Chapter 2
2146 Words
Dawn POV
“No!” I yell at the TV, grabbing my stomach, my other hand flies to my mouth and I scramble for the bathroom. I almost don’t make it in time as I throw up the little food I had consumed during the day, actually it was a bagel and yogurt
“Rory!” my mom calls out and I try to respond but the bile rises again as I see his leg snap under the wheel
“Oh baby” she coos as my body convulses. Air, there’s nothing left, just air. She rubs my back while pulling back my hair and I flush the toilet sitting back, tears running down my cheeks
“Guess I screwed up good this time” I say wiping my tears
“No, this is not your fault. Dad has already got the best lawyers on this, he’s going to pay for hurting you” she says wiping my face with a damp cloth
“No he won’t, did you see what they said?” I ask and she nods
“That girl, who is she?” she asks and I shrug
“Have no idea. Found them… well you know” I say and her eyes scan my face
“Are you feeling sick?” she asks and I nod
“I just need sleep” I say and she gets up helping me to my feet. My legs feel like jelly, my body is trembling but I manage to get to my bed. She tucks me in and hums the tune she always used to sing when we were kids, stroking my back I fall asleep. I wake up late that morning, feeling like crap, I get up and glance at myself in the mirror
“Good morning walking dead girl” I chime at my reflection. I take a shower and hiss when the soap runs over my cut. I get dressed, making sure to cover my bruises and walk out the door, when I step into the living room I’m met with a squeal, a bone crushing hug and a worried pair of faces
“Good morning” I say as I squirm out of Marge’s iron grip
“Oh honey look at you” she says scanning my face. I step back taking her hands in mine
“I’m okay” I say reassuringly but her eyes flash
“That d**k is pressing charges” she hisses and I am stunned in silence
“Miss Farrow, I’m Landon Keller, from Keller & Farley” the young man says extending his hand. I take it but my handshake is weak
“P-Please to meet you” I say and he has a slight blush on his cheeks. Oh he’s a fan; good I need people in my corner
“We need to move quickly if we are going to avert an international scandal” Marge says ushering me to the couch. Too late for that
“We have prepared a statement, if you can read it over” Landon says handing it to me and I glance at the papers in my hand. My eyes see the words but I can’t make out any of it. I stare at it for a long while, willing my brain to work but it doesn’t. Then the papers are pulled from my hands and I glance up, looking into my dad’s soft eyes and he sits next to me. He scans the pages, points to certain things, and I nod but when it gets to the actual incident I frown when he points out
“I am under immense pressure, my therapist prescribed some mild sedatives and I had an episode” it reads and I shake my head
“That’s a lie” I say and they all look at me
“This bull about medication, I’m not under any stress, well I wasn’t” I look at the people in the room, my dad grunts glaring at Landon and he looks like he wants the couch to swallow him
“Well yes, but it’s better than admitting you were drunk” he says and I stand
“I wasn’t drunk” I state and his eyes go wide
“But the footage-“
“Does not tell the whole story” I say and he looks away
“Look I understand you’re just doing your jobs but I will not lie. I wasn’t drunk, I was angry and in shock” I state and they look at me expectantly
“Not worth repeating. The point is my hair looks like-“I stop myself. My dad grips my hand and I glance at him, his eyes pleading with me
“I need a minute, excuse me” I say and rush out of the room. Slamming the back door behind me I walk into the back garden taking a few deep breaths. I hear the door open and close and sigh
“Dad I will-“
“Rory” he says and I groan, turning and finding my dear brother, in his tailored suit standing there in all his formal glory
“Jake please” I say but he grips my wrist and I whimper. He rips my sleeve up before I can pull back and his eyes go dark with rage
“Is this it?” he asks, his voice and eyes sharp
“N-no” I whisper and he steps closer, shielding me from prying eyes
“Show me” he commands but I step away
“It’s okay, really” I say, slowly pulling my sleeve down
“Girl, don’t make me undress you” he says and I wince. I slowly pull off the cardigan and he looks at my cut
“This looks infected” he says
“Mom checked it” I say and he nods
“The rest” I huff and turn my body away from him
“Rory-“his words die when I lift my shirt up, exposing my side and back with dark blue and black bruises
