Promise

Chapter 20

"Are you going to open it?" I asked tentatively.

Jay looked reluctant but I watched him unlock the door then open it.

"What's up?" he asked casually.

"Where's my sister?" Chris's voice showed no signs of friendliness.
He must have found out what happened today and was now here to get revenge. Jay didn't answer and stepped aside allowing Chris to come inside. We looked at each other before he turned his attention back on Jay.
"You put your hands on my sister?" Chris asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Jay said.
"Really but everyone been telling me you punched her in the head earlier today."
For once Jay was speechless.
"I shouldn't even be exchanging words with you right now," Chris continued. "I've been wanting to beat your ass but for the sake of my sister I'm not."
"You ain't gone do shit," Jay said. One thing Jay didn't like was being threatened. His attempt at being calm was overshadowed by his true feelings of anger.
"How you gonna come in my house and disrespect me?" Jay said taking a closer step towards Chris, who seemed unfazed.
"I don't care if you feel disrespected you should've thought of that before disrespecting my sister and hitting her," Chris said. "And I know this isn't the first time either. But I'm not arguing with you, I think the cops could handle this situation better than me. Amore, let's go."
"Nobody going to the cops." Jay was even more pissed and almost fearful at the mention of the police.
"We'll see about that. Amore, come on."
The presence of my brother gave me enough courage to stand up. Jay gave me a death glare and I froze.
"You better sit your ass down," he said coldly.
I immediately sat back down on the couch earning a smirk from Jay.
"See, she's not going nowhere," Jay said to Chris.
"She doesn't want to be with you," Chris said.
"That's not what she was saying when I was fucking her just now."
My face flushed in embarrassment and I looked down. Chris disregarded the comment and grabbed my backpack from the floor. He walked over to me and held his hand out. I avoided looking at Jay as I took my brother's hand and he helped me stand up.
"Amore, I'm not going to tell you again," Jay said.
I didn't have to look at him to know he was glaring at me but I did anyways. He was blocking the entrance towards the front door. My body started to shake.
"Nigga, get out the way," Chris said.
"I want Amore to say it," Jay said.
"We not playing your game. Either move or I'll make you."
"You want to leave me?" Jay ignored Chris and stared hard at me and my mouth went dry. "Huh?" Jay took a closer step towards me and I stumbled back, falling on the floor.
Chris angrily shoved Jay away from me. Jay pushed him back and Chris didn't hesitate as he threw a hard punch at Jay's face. Jay fell to the floor at the impact. Chris helped me back to my feet. Jay stood back up. The side where he'd been punched was red but he looked unfazed. I wondered if this was the first time anyone had ever stood up to him. Jay caught me looking at him and tried to grab me but Chris blocked him then pushed him to the ground again. He bent down and punched Jay in the face again before standing back up and stomping on his side.
"If you ever try to touch my sister again or even come near her I swear to God I'll do a lot worse than this," Chris growled.
Jay sat up and wiped at his bloody nose. He was breathing hard and didn't respond. I followed closely behind Chris to the front door and we walked outside. Chris guided me to his car and opened the door for me. I got inside and as I closed the door Jay walked outside. He stood near his front door and watched my every move. He looked defeated and angry and if I'm not mistaken even sad. My heart ached and I felt bad. A part of me wanted to comfort him but the same part in me knew he deserved what he got. Chris got in the car and started it and drove off.
We drove in silence until we reached our house.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
Chris stopped the car and just looked at me. He studied my face then his eyes landed on my arm.
"Why didn't you tell me anything?" He asked. He didn't sound frustrated but I could tell he was hurt I didn't tell him what I was going through.
"I was scared," I said. "He scares me, you don't understand. Now he's going to hurt me again because I left."
"I'm not going to let him do that," Chris said. "He's never laying another hand on you. Especially once I tell Dad."
My eyes widened and I shook my head.
"Please, Chris don't. Don't involve him," I said pleadingly.
"No, Amore!" Chris snapped at me.
I jumped at the harshness of his tone and felt my body react in tremors.
"I'm sorry," I said immediately.
Chris saw my reaction and a look of guilt formed on his face.
"I didn't mean it like that," he said. "It's just, you've gone so long without telling anybody I'm done with you hiding. I'm telling Dad then we're going to the cops."
"I don't want to go to the police," I said.
"Dad will make you."
"Please, Chris."
"Why don't you want Jay to get in trouble? Look at what he's done to you, the way he talks to you! Somebody needs to teach him a lesson and let him know he can't get away with everything."
"I don't want to make it a huge deal and be traumatized even further. You beat him up, I'm sure he got the message to leave me alone."
"Nah, I saw the way his crazy ass was looking at you. That's not going to be enough. He may be scared of me but he knows you're scared of him. He's just going to take advantage of that."
"I won't let him."
Chris gave me a doubtful look.
"Amore, come on now," he said. "You just told me you're scared of him and I can't be by your side all day everyday. And he knows that, he's going to corner you one day then you're just going to get right back with him."
He was right. My shoulders sagged in defeat, a silent way of agreeing with Chris.
"You should block him off everything right now," he said. "That's the first step."
I nodded and reached for my phone in my pockets but felt nothing. I unzipped my backpack by couldn't find it in there either.
"I left my phone at Jay's house," I said. I felt tears forming.
"It's okay, don't worry," Chris said. "At least you won't have to deal with him trying to contact you that way."
I was relieved he wasn't mad at me so I calmed down and wiped my face.
"Let's get inside," Chris said.
We both stepped out of the car and made our way inside the house. Our dad wasn't home thankfully but I knew he would be soon. I had to end this finally.
***
Dad arrived later on that evening. Chris knocked on my bedroom door and came inside.
"Dad's unwinding, but we should tell him once he's out the shower," he said as he sat on my bed.
I bring my knees to my chin and rested it on them.
"Chris, please don't make me," I said. "I promise I won't talk to Jay."
"It's not you I'm worried about," Chris said. "It's him. I know he's going to try to get back with you."
"I won't let him. Please trust me." I grabbed Chris by his arms desperately.
"No, you've stayed silent for too long you need to handle your responsibility." Chris gently moved my hand from his arm.
My bottom lip quivered and I started to cry. Chris sighed softly and held me.
"Please, don't make me," I pleaded. "I just want to put this behind me already and move on. If we go to the police think of all the things I'll go through if I press charges. No one at school will like me, I'll have to go through trials, everything." I weeped harder.
"Calm down," Chris said. He rubbed my back.
We heard our dad whistling as he walked down the hall. Dad poked his head in my room and looked surprised at the scene in front of him.
"Hey, what's going on?" he asked. "Amore?" Dad looked worried as he approached my bed. Chris stood up and Dad took his place.
"Honey, what's wrong?" he asked me.
My only response was more crying and I closed my eyes. I felt my dad put his arms around me and hug me to him.
"She just misses Mom," Chris said.
I opened my eyes and looked at him. He looked tormented as he lied to my dad about the situation but hated to see me cry like this. My dad looked sad himself.
"I know, it's hard especially with your birthday approaching," he said. "I was thinking, we should go visit her grave real soon. I think we've been needing that." Dad looked at Chris who nodded.
"That would be a good idea," I managed to say.
"In the meantime, you guys look out for each other," my dad said. "Family always protects one another and comforts. If we continue to do that then each day will get a little easier."
"Okay, dad," Chris said. He quickly walked out without another word.
I hoped he wasn't frustrated by me. Other than that worry, I was relieved I wouldn't have to share my trauma with my dad for now. I needed to keep my word to Chris and not let Jay suck me back in.