Waiting For A Call Back

Message Twelve

My eyes flutter open.

I'm on my bed.

Something fluffy brushes against my hand.

I turn my head to see what it is and find Salem laying next to me. Derrick's cat.

Whenever mom would hit me, Derrick would come over, he'd bring Salem and he would take care of my bruises. Salem would always stay for a few nights.

Salem is an all black cat, he's a domestic short hair cat and has yellow eyes. And he loves to cuddle. Derrick always brings him over because his mom was a therapist so Salem used to be a therapy cat.

"Hi Salem." I whisper, he purrs and rubs his head against my hand.

Wait.

So Derrick was here?

I reach for my shirt and pull it up, finding bandages around my stomach and side.

I smile.

He does care.

But he didn't stay, and I was asleep. So I didn't get to see him to apologize.

I reach for my phone, and type in Derrickisawesome, and call him.

He doesn't answer.

So I leave a message.

"Derrick.... thank you."