Safe and Sound

by Lindy Zart

  “Don’t talk to your mother like that.” His eyes narrowed on her. “And we better not be getting in trouble for your truancy. Get your ass back to the school.”

  Disgust for him twisted her features, disgust for her mother. She turned eyes that blazed on Bob. “You. Stole. My. Money.”

  His lips twisted cruelly and Lola was stunned by the depth of her revulsion for another human being. “I needed it.”

  “I earned that money. It was mine. And you just…took it.” Lola turned to her mother. “How could you do this, Mom? How could you let him do that?”

  Lana looked away. Lola’s throat hurt with the force of her betrayal. Tears seeped from her eyes, dripped down her face and to her shirt.

  Her mother was just like him. She didn’t want to believe it, but she was. And Lana was so weak.

  “Taking care of you ain’t free, you know, and we’ve been on hard times. Not that you would know or care. Needed it for expenses.” Bob scratched his hairy chest. “Now get out of here. We need to sleep.”

  “Bob lost his job last night, Lola. We need the money for bills. Bob said we’ll put it back when he gets another job. Please understand,” Lana pleaded, a hand outstretched.

  Lola looked at her mother’s hand, wanted to spit on it. Her jaw clenched as she looked her mom over. “You took the money out yesterday, before he lost his job. You’re pathetic. Both of you.”

  Lana’s eyes dropped to the blanket, her face full of shame.

  Bob fell out of the bed in his haste to get out of it. He swore, untangled the sheet from his legs, and headed for Lola. “You worthless kid. You think you can talk to us like that?”

  Lola trembled, but straightened her back and looked him in the eye. It was like staring at pure evil

  “You’ve been nothing but trouble since I married your mother,” he ranted, getting close enough to Lola she could smell his stench.

  His hands stretched out and grabbed her arms. His fingers dug into her flesh and Lola winced. “You good for nothing little shit. Mouthing off like that. Nothing but trouble. You’re nothing but trouble, you hear me?” Lola’s teeth slammed together as she was shaken like a rag doll.

  “Bob. Please,” Lana called from the bed.

  Lola stared at him, loathing oozing from her very being. Do your worst.

  “She needs to be taught a lesson,” he said, glaring at Lola.

  “Like how you’re going to teach me how to be a whore?” she shot back, unable to stop the words in time.

  Bob’s eyes widened. “You little bitch,” he said under his breath.

  “Bob? What is she talking about?”

  His hands left her arms and immediately went to her throat. Lola pulled at his hands, but they wouldn’t budge. He squeezed and Lola fought to breathe.

  “You’re lucky I don’t kill you,” he whispered.

  Do it. Lola closed her eyes, willing him to do so and end her misery.

  “Bob!” Lana said in alarm. Lola watched over Bob’s shoulder as her mom finally got out of the bed and rushed over to them. “Let her go. Please.”

  Lola couldn’t move, could barely breathe.

  The pressure disappeared as Bob released her. Lola sucked in a staggering breath of air, hands on her neck.

  “Get your ass out of here before I change my mind,” he said for her ears only.

  Lola stared at him, imagining all kinds of horrific ends to his life.

  His fist punched the wall above her head and she flinched. “Now!” he roared.

  “I hate you. I hate you both,” Lola said evenly, though she was quaking on the inside.

  Bob backhanded her across the face. Lana cried out. Lola glared at him, a hand to her stinging cheek. She didn’t say anything more, but she thought things. Oh, the things she thought.

  7

  Lola went to the window and opened it from the outside. She climbed inside, shut the window, and went to the mirror. Her hair was wild, her eyes too. Lola didn’t recognize the girl staring back at her. She looked crazy, out of control. There was an unnatural light in her eyes, a set to her jaw not normally there.

  A glance at the clock told her it was second period at school. Lola maneuvered the dresser back to its spot along the wall. She put all her anger and hurt into it, pictured it was Bob, and shoved with all her might.

  “What the hell is all the racket?” he shouted through the door, banging on it.

