A Life Long Love

"please Nathan, I'm scared," my voice trembled, he is the only person I have ever told my secret too. The only person that has ever known.

"I'm here Layla, I won't hang up until you fall asleep," hearing his voice form, soft and gentle gives me strength. Warm drops still cascading down my face, giving a salty taste of my lips. I stifle a sob

He knows I'm scared but I don't want him to hear me cry. Not again, he heard me cry once, the night I told him what I go through every night I was at my mom's. I had to beg him not to go to an adult, I was and am too scared of the aftermath. What if no one believes me? What happens if it put my life in danger. I feel disgusting, the feel of that man's hands on me after I fall asleep. Waking up and trying not to move.

It was the first and only time he yelled at me. Instead, he sits on the phone with me every night. The only way he can feel like he is protecting me.

"I love you Nathan" finally able to talk without trembling

"I love you too Layla, I will do everything I can to help keep you awake," the edge is back to his voice. I know it's my fault, he wants to protect me. I won't let him out of my own fear.