- 4 hours ago
Rehab for Loving You
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Roderick ripped my shirt open and froze.
00:03My back was covered in scars, old and new, all from whippings.
00:07What the hell happened here?
00:11I misbehaved. They punished me for it.
00:14My voice was flat, like I was talking about someone else's body.
00:18He stared at the scars he'd never seen.
00:21Then he said,
00:24You deserved it.
00:26He sent me to that place three years ago to cure me of loving him.
00:32I spent three years locked inside that place.
00:35Now, I stopped loving him, just as he wanted.
00:38Then he came running back and said,
00:40I regret it.
00:42For eight years, I was a fixture by Roderick Dunlap's side.
00:46Everyone said I was addicted to him.
00:48I was so obsessed with him that I'd run off any woman who got close to him, whatever it took.
00:53Once, I offered one of them money to leave Roderick.
00:58The woman laughed in my face.
01:00Being with Roderick meant an endless supply of cash.
01:03Why would anyone walk away for such a pathetic amount?
01:07Then that woman took a staged fall down a flight of stairs.
01:11Roderick thought I pushed her.
01:14And I ended up being sent to a rehab center by him.
01:22Others went there to quit smoking, drinking, or gaming.
01:25I was there to let go of Roderick.
01:28In the end, I succeeded only for him to tell me he regretted it.
01:32The moment I stepped out of the rehab center,
01:35I saw an oddie parked there.
01:37It looked totally out of place.
01:39I glanced at it and lowered my head, preparing to walk away.
01:43The person who got out of the car called out to me.
01:47It was Roderick.
01:49He had grown more mature in the last three years.
01:52I glanced at him once, then looked away.
01:54The staff at the center taught us that staring was rude.
01:58Especially at someone we liked?
02:00Yes, after three years, I had been completely reformed.
02:08Roderick told me to get in, and I did so, sitting quietly in the back seat.
02:12I kept my head down, staring at my lap and not moving a muscle.
02:16Roderick sat beside me.
02:18I could feel the weight of his intense gaze.
02:20The car was dead quiet.
02:22I held my breath, scared to make a peep.
02:24But a cough escaped me anyway.
02:27It was just my old cough.
02:28The car pulled up at the Dunlap's mansion.
02:31Roderick's grandmother, Maggie Dunlap, lived there.
02:35Today, as I remembered, marked her 80th birthday.
02:39Then it hit me why Roderick had come to get me.
02:41He started to walk in.
02:43I hesitated for a second, then blurted out,
02:48Um, Roderick?
02:50I didn't bring a gift.
02:52When he turned around, my heart was pounding out of my chest.
02:57I quickly looked down.
02:58I knew my quickened heartbeat was from fear, not from affection.
03:04Somehow, I'd turned into a total coward.
03:06If someone even glanced my way, I'd get a jolt of fear.
03:12I'd toss and turn all night in nightmares, haunted by those staring eyes.
03:19Follow me.
03:20Roderick brushed off my worry.
03:22He was as cold as always.
03:24Or maybe he only saved that coldness for me.
03:27I had to jog a little just to keep up with him.
03:31Mari!
03:32You're back!
03:33Come in, dear!
03:34Maggie was right there at the front door.
03:36Waiting for me, Dot Maggie had always had my back.
03:39Always encouraged my crush on Roderick and even snuck me info on his plans.
03:44I walked over to her.
03:46Hello, Maggie.
03:47Mari, honey.
03:49Why are you being so distant?
03:51You're not mad at me for what happened, are you?
03:54Maggie stroked my hair, her eyes full of affection.
03:56I shook my head.
03:58I could never be mad at her three years ago.
04:00If Maggie hadn't threatened to harm herself, I probably would have been sent to jail instead.
04:06On the outside, it looked like a regular school.
04:09But only the people who'd been locked up there knew what real torture was like.
04:15During the meal, I kept my head down, shoveling down spaghetti as fast as I could.
04:20I didn't make a sound, didn't reach for anything else, just ate fast like I hadn't had a meal in
04:26a month.
04:28Marianne!
04:29Yes, sir!
04:30Hearing my name, I set down my fork and stood up straight.
04:34We all froze me, Roderick, and Maggie.
04:36I met their shocked stares for a split second.
04:40Then I looked down at the silverware I'd set neatly on the table.
04:43Even with how panicked I was, I just stood there, confused.
04:48It hit me then I'd forgotten I wasn't at the center anymore.
04:51I had no idea why Roderick had called me.
04:54You scared her, you big idiot!
04:56Maggie swatted Roderick's arm before turning to me.
04:59Sit down, Mary.
05:00You're home now, sweetie.
05:02Just relax.
05:04I did what Maggie said and sat back down.
05:07But I couldn't eat another bite.
05:09Something about the way they looked at me told me they'd noticed.
05:11The girl who walked in three years ago was gone.
05:14And the one sitting here now was someone they didn't recognize.
05:20Grandma was talking to you.
05:21Why weren't you listening?
05:25Roderick's tone was sharp.
05:27I couldn't tell if he was mad I'd ignored Maggie or just ticked off about getting swatted.
05:31I'm sorry, Maggie.
05:33I was just very hungry.
05:35I didn't hear you.
