Point of View : Eliza
Date written : Saturday, November 26, 2016
Word count : 1220 words
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I was cleaning the kitchen, when there was a rap at the door.
I wiped my hands on the towel as I flung it over my shoulder. The door opened, to reveal Maria Reynolds, my old friend from grade school. Her dress was torn to rags, and she had scratches and scars up her arms and legs.
"Oh, Maria. Please. Come in. Please. Have a seat on the couch." I gestured inside and she ran past me; her dress flowing behind her.
"What seems to be the matter, Maria?" I asked as I closed the door. I turned the lock until it clicked, then sat down on the couch opposite her.
"I-it's my husband." She paused. She was crying and shaking. He must have hurt her bad this time. "He was yelling at me. And then I told him I shouldn't have married him anyways and then he raped me. Again." My mouth dropped. Again? He's done it before? "Oh yes. Many times. Too many to count." I said it out loud. She stopped crying, but started shaking worse.
"Oh Maria. Dear. Come upstairs. I can disinfect those scars." I grabbed her hand in mine and I pulled her upstairs.
We walked into the bathroom, and I grabbed the rubbing alcohol. I poured it on some gauze, and then started to dab at her scars.
She winced a couple of times, but then went silent. I looked up at her face, and saw that she was crying.
"Maria. I'm sorry, dear, but we have to keep these clean."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Are you okay?"
"No. I'm not. I'm scared. I'm afraid he will find me."
"No. He won't find you. He will look for you, but he will not be successful." I assured her. "You can stay here if you'd like. I'm sure my husband won't mind."
She froze. "No. I don't want to be any trouble."
"Stay, Maria. You need to stay here. You must get better. I can't see my friend like this."
"Thank you, Liza. Thank you very much." She nodded.
I helped her off the counter, and walked her into the guest bedroom. She sat down on the bed, and fiddled with her thumbs.
"Would you like something to eat? I'll go make us something. You stay here." I hurried out of the room, so I could go cook for us. Alexander walked in the door and kissed me on the cheek.
"Good afternoon, Eliza." I kissed his lips and then he pulled away, running up the stairs. Oh. He doesn't know about Maria.
I shrugged and headed into the kitchen.
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After I finished cooking, I called Maria down for lunch.
She wobbled down the stairs and I helped her into the kitchen.
