The Dilemma of Parker

Chapter19

Richard and William were worried. Parker hardly said a thing since she was told that her mother had taken her own life. Jaylan hadn't let go of Parker's hand and was ready to act comforting his girlfriend if need be. "Sorry, I think I misheard you" Parker stated after a good five minutes of staring at Will. "You didn't, your mum is dead Parks, I am so sorry" William stated.

Parker nodded her head absorbing the words she had heard. She didn't really know what to say at all. She didn't want to come off as cruel, but her mother had been dead to her for years now it was just offical. "Parker, Hunny it's ok to be upset" Richard said softly. He was concerned by her lack of reaction. Parker began to shake her head no. "I'm not upset per se. She has been dead to me for a while. Does that sound bad?" Parker asked wincing as she did. She wasn't meaning to sound horrible, but she didn't feel sad. She realised long ago her mother didn't really care for her.

"Parker" Richard stated not sure what to say. "No hear me out, she made it clear she didn't care. She allowed her husband to treat me that way. She lied to you about me, and I could of had a good family home instead of what I grew up with. She made her choices and I suffered for that. I deserved better then what I was given" Parker spoke up. Jaylan smiled at Parker, he was proud of how far she had come from the young kid who turned up meek and mild. She was truely fierce now and had found herself.

"Parker" William started but Jaylan glared at him urging him to shut up. "Back off buddy, Parker is my sister" William spat at Jaylan. "Parker, I know she was not the best mum, but she was still your mum. Don't you want a chance to say goodbye or help with the funeral? Be there for your brothers?" Will asked. "Will they won't care if I am there or not and I don't want to see that man. I'm sure he will be there to claim everything" Parker stated.

"Parker, if you want to go, we will come with you" Richard assured his daughter grabbing her hand in support. "I don't think I am ready. It's just not about him. The entire family with be there, not only that but that place arrrggghhhh" Parker stated before grabbing her hair in frustration.

In the three months that Richard and William had been in Sydney, Parker had been seeing a psychologist again, to help her with what had happened at home growing up. Richard had suggested it and he had gone to a few sessions with Parker to help mend the trauma he had caused unknowingly to his daughter. "I'm listening" Richard stated encouraging Parker to go on and nodding at his daughter.

"Ok, I reported to the police several times. The beatings and stuff. But being a black fella as they called me, and accusing a white fella, meant I wasn't listened to. He told them it was my black boyfriend who beat me and they just listened. Then I was just dismissed constantly even when Aunty Cheryl took me in" Parker whispered. "I want him to pay for what he did, but no one believes me" Parker added.

Richard was furious, how could the police turn away a child who had clearly been hurt. He knew he needed to remain calm so he took some deep breaths. Jaylan wanted to beat Parker's step father and he had never met the guy. He also wanted to meet the cops in a dark alley one night, to show them what it was like to be unprotected by the people who were paid to protect them. William had no idea what to say, he just kept staring at Parker. He didn't know that Parker had been beaten by her step father. He thought the one time he hit her was the only time and that was bad enough.

"Parker, I'm going to contact my lawyer and they are going to organise a statement to be given to the police commissioner. He won't get away with this at all. Do not let him dictate whether you say goodbye to your mum" Richard stated trying to keep his cool. "I" Parker started to say but then shut up when she saw the look that William was giving her. "And that's the reason right there, I won't be saying anything" Parker stated pointing at William.

"He beat you? Parker you need to tell the police" William stated. "Will, she doesn't need to do anything unless she wants. You will not force her at all" Richard stated sternly. "But dad" Will went to argue. "William, if and when Parker wants to report the abuse, we will support her" Richard stated. "But I can back her up, I saw it" William argued. "Will, no one believes me" Parker mumbled.

"Hey babe, it's not about being believed. It's about telling your truth" Jaylan stated. Parker looked at Jaylan and smiled. He was right, who cares what the small minded people of the NT believed. As long as she got to tell her story, that would be beneficial to her. "Can you come with me?" Parker asked Jaylan.

Jaylan looked towards Richard and William, he wasn't from money like those two were. "Ah I don't think I can afford it Parks, I'm so sorry" Jaylan mumbled embarrassed he couldn't he there for his girlfriend. "It's covered, Parker will need all the support she can get. I'll organise flights and hopefully we can leave tomorrow so you can put your statement in with the police before the funeral" Richard stated before excusing himself from the table to make the required phone call.

"Parker, did you want to speak with your brothers about the funeral?" William asked. "I don't have anything to add, they can do what they want with the funeral. I don't even know if I will go" Parker stated. "I can call Jude and you can speak with him or we can just turn up on the day. It's not about them it's about you" Will stated. "We can have him on speaker or you can just text from Will's phone" Jaylan added.

Parker chose to text Jude,

Jude, it's Parker. I am sorry about the loss of your mother. Take care.

Parker didn't know what else to say. Immediately the phone rang and Willian answered it putting on speaker. "Parker? Please Parker, I'm so lost" Jude said quietly into the phone. "Jude it's Will" William spoke up. "Will, please let me talk to my sister. I'm so lost without her and mum. She was Parker's mum too" Jude cried. "Please tell Parker to come home" Jude sobbed out. Parker looked at the table upset that Jude was upset but she needed to be strong for herself. These people had hurt her too.

"Jude mate take a breath for me. Parker isn't ready to come home. She knows about Tamia and she is still processing everything" Will stated. "Ok, ok. Tell Parker that mum loved her and that I love her and I'm sorry. I miss her so much and not just because she ran the house. But I miss the laughs and the smiles. I miss her singing in the shower and the way her nose crinkles when she is confused" Jude stated before taking another breath. "I'll cover the costs for her to come back even if just for the funeral. I'll be in contact Will and if Parker wants to add anything for the funeral get her to text me" Jude stated before hanging up.

Parker was confused, how did Jude know all that about her? He hadn't shown interest in her life for so long and she so didn't crinkle her nose at all. "That must be the nose crinkle he was talking about" Will stated trying to break the tension causing Jaylan and himself to laugh at a confused looking Parker.