Daylight Matters
Author's Note: The next morning
Jessie and her mother Bertha had had to make their own way for much of Jessie's life. Recently however, Bertha had a new boyfriend, a pleasant and thoughtful mature man named Guy. Guy considered himself a great philosophiser and certainly knew how to make the best of any predicament. Recently, he and Bertha had been in a car crash, resulting in Bertha sustaining a broken leg and Guy two broken arms. Guy blamed himself and so did Bertha. At this moment, Guy was trying to raise her spirits by explaining a football metaphor.
"It's not a matter of life and death, it's more important," he quoted. "That's what the coach said. Everyone is a critic – all those critics will take the players to pieces if they fail just once and no one is a forgiver. The world needs more forgivers, don't you agree Bertha."
"Mm?" said Bertha, turning over her newspaper.
"That football coach was not a forgiver," said Guy.
"I feel sorry for the poor players," said Bertha.
"Don't you think you should be a forgiver – not a critic like that coach?" said Guy.
Bertha sighed. "Guy, could you please stop talking about the crash I don't want to reminisce about it. Now where is Jessie? She should have been in hours ago, it's nearly seven in the morning for goodness sake!"
"Jessie will be in her room," said Guy. "She's responsible, like her mother."
"I don't know, sometimes I feel like I can't connect with my daughter," said Bertha. "I don't believe she has come in. You must back me up Guy. She and Jimmy are far too secretive. I don't like that they should be up to something and keeping it from us all the time. If she's not back in ten minutes, I'll call the police."
"It's good for a young lady to have a sweetheart," said Guy. "You should be proud of your daughter Berthy. And Jimmy seems like a decent kid. She has done well to land him. There's no need to fly off the handle and call the police. How about I give you a back massage to ease your tension?"
"With which set of hands?" Asked Bertha?
At that moment the sound of the door could be heard. "Jessie? Is that you? Where on Earth have you been young lady?" called Bertha.
"Yes it's me. I've – um – been in my room," said Jessie.
"I know full well you've just come in!" said Bertha.
"Don't call her a liar Bertha," interjected Guy. "Always guilty until proven innocent with you." Bertha frowned. Because Jessie was her daughter and not Guy's, Guy seemed to think all the discipline should be left to her whilst he be adored as something like a kindly uncle. "Get in here Jessie!" snapped Bertha.
"Honestly Bertha, the girl needs her sleep," said Guy reproachfully.
Jessie entered the room. She looked a real wreck. Pale and dishevelled like she had hardly slept and her face had a haggard look. There were dark circles around her eyes.
"How could you keep me up all night worrying about you young lady?" demanded Bertha.
"Listen," said Jessie, her voice distinctly strained. "Last night was crazy and I did something terrible so – so I just need my sleep OK?" Her bottom lip trembled and turned to the door.
"Get back here Jessie!" ordered Bertha.
"Are you going to run after me?" said Jessie irritably and left the room.
"She's being so insolent!" said Bertha in frustration.
"Shall I get you some coffee Bertha, you're in one Hell of a mood," said Guy.
Bertha picked up a heavy water jug and threw it at the wall. "Get down here now!" she yelled.
"Honestly, throwing projectiles?" said Guy disapproving.
"It's not as though you're doing anything," said Bertha.
Jessie entered the room again, now in her blue pyjamas with pink rabbits. "What now?" she asked.
"You've had a chance to rest, now out with it!" said Bertha.
Jessie began to speak, but then put a hand over her mouth and rushed out of the room. Bertha and Guy heard the sound of retching.
"I think she has a stomach bug," said Guy gravely.
"More likely she's drunk out of her skull still, the morning after," said Bertha. "Unless she's pregnant and she'd better not be. I don't want her making my mistakes." Bertha gave a sigh and then called in a softer voice. "Jessie, you can come here now. I'm sorry I yelled, but I was frustrated that you lied. If something is wrong then you have to let us help."
"I'll get her a cold drink," said Guy. "Hold on, which set of hands do I use?"
Jessie entered, looking a real mess. "Oh darling you look awful," said Bertha.
"I'm an awful person," said Jessie in a trembling voice.
"Not true, you're just having a tough time," said Guy. "But you've got to be a bounce backer, that's what you need."
"Why are you an awful person? You're not an awful person," said Bertha.
"I messed up… very badly," said Jessie.
"Couldn't have been that bad," said Guy.
"Quiet Guy don't minimalise it," said Bertha. "What did you do Jessie?"
"I think I-" Jessie faltered.
"You think you…?" Pressed Bertha?
"I think I raped Jimmy," said Jessie in a rush.
Author's Note: How should they react?
