She Will Be Loved

Chapter 5

We were sitting there, waiting for our food to come. The place was packed, so we knew it would be a while.

Jason started drumming on the table. He looked like he was in thought mode, curious about something.

"I want to know more about you. What's your story?"

I sighed.

"I have a pretty crazy story." I said. And that's just an understatement.

"I'm sure I can handle it."

"Well, Jason. What do you want to know?"

"I want to know about your dad. And about your mom."

I winced. But I felt like I could tell him. I never told anyone about my dad beating me. Not even Ryan. I just told him that I was practicing for figure skating and got bruised up.

"Uhh. My... my mom left my dad and me. We don't know where she is. Well I-I'm not sure my dad really... cares. As much as it hurt to say, it was absolutely true. My dad only drank because he was upset about mom leaving us in the beginning. But then, it became a habit. And it got out of hand. There was always a different girl in his bed. Disturbing, but true. He just brings them home from every party he goes and gets drunk at.

"And your dad?"

"My dad..." I didn't know if I wanted to tell him about my dad beating me. I shivered at the thought of consequences. "It's-I can't tell you." I shook my head. "Just the consequences." Chills ran down my back again.

"You can tell me." He nodded his head.

"You won't think it's safe. You-"

"What is it, Sophie? I'm sure I can handle it."

"I've never told anyone. Ever."

"Sophie, you can tell me."

"Fine." I sighed. How do I start? "I don't know where to start."

"The beginning."

"The beginning..." I repeated. "Oh. Uhh. Okay. My mom was a beauty queen. She was the only person that I ever loved- that ever loved me. My dad never loved me. And he still doesn't."

"I'm sure that's-"

"Let me finish. My mom was always there for me. Up until I was 6. They got in a fight." My voice started shaking. Tears fell from my eyes. I shut them tight, but kept going. It was easier to remember with my eyes closed. "My mom promised that she would come back. But she never did. And when my dad and I realized that she wasn't coming back,"

I hesitated and took a deep breath. I traced the scar on my arm.

"My dad started beating me." I whispered and opened my eyes. Jason stared back at me in disbelief. The tears were coming uncontrollably. I couldn't stop them. I picked up my sleeve and showed him my big, blue and black bruise. He gasped. I blinked hard and brought my arm above the table to show him my cut.

"Sophie, you have to do something about this!"

"I can't!" I choked out. I put my head in my hands and cried. "I just can't!"

He stood up and hugged me. For about 3 minutes, we stood there and he rubbed my back.

We just stood there, not caring that the whole restaurant was looking at us. I heard a faint whisper in my ear.

"I'm here for you."