The Art Of Listening

Chapter 2

I flew through the door and went straight to the bedroom to pack my stuff. I froze at the bedroom door at the sight of Brad and another woman in our bed. I began to laugh hysterically. It wasn't really funny, but then again it was. This woman was almost twice my age, bleached blonde hair, more makeup than a clown, and was moaning like she was possessed. I know for a fact, he isn't that good. 

At my laughter, they both stop and look at me. "Please, don't stop on my account. I was just going to get my things." Brad looked at me, anger burning in his eyes and I knew what was coming, and it wasn't the woman in our bed. Her eyes held annoyance. "Artemis, go wait in the living room, we need to have a talk." I snorted, "We really have nothing to talk about, Brad. Besides, you can't leave your friend hanging. I was just leaving. I will come back tomorrow for my stuff." I turned on my heel and left the room, shaking my head. 

I heard Brad stomping behind me and sighed. This wasn't going to be pretty. Thankfully, Brad didn't have a key to my Father's house, so when he fell asleep, I would just go there. He grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. His grip was punishing and so was the hand that slapped me across the face. "How dare you speak to me that way in front of my guest!" He roared at me and I stared at him, dumbfounded. He hit me in the face. I shoved him away from me. I had no idea where al this new found courage was coming from, but it was there. "Listen to me, you arrogant prick. You have touched me for the very last time. I am sick and tired of you and your abuse. I am going to move out and be done with you and you can find yourself a new punching bag." The next thing I know, pain is exploding from my face and I am on the ground. I look up at Brad. His face is red and he is shaking with anger. 

He starts hitting me over and over again. My head, face, arms, torso, anything he can reach. I hear a scream and look up to see the woman Brad was screwing. She pulls Brad off of me. "Stop that, you want to throw your whole career away on that little nothing?" He stops and looks at me before delivering a swift kick to my ribs. I groan as I watch her drag him out of the apartment. It hits me where I have seen her before, she is his boss's wife. I start laughing again but stop when the pain explodes through my ribs. I have no idea where they went or when they will be back, so I pull myself up off the floor and slowly make my way to the closet. I grab what little clothing I had and stuff it into my duffle bag and drag myself to my car. I know I look like I was run over by a truck but I needed to get as far away from him as I could. 

I went back to my Father's house and made sure to lock the door and all the windows. I thought about calling the police, but Brad was important, and they had always covered for him. Money made things go away. I needed to get far away from Massachusettes and fast. I pulled my sore body into the bathroom and looked in the mirror, shit. My nose was busted and bloody, my lip was split, my eyes were swollen and bruised, I looked like an accident victim. I needed a first aid kit, but I think the cut on my head needed stitches. I sighed, there was no way around it. I had to go to the hospital. 

I locked up and drove to the ER an hour away, I didn't need Brad tracking me down right now. As soon as I walked in, the nurse, an older woman with bright red hair gasped and rushed me back to a room. The doctor came it right away. "I'm Dr. Cartman. What happened?" I sighed, the man was young, about thirty, tall, lanky. He reminded me of Ichabod Craine. The thought made me giggle. He looked me, waiting for an answer. I sighed, "Super bad timing, and utter stupidity." The nurse, Sally sighed. "Someone beat the hell out of you, girl. Tell us and we can help you." I smiled the best I could. "I have tried that, money makes it all go away. I am going to try and move far away and start over." She shook her head as they worked to clean up my face. 

Dr. Cartman told me that I needed to put on a gown so he could look at all my injuries and left Sally to help me. I unbuttoned my once white dress shirt and watched her cringe. I was covered in dark bruises. My arms, my chest, my stomach, even my hips, all black and blue. She helped me into the gown just as the good doctor came in. He moved the gown and sucked in a breath. "You are going to be quite sore, Ms. Jones." I chuckled brokenly. "I know how to treat the bruises. I was worried about the gash on my head." He shook his head and after about three hours, I was walking out to my car. I refused the pain meds, I needed to drive home. As I was walking out the doors, Sally stopped me. "Ms. Jones!" I turned and she handed me a card. "My sister is the mayor of a small town, Tobinville, Louisiana and they are looking for help down there. There are a few stores, a library, and such that need help. Call her and talk to her, get out of this state." I looked down at the card then back up at her. "Thank you." I whispered.

When I got back to my Father's house, I was exhausted, sore and done with the day. I was happy to see that no one was waiting for me here, but I knew it wouldn't be long before Brad came looking and I wanted to be long gone before then. I looked at my phone and there were dozens of missed calls from Brad and just as many text messages. I sighed and drug my ass to bed. 

I woke up early the next morning and called Sally's sister, Clair. She told me that she could use all the help she could get, the town was old and so were many of it's residents. They were all retiring or dying. I chuckled and told her that I would be there as soon as I could. The charity came and cleared all the stuff in the house, except for the four boxes that I kept. One of the men carried them to my car for me. I know I looked horrible, but I ignored the pain and stares. 

I drove to the bank next and closed out my accounts, all $7,000 that I had saved and then drove for about four hours before stopping and buying a new cell phone, a disposable one for now and threw out my old one. Then I drove until I reached Tennesee and there, I traded in my Toyota Corolla for an older Ford F-150. I stayed there for the night before driving the rest of the way to Tobinville. As soon as I drove into town, I felt at home. It was a strange feeling. I parked in front of the city hall and straightened my tee shirt before walking in. There was a young blonde woman sitting behind a desk and she smiled and looked up, "Welcome to-" her voice froze in her throat when she saw my face and I smiled the best I could, "Don't worry about it, I am here to see the Mayor. I have an appointment, Artemis Jones." She nodded and picked up the phone. 

"Clair, an Artemis Jones is here for you. OK, sure will." She hung up, "You can go right in, third door on the left." I nodded at her, "Thank you."