Chapter 2
Clean away the pain
By 9:00pm they walked in the door of Jonahs apartment .
They had stopped and picked up hamburgers fries and sodas.
I'm going to run change into some pajamas and while I'm in there I will start you a bath, Ames, I know you want to get all that dirt, and grit, off of you .. I have bath bombs, and bubble bath, to help with sore muscles ,aches, and pains which do you want or both ?
Amy chuckled of course you do bubbles, lots, and lots, of bubbles. she says smiling .
Yes mam he says as he goes into his room .
Amy dug though the paper takeout bags and found Emma's order and handed it to her . thank you for getting me help . I'm really sorry that you ever even had to know about this .
Mom it's okay , I don't want anything bad to happen to you , you're my mom and I love you .
Aww come here baby Amy says pulling Emma into a hug and kissing the top of her head .
Jonah started out of his room but paused allowing mother and daughter to have this uninterrupted moment .
I love dad but he's not the one who had always taken care of me . or been there when I need something , heck Jonah had been more help to me than Dad. Dad is kinda a jerk most days .
Emma I don't want you to not love your dad because of me .
No I know mom , I do love him , I just don't like him, or trust him . I've got your back mom and you have always had mine even when I don't know I need you to . Emma finished and took a bite of her burger
You're a smart kid Amy says planting a kiss on the top of Emma's head.
And mom Emma says looking up at her mom ,
Yeah baby ?
Give Jonah a chance , he's a good guy, and I think he's in love with you .
Emma !
What its true. I see how he looks at you sometimes when you aren't paying attention , and I see you doing the same . I'm not saying go out and marry him .. just you and dad haven't been happy as long as I can remember , get a divorce , and give Jonah a chance .
Emm, I, uh ,
Hey the bath is almost ready Jonah interrupted .
Okay Emma I may need you to come help me wash my hair this one arm hurts to raise it . I will yell when I'm ready ..
Okay mom ..
Jonah carried Amy's bag and laid it on his bed ,okay here is your bag, shampoo, and body wash, is beside the tub , I laid out a new scrubby, its pink , um and I laid 2 towels out on the counter,
And a fresh rug beside the tub .
Thank you Jonah Amy said as she went to walk into the bathroom ,
Your welcome . make yourself at home I'm going to leave my bedroom door cracked so when you call Emma she can hear you . okay just yell if you need anything else .
Amy walked into the bathroom the moment she seen the tub she couldn't wait to get in it .. it was the biggest garden tub she had ever seen . there was enough room for 3 people .
Amy slowly got undressed and stepped into the tub she emerged herself in the bubbles and leaned back on the foam padding and shook her head . Jonah thank you for being such a girl . she whispered .
Hey Ames ,
Amy's eyes popped open .. yeah ?
I forgot to tell you on the side of the tube next to the window is a control panel it has jets . he called
Oh my god , I'm in love with your bathtub she called back thank you
He chuckled and walked back to the living room Emma was standing in her pajamas brushing out her hair . hey Jonah can you braid hair ?
Yeah actually I can he smiled , you need me to do yours
Yeah mom usually does it but , I know her arm is hurting and she doesn't want me to worry so will you do it please ?
Yeah no problem, after minutes later he was finished .
Thank you Jonah . Emma said as she yawned I'm gonna sit here and read until mom calls for me she said getting comfortable on the couch .
Okay you go ahead I'm going to play my game until your mom gets out of the tub I'm waiting on her to eat .
Jonah , you're a really good guy , thank you for helping .
Of course Emma your mom is great I would do anything to help her . he went back to his game and Emma went back to her book.
Emma , Amy called
Hey Ames , Jonah called from the door . Emma is asleep, she fell asleep reading .
Well shit , ok I will try to wash it myself she said .
I mean I can wash your hair for you, if you want . Jonah offered
Jonah you are not coming in here with me I am naked .
I know that but I won't look I promise
Jonah no .
