“You fucking trash!” Mom screams. “Fucking no good bastards! You deserve whatever happens to you, Katherine!”
The cool fresh air makes the blood on my skin instantly feel cold, and I begin trembling.
“I’ll sit with her in the backseat,” Joey says.
And I hear a car door opening and his body leave me, before he takes my arm again and they maneuver me inside, onto my side and my head on his lap. But I shift and roll onto my stomach, and his hand moves to the top of my head but lifts again.
“Shit, beautiful, what can I do?” he asks.
“Just get me out of here,” I whimper.
I hear Gwen’s voice from outside the car before a door opens and she begins driving. She and Joey talk but I find myself closing my eyes, exhausted, but relieved that I’m out of there.
The next thing I know, I’m being lifted and moved, floating through the air with hands holding me tight, then set down on my stomach onto something soft. The blackness consumes me again, and then I hear voices.
“There are old burns under the new ones, years of scar tissue and unstitched gashes…some were infected and healed over. Looks like some were glued closed or taped somehow, I’ve never seen anything this extensive before.”
I moan and a rough hand strokes softly along my cheek. “Katie?” Joey says. “Katie, I’m here, you’re going to be fine.”
I try to nod, before falling into the blackness again.
Chapter 7
I smell Joey, all around me, but know I’m on a bed. My eyes blink open, seeing baseball wallpaper. A breeze blows through the open window behind me, and it feels good on my skin. The door to his room is open and I blink because my eyes hurt, and so does my head. A sound comes from down the hall and I open my eyes again as Joey enters the room carrying a tray.
“Oh good, you’re awake,” he smiles at me.
He sets the tray on the dresser and moves to the side of the bed, tilting his head and brushing hair out of my face.
“How do you feel?”
“Sore, foggy,” I reply with a dry throat.
“The foggy is from the medication remember?”
When he says it, I do vaguely remember being told that the last time I was awake. But I don’t know how many days I’ve been here in bed, but as my head clears a little I think it’s been about a week.
“Okay,” I reply.
“Hungry?” he asks.
“Mhmm.”
“You want to eat before I clean your back?”
“Yes, please.”
He stands and his hands wrap around both of my hips, pulling me up as I guide myself onto my knees. Then his hands help me lift up, and turn to sit on my butt, making sure not to have my back against the pillows. He waits until I’m steady before placing a kiss on my forehead and turning to retrieve the tray. Sitting down beside me, he sets it on his lap. He hands me the grilled cheese sandwich and I take it, eating it slowly. As we sit there and I eat, he removes my hair tie which is barely hanging onto my thick mass of hair, and does his best to re-secure it off my back and shoulders.
I glance over to see my cheap plastic wristwatch, the one Joey hated, tossed in the waste paper basket. Seeing it there makes me feel like my old life is no longer, that time won’t be something I live my life based on. That I can be with Joey now and not constantly have to worry about the time. I don’t know what I’ll do now, but I know I won’t be going back to my parents’. The thought of uncertainty scares me a little, but I know that from now on, no matter where I end up, I’ll be safe because of Joey and the people who care about me here in Plantain.
Joey patiently sits with me, handing me water when I need it, and wiping my mouth when I’m done. Then handing me two white tablets to take along with the glass of water. He leaves me to start the bath, and I wait for him to help me off the bed and into the bathroom. I have a robe on backward to mimic a hospital gown, and he removes it, along with my underwear and sleep pants. Turning off the water when the tub is filled halfway, I sit in the middle and bring my legs up to lean over them and give him room.
Methodically and with delicate touches, he removes the bandages he’d put on the night before. I don’t notice a difference when the bandages are gone since I can’t feel much still. Filling a cup with the warm bath water, he cascades it down from my shoulders, the fresh burns sting but it’s bearable. Joey takes his time cleaning them, and I’m always glad that I can’t see his face, I don’t want to see the expression I assume he has. Part of me feels so guilty that he has to do this, take care of me like a child, and I much prefer when Gwen cleans them, it makes me pity myself less. But sometimes, the sadness takes over and I let the tears fall, not sniffling so he won’t know I’m upset. But today, for whatever reason, my breaths grow shaky and I can’t hide my crying.
