Unbroken Promises by Dianne Stevens

tried to put it on because her whole body hurt. The shirt she was wearing gaped open and Jesse saw the bruises and vicious bite mark on her breast.
    He covered his face with his hands and howled deep and mournfully. Jesse then dropped to his knees in front of her and pulled her into his embrace.
    “Oh, baby, how could this have happened to you? We all tried to shelter and protect you so this type of thing would never happen, Jesse spoke with anguish.
    “Beth…did he rape you?” Jesse forced himself to ask. He then held his breath until she answered. He wanted to know as soon as he had found her but was too afraid to ask.
    Beth did not know what to do. She was not feeling her own emotional turmoil because she was so worried about him.
    “No, Jess, he didn’t. There is no doubt in my mind he would have if you had not come and saved me from it.” She heard him exhale his pent-up breath. “I know what I did was wrong, but I do want to thank you for coming to get me.”
    “Come on, let’s go to the bathroom, and see about your wounds. We will talk again later.” Beth got up, followed him into the bathroom and watched as he took out all the medicine. He parted her shirt just enough to tend to the wound.
    “It’s more of a bruise than a wound, but I’m not sure if you shouldn’t go to a hospital and get it looked at. Human bites can be very bad. Have you had a tetanus shot lately?”
    “I will not go to the hospital and, yes, I’ve had all my shots. I also have a whole bottle of updated antibiotics that I never took.”
    “Is this the only bite wound?” Jesse asked in a monotone voice, but inside he was dying.
    How could that monster have hurt his baby in such a horrific way? He did not know if he would have been able to handle it if Randy had raped her. This was bad enough.
    Oh, Lord, Susan and Jordon would possibly have a nervous breakdown if they were to find out what happened tonight. He did not want the authorities to question her. And they would most likely be called in if he took Beth to the hospital with a bite wound on her breast, but he was really worried about the bite. If it showed any sign of infection, he was going to take her in if he had to drag her there; but, for now, he would watch for any changes.
    Beth had deep bruises in several places beside her breast. Three of her ribs, her wrist, and the side of her face were bruised; but, other than that, she seemed physically all right.
    Jesse was worried about her mental condition. Right now, she seemed to be holding it together; but, he knew when all the shock wore off, she was going to have a lot to deal with.
    He knew he was going to have to be patient with Beth while she dealt with what happened tonight. He would be there for her in whatever capacity she needed for as long as she needed him.
    Jesse also knew he couldn’t put it off any longer. The time had come for him to talk to her about what had been on his mind ever since Cody had told him about what all she had been up to.
    Jesse knew Beth’s hopes and dreams were to marry him when she grew up. And who knew what the future held—that could very likely happen; but, if there was even going to be a chance for them getting together later, he had to tell her some things about himself, things he would absolutely not tolerate under any circumstance. Then he asked himself, “What if she had been raped tonight? What then?” He shook his head; relieved he didn’t have to answer or deal with that.
    Beth walked out of the bathroom. “I guess I better get back to my room. It won’t be long before Susan and Daddy will get up.”
    “Beth, sit down a minute. I want to talk to you about something,” Jesse said in a serious voice.
    Beth knew they were going to have the ‘talk’ he had been wanting to discuss with her. She dreaded it and had a feeling she wasn’t going to like the outcome.
    “What is it you want to talk to me about, Jess?” Beth asked as she sat back down on his bed.
    Jesse was a