Walking Down The Line, chapter 33

*Recap*

The bassist shook his head. "I think she'll listen to you best. I'm gonna go find a coffee machine, see if I can get a better coffee than earlier. I'll meet you in the lobby."

The drummer nodded, and his friend hugged him tight before heading of. Tre took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.

Daddy can you hear me?
I'm calling out to you.
Don't hurt me when I get home,
Don't beat me black and blue.

You said I was your princess
And we'd be happy...all-the-time.
You didn't keep your promise
So now I want to die...

Tre felt tears welling up in his eyes, a lump in his throat, he didn't know what to say. Suddenly, as though she had felt his presence, Em turned round to look at him, and burst into tears.

"Hey, it's ok," Tre hurried over to her, and held her tight in his arms. "I'm here."
It took a few moments for Emerald to calm down enough to speak, and when she did, she mumbled into Tre's chest.
"What was that?"
She looked up at him. "I'm sorry for doing this to you, I'm ruining your life!"
"Don't be stupid, if I didn't care I wouldn't be here." He sat down on the bed next to her, swinging his feet up and puling her over so she was lying across his chest. "What's wrong, what's happened?"
"I had a nightmare."
Tre frowned. "You had a nightmare, so tried to kill yourself?"
She nodded. "Why Em?"
She sat up and sniffed. "I had a dream...about my parents, about my dad, and what he did, how he...abused me."
"Abused you?"
She sniffed again. "From when my little brother was born, I became...not perfect enough, he was perfect, I was just the other child. I couldn't see what I was doing wrong, I mean, from 1st through 5th grade I was top of the year, and was within the top 5 every year after, but it never seemed to be good enough for them. Then, when Ben started school, he got the same sort of grades, top of his year, and that's when it got worse.
"My dad, he...he..."
Emerald broke down again, and Tre hugged her close.
"It's ok, you don't have to say anymore, I understand."
"No, you don't Tre, no one does. See, when Ben was in 6th grade, when I was 14, he won a prize, two actually, one for science and one because he was captain of the football team. That night, my dad went mental at me, asking why I'd never won a prize, or been captain of team, then dragged me up to my room.
"He dragged me up, threw me on my bed, blocked my door, then...then he raped me, his own daughter. And he made me swear not to tell anyone, saying he'd do it again, and kill my dog if I did. I was so frightened."
She took a deep, steadying breath, whilst the drummer just stared at her in shock.
"Four years I've kept that a secret; you're the first person I've told. And now, when he finds out I'm in here, I'll be dragged back and punished, probably raped all over again."
Emerald broke down again, her breathing ragged as she let out huge sobs. Tre scooped her up and sat her in his lap, hugging her close.
"I promise you he'll never get near you again Emerald; no matter what I have to do, legal or not, I'll make sure he never harms you again."
"Thank you Tre, for everything." She kissed him on the cheek. "And to think, this all started with a dream."
Tre smiled, and pecked Em gently on the lips. "You're worth it though Emerald, you've made me realise I wasn't as bad as I thought, and I like helping you, you're great company, you're amazing to be around. Billie Joe and Mike said it too. Speaking of which," he looked down at his watch. "I wonder if Mike found his coffee yet?"
As though his thought had drifted through the door into the corridor, there was a knock, and Mike's tufty hair appeared round the door.
"Oh, sorry, am I interrupting?"
Tre smirked at the look on Mike's face. "Very funny Mr. Dirnt, remind me to call you next time we need a laugh." He looked down at his watch again. "Actually, it's about time we were going, they'll probably chuck us out soon.
Em looked panic-striken. "No, please, Tre, stay with me, incase he comes in the night."
"In case who comes?"
"I'll explain later Mike." Tre looked back at Em. "Well, I'll have to find the doctor and ask..."
Right on cue, she appeared at the door. Tre shook his head slightly. 'This is getting weird' he thought.
"I'm afraid you'll have to leave now Mr. Cool," she said, smiling gently. "Visiting hours are over."
"No, let him stay, please!"
Doctor McPhee thought for a moment, then gave in to the pleading look on Em's face.
"Very well, but only one of them can stay..." she looked at Mike and Tre. "You'll have to decide between you."
"Tre" Mike said as Tre said "Me."
"Well, you seem to be sorted, I'll leave you to it. If you pull that string in the corner Mr Cool a bed folds out from the wall. Good night."
With that, she disappeared.
"Right, you'll be wanting stuff then?" Mike asked Tre.
"Please; just the usual, clothes, music, and a book, the one on my bedside cabinet."
"OK, I'll see you soon."
He was halfway out of the door when Em called out to him.
"Would you get stuff for me too Mike?"
"Where do you live?"
"2243 Ashby street, basement apartment."
Mike opened his mouth to question this, as he believed the house had been demolished, then remembered what Tre had told him of his dream, and kept quiet.
"What do you want?"
"Tux, my penguin with the blue bow tie, and my music, they should be lying on my bed. Just tell the boys I sent you."
"OK, I won't be too long."
And he left the room. Tre turned to Emerald, and saw she was smiling.
"So, what sorta music you into?"
She smiled even wider.
"Right now, I feel like a little brass band music."
Tre looked at her in disbelief, and she burst out laughing.