Dylan zipped his pants up and maneuvered over to the driver’s side. I sat frozen in my seat my brain couldn’t process what had just happened. I didn’t know what to do now. Silence filled the car as he revved the engine and drove me home. I closed my legs and turned away from him. The city lights blurred outside the window and my brain attached onto the color of the lights as my heart refused to deal with what he had just done to me. An hour later we pulled up to my house. Dylan put the car in park and reached over for me. Without thinking I flinched and shut my eyes tight.
“I hope what happened at the restaurant never happens again. This was all your fault, but I can forgive you if you promise never to do that to me again,” Dylan said.
I opened my eyes as his hand wrapped around mine. His words are only the nail in the coffin. It’s at this very moment that I realized Dylan doesn’t feel any remorse for what he did to me. He doesn’t regret it and he doesn’t show even the slightest bit of remorse for what his actions could have done to me.
The lump in my throat is too large to swallow. My entire body feels ice cold. The only thing I can think of right now is a shower. I needed hot water on my skin to wash everything away. Movement outside the car drew our attention.
Mom ran toward us with a scowl on her face. I felt an anger bubbling up inside of me. Not once in her life has she protected me. Watching her run down here like she’s the best mom in the world pissed me off. Dylan said nothing as he rolled down the window.
My mom looked at me first and then looked at Dylan. I could practically see the anger melt off of her face. Confusion turned into recognition as she realized who Dylan was. I shouldn’t have been shocked but seeing how easily her attitude changed pissed me off. Dylan flashed mt mom a smile and she swooned.
“Thank you for bringing her back safely, sir,” my mom said.
Sir?
Sir?
Goddess!
She bowed her head respectfully. I look at her as if she’s crazy. I want to scream at her not to bow to him. I want to ask her if she knows what he did to me. I want to scream and cry and blame her, but I don’t. I know its not her fault. I know that I’m the only who is to blame for what happened. She lifted her head and looked to me. Her eyes searched my face, her eyes widened and I looked away from her.
“Of course. Thank you for being so understanding about her coming home late. I took her to dinner. I apologize that it took so long for me to meet you,” Dylan said.
“You guys know each other?” I asked. They both ignore me.
“No problem. Thank you for bringing her home safely,” Mom said. “I’d invite you in for refreshments, but we weren’t expecting guests today.”
“Thank you, but there’s no need. I have to get back to the packhouse,” Dylan said.
“Enjoy the rest of your night, Al-sir,” Mom said.
She opened the door and I stepped out. He waved to us as she closed the door. I stood and watched as he reversed out of the driveway. Mom turned to face me and I could feel my moms gaze on me as she took in my appearance. Her eyes locked on my cheek. I don’t know what it looked like but by the way she’s watching me I’m going to guess it’s swollen. I refused to look at her even though she stayed by me. It was quiet for a few moments and I wished she would just go in.
“I fell,” I said.
The lie rolled off of my tongue so easily it surprised me. I don’t know whether she believes me or not, but what she thinks doesn’t matter to me. I turn from her and head inside. The sound of rushed footsteps behind me followed me into the house.
“Amia, Amia wait,” she called after me.
The worry was clear in her tone but I wouldn’t fall into her trap. I knew she didn’t really care and I wasn’t going to let myself believe I could trust her. My mother had long since lost my trust. I stop but don’t turn back to look at her. When she doesn’t say anything I took a step forward ready to be in the safety of the shower.
“Did he do that to you?” She asked. I scoffed.
“And what if he did? Are you going to do something about it?”
I can’t stop looking at the cheap wallpaper that’s falling apart. She doesn’t say a word and I shook my head. I can hear my heart beat speed up. I just want to be alone. I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I feel like I’m a house of straw. One more gust of wind and I’ll blow away in a million piece. When she speaks again, I’m thankful it isn’t about Dylan.
“He’s not happy with you after this morning,” she said, referring to Greg.
Great.
That’s awesome.
Get in line.
“You’re such a hypocrite. I don’t care about what makes Greg happy,” I said, boredom laced my voice.
“That’s not what I’m saying and you know that. He’s out with friends right now but when he gets back… make yourself scarce,” she whispered.
I have nothing left to say to her. I nodded my head and walked up the stairs. In my room, I grabbed my clothes for bed and take it with me to the shower. My head throbbed and I tripped over my feet as I tried to walked down the hall to the bathroom.