05:36I gave her an apologetic look.
05:39The counselors at the center always drilled it into us.
05:42Apologies have to be sincere.
05:45Only I knew the truth.
05:46It wasn't hunger.
05:47It was fear.
05:48Fear of getting punished for not eating fast enough or for leaving food on my plate.
05:53I vaguely recalled her telling me to try the other food.
05:56I'd heard her, but I just couldn't react fast enough.
06:00So Roderick called out to me.
06:02By the time dinner was over, my forehead was covered in a light sweat.
06:06I wasn't sure if it was from the heat in the room or my own anxiety.
06:10Three years in that place had taught me one thing.
06:12Never let your guard down not even at a dinner table.
06:17After dinner, I returned to Grandpa's old house.
06:22Thank you for the ride.
06:24I gave Roderick a small bow.
06:26Maggie had wanted me to stay the night, but I'd turned her down.
06:29I didn't want any more contact with them than I had to,
06:32so I'd asked Roderick to drive me home.
06:36You really want to stay here?
06:38Roderick frowned.
06:39I glanced back at the house.
06:41It hadn't been touched in three years.
06:43Now it was completely overgrown with weeds.
06:46But I nodded.
06:47I had nowhere else to go anyway.
06:49I was flat broke, and the clothes I was wearing were from three years ago.
06:53The rehab center had given us uniforms,
06:55so these clothes had never even been worn out.
06:59I bent down to pull some weeds.
07:01The little critters living there scurried away.
07:03I saw cockroaches, mice, and a snake coiled in the corner, too lazy to move.
07:08Once upon a time, I would have jumped straight into Roderick's arms.
07:12Now, I just stared at them calmly and looked for a stick to shoo the snake away.
07:18Roderick pulled me back toward the car.
07:22What's wrong?
07:23I didn't even realize he was still there.
07:26Didn't you see that snake?
07:27A ride-hide-forgotten Roderick hated reptiles.
07:34I saw it.
07:35It's fine.
07:37I'll just shoo it away with a stick.
07:39If it bothers you, you can just leave!
07:43I caught myself reassuring him.
07:45I reached for the door handle, ready to hop out.
07:48But Roderick locked the doors and drove off.
07:51I quickly buckled my seatbelt.
07:54W-where are you taking me?
07:57He didn't say a word.
07:59I didn't dare ask again.
08:01He took me to his private apartment.
08:03He closed the door behind us without a word.
08:06I couldn't leave it was a keypad lock.
08:09He went straight to the shower.
08:11Probably trying to wash off the creeps from seeing all those critters,
08:14I sat straight on the living room couch.
08:17About an hour later, Roderick came downstairs in pajamas,
08:21his hair still wet.
08:22I knew better than to stare.
08:24Stay here until your place is cleaned up.
08:27You can sleep here tonight.
08:28I thought about it for a second, then nodded.
08:33That house was a mess.
08:34Tackling it all alone would have kept me going way past midnight.
08:38He walked over.
08:39I stood up and stepped aside without thinking.
08:42Roderick grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.
08:45So you're over me?
08:47His expression was questioning.
08:50Yes.
08:51I didn't hesitate for a second.
08:53Any delay would have felt like an insult to everything I'd been through.
08:58That night, the nightmare returned.
09:00In my dream, countless eyes stared back at me.
09:03Filled with hatred, disgust, and contempt.
09:06Every single one of them belonged to Roderick.
09:11The next day, when Roderick left for work,
09:13I asked him to drop me off downtown.
09:16He didn't seem to mind, as long as I wasn't in his way.
09:20I hesitated in front of a florist's hiring sign.
09:23I didn't have a college degree.
09:25I never finished college because Roderick had me sent to that rehab center.
09:30Hunting for a job?
09:31The shop owner noticed me staring at the sign but not coming in.
09:34So he finally asked.
09:36I nodded.
09:37The owner looked to be in his mid-twenties, and he seemed pretty nice.
09:41The pay was $3,000 monthly, and no diploma was required.
09:45I just had to be on time to help out at the shop every day.
09:49I asked the owner for a $1,000 advance.
09:52Money makes the world go round.
09:54I needed it for everything.
09:56My official start date was the next day, and to my surprise, he trusted me.
10:00I spent $400 on a used electric scooter from a local shop.
10:04Once upon a time, $400 wouldn't have meant squat to me.
10:08Now, I had to haggle just to get it for that price.
10:11It's not like I was an orphan or anything.
10:14Three years ago, my parents disowned me.
10:16To protect the company and the family's reputation,
10:20The only person who'd ever really loved me grandpa was gone a long time ago.
10:24If he were still here, I probably never would have ended up like this.
10:29I rode the scooter back to grandpa's old house.
10:32The weeds outside were already gone.
10:34Roderick must have sent someone to clear them.
10:37Inside, everything was covered in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs.
10:42It took me for hours just to make the place halfway livable.
10:47Most of the stuff inside was broken beyond fixing.
10:50I was trying to carry out the junk when I tripped.
10:56Everything went flying all over the floor.
10:58I was a mess my knee hurt, and I was covered in dirt.
11:02I saw a pair of shiny leather shoes stop in front of me.
