Chapter Nine

When Jessica got to the Costa she thanked Dean for the ride and promised him she'd call if she needed a ride home. She grew more nervous as she approached room 314. She didn't know why but she was hesitant to knock. She felt like turning around and leaving but something was telling her not to. She instead she switched off her cell phone and knocked on the door. Randy opened it almost immediately and with a smile. He moved aside and motioned her to come into the room, which she did with a nervous smile.

"Hey, sit down. Do you want anything?" Randy asked.

"No, I'm find thanks." Jessica said sitting down on one of the hotel chairs. Randy sat beside her and they both sat in silence for what felt like hours. Finally Randy broke it.

"So, Jessica. I expect you're probably wondering why I asked you to meet me and most of all why I asked you to meet me here, away from Dave?"

"Yeah, I kinda understand why it's away from Dave though. I mean, why would I meet you if he was here or near you or whatever."

"Yeah, and the fact that I wanted actually I want you to trust me. I know you don't know me and I don't know you all the well, but when I saw you that night in the bar, and how you reacted to Dave being there and just, everything I guess my heart went out to you. I haven't nor would I ever want to be in that situation or have to have gone through any of it, but I really want to find out about you, if you'll let me that is." Randy smiled.

Jessica smiled "I'd like that. Well, I guess I could answer questions, or tell you my life's story." She laughed feeling more relaxed now.

"I know basics. But you can tell me what happened after Dave left.."

"Ok, well I got up the next day and had to act like everything was normal. It hurt me because my mom wouldn't talk to me about him. If I mentioned his name she'd walk away or change the subject. I guess to her I was just a dumb kid who couldn't understand anything about the situation. I kept quiet for a few days and Clive, my step dad just...hated me more then ever because I was doing everything in my power to keep the kids quiet so they wouldn't get smacked. Once, I cleaned the whole kitchen and he still hit me. He said I didn't pass the Clive test. I was nine. After that everytime I protected my sisters and brother from him, he'd get mad at me for causing all the trouble. I'd get daily whoopings. I had to grow up fast and as the years went by I realised Dave wasn't coming back for me after all, so I just got on with my life. But I suffered in school and at home when I kept having flashbacks and dreams that would wake me up. When I was thirteen, Clive and my mom decided I should be making money for the family..so one night my mom dressed me up and Clive took me to his local bar and .."

Tears started falling from Jessica's eyes but she didn't stop. She did however feel Randy's hand slip around hers.

"So this guy tries to force himself on me. I knew right then what they were making me do was wrong. I was lucky, Dave had taught me self defence so I used it and ran the hell outta there. After that I stayed with my best friends. My mom told them that I needed to be somewhere quiet so I could do well in school. The truth was, Clive would have killed me and she was scared. Instead he took it out on her. One night when I was fourteen my mom called and told me Clive was dead. He'd gotten into a bar fight and someone stabbed him. It's horrible to say but when I heard those words, I smiled and felt relief and happiness. I went home and lived and helped my mom and she was so happy. My mom got three jobs and I helped out by making sure the kids were home on time, had their homework done, I cooked and made sure they went to bed. Then cleaned the house before doing my own homework and then sleeping. When I turned sixteen, I got the bar job and that's where I am now."

She looked at Randy and saw he had tears in his own eyes.

"I...I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that." He said as a tear slid down his cheek.

"Don't be sorry. It wasn't you."

"But still.." Randy said getting up and kneeling in front of her.

"I feel like I know you now. I want to help if you'll let me."

Jessica smiled. "I'd like nothing else."

Randy smiled back and leaned in very slowly. Jesse felt his lips meet hers and everything slipped away as she got lost in Randy's tender kiss.