Stop in the Name of Love (Completed)

Chapter 4

I debate changing clothes for the third time. I don't know how to act for this, is this a date? Should I wear jeans? Should I wear a dress? Do I even own a dress? I yank my jeans off again and dig through my drawer. I pull out what I think is the only skirt in my possession, it's black and simple, so it should match my shirt. I slide it on and brush it down, it fits ok and hangs just a little above my knee. I adjust my shirt, one of the new ones Jordan got me, and tuck it into my skirt.

A door slams across the house and I hear rummaging in the kitchen. Dad's awake and looking for more booze. I pull my phone out and find Jordan's number, sending him a fast text.

Might be l8, don't worry

I shove my phone under my pillow and get under my covers. I shut my eyes, tightly and start reciting my mother's favorite song in my head.

"Hear that lonesome whippoorwill. He sounds too blue to fly. The midnight train is whining low. I'm so lonesome I could cry."

My door falls open as my dad stumbles through, I fight to keep my breathing level.

"I've never seen a night so long. When time goes crawling by. The moon just went behind the clouds. To hide its face and cry."

I hear my father mutter to himself before he trips back out of the room and slams the door. I start feeling sick and I can't catch my breath. I feel my phone vibrate under my head. I lie still a moment longer out of fear before I sit up. Jordan is calling me.

"H--hello?" I try to stop shaking.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah," I take a deep breath, "Yeah, sorry I'm a little behind, I don't like being late and usually I'm not I swear."

"It's fine, hey are you sure you're ok? You sound, panicked. "

"I'm ok. Just, uh, a bit nervous, I guess. I'll be there soon."

"I can still just get you at your place. Your dad doesn't have to even know I'm there."

"Jordan, it's ok. I'll be at the library in ten minutes ok?"

"Fine, I'll see you in a bit."

I hang up and let out a painful breath I didn't even realize I was holding in. I pick up my little, old purse with my phone, charger, and wallet. Carefully I tip toe down the hall with my flats in hand.

I make it to the front door without incident, but the hard part is getting out the door without it squeaking. If it squeaks and my dad is in his office I might not be able to make it to my car before he gets to me. Sliding on my flats, I carefully make sure my purse and belongings are secure before I make a bolt for my car.

With my hand on the knob I do a final check of everything, I make sure I have everything. Probably the third time I've checked my purse, but I can't help it. Once this door opens I can't back out. I feel myself sweating, two seconds, that's all it will take for me to regret even waking up today.

With a deep breath, I pull the door open and run. I ignore the loud squeak of the door as I bolt to my truck and pray I left the doors unlocked.

"Rhea!" I hear a loud angry voice call from behind me.

With my keys in hand, I grab my car door handle and pull. I swing it open, letting out a sigh of relief, and hop in quickly. I watch out the windshield as my dad falls out of the house, the bottle in his hand spills and covers his vile robe. I lock the driver door, hoping it'll slow him down, and try to turn on the ignition.

After a few sputters pass, the engine turns over. I can feel tears teasing me as I pull out of the driveway as fast as I can.

I bite my lip and keep the tears at bay, today is supposed to be fun for me, I don't want to let him ruin that. I focus on the road instead of the yelling echoing in my ears. If the universe is merciful, my father will be passed out before I go home.