Chapter 471 - Encounter (3) (1/2)

Coach made the call and soon, the adults I trusted most started to appear.

Dr. Moore arrived first, he had stayed late on the school campus for meetings with other teens in need. He approached me slowly and knelt down so we could be eye level. ”Hey Jake, it's me. I need to know how bad your arm hurts on a scale of 1 to 10.”

I looked at him through blurry eyes.

”Jake? I need to know if you're okay.” Dr. Moore said with concern.

”Jake?” Noah stood right beside me. ”C'mon Jake. It's okay. We're right here. You can talk to us remember?”

Remember? What do I remember?

Memories of my mom flashed in my mind as Jeremy gripped my arm. He was just like her. He was mad at me like she was always mad at me. What did I do wrong? I don't understand.

My vision got blurrier as fresh tears blocked them out. I was in pain. I felt ashamed. Embarrassed.

”Jake! Jake!” I heard a woman's voice drawing near and the sound of hurried footsteps. ”Is Jake alright??” Mrs. Atkins has arrived.

”Mom.” Noah sounded scared. ”Jake isn't talking to us. I think Jeremy scared him. He was mean and he grabbed Jake by the arm, and Jake's been crying. Where's Dad? Dad can usually make Jake feel better?”

”He's coming from across town.” She said. ”I'm sure he'll be here soon. Same with Mr. Duncan.” I could feel her get closer so I looked up. She reached out and used her thumbs to wipe away the tears on my cheeks. ”Oh, Jake. Jake. What did he do?”

”He's been holding his injured arm since I've arrived.” Dr. Moore told her as I let her wipe my tears away. Dr. Moore handed her a napkin and she started to clean my face and I started to calm down.

She held my face in her hands gingerly like I was a fragile vase. ”Jake? Does your arm hurt? You don't have to say anything; just nod or shake your head no.”

I didn't do either. Instead I used my good hand to lift my injured arm. I showed them the red fingerprints that covered my stitched up cut.

”What the actual f*ck?” Dave blurted out.

”I didn't realized he grabbed Jake so hard.” Kyle mumbled.

”It'll bruise.” Dr. Moore told Mrs. Atkins and Coach. ”Doesn't look like the stitches were pulled at all though so that'll save you a trip to the hospital.” Dr. Moore looked me in the eyes. ”He must have used quite some force.”

I gave a curt nod.

Dr. Moore got a little closer. ”Is that it? He used too much force? Did it-” He frowned. ”Did it remind you of your mother?”

I nodded and my eyes watered again. I was practically a water fountain at this point. I hung my head in shame.

”Oh, Jake.” Mrs. Atkins arms surrounded me and pulled me close. Into a hug. A hug. With Mrs. Atkins. I didn't know where to put my arms so I continued to hold the injured arm as she hugged me and rubbed my back in a comforting manner.

I thought I was doing okay by not panicking or having an anxiety attack from this close proximity, but another urge to cry took over. Feeling her love and concern just made me feel more awful and hurt. A stranger that I've known for only a few months has shown me more love than any blood relative I have.