The Chairs Between Us

Liam

LIAM'S POINT OF VIEW:

Two weeks ago...

I pulled up to my small two story house. A few lights were still on, on the first floor, meaning my dad is awake and probably mad. 

I am eighteen but he still thinks I need a curfew. And at seven o'clock too! Like does he want me to not have a life.

I have been breaking curfew almost every time I go out with Dominic. I swear I can't stay away from him and if that means pissing off my conservative dad, so be it. 

I let out a sigh.

Eight o'clock.

I jumped out of my car.

This will be fun.

 I walked into my house to see my mom and dad sitting at the table with dinner. My mom smiled, "Hey there. Have you eaten yet?"

I nodded, "Yeah I ate a few hours ago. Thank you mom."

My dad seem really mad as he sat quietly with his hands put into fists on the table. He looked at me and spoke, "So... Mr. and Mrs. Bradford saw you with that boy at the park tonight.

This is not good... just play it off.

I just nodded my head, "And?"

He stood up, "Don't you use that tone with me. You were out passed curfew and you lied... You were definitely not practicing with that boy."

"His name is Dominic," I mumbled under my breath.

That seemed to really piss him off, "I don't care what his name is! How could you do this to us?!"

I was mad now too, "Do what? Come home passed curfew?... Or is it because I am gay?"

He was fuming with anger and with one quick motion; his hand hit my face. The loud sound of a slap rung through the room and my head was thrown in the other direction so hard that I feel on the floor.

Did he just hit me? What the hell?

My mom jumped from he seat, "Richard! How could you hit our son?"

My dad still looked pissed, he spoke through gritted teeth, "He deserved it."

My mom gasped. He shook my head and lifted myself from the floor, "Why do I?... It's is because I enjoy kissing guys or is it because I love Dominic more than I will ever love you."

He eyes tired red with anger as his fist connect with my jaw. I was on the floor once again.

This definitely wasn't the greatest idea...

DOMINIC'S POINT OF VIEW:

Officer Jones sat next to me, "I found Liam, Dominic. Promise me you will stay calm. Liam is... hurt and has been through a lot."

I started to panic, "What happened to him? Where is he?"

Officer Jones' eyes turned sad as he pulled up a chair, "Are you sure you can listen to this, Dominic?"

Oh god... how bad is it?

I nodded, "If he went through it I can handle it too."

He drew in a breath, "When you went into surgery I left to start searching for him. I decided to go to his house first and talk to his parents... His mother answered the door... She looked like she had been crying and she looked very exhausted... She was reluctant to answer my questions and I could tell she was holding back something. I also noticed the house was a mess behind her. I decided to leave but before I got down the driveway I herd yelling from inside. I called more units and we went inside... We found Liam beaten up in his room... He was so scared he wouldn't come out of his room to us; we had to go in to get him... It all happened because he told dad that he loved you, Dominic... His dad flipped and beat him almost everyday until we arrived to save him."

I froze as my body and mind went crazy.

How could I let this happen to him? I should have been there. I should have gone to his house instead of trying to kill myself. I was in here while he was getting abused.

He grabbed my hand, "Dominic I know you have been through a lot but Liam needs you to be there for him. He is actually a couple rooms down from you and the doctors are going to move him to be with you... Don't talk too much about why you are in here. He doesn't actually know that you are here. It will only put more stress on him just seeing you here... Just comfort him."

I shook my head as tears began to run down from my eyes, "How could I let this happen?"

Officer Jones pulled me into his arms, "This was not your fault. Don't even think for a second the it is... His dad this. Not you."

I nodded and wiped my eyes, "Thank you."

He released me from his grip, "Do you want to see him now?"

I nodded, "Yes please."

He got up, "Okay. I will go tell them to bring him in."

He is probably going to die if he finds out what I did to myself. 

About five minutes later, some nurses rolled Liam's bed into the room. Liam didn't look as bright as I was use to seeing him. His eyes were closed and he didn't seem very conscious. My heart was hurting to see on the bruises and cuts on him. 

They put our beds close enough together so I could touch him and left the room so we were alone.

His eyes opened up a little, "Dominic is that really you."

I reached out and grabbed his hand, "Liam, I am here. I missed you so much."