A Light in the Dark Part Seven: A Hellish Summer Back Then

Matty:

Her tired eyes met mine, a bruised Lily laid on my lap in the cemetery. All summer we escaped here when we could, her youthful seventeen year old face staring up at me. Playing with her hair, we had both recently decided to take our current jobs at the gas station. This was the year I felt like summer had made me grow up. 

“Would you miss me if I died tomorrow?” She asked numbly, focusing on our hands holding each other. “My aunt keeps telling me that I should have never existed. I should have died with my parents.” Her words killed me, her state of mind wasn’t okay. Fighting back the tears, she needed to know that I loved her. Clutching her close to my chest, her parents’ gravestone gave me loads of hesitation. Every emotion soaked my shoulder, my black t-shirt getting wetter by the second. Glancing behind their graves, the two of them hovered above the wet grass. Fading away before I could speak to them, her phone rang. Sighing at the number, she popped to her feet. 

“I have to go and clean the house for my aunt. See you at work tomorrow.” She chirped cheerfully. Struggling to my feet, her sudden happiness frightened me. Walking back home, my mother waved at me as I climbed up the stairs. Crashing onto my bed, a plan formed in my mind. I was going to marry her and take her away from that madness. For now, my job was to catch her when she fell. A small scream burst from my lips, at her gray haired parents appearing at the end of my bed. Clutching one of my pillows to my chest, they pressed their palms together. 

“We came to ask you to watch her.” Her mother sobbed brokenly, spirit tears splashing through the floor. “My evil sister has her now and is beating her endlessly.” Her father smoothed out his sweater and nice khakis before clearing his throat. Shaking in my spot, a clammy sweat drenched my skin. This was the clearest I had ever seen them.

“Protect her the best you can. You even have our blessing.” He promised honestly, my trembling stopping to a shaky halt. “There you go. Become her husband and take care of her. Help her when you can, please?” Shooting them a shaky thumbs up, a rock hit my window. Disappearing in a fog, I rushed over to my window. Lily waved up at me, a small bag in her hand. Blood covered her face, a couple of fresh bruises shining through. Opening my window cautiously, my mother would call the child services if she saw her. Something was keeping her here, two white feathers floating into my palms stealing my thoughts away. Climbing up the arbor, she crashed onto my floor. 

“They kicked me out again and I need to get cleaned up. Don’t tell your mother that I am here?” She wheezed cupping her chest, her sad smile never leaving her face. Struggling to her feet, she collapsed into my arms instantly. Taking her to the bathroom, she shivered on the toilet. Her clothes were soaking wet, her ribs sticking out slightly. A knock interrupted me, my mother asking me what that noise was. Excusing myself, I poked my head out. 

“It was me. I was fooling around and fell off the bed. Can I have my dinner in my room today? I have to read the book on the summer reading list. I promise to bring the plate down.” Passing me my plate, her alarm blared. Mumbling something about going to work, she was out the door in ten minutes. Setting the plate on my bed on the way into the bathroom, she had fallen onto the floor. Her wet clothes lay on the floor, an unbridled rage burned in my eyes. Bruises covered her head to toe, the fresh cuts seeming seconds from infection. Drawing up a bath, her numb eyes watched me do everything. Scooping her up, she slid into the tub. Blood stained the water, my trembling hands spraying her hair. Massaging the shampoo in, the lack of a reaction was scaring me as the bubbles floated to the surface. Wetting a cloth, the soap exposed more wounds. Draining the water, a fluffy towel stopped her shivering. Drying her off, I dropped one of my clean t-shirts over her head. Carrying her to the bed, her eyes wouldn’t leave my plate of food. 

“You can have that.” I offered kindly, her tears hitting the bed. “Please eat. It looks like you haven’t eaten in a while.” Picking it up, she inhaled the food. Collapsing onto the bed, scream of frustration after scream was yelled into my pillow. Shame dimmed her eyes, her overgrown bangs hiding her gorgeous eyes. Laying down next to her, she draped my arm over her. 

“What did I do wrong? I clean how they ask! I look at how they ask! No! They still treat me like a monster and I couldn’t even go to the cops or the hospital if I wanted to.” She ranted freely, my heart sinking for her. “The only person who cares for me is the grocery store lady, your mom and you. I feel so alone.” Turning to face me, her head rested on my chest. Gripping my shirt, she needed to know that she was safe with me. Yanking her into a warm embrace, her grip loosened. Snores echoed in my ears, her peaceful slumber relaxed my muscles a bit. Holding her until the next morning, this was how I wanted my life to be. Stirring awake, she didn’t leap out of bed as I expected. Snuggling further into my chest, it was as if Heaven had shined a light on us. 

