Save me, Dally

Chapter 6: The World Went Black

The car ride back to my house was tense, and silent. We exchanged awkward glances as he peeled down my street and into my driveway. My parents were waiting on the front porch, and there was a police car parked on the curb.

"Shit." Dally mumbled, getting out of the car. I had no idea what was going to happen, but I knew better than to expect a warm welcome.

"And just where the hell have you been?" My dad shouted, stepping off of the porch. "And who is this?" he asked ferociously.

He was charging like a bull straight towards Dally and I stepped between them quickly, pushing Dally backwards.

"This is Dally," I said quickly. "He saved my life." I finished, before my father could get a good swing in.

And it seemed as though this was the first moment when either of my parents seemed to analyze my face.

"Oh my lord." My mother gasped, stepping off of the porch with Robin, both running over to me.

"I'm fine, see?" I said gesturing towards Dally, who was still behind me. "He saved me from the Socs who tried to jump me." I explained, still clutching Dally's wrist.

My mother instantly began assessing my cuts and bruises, while my father, Dally, and the cop talked about the Socs and what they looked like. The cop was talking about Dally's familiar face, and my dad was turning beet red.

"I'm going to go get some rubbing alcohol." My mother stated, rushing me into the house for supplies.

As soon as she was safely tucked away in the bathroom upstairs, Robin turned on me.

"You know all you ever do is cause trouble." She snapped at me, pointing one of her nimble fingers in my face. "You're a disappointment to this family, and my reputation. Jesus, your stupid disappearance busted me at a party. I was rip-roar drunk when mom called Susan's home phone." She shouted at me. "You might as well just leave and save yourself some dignity." She spat at me.

I looked at her shocked, waiting for her to take it back, but she didn't. Before I could give her the satisfaction of my tears, I booked it out of the house.

"And just where do you think you're going?" my father asked, grabbing my arm.

"To work." I choked out.

"I don't think so -"

"Screw off." I spat as I ran down the street.

I heard footsteps hot on my heels, so I began to sprint. I was a strong woman, I told myself, I will not cry. But how can you tell a lie, when you don't even believe it yourself. The sound of footsteps disappeared, and was replaced by the chime of clinking glasses. I really wished I had changed out of my dirty clothes, and my hair was still clumped with my blood. I really didn't care. I sat at the bar and waited for the bouncer or my dad to drag me out by the hair. But no one came.

"Hey there princess, tough night last night?" the bar keep said, gesturing towards my black eye.

I nodded and looked at him.

"Vodka...straight up." I said flatly.

"How about three, on the house." he said kindly. "One for every black and blue."

I smiled at him as he passed me my shots. I drank each down, forgetting about my problems for a short while. After each glass was drained, I slapped down my paycheck and asked for more. As each drink came, a worry went. The room was spinning, but I was sitting still. I smiled and laughed, and recalled my story to all the people who came and went, until the sky turned black. I was on my last round of drinks, each word a knife in my heart.

You're a disappointment...

All you cause is trouble...

You might as well just leave...

And the whole world went black.