Broken Runaways

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Jeffrey

Silence filled the room. Jessica still remained wide eyed, her eyes slightly clouded over, as if trying to fathom her thoughts into sentences. Grabbing her hand, I told her: “You can tell me anything. I told you everything. I trust you, and I hope you can trust me too. Please, I want your trust.” 

“Jeffrey, it may seem very much alike, our situations, but they aren’t. They are similar, but so different.” Jessica said, wiping her already tear-stained cheeks.

“I don’t care, Jessica!” I shouted, my anxiousness killing me. “Please, just talk to me. Tell me what’s going on!” I pleaded, grabbing her hand.

Jessica opened her mouth, just to be cut off. “Jessica sweetie, are you staying for dinner?” My mother yelled up the stairs.

“Yes, mum! We’ll be down in a minute!” I yelled back, keeping my gaze on Jessica only.

“Jeffrey, I really should go home my-”

“No. You’re staying for dinner, then we're talking. Whether you want to or not. I’m not going to let you suffer any longer.” I said before she could finish. Jessica only stared at the ground wiping at her slightly damp eyes. 

Grabbing Jessica’s hand, I opened my bedroom door and started down the stairs. 

As I ate, I became more anxious. Every second that was passing was a second that prevented me from knowing about Jessica. My mother kept telling me to slow down, as I was eating my soup very quickly. 

After a few more minutes, I watched as Jessica finished her bowl. Standing up as fast as I could, I dragged Jessica behind me up the stairs. Locking my door, I nudged her onto my bed.

“Ask me a question. It’ll be easier for me.” Jessica said still not looking at me. 

“Why did you move to Georgetown?” I saw Jessica tense up, taking a deep breath.

“When I was twelve, my father pushed me down a flight of stairs. I don’t even remember why, but I know he wasn't drunk or anything. My father sees alcohol as a sin, even though my mothers a guaranteed alcoholic.” Gasping slightly, I listened as to what Jessica was saying. “Well the next day at school, my teacher noticed my arm was all bruised, and sent me to the nurse. Being younger, I didn’t think much of it. Just that my shoulder hurt. The schools nurse called my mother and had her bring me to the hospital. My mother didn’t even know about what happened until then. The doctors x-rayed me, deciding that a few of the tendons in my shoulder were torn, and it was also dislocated. Two days later I went in for surgery to repair the tendons.” Jessica told me.

“Jessica. That’s horrible, oh my god.” I gasped, shocked.

“When I came out of surgery, they asked what had happened and I told them. The police went to my house and arrested my father for severe child abuse. After several court days, they decided that he was in prison on a 25,000 dollar bail. My mother bailed him out. I have no idea how she managed to get that kind of money, but she did. Even with the bail my father wasn’t supposed to be around or my siblings. So we packed up and moved here. Where they would never find us.” Jessica concluded, tears streaming down her now mascara smudged cheeks.

“I am so sorry. That is awful. I had absolutely no idea about any of that.” I said pulling Jessica into a hug.

“It’s not exactly something I wear on my sleeve, ya know?” She said snuggling into my shoulder.

“True. But can I ask you another question?” I asked, keeping Jessica’s head on my shoulder. Jessica’s head moved still on my shoulder, nodding. “Why do you hurt yourself?”