The Rock

About 3 weeks after  the trial was over. Betty has really depressed. She was actually starting to waste away. She was pining for Reggie. She had not been able to eat or sleep. None of her friends could cheer her up. Her pride wouldn’t let her call him.

 Alice Cooper finally called Reggie herself. Her child needed this young man. What was wrong with him?

“Stop being such a coward and face Betty. She really needs you, Reggie. So cut the crap!”

Mr. Cooper took the phone from his wife and added,

“This is all bull shit Reggie. My baby needs you. Man up! Do I have to have Chick pay you a little visit? Get your ass over here, now!”

 Wow! Hal Copper never cursed! And Reggie did not want Chick to curse him out and be  angry at him for being a wimp. He had basked in having Chick’s respect. Chick might want to kill him. Reggie gulped as he  left his house to go to see Betty.

 Reggie  quickly headed over to the Coopers  as ordered. Scared as hell. He was actually quaking in his Air Jordan’s. ‘I know she hates me.’

It seemed that big, strong Reggie Mantle was terrified of this little 5 ft 7 inch, blond haired girl-woman.

Alice Cooper smiled encouragement at Reggie. She let him go up to Betty’s room.

”Leave me alone you shit head!  I know you’re ashamed of what happened to me! I realize that’s why you’ve been avoiding me!” Betty screamed at him when she saw him. ‘God, he was fine!” She despised herself for her thoughts.

“You think I’m stupid and dirty don’t you?!! I disgust you, don’t I? Deep down you wonder if he raped me.  Leave me alone. I hate you!! “Get out! Get out now!!” She hated herself for crying. She turned her back on him, hugging herself tight to hold herself together.

Reggie could only look at her, astounded.

“Babe, is that what you think!?? Bet’s I’m not ashamed of you. I am ashamed of me! I let you down. I didn’t protect you from him!”

Neither would ever say his name again.

Reggie never considered that Betty would have these feelings.  Just that she blamed him for failing her. So terribly.

It never crossed Reggie’s mind that she was anything but his beautiful Betty.

“Babe I’m sorry, so very sorry. I was wrong to stay away! I know that now. I was afraid. Yes I said it. Afraid.  I didn’t want you to hate me. I couldn’t bear to see hatred in your eyes for me!”

He was inching slowing towards her, beseeching her to forgive him, needing to hold her.

Betty was crying, gut wrenching sobs, her back to him, hands covering her face, and her heart heavy. Reggie’s stomach  was churning at the pain he was causing her.

 She glared at him. ‘God she was adorable when she was angry! Stop it you jerk. This is not the time…!’

“ Hey, you can even beat me up.”  Reggie’s tone was pleading, wheedling, caressing, all at the same time.

“Oh, you think this is funny, you asshole?!”

‘Oops, maybe I went too far there’

 Betty   flew at him, arms flailing,  punching him, very hurt and angry that he stayed away so long. She wanted to slap that smirk off his face! He didn’t try to stop the blows. Man!  Betty can sure pack a wallop! She even kicked him in his shin. He howled at that. God, he hoped she didn’t give him a kick in  his crotch next.

But she finally relaxed after she got rid of all her pent up anger.

‘Now get out! I don’t need you or  your pity! Stay away from me”

Reggie felt terror. Did he lose her.? No!

He dropped to his knees.

“I need you Betty! I love you!  Please don’t send me away. Please? I never wanted to see you hurt and I failed you , Babe! Please forgive me. Let me make it up to you. “  His voice cracked here. He couldn’t lose her!

She realized Reggie had just  said he loved and needed her. Reggie was on his knees?

“Did you mean what you said just now? That you love me? Reggie, I never ever blamed you for what happened. How could I?”

“Yes! You must know how I feel about you.  I love you so much babe!” She threw herself in his arms.

 He sighed in relief as he pulled her close to his body.  ‘Thank you God’ He could not bear it if he lost her.

She did not blame him for allowing that monster to hurt her. Now he would able to  forgive himself.

She had wrapped her arms around him. She clung to him, like glue

 Reggie crooned to her, holding her tight, whispering sweet words that only she could hear.

Betty had needed him so badly these past months.

She  felt so alone even in a room full of people because he was not there.

 She had missed him so terribly.  She could not seem to stop crying.

 They both just knelt there, holding on to each other, for dear life.

Reggie now felt tears come into his eyes, spilling over and running down his cheeks.

Reggie was strong enough to let Betty see him cry. His stupidity almost lost her. Twice.

Hers tears were tears of relief. ‘Reggie loves me, he doesn’t think I’m tainted, even now’.

His tears were gut wrenching, so very glad ‘Betty doesn’t hate me’ , and that she was alive tears.

They kissed, their tears mingling, cleansing two forlorn hearts and binding them as nothing else could.

Betty felt purified as he held on to  her.

Betty would now be able to heal inside and out.

Reggie would be right there by her side.

 Reggie was her rock, and her reason for living.