Opening up

Stopping at the jail

asking  Sheriff if could borrow his deputy

sipping his coffee, he complied

happy to see me up and about

Leaving, the streets we did walk

"How are you doing?

I've been worried about you.

You have no idea how scared I was

you wouldn't pull through."

"A small pain leaves its mark along with another scar to my collection

Doc said you wouldn't leave my side, leaving only when the sheriff called you in

so thank you for caring and sticking by

I'm sorry that I worried you for it was not my intention to do so but I pulled through though it 

wasn't easy for the doc."

Finding the nearest seat, I took it

he followed suit

Wondering what she had to impart

He had seen her scars,

He wanted to ask

but didn't have the heart.

I took a deep breath and said as fast as I could,

"Lung was punctured

doc almost lost me twice

a lot of blood lost

but my body replenished

he also stitched me back up

no wonder why I hurt so much."

Releasing the breath I was holding

I awaited his reaction

His hands came up to cup my face.

"I know I was there when that was taking place.

You had me scared to death I lose you 

but I didn't think that was what you were referring to."

"You can't lose me that easily Brody

the stars above being the only power to do so

I would fight to my dying breath to make sure I wouldn't die

but what do you mean you don't think that was what I was referring to? 

Now you have got me curious and you know how my curiosity gets." 

I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Brody wasn't sure he should say,

how to bring it up, in what way.

"Bella, your scars... what are they from?

Whatever it was you must be so strong to overcome."

A sad look crossed my features but I tried to hide it, 

accepting the fact that I couldn't put it off forever 

and that he wanted to know, even if it would hurt.

"You may think I am strong but in reality, I'm quite the opposite.

I have a collection of scars but a variety of them linger on my back 

though I have one on every part of me, from torture to rape to flaming wood

Ones on my back are from the fire..."

I swept a stray tear, trying to keep myself together.

"The fire that killed my parents, 

burned down my house and almost taking me too.

 I was close to getting out but a piece of wood fell on my back, 

flaming too, that's why they're so bad."

Brody wiped a tear away with his thumb,

knowing there may be more to come.

"But you survived Bella, you survived it all.

That's a real strength, or what I would call.

I know it may be hard for you to see,

that your scars make you a rare beauty

or at least they do to me."

I smiled a little, the best I could.

"Strength leaves me Brody, 

I have experienced every bit imaginable. 

I was homeless at a young age, 

a perfect opportunity for anyone.

But... thank you Brody, 

I'm glad they look good to one when they don't to me."

"Well, perhaps you've been viewing yourself through the wrong eyes.

I noticed with tattoos you tried to disguise,

to cover up what you don't want to see,

but Love, you don't need to hide from me.

There is so much more to you than meets the eye

and every day I wonder why

you ever chose to give me a try,

but you did take a chance on me.

And I pray you never think it a regret

I know we have so much to know of each other yet

but Bella what I've learned about you so far

is the beauty of you, your soul, runs deeper than any scar."

A smile a bright smile, wondering how and why 

he has this effect over me, a couple tears of happiness I do shed.

"I try to not hide anything from you Brody 

but not everything is easily spoken about,

talking about this now drains me but it is worth it when around you.

Even with the tattoo, I couldn't see it if I tried unless looking in a mirror

the only reminder is my hair that I did purposely and the memory that lingers.

Don't wonder why

because I don't know myself

call it fate I guess

but live in the moments now

cause I am

Never in a million years would I think this

as a regret

for you have opened my eyes to how I should be treated by a man, 

Alec treating me like dung and I started believing all man treat women that way

until I came here and saw how all the men

treat the women as equals

Though I thank you greatly for everything 

and everything else that may indeed come in the future.

I am willing to know more about you if you let me like you are willing to know about my past

but my insecurities is something I am working on but your compliments are truly appreciated."

I can't help but continue to smile at him, 

even after telling him, I couldn't understand why but I couldn't help it. 

Another day that I am grateful for, even if I am mentally drained 

and a bit hurt, it was worth it, every single second of it.