Thristy

Chapter Eight

I looked at him with my voice starting to shake as I let all the demons that I had locked away down deep, “It is Rose May.” He looked at me, “What?” I sighed, “My birth name is Rose May.” He looked down, “You had it legally changed?” I nodded, “Yes, I am from Chicago.” I sighed, “My dad died when I was about six, seven months old. He went to get me medication for an infection that caused a fever to suddenly peek.” He took his hand from mine then took off his seat belt. He turned back towards me, “I am sorry” He reached over to my face, “My mother, shortly after got into drugs. When I was about five, she started to abuse me. She would tell me that it was my fault that he died.” I sighed as I looked into his eyes, “I was always afraid to have s*x until the night with you. If I ever looked at a boy in front of her she would bring out belts, whips, or whatever she could get her hands on.”

He got out of the car as I started to tear up. He stopped in front of the hood as I can see all the muscles tightened up then walked over to my side of the car. I looked through the window as he took a deep breath then opened the door. He leaned down with his hands on my knee when he said, “Keep going.” I took a deep breath, “I was sixteen when I met Billy. He was eighteen. He was a little bit of a bad boy, but he was sweet to me at first.” I took a deep breath as I looked into Jack’s eyes as I teared up to see that he had a tear in the corner of his eye, “I would sneak out to see him. We would go to the movies or to the park. He bugged me to move in with him and promised me that he would wait until I was ready to have s*x because of my mother’s damaged that she hand done.” I shook my head, “She told me that I would go to hell. No one would want me unless I was pure and even then... They wouldn’t want me.” I looked up at the sky as Jack placed his hands into mine, “Baby Girl.”

He lifted his hand to my face along my jawline as I looked back down at him, “That big scar that is on my back, that was from Billy.” I could see every single muscle from his face down to his back tense up as I took an inhale and slowly released, “Almost a year after I started seeing Billy. I ran away to his house. She beat me so bad that I couldn’t see out of my eyes. He took care of me then about two weeks after there was a switch.” Jack’s eyes searched my face as I kept going, “I couldn’t do anything right. If I walked the wrong way he would snapped.”

I placed my hands-on Jack’s face, “It started off verbal. He would call me names and would accuse me of sleeping around because I wouldn’t sleep with him. He made me feel that I was worthless.” Jack pulled my legs towards him and placed his hands tightly on my hips, “You are not worthless.” I rolled my eyes, “I know that now. But then I believed him. It started to get physical. I can’t remember when, but he would try to get into my pants then he would hit me. After he was done beating me, he would disappear for a couple days then come back to me saying he was sorry.”  I sighed, “He knew I had nowhere to go but he also knew that I wanted to come to Boston. When he started to abuse me, I changed to California so I could run here.”

He chucked, “You were trying to throw him off.” I nodded my head, “It worked until someone recognized from Thirsty that he knew.” Jack pulled me towards him knowing that I was able to go on, “My eighteenth birthday, I decided it was time to go. He came home early from work drunk. He wasn’t supposed to show up. I had everything ready to go. I stole money from him little by little so it wouldn’t raise an eyebrow.” I looked down at him with tears in my eyes, “He stood in the doorway stunned as I was picking up my bags. He asked me where I was going. Of course, I told him it was none of his business. He told me that if I stepped over the threshold then it would be taking my last breath. My tears started to flow down my face as Jack whipped them away with his thumb, “I didn’t think he was going to do it. I didn’t think he was serious. Or at that point I wish he would have just killed me, so I didn’t have to live through the hell anymore.” He bowed his head then looked at me with tears in his eyes that are now rolling down his face.

“I went for the door and tried to push through him. He was too strong, and he pushed me into the kitchen table. He walked away from yelling that it was my fault why I went into the table. That I drove him to it. I realize that was my opening. That I could make it to that door.” I looked up again,” At Least that is what I thought. I made the run for it. When I made it to the hallway is when I felt a knife tearing through my back. I hit the floor, and everything went black.” Jack lifted into the car pulling me into him so he could gently rub my back where the knife went into my skin.

