Touch Of Serpents

Ch. 14 T is for Trauma.

"How'd that date go, boy?" My father slurs as I enter the trailer.
"Good, dad. Real good." He shakes his head in acknowledgement.
"But, uh." I stutter as I sit by him on the couch. Being surrounded by all of the whiskey and beer bottles makes me nervous. This place needs a deep clean. I'm pretty sure that's take out from days ago.
"But what?" My dad pushes.
"Is mom really your soul mate?"
"What do you mean? Of course she is. Why would you even ask me such a thing? Boy! You have--" He starts a pain burns my cheek, but I'm trying to ignore it and him. He hasn't hit me yet.
"Well. Who is Alice-" I stupidly open my mouth again. Before I can even finish that sentence I get a punch to my face.
"BOY! We will NOT talk about that pretentious woman in this house".. He continues to yell and wail on me as I drown him out. At some point it all goes black. Just like it always does.

"Jones!!" Toni screams. I jolt awake, sitting up in a bed, while heavily breathing. "Take it easy." Toni says "You'll be okay. Your dad sure whooped your ass last night.".. " If it wasn't for me.. I don't.. " She trails off. "What the hell happened anyways?"
"Nothing, Topaz. Nothing. Leave it." I grunt in pain.
"That's not how you should thank someone."
"Whatever. Thanks again, Toni. Now, hand me a cigarette."
"No. You could have a bruised lung. No smoking for a while." She orders, firmly, while she crosses her arms.
"Ugh! Could you at least get my phone?"
"Yeah, here."
I open my messages with Betty
"Hey Betts, call me when you can."
"Hungry?" Toni asks.
"Do you ever have to ask me that?"
We both laugh as she goes to her kitchen.
"Can't right now. In hospital."
Betty's text reads.
Then it finally clicks. "Damn it!"
"What?"
"Betty is in the hospital!" I say with an eyebrow raised even though it hurts.
"You think Betty is your soul mate?" She inquires, catching on.
"I mean, yeah. Sure, there could be another reason but... We can and should go find out."
"Sure. Let's eat and we can go up there."