Bruises On the Soul

Pat came home about three, whistling as he opened the front door. 

I turned my head from where I sat on the couch, watching tv. 

" Where've you been?" I asked. 

He shrugged," Out"

I rose an eyebrow," With a lady friend?"

He grinned, winking," Maybe"

I gave a small smile,"Casanova wannabe"
" Lazy homebody" he retorted
" Trouble-making loser"
" Whore"
"Ass"
"Bitch"
" Immature"
"Psycho" 
" Stupid"
"Meanie" he pouted. 

I laughed. 

Oh god, just like old times. 
Pat threw off his hoodie and came to sit next to me. 

" What are we watching?" he asked, wrapping his arms round me. 

I sighed," Batman Begins"

I could feel him roll his eyes from behind me," You're such a geek" he said. 

I scoffed," No,You just have such a simple mindset that you can't begin to understand the complex nature of a man with two identities!" 

Pat chuckled," I missed you" he kissed the top of my head. 

I frowned, looking up at him," I missed you too, Patsy. "

We lay there on the couch for a while, watching the movie. 
Until he finally broke the silence. 

" Why did you let him do it?" Patrick asked, tracing the handprint-like bruise on my arm, the one I've been hiding under jackets. 

I stiffened," Pat-"

" No. I want to know. "

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest," I guess I- I felt like I deserved it. I-uhm, after so long of hearing that you're not good enough, you start to believe it. 

And the first time, I told myself that he didn't mean it, he just had a bad day, but now I see that I was putting myself in denial, because I didn't want to disappoint people."

Pat frowned, baby blue eyes saddened," What do you mean?"

I bit my lip," My whole family, Patrick. They all have it figured out. Even Olaf knows what he wants to do with his life! I'm just stuck. I don't know! And I thought, well maybe if I can prove to them that I can do
Something right, I can be a good girlfriend, a good wife..."

I couldn't finish because I broke down in sobs, and Patrick pulled his arms tighter around me, rocking me back and forth. 

" Oh Josie, baby, no. We could never be disappointed in you. Have you even told your parents yet? That you're here?"

I shook my head against his chest, tears still flowing. 

" I'm afraid to, and I'm scared of what Lars will do..."

Pat nodded," You have to tell them, Josie. You have to. "

He handed me my cell phone which was sitting on the coffee table in front of us. 

I sniffed a couple times, wiping off my face with my hands. 

I took the phone shakily, dialing the familiar number. 

" Hello? Mom?"

I heard a gasp," Josefine! Sweetie, how are you?"

A tear rolled down my face, and I broke out in sobs again,"Mom.."