Chapter Four.
I bit the tears back as I watched him from the floor. I slipped my hand into my hoody's front pocket and retrieved the money Donovan had asked me to keep earlier, set it down between us, and choked in my cries.
"I'm sorry, Dad"
I quickly shut the door behind me and pulled the hood over my head.
"You hear me?!" he screamed from inside but I continued to walk away "don't you bother coming back! Go back to that club and keep whoring till you die! Just like your mother!"
I shut my eyes as I walked along the hall, my knees getting weaker. I let out muffled cries, I didn't wanna wake up the neighbors. Not that anyone would care. I stopped just before the elevator. I couldn't let the security man see me like this. I take a quick turn back where I came, stopping at the window. I flung my legs over it and landed on the ladder steps that led down to the side of the apartment.
*You're my sickness, Kelsey*
I took sharp muffled breaths as I walked along the sidewalk of the apartment.
*What do I have to live for?*
I found myself crying as I continued to walk. I hid my face under my hoody as I passed the apartment frontage so the security guard doesn't recognize me.
The street was awfully quiet. Getting a cab at this hour was impossible and I couldn't afford to get an Uber. Talk about afford it, I didn't have a penny on me to even pay a taxi if I saw one. I'd left all my money with my Dad. Abby wasn't at the motel to pay for me too. Now I'm stranded.
**You live in a fucked up motel whoring with men!**
I didn't shut my eyes this time. I stared into the air as the tears ran down. His words keep replaying in my head. I stopped at the next public bench set a few walks from the apartment and sat down. The night was cold, I could feel it on my exposed face as I just sat there gazing at the block of houses across the street to me. My father's hateful glare appeared to me again. All the words he said to me, all the curses before now, everything seemed to be hitting my face hard.
Maybe if I hadn't left, if I hadn't taken that scholarship to Mexico, Mom wouldn't have died. Maybe I wouldn't be a freaking stripper now. Maybe I'd be in school too, like Barney's nerdy daughter. Just maybe...
After what felt like ages of pulling myself together, I pulled out my phone and called the one person I could call at times like this, other than Abby who apparently must be very occupied at some hotel with her 'hottie' man to be disturbed.
Donovan's responsive voice from the other end soothed one-fourth of me.
"Yeah...... I'm sorry for calling so late," I said " actually I'm sorry for calling at all, you're still busy at the club now and...oh, okay...listen, could you pick me up from my apartment? I'm sorry.....yeah....yeah, I'll explain everything later...okay, thanks"
"What happened, Kel?"Donovan asked for the second time as he drove along the quiet street, glancing now and then at me. I'd composed myself enough to not let him know I'd been crying but being the Donovan that he was, he still managed to know that something's up.
"Had it with your dad again?" he pressed as I still didn't answer.
I nod my head "yeah. We fought and he tried to hit me"
"What?!"
I'd cried so much I didn't know if the actual pain coming from my eyes was because of the cry or because it was past 2 in the morning and I still haven't gotten any sleep.
"But he didn't" I reassured him with a small smile.
"Are you alright?" He asked, concern in his words and eyes.
"I'll be fine"
"I'm sorry, Kelsey. Honestly"
"You don't need to worry about me, Don" he pulls up in front of the motel.
"You wanna talk about it?" he angles himself to face me, one arm resting on the steering wheel.
After a second thought, I decided not to "Nah, I'm okay. I just don't think I'll be going back to see him for a long time"
"He kicked you out?"
I froze, stared at his eyes then looked down. I'd stubbornly clung to him for years, even when it was obvious he wanted me to leave. I guess tonight was obvious enough.
"Yeah, "I replied "he kinda did. I'm sure he....."
"Doesn't mean it?" he cuts me off "Kelsey, he's a drug addict and an alcoholic, no offense. You're not even supposed to be living with him, to begin with "
"He's still my father..."
"Kel, that man could abuse you. He could inflict physical pain and rape....."
"But he hasn't done any of that"
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you"
"I understand, Don, thank you. For everything and you have no idea how sorry I am for dragging you into this"
"Hey, hey," he inches closer and cups my chin with his big hand "I got your back, okay? And you do not have to be sorry about any of this. You can...I mean, if this motel isn't comfortable for you which I'm sure isn't, you're always welcome to my place. You still got the key, right?"
I gave him a smile that's been the truest I've mustered all night. Donovan was such a good-hearted man. Ever since he found out about my little secret when I started working at the club, he'd been very protective of me. He even gave me a key to his house just in case I "needed some space" as he always liked to put it.
"Thank you, Don but I could really use some friends here at the motel"
"Don't lie to me, Kel," he chuckles at my lie "you don't have any friends here except Abby"
I chuckled too and before I knew it, we were both laughing.
"You're right. But thanks anyway, I'll be okay here"
"You should stay in today. You don't have to come to work. It's past 2 a.m and you need some serious sleep okay?"
I nodded "thanks, Don. I really appreciate this"
"It's alright. Just call me if you need anything, okay?"
I nodded before leaning into his chest for a brief hug "goodnight"