A Dance of Life

21

Someone is speaking to me but I can't make out what they are saying. Everything is blurring together in hyper speed and I moan in pain, trying to crouch over.

Annelise.

Annelise.

"Annelise!" A hand claps in front of my face, jolting me.

It's Diana; she's in front of me with a female employee. Both of them are staring at me with fear and concern.

"Annelise, I need you to follow me," Diana says, pulling me out of the seat.

They lead me carefully around some broken glass as we head to the bathroom. Lucas and Nathan are nowhere in sight and neither is Frederic. Diana splashes some cold water on my face and helps me out of my shirt. The shock of the water focuses my mind, bringing a throbbing sensation with it.

The employee, whose name tag reads Angela, moves toward me with a tissue. I grab it from her and clean myself, not wanting her hands to touch me. I try to stop Diana as well but she gives me a hard look and pushes my hand out of the way. Angela rinses my shirt and skirt in the sink and attempts to dry it with the hand dryer.

"You don't have to waste your time drying that, I have something for her to wear," Diana tells her as she throws the paper towel she was using into the dustbin and gets a new one.

"Oh, okay." She folds the shirt carefully and places it on the sink, "So what should I do?"

"Maybe some water? That would be super helpful."

Once she's done cleaning me, Diana helps me into a hoodie and sweatpants. She doesn't say anything just moves the wet hair strands off my face and offers me a smile.

I'm curious as to where she got the clothes but too distracted to ask. All I can think about is how I need to get out of here.

What type of person prances around proudly with the child of a rapist?

I've been doing everything right, haven't I? So, why is this happening to me? Just when everything was going good.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in your weakness.

Weakness. Grace. I feel pretty weak right now, Lord. I have to get out.

--------------------------

I shift Lucas' sleeping head onto my lap when we get to the car and immediately pretend to sleep; I don't want to talk to anyone and I don't want anyone to try and talk to me.

"So that was her ex-boyfriend?" Diana asks Nathan after about five minutes, probably believing I had fallen asleep.

"Yeah; Frederic Byrd. They dated for about 2 years."

"He sounded like he hates her. How can you hate someone you dated for a while?"

Nathan scoffs, "You'd be surprised, Diana."

"Are you okay?" She inquires quietly. I can imagine Nathan's knuckles turning white from holding the steering wheel too hard and his face set in a scowl.

"No, I'm not. I've never had to practice so much self-control; I wanted to beat him up so badly that anytime he thought of a baby, or coffee, or even donuts, he'll remember the walloping."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because it wouldn't have been the right thing and I'd have stooped down to his level."

"I still can't believe he said those things to her; and in public too! I mean if you're going to embarrass someone can't you do it in private?"

"I hope she's okay. I'm really worried about how she closed into herself," he states instead of replying to her.