Always You (You Series)

Bennett

Bennett

17 Years Old

I woke up to a dark room that smelled way to sterile to be my own. The last few days were a complete blur. I remember coming home from school Monday, and everything else is hazy. I tried to sit up but the pain was too much. I noticed movement and then an overly concerned Mrs. Weaver standing next to me.

"Welcome back." Her smile was soft.

"Where..." I cleared my throat which burned. "Where am I?"

"The hospital." My eyes went wide and I tried to sit up again. "Bennett, stay down." I stopped moving at the tone in her voice.

"I can't be here."

"You are, and don't have a choice. You have several broken ribs son. What happened?" I shook my head.

"I...I don't remember." It was the truth at least. "They're going to take me away now aren't they..." I swallowed hard again, the look on Mrs. Weaver's face was unreadable. "Guessing CYS hasn't been in yet?" She shook her head.

"They were waiting for you to wake up. I have to go get them." I looked away but nodded. She stood and walked out the door. When she walked back in another woman followed. I didn't want to make eye contact.

"Bennett, I'm Sue, your caseworker from now on." I stayed quiet looking out the window. Mrs. Weaver's hand hit mine.

"Talk to her, please. We're going to do everything we can to help." Her hand let go of mine and I heard the door shut.

"I know you don't want to talk about this. I know you don't want to leave your life. But we really need to know so we can help."

"I only have to make it to graduation next year. Nothing happened. I fell down the steps." She sighed.

"If you really want to stick with that. We can see multiple old fractures in your x-rays that haven't healed properly over the years."

"I ride dirt bikes."

"Right, and some of these fractures show more than just from a fall." I closed my eyes tightly. "This is a safe place Bennett, you can tell me." I shook my head. "The Weaver's have agreed to take you in as long as all of the back ground checks come back clear. We're going to have to go and do a home study at your current residence."

"No!" I yelled but the pain had my eyes closing.

"Well, you can always tell me what really happened. Maybe we can even get you emancipated."

"That's an option?" I asked, she nodded her head with a small smile.

"But you'd have to tell us what happened and be seen by a judge and everything to have their rights terminated." I turned back to the window. "Why don't we start with the first time it happened."

"When I was 8." She nodded.

"And the last time?"

"This entire week is a blur." She nodded again writing stuff down.

"Are they always easy to hide?" I shook my head. "Man or woman?"

"My Father." She nodded again.

"How often?"

"A lot."

"Weekly?" I nodded. "Do you work?" I nodded again. "Where at?"

"Uh, I help out at Mr. Weaver's construction company during the summer, and weekends or days we don't have school."

"Your grades are fantastic. Are you planning on going to college?" I shook my head.

"I'm joining the Navy when I graduate." She nodded and wrote some more. After asking a shitload more questions she left. Mrs. Weaver came back in.