“Stay here, okay?” I plead with him, looking over my shoulder. “I am begging you, Soma. Do not follow me.” I can’t see him anymore—we’ve rounded the corner.
Once I’m dragged to the middle of the lot where his Corolla sits, Dad throws me against the trunk.
“Speak. Where have you been?” I pick myself up from where I’m hunched over against the car.
“Felix’s house.” He shoves my shoulder.
“Then who’s that? Huh?”
“No one,” I rush. “A friend.” He stares at me for a moment, then before I can blink, he slaps me across the face. I taste blood but I don’t fall.
“A friend? I saw him holding your hand,Ravi. Should I go ask him myself?”
“No! Please don’t.” I wipe my mouth with my hand. “He’s more than a friend.”
“Then what?” He wants me to say it. Wants me to claim the word so he can beat it back out of me. I know it with every terrified fiber of my being. But if it’s that or him approaching Soma, then I’ll confess.
“Boyfriend. He’s my boyfriend.” I don’t know how I end up on the ground, but he has me by the front of the shirt and he’s punching—one after the other. I hear different slurs, insults,threats, but all I can think is that Soma won’t be on the receiving end. He starts to kick me. And then, as if my life isn’t already bad enough, the sacrifice becomes pointless.
“Ravi! Hey, get your fucking hands off of him!” Soma runs up on us. He sees me bloody on the ground, my father decorated in it.
“Yeah? What are you going to do about it, pansy?” Ronnie growls, kicking me square in the chest. A gust of air leaves me as I curl into a ball.
Soma is on him in a second, getting a good punch in, landing it on his nose.
“You bitch!” Ronnie screams, grabbing Soma up by the collar and punching him once, then twice. I’m crying, screaming—or maybe not. I’m slowly finding a way off the ground. Soma is putting up a good fight, exchanging blows back and forth.
“Stop! Please Dad! I’ll do anything. I’ll come home! Please just leave him alone.” He doesn’t hear my cries—he doesn’t even remember I’m here.
A random shopper walking to her car gasps and runs back toward the store, abandoning her full shopping cart. This gets Dad's attention. He shoves Soma away and turns back to me.
“You better be ready the next time I find you, Benjamin. And from now on, I’ll be looking.” With that promise, he gets in his car and peels out.
My blood is all over the asphalt, all over my clothes. Soma is sitting on the ground where Dad had shoved him off, staring at the asphalt, eyes wide. He doesn’t look too bad, all things considered. His nose is bleeding and I think there's a bruise forming on his jaw. But it seems like he blocked pretty well.He didn’t just roll over and take it. I sit in front of him.
“I’m so sorry.” I cry, staring at him, hoping he understands. I should have told him sooner.
“Who… who was that?” He looks so far removed from the conversation. Like he’s protecting himself—like he’s scared. I try to hold his hand, but he jerks it away.
“My dad. He’s… remember when I was mugged in January?" His eyes widen. “I wasn’t mugged. My dad… My dad caught me when I was home and, well, you saw it for yourself. That’s why I basically live with Felix.” Soma won’t look at me—he’s not even wiping his own blood as it drips onto his hands.
“I… why didn’t you tell me? Where is your mom during all of this?” He’s angry now. With me or my circumstances I don't know.
“Dead.”
“Oh my God.” He covers his face with his hands. “Benjamin, I… I think I need to go home.”
“Okay, let’s—”
“No,Ineed to go home.” He finally looks at me. Anger and fear swirl in his eyes. He even looks a bit betrayed.
“What?” I whisper.
“I’ll call you. I just… need to process this. Go to Felix so he can help clean you up and be there for you so you’re not alone.” Soma stands, wiping his blood on his jeans. “I’ll take you to—”
“No. No, it’s okay. I want to walk—it’s super close anyway.” He nods, staring at his shoes. “Soma, I… please don’t hate me.” His eyes find mine again and he shakes his head softly.
“None of this is your fault. Although I am hurt you didn’t tell me two major life problems you have. I just need time. I need to process, and I can’t help you through this at the same time. I’ll call you, Benjamin.” He turns on his heel and walks across the parking lot.