I cuddled up into his arms, “I woke up and I was in the hospital. I was told that someone else did it. Billy’s father was the police captain and was helping Billy covering up the story.” I looked into Jack’s eyes, “Before morning, I noticed that Billy wasn’t hovering over me. I asked the nurse where he was. She looked like she did but didn’t want to answer me.” He took a deep breath, “But she told you.” I nodded, “She told me that some blonde came into the hospital as she was throwing herself at him. He was allowing her behavior and feeding into it.” Jack looked at me as he ran his hands through my hair, “He an ass.” I chuckled, “Yes, he is an ass. I told her everything and that I need to get out of there. She got one of her doctor friends to help. She got me clean clothes and pulled out the IVs. The doctor was wheeling me out of the room when Billy returned. He told Billy that he was concerned because I wasn’t regaining my strength like I should be, and they need to do more scans.”

He smiled, “I need to thank them.” I kissed his lips, “Me, too. Billy didn’t want to let me go by myself. The doctor used policy and said that he couldn’t because we were not married. Once we were in the clear, he took me down to the back entrance when the nurse was there waiting for me in her car. She dropped me off at the airport, gave me money and contact information so I could get in contact with her to let her know I was safe.”

He held me closer to him as he placed his lips against my temple, “What happened when you got to Boston?” I smiled at him, “I went straight to the courthouse from the airport. I was in a lot of pain as I explained that I need to change my name legally. I couldn’t allow him to find me. Someone that walked behind me noticed that my shirt had blood on it from one of the stitches popping.” I chuckled, “The man was a judge. He took me to his chamber and had me tell him what my story was. I explained and he had motion to have my name changed immediately. He whipped my tears away, “He asked me what my dreams were. He helped me get a job, an apartment and helped me get into college.” I smiled, “I still send letters to the nurse to let them know how I am doing. I owe her my life.”

Jack chuckled as he held me tighter, “What was in that letter that you got today?”  I shook my head, “That his buddy noticed me the night we met. His friend overheard me tell you my name as Monica Winters.”  I held my head up, “The reason why I didn’t want to go to the loft was because Billy was hoping that we would bump into him at Thirsty.” Jack sighed, “Now, it makes sense. You were trying to protect yourself.” I shook my head, “I was more worried about you. That is why I suggested here. I don’t trust him.”

I cupped his face, “I can’t lose you. Now that I have you in my life. I can’t lose you. If he finds out that you are the one that I allowed to touch me the way you do. I. I... Think that would be a tipping point. He will hurt anyone.” I took a deep breath as I just remember Bear. His lovable lump of a dog, “Bear, we have to go get him.” Jack laughed, “Baby Girl, He is already here. I had Rick get things from the loft and that includes Bear.”  I let out a sign of relief when Melissa opened the front door of the house as she yelled, “You too coming in or what?” Jack laughed as he yelled out the car, “Yeah, Give us a minute.” She shook her head, “Don’t take too long, Dinner is getting cold.” Jack and I chuckled as Jack pulled me into him, “Since Michael, she has become just like my mother. Even my mother says it too.”

I placed my hands on his face, “Thank you.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine, “Baby girl, I told you once you were ready that I was going to be here for you.” I sighed, “I know. You have given me so much life in such a short time.” I kissed his sweet lips; I think we should head inside before your sister storms over and pulls us out of the car.” He chuckled as he gave me another kiss.

Once inside we noticed that everyone was there including a man that I haven’t met that was at the club filled in for Jack the night I met him and was sitting around the table. Melissa looked up, “There you two are.” Abby ran over as she clashed into me, “Monica.” She looked at me as she could see my eyes were red and puffy from sobbing at the station then in Jack’s car, “Monica, Baby Girl. Are you okay?” Jack placed his hand on my back to comfort me, “Tough day but she is okay.” Melissa came up to me and took me into her arms as she whispered, “You told him.” I whispered back to her, “I did.” She squeezed me before releasing me then showed me to the table with everyone.

Jack looked over to the man that I didn’t know, “Hey, Leo.” Leo stood up and gave him a hug, “Hey jackass, I am going to guess that you would like some time off.” Leo looked at Jack’s face, “Dude, have you been crying?” Jack snorted as they sat down, “Jump off a cliff, Dude.” Jack sighed, “If you don’t mind letting me take it off.” Leo nodded his head as Jack turned to me, “Leo this is Monica, My baby girl. Monica this is Leo, My dipshit of a boss and the owner of Thirsty.”

