A Different Path

Chapter 3 - Being Open

As I began to walk, though, an unusual amount of pain shot through my leg, making me stop dead in my tracks and hold myself up on a nearby trashcan as I waited for it to pass. While I did, I heard someone enter the alleyway, and began to panic as I assumed it was the boys who used to take my tips. The pain wasn't passing yet, and thus I couldn't turn around, so I just waited for them to attack me. 

"Crutchie?" I heard, making me freeze and nearly forget about my leg. I turned around to see Jack at the end of the alley, standing there.

"... Jack?" I said, wondering if I was dreaming. He then ran down the alley and hugged me, but for a second, I didn't hug him back, as I was so surprised by how he was acting. But, eventually I threw my arms around him, beginning to sob. 

"I'm sorry," I said into the crook of his neck, unable to let go. 

"No, I'm the one who needs to apologize," he said, taking me by surprise. He let go of me and I did the same to him, backing up and wiping my face. "I've just," he began, taking a deep breath as he continued to look at me. "I've never been... Open with anyone, and I just... Panicked." He finally got out, and I could tell he was being genuine by how upset he looked. "I have this tough-guy reputation to keep up, but for some reason, when I'm alone with you, I feel okay not being... That." He spoke a little slowly, clearly finding it difficult. 

"How about this," I started, smiling at him. "We go home and you tell me stuff you've never told anyone, unless you ain't comfortable with that," I quickly said, and he began to smile a little. "That way you'll feel more okay being open around me." I finished, still smiling.

"I can try," he said, and we began to walk home in silence, and I could feel a weight get lifted off my shoulders.

When we got back home we sat down and faced one another, and I could tell Jack was nervous. He laughed a little at himself, making me laugh as well.

"I've never done anything like this," he said quietly, looking at me.

"Me either," I said, making Jack more comfortable. "How about we tell each other about what our childhoods were like?" I offered, and Jack nodded. "I can start so you feel better about sharing," I continued to smile at him, wanting him to feel safe.

"Sure," was all he said, smiling back.

"Well, just know that the point of me sharin' is so that you can be more open, so I ain't gonna hold back," I said, and he nodded again. "Ready?"

"Go for it," he smiled bigger, and I took a deep, deep breath.

"I've never told anyone this, so it might take me a second to find the right words," I started, looking down as I thought. "So, I grew up here in New York with my Mom and Dad." I said, beginning to feel nervous about what I was about to share. "My life was pretty normal, I went to school, my Dad worked, my Mom took care of the house and me," I smiled a bit as I thought about my Mom, not looking at Jack as I prepared to get personal. "But, my Dad had a drinking problem. He'd drink every night and when he did, he was quick to anger." I looked up at him now, seeing that he was listening closely. "He'd beat my Mom and I on the daily," I finally got out, tearing up a little as I thought about it all. "And, when I was seven, I got home from school and my Mom was just... Gone." I felt a few tears roll down my face as I spoke quieter, no longer able to look at Jack. "She had left because she couldn't take my Dad's beatings anymore, but she didn't take me with. When my Dad got home that night..." I trailed off, everything replaying in my head. "That was the worst beating I'd ever had. He actually broke my leg, and that's when I started having issues with this foot. I suppose it never really healed right, and I was totally unable to use it a few days before you found me. I just kind of... Took his beatings, and eventually got the courage to run away with I was twelve. So... Skip forward to age sixteen, and I'm here," I finally finished, looking up at Jack.