A Little Piece Of Heaven

Chapter Sixteen:

My phone jolted me awake. I jumped and fumbled around for my phone. I can barely see out of one eye – it must be swollen. I’m afraid to look in the mirror. I finally found my phone.

“Hello?” I croaked.

“Hey beautiful, how are ya feeling? Jace said you had the flu or something.” Matt said. I frowned against my phone. I hate that I can’t see him anymore.

“I feel like I was hit by a bus.” I told him, honestly. He laughed. “Look, I didn’t want to do this on the phone, but I don’t know when I’ll be able to see you again.” I explained.

“No worries, just get better. I’ll see you when you’re feeling better.”

“No, that’s not what I mean. Eric is back in town and he doesn’t really want me dating anyone.” I told him, my voice broke and I felt tears running down my face.

“Are you serious, right now? He hasn’t even met me.”

“I know. Look, I’m sorry. He’s always been really protective of me. It’s just not a good idea for me to see you right now.” I told him.

“Are you breaking things off with us?” He asked, clearly upset.

“No, of course not. I don’t want to lose you, Matt. We just need to cool things down for awhile. Okay? He gets temperamental when I don’t listen to him.” I told him.

“Can I see you?” He asked.

“No. Look, I’ll text you. And I’ll see you at school.” I told him.

“This isn’t about you getting cold feet or anything?” He asked.

“No, I’ve never even dated before you. It’s not me, I swear. Can you just trust me? Please? He’ll be out of town sometime in the next week or so. We’ll be able to do something then. I’m sorry. I’ve got to go. Someone’s at the door.” I told him. I hung up. I groaned and got up. I managed to pull some pants and make my way to the living room. I don’t see Eric. He must have left for the day. I walked over to the front door and peeped out the peephole. It’s Jace. I let out a breath of relief.

I unlocked the door and pulled it open. His face contorted when he saw me. He looks so pained. I smiled and leaned in for a hug. He hugged me and came inside. We went into my room. I sat down and watched him as he locked my door. If Eric gets home while he’s here, he can always go out my window. He’s done it before.

“How bad is it?” He asked me, touching my face. I winced.

“It’s really bad.” I whispered. He frowned.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked. I shook my head.

“I just couldn’t. I was in no condition to do anything other than sleep last night. I feel worse today, though.” I told him. He sighed.

“We need to document this. I need to take pictures.” He told me. He pulled out his camera. I nodded. He helped me pull off my clothes. I kept my underwear on, but that’s it. He took pictures of my back, the insides of my legs, my front, and a few of my face, and my sides. “Is anything broken?” He asked me. I shook my head.

“It feels like my wrist is dislocated, maybe fractured.” I told him. He traced my back.

“This needs to be washed, or it could get infected.”

“Okay, I’ve got a first aid kit in the bathroom.” I told him. I followed him to the bathroom and let him disinfect my body. It stung, but it’s one less thing to worry about. “It hurts to sit down.” I told him. He looked at all my welts.

“What did he do?” He asked. I shook my head.

“You don’t want to know.”

“What did he whip you with?” He asked.

“His belt.” I whimpered. After he finished, he held me. He held me and let me cry.

“This shouldn’t be happening. Something needs to change.” He whispered.

“I’m doing everything I can to make sure that happens.” I told him.

“Then you need to report him.” Jace whispered.

“I can’t. He said if I tried to leave, he’d kill me before I made it out of the house. He said that last night. He’s not going to let me go.” I told him. Jace kissed my forehead.

“Gel, you’re burning up. If you get worse you have to go to a doctor. You can’t just treat this kind of thing at home.” Jace whispered. I got up and put on a loose-fitting shirt and a new panties. I grabbed a pair of leggings and he helped me put it on. Someone pounded on my door. I walked over and opened it. Eric stood on the other side, with a small smile on his face. I think he expected Jace to be here. For whatever reason, he’s never minded him being here… ever. I’m not sure why.

“Angel, how are you feeling?” He asked me, moving my hair out of my face. He leaned down and kissed my cheek.

“Worse than last night. I think I have a fever. Jace said I was burning up.” I told him. Eric held the back of his hand to my forehead and nodded. Jace walked over to me and looked Eric in the eye.

“She needs to go to the doctor and have her wrist checked out. I did what I could to clean her back, but she’s probably going to need something prescription to put on it.” He stood up to Eric. Eric nodded.

“I have a doctor that can probably make room in his schedule to see her.” Eric told him. “Jace, what are you doing for dinner?” He asked him. Jace shrugged.

“Nothing that I know of, why?” He asked.

“Why don’t you come over for dinner? A thank you for taking care of my daughter.” Eric suggested. He seems sincere. It’s hard to tell with him.