“Did I hurt you?” he pauses and asks.
I cover my face as my shoulders shake. “No,” I say before inhaling sharply.
He moves to my side and puts his hand on my wrist.
“Talk to me Katie,” he says with a broken voice.
“I feel bad,” I cry.
“Why? For what?” he asks in disbelief.
“For not telling you what my parents were doing to me, for not showing you my back, for you having to take care of me, seeing me like this, knowing you’ll never be attracted to me ever again-”
“Stop,” he says firmly.
I shake my head, my hands still covering my shame. Until he pulls them down and cups my cheeks, forcing me to look at him.
“Don’t you fucking do that,” he tells me, and my tears stop as I sniffle. “I understand why you didn’t tell me, or show me your body, I’d probably would’ve done the same…and I don’t blame you for keeping it from me. As for taking care of you, it’s the only thing I can do. I love you, I know you’d do the same for me, so don’t even start that.”
I swallow thickly as my eyes bounce between his.
“You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, nothing would or could ever make me stop being attracted to you, do you hear me?”
I nod, his voice strong and demanding. I don’t know if it’s the need for something, a connection, or just to feel something other than sadness and pain, I lean over and kiss him. His lips parting and accepting, but only for a moment, before I wrap my arms around his shoulders and pull my wet body against his shirt.
“I love you,” I whisper.
Chapter 8
It’s been nine months since Katie came to live in my parents’ house, nine months seems like enough time to get used to waking up to her, how her hair smells, listening to her heart beat…but it’s not. I’d heard the expression ‘love her more than life,’ but I never knew what that meant before I met Katie. I would do anything, give anything, even my life for her. The night we met, the night my soul honed in on hers like a fucking tractor beam, it was like I knew she was mine instantly.
The story my mom tells about meeting my dad, that I’ve heard my whole life, about how it was destiny. Now I know what my mom means, because it happened to me. From the second Katie’s eyes locked onto mine, I knew life was starting for me. Knowing now how random, and in fact incredible, it was that she was at that party at all being that her parents are absolute motherfuckers, further proves my point.
I always thought I wouldn’t get married, with going into the military, I didn’t want to complicate someone else’s life with the constant uncertainty of a military career. But now, there’s no question, Katie’s going to be my wife. Well, if she says yes.
In nine months, we cleaned her shit out of her parents’ house. They agreed to not ever attempt to find her or contact her, in return Katie wouldn’t press charges for the years of abuse that was documented the night we took her to the Emergency Room. When my mom said Katie called the house that night in a panic before the line went dead, I didn’t know what to expect. But I knew I’d never felt such a level of dread and fear as I did during the ride to her parents’. Only because she was so
hurt, and wanting to be there for her, did I not kill her dad that night.
I had no idea what was going on with her and not taking her shirt off, even though I knew she was beautiful, I could tell she didn’t think the same of herself. Never, ever, did I think it would be what I saw there. Thick, red and pink, long and short scars, all over her back. I wished at that moment that I could take her pain away; I would do anything so she didn’t have to go through that. Taking care of her was the only thing I could give her, the only thing that made me feel useful.
When she’d let the tears come, I knew it was good for her, even if it broke my heart. When she thought I’d never find her attractive again, I wished I could make love to her right then and show her how much I loved her, how nothing would make me not want her. Her big blue eyes blinked at me like I was insane, and my eyes traced along the path of small freckles that blanket over the bridge of her nose. I’ll never get sick of looking at her, I know this for certain.
