What Lies Within

What Lies Within

1999

Loretta walked through the hospital as fast as she could.. trailing not too far behind her was her husband,a young Giselle and much younger Macayla

James picked up Solo in order to keep up with Loretta.

Loretta went to the receptionist desk to ask for the room number for Vivian Styles the lady told her the number and that’s where she headed.

Loretta walked into the room seeing her mother holding a baby , then she saw an 11 year old Morgan along with 9 year old Kelly sitting on the couch. Walking further in she saw Jason sitting next to Vivian in the hospital bed.

Loretta stood near Vivian and she grabbed her hand.

“You sure you want to do this?” Loretta asked

She knew this would help her sister but also hurt her in the long run.

“I have to, we can’t take care of her, she’ll have a better life and upbringing with you and James .” Vivian said wiping her tears

“Loretta if this child doesn’t go with you who knows what will happen, her mother said “

Loretta turned and looked at Matthew and he nodded . “ I know mama “ she said taking the baby from her mother .

She held the baby and smiled, “she’s so beautiful James“

“Yes she is beautiful, just like the rest of the girls.” James said .

Giselle looked at her mother holding the baby . “ mama said the baby is going to live with y’all, Morgan said “

“She is?” Giselle asked. “But that’s your sister “

“Yeah——“

“No Kelly said cutting Morgan off. “Giselle that’s your sister and she’s our cousin “

“What? But mama had her, a confused Morgan said “

“Look daddy said that’s our cousin not our sister so don’t bring it up ok?” Kelly said to the girls . Don’t tell anyone.

Giselle and Morgan nodded in confusion but what could they do? They were too young to know any better. Whatever their parents said goes and that’s just how it was going to be. The conversation would never be brought up again.

Chapter 1: 15 years later

Crystal POV

“ So you’re just gonna gamble all of our money away James ?” Loretta yelled

“No Loretta , Damn! He yelled back I didn’t lose it all “

Crystal laid in her bed listening to her parents arguing again. It’s the same thing every time. They yell and scream for hours about James gambling the money away as Loretta put it.

Crystal got up and threw on some clothes and went out the window, she’s done this before so she knew it wasn’t a long jump. She got on her bike and rode off up the street. She couldn’t deal with the drama of her parents arguing over the bills. She rode up to a house and threw her bike on the ground. She knew nothing would happen to it , she knocked on the door then placed her hands in her pocket to keep from getting cold. Eventually the door opened.

“Come on, she heard “ she opened the door and walked into her older sisters house.

“ I didn’t wake Amani did I?”

“No you didn’t, Giselle said scratching her head. Mama and Daddy arguing again?”

“Yeah crystal said, and I have a test tomorrow I need sleep.”

They walked to Giselle’s room and got in the bed. “I’ll wake you up at 6 to go back home “ Giselle said

Crystal nodded took off her shoes and hoodie and just like that they both were out.

It seemed like as soon as Crystal went to sleep Giselle was waking her up.

“Crystal come on, Giselle said “

She sat up and yawned . Giselle was already dressed for work, so Crystal put her clothes back on and stood up.

“Text me when you get home,” Giselle said walking towards her fixing crystals hoodie.

“ Alright, kiss Mani for me.”

“I will,” Giselle said fixing her bed as Crystal left out .

On the bike ride home the sun was coming out which meant people were leaving for work or getting their morning papers. Crystal got back home went in through the window and jumped in her bed. As if right on cue Loretta came in. “Crystal get up and get ready for school.”

“Ok mama “

She then got her phone out and texted her sister

“I made it home Giselle“ after that she got up and took a shower and got ready for school.

Chapter 2: Giselle

Giselle sat outside honking her horn for the third time. She was waiting for Kelly. She looked in the rear view mirror seeing Blue bounce up and down to whatever song was on and she just smiled . Giselle was a 25 year old pediatric nurse , her daughter is from a previous relationship with her on again off again boyfriend Shawn. Their relationship was quite off, they could never get it right so as of now they’re not together..... sort of. The one special thing she did get from Shawn was Amani and for that she’s forever greatfull.

