The Black and Sugar

CH11: Unmentionables

Her face was red and swollen, but she wasn't crying anymore, which was good. I didn't know what to say to her, because I didn't understand why she was so afraid.

I was walking back from the commissioner's office when I saw her trying to get away from the guy. I ran over and my first reaction had been to get him away from her, even though he was a lot larger than me. I ended up punching him, and probably breaking his nose, but I had no regrets, especially after seeing Hope as shaken up as she was. It scared me, the fear in her eyes was erotic. It was still there in the back of her eyes, just dimmed now that she had relaxed a bit.

Her body was tense and nervous, but she was beginning to breath more fluidly. "I-I'm sorry," she whispered after a long time of silence. "It's just... bad. I guess," she sighed, taking a deep breath. I didn't push her, but she continued, in a small voice, almost a whisper. "I thought I loved him, he was my best friend. It was perfect, he was young, rich, successful, you know." I looked at her as she watched her feet, her eyes unmoving.

"And, it was perfect. Up to the point when it wasn't." She took another uneven breath. "He'd beat me relentlessly. By the time I finally left. I'd gotten three broken ribs, and three screws holding my jaw in place." Her voice was almost inaudible, and full of pain.

"The family gave me four hundred thousand dollars, and the colt to keep my mouth shut about all of it. I haven't talked about it with anyone since. I left, went back to Colorado, and used the money to start working barrel horses again. And it was good. The only hesitation I had was when the colt grew, and I realized he was never going to make a barrel horse. I was hesitant to come to you and Henry, I knew Jerry was in the racing business, but I believed I could handle seeing him again, but I just couldn't..." she faltered and tears began streaming down her rosy as her body trembled slightly. I held her tightly, wishing I'd done more than just punched the guy.

She stayed quiet. Before long, he breathing evened out, and she turned to me again. "I'm sorry, I try not to let my past get in the way, just this thing, it follows me..." she trailed off, as I quietly hushed her.

"You never have to apologize for something like that, it's not your fault," I said, tilting my head to her shoulder, wrapping her in a strong embrace. "You'll never have to apologize for a mistake you didn't make ever again, I'll make sure of it." She looked up at me, and smiled slightly, closing her eyes. It didn't take long before she was asleep, me watching her breath silently.