I don't want you to be in pain Amy it's going to be hard enough for you to sleep tonight without making it worse .
Jonah you are not seeing me naked . she yelled back
Oh I know I can give you one of my button downs you can put it on in the tub and your top half is covered bottom half is covered by bubbles .
Amy was quiet for a minute
Ames I just want to help you . nothing more
Okay but it better not be a white shirt .. she yelled
Okay I'm coming in Jonah announced Amy turned her back to him watching him over her shoulder ,he kept his head down looking only at the floor until he got to the tub here I got black
Good Amy said taking the shirt okay turn around and close your eyes.
Amy put the shirt on quickly buttoning the front she made sure the bubbles were covering everything else okay you can turn around
Okay Jonah said let's see which shampoo do you want me to use It doesn't matter just .. whichever one cleans, and smells' the best ?
here how about this one it smells awesome, he leaned over and let her smell
yeah, that one is good ..
Jonah turned on the water, adjusted the temp, then started to wet her hair with the sprayer . lean your head back
Amy did as he instructed. His hands worked the shampoo into her hair, making Amy relax and let out a small moan
Jonah stilled for a moment , are you okay ?
Yeah sorry that just feels really good . Amy said
Okay lets rinse this out and put some conditioner in . Jonah said and he turned the sprayer on again . rinsing her hair then adding conditioner to the back and ends of her hair .
How do you know so much about washing a woman's hair Amy asked
Well when I was around 10 my grandmother was in a car wreck and broke her arm and since I was the only one not in school or work that summer it was my job to help her while everyone was gone .that's where the shirt idea came from I used to have to help her in and out of the tub and stuff and wash her hair her hair was a lot longer than yours is . I didn't have many friends anyway so I had nothing better to do she told me stories of when she was younger, how she and my pop pop met. After that summer I would take a month of my summer vacation every year and go hang out with her at their place in the country . until I went to college but I make sure I call her at least once a week . she's the only one who doesn't think I've lost my mind flunking out of school and working at cloud 9 , okay this should be ready to rinse out he said as he turned on the sprayer .. …
Okay that's all done do you need me to help you out ?
No I think I can handle everything else. Thank you Jonah .
Your welcome , I'm going to go heat up our food . Jonah said as he stood and walked out of the bathroom .
About 10 minutes later Amy came into the living room wearing a oversized button down and a pair of cotton Capri pajama pants .can I get some help with my hair she asked standing with just the ends of her hair wrapped in the towel
Oh yeah sure Jonah said setting the burgers on top of the stove
Jonah quickly wrapped her hair up into a turban on the top of her head . How is your pain , I have over the counter pain meds , muscle rub, heating pad, whatever you need .
Yeah, maybe in a few, I need food. she said pointing at the burgers .
Yes mam. he says pulling the chair out for her. sit I will get the food .
They ate quietly for a few minutes Amy finally spoke
Why do you have a two bedroom apartment
It was the only one available to rent this close to work so I had thought about getting a roommate but I never got around to putting out flyers . he answered as he took the last bite of his burger .. I'm going to go turn down the bed and I will carry her and put her in bed .
No Jonah she 13 she can walk Amy said
Its fine she's had a rough day and she's sleeping good .
Jonah you really don't have to
Amy I can carry her she's no bigger than a peanut . I've carried my nieces an nephews to bed many, many, times and they all lived through it .
He disappeared for a moment then returned and scooped Emma up like she weighed nothing carrying her to the spare room and laying her on the bed pulling her slippers off and laying them in the floor then pulling the blanket up to her shoulder .
Thanks Jonah she mumbled making Jonah smile , no problem peanut he said patting her foot .. then looking up to see Amy watching their interaction . she was smiling
What Jonah asked
You are good with her . she said walking past him and placing a kiss on Emma's head then flipping off the light before walking into the hall with Jonah .
Are you ready for me to take your hair down and brush it .
