Country Girl

Holden, Take Me Home

Mom was supposed to be back four weeks ago. Where was she? She hadn't called or anything. And every single day, Bobby made sure it was eventful. He was currently passed out on the couch. I managed to let him let me go by saying I was about to pee on him. This was my chance. I could make a run for it. Acting on impulse, I ran as quietly as I could to my room, grabbed my bag, and ran out the front door.

I whipped out my phone and called Holden. It rang three times, but finally he answered.

"Hey, babe," he said.

"Holden," I breathed. "I need your help."

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked.

"I-I'll explain later, but please come get me! Hurry!" I pleaded.

"Okay, uh, don't move. I'm coming," he said. I heard his keys in the background start the car.

I hung up and hid behind a bush. I was far away from my house, but not far enough. If I tried going further, I could get caught. Bobby wasn't the lightest sleeper on the planet, so he probably noticed my absence by now. So I stayed put as I anxiously waited.

A hand clamped on my shoulder and I gasped.

"Come along now, baby doll," Bobby chuckled behind me. "You could get hurt out here."

That was when I felt like the stupidest person ever. Bobby had obviously gone a different route to sneak up behind me. Holden wouldn't get here for a couple hours. I slowly stood up, my back still towards Bobby. We slowly walked back to the house, hoping and praying with every ounce of my energy that Holden would get here soon.

I intentionally "tripped" and "stumbled" on the walk back just to make it last longer. About an hour and a half later, I heard a car behind me. I didn't dare show any sign that I knew. I kept walking as if it were the most normal thing ever. The car pulled up beside us and I looked through the window to see Holden driving. I gave him a pleading look and he hopped out of the car and ran to me.

"Who are you?" Bobby asked.

"Rachel's boyfriend," Holden stood in front of me.

I threw my stuff in the back of his car and stood next to Holden.

Bobby looked at me and I shook my head. "I didn't call him if that's what you're thinking."

"Then why are you here?" Bobby looked at Holden.

"Because I love her," Holden said, wrapping his arm around me. "Decided to come see her and take her out."

"Then why is her stuff in your car?" He asked.

"Because I got tired of carrying it," I said.

"Be home by seven," Bobby pointed a finger at me.

Holden and I nodded and we got in his car. We drove off and I felt a sense of relief. Holden and I could go home.

"Thank you, Holden," I smiled at him.

"Anything for my girl," he petted my hair.

"Can we please go home?" I pleaded.

"Of course," he held my hand. "Do you wanna talk about your bruises or--?"

"Later," I took a deep breath.

"Okay," he squeezed my hand.

"Holden... I love you," I said.

"I love you too, Rachel," he kissed my hand he was holding.

The ride home was quiet and peaceful. We occasionally stopped to pee and didn't care about the time. There were times where we had the music on, but I would quickly turn it off. Once we made it home, we drove up to the creek bank. We got out and sat on the grass.

"Wanna tell me now?" Holden asked.

"Promise to stay with me?" I asked.

"Of course," he nodded.

I brought my knees to my chin and took a deep breath. "Bobby, uh... Abuses me. In ways that just... Just make you wish you didn't exist. In ways that you cry for so long thinking, 'why? What did I do to deserve this?' And it's been going on for... Nine summers. And I'm really sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I was just so embarrassed."

Tears had been streaming since I said "in ways that you cry..." I put my face in my hands and my whole body began to shake. I felt strong arms wrap around me securely. "I've got you, Rachel. No one will hurt you again," Holden whispered in my ear.

"I'm so sorry, Holden," I sobbed. "I'm so sorry."

"Shh, it's okay," he kissed my head. "Thank you for telling me. And I won't tell anyone else if you don't want me to."

And we just sat there by the creek bank so I could cry and let out all my built up pain.

#

So cliffhanger kinda. Do you think Bobby will come back for them? We'll see right? Cause now she's home with her dad! Yay! I just love Holden! Love y'all! Bye!