Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Becca -

‘We’ve been eating on and off for hours now. Just nibbling. Are we ever going to talk?’

Dani: ‘I was just enjoying the company, but sure. Another drink?’

I nodded as she got up.

‘So that guy today...you’re not worried he’ll come back because…?’

Dani: ‘Ok, I guess I do owe you that. I feel awful about your arm..’

She handed me a drink and touched my cheek gently.

Dani: ‘I didn’t know you hit your face though. Looks like you have a shiner coming in.’

I grabbed my face on the side she touched.

‘Ugh. My parents will freak out. My arm was going to be hard enough to cover since it’s summer. What the hell am I going to tell them?’

Dani: ‘Well, you could tell them you’re staying with a friend. I know today freaked you out. I can only imagine how crazy the rumors are about me at the high school, but you’re safe, I can absolutely promise you that. Today was never supposed to happen, to either of us.’

‘I get that it isn’t your favorite topic, but can you elaborate? I appreciate the offer to let me stay, but before I think about it, I would like to understand why it happened.’

Dani: ‘Ok, so I don’t know what all you’ve heard, but I went through a bad break up in high school. I knew the guy and his family for ages, his brothers were like my brothers. We always had this connection, and everyone saw it. So it was a huge deal when we got together, and an even bigger deal when we broke up. Everyone knew, from family to people I didn’t even know at school. It was very public which made it worse. I met this older guy, and even with his less than legal activities, he was quite charming. It was never the heavy stuff with him. Weed, pills, once in a while something special for a friend. He was in with people into a lot worse, but he was clear about not wanting it around him and his people. His sales were great, fantastic local relationships, plenty of clients. Honestly, I was headed down a bad road when we got together, if it wasn’t for him it would have been worse. He helped me not need it, the high, but I learned to enjoy it, the right way. Fast forward a couple years, I got pregnant. It was great, he was going to start stepping down, we were truly excited. About half way in, there was beef with some guys who don’t fuck around. We were all going to dinner, but on the way to our car, all you heard were gunshots. We lost a few friends that night, and our child. My spine was messed up and I’ll always have trouble.’

I noticed her hand tapping the side of her can, and before I knew it, I was holding it.

‘Dani, I can’t pretend to understand pretty much everything you’re telling me. I can’t imagine what you’ve, I mean how you’ve...if you don’t want to talk about it, if you’ll just promise we’re safe, I’ll trust you. If you really don’t mind, I’ll stay until my bruises aren’t as bad.’

Dani: ‘You’re really sweet, like genuinely. Even if I seem bitchy or whatever, I mean that, but this scar is easier to show after some drinking and some smoking.’

She leaned back and pulled up her shirt.

There were suture scars going though a darker circle.

Dani: ‘We still loved each other, but I couldn’t be with him after that. I would have to live knowing I lost my child, feel physical pain everyday in my back, and know I would never have the privilege of carrying another child. Thinking of him, being the reason I was in the path of a bullet. He will always look out for me, I’ll never be without anything I truly need. He doesn’t interfere, I can see, or fuck whoever I want. The instant someone is less than kind to me, he steps in. That guy likely regrets being born. He’ll be back, but only to apologize. I have over two dozen numbers in my phone I could call at any time. I could have a ride, security, someone to kill a spider, or someone to hide a body. I didn’t even make a call, if that tells you how certain I am that it was taken care of. There will likely be flowers, or some kind of gift arriving tomorrow at some point.’

I didn’t know what to think, or say.

Dani: ‘But, don’t look sad if it’s edible, I’ll share.’

She gave me a warm smile despite the tears in her eyes.