Ava Gray #2
When I pulled up outside, I sat still for a moment to gather my thoughts and emotions. At the front door, I took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.
“Hey…” Julia’s words trailed off.
Her initial smile turned into an expression of horror.
“Oh, Ava!” Her hand covered her mouth. “Oh my god, girl! What happened? Come here.” She immediately guided me inside her home.
“I’m so sorry for reaching out so late.” I managed to say.
“No, no, it’s okay. Who did this to you? You need to go to the hospital. Yea, let me get you to the hospital.” She tried to rush off, but I stopped her.
“No,”
“Ava…” she frowned.
“I’m fine. I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not.” She shook her head.
She led me to her couch, and we both took a seat. Julia had concern written all over her face.
“I need to take you to the hospital.”
“No,” I groaned. “I can’t right now.”
She looked like she wanted to argue. Instead she nodded as her eyes searched over my appearance.
“Okay, well…at least let me have our family doctor come by to take a look at you. You need to be checked out.”
I sat quietly, then nodded in agreement.
“Other than the doctor, please keep this between us.” I begged.
“I won’t tell a soul, I promise.” She now had tears in her eyes.
Julia reached over toward me, and gently wrapped her arms around me with a gentle hug. Despite how I felt, I truly needed it.
“I’m going to make a phone call. I’ll be right back.”
I waited patiently for five minutes before she came back.
“Here, take this, it’ll help with the pain.” She stood in front of me with a bottle of water and a white pill.
“Brian is on the way over. I’m going to help you get out of this dress and clean up before he gets here. Is that okay?” She asked softly.
“Yeah,” my voice was low.
She gave my battered face and body another quick glance before helping me stand to my feet.
I followed her down a hallway and into a bedroom.
We went into the bathroom connected which was damn near the same size as the room.
I watched her grab a towel, washcloth, and something for me to change into.
She sat everything on the sink counter before focusing back on me.
“We should take pictures before you get in the shower.” She suggested.
My mind was all over the place, I hadn’t even thought about taking pictures.
“My screen is cracked.”
“I can take them on my phone and email them to you. Cool?”
“Okay.” I agreed.
First, she began taking pictures of my face at every angle.
Then, she helped me remove the dress, which left me standing in nothing but a thong.
Hell, we were both women so I wasn’t shy nor was I embarrassed to stand in front of her naked.
I stood still as she snapped pictures of me all the way down to my legs.
Well, I thought she was taking pictures but once she was done, she said it was actually a video.
Even better, I guess. Julia offered to help me in the shower but I politely declined.
I wanted to take that time to decompress as much as possible.
The hot water that rained over me, temporarily soothed the pain.
Images and thoughts of my baby flashed through my mind as I cried.
I knew Rob would attempt to come after me, once he realized I was gone and never coming back.
I had never taken papers out on him but this was the cherry on top.
Not only was I pressing charges, but I was also going to get an order of protection for me and Savannah.
This shit was crazy. I never thought my life would turn out like this.
It’s cool though, because I was done with the bullshit, and I’ll never allow myself to go through it again.
Once I came out the bathroom, Julia was sitting on the bed waiting for me.
Quietly, I sat down beside her with nothing to say.
“Here, this will help with the swelling.” She handed me an ice pack to place on my face.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you, Ava. Who in the hell would do something like this? Were they trying to rob you or something?”
I looked down at the floor, and hesitated for a moment before I decided to answer her question.
“My husband did this.” I mumbled, my lips were so swollen.
Tears immediately flooded her eyes as her skin turned rosy red.
“Wait a minute. Where’s Savannah?” She asked, alarmed.
“She’s with my sister.”
Julia let out a sigh of relief as she held her chest.
“I’m not trying to bring my drama to your front door. I didn’t know who else to turn to. I hate to even ask this, but I really need a favor.” I wiped my eyes. “I’m not going to be able to come to work for a few days.”
“Don’t worry about work, Ava. You take as much time off as you need to get better.”