“I wish you liked me as much as I like you, Matty.” She admitted shyly, her real smile illuminating her features. Fighting back tears, her safety was me. While that was incorrectly placed, I made a promise to her parents. Squirming out of my embrace, she opened her bag. Pulling out a bloody dress, her face fell. Running into my closet, I offered her one of my black and white t-shirts. Picking up one of my spiky belts, she disappeared into the bathroom. Reappearing back into the room with it belted at her waist, my breath hitched at her beauty. Sliding on her boots, a warmth came over me the moment she leapt onto my back. Resting her head on my back, dark bags hollowed out her eyes.  

“Forget what I said to you. You don’t want this mess.” She joked lightly, my heart shattering. “I am off to work. I will return your shirt.” Leaping off my back, she climbed down the arbor with a wink. Sprinting into the road, my mother knocked on my bedroom door. Opening the door, she held one of her old dresses. Disappointment dimmed her face, the dress floating to the floor. 

“I thought I heard Lily’s voice. Did I just miss her?” She questioned softly, salty tears hitting the floor. “There have been rumors about how her aunt had been treating her. Regardless, tell her she can always crash here if she doesn’t feel safe.” Excusing herself, her offer was duly noted. Changing into another t-shirt and pair of ripped jeans, she dropped a couple of breakfast sandwiches into my palm on the way out. Climbing onto my bike, the gears clicked their way to the gas station. Locking up my bike, something seemed off. Our boss was arguing with her, both of them stopping the moment I entered the station. Letting out a long sigh, silent tears stained her cheeks. Excusing herself to clean the bathroom, my boss called me over. 

“Train her after I train you. She is the last person I want to see.” He snapped hotly, training me real quick before leaving in a huff. “I am leaving the store to you.” A mop dropping to the floor stole my attention, a trembling Lily struggled to keep her composure. Wiping away her tears, her bright smile spoke of her shattering heart. 

“It’s okay. I am used to it. Most people treat me this way now.” She stammered brokenly, bigger tears hitting the floor. “It gets better if you tune it all out.” Rushing over to her, I clutched her close to my chest. Were people always this cruel? The bell for the door rang, her arms pushing me off of her. Her stern aunt marched up to her, the back of her hand knocking her to the floor. Crawling back, she blocked her off with the handle of the mop. A small line of blood dripped down her right cheek, her pleas falling on deaf ears. Seeing her so tiny caused fury and fear to mix, the aunt throwing the mop to the side. 

“Where did you go last night! We needed you to be home to make breakfast, you murderer!” She shouted harshly, her dull gray suit dancing with every wave of her hands. “You need to repay me for your sin of murdering your parents!” Attempting to crawl away, my hand caught her next slap. 

“I would suggest you leave, Madame mayor. She was with me last night because you kicked her out. You haven’t been feeding her and you have the nerve to blame her for her parents’ death. Go away before I call the c-” I berated her mercilessly, Lily hiding behind me as her aunt began to laugh maniacally. Pointing to the sheriff waiting for her, dread bubbled in my gut. Having watched the whole thing, everything came to light. 

“You have everyone in town under your thumb.” I realized out loud, Lily’s arms wrapping around my legs. “You are a bitch! You insist on hurting my dear Lily and she can’t even get any help. How sadistic are you? Do you enjoy torturing people? Get out. You are not allowed here while she is working. Am I understood? The owner happens to be my friend, so you had better listen to me.” Leaving with a snarl on her lips, Lily refused to let me go. Shaking with raw terror, this was far from the girl I met that day. Scooping her up, she let me sit her down behind the counter. Grabbing the first aid kit from the wall, I began to wipe the blood away. Placing a bandage on her cheek, the tears wouldn’t stop flowing. 

“You can live with me if you want.” I offered sincerely, a panic attack beginning. “Let me hold you until it st-” The bell rang, her bright smile dimming her face. Greeting the person with ease, they refused to look at her. The day went on like this, her spirit dying by the second. Finishing up our shift, my heart sank the moment she gathered everything. Pausing in front of the door, a single tear slid down her cheek. 

“I have to go home now. Thanks for last night. I don’t know what I would do without you.” She blurted out oddly, my calls for her to stop fell on deaf ears. The other person took his place, my mind hoping that she would be okay. Biking back home, my mother had already gone to work. Running up to my room, I picked up her bloody clothes. Soaking them in ice water, ribbons of blood muddied the water. Dropping them in with their load, a letter fluttered to the floor. Picking it up, her messy handwriting was scrawled across the place. Opening it up, my jaw dropped. Crashing out of the house, my worn sneakers pounded towards the bridge. Heavy rain soaked the top of my head, a soaked Lily stood on the edge of the bridge. Leaping off, my arms caught her. Pulling her into a desperate embrace, more bruises dotted her skin. Shivering in my arms, her fists pounded on my chest. Dropping her arms by her side limply, her forehead rested on my chest. There was no way in hell that I was going to let her die. 

