Then next morning, I decide to change my routine. One, eat a small snack. Two, stretch. Three, take a jog around my neighborhood. Running, I’ve discovered, clears my mind and calms me down. It gives me a good start to the morning. Four, return home quietly and take a shower. Five, have a small conversation with Mother while eating breakfast. Six, go to school. I do this religiously for a week. I no longer put makeup on in the morning. Now that I’ve come out to Mother, I don’t feel I need to express myself secretly. It feels like a weight has lifted off my chest. I also don’t have to take my pillowcase to the hamper every morning because I no longer have nightmares. The one time I had to was because I forgot to turn my ceiling fan on, so …show more content…
Our weightlifting unit has just ended, but I was discussing with Coach, and he said that there is weightlifting in the morning starting next week. But, he warned me that Michael would most likely be there. I decided that if he wants to pick a fight now, he won’t do it in front of a ton of people. Hopefully since I’ve started getting stronger, he’ll back off a little bit.
I was on my way to band, when I passed the office to see Michael sitting in a chair with the principle. He almost looks bored, casually picking at his cuticles. Against my better judgement, I rush in, more curious than anything. Michael sees me and instantly stands up. Principle Jacobsen tries to settle him down, but Michael is too strong for him to do much of anything. “What is he doing here?” My voice is rough but firm, scaring …show more content…
Now he is scrambling to find a way to return.
“I’ll go to the therapist and I will try to associate myself with John as little as possible to ensure no further conflict arises,” Michael says, choosing his words very carefully.
Jacobsen weighs the proposition. He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place.
“Okay. You may return tomorrow instead of Friday. I will let your mother know.”
“Thank you,” is all I can hear before I sprint out of the school. I run home. I need to clear my head. I get home and Mother was there. She had work off early today.
“He comes back tomorrow,” is all I can squeak before I faint.
When I come to, a pillow is under my head and a blanket covers me. I look around and see Mother getting me a glass of water and what I assume is an ibuprofen. She walks over to me. I realize I’m still on the floor. I guess I gained enough muscle where she couldn’t even drag me to the carpet ten feet away. I should feel proud that I’ve gained muscle, but all I can feel is defeat. I am the biggest coward in the world. I couldn’t handle that my abuser was returning, so I ran away, then fainted. Wow. Michael must be enjoying