11:05I didn't even have to look up to know who they belonged to.
11:08I got up slowly, my knee throbbing with pain.
11:12Mr. Dunlop.
11:15Can I help you with something?
11:16I'd gone from calling him Rod, to Roderick, and now to Mr. Dunlop.
11:21It was better this way keeping my distance.
11:24I never wanted to go back to that hellhole ever again.
11:27Grandma sent me to check on how you're doing.
11:29Roderick's brow was furrowed.
11:31Please tell her I'm fine, and she doesn't have to worry about me.
11:35I crouched back down to clean up the mess that fall had just made everything worse.
11:42Roderick grabbed me by the back of my collar.
11:44With a tear, my shirt split right open.
11:47It was the same shirt I'd worn yesterday and the same one I'd had three years ago.
11:51The fabric was so thin it tore almost instantly.
11:54Mr. Dunlop, have some respect!
11:57My voice was sharp with anger as I clutched the torn fabric.
12:00Thank God it was only the back that tore, but it was my only shirt.
12:04I hadn't had time to buy new clothes, and now how was I supposed to go shopping?
12:09But Roderick's eyes were fixed on the scars on my back.
12:13What the hell happened here?
12:15I misbehaved.
12:17They punished me for it.
12:19My voice was flat, like I was talking about someone else's pain.
12:23You deserved it.
12:24He walked out.
12:25I glanced over my shoulder.
12:27My back was covered in scars old and new, all from whippings.
12:31The newest ones were probably from a few days ago.
12:34I couldn't even remember exactly which day.
12:37They hadn't even fully healed yet.
12:41I found a dusty shirt in the closet, shook it off, and slipped it on right away.
12:46Pretty soon, I felt an itch on my back, right over the wounds.
12:50They probably got infected.
12:52Of course, just as I was heading out to buy new clothes, Roderick came back.
12:56Was he back to laugh at me?
12:58He tossed a bag at me?
13:01Change into these.
13:03I refused.
13:05He had a girlfriend, and it felt wrong for him to be buying me clothes.
13:08But it had been three years.
13:10Maybe Chelsea was his wife now, not that I cared.
13:14Roderick pulled me roughly back inside the house.
13:16I sat down and did what he told me.
13:19He cleaned the wounds on my back with antiseptic and rubbing alcohol.
13:22It stung.
13:23But I didn't make a sound.
13:24It was nothing next to what I'd been through.
13:26His hands were rough but strangely careful.
13:29Like he was trying to undo something he couldn't name.
13:35Why is this one right here across your waist?
13:37Roderick pointed to a particularly ugly scar.
13:40It wasn't just a surface scrape whoever hit me had aimed right for my kidneys.
13:44I shook my head.
13:45Um, I don't know.
13:48He finished up cleaning the wounds and helped pull my shirt down.
13:52Why did they do this to you?
13:54I was already wearing a new shirt.
13:58Because I misbehaved.
14:00Then, as if worried he might not believe me, I added.
14:06But I'm good now.
14:08What did you do?
14:10Roderick pushed, clearly unsatisfied with my answer.
14:15One of the counselors caught me after I dropped some food on the table.
14:19Roderick frowned but said nothing.
14:21I glanced at him nervously.
14:23After a long pause.
14:26Elsewhere.
14:27Where else did they hurt you?
14:29I shook my head.
14:30It's not like they chose to go for my back.
14:32I'd curl up into a ball.
14:34So my back was just the only part left exposed.
14:37It's getting late.
14:39You should go now.
14:40I didn't want to be in the same room as him.
14:42It felt suffocating.
14:44Besides, it was already dark outside.
14:46Oh, it's fine.
14:48I'll crash here for the night.
14:51Silence hung between us.
14:52I didn't argue.
14:54But I stayed awake long after the lights went out.
14:59I hadn't eaten since breakfast at his apartment.
15:02Using the groceries I'd picked up earlier,
15:04I whipped up a simple meal on the old hot plate.
15:08Thank God Grandpa never used gas otherwise.
15:10I'd have had nothing to eat.
15:13You're not at the center anymore.
15:15You don't have to eat so fast.
15:16Roderick's voice reached me as I hurried through the meal.
15:19But I was already finished.
15:21And Roderick had barely touched his food.
15:23Old habits die hard.
15:25Roderick took my bedroom.
15:27So I slept in Grandpa's old room.
15:29Late that night, my knee and back started throbbing.
15:31My head felt heavy and dizzy.
15:34When I opened my eyes again,
15:35I was staring at a white ceiling.
15:38The sharp smell of disinfectant was everywhere.
15:40I didn't have time to wonder how I'd gotten here.
15:43All I cared about was that I was gonna be late
15:45for my first shift.
15:47I tiptoed over to put on my shoes,
15:49careful not to wake Roderick.
15:51Roderick's sleepy voice stopped me right
15:53as I was almost out the door.
15:56Where are you off to?
15:57I got a job.
15:59I'm gonna be late for work.
16:00Do you even know you're running a fever?
16:02He sounded annoyed.
16:04Was it because he'd had to pay for the medical bills?
16:08Don't worry, Mr. Dunlop.
16:10I'll pay you back as soon as I get my first paycheck.