“f**k Ror” he breaths out and I shut my eyes tightly. Don’t yell please. I plead silently, but he’s quiet, too quiet. I open my eyes and let my shirt drop, when I look at my brother he’s trembling with tight fists at his sides, but the tears are threatening to fall
“Sorry” I say, my voice weak
“He did this?” he asks and I can see he’s trying to stay calm
“We had a fight, and he had a few drinks. I shouldn’t have shoved him, and he-“he makes a low growling sound and I step back. His eyes still hot on mine
“If you finish that sentence I will be locked up for murder before dinner” he hisses out
“Jake no please, just leave it be. I’ve done enough damage” I plead and he steps closer
“You have done nothing to deserve this” he gestures to my body and again I flinch
“Dammit! Look at you!” his voice booms and I place my hands on his chest
“Please, no keep it down” I beg but he’s way past calming down
“Like hell I will! f**k Ror look at you! He should be in ICU, no he should be six feet under!” he bellows and I cover my ears stepping back. Just stop please. I plead silently, I shut my eyes waiting, for anything and an arm wraps around my shoulders and I yelp jumping away. My mom’s horrified face is looking back at me and I know, now I’ve done it
“Rory show her” he commands but I shake my head
“No it’s nothing, just let it go Jake” I plead but he steps closer and grips my shirt, yanking it up. My mom gasps, Marge has a horrified look on her face, but my dad’s face is the one that makes my heart clench. His face is marred with pain and anger, he turns to the lawyers, his voice deep and menacing
“I want him destroyed” he says and walks away. I rip my shirt out of his hand and step around them running to my dad
“Dad wait!” I call out but he doesn’t stop, he just slams the front door in my face and I stand there trembling. This is bad, this is really bad
“Miss Farrow” he speaks and I sigh turning around
“Enjoy the show boys?” I ask but they don’t respond, he just look pained
“Yes famous people make shitty choices too” I say and walk into the living room. I plop down on the couch, Marge and my mom flanking me, my dear brother sitting opposite me while the lawyers take their seats
“Might as well tell the truth huh?” I joke but they don’t smile
“Tough crowd” I say under my breath. My mom takes my hand and I look at them
“Yes he abused me for almost our whole relationship. That’s what happened yesterday” I continue to tell them what happened the day before. They sit there with shocked faces when I’m done
“It doesn’t matter though, my reputation is ruined and my career, no use in trying to fix it. Let him have his way” I say and my brother huffs
“Didn’t you hear dad? He will be destroyed” he says and I let out a defeated laugh
“No he won’t. No one will believe me, he always gets his way” I say looking at my hands
“I think you need a vacation” Marge suddenly says and we all gawk at her
“I can’t run” I say but she shrugs
“Not running, recovering. Is there any place you can go where no one will bother you?” she asks and I sit back
“Yeah sure, maybe Guam” I say but my mom speak up
“The ranch” she says and Marge’s eyes light up
“Where is it?” she asks
“Montana, about 20 miles from Great Falls” she says and Marge claps her hands
“Perfect” she says and I look at her
“Are you crazy? Have you taken your pills today?” I ask and she rolls her eyes at me
“Look, if we can sort this out, without you being harassed by the press 24/7 then it’s a win-win” she says and I groan
“I have my shoot to finish” I say and she waves me off
“No, you don’t” she says and I turn to her narrowing my eyes
“What?” I ask and she sighs
“They cancelled, said they’re going in another direction” she says and I groan, letting my head rest in my hands
“Oh lovely. I’m ruined” I say and my brother laughs
“Okay calm down drama queen, it’s not that bad. We need to sort this out, I agree with Marge, this will be better if you weren’t here taking the grunt of this” he says and I glance up
“It will be like deserting you, I can’t just leave you here to deal with my mess” I state and he leans forward
“This is not your mess, it’s his and I intend to let the world know what a waste of skin he really is” he says and I glance away. I can’t fight anymore
“Fine” I whisper and they perk up
“What?” he asks and I glare at him
“I said fine, but only for a while” I say and he nods
“Good” he says looking all smug
“Don’t gloat” I say and he dusts his shoulders off
“I always do” he says, giving me his lazy smile and I roll my eyes. I do miss Pops though
- Writer
