Girls Dont Play Football

Chapter Ten: Whitney's Story

Glenn and I stared at each other then at Luke. Damn it he was NOT suppose to hear that. Whitney's gonna be pissed! I can't just pretend he didn't hear that. I look back at Glenn again he sighs before looking away. Well you're no help. I looked back at Luke. "Is there any chance that you didn't hear that?" Luke dropped the flowers he bought me and glared at me. "Ok so you did.... Great." I groan.

Luke walked closer to the bed. "What did you mean? Was Whitney raped?" I lowered my head. Luke grabbed my chin and raised my head to make me look him in the eye. "Simone Iesha Maze, you answer me right now!" Glenn got in between us and removed Luke's hand and glared at him shaking his head.

Luke took a couple steps back. "That's why she came to live with us in the first place. I was tired of seeing bruises all over her and her missing school because the beatings got so bad. I told Mom about it and made her promise not to call the cops. One night I spent the night over Whitney's house because her parents were working that. They were supposed to be working that night." I began.

** 5 years ago **

We laughed while playing Just Dance 2 and singing Hey Ya off key. "Why did I even ask for this game if you're just gonna beat me?" Whitney laughed as I was declared the winner. "You bitch, I'm gonna go get some-. Did you hear that?" I stared at her confused as she raised her hand to silence me. "Get in the closet. Go now." She whispered urgently.

Quickly I got up and rushed to the closet. "Don't come out until I say so." Then she closed the door in my face. I sat there quietly. Then there was the sound of heavy boots coming toward the room. The bed room door slowly opened... Silence.

A slow deep voice started. "Who else is here?" I heard Whitney try to answer but was cut short by the sound of glass breaking. "Don't fucking lie to me!" He yelled. I covered my mouth and tried to control my breathing so he wouldn't hear me. "Is it a boy? You better not have any boys in my damn house."

It went silent again before the man chuckled. "It's not a boy. It's a girl, isn't it? You stupid dyke." Slowly, I walked backwards until my back hit the wall. "Where is she?" He asked. I jumped when I heard him slap her. "Fine, don't tell me. I'll find her myself." I couldn't see anything but I heard them struggling then Whitney was pushed into her dresser.

Slowly a dark figure got closer to the door. Oh my god. What am I gonna do? My eyes went wide as I heard a gun shot. "Simone, stay where you are." Whitney whispered. Slowly I opened the door. "You don't listen! I told you to stay in there!"

I stared at the gun in Whitney's hands then down at her father on the ground. His eyes were closed and blood was coming out of him. "What have you done?" I whispered. She started shaking and her eyes got wide. "Constance, where did you even get that?!" I yelled.

Whitney slowly looked at the gun in her hands then threw it. "No. I-I-I didn't. Did I? Oh my god. I just killed my father!" She slowly backed up to the wall, slide down, and held her head in her hands. "I'm a murderer." She looked up at me with tearful eyes. "Simone, I had to do it. I couldn't take it anymore."

The sound of shoes quickly came down the hall. Whitney's mother ran into the doorway and covered her mouth. Normally she wore sunglasses but that night she didn't and you could see her black eye. "Constance, what about our plan?! I almost had enough money baby." Whitney's mom cried. We all looked toward the hallway when we heard voices. "Oh no. You two get in the closet now. Don't come out, no matter what." Whitney's mom pulled Whitney up and pushed her to me.

Whitney began to sob. "Mrs. Johnson, what will happen to you and Connie?" I asked. Whitney's mom just stared at me. "My mom said she could take her in and take care of her if you needed her to. I have the papers in my bag." Again she stares at me then to Whitney before nodding her head.