Jasmine
Walking across the gym floor, I walk by Brandon and glance back over my shoulder. The defeated look on his face makes me want to run over and hold him close, but I can't. Leaving with Jeff is what's best for me. The past few months I have been slowly disconnecting myself from my best friend. I admit, it’s mostly for my benefit, but I hope it makes it easier on him when he finds out the truth. He will be the hardest to leave, more than my mother, more than anyone else. Jeff meets me at the front door and we leave for the after party. I can't focus, can't think. My heart isn't where it should be right now. All I can see when I close my eyes is the heartbreak deep in those stunning green eyes.
"You okay, babe?"
"Yeah, it’s just my nerves."
"Okay," he says, his expression full of concern. "Is everything ready to go?"
"I only have a few things left to pack; I didn't want it to be obvious." He kisses my forehead before placing his hand on the small of my back, guiding me into the house. The dim lights and loud music are welcome; the perfect cover for my emotional state, helping to clear my mind until I look to my left and see Brandon. His messy hair and thick dark lashes visible even in the absence of light. I sigh and turn to Jeff coaxing him to the other side of the room. I glance back one last time and notice he's gone.
"What are you going to tell them?” he whispers into my ear.
"Nothing; I'm not telling them anything." He nods and pulls me into him kissing the top of my head.
"As long as we have each other, we'll be fine," he says.
I nod and smile. "I better get home before I end up in a world of trouble, okay?" He nods, taking my hand and leading me to the car.
When I get home, my mom is at the table, a bottle of whiskey in front of her. She looks up at me, her bloodshot eyes full of sadness. "Jasmine, I'm so proud of you," she says.
"Thanks mom," I reply as she stands and pulls me into her embrace tightly. Her tears are now falling and saturating my shoulder. "I love you, mom," I whisper before heading to my room. Bracing myself on the dresser, I stare at the reflection of the tear soaked spot on my shirt. I can't help but cry myself. After a few minutes, I hear the front door slam open and hear my dad and mom arguing. The sound of his boots in the hallway make my skin crawl. His footsteps stop in front of my door and my door flings open.
"So you think you are all grown now, do ya girl?” he slurs. I shake my head as the sound of his belt coming off echoes in my ears. The first lash is always the worst, after that, I kinda have an out of body experience.
The tender skin of my back is screaming when he is done and I can't see through the tears. I sit on my bed and try to stop crying, and then I quickly gather the rest of my things and shove them in my book bag. A light knock on my door startles me. "Yeah?" I manage to croak.
"Can I come in?” mom asks.
I quickly shove my bag under the bed, "Sure."
"I'm so sorry your daddy is the way he is. I've tried talking to him but it doesn't do any good." I only nod because I have no words to express everything I'm feeling. She leans down and hugs me before turning to leave. "He really does love you, I swear."
I stare at the door after it closes, thinking about what she said. Rushing, I change from my pajamas and I sit on my bed one last time and want to cry, but I have no more tears. The clock on my dresser says one-fifteen. Forty-five minutes and my life will change.
In those last minutes, I crack open my window and toss the suitcase out into the yard. Opening my door slowly, I listen carefully. There's an infomercial on the television and my father is probably passed out on the couch. I sling my backpack over my shoulder and pull on my coat. I creep down the hallway; pausing every few steps until I make it to the front door. I open it carefully and step out to my freedom. Quickly, I tuck the letter between the frame of the screen door and rush down the steps. I make my way around back, grab my suitcase, and run down my driveway. Turning onto the dirt road, I hear the rumble of Jeff's truck. He stops when he sees me and loads my suitcase into the back. I sit there quietly, staring forward, as tears begin to trickle down my cheeks.
Jeff looks over at me and asks, "What happened after I left?"
I sigh and reply, "Pull over and I’ll show you."
He looks at me strangely but pulls the truck over. Turning my back to him, I undo my seatbelt. Pulling off my coat and lifting up the back of my shirt, I cringe as the fabric rubs against my tender skin. I look over my shoulder at the shocked expression on his face.
"How long has this been going on?” he whispers.
"Since Caleb died," I reply.
"For the last eight years?” he asks in a strangled voice. I nod, unable to speak. "Why the hell didn't you say anything?” he asks, his voice filled with a rage I've never heard before.
"I was afraid. I could see my mother slipping into depression and feel the rage my father had inside him growing. I was trying to be a constant; something positive. As it turns out, I became the punching bag.” Jeff turns me to face him and wipes my tears with his fingertips. "My father blamed my mother and she blamed him, and in the end, the hatred trickled down to me."
He pulls me into him carefully and holds me softly. "It's over now, you will never have to deal with anything like that again," he says as he pulls away from me.
I put my seatbelt back on and he puts the truck into drive. Looking back towards my past one last time I smile, knowing I'll never have to endure that fate again.