Prayers For Andrew

Two ~Cassidy

What is Maria's problem anyway? It's not like it was her first time getting turned down by Andrew. I mean seriously, he doesn't want to hang around her anyways, all she does is get in trouble for her loud mouth.

The bell finally rang, Andrew was once again lost in a day dream. I gently tapped him with my pencil to get him to snap out of it. He slightly jumped out of his seat and looked over at me. "What?" Andrew gave me a puzzled look. "You didn't hear the bell ring? It's time to get to fifth period." Andrew stared at blankly at me for a moment, then said "Oh..."  I laughed and shook my head as we gathered our stuff together. "You seem really out of it, man. Everything okay at home?" I looked back at Andrew, who was trying to get his long, black bangs out of his eyes. "Yeah, everything's okay. He still hates you, ya know." I rolled my eyes. "Do I look like I care about whether or not your dad approves of me hanging out with you?" Andrew smiled. "No."

"Exactly. So don't worry about it. If he has a problem, then he can take it up with me."

Andrew's eyes fell. "That's what I'm afraid of..."

I grabbed Andrew by the arm and pulled him to me. "Andrew, what's going on? Seriously." Andrew stood their for a moment, then lifted up he shirt, revealing a huge black, purple, and blue bruise. I let him go and looked into his eyes. "Oh, God Andrew....I'm so sorry...Why and what did he hit you with this time?" Andrew bit his lip, trying to fight back the pained look in his eyes. "It was a baseball bat...and because I didn't finish folding the laundry before he woke up." I was furious. I seriously wanted to march over to Mr. Mohrmet and knock his teeth out.

The abuse has been going on since Andrew's mom split when he was in kindergarten. His mom has never contacted him once since then. Andrew actually has not a single clue where she could be. It's like she had disappeared without a trace. My first suspicion was that Mr. Mohrmet had beat his wife to death and hid the body somewhere, but the police interviewed him and nothing came up.

Not saying that Mr.Mohrmet is a liar. Which, he probably is.

Since elementary school, teachers and school officials had asked Andrew about the bruises and marks. Andrew never once let a lie slip, but I made sure he told me everything. I've known since the day on the playground when I found Andrew under the curly side crying.

Andrew pulled his shirt down. "Don't tell anyone."

"I won't. You know I won't."

Andrew just nodded, and I reached in for a hug. But, Andrew pulled me into his and hugged me super tight. He was thin, but this kid has some serious strength. "I don't want to live their anymore, Cassidy. I can't handle him." I touched Andrew's face. "You have a week before you turn sixteen, hang in and get yourself emancipated. I'll talk to my mom tonight and see if you can stay with us until you find your own place." Andrew rested his head on my shoulder and weakly nodded.