Crush Me

Fifteen

Wilson

Mom is going to love Leanne. She always said sex is as much a body instinct as it is controlled by the mind. No wonder so many mistake sex for love. It's pretty inseparable most of the time. Do I love Leanne? I think so. I can't see myself without her somewhere in my life. My body seems to like her too.

Wilson pulled his arms out from under the blanket and checked his watch, then decided not to bother. It wasn't right anymore in any case, and he knew the pilots would give them correct time when they arrived in Paris.

I don't remember the blanket being here when I went to sleep. Was it Frank or Leanne who covered me?

He hitched himself up until he was sitting against the seat back. He wondered how bad the bruise on his back was and explored the bump at his groin with cautious fingers.

I need more ice, and more painkillers. Holy God I hurt. I knew it was going to be bad, but wow. Does Leanne have a brush in that magic tote bag of hers?

Wilson ran his fingers through his hair, stopping when the bruise on his back reminded him, he couldn't take a deep breath.

Yup. Definitely need that brush. It's sticking up everywhere like usual. Need to remember the other bruise too.

One green eye opened and a slow smile bloomed as Leanne arched her back stretching against sleep stiffness.

"You're staring, Wilson." Leanne pushed herself up on an elbow to study him.

"I'm trying to figure out who covered us. We went to sleep without our blankets."

"Probably Frank. He's been such an amazing guy. We have to make sure he gets a commendation from both of us."

"No kidding," Wilson agreed. "I think we're just in time for breakfast. I hear carts rattling out there. Do you drink coffee?"

"I prefer tea, but in this case, I think coffee is going to be our best bet." Leanne pulled her phone out and checked the time. "We got four hours of shut eye, and it's about midnight now. Our flight was supposed to be nine and a half hours. So, yeah, coffee. Lots of sugar and milk with it though. Café au lait style for me."

"Please tell me you have more of those Advil™ and a brush in that magic tote of yours." Wilson begged.

"Give me a sec." Leanne dug her bag out from under her seat and buried her hand inside it. Half a minute later she handed him a brush. "I'll find the painkillers in a bit."

"Do you want to tell me about why you needed such intensive counselling?"

Leanne nodded. "You need to know, because it could affect the way I react when we start to touch more. You've been straight with me about your father and all of that, so now it's my turn."

"It'll have to wait. Here comes coffee," Wilson whispered. He handed the brush back to her and she tucked it back into her tote bag.

A woman who looked like she wasn't much older than Leanne, pushed the cart into first class. "Frank told me about you before he went for his mandatory rest period. The flight is going long, we've encountered an unexpected high altitude jet stream. Do you want coffee or tea?"

Wilson scanned her uniform for a name tag. "Coffee for me, with sugar please, Elaine. Is there enough cream to make a café au lait for my friend?"

"Of course. Most of the passengers are still sleeping. I'll get it ready. Does she want sugar too?"

"Yes please. Two, I know it's insane, but it's the only way I can drink coffee, and I know I'm going to need the caffeine hit," Leanne said.

"Two sugar for me too," Wilson added.

"How late are we going to be?" Leanne asked.

"An hour and a half. We found headwinds of almost a hundred knots as soon as we crossed the Arctic circle. At least we didn't hit any turbulence with it." Elaine set their coffee cups down on their trays. "Enjoy. I'll be by with breakfast. Egg McMuffin style bagels with tomatoes, cheese, bacon, and a bit of caramelized onion. Do you want whole grain, or plain? It comes with a fruit cup, extra cheese and some yogurt on the side."

"Whole grain," Wilson requested.

Leanne nodded. "Me too."

"I'll go see of your neighbors are up yet. I'll be back with your meals in about half an hour." Elaine pushed her cart forward.

"Are you going to be okay if we talk about abuse while we drink coffee?" Leanne asked.

"I can drink coffee no matter what." Wilson was about to ask for pain pills when he spotted Elaine coming back. "Please, miss, can I get an ice pack? I've got bruises I need to treat."

"Gosh, that's right, Frank mentioned it. I'll be right back." Elaine disappeared into the galley behind their seats.

"I had it ready." Elaine handed Wilson a plastic bag.

"You're an angel. Thank you." He eased the bag onto the lump at the top of his right leg. "Okay, that's done. Do you have those Advil™, Leanne?"

"Done. Here." She shook two out of the tube and handed them to him.

Wilson popped them into his mouth and followed them with a couple of sips of coffee.

"Okay, ready to listen."

"It started way before Mom married Keith. I was only four near as I can remember. We shared our apartment with a student because, well finances, I guess." Leanne pulled her knees up, wrapping one arm around them as she spoke. Taking a sip from her cup, she continued.

Wilson clenched his fists as she described the horrific behavior. He had to call on his breathing exercises to control his anger. When Leanne finally quit talking, he launched himself out of his seat, punching the one in front of him in frustration.

"I wish I could tear him apart. What was he thinking? And telling you you were a bad girl, and no one would believe you!" He kept his words to a soft hiss because no one else needed to know. "Did he really touch you like that? I don't mean I don't believe you because I do. I see it all over you. But I just can't understand how anyone can do that."

"It was so bad I used my teddy bear to fake me sleeping and hid in the closet with the vacuum cleaner. He didn't like chasing me around, and he used to come into the bathroom when I got to be a little older. He'd hold me under the water. Tell me he would drown me if I said anything. And then he'd touch me."

Wilson sat down beside her and drew her against him, hugging her and stroking her back. Her shoulders shook for a couple of minutes before Leanne got the tears under control.

"No wonder you're so upset about Keith and his ogling."

He felt her nod against his chest and ran his hand down her back again.

"I can't let it happen again. My first grade teacher was the one who blew the whistle when I drew a picture of me hiding. Mom blew her top at Charlie. It was a big fuss, and we moved after he was arrested. He's still in jail."

"It won't. I don't care what we have to do. It can't," Wilson declared. He looked down to meet Leanne's scared eyes.

"Promise?"

"Mom will know what to do. I promise."

Whatever it takes, this is not happening to her again.