16:13I gave him a quick, polite bow and slipped out the door.
16:18Thankfully, I made it to work just in time.
16:23It was Valentine's Day,
16:25and the flower shop was absolutely packed.
16:28My job was simple, just working the register.
16:30I didn't know how to do anything else yet.
16:33The shop was small,
16:34but the owner was amazing,
16:36and customers just kept coming in.
16:38But out of all the people who could have walked in,
16:41I never thought I'd see Chelsea Harvey.
16:44Arm in arm with Roderick,
16:46laughing and talking up a storm.
16:48Chelsea, the same girlfriend Roderick,
16:50had brought home all those years ago.
16:53Chels, Rod.
16:55The shop owner walked over to greet them politely.
16:59My mind went completely blank,
17:01and I froze in place.
17:02It turned out the owner was Chelsea's brother.
17:05My life was starting to feel like a bad soap opera all over again.
17:09I'd suffered for three years because of Chelsea,
17:12and now here I was,
17:13working for her brother.
17:15How pathetic was that?
17:23Chelsea spotted me.
17:26Flinched in fake fear and buried her face in Roderick's chest.
17:30Cliffy, what is she doing here?
17:32She's, she's the one who...
17:34Chelsea pointed a shaking finger right at me.
17:36Clifford Harvey stared at me in shock,
17:38then his face twisted with disgust.
17:40He grabbed me by the arm and shoved me right out the door.
17:46It all happened so fast.
17:48I stumbled and crashed to the ground.
17:51Roderick just stood there and watched.
17:54Cold as ice.
17:56Humiliated,
17:57I got up and ran all the way back to the old house.
18:01I locked myself in grandpa's room.
18:03It was the only place I ever felt safe.
18:08Thanks to that,
18:09I had to find a new job,
18:11and I had to pay back that $1,000 advance.
18:17I hated owing anyone anything.
18:22Job hunting sucked for days,
18:24until I finally got hired as a dishwasher.
18:26It was tiring,
18:28but it kept me busy,
18:29kept my mind off things.
18:32I thought maybe I could finally live a quiet life,
18:35but some people just couldn't stand to see me happy.
18:38Chelsea's shadow followed me wherever I went.
18:46The floor manager had told me
18:48to bring the clean dishes out to be sanitized.
18:57Well, look who it is.
18:59The Crawford Group Harris.
19:09As I walked through the dining area,
19:11a few girls blocked my way.
19:13Their voices thick with sarcasm.
19:16They were my old college classmates,
19:18also Chelsea's little minions.
19:20Chelsea was standing right behind them,
19:23watching it all go down,
19:24no sign of her usual innocent act.
19:29I tried to ignore them and walk past.
19:32I didn't want any trouble.
19:33Did I say you could leave?
19:34Someone yanked my hair so hard,
19:36it sent a sharp pain shooting through my scalp.
19:39The noise set off a commotion.
19:43All I could think about was the plates.
19:46I'd have to pay for them.
19:48Roderick's voice cut through the noise from behind me.
19:50What's going on here?
19:52My hands,
19:53busy picking up the broken pieces,
19:55froles for a second.
19:57I cut my finger on a shard.
20:00It didn't even hurt.
20:01I knew something way worse was about to happen.
20:05Sure enough,
20:06I heard Chelsea's fake sweet voice
20:08complaining to Roderick.
20:10We were just trying to make up with Mari.
20:15Just catch up a little.
20:17But then she...
20:22Before Chelsea could finish,
20:24another girl cut in.
20:26But then she lost her temper
20:28and tried to hit Chelsea with a plate!
20:41I kept picking up the broken pieces calmly.
20:46I knew I was going to lose this job too.
20:48The floor manager rushed over
20:49and chewed me out.
20:51I do know, Caldavoins.
20:52I'm chewed at me busting, dunking!
20:53Munt!
20:54Nop!
20:55Dest!
20:59I handed over almost all the cash I had on me.
21:03All but ten bucks.
21:06I'm sorry.
21:08I'm sorry.
21:16With my last ten bucks,
21:17I stopped at a pharmacy,
21:19then headed home.
21:22Back at the house,
21:23I went into Grandpa's room.
21:31Picked up his photo and held it tight.
21:36I'm sorry, Grandpa.
21:38I didn't turn out the way you hoped I would.
21:44You taught me that loving someone
21:46means having the courage to go for them.
21:48So you never regret it.
21:52But Grandpa, I'm so tired.
21:55I can't do this anymore.
21:56I'm giving up.
22:00What if I come to be with you instead?
22:05You're not saying no,
22:06so I'll take that as a yes.
22:12I downed all the sleeping pills
22:13I bought at the pharmacy.
22:15I downed all the sleeping pills
22:17I'd bought at the pharmacy.
22:23I was scared Roderick would use this
22:24as an excuse to send me back to that center.
22:28I couldn't live like that anymore.
22:30I couldn't find a single reason
22:32to keep going anymore.
22:34But sleeping pills were supposed to put you to sleep.
22:45Why did it hurt so much instead?
22:50A sharp cramp hit my stomach
22:52and I could feel my eyes starting to close.
22:56Right as my eyes closed for good,
22:58I thought I saw Roderick standing in the doorway.