  Lola fisted her hand, strode to the door, and slammed her hand against the door once. There was a moment of silence and then she heard his retreat.

  Her breath left her in fast, shallow bursts. Bob was going to be abusive to her whether she behaved or not; whether she did something right or wrong. Lola’s head lifted and her back straightened. There was no point in being scared; the abuse would happen regardless.

  All she had left was the ability to fight back.

  The fear melted away. Lola felt lighter, freer.

  She put on makeup for the first time in close to a year. The shadow of a bruise was taking place of the one above her eye, only this time on her cheek. Her neck was unmarred, at least for now.

  Lola fixed her hair and grabbed her backpack.

  She walked down the hallway of the school like a new person. She didn’t clutch her books to her chest and avoid eye contact. She looked straight ahead and strode with purpose.

  The bell sounded, signaling the end of second period. The gym door opened and there was Sebastian, hair damp from a recent shower. He smelled good. He had on a black buttoned-down shirt and dark blue jeans with black boots.

  He paused when he saw her. Roxanne wasn’t far behind him, arm wrapped around one of his, clinging to him. She had on a tight red shirt and jeggings, brown boots up to her knees.

  Lola’s newfound confidence fledged. She swallowed.

  “What. The—“ Roxanne began, but cut off when Sebastian gave her a look.

  Kids bustled around them, propelling the trio into the hallway more. Lola stood there a moment, not sure what she should do.

  Then she saw him.

  Jack ambled down the hallway, hands in pockets. He wore a black tee shirt with the word ‘Muse’ on it and jeans. His eyes zeroed in on her. Jack looked at her like she was the only person in the hallway. Her heartbeat picked up. One half of his mouth quirked and her palms turned sweaty.

  “Hey. I was wondering where you were,” he said, eyes searching her face. They lingered on her cheek and thin lines formed around his lips. Then his gaze lifted to her eyes and asked a silent question.

  Lola gave an almost imperceptible nod.

  “Lola?” Sebastian was watching them like a hawk, taking in their exchange. “Did you need to talk to me about something?”

  She remembered Sebastian then. He stood near her, almost hovering over her protectively. He didn’t look happy. And behind him was Roxanne, silently fuming and promising retribution.

  “Uh…no,” Lola said, eyes on Jack.

  “Let’s go before we’re late. Some of us don’t especially like detention.” Roxanne tugged on Sebastian’s arm.

  Jack gave Roxanne a mocking smile. She pursed her lips, but otherwise pretended he wasn’t there.

  Sebastian seemed to shake himself. “Right.” He gave Lola a lingering look. “If you need anything…”

  Lola didn’t respond, well aware of how Roxanne would react to her asking Sebastian for help of any kind. Not well. Not well at all.

  The hallway was emptying around them. Sebastian and Roxanne left. Or rather, Roxanne dragged Sebastian away with dagger eyes directed at Lola.

  Jack’s eyebrows lifted. “So…that was fun.”

  “Hardly.”

  “You look different today.”

  “Oh? Must be the new bruise.” Lola started to walk.

  “That’s not it,” he told her. Jack reached for her hand, halting her. “What happened?”

  Lola shook her head. “I can’t talk about it now.”

  “Okay. But when you want to, I’m here.”<
br />
  For the first time she noticed how long and thick his eyelashes were; saw the flecks of gold in his green eyes. His lips took on a sensual quality. She was stunned to find she thought him beautiful.

  He tilted his head. “What is it?”

  Lola closed her parted lips. The final bell sounded. “Nothing. I have to get to class.”

  Jack slowly let his fingers caress her arm and hand as he pulled away. “See ya, Goody Two Shoes.” He smiled and Lola’s pulse tripled in tempo.

  She hurried to Biology, flushed and giddy and having no idea why.

  ***

  It was the end of the school day. Lola had gotten a warning from the principal about leaving school early the other day and showing up late that day. She was supposed to bring a note from home excusing her absences. Lola had one in her backpack, already forged and ready to go.

  Thoughts on what to expect when she arrived home, Lola wasn’t aware of anything until she tripped over something and went sprawling to the hard floor.

