Wait in the Truck ~ Yellowstone Original

05

Elsa Dutton

They left Annette alone for almost a week. Dropping off food and other things.Making sure she was still alive. She never left her room, only mumbled thanks to Gator after every meal he dropped off. No one tried to strike up a conversation with her. Not even after hearing small sobs and the creak of the rocking chair. They figured she need adapt to her new surroundings and to fully understand her position, but they desperately wanted to know what was going on inside her head.
Annette doesn't know what to say, do, or even react. She just sits there everyday looking out the window watching the sky, the wranglers, and the breeze through the mountain. She begins to lose track of time. She rose with the sun and slept with the sun. She felt useless, worthless, and lazy. She believed she was numb to it all.
This pattern continues until Annette wakes with a stabbing pain in her back. Slowly getting up was even painful. Nearly crawling on the floor, Annette made her way to the bathroom door. Holding onto the sink she was able to pull her shirt soaked in blood, over head but left it on. It revealed the cuts and scratches. Bleeding, purple and oozing. She winces at every twist and touch. She decides to grab the leftover supplies below the sink.
She already used most of the rest of her body. Those scars she refused to look at, had barely begun to heal. Slowly and painfully. Every time she would reach back.More blood came rushing out and it was so painful. She had to grip the sink until her knuckles turned white.When the pain passed, she knew she couldn't do it with her hands. She needed help.
She groaned, noticing the time of hour. She thought no one would be up, but it still would be better to get more supplies. It was going to take a long time to clean up. So she does the unthinkable. She walks out of the bathroom, opens her bedroom door, and steps Into the hallway.
She listens to each creak in every step she takes.Making sure she doesn't wake up anyone, and waste time trying to help her. When she reaches the first floor. She doesn't care how loud her steps are as she peaks. Trying to find evidence of the supplies that she needs.
Annette stepped into the last room she found. The kitchen was beautiful. Her old one was nothing compared to this one but she made it her own. That was only part of the house that felt like home.She disagreed that it was the Women's place in the kitchen, but it was only place where she was never discouraged or abused. She believed it was the place that people came together. She still held that belief.
Annette continued to gaze into the room. Until she saw someone standing there in the doorways . Her heart began to race as she backed up until she reached the counter top. Where in the light she was able to see it was Rip standing in front of her. This caused her body to relax and sigh in relief. " You scared me"
"I heard your footsteps" . Stepping into the Kitchen. Rip stands in front of Annette. She notices that his hat and sunglasses are gone, probably hanging up somewhere. He looks peaceful, relaxed, completely the opposite from when she last saw him.
" I was just looking for ..."
" Right lower cabinet, all the way in the back"'. Pointing to the location behind Annette. She slowly backs up and crouches down to grab the medical kit. Rip nearly flinches when he is able to get a full glance at her back. He can see every bandage, scar, and scrap. What peaks his interest is the letters peeking out of her shoulder. He steps closer to get a better look. When she stands with the medical kit, he steps back giving her space.
Annette mumbles a thank you and she brings the kit off the counter. Rip begins to leave the room. When Annette calls out "Wait".
Rip turns around as Annette gestures to the med kit on the counter. " You don't mind... You'd don't have to but would you mind helping with my back".
Rip nods and Annette takes that as sign to turn around and sit on the stools next to her. Rip gently brushed her shirt and Annette lifts it near her shoulders and bunches ir up until her entire back is exposed. Annette feels naked.
Rip just stands there. Looking at each line and bruise. He sees scars, He knows scars , he personally thought he had the most he had ever seen but nothing could compare him.
When he touches her it causes her to shiver , but the noise she makes when he began to clean each slash makes his heart break.
It was so painful for Annette she had to lean forward on the table to control each of her movements. Rip mumbles small apologies at each of her involuntary movements. She holds back tears the best she can but they still fall silently. It doesn't but as much as He bandages each one.
Annette stops crying when taps her Back, letting her know she can drop down her shirt again. She wipes away her tears before turning to Rip. She looks in his eyes and sees pity. She doesn't want pity.
"Thank you" Annette says as she passes Rip out of the kitchen, upstairs and gently closes her door. Laying down on her bed without messing with Rips Hard Work. Within Minutes she falls asleep.
Rips waits until He hears her door close. Rubbing his forehead, trying to get rid of the headache that was forming. Before Heading into Beth's room. He gently open and closes the door.Sliding into bed next to Beth as she mumbles something incoherently. "Nothing baby, go back to sleep". Those words bring enough comfort to Beth before snuggling into Rips Chest. Lulling him to sleep.

                                       ***
Introducing our Third Person Narrator. Elsa Dutton. Also, hope you guys are ready for some Drama !!