23:08When is she going to wake up?
23:09She's been asleep for days.
23:11When I came to,
23:12it seemed I heard Roderick's voice.
23:23Why was he still clinging to me
23:25even after death?
23:32It wasn't until a team of doctors
23:33began examining me that I understood.
23:43Roderick had rushed me here
23:44to have my stomach pumped.
23:51I'd been given a second chance.
23:59That figure I saw hadn't been an illusion.
24:01It was him.
24:09Are you sending me back?
24:12I looked at his darkened expression.
24:23The doctor says
24:24you may be suffering from depression.
24:28Roderick avoided my question.
24:32I nodded dot,
24:33but that wasn't the point.
24:42All I cared about
24:43was whether I had to be sent back.
24:50Why didn't you tell me?
24:56Would you have believed me if I had?
25:01Telling him would only have made him think
25:03I was making excuses
25:04to leave that place.
25:15I had reached out to him.
25:18Each resident was granted
25:19a scheduled call to family twice a year.
25:29During my first six months,
25:31I called him once.
25:34I'm sick.
25:36I cough up blood sometimes,
25:38and they hit us.
25:44Can I please come home?
25:52I promise I won't bother you anymore.
25:55What did he say back then?
25:58You come to?
26:00Find a better excuse next time.
26:05Then he hung up.
26:10After that call,
26:12I was beaten again.
26:15I never called him after that.
26:22Why did I cough up blood?
26:23Why did I cough up blood?
26:30Their blows had landed on my back,
26:32over and over.
26:33The internal damage eventually affected my stomach and lungs.
26:45Seeing Roderick fall silent,
26:47I knew he still didn't believe me.
26:49I lowered my head and didn't ask again whether he'd send me back.
26:54I moored me long,
26:55the fair and the sorry that we's out in sparing and disheveling functy.
26:58Should I be sent back,
26:59I won't leave alive.
27:04In a place like that,
27:06no one would notice whether a person was breathing.
27:09I thought once I got out,
27:11I could start over.
27:13But I was wrong.
27:15My peace was always shattered
27:16whenever Roderick came into the picture.
27:23The doctor called Roderick out,
27:25saying some test results were ready.
27:31The door swung open as Roderick strode back in.
27:42He yanked the blanket aside,
27:44then my hospital gown.
27:53An ugly, jaggy scar was exposed.
27:59Your kidney.
28:01Where is it?
28:06His eyes were bloodshot,
28:08a vein throbbing on his forehead as he stared at me.
28:16He looked terrifying,
28:18just like at the staff at the center.
28:21They had that same look in their eyes.
28:33That look always came right before a beating.
28:37I pulled the blanket up
28:38and hid underneath it.
28:47The bed shifted as Roderick sat down beside me.
28:52He gently tugged.
28:55He gently'd at the covers.
28:59Mary, come out.
29:01You'll suffocate.
29:05His voice softened,
29:07as if he'd realized he'd scared me.
29:13Promise you won't hit me?
29:22My voice was muffled under the blanket.
29:24Only after he promised did I poke my head.
29:35He asked again,
29:37patient this time.
29:39What happened to your kidney?
29:43I shook my head.
29:49I don't know.
29:53Roderick took out his phone
29:54and said he would investigate this thoroughly.
29:59Ever since learning about my depression,
30:01Roderick had barely left my side.
30:04It was as if he was afraid I might try something again,
30:06but I saw that the rehab center
30:08had been shut down on television.
30:11No doubt it was Roderick's doing.
30:13It had posed as an educational institution.
30:16Behind closed doors,
30:18it ran vile operations.
30:20Did he do this to you too?
30:22Roderick pointed at the screen.
30:25Mari Kambai, VO.
30:26The man being interviewed
30:28was the infamous director.
30:29He spoke excitedly to the reporter.
30:31I was helping.
30:33They should be thankful
30:36without my guidance.
30:38Do you think they'd be so compliant now?
30:41Go ask their parents.
30:43Their children are model citizens now, aren't they?
30:47I took a kidney as my fair compensation.
30:49My method was simple.
30:51Add something to their bedtime milk,
30:52then proceed with the removal.
30:54I'd watch them wake up in agony.
30:57The man grew more animated as he spoke.
30:59I felt a wave of dread seep into my bones.
31:04The bloody scene felt like it had happened yesterday.
31:07That night, I went to bed as usual.
31:10Before lights out,
31:11we all had to drink the milk the attenders brought.
31:13Refusal meant a beating.
31:16In my sleep,
31:17I felt like I was being restrained.
31:20Then, slowly,
31:21a sharp pain pierced my side.
31:27My eyes flew open
31:28to see the director's horrifying face
31:30leaning over me.
31:31It wasn't a dream.
31:32He was staring intently at my waist.
31:35The pain made me black out.
31:37I didn't wake until the next day.
31:42He threatened me.
31:44If I ever spoke a word,
31:45my other kidney would meet the same fate.
31:47No wonder so many people there
31:49moved stiffly
31:50and no one ever said a thing.
31:52Mari!
31:54I stared at him,
31:55my gaze empty.
31:57Then,
31:57a mouthful of blood surged up
31:58and spilled over.
