gingerly put her hand on Pattie's left shoulder.

It was a few seconds after that that she garnered the courage and wrapped her arms around Pattie. Pattie immediately leaned into her and her sobs became even heavier.

Jessie was even more confused. Was this the same girl who had called a bunch of thugs on her? And helped her ex find out about her whereabouts? She was crying on her shoulder? Life was really strange.

When Pattie's cries had finally subsided, she wiggled away from Jessie. She looked embarrassed and wiped her nose discreetly. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy.

Jessie was tempted to say something, but she didn't know exactly what she could say in that moment. She did not want Pattie to go off on her. She was very unpredictable.

"I'm sorry about that," Pattie said with a forced smile.

"It's okay," Jessie waved it away, then asked, "Are you alright now?"

"Yeah," she sniffed, "I'm fine"

Jessie put her hands together and twiddled her thumbs. She took the time to look around. There was nothing that really caught her attention until she caught sight of the enormous picture in the middle of the room.

It was them. Jessie, Pattie and their parents. Jessie was about 16 at the time and Pattie 15. It was one of the rare pictures they had taken together and seeing it there tugged at something in Jessie.

"You had this?" Jessie asked to break the silence.

"I- I was the one who cleaned the house after they- you know?"

Jessie tore her gaze from the picture and looked at Pattie. "Why did you do it?"

"Do what?" Pattie asked and Jessie turned a sharp gaze on her.

"Do what? What about call some thugs to harass me? Oh and filing a complaint against me? Oh and I almost forgot, helping my ex to find me and make my life miserable?"

Jessie took in a deep breath and looked away from Pattie. She wanted nothing else but to leave. But she needed Pattie's help. That was the only reason why she was still sitting here. Pattie could help her if ever the case went to court.

"I- Jessie, I- please..." Pattie trailed off. It seemed she did not know what to say. Jessie sighed and turned her gaze on her.

"I never intended to hurt you," she cried, taking Jessie's hand forcefully.

Jessie wanted to retort but kept quiet. Tried to listen to whatever Pattie had to say.

"I was angry! I was. It was like you came and Mom and Dad stopped giving me attention. Then someone like you killed them. I was so jealous and angry. Not the best combination I admit"

"Pattie, Mom and Dad never treated you inferior to me. We were both their children. Why would you feel that way? And why didn't you talk to me?"

Pattie scoffed. "You were perfect Jessie, just admit it. You had everything. And even after I tried to hurt you, you got out of it and started dating the perfect man, Patrick"

Jessie widened her eyes. She was quiet for a while then she stood. "So you hurt me because you were jealous of me? Sent two grown men to rape me because of jealousy? I was eighteen! Eighteen for crying out loud! How could you-" Jessie's voice broke at that moment and she stopped, trying her best not to cry.

"I'm sorry, Jessica! I'm so sorry! You don't know how much I regret that!"

"Sorry won't change anything, Pattie! It won't change a goddamn thing!" Jessie retorted, a lone tear trailing on her cheek.

"Then please tell me what I can do to make it up. Please, Jessie," Pattie said, her hands in her lap. She was looking up at Jessie and she did not bother to wipe the tears that were flowing.

Jessie choked on a sob then looked away. It was too much. Confronting her past was difficult. Jessie was the type of person who ran away so as not to come to terms with certain situations and standing here was bringing back memories, ones she would have loved to wipe away from her mind.

Suddenly, Pattie was kneeling at her feet, looking up with her cheeks wet and her brown eyes red and puffy.

"Please Jes-ssie. Pleassee," she said then hiccuped.

Jessie helped Pattie up and she slumped against her, crying and muttering stuff Jessie couldn't understand.

"Pattie," Jessie called.

"Ye-yes?"

"You want to make it up? You want me to forgive you?"

"Yes, Jessie, please."

"Help me free Theo."