Yeah I guess so
Go sit on the couch I will be there in just a sec . Jonah went and found his brush, then came back and sat behind Amy on the couch careful not to bump her .He gently brushed her hair he noticed a bruise on her back disappearing under her shirt . so did you look and see how bad you are banged up ?
No I've seen it all before nothing new she said with a shrug
Ames please tell me you know you deserve better than this .
I , I , Fuck Jonah I just don't know I can't even put ,
Are you going g to divorce him ?
Well Jonah , that sounds easier than it is . I have no money the house is in Adams name so I have no home . I just don't know anything right now .
I can get you a lawyer Jonah said
No you are not paying for a lawyer for me
No silly my brother and sister in law are lawyers .
Oh , really ?
Yeah I can contact them in the morning and see what all we need to do about getting you started .
Okay yeah . that's .. yeah a good idea Amy says looking at the time . do you work tomorrow she asks
Nope you ?
No I'm off too . does Emma have school he asked
Yeah but I'm thinking about letting her stay home. At least until they find Adam
Yeah may be good idea Jonah said .. we can make it a movie day ,we can make the living room in to a blanket fort , and watch movie s all day, and eat junk food . Jonah said excitedly
Amy laughed at his excitement . her first real laugh since that morning before everything went to hell
It's good to hear you laugh ,
Amy turned to look at him a smile still on her face ,
You really have an amazing smile, he said pushing a strip of hair behind her ear making her shiver .
Okay so are you ready for bed Jonah asked . we can make a list tomorrow morning over breakfast
Okay yeah I think I am ready for bed
I set the Tylenol bottle on the bathroom counter and a cup . you take my room if you need anything I will be right here on the couch.
Okay night Jonah .. and thanks for everything .
Your welcome , we are friends , I have your back . Jonah said as he got the couch ready for him to sleep on
G'night she smiled and walked to the bedroom .
Jonahs bed was sinfully soft but Amy just couldn't get comfortable she would fall asleep for a few minute then wake up in pain she had taken some of the pain meds Jonah hand left out for her but she couldn't take anymore for another 3 hrs . damnit she was going to have to wake Jonah up and ask about the muscle rub .
Spss , Jonah, hey she tapped him on the shoulder Jonah wake up . he slowly opened his eyes and smirked hey babe .
He was clearly still asleep so she tapped him a little hard on the shoulder Jonah wake up !
Amy ? what's wrong ? he said finally waking up pulling himself into a sitting position
Where is the muscle rub . I can't sleep
Hold on a sec he said um .. it's in the bathroom hold on I will go get it . okay where does it hurt he asked
Easier question would be where does it not hurt Amy said
Okay so you want this all over your back ?he asked
Yes and my shoulders . she added
Okay ill come on let's do this in my room he said
Amy looked up at him a little concerned .
Ames you know I would never do anything about of the way towards you .I'm helping okay ?
Yeah okay .. she said standing up slowly
Okay you sit on the bed I will be right back he disappeared into the bathroom then came back carrying several towels . okay I'm going to turn around and you need to take off your shirt and then hold the towel across your,, to cover your ..
Breasts ? Amy laughed
Yeah that . he said
Turn around .. she said
No argument ? wow this is a new thing
Shut up Jonah don't get used to it . I'm too tired to argue and if it helps me get some sleep then I'm all for it
Okay I'm covered she said
Alright Jonah flipped the light on and then walked around behind her and set on the bed and froze . what the fuck did he do to you
I don't remember a lot of it, I've learned to block it out. Is it bad ?
Oh Sweetheart there isn't a spot on your back not bruised Jonah sniffled .
Is it anywhere else ? have you looked at any other part of your body .. my legs are pretty beat up and I have a few scattered bruises on my chest .
okay hold on a sec he jumped up and started rummaging around in his top drawer . here we go
I'm going to step into the bath room take off those pants and put these on he said handing her some boxer shorts .