“I should have died with them!” She shouted into my chest, her shaking hands gripping my wet shirt. “Everyone hates me and I can’t do a damn thing about it! I don’t want to live anymore! Let me jump off the bridge, damn it!” Sinking to our knees, her emotion soaked my shoulders. Rocking her back and forth, my own tears joined the rain. One person could only be so strong, my finger lifting up her chin. Wiping away her tears, the previous day made sense. That was supposed to be her final day on Earth and she had chosen to spend it with me. Shaking as bad as her, my next words caused a sad smile to dawn on her face. 

“I will always be here to protect you. How about you spend the last night before school with me? We can watch a movie and have some popcorn.” I offered brokenly, hoping she would take the bait. “I can even lend you another one of my shirts for school.” Sniffling adorably, her loving gaze fell on mine. Whether she realized it, her love spoke in her eyes at that moment. Wiping away her tears, her head nodded. Placing her on my back, her head rested comfortably on my shoulder. 

“You are a big dummy sometimes.” She whispered brokenly, her tired laughter giving me a huge sense of relief. “What would I do without you? Can you walk me home every now and then? This makes me want to live.” Passing out on my back, my trembling hands maneuvered her into my arms. Walking back home, life felt okay for a second. Taking off our wet clothes the moment I entered my bedroom, we both wore matching t-shirts to bed. Holding her with all of my love for her, sweet slumber stole me away. 

Jerking awake, panic gripped my features at her being gone. Tugging on a pair of jeans, the desire to make sure she was okay had me out the door in seconds. Holding a breakfast from my mother and my bag, I hopped onto the bus. The ride dragged for an eternity, a long sigh pouring from my lips at an eager Lily waving at me. Donning the shirt she borrowed from me, her adorable smile hid her pain. Fresh blood dripped from the corner of her lips, students yelling as I shoved my way through. Sweeping her into a warm embrace, scarlet colored my cheeks at the quick peck on my lips. 

“That is for being my hero in the darkest times.” She chirped cheerfully, ignoring the harsh words of the other students. “Shall we get to class?” Too stunned to speak, she dragged me through the doors. A shrill alarm stole me from the pleasant memory. 

Rolling over to see my wife, her peaceful slumber making me happier than ever. Not so long ago, she wanted to die. Playing with her hair, none of this felt real. Smiling softly in her sleep, her dream must be a good one for once. Stirring awake, my breath hitched at the morning sun bathing her dainty features. Sitting up, her hands rested on her knees. Scanning the white walls of our master bedroom in a house, a groggy yawn escaped her lips. 

“Time for work!” She chirped with vigor, swinging her feet over the edge of the bed. “What’s the matter with you this morning? You look like you saw a ghost.” Yanking back into my arms, her laughter twinkled in the air. Clutching her close to my chest, she didn’t know how close I was to losing her that day. 

“I am happy I saved you that day.” I admitted sheepishly, letting my tears soak the top of her head. “I don’t think I would have made it without you.” Sliding my hands to her bump, tears welled up in her eyes. Cupping my hands, pride swelled in my eyes. This moment made it all worth it, a tender blush rising to our cheeks. 

“You saved me that day, my hero.” She returned sweetly, my heart seconds from beating out of my chest. “That day I wanted to die because I thought I was alone. When you caught me in your arms and held me, I knew that you would never let me sink that low again. I knew no matter how strong the storm was, you were always going to be my rope.” Touched by her words, a second alarm destroyed the moment. Getting out of bed, she tugged on a scarlet rockabilly dress and a black sweater. Fixing her hair into a simple side bun, she threw me one of my black t-shirt and ripped jeans. Watching me get dressed, her hands crossed as she slid on her boots. Throwing on the outfit, her real smile illuminated her features. 

“I was thinking we could buy a store ten miles outside of town and make it more of a general store with a deli.” She suggested nervously, playing with a loose piece of hair. “He is retiring soon and I want to plant some roots. What do you think?” Her plan wasn’t horrible, the town next to ours needed a meeting place. Knowing that she could make the best food, it was a chance for her to start a new life. Showing me the listing, it was a little run down. Pressing her palms together, her dream was meant to be. It would get her out of the town, and maybe some new customers. Going on with her plan, my hands cupping hers stopping her. 

“If you wish it. We can call it Lily’s Place or something like that. You do make amazing food.” I commented lovingly, relishing the chance to run our own business. “Let’s do and make that town love you.” Spinning her around, our future only seemed brighter.