• CHAPTER 4

    “I’m sorry she made you say that.” Tim apologized on the way to my house.
    “Hey, it’s okay. I mean, I would be wondering if the rumors were true, too. The only way to find out is to ask someone who suffers through it, right?”
    Tim nodded. “Sheesh, I guess I just take my family for granted, I mean, they love me very much and-”
    “Can we please not talk about this?” I asked quickly.
    “Of course, I’m sorry.” He apologized, again.
    “Thanks for helping me away from the party and stuff. I really appreciate it.” I thanked him as we pulled onto my street.
    “No problem. I care about you Britt, remember that there IS people that care and love you.”
    I nodded as we got out. “Alright. I’ll try to remember that.”
    “And don’t hesitate to call me if something’s up. I’ll help in any way I can.”
    “Yes mother.” I laughed as we came to the door.
    “Well this is it.”
    “Yeah… Bye.” I offered weakly.
    He hugged me. “Promise me you’ll call, anything though. I’m serious.”
    I nodded, locking eyes with him. “I will, I promise.”
    The door burst open, “Where the hell have you been?!” Missy screamed at me. “Oh with a boy, I know. You worry your poor parents for a scraggly boy. Hmmph, I knew we shouldn’t have taken you inside, you filthy orphan. Get inside, your father and I want to have a talk with you.”
    I cringed, orphan. I shot Tim and ‘I’m sorry you had to see this’ look, and stepped inside the open door. It slammed behind me, Missy blocking my exit, beer bottle in hand. Ben blocked the other door, fists clenched and jaw tight, and I knew he was in a fighting mood. But when was he not?
    “Where have you been? Your principal said they saw you cut school, getting into some girl’s car.” Ben said, glaring at me and taking an intimidating step towards me.
    “Yes. I cut school, but I didn’t go far.”
    “You went to a party didn’t you! Oh Benny! I knew she would end up like this.” Now Missy went into one of her crying stages, draping herself all over Ben.
    “We made it clear! No parties!” Ben said, stepping closer, he was only about two steps away from me, one step would be hitting distance, two would be shaking,
    “I wasn’t!” I said, raising my voice.
    Ben took a step, smacking the side of my head violently, “Tell the truth Brittney!” He snarled at me.
    “I am! I didn’t go to any party!” I yelled, making him even madder. One thing about Ben, he hated to be wrong.
    He grabbed the collar of my shirt and picked me off the floor, starting to shake me like a rag doll. “We taught you not to lie in this house Brittney!”
    “I told you only this could be expected from an orphan. She doesn’t appreciate the love we give her, she takes us for granted. You’re such a little brat. Spoiled is what you are.” Missy said, stepping forward so I could smell the booze on her breath. “Come on Ben, lets get out of here to where we’re appreciated.” She said, hugging the arm that wasn’t shaking me.
    Ben set me down and shoved me backwards by my shoulders. “I expect this house to b e spotless when we get back.” He snarled. “Now admit you went to that party and we’re going.”
    “I didn’t!” I screamed. His big hand smashed me back, by my face this time, I rammed into the wall, feeling blood gush from my nose.
    “Come on Benny, she’s not worth the strength.” Missy said, leaving him out the door, locking it behind them.
    I slumped against the wall, putting my hand against my nose. I had blood already down my shirt from it, but my legs felt like Jell-o. My shoulders throbbed.
    “Britt, are you – oh my god.” Mandy said, laying her eyes on me from the top of the stairway. She had been listening in from our bedroom. “I’ll get a washcloth, hold on Brittney.” Mandy closed the door, saying something to Sidney, then ran back down the stairs into the kitchen. I heard the water start running, then stop. Mandy came out and crouched next to me, handing me the wet washcloth.
    I wiped off my face the best I could, and then held it up to me nose. “I know you went to the party Brittney, so don’t deny it, but where did you go afterwards?” She asked, sitting down beside me. “Turn around” She instructed.
    I obeyed. I talked weird with this washcloth to my nose, but I knew I had to try to explain. “Afterwards I went to a friend’s house. He knows what goes on here, and he cares about me.” I told her.
    Mandy pulled my shirt over my shoulders to see how bad my shoulders and back were. “Does he know about your arms and hair?” She asked, running her thumb down my spine.
    I nodded. “Everything. He’s your grade and age so you might know him, Tim Nolan.” I offered.
    Mandy pulled my shirt back down and I saw her smile. “I’m glad not all your friends are partiers. Yes, I know Tim, quite the gentleman. He’s your boyfriend?” She asked, standing up.
    “Not my boyfriend! Just friend, someone like him probably won’t like someone like me.” I said, feeling myself blush.
    “He’s crazy about you, are you kidding? You can tell by the way he talks about you.”
    I stood up as well, and my phone started to buzz. I pulled it out someone was calling. I held up one finger to Mandy and opened it up with my free hand.
    “Hello?” I asked,
    “Hey Britt. Are you okay?” It was Tim. Ironic, no?
    “Umm yeah. I didn’t mean for you to see that, I’m sorry. She was just really angry today.” I told him, pulling the rag off my nose and folding it up. I quickly put it back on; my nose was still bleeding, but not very bad.
    “Are you okay? You sound different.”
    “Oh, yeah. I have something over my nose.”
    “He punched you in the nose? Are you okay? How long has it been bleeding?” He asked franticly.
    “Calm down.” I laughed. “It’ll be okay, he didn’t punch me. So why’d you call?” I asked, punching Mandy in the shoulder, who had her fingers in the form of a heart.
    “Actually. I wanted to see if you were busy tomorrow night. Cause I just wanted to see if you wanted to catch a movie or go out for coffee… or something.” He asked, sounding nervous.
    I smiled. “Hang on.” I put my hand over the speaker. “HE ASKED ME OUT!” I squealed, hugging Mandy, who squealed as well. I pulled my hand off the receiver and spoke calmly and maturely, “That would be fabulous. Tell me when and we can be on our way.”
    He chuckled like he knew we were screaming like the girls we are. “Does eight work for you? I can pick you up.”
    “That would be fabulous, see you then.”
    “Bye.” He hung up.
    “What did I tell you? He’s crazy about you! Come one, we can get Sid to help you pick out your outfit!”
    “Alright!” I said, following her up the stairs, leaving the bloodied rag on the table since my nose was no longer bleeding. And at once, the abuse was as forgotten as possible.