The Promise

I took a writing course a few years ago and this was the first piece I turned in. One of my students broke down and confessed to me that she was being abused by her dad and that inspired me to write this. I wanted to give her feelings a voice.


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The twins wait at the bus terminal, as the rain pours down. Katie's head jerks back and forth nervously as she scans the crowd, and Kyle feels her grip on his hand as an old woman brushes past them. Kyle is excited, for safety is only moments away. As soon as they get on that bus, Kyle will have kept his promise; no one will ever hurt Katie again.

Katie inhales suddenly and Kyle turns to see Mr. Stevens standing just a few feet away. For a second Kyle thinks about running, but instead says, “How'd you find us? We didn’t tell anyone we were coming here.”

Mr. Stevens says, “The very first day we met, you told me, no matter what happened, you wouldn’t let anyone hurt Katie, ever again. I figured you had made some plan to leave, in case the courts returned you to your parents. I just picked the most logical spot.” Mr. Stevens smiles weakly. “Actually this is the third place I looked.” He continues quickly. “I know you're scared and angry and you have every right to be, but just hear me out. Then if you still want to leave, I promise, I won’t say a word to anyone.”

Kyle sees Katie’s eyes divert to the ground as they always do when adults speak around her, but he feels her squeeze his hand in an attempt to signal him to listen to what Mr. Stevens has to say. Kyle looks Mr. Stevens directly in the eye. “You’ve always been honest with us, so we'll hear you out, but you don’t have much time. That bus leaves at 4:30 and we plan on being on it.”

Mr. Stevens holds up his hand. “Fair enough. I just came from the judge’s chambers. He believes you Kyle. He believes you both!”

Kyle doesn’t respond, but continues to look at Mr. Stevens.

“Did you hear me?” Mr. Stevens asks. “The judge believes you!” He sighs and starts again. “OK, listen. I understand that you’re skeptical, but have I ever lied to you?” Kyle slowly shakes his head from side to side.

Mr. Stevens smiles. “Good. Now listen. Two days ago I told you that because the case was being reopened, a new judge would have to review all the files. Well, he did that yesterday and was so upset that he called a hearing today. That’s where I just came from. He told your mom and dad that they had a choice. Either they could sign the papers, giving up parental rights to you two, or they could sit in jail, with no bail, through the entire trial.” Mr. Stevens looks at Kyle expectantly and says, “Kyle, can’t you guess what the good news is?”

Slowly, Kyle answers, “Mr. Stevens, I’ve learned good news is never as good as it sounds.”

Looking down Kyle sees Katie’s look of confusion. He knows she’s been hurt so much that she’s not sure what to believe either.

“Well, there is always a first time for everything.” Mr. Stevens smiles. “Your parents signed the papers! You never have to see them, and they can never hurt you or Katie again. You are now wards of the state. I’ve arranged for you both to go back to the Becket’s house. I brought the papers. Read them for yourself.”

Hesitantly, Kyle takes the papers and starts to read. Heart racing and eyes wide, he embraces Katie and twirling her around. Kyle yells, “Wahoo!” Panting, he gently holds her face in his hands and stares into her wide eyes. “Katie it’s real this time. They can’t hurt you anymore. It says so, right here in these papers that the judge signed. They won’t split us up. We get to live with the Beckets again. No more doctors. No more lawyers. No more judges. It’s over!”

As he says this, the bus pulls away from the terminal. Katie grabs the tickets sticking out of Kyle’s pocket, rips them in half and tosses them in the air. She smiles broadly, but doesn’t say a word. Kyle knows that that will take some time, but the smile on her lips and the tears streaming down her face say more then words ever could.