Page 142 of Jackass

“What about Samantha and Jack?” I asked.

“What about them? They aren’t our friends, Derek. They tried to take our baby from us.” She ushered Charlie further into the room.

“They are her parents, Marsha.”

“NO!” she screamed. “We are her parents!”

That was when I noticed the gun in her hand. I lifted Charlie up in my arms and walked to the bathroom. I needed to get her somewhere safe.

“Where are you going?” Marsha asked.

“Charlie needs to use the bathroom.”

I walked through the doorway, closing the door behind me.

“Hey, pretty girl. Do you know who I am?” I asked.

Charlie shook her head, no, and her lip trembled.

“I’m your Uncle Derek. Your daddy is my brother,” I whispered.

“I want my daddy,” she cried.

“I know, baby girl. You don’t know Daddy’s number, do you?”

Charlie shook her head again, no. I pulled her close to my chest, my hand resting on the back of her head.

I set her in the tub and asked, “Can you lie down in here while I go talk to Marsha?”

“Who is Marsha?” she asked.

“The lady out there.”

“That’s Auntie Carrie. She used to be nice,” Charlie said, her eyes watering.

“I’m gonna go talk to Auntie Carrie and see if I can call your daddy. I won’t let anyone hurt you, ok?”

She nodded her head and laid down in the tub. I walked back out to deal with the crazy woman in my room.

“Where is Charlie?” Marsha said, raising her hand to point the gun at me.

I lifted my hands, hoping she wouldn’t see me as a threat.

“She’s still in the bathroom. I wanted to talk to you.”

I slowly made my way over to where she stood.

“What are you doing, Marsha? Where are Samantha and Jack? Why do you have Charlie?”

I wouldn’t mention the gun. I didn’t want her focus pulled to it.

“She is our daughter. Where else would she be?”

“She’s not our daughter, Marsha. Our daughter is eleven years old; Charlie is only four. You hurt our daughter, Marsha,” I reminded her.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Charlie is mine.”

I moved slowly, careful not to spook her.