“Sure thing. I’d never say no to hanging out with Gel.” He smiled. “Thanks for the invite. I better go and let my mom know I won’t be home for dinner. Should I bring anything?” He asked.

“If you wouldn’t mind picking up some gingerale, that would be great.” Eric told him. Jace nodded.

“Sure thing. See ya soon.” He kissed my forehead and headed out.

“How bad is it?” Eric asked me.

“My wrist feels all kinds of fucked up. It’s almost impossible to sit down. It hurts to walk. I can’t sleep comfortably. I’m pretty sure I look like that giant goon from The Goonies. I haven’t even been able to look at myself in the mirror.” I told him, trying not to cry. I don’t know what’s up with my emotions today. “And I feel so violated, it’s not even funny.” I told him.

“Angela, that was… That was never my intention. I just get so carried away with you, sometimes.”

“That’s not an apology. And that same tired excuse isn’t good enough, anymore.” I told him. “It’s never been good enough. You’re deluding yourself, if you think that it is.”

“I am sorry.” He told me.

“I’ll believe that when it stops happening.” I told him. He nodded.

“Do you need anything?” He asked me.

“Maybe icing something will help.” I told him.

“Let’s get you to the couch.” He offered me a hand. I declined and walked myself over. Someone rang the bell.

“That must be Jace. That was fast.” I walked over to the door.

“I’m going to grab the takeout menus. We can order whatever you want.” He told me. “If he wants to stay tonight, I’d be okay with it.” He added, as he went over to the kitchen. I chuckled. It’s amazing what he’ll do when he feels guilty and he thinks he can make up for it by doing little things. I pulled the door open.

“That was fast; where did you go?” The words were out of my mouth before I looked up to see who it was. Matt stood there, bearing soup and flowers. I gaped at him. His face dropped.

“Oh my, God. Who did this to you?” He asked. He stepped forward to touch my face. “Are you okay? Did someone hurt you? Is that why you told me you couldn’t see me anymore?” He questioned. Before I had a chance to say anything, Eric was at my side.

“You must be Matthew.” Eric extended his hand. Matt shook it. “I’m Eric – Angela’s father. I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you.” He told him. “That’s very kind of you to bring those for Angel. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but my daughter isn’t allowed to date.” Eric told him.

“With all due respect sir, you don’t even know me. I would never do anything to hurt her.” Matt tried to assure him.

“Nonetheless, she isn’t allowed to date.” He told him. Matt’s face is unreadable.

“Maybe that will change after you get to know me, sir.” Matt told him.

“You’re welcome to try to change my mind, though it will probably be a waste of your time.” Eric got in front of me, pushing me back into the house.

“I don’t think that’s your decision to make. Angela’s almost eighteen.”

“I know what’s best for my daughter.” He argued. “I think it’s time for you to go.” Eric told him. I pulled on Eric’s sleeve.

“Can I have a minute to talk to him? Please? I’ll keep the door open, but I need to ask him to thank his mother for making me soup. I promise it won’t take long.” I told him. He nodded and went back into the kitchen and watched us. “Hey, I’m sorry about him. I tried to tell you when you called, earlier. I wasn’t lying to you. I was telling you the truth.” I told him. He nodded.

“I see that, now. I just – I’m sorry. Mom wanted me to bring you soup and the flowers are from me. I’m sorry for being an ass, earlier. Are you sure you’re okay? You look awful.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It looks worse than it is. Look, I’ve gotta go. I’ll text you. Thank you for the flowers and the soup.” I told him. He stepped forward to hug me and I took a step back. “That wouldn’t be best right now. I don’t want him to flip a gasket because you hug me.”

“Take care of yourself, okay?” He told me. I nodded. I will.

“Bye Angela.”

“Later,” I waved him out. I went inside and got a vase for the flowers. I cut the stems down and set the flowers on my vanity in my bathroom. By the time I came out of my room Eric had all the takeout menus laid out on the coffee table. I limped over the couch and laid on top of the ice packs. Eric gave me a fever reducer and some water. I took the pills relaxed. “Mediterranian?” I asked him.

“Anything you want is fine.” He told me. The door opened and Jace walked in.

“What up, peeps?” He asked before plopping down next to me. I sat up and laid back down, using his lap as a pillow.

“You wanna stay tonight? I got permission and everything.” I whispered. He laughed at me.

“Sure. I don’t want to leave you alone right now.”

Notes

Hopefully you'll enjoy the updates. I changed the person for Angela. I was watching Bones and I kept picturing Tiffany Hines instead of the other actress I had. Anyways, that's enough rambling for now.