Part 7
I woke up in the morning and the previous night’s events hit me like a ton of bricks. My ribs were burning, my head was throbbing, but my heart hurt most of all. Had I really said those things to Cheryl?
Sitting up very slowly, I picked up my phone from the bedside table. I held my breath when I saw a text from Cheryl, sent only an hour ago, and opened it apprehensively.
On the way to u right now. Hoping it was the drink talking? X If u meant it that u don’t need me I understand. I haven’t been there for u. But I need to see ur ok. luv u x
I had been awake about a minute and already I was close to tears. I lay back down to sleep. I’d be awake long before Cheryl got here.
Again I awoke in pain, but as soon as I opened my eyes, it seemed to evaporate.
Cheryl was sat next to me on the bed, looking down at me. Very slowly I sat up, never taking my eyes off her. Clearly she had been crying. A lot. ‘Hi.’ I whispered.
‘Cheryl raised her arm as if to touch me, but seemed to think better of it. ‘Hi baby.’ She said tearfully.
‘I told you not to come.’
‘I needed to see you were okay.’
‘You’ve seen me. Now you can go.’
‘But you’re not okay.’ Cheryl said, and her face crumpled and her eyes filled with tears again. ‘Look at the state of you…’
‘I don’t look that bad.’
‘Have you actually looked in a mirror?’
‘No…’
Still not taking her eyes off me Cheryl rummaged in her bag and pulled out a small compact mirror. Wordlessly I took it from her and held it up.
My mouth just fell open. The right side of my face looked like some sort of meat. It was swollen and puffy, and where the guy had punched me there was a deep split along my bottom lip. My lip itself was twice its usual size and there was a shiny purple bruise along my jawline. There were a couple of little nicks on my cheek where I’d hit the road. I lowered the mirror and looked back at Cheryl. She looked so heartbroken. I had done that. This time, it was all my fault.
‘Please don’t cry.’ I whispered, raising my hand to her face. She grasped my hand and held it there desperately. She leaned forwards slightly, then stopped, hesitating. ‘C-can I hold you?’
I raised my arms and just nodded. Cheryl hugged me to her and broke down in tears. ‘I’m sorry’ she sobbed. ‘This is all my fault.’
‘No it’s not Cheryl.’
‘Am I hurting you?’ she said suddenly, as if she too could feel my ribs screaming in protest at the pressure on them. ‘Yeah.’ I whispered. Cheryl pulled away but held my face in her hands. I raised my hand to rest on hers. ‘I didn’t mean it.’ I said urgently. ‘Last night, I didn’t, I was drunk… I do need you, of course I do, I’m so sorry--’
‘Sshhh’ Cheryl said softly. ‘Babe, you’re shaking. Look, here.’ She handed me a glass of water from the table with two tablets. ‘Take these, drink this, slowly. I’m gonna run you a bath, ok?’ Cheryl stood up but I grabbed her hand.
‘What’s wrong?’
For a second I didn’t know what to say. I needed to tell her how sorry I was but I had a feeling I’d need a long time for that. ‘I love you.’ I said eventually. Cheryl turned back to me and bent down. She kissed me, so softly. My cut lip stung and tingled at the contact, but it felt so good. ‘I love you too. I’ll be back soon.’
