Affliction

Chapter 16 - Two Months Later

Jess

It's been months now, school will be starting again soon and I am NOT looking forward to that, I already know everyone is either going to be super sympathetic and ask me how Abs is, or what happened and how we feel about it, I know the teachers are going to be really nice and easy on me (which actually is a good thing), but all I want to do is put it behind us.

At the trials Abs look so frightened, I mean I know she doesn't like being the center of attention and that could be why, I personally I really think she was just nervous to see Richie again after that night, she confessed that she didn't recall too much from that night except what happened at the party before the events took place.

She confessed that for a moment she did think it was him who attacked her because of that but also isn't one to be quick to assume.

Richie on the other hand was so confused on what everyone was talking about – apparently he didn't recall pushing up on Abs at the party though both her and Brandon was able to. When the evidence was presented, all he could do was dip his head down in guilt and apologize, though he couldn't recall the events of the night the evidence pointed to him, and to him that sufficed.

He was convicted to 8 Years with parole, or 3 years with good behavior due to the fact that he was under influence of alcohol and not at a right state of mind. I had wondered why Rose wasn't able to attend the trial or pick up my calls/texts,  I wanted so bad to tell her we had him.

It wasn't until the week after Officer Carter came by that I had found out that she had been hit by a car and fractured her head – who ever hit her caused some trauma to her brain – all I know is that she is in a comma lord knows how long, and again I can't help but feel guilty for involving her in this.

I've visited her over 5 times in the past week, hoping shed wake up, I would talk to her, tell her everything that happned. I told her about Richie's conviction and how Abs is living a pretty normal life now.

I thanked her for her help and risking herself, I would wish that she would just wake up but she doesn't seem to be waking any time soon – it's been a month since I found out.

As I sat in the uncomfortable brown hospital chair staring at her lifeless body I wondered what could have happened. Who hit her so hard that she fell on her head and fell asleep for a whole month?

I wondered if Margret had any part in it, " Rose, if you can hear me... im sorry I left you alone that day – I should have stayed with you, or convinced you to leave with me." I apologize reaching for her still hand.

Taking the rose I stole from the Hospital yard out my plastic bag and place it in a water jar by her bedside table – I did this every time I came by, there was a whole bouquet there now. Right as I turn to walk away I hear the click of the door opening, who would be visiting no one ever visiting but me?

A lady, about 5'3 walked in – she wore a light tan thin trench coat, had orange curls that sat at her shoulders you can tell it was freshly cut, she was peach toned with brown freckles scattered across her nose, " Rose." she spoke softly – who was this? Could be a relative?

She came in completely ignoring my presence and stood at Rose's feet,, silent just staring, " um, hi I'm Jessica... who are you"? I asked the women, she didn't turn to me or even glance my way "her mom." She answered still staring at Rose.

Abigail 

Brandon and I had been looking into college choices for weeks now – I have applied to 3 so far and have got nothing back "I don't even think I want to go to college or school at all." I complain face buried in palms as I stare at my computer screen reading on University of Florida, Brandon chuckles "so why are you looking so hard"? He asks staring at his own computer watching some replays of the game last week.