Friendly Goodbye

Chapter 9: Are You Sure That's Ok

Adam

It was about 8:30pm when I got home from my meeting and I found Sauli out cold on the couch. He looked so uncomfortable the way he was laying so I gently reached down to move him. When my hands touched him he screamed in terror and shot up. When he realized it was me he started sobbing.

Me: It’s just me you’re ok. I’m sorry … you looked so uncomfortable the way you were laying. I was just trying to reposition you.

He was crying so hard he couldn’t make words out.

Me: Shh come here it’s ok.

I gently picked him up and cradled him in my arms. I brought him into the bedroom and laid down bringing him down on my chest. It wasn’t meant to be a sexual gesture just one of knowing that he needed to be close to someone he trusted right now. Sauli just laid there with his head over my heart, tears pooling thru my shirt. I started running my fingers down his back like I had years before. As he laid there I just sang softly to him trying to calm him down. He finally relaxed and the tears subsided. My hand hit his side gently as I went to move it and he yelped.

Me: What’s wrong?!?

He slowly got off of me and removed his shirt. His chest and sides were completely littered with bruises and cuts.

Me: Do they all hurt?

Sauli: Just this new one on my side and my right arm. The others are just a little tender.

Me: Why didn’t you tell me sooner?

Sauli: I was embarrassed … I didn’t want to admit it.

Me: You don’t need to be embarrassed. I’m here for you always have been always will be. You know that. You look exhausted.

Sauli: I am …

I slid off my shirt and opened my arms. He went to lay in them but hesitated.

Me: What?

Sauli: Are you sure … that’s ok?

Me: Sauli I just want to comfort you … make you feel safe. Come here sunshine.

He gently snuggled on my chest skin-on-skin and soon drifted off to sleep. I tenderly ran my fingers up and down his back. I just wanted him to know just how much he still meant to me. Suddenly I heard the front door open and I curiously listened worried for a moment. As soon as I heard the sound of keys clanking on the plate in the hallway I relaxed … it was just Joe. He walked into the bedroom and he froze at the doorway as I put a finger to my lips to indicate Sauli was sleeping.

Joe: What the fuck?

Me: Sauli’s sleeping …

Joe: I get that what the fuck is he doing in here?!?

Me: He’s having a rough time right now. Matt was abusing him. He was so frightened … I just wanted to make him feel safe.

Joe: No way in hell am I going to put up with this. Wake him up!

Me: No he’s been thru enough I’m not waking him.

Joe: Wake him up!!!

Me: No I’m not … stop acting like a spoiled bitch.

Joe: Fuck you asshole!

He slammed the bedroom door but Sauli didn’t budge. I thought he was still sleeping but I felt tears. I gently lifted his face and realized that he had been awake.

Sauli: I’m sorry Adam … I’ll leave.

Me: You’ll do no such thing. Don’t listen to him sunshine. You stay right here.

I kissed his forehead and Sauli snuggled back down. I ended up falling asleep with my arm draped over his back.