“Bray!!! Amani yelled from the backseat , Giselle looked and finally saw Kelly walking towards the car with Brayden in tow. She opened up the door and he got in.

“Hey auntie,” Brayden said

“Hey baby,” Giselle said back

Kelly finally got in the car put on her seatbelt and got situated.

“ Rough morning? Giselle asked as she pulled off.

“Overslept a bit,” Kelly said

“Eh, Crystal came over last night “

“Last night or last night?”

“It was about 1am, you know my parents argue about everything as petty as it may be.”

“Yeah, me and Morgan went over mamas yesterday and both her and daddy were drinking.”

“That’s crazy, you going to granny’s on Friday?”

“Yeah and supposedly my parents are throwing something on Saturday.”

“Now you know how that’s gonna go “

“Yeah but I’m gonna go to make sure things don’t go too far. You would think our parents would party less now that they’re older.”

“Man, as kids that’s all they did, shit we were playing spades and tonk before we could even walk and talk.” Giselle said laughing .

Chapter 3: Crystal

Crystal was laying on her desk sleeping through her geometry class , she was still tired from not getting much sleep and couldn’t stay awake during her math class. She heard the bell ring and cautiously got up grabbing her stuff . She walked out of the school and got on her bike and began riding off.

“Crystal,” she heard someone yell

She slowed down a bit to see who it was. It was Trent a guy from her neighborhood.

“What’s up?” He said

“Nothing much”

“I heard your parents last “

“Yeah well as loud as they were I’m pretty sure everyone heard them “

They talked for a few more minutes while riding home and then went their separate ways.

Crystal went into the house headed straight for the kitchen to grab a snack. She sat down in the living room and turned the tv on , as she was scrolling through the channels the house phone rang.

“Hello “

“Crystal?”

“Kayla what’s up?”

“I’m good, how are things going at home?”

“Eh, same as always “

“Mama and daddy still arguing about petty shit huh?”

“You know it, when are you coming home?”

“I’ll be there soon Cris.”

“Ok, well I’ll talk to you later... love you

“Love you more sissy”

With that they hung up. A few minutes later Loretta walked in.

“I know you ain’t got your feet up on my table “

“No ma’am, crystal said slyly removing her feet “ she walked in the kitchen and kissed her mother on the cheek.

“ Kayla called “

“She did?”

Crystal nodded

“It would be nice having all of my girls together .”

“I know you started that homework “

“I was just about to go do it “

“Mmhmm”

Crystal was in her room doing her work when she heard her parents once again .

“ I thought I told you don’t come back if you don’t have money “

James threw an envelope on the table and walked away.

Crystal tried to ease back in her room but her dad caught her.

“Just too nosey, he said while laughing, you know daddy always comes through, he said kissing Crystal’s forehead.” She went into the kitchen to help her mother, she always thought they had the weirdest relationship, one day they’re arguing and the next they’re all lovey dovey.

But one thing she knew for sure was that they loved each other deep.

Chapter 4: Morgan

Morgan sat at the table holding hands with her boyfriend David, she was a 27 year old account consultant , she has been dating David for about a year now and he was a lawyer. He has yet to meet her parents because she was very embarrassed she didn’t want her boyfriend meeting her two drunk parents.

After they ate lunch Morgan called Crystal .

“Hello?”

Hey, Cris what’s up?”

“Nothing much what about you?”

“Hi coming from lunch “

“With David?”

“How’d you know about him?”

Crystal started laughing

“I overheard Giselle talking , she said “

“Why you so damn nosey?”

“Chill, I’m not but when we gonna meet him?”

“I don’t know yet, but you better keep your mouth shut.”

“Alright Alright, So you coming to granny’s tomorrow?”

“Yeah I’ll be there.”

