Who Is He?
Prologue
"His face was so beautiful and sad.... that even my young heart wanted to make him happy"
I can hear them again. My neighbors are fighting. The little boy screams for him to stop. I kneel down by my window. Closing my eyes tight, I cover my ears and sing to myself. I don’t like it. Then, nothing. I listen hard, then uncover my ears. Turning around, I stand a little, peek over the edge of the window, and see him walking fast by the side of my house. He stumbles, falls, and crawls out of my sight.
He’s hurt. My heart races. I could get in a lot of trouble. Daddy would be real mad. Kneeling down out of sight for a moment, I stand quickly and creep to the doorframe. I listen. Hard. The TV plays and I hear him snore. Hope ignites. Tiptoeing down the stairs, I sneak into the kitchen. Getting a chair from the small dining table, I stand on it and reach for the top shelf. I get what I need, slide the chair back in, and make my way to the back door.
My hand reaches for the knob, grips it tight, then…I still. I could get in a lot of trouble for this. My heart beats out of my chest. Turning the knob, it squeaks a little, and fear washes over me. Stopping, I turn it so slowly that it takes forever to make the rotation. Finally, I feel the latch click over, and I pull the door open. Taking off my slippers, I put them in between the door and frame so the door can’t close. Barefoot and dressed only in my white nightie, I tread softly through the backyard, the soft grass cold under my feet, following the sound of the heavy breathing and soft crying.
Finding him at the back of the property line under a tree, I see him cover his face with his hands. His body shakes.Even hidden away in the dark, he doesn’t want anyone to see his tears. He’s trying to be strong. My heart hurts. Slowly walking closer, I step on a twig. It breaks, and his face snaps up to look at me. Jumping up like a jack in the box, he yells out
Not coming any closer, I put down my supplies and whisper
Belle
You're-you're hurt...
He watches me carefully, looking between the things I’ve brought and my face, as if searching for some hint of this being a joke. He scowls and says quietly
Even in the dark, I see the hatred in his eyes. It shines bright as day.
I see his cheek become darker. Stepping forward with wide eyes, I tell him
Belle
Daddy says human are made of love, and capable of only loving. I'm sure someone will make you love again and make you forget your hatred. Please let me... you're bleeding...
Reaching up to his cheek, he touches the wound with his fingertips, pulls it away, then looks at his blood. He rubs it between his thumb and middle finger slowly. Caressing the blood, as if in apology
Antonio
No one can help me *cold stare*
He can’t boss me around. Placing a hand on my hip, I glare at him and whisper-hiss
Belle
I could get into a lot of trouble. My daddy would be real mad because...I came to help you
Belle
Please let me help you..
I need to get back inside before my dad finds out I’m not in bed.
My face must show my fear because his posture relaxes a little
Antonio
Why would you want to help me then?
I'm not sure how to answer this why
Antonio
No one else cares if I'm hurt
My heart races with the constant need to convince him
He finally let's his guard down. *After bandaging*
We stand there, staring at each other a long time. Finally, he comes closer to me.
Antonio
Doesn't matter. You'll forget once I'm gone.
Lifting his head, he runs a hand through his messy brown hair to keep it out of his face. He watches me a second more before he utters
Another noise in the house makes me jolt. Looking into his brown eyes, I say
Belle
I need to go Antonio. I'll see you another time.
He looks down at the floor
I love my job
The knocking on the door won’t quit. Burying myself deeper into the mattress, I pull the covers tighter around me and sigh dreamily.
Someone
“Belle, get your *** up! Did you forget what today is?”
My eyes snap open and I gasp. It's Drew
Running down the hall to the front door, I undo the latch and swing the door open. An annoyed looking Drew stands there. He takes one look at my body and his mouth gapes. Brow furrowing, I look down
I don’t like to sleep in anything too bulky. A comfortable bra and panties are my usual bedding combo. Running back to my room, I hear Drew chuckle.
Belle
Laugh it up, Drew! You’ll get yours.
Drew is a fellow case worker, and I forgot – I f**king forgot – that we need to be in court early this morning.
I moved to Australia from the US when I was eighteen. My foster mom took care of me from the time I was sixteen, and when her health started to decline, she wanted to move to be closer to her family. Being Australian born, that’s where she was headed, and I accepted that I was losing my mama. Only, that’s not what happened. After days of being depressed over her impending departure she stated
Caroline (fl mother)
You need to pack your things into boxes so I can send them ahead of us. You should only keep a suitcase full of clothes. I’ll make sure I don’t send everything too early, but I still want our stuff to meet us when we get there.
