Chapter 10

You know when you think your mind is made up and 9 times out of 10, you plan on making good choices?Well, New York seemed like it was gonna be the place I was going to make it happen. I was finally where I always said I would be one day. Damn it, here I am crying again. How many showers is that now?

I lost count. It doesn’t matter how much I scrub. Those filthy hands and the smell of his breath are still with me. This is why I can’t be here anymore. I would give anything to go back to Mama and Papa. But I know they won't understand. They would blame me. I know it. No, I need to go and ask for my old job back first, and then I can decide what to do. I guess I was so distracted by my own thoughts and gathering my things that I did not hear Standford coming in.

“Doll, where are you?” he called.

My heart began to sink. I was in the bathroom gathering a few items.

“Doll! Hey, where are you?”

Hesitantly, I walked out.

Immediately he walked towards me but I pushed him back.

“Please, get away from me!” I screamed.

“Doll, what is wrong?”

“Just stay away from me Standford!”

“Darlin', what is happening?”

“Oh damn you, Standford, as if you don’t know!”

Standford tried to walk closer and held out his arms.

“Please get away from me!”

He finally sat in the chair and looked down.

“Look, Eliza, please tell me what is wrong?”

By this time I was shaking. I grabbed a glass of water.

“As if you didn’t know!” I lashed out.

“Didn’t know what?” he demanded.

“Standford, you left me here so that monster could come and rape me!”

Suddenly, Standford stood up. He looked furious.

“What? Who?”

I walked up towards him as if to hit him.

“Your producer friend. He came here and raped me!" I cried.

My body was shaking, and all I wanted to do was punch someone.

Just then, Standford held me.

“Look, Eliza, I don’t know what happened here. I swear. But I promise to find out. Please calm down.”

“No, no, no! I will not calm down!”

But he was stronger. He held me and tried to get me to lay down.

“Eliza you need to rest. I promise it will be better.”

“I don’t want to sleep. I am leaving now.”

“No Eliza, just rest darling. It will be okay.”

That is the last thing I remember. When I woke up the next morning, Stanford was already up and making me breakfast. I also saw a nurse by my side.

“Good morning my love," said a smiling Standford.

I was more confused than ever.

“Don’t you worry about anything. Nurse Barbara will be taking care of you."

“What?” I asked.

Both Standford and Nurse Barbara stared at me.

I am scared more than ever now.

Don't know where to go from here...