Title: Cuts Like A Knife
Author: Stress
First written: May 12, 2002
Edited and replaced: January 21, 2005
Summary: Part I of the Soul Mates Series; She thought that life couldn't get any better. She had friends and a family that loved her – she was taken care of and had no complaints. But that was before he came into her life. And, no matter how hard she tries to escape his grasp, he'll never let her go.
Four hours later
After her brief conversation with Mrs. O'Connor, Grace went back to her post at Jess's bedside, waiting for her to regain consciousness. She was kind of nervous to see Jess's reaction at the news that she had slept long past the time to sell the morning edition. She didn't think Jess would be too happy.
Grace's thoughts were interrupted when she felt Jess move around, rustling her sheets. Slowly but surely she awoke.
"Grace, hi. What are you doing?" Jess asked as she gently put her hand to her head. Even after sleeping for over twelve hours, the pain in Jess's head had not subsided in the least. If anything it was worse because she felt stiff all over and she could barely open her right eye; The right eye, the black eye, was so swollen it was only opened about one-third of the way. The left eye shut itself as the sunlight that was pouring in through the window. "Grace, why is the sun shining in me eyes? What time is it?" she shrieked as she tried to sit up in bed.
Grace firmly pushed her back so that she was laying in her bed. "Jess, now, don't worry. It's only about ten o'clock. You've been sleeping for awhile," she noted gently, trying to calm her down.
But Jess didn't want to be calmed down. "You don't understand! You don't understand! I got to go sell papes or else!!"
Grace caught her "or else" and jumped on it. "Or else what? Does it got anything to do with your attack yesterday?"
Jess stumbled at first but regained her composure. "Ye--No, no, not at all. I just... need to go sell papes. What will the O'Connor's say?"
Mrs. O'Connor, who was lurking by the doorway, took that moment to enter the room. "I say that you are too hurt to be going anywhere right now, Jess. Do you want me to call a doctor for you, dear?"
Jess flushed and quickly lowered her voice. "Of course not, Mrs. O'Connor. I'm good. Thick head, you know," she forced out a giggle as her mind raced. "Rip is going to kill me! If I'm not there when Rip comes for me, I'm dead!" Her breathing became forced when she could no longer control her panic. "If he did this to me when he thinks I did something bad, I could only imagine what he would do if I don't show up tonight."
Grace and Mrs. O'Connor exchanged a look when they saw the difficulty Jess was having keeping her phony smile on her face. "Jess, why don't you just go back to sleep? You look like you need more rest," Mrs. O'Connor suggested as she walked over to the windows and pulled a curtain in front.
Jess tried to shake her head but found she was unable. Struggling to sit up and get out of bed, Jess looked up at Grace pleadingly. "I feel much better. Maybe a walk would help me not feel as sore, anyways."
Grace just shook her head. "Naw, Jess. I think that you shouldn't get out of bed until at least tomorrow."
Jess looked over at Mrs. O'Connor. "Please, Mrs. O'Connor. If I'm a good girl and stay in bed for a few more hours, can I go out tonight?" Jess knew she sounded incredibly desperate but it seriously was a matter of life and death. At least it was to her.
Seeing how much it meant to her, it broke Mrs. O'Connor's heart to even think of saying no. But that's what she did. "I'm sorry, Jess, but I happen to agree with Grace. Maybe tomorrow, O.K.? Get some rest, dear," she said as she leaned over and gave Jess a quick hug.
"Rest, schmest. I'm going and no one is going to stop me," Jess vowed as she shut her eyes and pretended to go to sleep. All she needed was an opening and she was gone. "I don't never want to give Rip another reason for doing that to me again!"