32:01I collapsed.
32:05I had no idea how long I was out.
32:10When I woke up,
32:11I was still connected to a ventilator.
32:15I shifted my fingers,
32:16trying to wake Roderick.
32:19His weight was resting on my hand
32:20and it had gone numb.
32:27You're awake.
32:28How do you feel?
32:29You were in shock.
32:30Did you realize?
32:31But I was in shock.
32:32How would I know?
32:35But was this really Roderick?
32:39His jaw was shadowed with stubble,
32:41his eyes streaked with red.
32:44This wasn't the same cool,
32:46collected man I remembered.
32:48I tried to speak,
32:49but had no strength left.
32:51I just lay still.
32:53Let the doctors and Roderick
32:55do what they needed to do.
32:57I learned I'd been unconscious
32:59for four days.
33:02Roderick had stayed by my side
33:04the whole time.
33:08That afternoon,
33:09a doctor removed the ventilator.
33:13I could talk again.
33:18What's the prognosis?
33:19Weeks?
33:19Months?
33:20I knew my time was running out.
33:23Roderick's hand,
33:24which had been holding a spoon
33:25to feed me broth,
33:26paused.
33:27After a long moment.
33:30Six months.
33:32Maybe less.
33:36A faint smile of relief
33:38touched my lips.
33:39Good.
33:40I could get to see Grandpa soon.
33:43Lung cancer?
33:47I phrased it as a question,
33:49but I was sure.
33:50Even after,
33:51I'd learned to behave,
33:52and the beatings mostly stopped.
34:00I kept coughing up blood.
34:02The depression only made things worse.
34:10Roderick nodded.
34:13Can I get back to work?
34:16Is there any way
34:17you could keep your wife
34:18from interfering?
34:19If they'd just leave me alone,
34:21I could work in peace.
34:23I still owed Clifford
34:24$1,000,
34:25after all.
34:27She's not my wife.
34:29Roderick frowned,
34:30putting a clear distance
34:31between himself and Chelsea.
34:33I didn't care what Chelsea was.
34:36I just needed her to stay away.
34:41I started a small street stall
34:43on a decent block,
34:44selling burritos.
34:48I had planned to find a regular job,
34:50but Roderick forbade it.
34:55When he set his mind to something,
34:57no one could change it.
35:05He offered me two options.
35:08Start my own small business
35:09or stay home.
35:14Doing something I chose
35:15with the time I had left
35:16was a good idea.
35:18I stood nervously behind my cart,
35:20worried no customers would come.
35:22The location was close to campus.
35:25Steady foot traffic
35:26from students and professionals.
35:28It was a fully licensed area
35:30for street vendors to operate.
35:37Best of all,
35:38it was close to Grandpa's house.
35:45Hey, how much for a burrito?
35:48I was lost in thought
35:49when a guy with a brighty smile
35:50walked up to my stall.
35:55I looked up and met his clear eyes.
35:57He had faint dimples,
35:59wearing a basketball jersey,
36:00a ball in his hand
36:01as if he'd just come from a game.
36:03I was caught off guard for a second.
36:07He spoke again
36:08before I came out of my trance.
36:10For some reason,
36:11looking into his eyes
36:12didn't make me uneasy at all.
36:15Usually,
36:15any eye contact
36:16filled me with dread.
36:18So many pairs of eyes
36:19haunted my nights.
36:27Would you like to try one?
36:28It's free.
36:29Why free?
36:31Is it because I'm so good looking?
36:32He grinned and rubbed
36:33his chin playfully.
36:35His playful tone
36:36made my face grow warm.
36:38No, it's my first day.
36:40If it turns out unpasteable,
36:42I couldn't possibly take your money.
36:46I'd practiced at home
36:48over and over,
36:49but doing it for real
36:50felt completely different.
36:53Oh, so I'm your gimme pee pig.
36:57No!
36:59I thought I'd scared him off.
37:01Just kidding.
37:01Go ahead.
37:02I'll eat it however it turns out.
37:03He laughed warmly.
37:05Most vendors could make one
37:06in three to five minutes.
37:08My clumsy attempt
37:09took nearly seven.
37:10The outside was crispy,
37:12though not burnt.
37:13Maybe I should make you
37:14another one?
37:17He took the wrapped burrito
37:18and bit into it.
37:19This is perfect.
37:23It's great.
37:24Seriously,
37:25this is how it should be.
37:26Nice and crispy.
37:28His compliment made me smile.
37:31So, how much?
37:32You're not going to charge me
37:33an arm and a leg, are you?
37:34No.
37:35He widened his eyes in alarm.
37:36This one's complimentary.
37:38A lucky start for my first day.
37:40I'm Leonard Williams, by the way.
37:42As he turned to leave,
37:43he glanced back and waved.
37:45I watched him walk away.
37:47It struck me then
37:48how distant my own college days felt.
37:50If I hadn't been so reckless back then,
37:53I would have graduated a year ago.
37:59As the day went on,
38:00more customers came.
38:06I was almost too busy to keep up.
38:10But I got quicker
38:11and more confident with each one.
38:14I didn't pack up
38:15until I'd run out of ingredients.
38:23I'll drive you home.
