Exposure

Chapter 17

I didn't want to turn my bedroom lights of when I got home. That meant it was time for sleep which also meant my night would torment me. And it has, as I lie in my cold bed. I've never had a stronger feeling of regret in my life. It's one of those moments when you wish you could go back and change it, but you can't. And now your left with a uneasy stomach and rambling thoughts. I left Peter with his dad, who was beating the shit out of him. And to make everything worse, I told his dad that we weren't together. And I meant it. I roll over on my side as I remember the look on Peter's face.

When I got home, I did call the police, but I was so shaken, jumbles of words came out. The officer on the other line told me to calm down. That's when mom came out of her bedroom, half naked and snatched the phone from me. I could hear Ken from the back of the bedroom telling me to quiet down and that they would handle it. Then I went to my bedroom and here I am now, thinking of what happened.

A cold breeze sweeps over my face and I hear light footsteps. It's mom. I can tell by the uneven rhythm her small feet make.

"You're not sleeping," she says lightly. I rub my eyes and turn over, meeting her flushed face. My stomach tenses up knowing why she's so flustered.

"What did the police say?" Her mouth twitches.

"Not much. They did go to his house though. You didn't hear the cars cruise through the neighborhood or see the lights?" I shake my head. They obviously said more than "not much". Jeez, I wish mom would just tell me things. I'm 17 for heavens sake. She's hiding something from me.

"What is it mom?"

"I never see you anymore, Ivy. I miss you."

"Mom? What happened with Peter and his dad?" She always rants on about how she never sees me anymore. She sees me all week. There is something else going on. She hesitates for what seems an eternity before she speaks again.

"He's in the hospital. With serious rib damage." I bite my lip to contain my regret This is all my fault. I should have never decided to be with Peter. His life was messed up because of his mom, and now he is in the hospital because of me.

"I need to leave right now to see him." As soon as I get up to leave, mom grabs my arm.

"Not tonight. I'm sick of worrying about you, Ivy."

"Then don't. Mom I have to see him. You don't understand-"

"What I understand is that you are always gone. You're not an adult yet." Even though I hate to admit it to myself, mom is right. I'm not an adult yet, but I do need to see Peter. She doesn't know why this all happened. And there is no way in hell I'm going to tell her. All I can do now is wait.

"I'm leaving in the morning to go. I promise I will come back, mom." She nods her head in approval.

"You better. I'm taking you to New York city this week. Just to see if the city is still a place you want to be." A smile spreads across my face. Of course the city is where I want to live. But it will be nice to get out of this town for awhile. I know Peter will benefit from it.

"What happened to Peter's dad?" Curiosity gets the best of me. I can't help but care. When I first met him, he was so kind, friendly. I did not recognize the man that was hurting Peter. Maybe that's where Peter gets his bipolar attitude from.

"He spent the night in solitary confinement for the night." What? Shouldn't he be in prison for at least a little while? Did the cops not see Peter's injuries. Mom must see the surprised look on my face.

"That doesn't make any since," I whisper to myself.

"Peter covered for his father Ivy." I clench my jaw and close my eyes briefly. Why would he do that? As much as I search for a reason, I just can't. After my dad through a glass bottle at my face, I didn't even want to look at him. I was afraid of him. What was Peter thinking? And how does mom know all of this?