After Joe fell asleep that night, I again go to the bathroom. Tonight was real bad. He got my neck, chest, legs, and eye(again). I close the toilet lid and sit on it. I want to cry but I haven't shed a tear for two years. I'm convinced that all my crying in the first year of my relationship had caused me to not be able to cry anymore. I clean myself up and crawl into bed, staying awake for hours as I usually do.
The next day, I make breakfast and watch Joe head off to work. He didn't give me anything to do but since I was out of a job I decided to try to go for a run. I put on long pants and a long sleeved shirt and start off. I was weak from malnourishment but I couldn't stay in the house any longer.
I begin to circle the nearby park. There is a person up in front of me walking real slow, blowing a bunch of cigarette smoke around. I stop running, leaning over in a coughing fit. Joe, surprisingly didn't smoke. Drinker, yes. But not a smoker. I'm still crouched over, hands on knees, when a hand is placed on my back. I jump up, it's that damn teddy again.
"Hello love." He says with a stupidly kind grin.
"Are you following me?" I ask when I finally stop coughing.
"Well... yes." He says blushing. I'm taken back, I didn't expect him to be so honest.
"Why?" I ask, glancing around for Joe, it would be SO bad if he found me out here talking to a very clean, well dressed gentleman.
"See? That right there. Who are you looking for?" He says when I begin searching.
"No one. Nothing." I say, wanting nothing more than to be away from him. His continual appearances and kind words make me uncomfortable.
"You're worrying me." He says softer, when I look around for a third time.
"I just can't be seen with you.. He'd have a fit. He'd kill me... literally." I mumble, starting to walk away. He grabs my arm. Even though his touch was gentle, I still slink back.
"Why do you do that?" He asks, not out of frustration but confusion.
"I'm not going to hurt you." He says.
"I don't know that." I whisper. I glance around again, nervous since I've been standing here for so long. One of Joe's buddies could be out and see me here.
"I.... I have to go now." I try to pull away but George's grip tightens slightly.
"Just... before you do, take this." He stares at my lip long enough to make it known he's got an idea of what's going on. My hand instinctively goes to my mouth to cover my cut. While I do that, George fishes a folded piece of paper out of his jacket pocket and hands it to me. I grab it and run off.
I don't open the note until later that night when Joe's gone to sleep. In loose handwriting;
'If you ever need someone.' along with a number. I blush and then quickly hide my face, wishing that didn't just happen. I slip the note in my bra, keeping it close, before crawling into bed. For the first time in a long time, I go to sleep with a small smile on my face.
***
When I go to the store a few weeks later, I put on a little lipstick, not enough to be noticed, but just enough to give my lips a little shine. The bruises are turning yellow, Joe got a small raise so he's been in much happier moods lately.
While at the store I look around for George, hopeful. I leave the store, looking for him as I walk home. My shoulders sink when I reach my street. I pass a television store. Glancing in the windows I see the TVs playing a concert of sorts.
After showing screaming fans, the camera zooms on each person in this band. I nearly drop my bags when the third face is one I recognize, George. I didn't even know he was in a band. My heart sinks when the camera goes back to the crowds. Well he's forgotten about me by now for sure. I look towards the ground as I slowly return home.