  Cruel laughter sounded from above her.

  Her chin hit the linoleum, jarring her; Lola’s backpack skidded across to the other end of the corridor and was kicked by stampeding feet eager to leave the school. Someone stepped on her hand and a cry of pain left her.

  “What the hell, Roxanne!” Sebastian shouted, dropping to his knees beside her. He pulled her up, studying her face. “Are you okay?”

  “She tripped. I didn’t do anything,” Roxanne said in a rush, voice high.

  Sebastian shot Roxanne a look over his shoulder. Lola watched Roxanne go still, took in the details of her face slowly falling. She looked scared and worried.

  He tipped Lola’s chin up and let out a sigh. “Your chin is split and bleeding. Probably needs stitches.” His eyes narrowed. “Did you hit your cheek too?”

  Lola swallowed. His touch was warm, gentle, and familiar. She shook her head. Her chin burned and also felt kind of numb, but wasn’t excruciatingly painful.

  She put her hand against her chin, surprised to find it wet. She looked at the warm red liquid covering her fingertips and blinked.

  “I didn’t do anything, Sebastian!” Roxanne cried again.

  Sebastian’s jaw tightened and he turned his head so he could see her. “I saw you. She didn’t trip. You stuck your leg out and made her fall.”

  “But—“

  “Go home, Roxanne.” Weariness resonated from Sebastian’s voice. “Just go home.” He turned back to Lola. “I’ll drive you to the clinic. My mom’s working today. She’ll fit you in.”

  Sebastian helped Lola to her feet. He didn’t look back at Roxanne, not once. A broken sound came from Roxanne. Her conscience gave a twinge and she briefly wondered how she could feel bad for someone so abhorrent to her every chance she got.

  Lola knew he heard it too in the way his back stiffened. Sebastian had that stubborn set to his jaw and Lola knew he wouldn’t be dissuaded from his current thoughts or emotions anytime soon. If Roxanne was smart she’d leave him be.

  “Sebastian,” she pleaded, “I didn’t mean for her to get hurt.”

  He dropped his hands from Lola’s elbows and whirled around to face his girlfriend. “What did you think was going to happen?”

  Roxanne had no answer.

  “Let’s go, Lola. I’ll get some toilet paper from the bathroom to hold against it until we get there.”

  They walked down the hall beside each other, just like they had every school day for years. It felt weird. Lola kept looking at him out of the corner of her eye. He did the same. They didn’t speak.

  He felt like a stranger and she didn’t know how just a year had made that possible. But it had. So much had changed. Lola wouldn’t even know where to begin if he asked her what all had changed.

  It was warm, close to seventy out. Lola squinted her eyes against the sun and looked at Sebastian. She felt dumb holding a wad of toilet paper against her chin. Kids looked at her oddly as they went down the steps.

  “This way,” he said, nodding toward the school parking lot.

  Lola followed him, aware of all the greetings he got along the way. Sebastian had always been popular. Not so much because he was good-looking and athletic, although that didn’t hurt, but because he was a genuinely nice person.

  At the car, he paused, turning to her. “I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe she did that.”

  I can, was what she thought. But what she said was, “I’m sure she didn’t mean for me to fall.” I’m lying. Also, your girlfriend’s crazy.

  The interior of the car was clean and smelled like coconuts. ‘Between Two Lungs’ by Florence and the Machine played from the stereo.

  Sebastian turned the volume down and looked at her.

  Lola already felt stupid, but it magnified with his intense gaze on her. “What, Sebastian?”

  He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, mussing it. “Nothing.” He fiddled with the keys. “Guess I better get you to the doctor.”

  They pulled out of the parking lot. Lola caught a glimpse of a tall figure with a face devoid of expression near the lilac bush in front of the school.

  She glanced back as the car drove down the street, but Jack was gone.

  “Do you have to work tonight?”

  She jerked her attention to Sebastian. “Um, yeah, I do.”

  “I’ll take you and pick you up when you’re done, if you feel up to working.”

