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IMESSAGES Jay 💕
friday 8:30am Jay 💕 Imani, please call me. I'm worried about you.
Jadon, I need help. Can we talk?
Almost immediately, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Hello?"
"Imani?" Jadon's voice was filled with concern. "What's going on? Are you okay?"
Tears welled up in my eyes as I took a deep breath. "No, Jay, I'm not okay. Gio... he hurt me again. I can't do this anymore."
There was a brief silence on the other end before Jadon spoke, his voice firm. "Where is he now?"
"He's at training," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "He won't be back for a few hours."
"Listen to me, Imani," Jadon said, his tone urgent. "I want you to pack your stuff. I'm coming to get you right now. You don't have to stay there any longer."
Fear and relief washed over me simultaneously. "But what if he comes back early? What if he finds out?"
"He won't," Jadon reassured me. "Just pack what you need and wait for me. I'll be there soon."
I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Okay, I'll start packing."
"Good. And, Imani, stay on the phone with me while you pack. I want to make sure you're safe."
With the phone pressed between my shoulder and ear, I started to gather my things. I grabbed a suitcase from under the bed and began to fill it with clothes, toiletries, and a few personal items. Jadon stayed on the line, talking to me, keeping me focused.
"Remember to take anything important," he advised. "Your ID, any money, and don't forget your charger."
I moved quickly, my hands shaking as I stuffed my belongings into the suitcase. "I feel so stupid for staying this long," I confessed, my voice breaking. "I thought I could help him, that he would change."
"It's not your fault," Jadon said gently. "You did what you thought was best. But now it's time to take care of yourself."
I finished packing and zipped up the suitcase, my heart racing. "I'm ready," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I'm almost there," Jadon replied. "Just hang tight, okay?"
I sat on the edge of the bed, my suitcase beside me, listening to the sound of Jadon's car in the background. Minutes felt like hours as I waited, my anxiety mounting with each passing second.
Finally, I heard a knock on the door. "It's me," Jadon called softly from the other side.
I rushed to the door and opened it, throwing myself into his arms. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.
He hugged me tightly, then gently pulled back to look at me. "Let's get you out of here," he said, picking up my suitcase.
We hurried to his car, and I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder, half-expecting Gio to appear. But the street was empty, and we quickly got into the car and drove away.
As we left the apartment behind, I felt a mix of fear and relief. I didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope. With Jadon by my side, I knew I wasn't alone. We would face whatever came next together.
