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“Okay, so the plan is for you to get through until you go to bed. Once you do, you are going to pack a bag. Then you are going to throw it out the window and jump down to us. It’s the safest way to get you out of the house,”he signs.
“I don’t have anything that I want to bring.” I shrug.
“Don’t worry about bringing anything, then. We will get you anything that you need. Promise. We want to take care of you.”
“Okay,”I sign while nodding my head.
“We will tell you the rest of the plan after you jump down. Now, we don’t know which window is yours, so you will have to flash the lights twice so we know which light is yours. Just tell us which side of the house it’s on,”Atlas signs with his eyebrows furrowed.
The feeling that I now know as hope is blossoming in my belly. It feels like it starts at my belly button and starts to make its way through my ribcage, slowly squeezing, but just enough to let me know it’s there, holding onto me. Next, it makes its way up to my heart, making it beat faster, then up my neck, making it heat up with anticipation.
“It’s on the left side of the front door, in the front of the house. Now, you guys need to go and stay out of sight, because if Mother finds or sees you, then everything will fall apart,” I sign to them rapidly.
Turning around, I head back and take the fries out of the oven. They are crispier than they should be, but at least they aren’t burnt. I’m sure she will say something about that, but now I couldn’t care less. Nothing she says or does will bother me now. I know I have the guys’ support and they are here.
I finish cooking up dinner and get everything set up in the dining room for her. I head into the living room to let her know that dinner is ready.
While she eats, I go back to doing the rest of the chores, knowing I won’t be eating. I figure I might as well keep myself busy. It will be a while before she goes to sleep.
“Paisley, get in here!” I hear Mother scream from the dining room.
Sighing, I put down the t-shirt that I was folding downstairs and go to see what she wants.
Crash!
I flinch, not knowing what’s going to happen next. Taking a chance, I glance to my right and see she has thrown her plate against the wall.
Great. More cleaning on top of what I have to do already. Just remember, it’s just until she goes to sleep. Play the part, Paisley.
“Those fries were nasty, and the burger was undercooked. What the hell were you doing? Thinking of those boys?” she asks as she gets up from her chair.
She is walking toward me, and I have no idea what to do.
Surely she won’t hit me tonight, though? We just came from the hospital.
Slap.
“Learn to cook right, or you will forever be starving. Now get this shit cleaned up. No food tonight. Once you are done, get out of sight. I don’t want to see you anymore. All I can think of when I see you is how much of a whore you are and how much you keep ruining my life,” Mother snarls.
When she finally turns around, I bring my hand up to my face, rubbing my cheek.
I will not show weakness. I will not cry.
Cleaning up the mess in the dining room, I head into the kitchen to throw away the broken plate pieces and work on the dishes from cooking.
Finally done, I turn around and rush up the stairs as fast as possible. Even though the bruises are healing, I’m still in a lot of pain.
Once in my room, I grab the book from my secret spot. I guess since it’s a waiting game, I can finish this book before I leave tonight. I’m about three or four pages into the book, and I honestly have no idea what I have read. I’m too distracted, knowing that the guys are out there waiting on me.
Frustrated, I throw the book down on my bed and start to pace around my room. Every step back and forth, I’m thinking of something new that the guys could be planning. I’ve thought about everything from them getting me a bus ticket to a different state to me staying at their house. However, that last one would definitely not be possible. If Mother realizes I’m gone, she will try to look there first.
Getting antsy, I decide to take a shower to help relieve some of the pain in my muscles. It will pass some of the time until Mother goes to sleep. I’m not even sure if she will be going to her bedroom tonight. I noticed she had a vodka bottle out when I got her for dinner.
Taking my time in the shower, I wash every bruise, hoping they will go away. I hate seeing my body black and blue now that I have something to look forward to. No, not something. Someone.
I want to be better for them. I want to be stronger for them. I don’t want them to see me like this anymore.
When the water starts getting cold, I finally decide to get out of the shower. I was able to relax a little, even after scrubbing, washing, and shaving my body. My fingers are pruney, but my muscles really needed that shower. However, my skin will be yelling at me soon, as it’s going to be so dried out from being under the hot water for so long.
