Letters to Dan

10 • R

Dear Dan,

I brought Barry to a cafe close by to the office. It started weird, awkward. Usually it isn't like that in between us and I wish it doesn't continue to happen. But I told him flat out that I thought he was getting abused by his girlfriend.

His reaction... wasn't the best.

I can remember it like it's happening right now.

At first, he was just sitting there, frozen, unmoving and quiet. Then he turned angry. That was a terrible feeling. Barry's been mad at me before, but not like this.

He fiddled with the hems of his sleeves and raised his voice. He asked me why would I think something like that about his girlfriend. Others stared and I felt sick. Everyone's eyes seemed to be stabbing in the back of my head, my voice was quiet when I explained why.

He just got angrier.

He stood up from the table. I didn't know why he was so mad. His eyes didn't reflect his anger.

He threw his arms up and yelled at me, "She actually cares for me, unlike certain people." He then glared at me. His sleeves fell down his arms from them being raised, they were covered in scratches and littered with bruises. He didn't seem to notice the sleeves.

I then stood up, I still talked quietly. "I do care about you."

"No, you don't. If you did, you would be supportive of my girlfriend," He had said.

I was getting frustrated, I threw my arms up like Barry had done. Barry flinched and covered his head. That sealed the deal. Barry knew that I knew about his abuse.

Tears streamed down Barry's face and it broke my heart. Barry gave me one more glance and then ran out of the cafe.

Hopefully, I did right
-Ross