38:24Roderick pulled up beside me
38:25in his car.
38:26It's fine.
38:26I have my scooter.
38:28I nodded toward my scooter
38:29parked out nearby.
38:33It's getting chilly tonight.
38:34You'll catch a cold.
38:35I won't die from it.
38:43Marianne,
38:44how long are you going to keep
38:45fighting me on everything?
38:47Roderick caught my wrist
38:48as I started to walk away.
38:51Mr. Dunlop,
38:52do not forget.
38:58I was the one
38:59who pushed your girlfriend
39:00down the stairs.
39:05I'm the one to blame.
39:13In that moment,
39:15to cut any last tie between us,
39:17I claimed the guilt.
39:20Mary stopped lying.
39:21I know the truth now.
39:23She fell on her own.
39:26Suddenly,
39:27his arms came around me
39:28from behind.
39:31Hadn't he told me
39:32to protect Chelsea?
39:37So you were protecting her
39:39while I bore all the blame?
39:44No.
39:46I was afraid once you knew the truth,
39:48you'd hate me for not believing you sooner.
39:52I was wrong.
39:53I'm sorry.
39:55I'm sorry.
40:00his arms tightened around me.
40:03I only found out two days ago.
40:06I went to Chelsea
40:07to stay away from you
40:08and we argued.
40:12She let it slip.
40:15I could no longer hold back my tears.
40:19They fell onto the back of his hand.
40:22At least I would clear my name
40:23before I died.
40:24Don't cry, Mari.
40:27He released me,
40:28bending down to wipe my tears.
40:32I sobbed uncontrollably
40:34in his arms.
40:39For a moment,
40:40neither of us spoke.
40:42Three years of silence.
40:45Three years of pain
40:46I'd swallowed without a word.
40:47And now,
40:49finally,
40:49someone believed me.
40:55Rod.
40:57Here.
40:58I pointed to my chest.
41:01It doesn't beat for you anymore.
41:05Rod,
41:05if I could,
41:06I'd wish we had never met.
41:09I wiped my tears
41:10and gave a faint smile.
41:13This is the last time
41:14I'll call you that.
41:17From now on,
41:18let's each live our own lives.
41:21I'd treat this as a goodbye.
41:23A proper end
41:23to those eight years
41:24I spent loving him.
41:29I could never forget
41:30the three years
41:31in that place.
41:34And the person
41:35who'd sent me there
41:35was Roderick himself.
41:39Mary.
41:42He reached for me,
41:43but I stepped back.
41:45Mr. Dunlap,
41:45please don't disturb me again.
41:49I want my remaining time
41:52to be peaceful.
41:55With that,
41:57I left.
41:57I drove my scooter home.
42:01Roderick's car
42:01followed at a distance
42:02in the rearview mirror.
42:05I ignored him.
42:09I went to my stall
42:10as usual every day.
42:16Roderick watched
42:17from a distance.
42:19I just ignored him.
42:25Hey, I'm back!
42:27Brought my classmates
42:27to try your burritos.
42:29It was Leonard,
42:30my first customer.
42:34I glanced
42:35at the two boys
42:35behind him
42:36and gave a slight nod
42:37in greeting.
42:38What kind would you like?
42:40A real sense of ease
42:41washed over me.
42:42Something I hadn't felt
42:43in a long time.
42:44Whatever you recommend.
42:54Maybe one of each?
42:55I'll take some back
42:56for my roommates, too.
42:58One of his buddies said,
43:00eyeing the ingredients.
43:03So, how much?
43:04You didn't let me pay
43:05last time.
43:05You've got to charge me today
43:06or I won't come back.
43:09I hadn't said
43:10I wouldn't charge him.
43:12I still needed
43:13to pay back my debt.
43:15Six dollars each.
43:17Cash only, though.
43:18If you don't have any,
43:19you can get change
43:20at the store down the block.
43:22I pointed to the sign
43:24on my cart
43:24and then toward the store
43:25down the block.
43:28Wait right here!
43:29I'll be back!
43:30I watched Leonard
43:31walk away inside.
43:33The young seemed
43:34so full of life.
43:35It was easy to forget
43:37I was only a year
43:37older than him.
43:39Yet my life
43:40felt worlds apart.
43:44Hey!
43:45Isn't he good looking?
43:46And he's single.
43:47Maybe give him a shot?
43:49His classmates
43:50clearly thought
43:51my glance at Leonard
43:51meant more than it did.
43:53I shook my head
43:54and stayed silent.
43:56I was making around
43:57three to four hundred dollars a day.
44:03Soon,
44:03I had enough
44:04to repay my debt.
44:05Clifford seemed
44:06to have been waiting for me.
44:08He looked different.
44:10Guilty, almost.
44:12I heard what really happened.
44:16Chelsea admitted
44:16the truth to Roderick.
44:18I'm sorry for what
44:19I did to you.
44:20I didn't reply.
44:23I placed the money
44:24on the counter
44:24and left.
44:30Finally,
44:31I was free of that burden.
44:34Why did Leonard
44:35keep coming to my stall?
44:37Did he really love
44:38burritos that much?
44:41Do you really like
44:42burritos that much?
44:44I finally asked.
44:45No.
44:46Why?
