That evening I decided to go over to Kerry’s house and cheer her up, I knew her dad was a bit moody these days so I was going to make a special effort.
“Mum I’m just going over to Kerry’s, she’s not feeling too well so I’m just goanna go and cheer her up,” I said to my mum.
“Ok but don’t take too long it’s your turn to wash-up tonight,” called back my mum.
I arrived at Kerry’s house and rang the bell. I woman who looked in her late 20’s answered the door. ‘This must be the new girlfriend,’ I thought.
“ Hi, is Kerry home, I’m her friend Tanya” I said.
“No sorry im afraid she’s not in,” said the woman “ you’ll have to come back later”.
As I was about to leave I heard Kerry’s voice from upstairs “TANNYYAAAA,” she shouted.
“I just heard her voice from upstairs, I want to talk to her,” I told the woman.
“ She isn’t in, now go,” said the woman.
“No,” I answered. “ Kerry’s in I just heard her, let me in”. I tried to push past her but she was too strong.
“ Look young lady, if you don’t go I will have to call the police,” the woman said shouting. “ Kerry’s dad isn’t home and is on a business trip, and like I said before, Kerry isn’t in either, now get off of this property”. The woman shut the door in my face.
Something was definitely going on, why hadn’t Kerry said anything about that woman? I decided to ask her the next day at school; I needed to find out what was going on.
Kerry wasn’t in school the next day or even the day after. Infact it had been a whole week since she came to school, I had phoned her a couple of times but no one seemed to answer the phone, and her mobile was switched off aswell.
I tried ringing her again, this time someone answered.
“ Hello, Kerry,” I said
“Tanya, I’m so glad it’s you, but you shouldn’t have phoned if Samantha finds out then she’s going to beat me even more,” said Kerry in a shook voice.
“WHAT?” I said in shock. “ That woman’s been beating you, but why?”.
“Listen Tan, I gotta go she’s coming,” said Kerry in a frightened voice. She put the phone down. I couldn’t believe what was happening. Did Kerry’s dad know what was going on? How could Kerry keep quiet about this? Why didn’t she tell me? All these questions were going around in my head.
Next morning I didn’t go to school, I went straight to Kerry’s to find out some answers.
I rang the doorbell, Kerry answered.
“Tanya look please you have to go she’ll be back any minute”. Said Kerry.
“ No you let me in and explain to me what’s going on, I mean come on Kerry you could have at least told me what was going on” I said.
“ Ok quick come in, but if Sam comes back you’ll have to run out the back,” said Kerry.
“Alright what’s going on, why didn’t you say anything to me, you’re supposed to be my friend,” I told her.
“ Look “ Kerry shouted at me, “ I had enough to deal with any way, after mum died it was as if everything stopped, dad was so upset he stopped going to work, and when he started seeing Sam, he was like he was with my mum, I didn’t like her, but I couldn’t bear to see dad upset again”.
“Look Kerry I’m really sorry,” I said.
“ No let me finish, Sam was really nice to me, after dad went to his business trip, she started beating me, she told me that she wanted to be the only woman for my dad, I was so scared tan- I didn’t know what to …” Kerry stopped her sentence there.
I heard the door open, we both stood there like statues, I was shaking now. The dark figure now came in; I knew I’d gotten Kerry in trouble.
“DAAADD”, cried Kerry, “I’m so glad you’re here’.
“Kerry, your crying what’s wrong, your shaking, tell me what’s wrong” said Kerry’s dad.
“ Mr. Smith I think there’s something you need to know, your girlfriend Sam, she’s been…”I started.
“Where is Sam, I’ve been phoning her all morning, and why did she leave you two alone,” said Mr.Smith.
Just then Sam came in, she looked at us and gave us a sweet smile.
“ Honey, you’re back, it’s been so long since I last saw you” she said. She then gave Mr.Smith a hug, and turned to us.
“Tania. Hi how are you, when did you drop by?” she said to me.
“ Sam I told you not to leave Kerry by herself, she’s too small” said Mr.Smith
“ Dad I’m 13, I’m not too small, I’m a teenager now” said Kerry.
“ Kerry, you shouldn’t answer your dad back ok?” said Sam.
This time Kerry gave her the dirtiest look ever. She started going towards her and shouted.
“YOU, Ever since you came here you’ve been telling me what to do- don’t ever tell me what to do and ever since dad left you’ve been bea…” said Kerry, but got cut off.
“THERE IS NO NEED TO TALK SO LOUDLY” shouted Kerry’s dad.
The atmosphere in the room now was very tense, everyone stood still, and I could tell Kerry’s dad wouldn’t believe her no matter what she said.
“ Look” I said, “ I know this is none of my business…”
“You’re right it’s none of you’re business” interrupted Sam.
“ Look let me just hear what she has to say honey” said Mr.Smith.
I could see the cold look on Sam’s face and the pleading look on Kerry’s face. I had to tell him, Kerry couldn’t keep it a secret, Sam would hurt her even more.
“ Mr.Smith, look I can’t say this in simple terms, here’s the thing. While you were gone Sam’s been beating up Kerry- she’s got the bruises to prove it and Sam’s only after your money, cant you see…” I started.
“That is quite enough- I don’t know what your on about missy, but I really think you should be on your way home” said Sam
“I don’t think so, dad look” said Kerry and showed him her leg. On there was a huge bruise with some cuts as well.
“ Here’s the proof dad, that woman is only here for your money she’s been beating me and I’ve been quiet about it because she threatened to hurt me even more, but I cant take it anymore”.
At this moment Sam just looked at her husband and said, “ You don’t believe this rubbish do you?”
Mr. Smith looked at Sam and said, “ I trusted you, you’ve been beating up my only child and of course I believe her what do you think. I want you out of this house with your things in the next 10 minutes or I’ll call the police”.
“ Look I’m really sorry for leaving you all that time alone” said Mr.Smith “ please forgive me, and if there’s anything you want to tell me just say it and Tania thank you”.
I felt so good for what I’d done. Finally Tania could be the way she was and hopefully forget about all this. What are friends for if they cant help their mates through hard times.