Chapter Three: Tales of Unholy Endearment
"Watch your tongue, or have it cut from your head. Save your life by keeping whispers unsaid"- Hail to the King, Avenged Sevenfold
"But I know I must go on. Although I hurt I must be strong. Because inside I know that many feel this way"- Don't Stop Dancing, Creed
As Marie started to speak, she turned her back to me. Taking off her black bra for a moment, she showed me marks.
Deeply red marks. Marks that would never heal.
Seething inside with disappointment, I asked who had done it. She began.
"One thing you have to understand is that when I was younger, my life was peachy. Visits to the Grandparents, Playing on the swing set, eating Ice Cream on a warm summer day. All of it.
Me and May's Dad, Rod, is someone I will always respect. He is a gentlemen unbecoming of a world as cruel as this one. Unfortunately, until recently, he was not allowed to be around the either of us. You know how out of spite, some parents like to make up lies about their former lovers? Well, Dad had to spend 2 years in prison because Mom lied and said he molested me. And The Lemon Brook court system believed her.
Anyway, when I was six, almost going on seven, My Mom got together again with Lee's Dad, Butch. He was a police officer, having given twenty years of his life to protecting the community. At least, that was what I was always told. Nowadays, I don't know if I believe that or not.
Around the time I was seven, Butch used to beat us quite a lot. He never once molested me, Lee, or May, and for that I guess I thank him? I dun no. Anyway, nothing ever happened because most of Lemon Brook, including my Mom's family, believed we were getting tough love.
However, and I preface this by saying I don't know if there is a God or not, but there was a guardian angel always looking. You have never met her, but my cousin Cassidy, is not someone you piss off. Let me put it like this, just so were clear: Lee would hit you with a baseball bat, Cassidy would make sure you stayed in pain.
After these beatings and bullshit continued for a long time, including being an enemy and friend with you and moving here to Peach Creek in the meantime, Cassidy had enough when on my 14th birthday, Butch beat the shit out of me just because he could.
It was then that Marie asked me a question.
"Double D, What is family to you?"
I answered swiftly, partially because I wanted to hear the rest of the story, and partially because I knew the answer.
"Marie, to me, Family are the people in your life that stick by your side, that call you out when it needs to be done, and take care of you"
At this, Marie smiled at me. "Cupcake, you sure know what's what.
Anyway, that night, Cassidy basically told my Mom that if she didn't take me to the hospital, she would be in a ditch within the hour. Being the only person my Mom is scared of, Mom took me to the hospital, all the while threatening and attempting to manipulate May and Lee to not say anything.
However, you should know Lee well enough to know she won't put up with that, and told the Doctors and nurses everything. And the rest as they say, is History."
At this time, Marie suddenly looked down at her clothes. "Double D, would you like me to change? I know you may be uncomfortable, I just really wanted you to know what had happened"
"No Marie, you are fine. Now, I have a question for you. But first, I just wanted something simple. A hug."
Smiling softly at me, Marie dived at me like a professional wrestler spearing an opponent, and hugged me. We stayed like that for a while, and after a bit of that, I asked what I had thought for many years, if the reason her sisters were so amorous towards us in the past was because of Her "Mother".
"Yes it was Double D", She said, "Mom always taught us that we basically had to be sluts in order to get a guy. She emphasized that being really fricken sexual was the way to get a guy, ahem, turned on, and show interest in us.
But, she said, strocking my Black hair (I had hair under the hat the entire time, it just was really annoying to groom it), you taught me differently. I thank you for showing me that being a crush just isn't about being sexual or whatever, but it's about being respectful of the persons boundaries.
I just wish I could go back and slap myself in the face and scold my past self for how I used to treat you. But I know I can't.
Anyway, Marie said smiling, thanks for listening to me. You are invited to stay if you want. Lee is making burgers.
"I would love to stay Marie", I said, pulling her off the bed as she started to pull on a T-Shirt and a pair of shorts. "After all, what kind of person would I be if I left immediately after you bear your soul to me"?
Marie smirked"Butch"
After laughing together at Marie's remark, we went downstairs, and joined Lee and May for dinner, where I was to learn more about the trial as a result of the abuse, and have a good time along the way…
A/N: Read and Review!
