To Hell and Back

Chapter 2: Continued

Now I was grateful that James had gotten me a job interview at a Ford Factory, I work well with my hands so learning how to fix cars wasn't going to be much harder. So as Mary excused herself upstairs I sat in the kitchen at the table as Adele made some tea; "So Hon" she started "What did you need to talk about?" she filled up the metal kettle and placed it on the stove and lighting it with a match. 

"Well.. I was wondering if you had any more bandages laying around the house? in order for tomorrow I need to be bound tightly" I talked in a hushed tone in case anyone was around, I wanted to be a new person out here; "Well Eli, we might. I will take a look is there something else that's bothering you?" She stares into my eyes, she would be a great mother. I let out a sigh "Yes Miss Adele there is something else that I haven't come out with.." She takes my hand in hers, her hands were warm like a hug on a winter evening, as if Adele just had a hot cup in her hands "I really seem to like Mary.. but I don't know if she is into Women.." she gave me a look and I nodded "She knows" I shrug. The kettle started whistling and she got two mugs from the cupboard, placed them on the counter and filled it with the steaming water. 

"Look the only way you can know things like that is if you ask or talk to her about it" Adele grabbed both mugs and placed one in front of me "Or you can live in fear forever" she took her seat across from me as I nodded. Adele placed a hand on mine gently and smiled "I think you can be surprised about what she may like" I gave a little nod and looked down at my hands around the mug thinking about the possibility that she may actually like me back and how slight that chance my be. Adele and I finished our tea in silence, I placed the mug gently in the basin and started upstairs to contemplate my findings and  thoughts that Adele and I had talked about. 

As I got to my room I looked through my chest of drawers to find something to wear for this interview, maybe my church clothes? I only really had a couple of shirts to go through and a few pairs of black slacks which either way were the same. I heard a gentle rapping at my door "Eli.. it's Mary I have something for you..." I sighed as I opened the door a bit "you didn't have to get me anything Miss Mary.. it's not need-" she interrupts me by placing a finger to my lips shushing me "No no no, I don't want to hear it, this is a special occasion for you" She grins and waltzes in to my room with a bag "Open it" I smile and pull out a black button down made of what felt like silk "Mary.. How did you afford this.." She shook her head "Don't worry about it, My husband won't miss the money" She winks and we chuckle as I embrace her tightly tears brimming my eyes , I sniffle; she gives me a tight squeeze. I let her go, undoing my current shirt as I pull it off I hear her gasp as I cover my face with my hand, my bandages still together, she noticed the scars dancing across my back, shoulders and arms. The colors of dark pink across my Ivory flesh the crimson lines of fresh cuts across my arms towards the crook of my elbow and across my wrist. I heard a ringing in my ears as I pull on the charcoal garment and start buttoning it up. 

"E-Eli.. what.. how..." I heard her voice shake slightly "My father.. I told you how my father hated me.. despised me for not being a boy.. I challenged him, Did everything to try and please him..But I failed.. so he fought me and I fought myself.." I rub my arms gently as I feel her hug me from behind like I needed the comfort. In all honesty I think I did.. I just didn't know it. I turned to face her and hugged her tightly sobbing into her shoulder she embraced me tightly. After I calmed down we sat side by side on the bed and I began from the begging, how my brother died of the flu, my father abused me from a young age, everything. I felt her hand on m,y back again "So now you know everything. why I'm here, and hopefully here to stay.. I want to start a family of my own, maybe find love one day" I looked into her eyes, she blushed and looked away "That...sounds nice, I'm sure you could find someone who cares for you as much as you care for them" I nod with a smile thinking about it; a family, a wife, a happy ending for once. 

We had talked for some time before when Adele called everyone down for dinner, after hearing everyone chatter I just wanted to sit back from everyone. I finished rinsed my dish in the basin and headed back to my room to wash up for tomorrow and get some decent sleep. 

I don't remember falling asleep, but apparently I did; So I decided to run a bath and get ready for the day knowing I had my interview later on this morning. I had submerged myself under the hot water, letting my body relax in the claw-foot tub and I heard someone call out my name from under the water but I chose to ignore it. As soon as I come up from below I heard knocking coming from my door "Are you okay??? Eli..!" I heard Mary Call out, I sigh of relief "Yes I'm fine Miss Mary, I'll be out soon" I forgot I left my door unlocked last night, it felt weird since I always locked my door at my old place. 

I opened the door a towel wrapped around my body, and I saw Mary's jaw drop a bit as she sun on her heel, walked to the window and covered her eyes "I'm so sorry!!!" she squeaks blushing to the same level of pink as a new born piglet; I smile as I quickly get changed and I bind my chest "It's okay, I'm covered" She sighed "Mostly" I chuckle as I see her watching me tighten it a bit more. Mary just kept staring at me "I didn't mean to disturb it's just.. I thought.." she rubbed her arm as if she was embarrassed "What? that I would Slaughter myself?" I chuckle as she met my eyes and she let her gaze wander to the floor "You seriously thought I would?" we both noticed the change of tone in my voice of not just sadness but disappointment 

"Mary I'd like you to leave..." I looked away from her to get my shirt from my dresser, I heard her about to say something "Please.. just go.." I heard her gentle footsteps head to the door as it opened and then shut. I let a few tears slip from my eyes as I grabbed the black button down and started to mentally prepare for the exhaustion that was about to come. Lost in my thoughts I didn't realize I had walked all the way to the factory; I had advanced into the main lobby where a stout, sour faced woman with bright red lipstick and way too much eye shadow looked up at me "Can I help you with something sir?" She asked hoarsely  betting she was a smoker, I simply nodded and took my hat off "Yes Ma'am, I have an appointment with the big boss man" I smile and she nodded in the direction of the stairs "Head up and last door on the left" I smiled again told her 'thank you' and stride up the stairs to the third floor and sat in the chair outside of his office. 

As I sat there waiting for Mister Taylor, I took my hat off again to make the best impression I could as I heard a man with a country accent, I think Texan; was yelling over another worker. It was a fairly large argument when an average sized man sauntered out "Ah you must be Eli" I nodded and stuck out my hand "Yes I am, pleasure to meet you sir" I smile and shook his hand strongly Mr.Taylor Invited me into his office, closed the door and spent our time talking about why I wanted the job and who got me the interview. A short time passed and Mr.Taylor walked me out of the office clapped me on the back and smiled "Well Eli.... You got the position Congrats my boy!" I smiled thanking him profusely and headed home.

I walked into the apartment lobby and was welcomed by Adele's smiling face "SO????" she grinned and I hugged her "I got it!" She squealed a bit and sounded a bit like her tea kettle that was going off and she ran to take it off the stove "So.. sit, we need to talk." she used her serious 'mom' voice and I pulled out a chair and sat down as she made herself a mug of tea, sat in front of me and stared me right in my eyes. Adele took a breath " Look Mary came and talked to me this morning after.. the incident" I nodded and looked at my hands "Explain please.." So I did.. I told her I was in the bath and how it went and what happened.  I sighed and I looked Adele in her eyes and I looked down again "I don't think you understand what it's like to have a woman you like romantically assume that you would slaughter yourself because of your scars." I wiped a tear from my eye quickly and I heard footsteps come into the kitchen 

"Eli..." Mary gasped softly "I had no idea.. I'm so sorry.." She kneels beside me and looked at me placing a hand on my cheek " I didn't mean that I mean yes I was worried.. But it's because I care.. I don't care who you are I like you... you have been a shoulder for me.." I looked at her with tender eyes and she cupped both my cheeks and wiped my tears as I hugged her tightly I felt her squeeze me back.