Finding Love

Jacob Aldrick, a young drifter, landed himself a job as a bartender in a small town outside of Texas. He was working late, and since it had been raining all night, business was dead, so he was about to close up when the door opened, and a woman walked in. She was soaking wet. He went to the table where she sat.

"I'm sorry, miss, but I'm about to close up for the night." He couldn't see her face since she looked down at the table. "If you make it quick, I can get you one drink."

Without looking up, she reached into her pocket and took out a few coins. "What can I get for this?"

He looked at the change and knew she didn't have enough for anything other than a Coke. "Hum-a coke, or gingale."

"I'll take a Coke," she replied, still not looking up.

Since most of the lights were turned off, he couldn't get a good look at her face. "I'll bring it right over." He knew right off that something was wrong when he saw the bruises on her hand.

Coming back, he placed the drink in front of her, and that was when he got a look at her face. He gasped and sat down in front of her. Her face was covered in what he knew were fresh bruises; she also had a black eye.

"What happened to you?"

She lowered her head, staring at her drink. "Nothing, it was an accident."

"Accident, my ass. Who did this to you?"

She got up to leave, but was weak with hunger and about to fall when he jumped to his feet and caught her. He helped her back down and sat before her once again.

"I don't think you're in any shape to leave. Are you hungry? I could give you one of the leftover sandwiches. They aren't fresh, but still alright to eat."

"I don't have any money. Thanks anyway, but I'll be on my way now."

Before she could stand, he took hold of her arm. "You're soaking wet, and it doesn't look like you'll get far. You need to tell me who did this to you, and we can call the sheriff."

Her eyes went wide with fear. "No, no police."

Hearing the fear in her voice, he agreed not to, but only if she had something to eat. When she nodded her head, he went over to the bar and took out two of the sandwiches and a bag of chips, and even poured her some coffee that he was going to throw out.

"Here, eat these, and I'm afraid the coffee has been sitting for a while."

"I can't pay you," she said, choking back a sob.

"You don't have to. I'm going to lock up and cash out, so take your time."

He was busy doing his cleanup and hadn't noticed she was slumped over the table. When he looked over at her, he rushed over. She had eaten only half a sandwich and was passed out. He lifted her and carried her to the back room, where there was a small cot, so he laid her down. His heart went out to her; she looked so fragile and had been brutally beaten. There was something about her that told him she needed help, and he decided he couldn't let her leave until he knew she'd be ok. He covered her up with a blanket and went to finish his chores.

A sharp pain in her ribs jarred her awake. She sat up and looked around. She had no idea where she was or how she got here. When the door opened, and a man walked in, she pulled the blanket up to her chin.

Seeing her moving against the headboard and how she trembled with fear, he stopped by the door.

"It's ok, you don't have to be afraid."

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"I'm the bartender, the one who served you."

"Where am I?" And how did I get here?"

"You're in the office. You passed out at the table, so I brought you in here. Look, you don't have to be afraid, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm Jacob Aldrick. What's your name?"

"April Winlo." She got up off the cot. "Thanks for your hospitality. I'll be on my way now."

"Wait, can I call for someone to pick you up?"

"No," she replied. "I need to leave, now," she said, and winced and placed her hand over her left side.

"You're hurt, let me take you to the hospital."

"No, I'll be fine."

"Where will you go?"

"I'll find somewhere."

"So, you have no one and have no idea where you're going. I can see you're in pain; you won't get far. Let me take you back to my place, where you can stay until you figure out where you want to go."

"I don't know you, so why would you want to help me?"

"Because you need my help. There are no strings attached; I will not try it on with you. At least come with me, after a hot shower and a night's sleep, you'll feel better. I know I'm a stranger to you, but I give you my word that I would try anything inappropriate."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You don't know, you'll just have to trust me. I can't let you leave in your condition, and it's about to rain again."

Being in so much pain, soaked to the bone, she felt as if she had no choice. "Okay, I will, but just for tonight and in the morning I'll leave."

"Good. I wish I had some dry clothes here for you to put on. Come with me, I'm parked out back." He held the door open for her and showed her out the back way, locking the door behind them.

She checked the alleyway and didn't see a car, just a motorcycle. "Where is your car?"

"I don't have one, just this bike." He saw the way she was staring at it, and her body stiffened. "Have you ever ridden on a bike before?"

