Stitch These Wounds With Me Tonight

It’s earlier than normal for me to be awake, but I just can’t sleep. My usual good dreams were filled with trepidation and mayhem. I can’t stand being idle any more and head to my bathroom to take a shower and get ready for the day. I let the hot water run and immerse myself in it to try and soothe my weary soul. I concentrate on washing my hair and move on to the rest of my body, clearing my mind as I went along. I rinse off and shut off the water. After stepping out and drying off, I use a small towel to clear the mirror and get a look at the huge damage on my cheek. He’s hit me before, but never has he done it this bad. It’s hard for me to comprehend that he left a mark this time. Just seeing it, thinking about it all, and brought me back to tears. I love him, and know deep down, he still loves me. What am I going to do?
I got dressed and saw a note from Dylan on the counter. “Went into work early today babe. I have a lot to get done, and little time to do it in. I’ll probably be home late. – Dyl”. Just in case I end up busy again, I make sure Dylan’s dinner is taken care of and in the crockpot. I can’t make that mistake twice in a row. I sent Riley a text asking her to come be my study buddy for the day, and went to put on my makeup. I hear her knock twice and walk in. “Lucy, I’m home!” “In my bathroom Riles! Just finishing my face!” I’m just finishing my winged eye liner as she comes in. “Why are you getting all dolled up? I thought we were studying?” Shit, I knew I used too much! “Eh, just thought I’d try something different for once. And we are going to study, I was just thinking about taking it to the park. I could use the fresh air.”“Sounds good to me, why don’t we grab some snacks and head out.” It takes us a whopping ten minutes to pack and get to the park.
Call it sister’s intuition, a gut feeling, whatever it is, I know something is up with Jessa, she never wears that much make up, or changes her routine on a whim like this. I have a feeling this is going to be like pulling teeth to get anything out of her. I look over to her gazing out the car window. She looks a million miles away. “Ground control to Jessa, come in Jessa…” I get no response, it must be worse than I anticipated. “JESSA PITTS!” I shove her arm a bit, and give her a cheshire grin. “What? Sorry Riley, did I zone?” “Just a bit… What’s eating you Sissy?” “Is it all that obvious Riley?” She gave me an encouraging look. I can’t hold anything back from her, I lean on to her shoulder and just sob.
It’s killing me to see Jessa like this. “Hey, hey, hey…. Jess, what’s this all about? I love you and am here for you no matter what is going down.” She wiped her tears away with her sleeve and sniffed. “My life has become an utter shitstorm. I don’t know how I let it get that way. I’m scared.” “Aw, Jessa…” Riley wrapped me in one of the biggest hugs and I couldn’t take it anymore. “Riley, I need to tell you something important, please don’t freak out.” “OH MY FREAKING - DID DYLAN KNOCK YOU UP? I’M GOING TO KICK HIS STUPID --” “RILEY! CALM DOWN!! No, I’m not pregnant!” “Thank God!” “Hmmph… It’s still bad though.” Riley looked at me with sorrow, I knew she had to know. “Dylan has been hittingme Riles.” “How long Jess? How long has he been hurting you?” “Since sophomore year. I know he doesn’t mean it, and it’s never been this bad before, but I just don’t…. I don’t know anymore.” I wipe away the tears, and the makeup. “Oh Jess!” She hugged me tighter with tears streaming down her face mirroring mine. “Jess, come with me after graduation. Out to LA. You’ll never have to deal with him again! Just us, or maybe we can stay with Jake for a bit.” "Maybe..." I offered her a weak smile as I wiped more tears away. “Forget studying, you need to let off some steam.”“Disney movie marathon and junk food like old times?” “Sure thing Jessa, whatever you need. Let’s go get some supplies and your clothes. You’re crashing at my place tonight and Sunday. No exceptions.” "Just let me leave a note for Dyl. I don't want things to get worse.”
The drive back to my apartment was silent. Thirty minutes later and I was packed and left a hurried note on the counter. “Dylan, Dinner is in the crock on the counter and there is a six pack in the fridge. I had to go to Riley’s she needed my help. I’ll be back Monday after classes. –J” That should give me enough time to figure things out. I threw my bags in the car and left for Riley's place.
After I dropped Jessa off, I called Jake on my way back. “Jake, are you busy?” “Riley, no, I’m good. I haven’t heard from you in a while, what have you been up to?” “Not much, just school work. That’s not why I called though.” I knew I didn’t sound like my normal self, and I can’t hold back. “What’s wrong? Are you and Jessa okay? Do I need to come now instead of this week? Spill it Riles!”“If you’d stop and breathe, I could tell you! Just sit down, you’re not going to like it, and I don’t have much time to tell you.” I tell him every excruciating detail she told me. I could tell he was crying a bit. “Riley, keep her safe until I get there tomorrow, you two stay in the house and if Dylan comes near either of you, call the cops.” “I will Jake, don’t worry about that.” “Another thing, would you mind if we crash at your place? I haven’t had time to book a hotel for all of us yet. The guys were coming as a surprise for you and Jessa for graduation.” “Sure thing Bubby. I’ll make sure everything is set.” “Our flight gets in at six in the morning, so we’ll be at your place by seven. I’ll text you when we get there, okay?” HOLY SHITBALLS! ASHLEY FUCKING PURDY WILL BE STAYING AT MY HOUSE!! *SQUEEEEEEE* Oh my God, calm down Riley… Don’t fangirl out just yet… “Sounds good. I’ll make sure the coffee is on and get some breakfast going when you get here. You and Jess have a lot to catch up on.” I hope he didn’t notice the awkward pause, but OMG, ASH! IN MY HOUSE! “Alright, I’ll see you two tomorrow. Love you girls.” “Love you too Jake.” Jess had perfect timing and came through my front door just as I hung up with Jake and started pulling all the Disney movies out for our afternoon and night.
Around midnight, Dylan stumbled into the apartment. “Jessssa? Baaaaabbe?” Where the fuck is she? Oh well, at least it smells like she made my dinner. In his drunken stupor, Dylan gets his dinner, but knocks the note she left him in the kitchen floor. “This pot roast is actually kinda good Jess... WHY THE FUCK AREN’T YOU ANSWERING TO ME?” Dylan launched his empty plate across the room, sending scraps and shards everywhere. He set off on a rampage to find where she was hiding in their vast apartment. After looking for half an hour and coming up empty handed, he gave up and picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number. A raspy female answered “Hmm.. Hello?” “Hey Kate, I need an itch scratched and no one is here to do it for me.” “I’ll be there in a few, sugar.” The line goes dead.

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