not The Perfect Life

What happens now?

Chapter 12

Saturday, 24th of February 2019

What happens now?

Since Galen told me about the abuse, harassment, and rape in his family, these fake dates have been very different at his home. I haven't been there to eat since then. When I see Galen, we usually spend the whole time in his room. I also try to be with him as long as possible. You might think that I would come a lot less now because I now know what kind of people his parents are.

But I think more of something else. Of course, Philip and Michelle Vergara don't want anyone to find out about this secret. Philip would never want to rape Galen if he knew I was in the same room. In addition, I am very afraid for Galen's mental health and just want to make sure that he knows that I will always be there for him and that at some point he doesn't just get the idea to do something to himself.

We study together almost every day and if his parents don't want Galen to leave the house, I'll just come over. Unfortunately, I also have to say that I can't always help. If Matthew comes to visit sometimes, Galen is as good as certain. Meanwhile, Philip doesn't want Matthew to divulge anything either and has for several years denied harming Galen.

Besides, I can't be there for Galen forever. I can go to college soon and if that works out with the MAX, I'll move away. Michelle and Philip forbid Galen to move out and that would never end the ordeal. A new solution must now be found.

Galen is my best friend and I only want the best for him. That's why I have to come up with something really good. If I step in and then something goes wrong, his father will kill him and his brother will probably get killed too. Maybe even his mom. I have to help him effectively. I can no longer watch and endure everything that is going on here. It hurts to know about it.

Whenever I meet Galen or see Galen at school, a lot of questions arise in my head. How is he? Has Philip touched him again somehow? Does he have new bruises? Does he have new cuts? Did his mom hit him? Has anything new happened in his parents' house? I understand that things don't necessarily happen every day. However, I still feel bad every day that I can't be with him. It can always be something. It didn't seem so real at first because Galen was calmly able to talk to me about it. Now he's telling me more and more and sometimes he just wants to meet to cry. I'm just so sorry for him and it hurts so much that I can't help him any better. I can only be with him and comfort and support him.

But today I have a new idea. Galen's brother Matthew is here right now. To be honest, I can't understand why Matthew was allowed to move out and Galen is not. Perhaps Philip is more concerned with Galen that some of this mess might get public. Sometimes I wonder if Matthew actually knows what exactly is going on at home. This is what my new plan relates to.

I want to help my best friend the best I can. I just stopped by spontaneously. This is nothing new in and of itself. Almost every day we meet either with him or with me. He's lying on his bed and I'm sitting right there with him.

"Do you think I'll ever get out of here?" Asks Galen sadly.

"Yes.", I answer honestly, "Of course. You can do it."

"It has nothing to do with being able to. If I run away, my parents will find me anyway and then they'll kill me."

"Are you sure they'll kill you?" I ask, a little confused.

"I've wanted to run away several times and always regretted it afterwards. Dad says he'll drown me in the lake next time."

I feel like vomitting. You can't threaten your children like that! But well ... Philip and Michelle Vergara probably don't care about anything.

"But even if you don't leave ... you will escape. At some point. Your parents are so important to their work and their image. What does it look like when their son lives with them forever and never moves out?"

"Right, but ... when will that be? After college? When I get married? If I should get married."

I intervene quickly: "Of course you will get married. You will marry a beautiful woman and will have lovely children. And if not ...then I'll just play your fake wife again."

He giggles. Then I remember my plan again. It's not a huge mega plan that is completely tricky. It's actually very simple.

"I just have to go to the toilet. I'll be right back," I say. Galen just nods and I get up and leave the room. I know my way around the Vergara house pretty well now. About the toilet was a lie. I have another mission. I walk carefully through the house. Michelle is in the kitchen. Philip doesn't seem to be there. Nobody should notice that I'm not going to the bathroom.

I arrive at my destination. The door to Matthew's room. I knock gently on the door. I make sure that no one else sees me. Matthew opens the door a crack.

"Olivia, hi. What's up?" He asks gently.

"I don't have that much time right now, but I need to talk to you." I whisper.

"O..okay. When?"

"Can we meet somewhere in 3 hours? Maybe on the forest path or something?"

Matthew looks at his watch for a moment and thinks about it.

"Um..okay..we can do it. Is everything okay?" Asks Matthew nervously.

"Yes, no .. uh .. we'll just talk.", I say my way out of the conversation. Matthew closes the door again. Half of my current job is done. Now I have to go back to Galen. That alone is a challenge again. I have to make sure that nobody sees that I was never near the bathroom.

Michelle is still in the kitchen and she probably didn't even notice I was walking around the house. Then I stand by Galen's room again and slowly enter. Without saying anything, I sit down on his bed again. Galen just stares at me. Somehow he looks sad.

"Are you okay?" I ask with a little giggle to relieve the tension a bit. He doesn't answer at all. Instead, he bites his lip and his eyes fill with tears.

"Hey, hey, Galen, what .." I can't finish talking, he's starting to break down. Uninhibited tears run down his face and he starts to howl and moan. Panicked, I urge him with my arms to put his head on my lap. I don't say a word. Galen just lies there and cries loudly. I gently stroke his head and face.

I really need to talk to Matthew. Something has to happen as soon as possible. These conditions can no longer be endured. Galen needs help. He needs help that I certainly cannot give him alone.