She Will Be Loved

Chapter 14

"Sophie, I want you to talk to your dad." We were standing in front of my house after Jason asked me to be his girlfriend.

"Jason, I know. I want to, too. But I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"I'm scared of my dad." I admitted. "I don't want to talk to him. Well I want to. But I'm too chicken." I said, looking down. He picked my chin up with his pointer finger. I looked into his eyes.

"I'll stand right behind you. And if you've got it under control, I'll walk out. I promise. I won't leave."

"But I'm scared."

"You don't have anything to be scared of. I'll protect you." He promised. "I will. I swear."

"Okay, fine. But if I die, you're not invited to my funeral." I joked. He smiled his crooked smile and followed me into my house.

"Dad?" I called. I found him in the living room, straightening up. He was dressed nice and he wasn't drunk... okaaaay.

"What are you getting ready for?" I asked. He looked up and smiled at me.

"Hi, Sophie."

"Hi."

"I'm just cleaning up." He said and smiled again. I was so confused.

"Okay, dad. I'm going to ask you something. Please, don't hurt me."

"Wait. Why would I hurt you?" He put his hand up to stop me. "I wouldn't ever hurt you."

"Y-you don't remember anything, do you?" I remembered health class when Mr. Barrio told us that drunk people don't remember half of what happens.

"Remember what?" His words were slurred. I looked at him with big eyes.

"Dad," I started crying. "You drink. You're a drunk. You beat me. You kick me, hit me, hurt me, and you even cut me. You don't remember?" My voice started shaking. I sat on the couch because if I didn't, I'd fall over.

"I never cut you. I never hurt you."

I lifted up my side bang and showed him a bruise. I put it back down and lifted my sleeve to show him my scar.

"Dad, please. I want you to stop drinking. Please. I'm begging you. I don't want to come home to a beating anymore. I just want someone I can call 'daddy' again." Jason left the room a few minutes ago, as he promised. I had it under control.

"Please," I repeated. "I can help you. I want to help you. I'll take you to rehab. I just want you to be normal again." I was sobbing and I couldn't control myself. My dad came over to me and I shrunk, just in case he was drunk and would hit me.

He didn't hit me.

He sat down beside me and rocked me back and forth.

"I'm so sorry." I felt his tears fall down onto the top of my head. "I'm so sorry." He repeated again. "I'll do anything to make it okay again."