A Night In the Dark | H. S.

Chapter 2

Felicia sat on the edge of the table as the doctor cleaned the final shards from her hands.

"Goodness, Felicia," he chuckled, "Can't we find anything else to do other than bumping into irreplaceable heirlooms?" She smiled shyly as her eyes gazed off into the distance.

"I'm sorry, Doc." She apologized. "It's just that there are so many danged things in that house. Small tables with old vases, little stands with African masks; glass pieces around every corner!"

"I swear," she jokingly added, "I bet the original Ten Commandment tablets are in there somewhere!" The two of them laughed aloud.

"Well, little girly, you've gotta be more careful. I don't like seeing you under these conditions every other week. You're gonna seriously hurt yourself one day! Where is your cane I sent you home with?"

Felicia twisted uncomfortably on the exam table as her eyes bounced around the room.

"I-I-I.... I don't know... Uncle Jase kinda... used it a while back... and... I haven't gotten it back yet."

The doctor raised his eyebrow as he examined her demeanor change.

"Raise the back of you shirt up, please." He gently requested.

Felicia did as told. As her fingers pulled the hem higher and higher, the evidence of what her cane was used for became evident.

Large, long bruises lined her back from shoulder to shoulder; neck to lower back.

"Oh Felicia." The doctor's voice was filled with sorrow.

"It's okay, Doc... honest. They don't hurt now. I accidentally spilled his hot coffee on his lap, and..." Her voice trailed off.

"It doesn't matter what you did! No one should ever do this to anyone!"

Felicia began to figget with her rings on her none swollen fingers. A nervous habit that she had had since childhood.

"Honest, " her voice was almost a whisper. "It doesn't hurt that badly... Don't turn him in, Doc. Please."

Silence filled the room.

The doctor let out a heavy sigh. "I have too, Felicia. He can't keep doing this to you! And you can't keep denying it everytime I report these things. I know you're an adult, and you make you're own decisions. But, for gosh sakes, get out of that house! You're a beautiful, 19 year old girl. Go make something of yourself without those people."

"But those people are all I have." She mumbled. "Besides... how can I make anything out of this wreck I call my own skin... I'm as blind as night..."

"But, you have soul, dear Felicia." The doctor placed his hands on her bandaged palms as he spoke. "You have an intuition that seeing people don't have; you can see souls. You don't see outward appearance when you talk to people, you hear their beings."

Felicia smiled at his kind words.

"But... It's so hard. What am I supp-"

A hard knock at the door rattled through the room as the handle turned abruptly.

"Hello, Dr Gomez. Is she done?" Jase's voice was unmistakable. Years of smoking had caused his vocal cords to have a husky air when he spoke. Deep and commanding, it was hard not to instantly pay attention to whatever he was saying.

"Mr. Sutton," Doc matter of factly replied. Felicia could tell he was going to confront him. Before he could say another word, she laid her hand upon his arm.

"I'm ready to go now." She timidly said.

Dr Gomez looked at her with painful eyes. She had been living under this abuse for years, and still wouldn't allow anyone to help her out of this hell. Her reason? Because this was her only family that wanted her. She wanted love. Even if it cost her her health.

"Good!" Jase coldly exlaimed. "We were ready to go half an hour ago."

Dr Gomez's face dropped as he shook his head. He slowly helped her slide off the table and led her to Jase's arm.

"Bye, Doc." She sweetly called out. "I'll see you soon!"

♡

"What did y'all talk about?" Jase gruff ly inquired.

"Nothing, Uncle." Her voice was full of submission. "He was just telling me to practice with my cane more..."

Jase snorted as he pushed open the door that lead to the parking lot.

"You'll get that dang cane when you learn to be a decent human being."

♡