Scars

Anger, Hate, Mortification, I felt everyone of them at that moment. I didnt know what to think or do. However, looking at the pain he was going through and had gone through, I couldn't find it in my hear to hate Jessie. Yes he may have been the one to rape me, to beat me, But it was not because he wanted to. He wasnt given a choice.

I leaned over grasping him by the hand. He looked up at me with puffy eyes and a bruised covered face.

" Parker , I'm so sorry. I know you hate me. I couldnt.....

" I dont hate you....

Jessie froze his eyes widened and his mouth hung open

" You did what you thought was right, you were trying to protect me. I dont want to imagine what they would have done to me had you not done it yourself."

" Parker.... I... cant forgive myself. I took something from you, you can never get back. I betrayed your trust".

" Would you have rathered watched them rape me? Watched as they beat me to death? "

" No... But.."

" There was nothing either of us could do at that moment. In time we will forget this. No I'm in no way happy about it. But, im truly lucky, I'm thankful it was you. I mean it. "

I got up slowly from the bed clutching the side. I was done talking I wanted to wash myself and be rid of what I could.

" Would you mind helping me to the bathroom, I want to clean up." I asked grabbing hold of the bed frame to balance myself.

" You want me to stay? Are you sure?" he pleaded reaching out to hold my arm and shoulder

" Yes Jess, I'm sure. Now are you gonna help me or not?" trying to move forward from the bed.

" Oh yes ..yes here hold on to my arm and walk slowly." he stammered as he extended his arms again for me to hold on to.

We hobbled our way slowly to the bathroom ,where Jessie sat me down on the toilet. Walking hurt but was getting easier the more I moved around. I wanted the filth and memory of last night off me. I watched from my seat as he started my bath water making sure it was not to hot. He was still covered in the mud and blood from the scene last night. Not paying attention I slowly undressed while his back was turned . " There , that should be warm enough but not so much to scald your sores" he spoke softly turning off the water and blushing as he turned around to see my nakedness . He whipped his head back around and fiddled with the water. I smirked at his innocence.

" Its fine, not much you haven't seen already, and I need your help to get in and out." I scooted to the tubs edge and slipped into the bath sliding all the way down till my head was half way submerged.

" Yeah but..."

I closed my eyes,letting out a deep pent up sigh, the hot water felt amazing. I tilted my head up to see what he was doing, he had his back to me. A gentleman to the last. I was close enough now to see the wounds on his back. The fabric of his shirt clung to the dried blood of several lacerations, he had large whelps and deep bruising. From what I could see, the lashes stretched from side to side. No doubt from the branch and tire iron. For such a fragile person he was stronger than he realized. Warm tears fell from my eyes, I was truly thankful for him and that we were both now safe. He needed comfort and reassurance as much as I did that we could get through this.

I poked him in his thigh and said,

" Get in"