Although nine months doesn’t seem long to me in time, it seems like light years away from the Katie she was then to who she is now. I taught her how to drive, and she got her license. You would’ve thought the girl won a million dollars that day she walked out of the building after passing her test. I knew it meant more than just a right of passage…it meant freedom for her. I wanted her to be independent. Not because it’s something she wanted, but because when we move places depending on where I’m stationed, I won’t always be there.
She also got her GED, which I tried to get my mom to allow me to drop my senior year to do, but no dice. Regardless, Katie worked hard, even during the summer and has already gotten her papers, where as I still have a few months left before my graduation. She’s applied to colleges, but still has no idea what she wants to major in, so I know that’s stressing her a little. We’ve also discussed waiting to see where I get stationed, since she’ll be coming with me, and we plan to live on base.
I’ve already joined the JROTC, which is The Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, which I do on the weekends with the other cadets from my area. It feels good, and fulfilling to finally get a taste of the career I want, and have dreamed of for years. While I’m at school or doing JROTC stuff, Katie goes to the salon where my mom works, cleaning up and doing odd jobs around the place. As much as she plays it off that it’s easy money and just something to do, I think she really likes it there, and has even been learning how to do some hair stuff from one of the stylists there. It would be a good trade she could learn, that’s a job you could find anywhere.
But all this talk of the future is me getting ahead of myself. Tonight, something else huge is happening, well two somethings. I’ve turned eighteen, and Dornan and I are patching into the Warrior of the God’s MC. We’ll be the third generation in both our families to be a part of it. Although I plan on going into the military, and being more involved in the MC when I’m done with active duty, Dornan is planning on this as a career. Warrior of the Gods steal guns, and turn around and sell them. That’s how they make money, no, they make bank. Dornan can totally live off that money and make a savings. It’s how my dad gets away with ‘not working,’ doing a run every month or so and has allowed us to live a good life.
This is also the night I want to surprise Katie, and propose to her. She knows patching in is a big deal, so Maven’s taken her for the afternoon to find something to wear. I told Maven my plans so she knows to make sure Katie spends money on something nice to wear. I still have to talk Katie into buying new things, since everything she’s ever worn or owned has been second hand. Maven’s also planned to make Katie think she needs help getting ready, which will make Katie think they’re running late and will just meet me at the clubhouse. When she gets there, I’ll propose, then get patched in.
Ivan, Maven’s grandpa, who’s the President of Warrior of the Gods seemed happy as fuck when I asked if we could postpone the ceremony in order to do this. Everyone seemed happy about it, my dad, Sven, Dornan. And it was a relief that they loved Katie just as much as I did. I was hesitant to tell Maven and my mom about my plan since my mom can’t keep a fucking secret, and sometimes Maven lets her mouth get ahead of her brain. But I told Maven I’d light all her music on fire if she told her, and I think that did the trick.
My mom, well, I just told my mom this morning. Her reaction, she screamed and started crying, before hugging me so hard she nearly lifted me off my feet. The relationship between her and Katie has become important to both of us. Katie never had a relationship with her mom, and I know with mine, there became a connection I think she didn’t know she needed. Same with my dad, to come home and see him showing her how to change a fuel line in a car in the garage, or what the tools were, bonded them and I loved that. Katie called them Mom and Dad, and I know my parents’ felt good providing her with the guidance only an elder can give. It made me feel good to provide her with a support group, and love.
The ring I got her from the thrift store isn’t much, but I think she will like it. The band is tarnished silver and there’s a pearl in the middle with two smaller pearls on either side. Her skin reminds me of a pearl, delicate and flawless, it just reminded me of her when I saw it. Even her back is perfect to me, the scars are a part of her I can’t picture her without. When I showed it to my mom she instantly smacked my arm and asked me if I’d cleaned it, and before I could answer, she smacked my arm again and disappeared into her bedroom. When she returned it to me, it did look a shit ton cleaner and nicer.
