Ten: Relief

                                    

                                          
Reese «
                          
"They hate just about anything I do. Me trying to explain or defend myself ends in things like that bruise. That one specifically is from her throwing a book," she said, before lifting her shirt...revealing more bruises. "These are from Wednesday night."
                          
My stomach turned, thinking of the hours I spent with her just that afternoon..and how I had no idea any of this was happening the second she got home.
                          
"I'm sorry Sierra.."
                          
"No it's all okay. Don't be sorry...I'm gonna be fine."
                          
"You've been saying that forever, Sierra. And I've always believed you-"
                          
"I mean it now. Your mom is a lot of help, and I'm going to be just fine, okay?"
                          
All these years I've known her. When I called her and got no answer, when I'd get mad at her because she couldn't hang out, when I'd notice something was weird..and not say anything. This was happening.
                          
"I'm sorry it's been this long..and nothing has ever been done."
                          
"Reese I said don't be sorry. Nothing could've been done because I didn't tell anyone." 
                          
No matter how much she convinced me that she was now out of harm's way..I couldn't shake this sick feeling.
                          
I didn't say anything. 
                          
"Don't think about it too much Reese." She said, embracing me in a hug. 
                          
"I won't..."
                          
"I hope you don't see me differently now."
                          
"Of course not Sierra..I just wish I would've known before. I feel like I could've helped-"
                          
"Don't worry about things that don't matter Reese. You're helping now by allowing me in your home."
                          
"How do you feel? Those bruises on your side..they look painful."
                          
"I feel okay. Just a little sore-"
                          
"My mom has some type of pain relief cream..for bruises and stuff." I told her, trying to assist her in absolutely anyway I was able to.
                          
"I don't know if I need that.."
                          
"I promise, it helps. During basketball season when I used to get bruised up, it was a lifesaver. I'd make my mom put it on me though, it would hurt too much for me to touch it."
                          
"Are you serous?" She laughed. 
                          
"Point is, the stuff works. I'll go get it for you, in the meantime, lay on your side."
                          
"Reese."
                          
"It's gonna hurt more as the days go on Sierra. Might as well treat it now."
                          
"I have no problem treating it, but unlike you, I can apply it myself."
                          
Sierra «
                          
"Fuck." I winced in pain, trying to rub the medicine onto the bruised side of my body.
                          
"I told you, it's not so easy to do yourself." 
                          
"I can do it, it's fine." I said thorough gritted teeth.
                          
"You can't. Lay down Sierra, let me do it."
                          
Annoyed, I complied— pulling my shirt up so the bruises were accessible.
                          
I noticed that rather than helping me with the application, he was just sitting there.
                          
"Helllooooo. Earth to Tyreese? I thought you were gonna do it."
                          
He mumbled something unintelligible.
                          
"Huh?" I said, turning around to look back at him.
                          
"Your...shirt...it's..."