Zacky

I sigh heavily running a hand through my hair. It had been four days since I had seen Zoe, let alone I was regretting listing to Pearl. I knew my daughter; she’d never hit anyone let alone do drugs. Plopping onto the sofa I hear the front door open and heavy footsteps coming towards me. Brian had already paid a visit the night of the accident happening. That night was miserable; I had received beatings from all the guys. Frowning I look up to see my dad, thankful it isn’t one of the guys.

“Zachary, you look like hell,” He pauses looking down at me, “Did the guys do this to you?” He asks sitting beside of me on the sofa.

I simply nod my head, “I deserved it. I shouldn’t had smacked Zoe, dad. I am a worthless father.” I choke out feeling the tears prick my eyes.

“You’re not worthless; you made a mistake for once as a parent.” Dad says to me as he pulls me over to him hugging me.

I don’t return it I just sit there. I knew I was a worthless father, and at this point. I didn’t deserve to ever see my daughter again. Sighing heavily I hear the door open up as I see Pearl walking in with some take out. I roll my eyes at her and gently push my father away, “What are you doing here? I told you not—“

“I just brought you some food, like a caring neighbor.” She plays the sweet card on me.

I sigh falling for it like an idiot, “Yeah you’re right.” I say smiling weakly.

She smiles nodding her head. She comes over putting the food down as my dad leaves nodding at me. I return it and sit there with Pearl enjoying my lunch.



I step off the elevator with Zina, Gavin, Dad, and Mom all with me. I hated this and more unless I didn’t want to face my daughter. Not after what I had put her through. “You guys sure about this?” I question them.

“If it helps, then we’re doing it.” Dad says to me.

I simply nod my head as I push the door open to the counselor’s office. I take a deep breath seeing Gena, Zoe, and Aiden all sitting there on a sofa. I can see Zoe tensing up but her eyes soften seeing all the bruises and cut marks on my arms and face. I frown sitting away from them and looking down at my lap.

“Is everyone here?” The doctor asks.

“Yes Dr. Drew.” Gena answers.

“So let’s begin.” He says pulling a note book out and grabbing a pen. “Alright I want to begin with Zoe, can you explain to me what happened that night?”

I watch carefully as Zoe takes a deep breath and closes her eyes hiding her fear, “Earlier that day we had a meeting with my principle. I was wrongfully accused of something I didn’t do. I couldn’t handle the teacher and student that accused me, calling me names and being rude. I ran out and Aiden,” Zoe points to Aiden. “Came out and was comforting me, because I was crying and having a panic attack.” She stops and looks up at me fear still lingering in her eyes. She points at me and continues.

“He came out and grabbed me roughly yelling and cussing me. He shoved me into his car and drove us home. When we got there he cussed me more, yelled, and threatened me. As the day kept going, he had left and his friend and his wife came over to watch me. I got a call from my mom and I snuck out of the house to help her.” She stops wiping her eyes and sighing.

“When I came back he caught me going up the side of the house from where I had snuck out earlier. He took and yelled at me making me go inside the house. He wasn’t himself. He was a different person, like I don’t know.” She shrugs and shakes her head. “I noticed a lady in the living room on the sofa, his new assistant, Pearl.”

Dr. Drew looks over at me, “Pearl?” He questions.

I clear my voice, “An assistant I hired at my clothing line. She and I had gone out earlier that evening to have dinner on our upcoming accomplishment with my line.” I shrug.

Dr. Drew looks over at Zoe, “Continue Zoe.” He states.

Zoe nods her head and frowns a little, “Pearl left and I had been upstairs in my room. He took and came up ripping my window seat cushion apart with his knife. He pulled a bag of dope out, which was not mine. I’ve never done dope, and I never plan on it,” She pauses looking down. “Cutting myself is something more along my lines, but dope isn’t.” She mutters.

“So you cut yourself?” Dr. Drew asks taking notes.

Zoe looks up from her lap nodding, “When I get upset, depressed, or anything along those lines,” She stops seeing my face and her mothers. “It’s my relief from everything.” She sighs.

“Then what happened when he pulled the bag of dope out?” Dr. Drew asks her.

“He began accusing me of doing it. Said it was mine and Pearl had mentioned seeing me doing it and saw me place it there, which was a lie,” She stops glaring over at me. “Then he smacked me in the face. After that I grabbed my cell phone and left his house going to my Aunt Katie and Uncle Brian’s house.” Zoe looks over at the doctor.

“Who are Katie and Brian?” Dr. Drew asks looking between Gena and me.

“Katie is my younger sister, and Brian is his best friend and Katie’s husband.” Gena answers.

He nods taking notes, “Zacky do you want to say anything?” Dr. Drew asks.

Just as I about to say something a beep goes off in his office, “It’ll have to wait. That’s all the time we have today. I want to see you all back here next week, same time.” Dr. Drew says getting up and showing us all out.

Sighing heavily I follow my parents, Zina, and Gavin. I stop seeing Gena, Zoe and Aiden all coming out. Zoe stops and looks at me, tears begin pricking her eyes, “Why did you believe her? You know me, dad.” She whispers.

I begin to say something as Gena pulls her along and they disappear into the elevator. I sigh heavily shaking my head. I break down and shove everyone away as I run down the steps going for my daughter. I knew the court had advised that we didn’t speak to each other till after the court hearing and counseling sessions, but I didn’t care. I managed to catch them getting off the elevator as I ran over to Zoe and grabbed her in my arms. She fought back at first then hugged me, “I am so sorry baby. I never meant to hurt you. I swear to god I didn’t mean to.” I whisper to her.

She gently pats my back as we pull apart. She just sighs going with Gena as I am left there alone again. I frown and go to my car getting in. I back out and head home, wishing I could do more at this point to get my daughter back, and make up for everything I had done to her.