~Maria's POV~
I take a deep breath and begin my story.
"I met James when I was , and we got married a year later. He didn't start..." I trail off, unable to admit what he's been doing. George nods, indicating he knows what I mean. I clear my throat and continue. "Until about a month after we were wed. He came home drunk one night, going on about some jerk at the bar he was at. When I tried to interrupt to comfort him, he... he backhanded me. I got mad and asked him why he did that, and he told me it was because he could, and he hit me again." My voice breaks and I tuck my hair behind my ear, a nervous habit I'd been trying to stop since he started hitting my face. Unfortunately, in doing so, I revealed one of my fresh bruises from yesterday and a smaller, older one from the night before last. "From there, it's only escalated. These past few weeks, he's been... he's been..." I can't bring myself to say it. My poor Susan. My poor, poor little girl.
"He's been hitting her daughter..." Peggy fills in for me, softly, but I can hear the anger in her voice. George watched me cry silently, a skill I had acquired in my time with James, for a few moments before replying. I almost stopped him, expecting the words would be "I'm sorry", and I didn't want pity. But when what comes out of his mouth aren't those words, I let him talk.
"Did you wonder why I didn't insist on walking you home that day?" He asks. I simply nod, unable to trust my voice. "I've been there. I had an abusive wife, but that was because she was over-possessive of me... obsessed with me. She would put me in pain because it pleasured her, brand me so I could be hers." He held out one hand, where a ring-shaped burn scar was. My breath caught, and I manage to utter out something.
"He-he doesn't like to permanently marked me... the only scars I have from him are accidents or drunk desicions." I shudder, absentmindedly touching the one on my side. He watches my every action closely, but I'm too lost in my own thoughts to care. Silently, he stands up and comes to my side of the table, wrapping me in his arms. I flinch at first, obviously not used to such kindness from someone with a body build so similar to James's, but I can't help but melt into his strong arms. He holds me, and just knowing that he understands me brings me a sense of comfort I haven't had in a while. So many practically new things... its nearly overwhelming. I think he can sense it, because he backs off, saying quietly:
"You probably need to get home." I nod, but Peggy shakes her head.
"We still haven't gotten groceries. I'll get those, and you two can talk while I'm gone. When I'm done, I'll swing by here and pick you up." George nods in agreement and looks to me. I surprise myself by joining them in thier decision.
"Thanks, Pegs..." I mumble, and she hugs me before leaving. George and I sit in silence, although not at all awkward.
"I may understand to an extent..." George begins, and I look in his direction but still not into his eyes. I don't look at people's eyes much anymore, either for fear that they'll see my pain, or that they, like James would, would think I was threatening them. George, however, doesn't seem to assume that as he tilts my chin up so he can see my eyes. We stay like that, silence hanging in the air between us before he continues. "But I don't understand completely. My wife loved me, James doesn't live you. You have a daughter, we didn't." I nod in agreement with his statement, wondering where he's going with it. "And you don't understand me completely." Again, I nod. He pauses, thinking. "But am I correct in assuming I understand you more than anyone else you've known?"
I think back to a dark, dreary time. After James had started hitting me and before Peggy found out. I had felt alone, helpless. I needed someone, anyone to help me. Luckily, Peggy came to my aid just as I had been considering getting help from the nation's secretary-treasurer.
"Yes..." I whisper coarsely in response, fixing my hair to hide the bruises I'd just realized were showing. I glance up at George to see if he had noticed. He didn't show any signs, but who knows?
"Maria..." He begins. I look into his eyes for the first time. I normally avoid looking in people's eyes but something about his voice and use of my name makes me. His eyes are a bright green, something stranger than I've ever seen. His nose turns upward slightly, that combined with his shaped lips giving his face a slightly feminine look. His eyebrows are currently pressed together in thought and concern, but I can see the scar in the corner of one of them. I wonder just how many scars he has... "Do you trust me? Be honest." My eyes fall away from his face to my scarred wrists, a habit I have to remind myself of that time when I was alone. To remind myself not to trust anyone unless they earn it. Has he earned it? I want to trust him... but there's no telling what his true intentions are. He could be just another James... or... he could be another Peggy. I spend at least two minutes in silence, thinking, as George waits patiently. Despite all he's done, despite how kind he seems...
I shake my head. I can't trust him, not yet. It will only hurt me, I can't do it. I can't bear to look at his face, not now. I don't know whether he's hurt or not by me not trusting him, but I'm not I want to know.
I feel a gentle hand lifting up my chin, and suddenly his green eyes are looking into my tear-filled ones. The soft look in his eyes only makes me want to cry more, but I can't. Crying is for the weak. I can't be weak, not now. He gently wipes a fallen tear from my cheek and whispers:
"I understand." And then he hugs me, a gentle gesture that warms me. But I still don't let myself relax. I can't. I can't trust him, I can't be weak, no matter how much I want to. He doesn't let me go until Peggy drives up to get me. George gently kisses my hand and I climb into the car, not looking back. I can't. If I do, I'll fall apart. I can't do that. I can't. I can't. I can't. I bury my face in my hands, ignoring Peggy's probing looks. I don't want to go home. But I have to. I can't stay away. I can't. I can't. I can't. I can't. There's so much I can't do. Why am I so helpless?! Why can't I do anything? What is wrong with me! No one can help me... I'll never get out. I am helpless...
Helllloo, title reference!! So yeah, please let me know what you think. I know I've only gotten a couple reviews so far, but thank you for those! It's good to know that at least two people enjoy this and want more... sorry for typos also, I'm doing my best to keep them away. I'll appreciate absolutely any reviews, good or bad, so please please PLEASE leave them. Also, it would be great to know what you guys think should happen next and I may listen to it!! Thank you guys!