“Hold on Spencer,” Arthur said.  She hesitated before turning back around and walking over to him.

“Carmen, came today,” he said, studying her face.

“And?” Spencer asked hopefully, praying that her ex-wife had come through for her for once. Her father handed her a white envelope.  Spencer grabbed it and clutched it to her heart like it was a lifeline. Happy relief washed over her when she opened it and saw the money inside.

“Spencer, you don’t need to keep associating with that girl.  We told you we can pay for Sammy’s medical bills.”

“I know, dad.  But I’m 21 and still living with my parents.  I need to take some responsibility.  Plus… I don’t really have a choice.”

Her father nodded his head in understanding. 

“Thanks, dad!” Spencer said as she took off upstairs towards her daughter’s room.

She gently opened the door and tiptoed over to Sammy’s bed, not wanting to wake her.  She sat on the edge looking at her little angel peacefully sleeping.  It seemed lately the only time Sammy was in peace was when she was asleep.  This morning, had been particularly bad.  Sammy had been in so much pain and cried fiercely when her mother left.  The tearful shouts of “Mommy” had been ringing in Spencer’s ears all day.

Spencer brushed the blonde locks of hair, so similar to her own, off the little girl’s face.  Sammy was definitely her daughter. Same hair, same bright blue eyes.  Spencer had her when she was only 18, the same year she married Carmen.  Carmen had insisted they start a family early, and Spencer consumed by young, blind love eagerly agreed.  But a few months after Sammy was born, she realized why Carmen wanted to rush into having a family. 

It happened almost immediately after the birth.  Sweet, loving, caring Carmen turned into abusive, possessive, paranoid Carmen.  Carmen thought having a baby together would keep Spencer with her, no matter how she treated her.  At first, she was right.  Spencer just took the abuse, too afraid to go back to her parents a failure.  She also knew she would have to drop out of UCLA if she left, because she had no way to support herself or her baby.  Carmen had inherited a chain of auto shops from her father so was the bread-winner of the family. 

But after that one night, when it got really bad, Spencer knew she had to leave.  Even now the thought of what happened nearly brought tears to her eyes.  After she got out of the hospital, she went back to Carmen’s house, took her baby and went home to her parents.  In fact, when her parents had visited her at the hospital they demanded she come live with them.  They’d been so supportive these last two years, she’d been able to fully detach herself from Carmen emotionally.  But, Carmen was Sammy’s other mother.  And though Spencer had to fight tooth and nail to get child support out of her, she couldn’t deny her visitation.  All of these thoughts tugged at her mind, as she gently rubbed her little girl’s stomach.  Spencer had been staring into darkness, so didn’t notice when the girl’s eyes fluttered open a little.

“Mommy?” Sammy asked, still half asleep.

“Yes, sweety, mommy’s here,” she leaned in to kiss Sammy on the forehead.  “Go back to sleep.”

“Mommy, stay with Sammy” the girl mumbled, pulling her tiny, hand from under the covers to clutch her mother’s fingers. This time Spencer was unable to hold back the tears, and they came down like waterfalls.  She kicked off her shoes and climbed into bed with her little girl.  In the morning, she would have to go to work so she wouldn’t be able to stay with her then.  But she would tonight.