The move! FREEDOM!

Back to the Condo in West Valley!

I remember the first day we walked into the condo. It looked like a tornado, indoors, hit it! 3 and 4 foot piles of clothing in every corner. Garbage scattered everywhere! Cigarette butts, food, boxes and the smells... It was horrible!! But.. It was home! I didn't want to leave and go back to "That" house. This was now home! Peace!

We went right to work, taking load after load to the dump. Moms family came over and helped paint and clean things up. Before we knew it, it was all clean and ready for us to start moving in! I think it took about a month.

Brian came over and started to help us move. Step Father knew we were moving but didn't offer any help. None of the other family offered any help. But when we finished moving in he wanted to know where so he could arrange his schedule and start coming over. Mom told him then, "I'm leaving you and your not welcome to visit."

I finally feel safe! I can sleep at night! I'm still really jumpy if anyone touches me while I'm sleeping.. Which takes me years to get over...even after I marry. I can't describe the peace we are feeling.

Mom cries at night. I go down to talk with her and she tells me shes crying because she's happy and scared at the same time. I don't understand her fears fully and just hug her.

One day, as I'm doing School work (I'm homeschooling myself) the phone rings. It's Step Father and he's demanding I tell him our address so he can come over. I hang up the phone and call Mom! How did he find the number?! If he can find our number he can find our address! I'm so scared again!! I hurry and lock all the doors and go hid in my room. Mom called the phone company and changed our number and unlisted it then calls me back. It will be weeks before I feel safe again, but it does come!