Don't Forget

“This isn't a fair deal.” Mia fidgeted with the back of her hair. It was getting long she needed to cut it.

“Your story is worse than a lonely kid who gets maimed and then abandoned for trying to fix it?”

“Your story could never make me hate you.”

“I could never hate you Mia.”

“Never say never,” Mia said. She moved to out of his lap and sat at the edge of his bed. Eric moved to her and leaned his fore head on the curve of her neck.

“Just let me in so I can fix it.”

“I’m not some car or electronic. Some shit once it’s broken…” Mia stood up wiping her face to get rid of the tears, “Oh God,” She went to the dresser drawer and put on one of Eric’s shirts and a pair of his sweats.

“Wait, where are you going?” Eric said standing in front of the door as she turned towards it.

“Move,”

“Answer me,”

“Eric I can’t,” She sobbed wiping her eyes, “I can’t tell you! Why isn't that enough?”

“Because it’s not anymore…” Eric cupped Mia’s face so she would look at him, “I've never seen you so scared as when you wake up from one of these night terrors. How can I comfort you when I don’t know what you’re running from?”

“I never asked for your fucking help!” Mia shouted.

“You can’t just push me away like you do your father either Mia!” Eric shouted at her, “I’m not fucking moving.”

Mia thought of her father’s face every time she’d lashed out at him for asking any questions that probed too deep. He just took the verbal beating without responding, as if he deserved it. Here she was again, hurting someone she cared about for getting too close. She was at the point of no return in her despair.

“Please…”She begged, “You just don’t get it.” She sobbed so hard her body was shaking.

“But I want to Miamor,” Eric said pressing his forehead to hers,“I just want to get it for once. I don’t think I've never wanted something like this so much in my life. I swear I can fix it… if you could just tell me what’s wrong…”

Tears were coming out of Mia’s eyes as she met Eric’s. She shook his head, “I can’t…” Mia said hoarsely.

“Why not?” Eric asked softly.

“Because you won't look at me the same,”

“Why don’t you try and see?” Eric said.

“I can’t lose you…” Mia admitted putting her hands on his at her face. She turned her head and kissed his palm, “I couldn't bear it.”

“Mia I watched you with another guy for two years.” Eric said, “I’m still here, I’m not going anywhere.”

“You promise?” Mia asked. The sobs had finally subsided.

“I promise.”

Mia took a shuddering breath before finally letting it go, “I was raped. Over and over and over again by my mom’s boyfriend. She was too high to ever protect me and he did what he wanted.” Now that she’d started she couldn't stop, “I never told anyone. He said when people knew what he’d done to me they’d know I was worthless.” The sobs were bubbling up, “I never told anyone. Not even *hic* my dad and he...He loves me so much...I just didn't want him to…”

“Take your time…” Eric said pulling her into a hug, “How did you get out?”

“One time he hurt me so bad I couldn't sit right in class.” Mia said into his arm, “They sent me to the nurse. The nurse called the authorities no matter how much I begged her not to. The authorities took me to the Child protection office and my dad picked me up from there. He moved us out here to give me a new start. I’m so sorry Eric.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” Eric said into her hair. He hugged her tighter, “I could kill him for hurting you like that.”

“But I’m so broken.”

“That’s what I’m here for Miamor,” Eric said. He scooped her up and carried her back to bed, “To fix you.”