It’s tradition that when you get patched in, that the recipient wears all black to receive his leather cut. So I wore black Dickie pants, my black boots, and a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up that Katie ironed for me. Since joining the JROTC, I’ve had to cut the top of my hair, and I’m still getting used to not needing to push it back when it falls forward. At first I wasn’t sure how I liked the new ‘do, but ever since it’s been cut, Katie often runs her fingers over it, and I like that very much.
When I’m dressed and have nothing left to do, is when I start getting nervous. I hope everything with Maven is going smoothly, and that she hasn’t ruined the surprise. I pat my pants pocket over and over to make sure the ring box is still there. And before I drive myself crazy, I grab my helmet and head to the clubhouse on my bike.
My dad’s been there the whole day, but my mom left early to set up and get ready for the party after the ceremony. There’s already a lot of bikes and vehicles parked in the lot and I don’t see Maven’s Mustang. When I enter the clubhouse, chairs and tables are being organized by prospects and old ladies, while some brothers are at the bar. But my jaw hangs open as I see my mom attaching a fucking sign to one of the rafters as soon as you walk in.
“Mom,” I say, raising my hands as I look up at it.
“Oh hi, Cubby, yeah,” she says as she begins descending the ladder. “I thought you could stand here, and ask her and then she looks up and sees the sign, it’s cute,” she says turning and looking up at it.
“Say yes Katie,” I read the banner. “Mom, that’s terrible-”
“No, it’s cute, and-” she begins.
“Say yes Katie?” I hear from behind me and my face falls as my mom whirls around to face who I know is standing behind me.
Everyone goes quiet, and for the first time the clubhouse is eerily silent. I turn to see Katie, standing there with a confused expression, looking absolutely devastatingly perfect in a short off-white colored dress and short pink cardigan. She has a little makeup on or something, and her hair’s down like I like it. Maven comes walking in behind her, head down as she shoves something into her purse, her head popping up and looking around at everyone looking at Katie and me.
“Wh-,” she stops as she reads the sign, then her mouth opens and she looks at me. “Sorry” she mouths as her look turns sympathetic.
I step closer to Katie, deciding to just go with it. I take her hand in mine as she still looks at me with question. Without saying anything, I sink down onto one knee,
looking at the puffy short skirt at eye level, instead of her eyes.
“Katie, I love you, and the two years we’ve spent together have been the most life changing and best years I’ve had. I know you think you’ve been the one that’s grown and become something you wanted to be. But I’m the one who’s grown because of you, and you’ve made me into someone I didn’t know I could be. I want to join you on the journey of life together…will you marry me?”
Finally, I look up at her. Her blue eyes pool with tears, giving me a dazzling smile that makes my heart feel so full of love it might burst.
“Yes,” she says with a small sob as I stand and retrieve the ring from my pocket.
Everyone is clapping and I pop open the ring box to show her.
“Oh my God, Joey, I love it!” she squeals as I take it out and slip it onto her left ring finger.
Then she throws her arms around my shoulders and I hug her, lifting her feet off the ground, and telling her I love her. Until her, I only ever thought about the adventures and future military life could bring. Now I only think of that in the context of her. There’s a sense of pride that I’ve never experienced before that takes over when someone congratulates us and she shows off her ring. She’s smiling so big, and to know I put that smile on her face, that she’s that happy with me that her cheeks would hurt, fuck it just gets me.
The patch ceremony is uneventful, I mean, it’s great and another thing I’ve dreamed of most my life. But I don’t think I could feel anymore elevated now that Katie’s said yes. It’s an honor to have Ivan patch me in, since both mine and Dornan’s grandfathers have passed away, he’s always been a surrogate. Seeing my dad and Sven looking at us with pride, and when it’s done, sharing a hug with my oldest friend, it feels like tonight can’t get any better.
“We fucking did it, brother,” Dornan says as he smacks my back.
“I can’t believe it.” I shake my head, looking down at the Warrior of the God’s leather cut my mom made.
Take On Me: Plantain Series Book Three Page 8