"Take your panties off. "

Nicci's voice caught in her throat.

"Do it!" Her father lifted the old leather belt studded with thumbtacks over his shoulder.

"No, Daddy, no!" She closed her eyes and braced for the blow, but it didn't come. instead, she heard the doorbell.

"Who the fuck? " He lowered the belt. "Go clean up and get dressed, " he ordered. Nicci carefully stepped around him and headed to the bathroom. Her father hid the belt under a chair cushion, then went and opened the door. "Its a bit late for selling cookies, don't you think?"

"Oh, no sir. I'm here to see Nicci."

In the bathroom, Nicci was listening. That voice. May-fee?

"She's getting cleaned up to make supper. "

"Did I come too early? We were going so do our World History homework together. "

"You can get her to study? that's impressive!" His voice was friendly. "In that case, please come in, miss . . ."

"I'm May-fee, sir. Thank you. "

"Would you care to have dinner with us? "

"Oh, could I? Thank you."

"Nicci, your friend May-fee is here. Be sure to make enough for her, too."

"Yes, Daddy " she replied.

"I'll help too!"

"That's OK, please have a seat. You're our guest. " It almost made Nicci sick how friendly he was being. She used a wet, black towel to wipe the blood off her legs and back, and applied ointment where she could reach. She gave the small lacerations a moment to scab over. Finally, she put her black robe on and went to greet May-fee.

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Nicci gave May-fee a quizical look. "I'm glad you could make it. Would you like a drink? "

"I'm OK. I'll wait. "

"Ok, dinner won't take long. Spaghetti is fast"

"Please excuse me, " the father said. "I just got home myself and need to freshen up. "

"I understand, sir. "

Nicci heard her father go into his room. She focused on making dinner. the silence was a little bit uncomfortable, but they were all sitting at the kitchen table about 15 minutes later. They all ate, chatting a little. She kept most of the conversation about school. Eventuality, her father stood up.

"I'm full, and really need to get some rest for my early morning. Take your time finishing. Nicci, don't forget tomorrow's a school day."

"Yes, Daddy "

"Thank you for the meal, " May-fee added.

Nicci felt a wave of relief when her father's room door closed. The girls finished eating in silence, then both cleaned up. Finally, Nicci asked, " Would you like to see my room? " May-fee nodded, then followed.

When they got there, Nicci closed her door, then spoke in a harsh whisper, "What the helll were you thinking? I told you to go home! "

"I heard what was happening. I couldn't!"

"You were spying on us? " Nicci was angry.

"I didn't mean to, I just have good ears. "

"Good ears, huh? Look, I told you before, I am fine!"

"No, Nicci! You aren't! "

"Shhhhhhhh"

Softer, "No you aren't. He's being terrible to you. "

"It's not usually like this. Besides, I was selfish. I deserved it. "

"Are you kidding me? No one deserves that!"

"He works so much. He just wanted a warm meal. it's not a big deal. "

"Are you listening to yourself? "

"He's just overworked and overstressed. "

May-fee was aghast. She thinks this is OK? How the hell? "He was going to rape you! You need help"

Nicci snapped. " Yeah, like what? The police? why? so i can be taken away? Put in some crammed foster home? Be abused by strangers instead? How is that better?"

"What about your mother? "

"I don't even know where she is! "

"Other family? " Nicci shook her head.

May-fee was speechless.

"And if dad gets arrested? And we lose everything? Don't pretend you know what's best for me! This is just life!"

May-fee trembled. She gave no answer. She had no words. She looked as powerless as Nicci felt. "But... it's not... you can't..." She couldn't get a sentence out, and she started to cry.

Nicci's expression softened at the sight of May-fee crying. She stood beside her and put an arm around her. May-fee leaned against her, shaking, and said "Please try... let me help... there has to be something!"

She's crying, for me. She's frustrated, for me! Nicci leaned her head against May-fee's. Is this . . . how it feels . . . to matter to someone? Nicci felt her own frustration start to well up.

They cried together for a long time.