I need to get pictures of this , for the judge . Jonah said
The seriousness in Jonahs voice was so unusual Amy just set there shocked change I will be right back
Jonah disappeared into the living room .. Amy moved as quickly as she could pulling the shorts over her butt just as Jonah walked in her back was to him she quickly grabbed the towel and covered her chest
Okay just stand facing the wall, the camera flashed okay turn sideways, okay turn to the other side.
He walked closer hey flip the top part of the towel down but keep your breast covered . I'm not going to get your face in the picture .he stepped back and took the pictures and set the camera down on his dresser .. okay let me put this on your back and legs and maybe you can get some sleep. He gently rubbed the cream on her back, shoulders, then bent down and rubbed it on her legs . okay all done he said I'm going to wash my hands . so you can put your shirt back on
Okay Amy called you can come back in here .
Jonah came in the room Amy stood with her back to him , hey how are you feeling now ?,
Still sore all over and tired she said quietly
Hey do you want to come sit in here with me for a few I can make you some hot tea or hot coco
I think I have some red wine too ? it might help you relax
Yeah maybe some wine and some company she said
Go make yourself comfy on the couch I will pour you some wine
Jonah poured them both a glass of wine and carried it back to the living room, he watched her for a moment she looked so small without heels on and in a button down shirt and his boxers , hey is that my shirt he asks smiling and handing her the wine
Yeah sorry I dropped mine in the water so I snagged one of yours .
It's totally fine , I think it looks better on you than it does on me he said tugging the sleeve , come on let's sit.
She followed him to the couch and sat down , Jonah how the hell were you sleeping on this couch it's so small
I can't count the amount of times I have slept on this couch , but I was propped up with my head on the arm rest .
I still don't know how you fit she said shaking her head . I hate that I took over your room .
Shh, its fine , you are here and safe that all I care about , I just wish I had known sooner .he said looking at the wine glass
Well I've been working at cloud 9 for 10 years and no one ever even suspected ..I bet you think I'm an idiot she said running her finger around the rim of the glass .
No, Amy you are far from stupid , I think you got stuck in a bad situation, you had no one that could help you , and you were too embarrassed to tell anyone . so you stayed .
She nodded her head . yeah that pretty much sums up my life . but I'm still not understanding how you are able to sleep on this couch .
Jonah laughed , nice change of subject . I will let it go… for now . okay turn rest your back against the arm of the couch and put your feet right here he said patting the couch as he set forward okay yeah but scoot to the back cushion , yeah okay then he moved into the same position facing her . , resting his feet next to her on the couch . like this .. he says but look .. hold on I'll be right back
He jumped up and ran into his room then came back carrying pillows here sit forward some he put one behind Amys back and head , then went and did the same for himself . comfy ?
Yeah it really is it's like sitting on a cloud , she laughed
Jonah squirmed until he got comfortable, want to watch something on Netflix ? Or I have Cable HBO Show time Skin a max .
Ha Amy laughed skin a max .. fitting
I know right ! he laughs .. ohh how about Game of thrones have you seen any of it ?
Oh hell yeah , I haven't seen any of this season yet . she said is it any good ?
Its game of thrones of course it s good .. okay you want popcorn? I will start thrones from the beginning of this season and we can watch them all together . I'm only on the 3rd episode Jonah set the TV up and started the show then went into the kitchen to make popcorn . Jonah came back carry a big bowl of popcorn and 2 sodas .
Jonah set back down in the same position as earlier threw the blanket over both of their legs and put the popcorn between them .
They were on episode 2 when Amy started squirming and moving her toes excited about Arya coming face to face with Nymeria.
Jonah reached under the blanket and grabbed her feet
What are you doing Amy asked as Jonahs hand wrapped around her foot
Your feet are freezing , how are they so cold .
I don't know must be a special gift she says taking a bite of popcorn . your hands are warm
Yeah freezing toes is a gift you can share with anyone . he laughed leaving his hand wrapped around her toes .. after a while he was gently running his hand over the her feet and over her toes. She turned to look and ask a question and realized she was finally asleep . so he closed his eyes and was quickly asleep .