Leo smacked Jack’s arm, “Jack! How did you land such a beautiful lady? You've been dipping into magic because there is no way this girl likes you.” Leo smiled as he looked up at me, “Hello, Monica.” I gave Leo a nod in return as Jack snapped back, “Watch it man, you may be my boss and my landlord but that will not stop me from taking you out back and make you into dog food.” The table laughed as Melissa said, “Ok, Everyone, I was able to keep the food warm as these two love birds were talking, Let’s eat.”

After dinner, Melissa showed Jack and I where we would be staying as Abby was able to get some clothes but most of them were ruined from what the police said was red paint. We said goodbye to everyone before we Jack and I slipped away into the bedroom. I decided to take a long hot shower when I heard Jack, “Baby Girl, it is just me. I am coming in.” I smiled at him, “One day, I hope that you will not have to announce yourself.” He chuckled; I don’t mind. As long as I know you are safe then I will announce my presence anytime and anyplace.”

I turned as he placed his hand on my hips as he pulled me back into him. He took one hand off my hips and reached in front to take the wet soapy sponge. He gently ran the sponge down my arm. He allowed the water risen off the soap off my shoulder then placed his soft lips on top of my shoulder. He whispered, “Thank you for opening up to me.” He planted another kiss on my shoulder as he sighed, “I feel that it is only right that I do the same with you.” I leaned my head back onto his chest as he glided the sponge across my stomach, “Jack, I want you to do that also but only when you are ready.” His lips went closer to my neck as he landed a kiss and whispered, “Baby Girl, I am ready. I want to tell you.”

He turned me around to face him,” I came back from Iraq. I was pretty messed up in the head. I have PTSD.” He pulled me into him as he placed his lips on mine, “The nights that you are with me. I have forgotten the nightmares.” He took a deep breath, ``When you are gone the memories and nightmares come back to haunt me.” I placed my hand along his chin. He bowed his head to be able to kiss my hand, “War sucks; Not only does the enemy get killed out there but members of the team and civilians.” He kissed my palm, “Last tour was bad. I still see the limbs and faces of all the people that were blown up from the bombs that were thrown at us.”

He took a deep breath as I looked into his eyes, “Jack it is okay, it is not your fault.” He looked up at the ceiling as the water hit our bodies, “I was supposed to save them.” I cupped his face and pulled it down to me as I searched his eyes, “Jack, you didn’t know that they were going to do that. It is not your fault.” I placed a kiss on his lips, “You have to believe that and stop blaming yourself. You will never heal if you don’t. I know that pain too well.” He leaned his head forward so his forehead pressed against mine, “I know that baby girl.” He closed his eyes, “I had a girlfriend before I was sent out.” He took a deep breath, “When I got back, she couldn’t take the PTSD.” He lifted his chin to lean against my head, “She packed up her stuff and left. That was when things got really bad.” He took a deep breath, “I lost my job and my apartment.” He pulled back and lifted my chin as tears were flowing, “Leo told me about this therapist that helped him out five months ago.” He smiled, “I started to see him and still do. He is the one that suggested that I help at the shelters and do things that will help me heal.” He placed his lips on mine, “It has gotten better to manage.” I leaned into his lips with mine, “I would have never known, if you never told me.”

He smiled at me, “Last month, Leo told me that he needed a bartender at his new club. I decided to give it a shot since my PTSD had gotten better.” He kissed my lips, “I decided to give a shot since my PTSD got better.” He sighed, “He has been allowing me to stay above the club since I lost my apartment. I kind of owe him.” I placed my arms around his neck, “Jack, I am so sorry you went through all that. Thank you for opening up to me.” He smiled, “I said I need to open up like you did.” He sighed, “Plus, if my PTSD gets bad again. I don’t want you to be afraid of me.” I shook my head, “Jack?”

He pulled me into him, “Baby Girl, it has only been three days since I met you. I don’t know how but I am falling for you.” He cleared his throat, “Hard.” I smiled, “Me too. Jack.” He squeezed me with his arms, “If I start having nightmares or start acting out of character.” He placed his head back on my forehead, “I need you to know what is going on. Who to call? How to help me?” He looked into my eyes, “I will do the same for you.” I smiled at him, “I know you will.” I sighed, “We may haven’t know each other long but I trust you.” He smiled as he leaned in for a kiss then wrapped me into him as we allowed the shower to wash away all of the demons.