Page 31 of Finessed By A Hood White Boy

There was a mirror a few feet away from me but I refused to walk near it. Instead, I searched for my keys and my phone. There was broken glass and shit thrown everywhere. My phone was on the floor beside the couch and I ended up finding my keys underneath the coffee table. All the searching I did wore me out. Once I had what I needed, I headed out without looking back.

As I drove, I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Hell, I didn’t even know where I was going. I knew I should’ve been going straight to the hospital, but I didn’t want to speak to the police. My biggest fear was for them to be involved along with social services. I couldn’t go to my parents. I damn sure couldn’t go to my brother or sister. As I sat at a stop light, I dialed one person who I felt could help me. The phone call lasted one minute and twelve seconds before I ended it. A message chimed through on my phone with an address. I typed it into my GPS, and it said I would arrive at my destination in thirty-five minutes.

When I pulled up outside, I sat still for a moment to gather my thoughts and emotions. At the front door, I took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.

“Hey…” Julia’s words trailed off.

Her initial smile turned into an expression of horror.

“Oh, Ava!” Her hand covered her mouth. “Oh my god, girl! What happened? Come here.” She immediately guided me inside her home.

“I’m so sorry for reaching out so late.” I managed to say.

“No, no, it’s okay. Who did this to you? You need to go to the hospital. Yea, let me get you to the hospital.” She tried to rush off, but I stopped her.

“No,”

“Ava…” she frowned.

“I’m fine. I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not.” She shook her head.

She led me to her couch, and we both took a seat. Julia had concern written all over her face.

“I need to take you to the hospital.”

“No,” I groaned. “I can’t right now.”

She looked like she wanted to argue. Instead she nodded as her eyes searched over my appearance.

“Okay, well…at least let me have our family doctor come by to take a look at you. You need to be checked out.”

I sat quietly, then nodded in agreement.

“Other than the doctor, please keep this between us.” I begged.

“I won’t tell a soul, I promise.” She now had tears in her eyes.

Julia reached over toward me, and gently wrapped her arms around me with a gentle hug. Despite how I felt, I truly needed it.

“I’m going to make a phone call. I’ll be right back.”

I waited patiently for five minutes before she came back.

“Here, take this, it’ll help with the pain.” She stood in front of me with a bottle of water and a white pill.

“Brian is on the way over. I’m going to help you get out of this dress and clean up before he gets here. Is that okay?” She asked softly.

“Yeah,” my voice was low.

She gave my battered face and body another quick glance before helping me stand to my feet. I followed her down a hallway and into a bedroom. We went into the bathroom connected which was damn near the same size as the room. I watched her grab a towel, washcloth, and something for me to change into. She sat everything on the sink counter before focusing back on me.

“We should take pictures before you get in the shower.” She suggested.

My mind was all over the place, I hadn’t even thought about taking pictures.

“My screen is cracked.”