Since I was leaving with nothing, I had to keep working to save up. However, I wouldn’t dare clock in with my face battered. I’d never been the type of person to ask for anything unless I truly needed it. Right now, I truly needed a helping hand.
“I just wanted to know if…if I could get an advancement. I can’t go back to that house.
I can’t take my baby back there either. I would go stay with family but that’ll be the first place he would look to try to get me to come back.
They don’t care too much for him anyways and I don’t want any more drama to take place. ”
Julia wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.
“I’ll be more than happy to help you. As a matter of fact, I have a townhouse right outside the city not too far from the office. I’m going to give you the key and you can stay there for as long as you need. In the morning, when the bank opens, I’ll get your money.”
“Thank you,” tears continued to fall as I sniffed. “You don’t understand how much that means to me.” I hugged her.
“Oh honey, I definitely understand. Trust me. I’ma tell you something that I’ve never told anyone before.
You’re honestly the first person I’m telling my story to.
Two years ago, I was in a relationship with this guy.
At first it was great, I really thought that asshole was my prince charming.
On the outside looking in, we were madly in love.
Literally the perfect couple. But I was sleeping with the devil.
He liked to party…a lot. Spent tons of money on coke and ecstasy.
I hated it and we argued about it alot. The first time I told him that I wanted out of our relationship he went crazy.
He pulled a knife on me and threatened to kill me then kill himself.
That seemed to be one of his favorite things to do because everytime it made me stay.
I didn’t want to die or have his blood on my hands.
That’s until he beat me up pretty badly.
Broke my nose in three places and fractured my collarbone. ” She stared at the wall.
“I lied and told my parents that I took a trip to the Dominican Republic to get a nose job because I felt insecure.” She chuckled, wiping her tears.
“Instead, I was in Colorado hiding while my wounds healed. I didn’t want to go to my family or tell anyone because I didn’t want people to look at me as weak.
When you’re in an abusive relationship, it’s hard to get away, especially when there’s an ounce of genuine love involved.
But, eventually, it’ll get to a point where love no longer matters. ”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “I’m glad you made it out okay.” I tried to smile.
“So am I, and you’re going to be okay as well.
I knew there was something about you when I saw you at the coffee shop.
You’re a good person, Ava. You deserve to be with someone that’s going to treat you right.
And to be honest, since we’re on the subject.
I think my brother might be a good candidate. He definitely has a crush on you.”
“Who? Ethan?” I laughed for the first time even though it hurt.
“Um huh, see how excited you just got. Oh my good, you like him too don’t you?” She shrieked.
“We’re just friends. He’s the boss, and I’m the employee. I can’t cross that line.”
Who was I kidding? The line had already been crossed, but I wasn’t telling a soul about that interaction.
“I don’t know. He seems very persistent. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the fact y’all talk all the time. And the whole time, y’all are smiling like you’re in highschool.” She bumped my shoulder gently.
“We’re just friends.” I reminded her again.
“Okay, but for how long?” She tooted her lips.
The doorbell rang loudly, causing me to jump.
Julia noticed the expression on my face and immediately convinced me to calm down.
I forgot all about the doctor coming to check me out.
I followed Julia to the living room, where he came in with his equipment.
He did a full body examination, and I couldn’t help but thank God for not having any broken bones.
As far as my ribs, he did say it was possible that I may have had hair line fractures.
He advised me to come to his office so he could do a few X-rays just to be sure.
I also had a cut right above my swollen eye that required five stitches.
Other than that, most of the damages were bad bruises and swelling.
He gave me a bottle of Tylenol fours, then suggested I get plenty of rest. He was in and out within thirty minutes.
Once he was gone, Julia and I sat around and talked for another hour.
By the end of our conversation, I knew quite a few things about Julia nobody else did.
At least that’s what she claimed. I was comfortable enough to share with her a few things about myself that I had never shared with anyone else.
For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel alone.
Julia was literally the first person I could genuinely relate to.