The long road trip to Texas.
1350 Words
Jpsephine
Manuel was shivering in the bed, Angelina crawled up next to him, holding him over the thick covers as he shook.
I lay on his other side and stroked his head. David gave him the new medication but it hadn't kicked in just yet.
" Thank you, both of you." he said, closing his eyes tightly.
David and Brea took Angelina out to their room for the night, she didn't want to leave Manuel.
I got under the covers and held his thin frame.
" When you are ready, I'll trim your hair for you." I told him.
His teeth chattered as he nodded.
" Is this...this wh...what you went through Phina?" He said between shaking.
" No, I had you to care for me. You took away my pain and gave me those pills. I didn't suffer much after that." I said, not mentioning the s*x part.
He had used my body as I went through the withdrawals. I remembered it, but chose not to talk about it now.
" Phina, I hurt you other ways during that time. I was a different man then.
Phina, I promise you I have changed. I am never going to forgive myself for hurting you and...my children's mothers. I deserve everything that was done to me."
" Be still Manuel. I will run the bath for you, it will calm your nerves." I moved to go to the bathroom.
" Wait, don't leave me just yet. I am still not convinced that this is real."
I kissed his head. " It's real love."
After a few more moments he released me. I had tears in my eyes at his suffering. He was so weak now.
I turned on the water and got the scissors to trim his long hair.
When it was time, I helped him out of bed and undressed him.
I saw several bite marks on his chest and two marks along his back. "Taser." He said.
He lifted each foot as his pants came off. I helped him into the bath.
Taking the wash cloth, I gently washed his poor body. He had bruises all over in various stages of healing.
I had him go under water to get his hair wet. As he went under I saw those terrible scars on him, between his legs. I gasped seeing this. Grislan truly was a monster.
When he came up from the water I gently washed his manhood, being gentle and loving to try and erase the terror he had gone through.
He smiled. The first time he had smiled all night.
" Phina, I'm all yours if you want me."
I grinned, then covered his growing excitement for me with the wash cloth.
I began to wash and massage his hair. It was full of knots.
I gently combed it out and trimmed his hair a bit. He liked it shoulder length.
" Cut it all off, I am not vain anymore. If it's real bad, just cut it off." He said as he relaxed in the hot water.
I used some conditioner and got all the knots out.
He took my hand and kissed it.
" Can I tell you something Phina?" He asked, looking up at me.
I nodded and smiled softly.
" I think you and Charles will be very happy together. I want you to know that even though I love you very, very much, after going through all of this, I am never going to pursue you again.
I know you said you have forgiven me, but I...I'm sorry. I will NEVER forgive myself."
I nodded at his words, but my heart was full of love and...pity for him.
He stood up as water cascaded down his body.
I wrapped a towel around him and took him to bed.
" Leave me now please, I will be fine. Thank you for your kindness to me." He said softly.
I nodded and left him.
I had a text on my phone, from Lavender.
" b***h is dead."
I sent her a message. "Is everyone OK, Charles?"
" Fine, we found her dead in her home. And Jo...she took video of Manuel when she abused him. Very sick s**t, poor guy. He will be messed up from this for a long time.
Ian took it all into evidence. He thinks the cartel took Grislan out. He is not sure why though."
My phone rang then.
" Hey, are you doing ok?" Charles asked me quietly.
I said I was.
" It's real bad, the things she did to your husband. I even feel bad for him, and he wasn't the first. She has video of many men.
Oh Jo, I think you shouldn't ask him for the divorce right now, he's been through enough for now.
Maybe just play along that you still love him. I can't believe I just said that, but oh Jo...she raped him with..things.
He was bitten down there. I admit I got sick seeing it. Even Ian had to shut it off. Okay, well I gotta go, we are heading to Mexico tomorrow. I love you baby."
" I love you too." I was crying so bad that I couldn't see my phone.
I put my phone down and crawled into bed with my husband, hugging him to me.
" I love you Ben." I said kissing him.
He tasted my lips and sighed.
" Thank you. I love you too." He fell asleep in my arms.
*********
Brea
My sister was treating her husband like her true husband.
I knew she shouldn't do this now, since she professed her love for Charles Hudson.
She assured me that she loved Charles. But Manuel needed her right now.
I had to agree with her. He was totally broken and still a bit raw.
I did my best to fill him up with nutritious foods and fluids.
Angelina was a very sweet girl, David spent time talking to her, trying to glean some information about her parents.
I treated her like my own daughter, she badly needed a kind parent.
For some reason she was stuck on Manuel, she barely left his side and insisted on calling him papa.
He did have a way with the little ones.
I spoke with my father about it and he agreed that I should let her stay with Manuel as he makes her feel safe.
Manuel didn't seem to mind having the little girl hanging on him. He kept her tucked under his arm and braided her long black hair for her.
Jo pulled me aside one night.
" Is it me or can you see that Manuel is the best father ever, she's not even his own child."
I agreed. He was very good with children.
I could see that my sister was looking at her husband with so much love in her eyes.
David and I took turns driving, as Jo sat with Manuel and Angelina in the back.
I saw them holding hands, his intertwined between hers.
When Angelina dozed off, I saw them kissing every chance they got.
My mind knew that someone was going to get their heart broken. I feared it to be Charles.
David told me to stay out of it.
But she is my sister.
*************
Josephine
" Phina, can you help me get fit again so I can see my children. I can't see them in this condition.
It will scare them. My boys, they look up to me. My Stella, she's so smart and observant. I need to look good and be the father they know."
I stared at his lips as he spoke, listening and loving every damn word he spoke now.
I just nodded, trying not to cry.
" I wonder, do you think we could have a baby together some day?" He smiled as he rubbed my belly.
I thought that would be very nice, he was truly very good at it.
I kissed his head and put mine on his shoulder as we drove to the next hotel for the night.
- Writer
