Down For The Count

Wait For It

Heck, even if Pippa doesn't tell him anything, he can definitely hear me crying. He'll just hit me for being whiny and stupid. For being annoying, for being stupidly sensitive.

I'm pretty much screwed whichever way you look at it.

Most kids my age aren't this sensitive about these things, aren't triggered so easily. Why can't I be like that? Why do I have to be so emotionally set off?

I watched, terrified as Phillipa came over to me, sitting down beside me as she had been a moment prior, pulling me back into her embrace.

"Did...did you...did you tell him-"

"I didn't say anything you didn't want me to say." Phillipa reassured me, and I felt a tiny bit better.

But the fear was still very much in control of my body.

It's gonna happen. I don't want it to happen again. I don't want to get hit everyday, to just have the abuse become a normal everyday thing.

Lin being abusive was a picture that hurt my heart to think about.

But I know it's bound to happen. It always does. I'm just waiting for it at this point.

Dads aren't good. They're all bad, they're...they're all bad.

"How m-mad was he?" I asked, an answer I really didn't want to hear, but I knew it was something that I needed to know. I have to brace myself.

"He's not mad, Paisley. He's just worried about you." Pippa said quietly.

I wasn't sure how true that was, or if there was even any truth to it at all. Maybe she's just trying to spare my feelings.

"And even better, Dave said he wouldn't press charges against Anthony! I mean...under the agreement that he gets to keep his job, which sucks, but Lin said he'll get a restraining order against him. That's good!" Pippa told me, obviously trying to cheer me up.

I was extremely relieved that Anthony wouldn't have to face legal matters, and even more relieved that I wasn't the reason someone got fired.

But a restraining order? That'll only make Dave hate me more, and...and probably just make Lin angry that he has to file for one in the first place. All because I'm stupid and over-sensitive.

"He said he'd call Vanessa, too." Pippa added. I nodded, feeling my stomach settle a bit knowing that she would be here soon. I wouldn't have to be alone with Lin.

It was quiet for a few minutes, Phillipa not saying anything else, just letting me calm myself down. She also didn't leave, which I was thankful for. It helped having someone here.

The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable at all, but rather peaceful, and I felt myself get sleepy. Today has been a day and a half, and I'll be very relieved when I'm in bed and can just go to sleep.

"Vanessa is here." Pippa said, looking down at her phone.

I quickly got up, making my way over to the sinks and washing my hands. I wet a paper towel and spread it over my face in an attempt to look not so blotchy, a trick that I had learned from one too many school bathroom breakdowns.