"No, is it safe?"

"Don't worry, I'm a pro." He handed her the only helmet he had. "Put this on. All you need to know is to follow my lead. Lean the way I do, oh, and put your arms around my waist and hang on, don't let go."

She waited until he got on, and when he motioned for her to climb up behind him, she did with some difficulty. Her whole body ached from the beating she had endured earlier.

"Are you ready?" he asked, looking over his shoulder at her.

"Yes, but you won't go too fast, will you?"

"No, I'll go slow since it's your first time." He knew she was frightened by the way she held on to him so tightly.

"Are you okay back there?"

"Yes," she replied.

He looked up at the sky when he felt some drops of rain hitting him. It was only a matter of time before it would pour. He would have gone faster, but knowing it would scare her more, he stayed at a slow pace. Usually, it would have taken him ten minutes to reach his place; this way, it would take twice as long.

They finally reached their destination, and turning off the bike, he got off first to help her down. Knowing she had some injuries, he was careful not to hurt her.

She stared up at the house before them; it was small but looked cozy. "Wait, won't your girlfriend, or wife, be upset with you bringing a stranger home?"

"I'm not married, nor do I have a girlfriend. Let's get inside before it starts raining again." When she hesitated, he realized what she must be thinking. "You have nothing to be afraid of, especially from me."

For whatever reason, she believed him and followed behind as they walked up the steps to the front door and inside.

"I'll show you to the room you'll be staying in, and while you take a shower, I'll heat something for us to eat. After a nice hot shower and some food in your stomach, you'll feel better."

This was becoming a bit too much for her; she didn't know whether or not she had made a mistake by coming here. But regardless of how she was feeling, she followed him up the stairs.

He stopped at one of the doors and opened it, motioning for her to go in.

"I think you'll be comfortable in her, and across the hall is the bathroom. There are fresh towels and everything you need. You'll find a robe and nightgown in the top drawer of that dresser," he said, pointing to where it was. "I'll wash your clothes while we eat. Make yourself at home, and when you're done, come down and have something to eat."

She had to ask. "Is this your room?"

He chuckled. "I told you there were no strings attached. No, this is not my room. My room is down the hall. Whenever you're ready, come downstairs, and bring your wet things."

As soon as he was gone, she went to the dresser and took out the robe and nightgown. She wondered why he had a woman's nightgown; he had said he wasn't involved with anyone. Then again, that didn't mean he wouldn't have female company over from time to time.

She walked softly to the bathroom and once inside, locked the door. After turning on the water, she removed her wet things and stepped inside the shower. There was shampoo and other feminine items. He definitely had a woman over before, but that was none of her business.

It felt good with the hot water running over her body, and as she washed her body, she shed tears when she saw the bruises that covered her, from head to toe. Tomorrow, she would leave here and go as far away as she possibly could.

Drying off, she put on the gown and, finding a hairdryer and a brush, began drying her hair. She stared at her reflection in the mirror as she brushed her hair; her eye had turned an ugly black and was swollen. The eyelid was puffed up, and the eye could not be fully opened.

Going back to the bedroom with her wet clothes, she sat on the bed and thought she would lie down for a few minutes. She wasn't in a hurry for him to see her looking this bad. But once she closed her eyes, she fell asleep.

He waited downstairs for her to come before heating the leftovers. She was taking so long that he decided to check on her. He knocked once and, not getting an answer, entered the room. There she was, asleep on top of the covers. Not wanting to wake her, he grabbed the extra blanket from the chair and covered her up.

He couldn't help notice how beautiful she was, even with the bruises. Her brown hair fanned the pillow, and she looked so sad while she slept. Picking up her clothes, he took them downstairs and placed them in the washer, except for the bra and panties. He had heard that those items should be hand-washed, so he did.

Seeing that it wasn't long since he finished work and wasn't tired, he watched some TV and waited for the clothes to dry. He was also one of those people who didn't need much sleep, and once her clothes were dry, he folded them and left them on top of the dryer.

He was now ready for bed, but before heading up, he poured some water into a glass, placed some cookies on a plate and took them upstairs. He stopped at her door and walked in. She was still asleep, so he put the snack and water on the end table. This way, if she woke up, there would be something for her to eat if she got hungry before morning. Walking out, he took one look back at her before shutting the door and heading to his room.