A Bundle of misfortune

After four hours of labor Sapphire gave birth, on July 23rd, to a sleepy and plump boy. He was named Moon Dust, an angel of miracles. He had Sapphire’s blue hair and Silver’s nose and jaw, a beautiful combination. Because she had him in the summer, Ivory was able to be there for her as well; everyone loved him.

A month or so after Moon’s birth Sapphire got a job as as gym instructor. She mostly taught yoga and pilates but also did occasional stretching classes for other pregnant woman. She chose to go to a larger, more popular gym that was farther because she made more money. She also had a much larger pool of clients. Silver still worked as a cook but he had gotten a raise.

My brother often went to a nearby bar, Midnight's Bar. It's was actually a fairly nice place. Silver knew the bartender there and if he ever got too drunk he would call me or let him sleep it off at his place. Rocking Spice is his name; He's quite tall with bronze skin and short, coarse hair. I've never seen him without his trademark red headphones. He always wears black cargo pants with an army green sleeveless shirt. Depending on the season he also wore a green bomber jacket.

One night, a drunkard told my brother in very explicit terms how Sapphire had been with him as well as other men, how she would open her legs and shake her hips for the right price. Silver immediately punched him, “You should stop talking about my wife like that. Next time I’ll break more than your nose.” Spice had quickly broken up the fight, knowing exactly how to pacify the wildly drunk. After which he proceeded to chew out Silver. “Those guys may be dumb as a sack of hammers but they're also cowards that won't go after you; they'll go after those you care for.”

Nothing bad happened for a while, but when Moon turned one, Silver got into a large squabble with some other men that had badmouthed Sapphire. They were discussing her body and how skilled she was in bed. “A woman like that settling down with one man? Impossible, it’s no surprise she already has a kid. Does he even know if the brats really his?” They wanted to hurt him where it would do the most damage. “What was the brat's’ name? It something like Mope or Milk wasn’t it?” Once again, Silver got in a fight.

A few nights later, Sapphire was with Moon at a new fitness friend’s house. Earlier, I had asked Ivory to come so we could spend time together. He said he wouldn’t be able to come till six, then he'd be free to spend the night. They had thought she would have been at Silver’s so they went there first. The happiness had made me dumb and vulnerable, when they rang, I didn't even think it could be anyone but Ivory, so I just opened the door. “Ivory?” I had originally had a smile on my face, but it twisted into a frown, I screamed. I was an idiot.

What could I do? They came in, and when they couldn’t find Sapphire or Moon, they only got angrier. I was the only one there. I was alone, weak, and terrified. I sank into the corner, shaking violently, my face already bruised. After the two argued over what to do, they grabbed me. Bringing their faces so close I could smell their rancid breath, “You sure are unlucky. Don’t worry we’ll make sure to tell Silver about this, in great detail.”

I just laid there beaten, sore, and naked. I licked my busted lip, grimacing at the metallic taste. My fingernails were dirty with dried blood. I looked up and cried, my vision quickly became a watery blur of color. My body shook violently and my lips trembling. I wish this had never happened but I'm glad Sapphire and Moon are safe. My body was bruised and aching but what was left between my legs was an even bigger cause for concern. Once the tears stopped falling and all that was left on my face was snot and salty streaks, I called Silver, “Please come quickly I need you I was… attacked.” He arrived slightly after Ivory. I was in bad shape, with bruises covering my body. Those pigs hadn’t been gentlemen, I hoped I wasn't pregnant. They helped me in the shower and brought me clothes, and after what had happened, I hid my face in Ivory’s chest and cried.

Life wasn’t that much harder after what happened, but Ivory always looked troubled; he'd barely touched me since then. It was horrible. Did he think less of me? What if he thought I was filthy? Did he not want me anymore now that I had been stained by someone else? Does he think I’m dirty? Whenever I was alone and my mind wandered, I'd relive that night. The disgusting sweat, the pain, and the sounds. I'd absentmindedly scratch at my arms leaving painful welts. When someone saw me, they'd ask why I was crying. Moon was growing well, and Anna was a full grown cat now. Max was going to college as well, so I saw him even less. As time went on, I couldn’t stop the thoughts.

The frequent nausea and inability to hold down anything I ate frightened me. So I went to the store,and I prayed and prayed not to be pregnant. I hadn’t done anything with Ivory in a while and we always used a condom, so if I was pregnant it wasn’t his, it was one of theirs. The thought was vile and nauseating that it made me feel like vomiting. After throwing up, the feeling wouldn't end, and I'd spend the day dry heaving. It felt as if maggots had wormed their way into my body, poisoning me, living inside of me. Constantly shifting inside me, laughing at my pain. How could my own body have betrayed me? I wouldn’t allow a fetus caused by rapists to grow in my body.