“Ok cool, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Alright “

Morgan hung up and kept driving. Of course Giselle and Kelly knew about David but didn’t expect Crystal to know. She knew that he’d have to meet them sooner or later and she chose later.

Chapter 5

Kelly POV

“You wanna See auntie Morgan? She asked her son”

He nodded

Ok let’s go get a snack and wait for her to get here. As they waited she ended up cooking dinner and counting the money her baby daddy gave her. She knew it was dirty money but he needed to take care of his child.

“Where did you get all that from ?” Morgan said causing Kelly to jump, she hadn’t even heard her come in.

“Terrence, it’s for Brayden “

“Oh I thought you started stripping or something “

Kelly laughed and shook her head

“Giselle should be here in a minute “

“Great then I can ask why y’all loud mouth asses were talking about David in front of Crystal.”

“How are we supposed to know where her sneaky ass be hiding “

“Well I told her to keep her mouth shut.”

“Who’s mouth shut?” They heard as Giselle walked in.

“I’ve given out too many keys “ Kelly said

“Anyway, who’s mouth shut?”

“Crystal knows about David “

“Hhhmm welp”

Morgan just shook her head and they got up to help Kelly make plates.

“Where’s Mani?

“With her father “

“Y’all going to granny’s tomorrow? Giselle asked

“Yep said Morgan and you’re my spades partner “

“What ? Exclaimed Kelly, Kayla not here and now y’all stick me with Crystal “

“Y’all will be alright “

“So Giselle What’s up with you and Shawn?”

“We’re figuring things out “

“Are you sleeping with him while you think?”

Kelly laughed and Giselle mugged them

“Don’t worry about what I be doing “

“So that’s a yes, Kelly said “

“What’s a yes?” They all heard

“THATS IT NOBODY ELSE IS GETTING A KEY, Kelly yelled

Crystal laughed

“What you laughing for, mama know you here?” Giselle asked

“ Nah, her and daddy are Well you know... I mean they at least could have waited till I was asleep “

“What you cook Kelly?”

“Spaghetti “

“Oh good, she said going into the kitchen “

“She gonna have to stop sneaking out “, Morgan said

“I know, but her dumb ass don’t listen to nobody “ Giselle said

“Don’t call me dumb Miss I still fuck my baby daddy, Crystal yelled from the kitchen “

Giselle’s mouth dropped and Kelly busted out laughing

“Yeah, Crystal said walking in from the kitchen... tell him to stop parking in front of your house all night if y’all trying to be discreet “

“What are you doing out that late anyway?” Giselle asked

“Now that’s my business, Crystal said”

Giselle just glared at her and picked up her phone.

“Well Anyway, Crystal watch your mouth and quit being nosey “

“I’m not nosey, I’m just very observant “

Chapter 6

“Well you need to brush up on your spades skills cause you my partner.” Kelly said

“Ok cool, I’ve gotten better “

“We’ll See.” Kelly said

“ Giselle why you so quiet?” I know you ain’t mad.. Crystal said

“No I’m good “

As soon as she said that someone started banging on the door

“Who the hell?” Kelly said as she opened it. “Oh hey auntie

“Hey Kelly, is Crystal here?”

“ No you didn’t,” said Morgan

All Giselle did was smirk

“Hey mama “

“Hey baby “

Crystal walked into the living room and then turned back around to walk away.

“ Uh Uh ,” Loretta said ... come here

“Who told you could leave the house? All you had to do was tell me you were coming over here “

Crystal just glared at Giselle

“Don’t look at her , she didn’t sneak outta no ones house,

come on let’s go “

Crystal walked closer to her mother and smushed Giselle’s head on the way out. Once they got out Giselle busted out laughing.

“Now you know you wrong for that Giselle.”Kelly said

“Well maybe now she’ll learn to keep that mouth shut “

Chapter 7: Loretta

“Crystal come outside “

Loretta sat in the car waiting for Crystal to come out so they could head over to her granny’s house. She watched as Crystal came out in some clothes she’s never seen before.

