What has he done?

I sat at the same table we sat at few days ago. I can still see her smile and hear her laugh. I wonder how her grandfather was doing. I hoped the procedure went well. This had been a long two days. Janie was a good girl. She deserved someone who was a good man. I made the right decision. I need to move on. We only had three days left in port. I will wonder over to the Rusty Bucket and see who was around for some fun.

As I walked in, the smell of something familiar hit me. The smell of cotton candy. It was just like Janie's perfume. I'm imagining smells now. Earlier, I had followed a girl cause from behind I thought it was her.

"What up, Tom?"

" Smitty! Hey man. Not much. You want your usual? When you ship out?"

" Three days and then headed to the med cruise. I'll take a Bud. You looking for something?"

Tom opened my beer and handed it to me. Not really paying attention to me, he was looking around the room. Odd man. Very odd.

" hmm, a girl. She seemed lost and confused. I called a cab for her and there's her food. Maybe the cab came early. I got busy with Beach Barbie and Beach Ken and friends earlier. Maybe I missed her leave."

Well looked like to night was a bust. No one here either. I slowly slipped my beer. Wonder if she had made it back to the room by now. I could go check on her. As I was thinking about her, I caught sight of something that made my heart stop. It was Janie and some creep on her.

I didn't think. I just ran to him and pulled him off. He smirked at me and my fists started flying. I had no control and just wanted to hurt him. I punched him so hard he went thru the table behind him. Then I leapt on him and continued to punch him.

" Smitty, that's enough man. What the HELL! Oh my God, Smitty!"

Tom yelling at me broke me out of it. I turned to help Janie and ran to her lifeless body. Why was she here? Tom was leaning next to her with a towel wiping the blood from her lips and yelling for someone to call for help. I checked her pulse. She was breathing and had a pulse. She must of fainted.

"Janie. Wake up sweet girl. Im here. Please wake up." I was shaking her shoulders and when those beautiful eyes opened I let out my own breath that I didn't realize I was holding.

When Janie opened her eyes, I could see the fear in them and she pulled away from me. Like she was afraid of me. That hurt my heart. Then she started to cry and I just pulled her close to me. She was stiff as a board. Then she wrapped her arms around me, buried her head in my chest and within minutes, my shirt was wet from her tears.

"shhh, little one. I'll take you out of here and back to the room."

She didn't say a word as I picked her up in my arms and carried her out to my car. My mind was going a mile a minute and I just wanted to get her back to where she felt safe. After I got her in the car, I hurried back in. I paid her bill and mine and grabbed her purse.

The whole way back to the room, Janie stared out the window. She didn't answer my questions. She wasn't crying now. But seemed so sad and lost. We pulled up to her motel and I parked. I walked around to her side and helped her out. I let her in the room and stood at the door. I am the last person she will want with her now.

"Janie, can I call your Uncle? "

She shook her head no. I closed the door and looked into that beautiful face. Her make up was running down her cheeks. Her lips seemed swollen. Janie had her arms all around herself.

" I need a shower. " She headed to the bathroom and stopped. "Sam, please don't leave me." The tears started to fall as she looked at me.

I felt my world clasp as I looked at her. Someone hurt her and it's my fault.

" I won't leave until you ask me to go, baby."

" Thank you."

Janie closed the door behind her. I heard the shower come on. I sat down in the chair and waited for her. My guilt was unbearable.