I was on the last page of a book that I've been trying to finish for three weeks now, when I hear my doorbell ring. I wasn't expecting anyone so I don't bother checking to see who it is, but then I hear someone banging on the front door. I answer the door with an annoyed look on my face until I see Paislee; my face automatically changes from anger to concern. She's crying, shaking, drenched from the rain and covered in scars and bruises, but to me she looks perfect. I smile when our eyes connect and she just stares, then slowly blinks.
"Can I come in?" She asks,
I say "Of course" and motion her to come inside.
"What's the matter?" I ask trying to sound comforting as I close the door behind her.
"I just need a friend" she tells me. I smile and tell her I'm going to get her a towel and some tea.
When I come back, I see her sitting where I was reading earlier, Iwalk up and sit next to her. I hand her the tea and put the towel around her, she thanks me, I tell her her eyes are beautiful as tears start to form in them.
When she tells me that she's being abused by her father, I'm shocked but then I think and ask her,
"Paislee, how long has this been going on?"
She answers with "It started about a week after my mom died and it's just getting worse."
"I don't know what to say Paislee"
"You don't have to say anything, you just need to let me stay here,"
she says this like she's already thought it all through.
"Paislee, I don't know if..."
"Please Alfie? I have nowhere else to go," she pleads.
I say okay under one circumstance "My mom can't know that you're here. Deal?" I ask.
"Deal" she says with the expression of joy on her face.
