I wasn't sure if I was prepared to do this but I was going to. I took another deep breath watching Jesse watch me. I nodded my head telling them more or less I was ready. Dom stopped pacing and sat down in one of the chairs, while Jesse gripped my wrist.
"It started, oh... I don't know maybe a year or two ago," I started. "It was after school one day after I'd gotten out of the hospital and mom had died. I came inside and was met with a slap in the face. I wasn't expecting it so I stumbled backwards and fell over a crate. When I looked up there he was, my father standing over me. I wasn't sure what was going on until he started saying things, things that he never would have said such as that it was my fault she died and things like that. He pulled me up by my hair and threw me into the coffee table. That's where the bruise came from when I told you I fell down the steps that one year." I said, pausing and looking at Jesse.
He nodded and I continued. "After that I learned to deal with it and not tell or show any sign of being injured. It wasn't that often at first, seeing as it started when I was 18. Then it got more and more frequent and the beatings got worse. Then he laid off again. It was like waves kind of. Anyway I hid it from you, all of you. I couldn't let anyone see I mean what would that do? Nothing except get him through in jail and I'm not sure about that yet. He's gone a lot now; its just when he comes home that it happens. That's when I have to hide it. I wasn't really expecting him home last night until I saw his car in the driveway. So I was trying to be quiet when I entered the house but I tripped over a shoe and well... I ended up like this. All I remember is being thrown into the edge of the table."
I finished looking at my hands.
Everyone was quiet for a few minutes then Jesse spoke up. "I'm gonna go get some fresh air." He said pushing himself up from the floor beside me.
"Don't you dare walk away from her!" Dom said standing up.
"I need to think…things through." Jesse replied opening the door and walking out through the back to the garage. Dom followed. I could tell he was mad. I mentally cursed myself knowing I shouldn't have even said anything. Tears started running down my cheeks but I quickly wiped them away.
"Come on Lexi you can stay in my room." Mia said standing up and coming over to me.
I shook my head. "I'm going to go home." I said, slowly standing up.
"What?! Girl, you must think we're insane!" Vince said.
I shook my head once again. "I'll be fine and I-I- I'm just going to leave Jesse alone for awhile." With that I hobbled out the door to my car. When I entered the house I stopped as soon as I saw the kitchen light on. He can't be home… no this isn't what he does. He beats me then takes off for awhile. I gathered my courage and entered the kitchen quietly. There he was. He wasn't supposed to be though. I was confused.
"There you are." He said standing up and walking over to me.
"What...I mean, why are you here?" I asked quietly.
"This is my house isn't it?" He said coming even closer to me.
"Y-y-yea it is..." I stuttered.
"Scared?" He asked. By now he was right next to me.
"No." I replied trying to sound brave. I wasn't and I didn't.
He laughed. "Right." He shoved me into the wall and as I slid down it he grabbed me by the hair and yanked me up. Tears were running down my face but I was determined not to make a sound. He dropped my hair and grabbed me by the arm throwing me once again into the table. I slid down is and curled up in a ball. As he kicked me I could hear something crack. I knew this couldn't be good, I mean you aren't supposed to put pressure on broken ribs.
I don't know what happened after that; all I heard was a jumble of words and then my world went black...