  Lola thought of her lost money, thought of her plans to get a car, then to escape. It made her sick thinking about it. All that money. Gone. Any check she got she’d have to cash and hide from now on.

  “I have to work, and no, I don’t need a ride there or back. I’ll be fine.” Nothing had changed between them.

  Sebastian’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. “What did I do?”

  Lola froze, disbelieving of the pain she heard in his voice. “What?”

  The car came to a stop outside the blue building known as Morgan Creek Clinic. ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ by Gotye came on the radio.

  “Fitting, huh?” Bitterness laced his words.

  She frowned, confused. “What are you talking about?”

  He gritted his teeth and twisted his body so he faced her. Sebastian stared at her, a tick in his right jaw. “What did I do to push you away? Did I say something? Do something? What?”

  Lola stared at him. He looked so sad. She’d never been able to bear his sorrow. What hurt him had hurt her at one point. Apparently it still did.

  “Sebastian, I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.” Their gazes met, his doubtful and hers troubled. “I didn’t—“

  “Is it because of what I said?”

  Lola searched her brain. Nothing came to her. “When?”

  “The last time we talked.”

  She couldn’t remember the last time they talked. How could he remember that? Why didn’t she?

  The air in the car became thick, heavy, and Lola couldn’t breathe. She was suffocating. “I need—“

  “God, what is wrong with me?” he groaned, thumping his head against the back of the seat. “You need stitches. Sorry.” Sebastian jumped from the car, jogged to her side, and helped her out.

  The clinic had two doctors and two nurse practitioners; one of the doctors was Dr. Malory Jones, Sebastian’s mother.

  Derek Jones, Sebastian’s father, owned a hardware store in town and that’s where Sebastian worked when he wasn’t busy with sports and whatever other extracurricular activities he had going on.

  The interior was decorated in mauve and forest green. There was a small waiting area, a desk for the receptionist, and three rooms to see patients in. It smelled like lemons in the clinic.

  Sebastian remained beside her as she registered at the front desk, though it wasn’t necessary. She continually felt his eyes on her.

  The receptionist, an older lady with white curly hair and glasses, informed Lola, “Since you’re a minor, we need your mother or father to sig
n a form giving us permission to treat you.”

  Lola’s stomach plummeted.

  “Call your mom, Lola,” Sebastian urged when she didn’t say anything. “Here. Use my phone.”

  Lola stared at the black phone. Her hand shook as she took it. When her mother answered, Lola hung her head in relief.

  “She’ll be here soon,” Lola told the secretary, handing the phone back to Sebastian.

  The room she was assigned to was painted celery green. Butterflies hung from the ceiling.

  Lola noticed the bruises on her arms when her blood pressure was taken. The nurse eyed them, but didn’t say anything. When she left, Lola got up and went to the mirror, studying her face and neck. Two small bruises where Bob’s thumbs had pressed into her throat were visible.

  Sebastian came up behind her. Their eyes met in the reflective glass. “Does it hurt?”

  For a minute Lola thought he meant the bruises, but then realized he meant her chin.

  “No. It feels weird more than anything. Numb.”

  He took the toilet paper from her, turned her around, and carefully dabbed at the wound, eyes down. “I miss you.” Sebastian looked up at the same time Lola’s stomach dropped.

  Before she could answer, the door opened and his mother walked in.

  Dr. Jones was tall, slim, and dressed in a black jacket and skirt, gold heels on her feet. She was a feminine version of Sebastian down to the gray eyes and light brown hair; her features striking more than pretty.

  Her lips formed into a warm smile and she enfolded Lola in her arms. “Lola. I’m so glad to see you, although the circumstances aren’t the best.” She smelled like lavender. Lola returned the hug. It felt good to be hugged, to feel loved.

  Dr. Jones pulled away, took in Lola’s face, and her features softened. “Oh, honey, does it hurt a lot?”

  Lola shook her head, wiping her wet eyes on her arm.

  “What happened?” She sat down at the desk and opened a laptop.

  Lola opened her mouth, but Sebastian spoke first.

  “Roxanne tripped her.”