The Dream

Chapter 5

I jump out of bed Sunday morning to the sound of my phone ringing. I lousily pick up the phone and glance at the caller ID. Trent.

"Hello, Malea?"

"Trent! What's wrong? Its 5 in the morning!"

"You know how I said I couldn't trust you, or whatever I said?" He says in a rush.

"Yes, what about it?"

"Well, I kinda need your help. Can I please come over to your house? I need to get out of this place", he says, breathing heavily like he had been running for miles.

"Of course, its 14537 Leeward Ave."

"Ok I'll be there", he says as he cuts off the line.

What the heck? Why, out of all the people he knows, does he have to see me? Come to my house? What's so special about me?

Its almost 5:45 when he arrives at my front door. He rings the doorbell twice and bangs on the door. I hurry to the door and swing it open. He rushes inside and closes the door, locking it tightly.

"Why the hell do you need to be at my house?" I say.

"I'll explain in a second. Can I have some food please? I'm starving"

I make my way to the kitchen and pour him apple juice that he drinks in one gulp. I make him a turkey sandwich and turn to him, waiting for an explanation.

He devours the sandwich in what seems like one swallow. I look at him and meet his eyes with a curious expression. That's when I notice them

Scars. Bruises. Bumps. Everywhere. There are scars covering all over his arms, scars from what look like a knife. Bruises cover his face, making him look almost purple. He has a really bad black eye.

"What the hell happened to you!"

"My dad, hes..a little crazy", he replies.

"Your dad did this to you! Why, what happened? Did he punch you, scratch you?"

"Well, these bruises are from him. He has anger management issues. But these scars, these are from my own hands," he says with a look of sadness on his face.

I stare at him with disbelief. I look him in the eyes while I roll up the sleeves of my shirt. The purple scars that fill my right arm are out on the open. He glances to them and lets out a little gasp.

"I know what you're feeling," I say.

He gets out of his chair and pulls me out of mine. He gives me a large hug. Something that I wasn't expecting.

He looks me in the eyes and says, "Thank you. For understanding."

I look up at his perfect face as my eyes start watering.

"Now, I need some rest", he says.

I lead him into the extra guest room in the basement and show him the bed.

"Sleep good tonight", I say.

"You too", he replies.

I trudge up to my room and try to get some sleep. Its not working. I can't even get my eyes to shut. There is too much on my mind.

It's 9 am when I trudge back down to the basement. I see that he is still sleeping. I decide to nap on the couch until he wakes up. I grab the fleece red blanket perched on the top of the couch and get comfortable.

When I wake, I see him snuggled next to my body, on the couch with me. He looks in my eyes and smiles as he says, "Good morning beautiful."