“Where you get them clothes from?” Loretta asked

“Mama I been had these “Loretta kept driving until they reached their destination, she had already spotted Giselle’s car.

When they got out of the car Crystal walked in the house first followed by Loretta

“Nana”, Amani said running up to Loretta

Loretta bent down to pick her up and gave her kisses

“I guess I’m just nobody huh?” Crystal said.

Loretta put Amani down and she ran up to Crystal .

“Hey Tistal(she can’t really say Crystal yet)

As Crystal played with Amani, Loretta walked in the kitchen to see her mother cooking and Giselle was helping her.

“Now you know your ass can’t cook, Loretta said causing her mother to laugh and Giselle to roll her eyes.

“I’m not even that bad mama.” Giselle said

“Child you burned water, I don’t even know how you managed to do that , anyway how y’all doing?”

“We Good, just putting the finishing touches on the food “

“What we having?”

“Everything, Giselle said going into a pot”

“Giselle out, her grandma said “

Loretta laughed

“Go in there with Crystal “

“Fine I know when I’m not wanted “ Giselle said and left. When Giselle went into the living room crystal turned and saw her and just rolled her eyes.

“Don’t do that, Giselle said “

“Why, you got me yelled

at last night “

“Welp, you acting like she whooped you... you’ll live.” Giselle said

“Whatever, Crystal said “

“Stop acting like you always got an attitude, Giselle said as she mushed Crystal’s head”

“Don’t look at me like that, that was for yesterday... Giselle said “

They heard the door open and in walked Kelly with Brayden and Morgan

“Cris, Brayden yelled and ran over to her”

“Brayden she said hugging him and kissing him “

“Where granny at?” Morgan asked putting her purse down.

“Now you been coming to this house for 27 years and you still confused?” Crystal said causing Kelly and Giselle to laugh

Morgan glared at Crystal while going into the kitchen.

Crystal got up off of the floor and sat on the couch stretching her legs out across Giselle’s lap scrolling through her phone until Giselle grabbed it from her.

“Come on Giselle give it back Crystal said trying to get her phone back “

“Nah ,let me see what

you been texting “

“GISELLE , give it back” Crystal yelled

Chapter 8

Giselle scrolled through Crystal’s phone and saw some suspicious texts , Crystal snatched the phone back and Giselle just looked at her. Before she could say anything to Crystal the door opened

“Hey auntie, Crystal said to Vivian “

“Hey baby “

“Hey mama hey daddy,” said Kelly and Morgan

“Crystal let me speak to you real quick,”Giselle said dragging her off

“Nah, I’m good “

Crys——-

Giselle was cut off again by the door opening ... Kayla!!! everyone ran up to her hugging and kissing her.

“Damn I missed y’all too. Where grandma and mama at?” Everyone pointed to the kitchen. After Kayla went to the kitchen Giselle grabbed crystal by the arm.

“Ouch, Damn G that hurt “

“You’ll live, and watch your mouth I don’t why you think you’re grown, anyway I read that message.

“You don’t know what you read, Crystal said”

“You know what, you right but it better not be what I think it was or I’m beating your ass myself “

“Yeah whatever, Crystal said walking out of the room “

“Keep testing me Crystal, you may be my little sister but don’t make me go upside your head just to knock some sense into you”

Chapter 9:

After everyone arrived we sat down and started eating dinner.

“Now y’all know I wanted all of y’all here for a reason right?” Grandma said

“What’s going on mama?” Loretta asked

“I don’t want y’all to worry, it’s not like I’m dying or anything “

“Dying?” Crystal said

“Shut up and let me finish Crystal

“As I was saying, the doctor did find a lump in my breast but it’s nothing to worry about they caught it in time so everything is gonna be alright. I will need surgery though but it’s all in Gods hands.”

Later that night...

“See I told your ass you couldn’t play,” Kelly said to Crystal as They lost another round of spades.

“Man suck my di—-“

“HEY , watch it” Loretta said

“I need a new partner, no never mind I don’t wanna play no more.”

