Entry #521200, added on 06-28-08 @ 7:42 pm EDT
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| Part One - Chapter Four: I'll Always Be Your Friend | Entry #521200 |
Chapter Four
August - 1974
Kathy walked me to Benji’s to make sure they were there. Benji greeted us at the back door. She shared a room with her sisters; there was only one bed so we made a pallet next to it on the floor. We talked most of the night, then fell asleep.
I awoke once to see Benji step over me, and I saw her brother in the room.
“Shh,” he whispered, his tone hateful. “Hurry up. Come on.”
I curled up and went back to sleep. I don’t know how long Benji was gone, but she woke me crying. I reached over to comfort her. I thought maybe she had a nightmare.
“Why are you crying?” I put my hand on her shoulder.
“My stomach hurts real bad, Lisa. I think I’m going to throw up.”
We went to the bathroom where Benji leaned over the toilet and vomited.
“Please don’t tell anybody, okay?” Benji asked.
“Tell what, Benji? What's wrong?” I asked.
“Brian,” she whispered.
Then I saw it. “Benji, there's blood on your underwear."
Benji looked. The blood trickled down her legs and she began to sob. “I'm scared, Lisa. He really hurt me this time.”
I remembered the talks I had with Kathy. “Benji, let’s tell your mom.”
Then, Benji said. “I did, Lisa. I told my Mom before. She said for me to shut my mouth or she would send me to a home if I said things like that again.”
I was confused, but Benji continued, “My mom says we need the money my brother gives her from his job right now.”
I never saw much of Benji’s mom. When I did she smelled of liquor and never said much.
Benji stopped and looked at me, her face pale. “Lisa, please help me. You don't think I'm going to die do you? I've never bled this much before." She covered her face with her hands to silence her sobs and sank to the bathroom floor.
I sat beside her. “I won't let you die, Benji. I'll take care of you."
She leaned her head on my shoulder and curled as close to me as she could. I wrapped my arms around her and rocked her gently.
She repeated, “Please don’t tell anyone, Lisa."
“I won't, Benji. I won't say anything. I promise.”
I got a towel and cleaned the blood from the floor. Benji removed her underwear and buried it in the trash. She took the towel from me, used it to wash the blood from her legs, then hid it in the cabinet below the sink.
We quietly went back to the bedroom and held each other until we fell asleep, exhausted.
We met the church bus the next morning. Somehow none of it seemed to be as exciting anymore. Benji acted like that day on the playground, crying and quiet. You could see the hurt in her eyes. We sat near the back of the bus. Benji stared out the window as we rode to the church.
I held her hand and said, “Benji, I’ll always be your friend. Thank you for being mine.”
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© Copyright 2008 L. A. Powell (UN: lisapowell at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
L. A. Powell has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
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Content Rating Notice: Recommended for Readers 18 Years and Older Only
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