Ronnie thankfully didn’t break his hand, just a sprained wrist and some heavy scratches on his knuckles, but he’s fine.

I was in the office doing some paper work when Kendra came in.

“Hey, what’s up?” she asked.

“You know,” I shrugged.

“Right. Hey, a bunch of us girls are going out this weekend for some drinks. Wanna join?” she asked.

Hmmm… I guess a night out wouldn’t hurt, so I shrugged.

“Sure. I’m not doing anything, but… Can I ask you a favor?” I asked nervously.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Well… I’m leaving my boyfriend,” I sighed.

“Why?” she asked, frowning.

“Its just… Its been really bad, and… I don’t have anywhere else to go,” I said. “I know it seems too much, but-“

“Say no more. If you need to leave, I’ll happily accept you in my home,” she said. “Besides, it would be could to have a roomie.”

I sighed with relief.

“Thank you, Kendra. You have no idea how much this means to me,” I said.

“Anything for you, girlie,” she said. “What are best friends for? But a question… Why are you leaving?”

I gulped nervously and looked behind to make sure nobody was there. “Can you close the door?”

She frowned slightly, but still got up and closed the door.

I sighed, and the raised my sleeve, and exposed the purple and blue bruises.

Kendra gasped in horror. “M-Meredith…”

I bit my lip so I won’t cry. “That’s why.”

“Then this stops tonight! Why didn’t you say anything sooner?!” She exclaimed.

“I-I… I was scared…” I said in a shaky voice as she hugged me.

“I’m driving you there tonight. You’re leaving him now,” she said.

I wiped a single tear away. “Okay,” I said.

She nodded and rubbed my back. “It’ll be okay,” she said.

I gulped and nodded. “He’s going out of town today, so… We can do it after work,” I said.

“Good,” she said.