Aberdeen - Gina's Story Part III
Gina's Story Part III
I didn't even realise I'd fallen asleep until my cell phone buzzed against my cheek, still clutched tightly in my hand. It was Martin, and he told me simply to get up and come to my window. When I hung up and got out of bed, I could vaguely hear my parents fighting somewhere else in the house.
I opened my curtains, and there he was, smiling softly and gesturing for me to open the window. I could see his car parked in the driveway, just barely though, the black car somewhat hidden in the dark. I opened the window, and he told me to grab whatever I would need for the night.
He was getting me out, at least for tonight. It was Saturday, I could get the rest I needed without having to worry about my parents, and I could come back tomorrow when I had to.
Just when I needed it, God sent me a guardian angel.
I threw some clothes into a small duffel bag, grabbed my laptop and my cell phone charger, and passed them through the window to him. He shouldered the bag, and offered his hand to help me climb out. My feet landed quietly on the porch, but I couldn't help but look around, paranoia striking.
“Relax,” he had said, slipping an arm around my waist, “I'm here now, and I'm not going to let anything happen.”
He opened the door to the car, slipping my things into the back seat, and kissed me lightly on the cheek.
“It'll be okay,” he said as I climbed into the car.
We spent most of the car ride in silence, but it was comforting. After the yelling, the fighting, the resounding slap as Father's hand met my cheek...the silence was comforting.
~~~
I'd practically forgotten by the time we'd made it to his apartment that my father had hit me. My mind had been elsewhere. I needed this escape.
Martin carried my things in and set them down on the couch, but when he turned around and looked at me for the first time in the light, the memory rushed back thanks to the look on his face. So many emotions crossed his face in those few seconds before he wrapped his arms tightly around me.
Shock, anger, worry are just three I can name. He kissed the top of my head, and told me to sit down while he got some ice to bring down the swelling.
I'd been here a few times before, nothing fancy, it suited him. Most people thought that because his family had money, they were extravagant. Far from the truth. He had what he needed to live, a few pictures of his family on the wall, a few shelves of books and movies, god knows what gaming systems piled in the corner. Yeah, he lived more comfortably and refined than most other 22-year-old guys, but his home suited him.
I overheard him talking in the kitchen. By the sounds of it, we were going to his parents' house for brunch in the morning. I smiled at the thought. I'd met his parents some weekend before, and they were wonderful, everything good parents should be. Mrs. Aberdeen, or Elena as she insisted I call her, was a wonderful cook, and insisted on cooking for her family, despite the amount of hired help they had.
Soon enough, Martin came back in, ice bag in hand. He put in a movie, but I don't remember what it was. Soon after it started, I feel asleep, curled up in his arms.
I felt safe, and for the first time in a very long time...I felt loved.
I didn't even realise I'd fallen asleep until my cell phone buzzed against my cheek, still clutched tightly in my hand. It was Martin, and he told me simply to get up and come to my window. When I hung up and got out of bed, I could vaguely hear my parents fighting somewhere else in the house.
I opened my curtains, and there he was, smiling softly and gesturing for me to open the window. I could see his car parked in the driveway, just barely though, the black car somewhat hidden in the dark. I opened the window, and he told me to grab whatever I would need for the night.
He was getting me out, at least for tonight. It was Saturday, I could get the rest I needed without having to worry about my parents, and I could come back tomorrow when I had to.
Just when I needed it, God sent me a guardian angel.
I threw some clothes into a small duffel bag, grabbed my laptop and my cell phone charger, and passed them through the window to him. He shouldered the bag, and offered his hand to help me climb out. My feet landed quietly on the porch, but I couldn't help but look around, paranoia striking.
“Relax,” he had said, slipping an arm around my waist, “I'm here now, and I'm not going to let anything happen.”
He opened the door to the car, slipping my things into the back seat, and kissed me lightly on the cheek.
“It'll be okay,” he said as I climbed into the car.
We spent most of the car ride in silence, but it was comforting. After the yelling, the fighting, the resounding slap as Father's hand met my cheek...the silence was comforting.
~~~
I'd practically forgotten by the time we'd made it to his apartment that my father had hit me. My mind had been elsewhere. I needed this escape.
Martin carried my things in and set them down on the couch, but when he turned around and looked at me for the first time in the light, the memory rushed back thanks to the look on his face. So many emotions crossed his face in those few seconds before he wrapped his arms tightly around me.
Shock, anger, worry are just three I can name. He kissed the top of my head, and told me to sit down while he got some ice to bring down the swelling.
I'd been here a few times before, nothing fancy, it suited him. Most people thought that because his family had money, they were extravagant. Far from the truth. He had what he needed to live, a few pictures of his family on the wall, a few shelves of books and movies, god knows what gaming systems piled in the corner. Yeah, he lived more comfortably and refined than most other 22-year-old guys, but his home suited him.
I overheard him talking in the kitchen. By the sounds of it, we were going to his parents' house for brunch in the morning. I smiled at the thought. I'd met his parents some weekend before, and they were wonderful, everything good parents should be. Mrs. Aberdeen, or Elena as she insisted I call her, was a wonderful cook, and insisted on cooking for her family, despite the amount of hired help they had.
Soon enough, Martin came back in, ice bag in hand. He put in a movie, but I don't remember what it was. Soon after it started, I feel asleep, curled up in his arms.
I felt safe, and for the first time in a very long time...I felt loved.