Abuse Reactions

Chapter 12-The Truth Comes Out

Seymour's POV

Today Audrey wasn't at work. Mr. Mushnik said she was sick but I had a sneaking suspiscion that her reason had something to do with Orin's abuse. Right after we closed up shop for the day I ran right next door to Audrey's apartment and knocked on the door.

She answered right away. She looked tired. I wondered if she'd slept at all the night before.

"Hi Seymour."

"Hey. You weren't at work today I figured I'd come by to check up on ya, Mr. Mushnik and I are both really worried about you."

Audrey smiled " Both of you are so thoughtful. Come on in."

She ushered me inside

"Do you want anything to drink?"

"Water's fine, thanks"

"I'll get that for ya. Take a seat."

I sat in the easy chair that was facing the couch. Audrey came back in a moment with my water and then took a seat on the couch.

"You look horrible." I observed

"Yeah I barely slept last night after my fight with Orin last night. That's why I didn't come in today. I needed to get my thoughts together and didn't think I would be in the right mind to be able to focus on serving the customers."

"What happened?"

"Oh the usual. Same verbal slurs The physical violence just keeps getting worse." She indicated a fresh bruise located above her right eye.

"This baffles me Audrey."

"What does Seymour?"

"Why you're still with Orin if you know he treats you so poorly."

"He's the only fellla I got. No other guys on Skid Row are good enough for me."

My face burned. I was so infuriated with Orin for the way he was ruining Audrey's self-esteem.

"Audrey, Did you get me letter?"

Audrey smiled "Yes, I did. Thank you Seymour. I really appreciate it."

"Did you know I meant what I said at the end when I said that I love you?"

Audrey blushed.. clearly embarrassed about something.

"Yes. Truth is Seymour, I really like you a lot too. I've been afraid to say anything to you though."

The flame lessened from my cheeks and I broke into a smile.

"Why?"

"Fear you wouldn't feel the same and what Orin's reaction would be if he found out I had feelings for someone else."

I breathed a sigh of relief. I too had been worried that Audrey didn't feel the same way. No w I knew I had nothing to worry about.

I got up from the chair,moved over to the couch and let Audrey lean in against me.

"I'm glad we have our feelings for each other out in the open. It's good to be on the same page."

"Seymour, I'm scared."

"What makes you the most scared?"

"The fact that I moved away from home to get away from this kind of situation.. I was sick of being the victim.. now the cycle is repeating itself. I've never been so unhappy."

I felt moisture on my sleeve and knew right away that she was crying.

"I reached in to my shirt pocket and grabbed a tissue

"Audrey, please don't cry."

It was too late for her to control her tears so all I could to was take her in my arms and hold her tight,

"Audrey, why don't you just break up with him?"

"As I just said I am so afraid of how he'd react.. the violence could get worse then it is right now."

"Audrey, you're only torturing yourself by staying in this relationship. I hate seeing you suffer like this."

We sat in silence.

Silence is golden though. That' s all we really needed to signify that we were meant to be together.