Street

You check your phone, unsure of what to do. It's 1 o'clock and you just got out of work, a rarity time wise. You're unsure as to whether you should relieve the babysitter for the day and head home or use this time to your advantage. You are interrupted by your thoughts when you hear a familiar voice,

"John?" A female voice calls after you.

You spin around to see your most recent female friend, "Hey Jessica!"

"Why are you all dressed up?" She asks, noting your business clothes, a standard suit and tie.

You chuckle and reply, "I just got out of work, and was trying to decide whether or not to head home or get some errands done while I have some time with the sitter."

"Oh! Well I don't want to keep you." Jessica said, preparing to depart.

"No, no it's fine. In fact, you might have actually helped. You wanna grab a cup of coffee?" You respond, motioning to the Starbucks nearby.

"Ugh, sure! I've got the sitter too while I'm out on 'errands.'" She motions with the air quotes around errands.

You laugh at this as you two walk into Starbucks and find a seat.

"So how's that moron?" you joke.

She practically spits out her coffee hearing this joke, "Cash is good."

"And you?" You press, showing the interest the goddess deserves.

"I'm okay." Jessica replies, clearly debating how much she should reveal with this person she barely knows.

"Okay? Or Okay." You reply, emphasizing different words, somehow knowing she would know the difference.

"Well, if we're being honest, not too good," Jessica says, pulling back her skirt a bit, revealing a bruise on her thigh.

"Oh my gosh!?!? How did you get that, was it-" You reply, shocked.

"No, no, well, yes, it's complicated." Jessica said.

You take hold of Jessica's hand and tell her, "Listen Jessica, no matter what he does, this is not your fault."

She takes a deep breath and then tells you the story. You sit there for a few minutes, shocked at what you just heard. Giving her hand a squeeze, you reassure her:

"Listen Jessica, none of this should've happened to you, please try and stay positive. Was this just one incident or has this happened more than once?"

"This is the first time it's been physical." Jessica somberly replied, barely able to hold back her tears as she stares down at her hands.

You her shin up to get her to look at you face to face and wipe off some of the tears that were beginning to form, "Things will get better."

Then Jessica does something you'd never expected, she leans in and kisses you.