Love Annalise

Seventeen

Dear J,

It's been 2 months since I've been at college.

2 months with Aaron.

2 months without you.

Or mom.

I haven't skipped any of my classes.

Yet.

But today is different.

I woke up, slowly opening my eyes.

Not at 6:00 in the morning like usual.

But at 4:00 am.

An hour after I fell asleep.

I woke from a nightmare.

It was unusual.

It wasn't about you.

It wasn't about Aaron.

It was about dad.

He was beating me.

He beat me till I was half dead.

I woke up with tears down my face and a cold sweat and I was shaking.

I had shuttered breaths.

My heart was pounding.

I didn't sleep a wink after that.

2 hours of waiting for my alarm to go off.

2 hours of waiting for the nightmare to end.

2 hours of waiting to be greeted by the beautiful sunny skies.

I told Aaron I wasn't going to my classes or work.

He didn't argue.

He kissed me goodbye and went to practice.

I lay in my bed.

Scared to death of every thinking of that nightmare.

I wouldn't fall back to sleep.

I went to get coffee to wake myself up.

I had my grey pj shorts on and a light blue v-neck shirt.

I slipped my flip flops on and went to the nearest coffee shop.

After I got my coffee, I went back to my dorm.

I started a movie.

To take my mind off of things.

Maybe.

Aaron returned after his classes and football practice.

He laid next to me and asked about my dream--nightmare.

I told him and cried.

He held me close.

As if I'd disappear.

I fell asleep in his arms.

The only sleep I ever got that day.

I guess he's my savior.

I love him for it.

Miss you.

Love,
Annalise