Bullied and the Bitch

Chapter 6: For Good Behaviour

When I wake up there's someone sitting at the foot of the bed. It seems too big to be Elisabeth. As my eyes adjust to the dim lighting, I realise it's a man, in his mid-forties maybe.

"You're awake?" he asks me.

I nod as I sit up.

"I'm Elisabeth's father, James," he says, holding out his hand.

I rack my brain trying to think of a name I can give him. I couldn't say Brianna, could I? He'd be questioning my sanity if I did so. I don't think I could deal with getting kicked out into the streets once more.

"...Brian," I say eventually, and shake his hand tentatively. It's coarse and calloused. I wonder what James does for a living.

"Elisabeth tells me you're in need of a place to stay. Unfortunately, we're not a charity service. We can't just take in people and have them freeload." I nod. As rich as I was, even I wouldn't be willing to let someone live with me for free. And the Brookes didn't seem to have much money, even though their home is a lot bigger than most of the houses on the block. "However, El has persuaded us to let you stay until you get back on your feet. You can help out around the house and help me do some work. And we'll let you stay. Just remember – you have to earn your keep."

I nod again. Anything was better than being out there in the cold once again, submitted to the whims of insane women.

"Good man," James says, then gets up. "And one more thing – if you touch my daughter in any way, I will not hesitate to kick you out on your ass, young man, you hear me?"

"Yes, sir," I say. Like I wanted to touch her. I'm not gay... Well. I guess I am, in this body. But I don't like girls. Not that way. And even if I did, I wouldn't pick someone like her.

James nods, satisfied with my answer, and leaves the room. It's not more than half a minute after he's gone that the door opens.

"Hey... You feeling better?" Elisabeth asks me, turning on the lights. The sun had just begun to set, leaving the room in partial darkness.

"Yeah," I answer.

"Okay. Dinner's ready. Come on down and eat," she says.

"Right. Elisabeth?" I say before she can leave. She glances back at me, a question in her eyes. "...Thanks." It's such a simple word, I'm not sure it appropriately conveys how grateful I am for what she's done for me.

And how sorry I am for what I'd done to her.

She smiles. "It's nothing. Come on down."

I nod and follow after her.

There are more people than I expect at the table.

"Hello. You must be Brian." A woman with Elisabeth's soft brown hair and slight stature smiles at me. "I'm El's mom, Janice."

"Hi," I greet her.

"Eddy," Elisabeth says, and her voice is so full of warmth that I turn to her unknowingly. A boy about ten years of age hugs her waist affectionately. It looks like he's already on his way to towering over her, though.

"Sis!" he calls happily.

"Sister!" someone else, with a more babyish voice, greets her. A little girl is seated beside Janice, holding her arms out at Elisabeth.

"Hey, Elianna," Elisabeth says, sitting beside the girl and giving her a big hug. I'd never been jealous of people having siblings before – I like being the only child and getting all my parents' attention to myself. But looking at how affectionate Elisabeth is with her siblings made me wonder what it would have been like to have siblings of my own.