Empathy

Conference

"Let me go."  I suggested.

"You don't think I'm that stupid do you?" He laughed.

"I don't know, I don't know you."

"Don't talk back to me."  He got serious again, like a parent talking to a child that stayed up passed curfew.

"Look Mr. Boss Man.  I just had my life planned out!  I was going to college! I had a job!  I had family!  I h-"  I said furiously

"Shut up!  You don't have anything."

"Excuse me?"  I wanted to hear what he mentioned by that.  "You don't know anything about me!  Where I come from!  You think your such a big man because you call the shots and wear an expensive suit, you don't know shit!"

"Oh no?"  He responded quickly.  "Your name is Ava.  Ava Murray 21 years old.  Your birthday is September  19.  Your father, Lester Murray, 45, in New York State Prison sentenced to 30 years for 2nd degree murder.  He was sentenced a week after you were born.  Your mother, Silvia Murray, 42, Alcoholic, has been ever since you were born.  You lived out side of New York City in a shitty little house that had a roof but no ceiling!  A few days ago you moved into a little apartment to get away from your abusive mother.  You work at the coffee shop a few blocks from your house.  You were about to start college the day after you saw my men shoot that man!  You have a best friend named Francesca Gori, who you are probably hoping she will call the cops so they can come looking for you, but guess what she's not, how's that?"

I felt a tears rolling down my cheeks.  What I had just been listening to was true.  Is that all I am?  Is that all I come from?  He's right I'll never leave this living hell.  I heard Bret sigh.  The door opened and closed.  I picked my head up and looked around the room.  His men left, he must of signaled then to leave. 

"I'm sorry."  His voice lowered.  "I shouldn't have said that."

I finally decided to lift my head up and look him in the eye.  "Please just let me go."  He eyed me. "Why me?  Why am I here?"  I said through my tears.

"You were just at the wrong place and the wrong time."

"At my house?"  I questioned and turned away.

"Look at me, your here now!  The past is the past, we cant change it!  Please just work with me.  Tell me how I can work with you?"  He stood up.

"Why should I?"

"Okay, I'm going to give you some time.  I will have Frank take you back to your room."  He started towards the door and I followed.

"No!  Its not a room, it's a fucking cell!"  Frank walked towards me.  Frank grabbed my arms then wrapped his arms around my waist with my arms by my side.  I kicked not wanting to go back.  

I spent most of the day ,I assume, still dirty covered in blood and scrapes.  After many hours locked up, I learned to calm myself down.  I thought things through.  Things, questions I want to say to Bret.  I repeated each one.  

I heard the door open behind me.  It was Bret.  "Did you calm yourself, Doll?"

"Yes, Boss." I said sarcastically.

 "Damn right 'Boss,' common lets go."  He pointed out the door.  Where were we going now?  I followed the direction of his hand and followed him inside the elevator.

The elevator took us to the second to the  top floor.  He lead me to a door.

"Welcome to your new room."  He opened the door.  The room was perfect, It had everything I never had.  My heart was racing in excitement.  This was my room.  Best of all, I had a window!

"I know you didn't like your 'cell.'  Shower is over there, and there's already clothes in the drawers.  Once you're done meet me a floor down."  He started to close the door but then opened it again.  "Oh, and don't try anything, I've got men allover this building."

"Thank you." I whispered with a smile.