Jane stood outside, watching her son and his best friend playing on the driveway. Suddenly, a woman's screaming came from the house next door. She instinctively looked over and listened to the conversation. She noticed the blonde woman standing outside, tears running down her face, with her young daughter, who was sobbing uncontrollably.
NEXT DOOR:
"You just don't get it, do you?" Miranda screamed at her husband.
"Don't get what?" Dave asked her, looking down at their three-year-old daughter, Jessica.
"I'm leaving. I can't take anymore of all of your mood swings! I can't take the fact you get drunk every night! Most of all, I can't take what you do to me! I'm leaving before you start to hurt Jessie like you hurt me! I can't let her go through all that pain. Four years of it is enough for me. I should have listened to my Gramma! BUT, NO! The day after the wedding I go to visit her, and she's GONE! YOU MURDERED HER! Jess never got a chance to meet her great-grandma because you were jealous of her! Because she didn't like you! I can see why!" Miranda screamed, picking up Jess and starting to walk away.
"Get back here, you whore!" Dave screamed, pulling on Miranda's arms.
Jane's house:
Jane gasped and looked at the two young children, who were staring at the scene.
"Mommy, what's going on over there?" Nick asked in a small, scared voice.
"I don't know, Nicky. Why don't you and Brian go inside and get Daddy to come out here?" Jane said, gently pushing her young child into the house.
"Ok, Mommy. Come on Brian!" Nick said, running into the house.
Next door:
"I told you I was leaving!" Miranda screamed.
"No you're not!" Dave screamed back.
"What are you gonna do to stop me?" she laughed.
"Plenty of things," Dave laughed cynically. Miranda gulped and put Jess down.
"Jessie honey, can you go find Mommy some help?" she whispered to her daughter. Jess nodded and ran away from the house. She noticed Jane sitting on the driveway and Nick, Brian, and Bob walking out of the house.
Jane's house:
The four noticed the little blonde girl running as fast as her tiny feet would take her to them. "Mommy, who's that?" Nicky asked.
"I think she's the next-door neighbor," Jane answered. Jess ran up, panting.
"Can you help my mommy?" she asked in a quiet voice.
"OF course sweetie. What's wrong?" Jane asked, pulling Jess into her lap.
"I think Daddy's gonna hurt Mommy again," she said in a very scared voice.
"Oh God. Bob, call the police," Jane said, turning to her husband.
"Ok," Bob said, running into the house.
"Why is your daddy gonna hurt you mommy?" Brian asked.
"Cuz we were gonna run away, but Daddy found us." Jess said.
"What's your name, sweetie?" Jane asked.
"Jessica," Jess answered proudly.
"That's a beautiful name," Jane smiled at the little girl.
"I know. My Mommy picked it out," Jess smiled. "My daddy wanted to name me Beatrice," she frowned. "I like Jessica better. Just like I like Mommy better. Daddy is scary. He comes home every night acting different than when he left. Then he starts hitting Mommy. I don't like seeing Mommy getting hurted," she started to sob again.
Hugging Jess, Jane replied, "It'll be ok. Does your daddy ever hurt you?" Jess shook her head. "That's good." Bob ran out of the house.
"The police are on their way," he said.
"Thanks Bob," Jane smiled.
"No problem." he replied.
"Jessica, this is Nick, Brian, Bob, and I'm Jane." Jane smiled.
"Hi," Jess said, looking at everyone.
"How come you're never outside?" Nick asked.
"Cuz my daddy never lets me or mommy go anywhere," Jess pouted. The police pulled up to Jessica's house and took Dave away. Miranda ran over, sobbing, to her daughter.
"Jess, are you ok?" she asked.
"Yea Mommy. Are you ok? Did Daddy hurt you?" Jess asked, holding her arms up for Miranda to pick her up. Miranda gladly did.
"A little. Not as bad as usual. The police got there in time," she smiled at her daughter, kissing her on her forehead. "Thank you so much," Miranda said, turning to Jane and Bob,
"It's our pleasure to help a neighbor in need," Bob smiled. Miranda grinned.
"I'm Miranda," she smiled.
"Jane," Jane said. "And my husband, Bob. Nice to meet you."
"Yea," Miranda said. "Are these your kids?" she asked, looking down at Brian and Nick.
"This little brat is," Jane joked. "His name is Nick. And this is his friend, Brian."
"Nice to meet you two," Miranda smiled.
"You too," Brian said politely. Miranda laughed.
"Would you like to stay for dinner? Brian's parents, Jackie and Harold, are coming with his older brother," Jane said.
"You don't mind?" Miranda asked incredulously.
"Of course not!" Jane laughed.
"Thank you so much!" Miranda smiled. Nick and Brian ran off to go swim in the small pool in the backyard. Nick suddenly ran back.
"Wanna play with us, Jess?" he asked.
"Mommy, can I?" Jess begged.
"Of course, sweetie. Have fun," Miranda smiled, gently pushing her daughter towards nick. They ran off, laughing. "Those two are so cute together," Miranda smiled.
"I know," Jane grinned.