Everyone laughed but continued to play. The rest of the night everyone enjoyed themselves for the first time with no drama... until the next day.

After school...

“Hey Crystal both of your parents are home.” Trent said as they rode up on their bikes.

“Yeah that’s weird, I’ll holla at you later if I’m still alive.”

Before Crystal went inside she pulled out her phone and texted Giselle

“Hey Giselle come get me, mama and daddy are both home “

“What did you do?” She asked

“Nothing that I know of”

“Well I don’t get off until 4 so you gonna have the suck it up lil soldier “

“But Giselle I’m scared “

“Well you must not have been too scared when you did whatever you did, I’ll sing at ya funeral love you bye “

“Oh well here goes Nothing.” Crystal said entering the house ...

Chapter 10

“Come Sit down, Loretta said”

Crystal slowly walked over to the couch sitting across from both of her parents.

“You got something you wanna tell us?” Loretta asked

“No ma’am “

“Oh really, well I think you do, where did these clothes come from?” Loretta asked holding up brand new clothes with tags still attached . Crystal knew she was in deep shit right now.

“Your mother is missing $400” her father said

“Huh?”

“Little girl don’t play with me right now... I want my money Loretta said walking up to crystal and grabbing her collar. These clothes that still have tags you are gonna take them back and get my money. Crystal was visibly upset cause she really never seen her mother like this before.

“Keep rolling your damn eyes and see what happens.”

Crystal went to her room and opened her drawer throwing the rest of the money at her mother.

“I’m about to smack the piss out of you. Loretta said lunging at Crystal but James held her back.

“Get off me, I don’t Why this little girl is so mad when she stole from me, all you had to do was ask.”

“ I was gonna give it back.”

“How? You ain’t got no damn job you been acting like a damn brat all week and now you wanna do this in MY house?”

“I don’t have to live here.” Crystal said

“Then get the fuck out. Loretta yelled “

“Everybody calm down.” James said

“No let her ass go and she better not touch anything I bought her “

Chapter 11

Crystal left out of the house got on her bike and rode to her granny’s house.

“Crystal, you ok baby?”

“Ma-mama kicked me out “

“What did you do?”

“I-I-I stole $400 from her “

SMACK

“Have you lost your damn mind, just like your father “ she regretted saying that last part

“My Daddy Don’t steal”

Dianne cursed herself under her breath as she went and got an ice pack for Crystals face.

“So what are you gonna do? You have nowhere to go and no clothes “ Crystal just shrugged

“You can stay one night after that you need to go talk to your mother “

“She doesn’t wanna talk to me “

“Well tough y’all are gonna talk. That’s the problem with this damn family no one wants to talk about anything “ she continued to rant but Crystal couldn’t understand her cause she started speaking in French so she just sat there holding the ice pack to her face.

Giselle ...

“She did what?” Daddy y’all can’t kick her out.. where is she now? Ok I’ll go talk to her.” Giselle got to her granny’s house and saw Crystal sitting in the kitchen holding her face...

“Cris, come talk to me “ hesitant she got up and followed her sister in the living room.

“You gonna hit me too?” She asked looking scared

“No, I just wanna know why you did what you did?”

“I don’t know... I thought it would make me look cool to have new clothes.”

“And did it?”

“No”

“You know if you had asked, mama would have taken you to get clothes. Hell you could’ve asked me and I would have.”

“I know “

“Apparently you don’t know cause you out here stealing and shit.”

“I’m sorry G...”

“I’m not the one you need to apologize to , now granny said you can stay tonight but tomorrow I’m coming to get you and take you home and you are gonna talk to mama WITHOUT THE ATTITUDE “

The next day Giselle made due on her word and dropped Crystal off. As scared as she was Crystal gathered the strength to apologize to her mother who accepted the apology but also whooped Crystals ass.

Chapter 12:

The next day Crystal was in the kitchen helping her mother cook when the lights went out.