Mom’s face fell at my dumbfounded expression.
Caroline (fl mother)
You don’t want to come with me?
Blinking a few moments, I let out an excited shriek and jumped on her
Belle
Yes! Yes! I do, Mama!
Thus ending our little miscommunication
Undressing, I spray my body with deodorant for a good thirty seconds before tossing the can aside and rummaging for something decent to wear. I settle for a long-sleeved white shirt tucked into black slacks, and add a thin black belt....hmm. Definitely courthouse chic. Slipping on a pair of high heels, I swipe the sleep from my eyes, release my hair from its ponytail, shake it out, and look at myself in the mirror. Not bad. It could be a lot worse. Pursing my lips, I nod my head in affirmation. It’s going to have to do. I don’t have time right now.
Drew entered when I was end-touching my lipstick
Drew
You seriously got…” *gestures to my entire body* “…all of that done in not even five minutes?”
Rushing to grab my purse in the kitchenette
Drew
I gotta have serious words with my girl. Seriously, though. Who needs two hours to get ready to go to the movies?
That is a long time. Finally having located my purse and files, I walk back out to him
Belle
Don’t start anything that’s going to backfire. She only takes so long because she wants to look nice for you.
Walking to my front door, he scoffs
Drew
I prefer her without all the shit all over her face
Stopping in my tracks, I place a hand on my hip and tilt my head.
Belle
Have you told her that?
We exit my unit and head out to his car. On the way over to the courthouse
Belle
Tahlia takes better care of herself than her parents do. And besides that, she’s seventeen. If she wants to be emancipated, I think she’s got a great chance. We’re not talking about a thirteen-year-old here. We’re talking about a seventeen-year-old who left home at fifteen, got a job, and found a place to stay. On. Her. Own. She’s responsible, and… *turning to Drew* She’s such a nice girl. So sweet and charming. I think she’s got what it takes to stay out of the system
Drew turns back to the road, smiling
Drew
I think this one’s in the bag
Please note that emancipated means to get released from parental care
As soon as we exit the courtroom, I lose my poker face, rush over to Tahlia, and whisper-shout
Belle
Congratulations honey!!
She laughs quietly and accepts my hug. I hold her tight, smiling all the while. I love my job. I love to see people smile because of me.
She mutters into my shirt
Thalia
Thank you. Really. Thank you so much.
Pulling back, I place her hair behind her ear
Belle
It was my pleasure. *smile*
Someone watching me
Belle
So what happens now is that you’re free to do as you please. That is not an invitation for you to have all-nighters and get wasted, you hear?
Tahlia rolls her eyes and lets out a giggle
Smiling, I place my hand on her forearm and squeeze
Belle
You know you can call anytime. Even if it’s not important. It could be something silly, like advice about a boy, or even what laundry detergent to use for a particular type of stain. Anything, honey. You’re not on my books anymore, but you’ll always be one of my kids.
The smile drops off her face; her eyes shine bright.
Thalia
Thanks, Miss Ballentine.
Belle
Oh, no. You’re an adult now. You get to call me Belle.
She wipes at her eye to stop the tear before it falls.
Drew waits patiently in the driver’s seat playing around on his phone. As I approach the car, I feel someone watching me.
Shivers break out over my entire body. My hair stands on end.
Stopping with a jerk, I try to play it cool. I open my purse and make it look as though I’m searching for something important. Who is this guy!!
My heart races. Where is he? I try to look around discreetly. My gaze drifts across the street to one of the many cafés there. My eyes dart around, looking for the familiar black hoodie. And just as I’m about to give up, I see him.
He watches me from under the hood of his jacket, reclining on a café chair.
I know I should report this.
He’s everywhere. And I mean everywhere. It almost seems like he knows where I’m going to be before I know.
His head lifts, and his eyes watch mine.
He never acknowledges me. He doesn’t ever make a move to meet me. He just…is. Never bothering me. In fact, seeing him stirs something in me. He is lodged in my subconscious. The star of my dreams. Which is ridiculous. I know. His eyes are fierce. Full of fire. I don’t know what to make of it. What exactly does he want from me?!
Drew
“Ready to go, Belle?”
And I shake my head, realizing I’ve been standing here for close to five minutes just staring at a strange man across the street. Face burning, I reply
Belle
Yes! Let's get back to the office.
My eyes drift back to him. Just one more peek. But he’s gone. Like always.
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