Bruises

8

“Don’t you dare call me that. You left me alone with that monster.” I said, totally blank faced. “What did you expect me to do? I wanted to get away just as much as you did.” Mason said getting closer to me. “You should’ve waited for me, instead of leaving me alone. You could’ve taken me with you, and then I wouldn’t be…you know what.” I said with anger and raised eyebrows. “When was the last time he did it?” He said quietly, so that only I could hear it. “A little over a week ago, right before he left for the month on business. He did more that beat me, Mason. He had someone else do…other things.” I said almost silently. “Shit. I’m sorry Maggie, I should’ve taken you with me.” He said trying to hug me. I pushed his arms away before saying “Don’t. What did you want to see me for?” “He called me and said that he wanted to get you out of the house. He asked if I would take you away. Do you want to come and live with me, in Florida?” He asked. “Hell no. I want to stay here, but not live with him. I have people here who I don’t want to leave.” I said, thinking of Dylan and Iris. “Like who? Last time I checked you were the loner with no friends.” He said, being brutally and rudely honest. “I have a boyfriend, you dipshit. And he cares more about me than you have for my entire life.” I said, firing back at him. “Fine. Go stay with your little boyfriend because he’s obviously more important than your brother.” He spat at me. “You haven’t been my brother since you left me alone with that monster. Since you abandoned me. You don’t care about me and you never will.” I replied, with anger dripping from my voice.
Mason had left the day after his eighteenth birthday, and his last words to twelve-year-old me were ‘I’ll come back for you. I promise.’ And the worst part was that I believed him, for three years I waited for him to come and save me from the hell that we’d lived in. Before he left, Mason was my savior. He bandaged me up after our father would beat me. He looked like our dad, tall and broad with black curly hair, except for the gray eyes that our mom had. I hadn’t seen him since the day he left, and this was definitely not the reunion that I had pictured.
“Goodbye Maggie, dad expects you to be with me so stick with your boyfriend or go somewhere else that is not at the house, if you ever need anything I’m always there.” Mason said before walking off, not even giving me a chance to reply or say goodbye. I turned around to go and head to find Dylan, but instead I was face to face with him. “Who was that?” Dylan asked, concerned. “Old family friend. Nothing to worry about.” I said looking up at him. “Okay. Mom is waiting for us at the car.” He said, not looking completely convinced. “Okay, let’s go.” I replied, lacing my fingers into his.
The drive back home to Wilmington was less enjoyable as the ride to Raleigh. Everyone was tired and worn out from the day’s events. Iris had fallen asleep, and I was leaning on Dylan’s shoulder with his head leaning on mine. I kept my eyes closed and just enjoyed the peace and quiet, until a conversation started up.
“Is she asleep?” Mrs. Hicks asked. “Looks like it.” Dylan said. I wasn’t going to show any indication that I was actually awake because I was interested as to what they were going to say. “She really is a wonderful girl. Iris loves her.” She said. “Iris likes everyone, it’s her personality.” He replied. “No, really. She looks up to her, she even got her a Christmas present. It was really sweet.” She said. “Yeah, she is wonderful.” He said, brushing my hair out of my face. “Son, if you ever lose this one, I may have to ground you for the rest of your life. She lightens the mood in the house, and she is a great addition.” Mr. Hicks said whilst driving. “Addition to what?” Dylan said, sounding confused. “The family. She makes you a better person, she is a role model for Iris, she helps me around the house, and she makes everyone happy. I think she is fantastic and I hope that she sticks around, truly.” Mrs. Hicks said. “I hope so too. I think she is the one.” Dylan said, the last part quieter than the first. The rest of the ride was quiet.
I never realized how much they really liked me. Maybe even enough to let me live with them, at least I hope. If I were to live with them, everything would undeniably get better. Though I don’t want to burden them with me, I can’t just tell them what happens at my house. I honestly don’t know what I am going to do.