“What the hell?” Loretta said

“Crystal grab the flash light so I can go check the breaker “

While she was doing that her father came in... “Baby the lights are out I’m checking the breaker “ Loretta said

“It’s not the breaker James said “

Loretta looked at him and slapped him silly. So you gambled all of the money away again?” James just stood there. “CRYSTAL COME ON LETS GO “

“Loretta YOU ARE NOT TAKING MY DAUGHTER “

“WATCH ME “ and with that they drove off .

They arrived at Loretta’s sisters and Loretta explained everything. Giselle came running in...

“Mama what happened?”

“Your father and his gambling “

“Are you ok?”

“I’ll be fine I just need to cool down.”

Kelly and Morgan came over to see their mother and they were filled in on what was going on.

“Why y’all in my house” Kelly and Morgan’s dad said coming in drinking and smoking a cigarette.

“Not just your house daddy “ Morgan said

“You and that mouth, just like your mother “

“Why you always gotta say something?” Kelly said

“You know how he is”

“If you don’t like the way I run my damn house all y’all can go.” He said

“Baby calm down, “Dianne said trying to hold her husband back.

“Get off me”he said as he pushed her to the ground

Loretta jumped up and he pushed her down as well... While all of the commotion was going on Crystal sent a text to her father and Kelly got up and went to the closet next thing you know....

POW POW

two shots rung in the air as everyone stopped in their tracks and turned to see Kelly holding a gun.

“Daddy get out now” she said

He wasn’t sure if he should take her seriously or not so he stepped up her but she stepped back and cocked the gun again.

“Get out, leave your keys and never come back “ Kelly said

Their father walked out only to be met outside by James.

Chapter 13:

“You ok mama?” All the girls asked to both Loretta and Dianne

“We’re fine,” they said

Crystal was in the middle of having a panic attack so Giselle was trying to get her to calm down which she finally did.

“What’s that yelling ?”

They all looked at each other and went outside and saw James and Jason arguing

“What you here for?”a drunk Jason asked

James shrugged him off and kept walking.

“Aye man that’s my house”

“Ok and what happened you hit your wife again? I shouldn’t have to come over here to clean up your mistakes “

“Ain’t no mistakes over here “

“James let it go he isn’t worth it.” Loretta said

“Yeah James listen to your wife and protect your daughters... the little one knows who her real daddy is.”

Something flipped in James...next thing you know he’s charging for Jason.

“He ain’t your real daddy Crystal, I am” Jason yelled

Crystal just stood there in shock and confused ... she turned to look at her mother and then Giselle

“Giselle? Is he telling the truth?”

Silence

“Mama??” This ain’t true is it?

No one could find the words to say anything.

“So this is what we do now? “ crystal said .”

“Cris,” Giselle said trying to hold her sister

“GET THE FUCK OFF

OF ME GISELLE“ Crystal yelled... words rolled off her tongue like venom. She ran off only to be caught by her father.

“Get off me” she said as she struggled to break free. Finally doing so she ran off into the dark.

Chapter 14:

Needless to say the cops were called arresting both James and Jason. And Crystal was no where to be found. Loretta and Giselle went to the station to bail out James , while waiting Giselle received a text from Crystal.

😜🥰Bighead😍: IM SAFE, DONT TRY TO FIND ME ...”

With a sigh of relief Giselle told her mother about the message and they continued to wait for James to come out.

“I should have never agreed to take Crystal “

“Mama don’t say that, you and daddy did the right thing and if you hadn’t ain’t no telling where she would be.” Giselle said .

Crystal ended up staying over at Trents house until everything cooled down. When she got home she saw both her mother and oldest sister sleeping on the couch. I guess Giselle sensed her so she got up and hugged her then Loretta woke up, they talked about everything even though it was clear that Crystal was still a little confused as to why they didn’t want her to know. Their moment was cut short when the door bell rang startling all of them. Giselle went and opened the door to a very much pregnant Kayla “Well ain’t this about a bitch...”

To Be Continued