Hidden Depths

After locking the door, I struggled to get to the bathroom where I promptly threw up. My head was spinning, and bleeding. I was furious that I had let this happen, and terrified he would come back. I couldn’t let Maddison see me like this, though.

I went back to the kitchen, and scrubbed the small amount of blood off the floor. Then I showered and did my best to cover up any evidence with an unnoticeable amount of foundation and cover up. Then I went to help my daughter clean up her room. Aside from giving birth, I had never experienced much physical pain, but now everything hurt as I climbed into bed, pulling my pillow tightly to my chest.

I stayed up later then I wanted to admit, even to myself, wishing I had somebody I could turn to. I thought of Seth and how much I wished I had a friend like he had been. Eventually, I managed to cry myself to sleep.

The next morning, everything hurt. However, my mind was clearer and I knew what I had to do. I quickly got Maddison dressed and we got into the car. At the restaurant, I hesitated as fear washed over me. I couldn’t face him; I realized this as my breathing quickened.

I backed out of the lot, and headed to a nearby playground, instead. As I watched Maddison play, I typed up one text after another. I had to quit my job and I had to leave him. I had no other source of income, but I couldn’t keep him in our lives. Not after what he had done, it wasn't safe for Maddison.

I finally settled on saying simply, “I quit. If you show up at my apartment again, I will call the police.”

“You would call the cops on your boyfriend?” He responded mockingly, he knew as well as I did calling the cops would do no good.

“We are done.” I responded.

I jumped as my phone rang. I quickly hung up when I noticed his number. The second time, though, I built up the courage to answer his call. With sweaty hands and my heart trying to jump out of my chest, I hit the green button.

“We are not over until I say we are over.” He spat.

The anger in his voice made me feel like someone was sitting on my chest. I was afraid I might faint. I looked up to watch my daughter playing happily. I drew the strength to speak from her. I was doing this for her, too.

“I said, I’m done.” My voice shook with fear. “Stay away from us.”

“Fine, starve. You and your brat will come crawling back to me in under a month.” He spat, and though he wasn’t even there with me, I winced.

“No, we won’t.” I responded before hanging up.

Now I had to find a new job. I had a small savings account, but not enough to live more than a couple weeks off of. So as Maddison played, I called around in a desperate search for a job. It was several hours later when Maddison came up and pulled on my sleeve.

“Mommy, I’m hungry.” She whined, as she tried to climb onto my lap.

I whimpered in pain as she bumped one bruise after another. “Maddy, get off. That hurts, baby.” I all but sobbed, pushing her down.

Her eyes grew wide with shock. The pain of rejection was clear on her face. I felt suddenly guilty. It wasn’t her fault. It was an accident. I hadn’t meant to hurt her; I had just reacted instinctively.

“I’m sorry, Maddy. Here,” I opened my arms to her, “come give me a hug princess.”

She did, reluctantly, before I took her hand and led her to the car.

A couple of days later, I finally got a job. I was not excited about being a dancer at a club across town. Especially considering, I got hired without an interview. I had turned in my application, and gotten a call the next day, saying that I was hired. When I asked about the interview, I was told that the boss had looked at my application and immediately insisted I be hired. I, however, was not in a position to turn down work. That same day, I got the call saying the position I had applied for on the day everything happened had been filled.

On my first day of work I was beyond nervous. I wore jeans and long sleeves to cover the bruises that wouldn’t seem to go away. I didn’t know how to cover them realistically with makeup and was just glad the gash on my forehead was covered by my hair. I was really concerned about the outfit I was bound to be asked to wear.

“Hello, Ms. Davis.” Emma called from the doorway.

Emma was my neighbor’s sixteen year old daughter. She had dark ebony skin and pitch black curly hair. Her eyes were dark brown with golden specks that seemed to reflect any light in whatever room she was in. She was a complete sweetheart and had been thrilled when I had asked if she wanted to watch Maddy for me.

“Hey, Em. Come on in, honey.” I called in response before kneeling in front of Maddison. “Mommy has to go to work, baby. I’ll see you later, and be good for Ms. Emma. Okay?”

“Yes mommy.” Maddison beamed at me.

“Okay,” I thought out loud before turning to Emma. “There’s a pizza in the fridge for dinner and we already went over her routine. I have an alarm set in the kitchen for her medication. That is the most important thing. If you forget that we’ll be in the hospital by tomorrow, okay?”

“Of course. I have an alarm on my phone and my mom does too. She’s going to call to make sure it gets done. I have your phone number and I’ll text you when I give it to her.” Emma reassured me confidently.

I nodded trying to calm my racing heart. “Maddy, take your medicine like a good girl. Okay?”

“Yes mommy.” Maddy beamed.

I knelt down hugging her tightly one more time before heading out the door. I tried to squelch the anxiety of leaving her with such a young babysitter. Emma was a responsible kid though, and Maddy loved her. It’s not like I had a ton of options.

“You must be Chels?” A tall man with a bright smile greeted me just inside the club.

He had short chestnut brown hair that while messy, looked purposeful and very attractive. His ivory skin was smooth and flawless interrupted only by the short pale brown facial hair surrounding his lips. The cerulean blue eyes look like crystals I may fall into.

“Hello?” He grinned crookedly, making me blush deeply.

“Um, yes I’m Chelsey Davis.” I forced myself to stand up straight. “How did you know I go by Chels?”

“Boss told me. I’m Dalton, his business partner. He asked that I be here to make sure you are comfortable, and inform you of the change in plans.” His eyes traced over my hairline and my covering clothes.

Maybe I was paranoid. Though I was sure he saw more than I wanted him too. The way he frowned slightly made me feel suddenly naked.

“Change in plans?” I asked nervously.

“Yeah. Boss doesn’t want you dancing, so he is offering you a job as a server, bartender instead.” He said refocusing on my face.

“Who is this boss?” I crossed my arms frustrated that some stranger was suddenly telling me what I could and couldn’t do.

Dalton smirked, “I’m not allowed to disclose that information. Do you want the job or not?”

I sighed, rolling my eyes. I needed to take care of Maddison and wasn’t it something I would prefer anyway? Did I really want to dance half naked in front of a bunch of creepy men? No. I would if I had to, but now I had to swallow my pride and accept what I was offered.

Then another thought made me take a subconscious step away from him. What if my stubbornness or ungratefulness made him mad. Would I end up curled in a ball at his feet? I flinched as he held out a piece of paper, before tentatively accepting it.

“Thank you.” I said quietly.

He frowned slightly, clearly noticing the change. “Well, okay, let me introduce you to Bryan. He’ll be training you.”