The Perfect Man

2

I sit beside my mom's bed. She's sleeping and quiet. The doctor gave her something for the pain and treated her leg. We're still in the emergency room waiting to be admitted to a room. Ashton is talking to the nurse and signing some discharge papers. He looked at me and smiled. I smiled back at him.
"Thanks." I said to him as I approached. "You've done lots of things for me. You don't even know me that well."
"I'm happy to help." He said. I never noticed his green eyes amd dimples on his cheeks. Maybe I was too preoccupied of what's happening. He brushed up his brown and curly hair. "I don't know what's happening but if you need help just drop by the cafè."
"I don't know if I should bother you more. But I will make sure to drop by there as soon as I can. I owe you a lot." I said.
"Pauline." My mom says as she wakes up. "Where's your dad?"
"Mom."
"I know. I know." She said while holding my hand. "I just had a dream. That you were gone. I just can't take it anymore. I'm sorry... I really am sorry." She started to cry on my shoulders.
Ashton waved goodbye.
"I can't take it anymore! I had nightmares! I should've listen to your late sister." She said and  there was a silence between us. "She told me she saw your father molesting you. And I never listened."
I felt a sudden pain in my chest which made me breath harder. I can't stop my hand from shaking. This is too much. I felt betrayed. Though I want to, my eyes are too dry to cry. I swallow. I tried to speak, but no word seems to come out. Then my mom tightened her grip on my arms.
"Your sister's last wish was to save you from your father. And I did. I thought it was enough..."
I grabbed my mom's hands and slowly pushed them away. I feel so numb.
"You know... You know that after all of what happened, I can never turn my back on you, mom." I look straight to her eyes. They were filled with tears flowing down her cheeks. I didn't blink and said, "Neither you or dad would destroy my life. Nor will I abandon you the way you did to me."