Michael ran the bath water for me and I didn't dare stop him. I saw him walk out of the bathroom as I laid there on the bed. He looked at me for a while and then walked away. I didn't waste any time getting my things and going into the bathroom. I was about to take off my dress when I heard the door open and then close.. I turned around to see Michael looking at me as if he were waiting on something.

Michael: You need help?

I stared at him and then looked down as I shook my head.

Suesie: No..

Michael: Let me help you unzip that.

He said coming over to me. I turned around and he slowly unzipped it.

Suesie: Thank you.

I said sitting on the edge of the bathtub and taking off my shoes. Michael sat down on the toilet seat and watched me take off one of my shoes. I lifted my leg to take the other one off but Michael gently grabbed it. He took off my shoe and then rubbed my leg.. At this point I'd usually smile and want to do the same but this time was different. I was petrified and this did not feel right at all. Michael reached over and slid my dress off of one of my shoulders. I looked at his hand and he touched my face which caused me to slightly jump. Michael saw my fear and left the room. I got in the tub and just sulked. I thought about why I was afraid of him and how much this reminded me of my past. How afraid I was of him.. This person that I am talking about, you do not know yet.

Suesie: It was.. It was.. I can't do it..

I said sighing.

Michael: Do what baby?

I quickly looked at Michael and it was silent for a while. I looked down after and while and then spoke.

Suesie: I'll.. Tell you when I get out.

Michael nodded.

Michael: That may not be for a while.

Suesie: Why not?

Michael came and sat on the edge of the tub. I watched his every move and he put his hand in the water. He wasn't doing much of anything but that was just enough to make me wonder why Michael had become so sinister. He looked at me after a while and then stood up.

Michael: May I join you?

He said taking off his robe.

Suesie: Nothing's stopping you.

He got in and I crossed my arms while avoiding eye contact. This was the most silence that I've ever endured with Michael. I didn't like it either.

Michael: Baby.. Why won't you look at me?

Suesie: I have my reasons.

Michael: And those reasons are?

Suesie: The reasons that are better left unsaid.

Michael sighed and he came over to my side.

Michael: Please tell me.

Suesie: I don't want to Michael.

Michael: Suzanne, tell me.

Suesie: Tell you what?

Michael: The reasons why you won't look at me, the reasons why you don't want me near you. The reasons why you don't feel comfortable with me right here next to you.

I put water on my face and I got out but I didn't wait up for Michael. I put on my black nightgown and climbed into bed. I laid above the sheets but under the blankets and I put a pillow behind me. This way, when Michael gets out and gets into bed, we can still keep our distance. I know that this may sound harsh to you but I have some good reasons why I am doing this.. Some damn good reasons. Michael came out of the bathroom and got into bed but noticed that something was wrong.

Michael: Baby please tell me what's going on. Why are you acting like this?

Suesie: I don't want to.

Michael: Baby please. I want to know.

Suesie: No Michael.

Michael: Tell me. I need to know.

I looked at Michael.

Suesie: Do you really wanna know?

Michael: Yes.

Suesie: You really wanna know?

I said sitting up.

Michael: Yes. You can tell me anything.

Suesie: Your actions towards me are causing memories to come back from the past. Memories that I never want to remember. You don't realize what you're doing to me. Your actions are also making old feelings come back to me that I never want to feel again. You giving a death glare, you touching my leg, you watching me get undressed-.

Michael: I never watched you get undressed.

Suesie: Oh really? You call insisting on helping me undress and then pulling it off of me not watching?

Michael thought about it.

Suesie: Exactly.. You watching me get undressed, and you getting the tub with me has caused a lot of things to come back to me. I don't like them at all.. Michael.. Right now, I'm afraid of you..

Michael gave me a worried and convoluted expression.

Michael: Why?

Suesie: I don't want you to turn into him. I don't want you to hurt me.

I said standing up.

Michael: Baby, who is him?

Suesie: Don't.. Just don't..

I said as he got out of bed.

Michael: Don't what baby? Why are you acting this way?

Suesie: Don't come near me.

Michael: No, you need me.

Suesie: Don't move.

I said as he came closer to me. I started backing up with every step he took.

Michael: Let me hold you.

Suesie: Stop, go away.

I said as my back touched the wall. I closed my eyes because Michael was no longer who I saw. I saw him instead. I crouched down and covered my ears. I felt arms wrap around me and I lost it.

Suesie: Jomo! Let me go!

I said as I was shaking and crying. Michael made me look at him and dried my eyes. I slowly began to see the transition.

Suesie: J-Jo-.

Michael: No no. Baby it's me. It's Michael. M-M..

He said cutting me off.

Suesie: M-Michael..

I looked at him and when I realized that it was Michael, I held onto him like my life depended on it.. And in this case, it did. Michael held me close like he was my father and I was his newborn baby. Michael rocked me back and forth, he made sure that I was alright, and kissed me periodically. I stopped shaking after a while and calmed down. Michael looked at me and saw that I was asleep. Michael sat back against the wall, making sure that I was secure in his arms, and fell asleep.