Choosing My Life - Bear And Rachel

Literacy

Bear
I could see the bruises. Even though they were all covered under the blankets, I could still see them. This woman had had a hard life inflicted on her. Yet she was as sweet and innocent as a child. I felt like an arsehole, wanting to kiss her again. Wanting to feel her lips again.

I tucked the blanket up around her again, and sat down to review the produce store's numbers on the laptop. But thoughts of Rachel kept intruding. What could I do to help her? That question ran around and around my head.

I looked up adult learning workbooks. But that didn't help. They looked to be irrelevant to her experiences, but then what would I start with? My phone buzzed.
" 'Lo," I answered Prez.
"Heard you had a situation. How come my kid told me and not you?"
"Because I know your kid, and he's a good reliable kid." I replied, "sorry Prez, things got a bit intense. Only getting a moment of peace now."
"Where's your head at?"
"Right now? Busy trying to work out what to get a very adult 18 year old girl to help her learn to read and write."
"What?"
"She's illiterate, but wants to learn. The fuckers wouldn't even teach her."
I heard Prez sigh.
"What the fuck went on there?"
"I don't know, but what I've seen, none of it was good. She's like one of those volunteers in the war zone fighter, tough, sweet, generous... positive, resilient." I replied. "She's amazing,"
Prez grunted.
"Come around to the house tonight, I'll get Janie to look at some of the stuff the kids brought home from school. Maybe there'll be shit in there you can use. And maybe you can talk to me about it then."
"Thanks Prez," I hung up. I looked at that amazing woman sleeping in front of me. The one who carried the marks of physical and mental torture, and lit up like a beacon because someone took the time to show her how to write numbers. She deserved a good life from now on.

They kicked me out when visiting hours finished. Rachel was awake this time to say goodbye, and she told me God be with you. I kissed her forehead, and tried to ignore the fear and tears in her eyes as I left her. She nodded and agreed when I told her I'd be back tomorrow. This is a free book available through Wattpad (c) LTM1986. If you are not reading this on Wattpad, it had been stolen. I rode to Prez feeling like a target was on my back, and I should turn around and break her out, bring her with me. She belongs in my arms.

Prez took one look at me and pointed at the table. Granny squinted at me and shuffled to the stove. Eric was the only kid up and he had a pile of books in front of him. I had a suspicion I was going to be looked after whether I wanted to be or not.
I sank into the bench seat beside Eric, who looked at me with mournful eyes.
"Is she OK?" He asked. I nodded and sighed.
"She will be, bud. She's in hospital now, getting better. Daisy and her team are doing their best."
Eric nodded solemnly.
"Dad said that she can't read or write, so I've found the easy books so she can learn. Mom said she'll take me after school when she can, so I can help her learn as well."

Fuck me dead, this kid is gold. I grabbed him and pulled him to my chest.
"Thanks Eric, that means a lot."
His skinny little arms wrapped around me again.
"You're welcome Bear. Maybe one day she'll marry you and you can be happy. I'm off to bed. Good night Granny, good night dad, good night Mom, good night Bear." He patted me on the back and walked down the hallway.

"Did that kid just marry me off?" I asked his father. Prez had a small smile on his face as he sat down at the table and slid a coffee mug to me.
"Well, is he wrong? You walk in here with a face longer than the nile river, and the first thing you speak about is a girl? Eat up!" Granny grumbled at me as she put some eggs on toast in front of me. My stomach growled.
"You've been on the go since yesterday, and when you got a moment free, you headed back to her. You also basically told your best communications officer to stop doing what she does best. You're not thinking right, which means you need food" Prez pointed out. I glared at him with my mouth full, then swallowed.
"I didn't tell Horse to stop doing anything?" I told him indignantly.
Prez chuckled and lent towards me.
"I meant Maz. You know half the information we get is from her. Horse just weeds out the irrelevant stuff and puts it together." He confided. "Not that you're wrong, but you're not right either."

Shit, yeah I did know that. I dug into my food. It tasted good. Not as good as that rabbit stew and flat bread, but good... except that it was gone now.
"My Lawdy boy! When did you last eat?" Granny exclaimed taking my plate.
"Thanks Granny."
"Don't thank me yet, you got seconds coming up!"

This, this is what family should be. This is what I want Rachel to have. My eyes got a little prickly.
I heard Prez take a breath and tap the books.
"Take these. It wasn't just Eric who found them. All the kids contributed."
"Fuck Prez, how did you get such good kids!"
"They found us," Janie walked in and slid her arms around her husband. "And I'm so grateful for them, and their families for sharing them with us."
Prez reached above him and pulled Janie onto his lap.
"Let us know what else we can do to help you with Rachel's recovery." Janie said, putting her arms over Prez's shoulders and leaning her head against him.

My heart ached. I missed Rachel. I remember the feel of her last night lying like that on me. How could she mean so much to me in such a short amount of time.