Standing Up Again

Chapter 3-A Girl's Got to Stand Up For Herself

After Seymour finished tying the rose bouquets he went to the front of the store to make sure the front window display was neat. He couldn't really focus on his work though He was too worried about Audrey. Mr. Mushnik could sense this. After the store was closed for the day and Audrey had gone home, Mr. Mushnik opened the conversation for discussion.

"You seemed awfully distracted today boychick."

"I know sir. I'm just so worried about Audrey. It's unbearable."

Mr. Mushnik nodded. "I know Seymour, I'm worried about her too."

"Did you see how horrible she looked today?"

"Yes, I did. No amount of make up can cover up those bruises."

Seymour felt so much anger toward Orin. It was hard to believe that Audrey had such a hard time seeing what a monster he truly was.

"Why doesn't she just leave him?" Seymour made a suggestion that seemed to make the most amount of sense.

"Obviously he's instilled quite a bit of fear into her." Mr. Mushnik replied

'Yeah and man handled her self-esteem to the point of non-exisistance.' Seymour thought to himself.

"All I know Seymour is that you and Audrey can't let Audrey's personal life affect your work. The store will suffer if this happens."

'Yes, sir. I understand.

"Good night, Seymour."

"Good night Mr. Mushnik."

Mr. Mushnik left the store, locking the door behind him. Seymour headed downstairs to his basement apartment, his heart heavy with worry about Audrey and what he could possibly do to help her.

The next day the store did not open til 1:00pm Seymour woke up early and met Chiffon Crystal and Ronette for breakfast at 9:15 at Al Smederick's diner… their favorite hang out. Not soon after he got there they ordered their food. Seymour was thirsty ,hungry and sleep deprived.

"You don't look like you got much sleep last night, sugar." Chiffon said noticing the bags under Seymour's eyes.

Seymour nodded. "Your observation is correct. I didn't sleep at all last night. The reason why is because I am so worried about Audrey."

Ronette, who was sitting next to Seymour squeezed his hand tightly. "We are too Seymour."

"Look at how miserable she is… both physically and emotionally. I can't stand it. I wish there was some way we could help her other then suggesting that she leave him."

Crystal looked at a loss for words. "Orin is a chump. He treats Audrey like dirt. We warned her about him from day one .Didn't we Chiffon?"

Chiffon nodded. "Sure did. She didn't listen though. I really wish she had."

"The problem is Audrey doesn't know how to stand up for herself against Orin. " Seymour said

Ronette shook her head. "She said she's tried but nothing has been working."

"He totally man handles her self-esteem. It sickens me." Seymour said as he cut into his sausage with vengeance slicing it into tiny pieces then dipping it into the blob of ketchup on the side of his plate.

"Well the girl needs to try harder. A girl's got to stand up for herself! Especially against a maniac like Orin." Crystal said

The other three friends nodded in agreement.

"All four of us should make it a point to talk to her together." Seymour said. He glanced at his watch. "It's 10:20 now. I have less then 2 hours to kill before work."

"Do you think we should head over to her place now?" Crystal asked.

"Yeah, let's pay and get over there." Ronette said.

The four friends paid their bill and made a quick dash for Audrey's apartment.

Audrey answered the door and was surprised to see her friends. Seymour the most of all.

"Seymour, shouldn't you be working?"

"The store's not opening til 1:00 Audrey. Mr. Mushnik gave us the morning off remember?"

"Oh yeah, guess I kind of forgot. I wasn't completely focused yesterday."

"Yeah, I noticed." Seymour said.

"Audrey, can we come in? Chiffon said.

"Sure."Audrey opened the door and ushered her friends inside.

"Can I get you guys anything to drink?" Audrey asked

"No, we all just came from breakfast at Smederick's."

"Audrey , all four of us are really concerned about you," Seymour got straight to the point.

"Yeah, girl. We don't like the way that chump of a boyfriend is treating you." Chiffon said

A torrent of tears let loose from Audrey.

"You guys don't realize how much I appreciate your support. I've been feeling so alone."

"You can always talk to us about anything." Crystal said comfortingly.

The others nodded in unison.

"What's on your mind?" Seymour asked

"Well, ya see I really want to break it off with Orin but I just don't think I can do it." Audrey said. Her legs shaking against the couch at the very thought.

"Why not?" Chiffon asked.

"I'm scared he'll beat me up worse." Audrey said matter of factly

"Audrey, you have to be stronger for yourself. Don't you want to be a good role model for your sisters?" Crystal asked

"That's the thing. I really do want to be a good role model to my sisters. That's why I'm so afraid to call home and tell my dad about the abuse. I'm afraid admitting that will make me weaker…not stronger."

Ronette moved over to the couch and put a comforting arm around Audrey's shoulders.

"Your family will never give up on you and neither will any of us. We'll be strong for you but you also have to be a little bit stronger for yourself."

"How can I do that? I have no idea how to stand up to Orin."

Crystal looked her friend straight in the face.

"First of all you gotta tell that chump to stop pushing you around. If he doesn't, tell him you'll leave him."

"But how you can be sure he won't continue to beat me up if I do leave him?"

There was silence. None of them have considered this before.

"Audrey, think for a second. Do you really love Orin?" Ronette inquired.

"I used to but I'm not sure if I do anymore or if I can."

"Has he ever told you once that you're beautiful or that he loves you?

"Not that I can recall."

Seymour interjected. "Have you ever thought of committing suicide?

Audrey never thought anyone would ask her this. "Yes, a couple times."

"Do you realize how much the people who love you would miss you if you committed suicide?"

"You guys are the reason I want to live. Especially my sisters. I have to be strong for them."

Ronette took Audrey in her arms and stroked her hair "We wouldn't want to lose you either. That's why you have to figure out how to deal with this situation with Orin."

Audrey was shaking.

"Audrey, there's no reason to be scared." Crystal consoled. "We're all here for you and we'll help you get through this."

"You have to be stronger Audrey. For us, for your sisters… but especially for you." Seymour said.

"I know. I just get so afraid of how Orin would react if I told him I wanted to end the relationship."

"Would it help at all if one of us was with you for moral support?" Crystal suggested.

"Maybe. Though I don't think Orin would appreciate that too much."

"Who cares if he approves? We want to see first hand how he treats you. We've only really ever seen the aftermath." Seymour said indicating the bruise on her right cheek.

Audrey considered this for a second.

"I guess a little moral support can't hurt." Audrey said