44:48Why?
44:48Taking another bite.
44:51Why do you come
44:52every day?
44:53Were you short
44:54on money for meals?
44:57But he didn't look
44:58like he was struggling.
45:01Because you're here.
45:02Between bites,
45:03I didn't fully
45:04process his words,
45:06not until he swallowed,
45:07leaned closer,
45:08and looked at me
45:09seriously.
45:11Be my girlfriend?
45:15I froze for a second,
45:16then shook my head.
45:18I took his hand
45:19and placed it
45:20on my waist.
45:21I'm missing a kidney here.
45:25I have lung cancer here.
45:27He shrugged,
45:28unfazed.
45:29I know.
45:31I've always known.
45:32How could he know,
45:34reading my surprise?
45:36I'll tell you later.
45:38His hand lingered
45:39gently on my waist.
45:40Did it hurt?
45:43My eyes stung.
45:44No one had ever
45:45asked me that before.
45:48Not Roderick.
45:49Not my parents.
45:50Not a single person
45:51in three years.
45:56But this young man did.
46:00Six months later,
46:01I held the medical record
46:02the doctor had just given me.
46:05He said the cancer cells
46:07were gradually receding.
46:10Leonard had made sure
46:11I ate three meals a day.
46:14He walked me to every checkup.
46:18For the first time in years,
46:20I wanted to live,
46:21and it showed.
46:25With a positive mindset,
46:27consistent medication,
46:28and no late-night
46:29depressive episodes,
46:31full recovery was possible.
46:36There were cases of people
46:37beating cancer.
46:39It just wasn't easy.
46:46But I had managed it.
46:52Hey, where are you?
46:53You're not at your stall today.
46:55My phone buzzed
46:56with a message from Leonard.
46:57He'd bought me
46:58this phone himself.
47:01He'd claimed it was
47:02a buy one,
47:02get one deal.
47:04That he had an extra,
47:05and if I didn't take it,
47:06he'd throw it away.
47:08Who believed that?
47:09I certainly didn't.
47:13At the hospital.
47:19Half an hour later,
47:21Leonard came jobbing toward me
47:22in his basketball jersey.
47:28What did the doctor say?
47:30I put on a somber face,
47:32pretending to be downcast.
47:34I saw his expression dim,
47:36but he kept his voice steady.
47:40It's okay.
47:42I'll be with you
47:42every step of the way.
47:45I cut him off.
47:46Just kidding.
47:47The doctor says
47:47I'm doing really well.
47:51I couldn't bear
47:52to tease him for long.
47:56You've gotten mean.
47:58He pretended to be upset,
48:00but then he picked me up
48:01and spun me around twice.
48:13He looked at me eagerly.
48:15Say yes to what?
48:18Interest at him playfully.
48:20Be my girlfriend.
48:21But I'm not completely healed yet.
48:23What if it comes back?
48:25I don't care.
48:30My job is to love you
48:31and make you happy.
48:34If you're happy,
48:35you'll get better.
48:37He hugged me tightly,
48:38nuzzling against me.
48:41Alright,
48:42I suppose I'll say yes.
48:46I wrapped my arms
48:47around him in return.
48:50I sounded as if
48:51I was doing him a favor.
48:53The truth was,
48:55he had been the one
48:56settling for me all along.
49:00As Leonard and I
49:01walked away
49:02hand in hand,
49:03I saw Roderick.
49:09I hadn't seen him
49:10in two or three months.
49:13He stood watching us,
49:14his eyes red.
49:20He'd pick me up
49:21to attend the service,
49:22and that was it.
49:23I'd also repaid him
49:24for all the medical bills.
49:26Even the money
49:27for the food cart.
49:30I knew he'd been
49:31watching me
49:32from a distance.
49:35He'd tried to
49:36approach me a few times.
49:42But I'd threatened
49:43to harm myself
49:44each time,
49:45and he'd finally
49:45stayed away.
49:51Mari,
49:51who is this?
49:52His eyes were still red.
49:55He already knew
49:56the answer.
50:00My girlfriend.
50:01Leonard answered first,
50:02raising our joined hands.
50:06Is he good to you?
50:09Yes.
50:14I know what it looks like
50:15when you love someone,
50:15Mari.
50:18And I can see
50:19it's not me anymore.
50:21It took me a while
50:22to face it.
50:25Be happy.
50:27I wish you the same.
50:29He turned
50:30and walked away.
50:34I didn't look back.
50:35Some people are meant
50:36to be part of your story,
50:37but not your ending.
50:41I heard later
50:41that Roderick left
50:42to teach
50:42in a remote mountain.
50:45As for me,
50:46I was curled
50:47on the sofa,
50:48looking at the man
50:48in front of me.
50:50You said before
50:51that you knew
50:52about my health?
50:54How?
50:57I sprained my ankle
50:58during a game
50:59and ended up
50:59in the hospital.
51:02I was in the room
51:03next to yours.
51:04I overheard something
51:05while walking by,
51:06got curious,
51:07and looked through the glass.
51:13One look
51:14and I just knew.
51:15He made it sound
51:16so casual.
51:17That's it?
51:18I didn't buy it.
51:19Your classmates
51:20mentioned something.
51:22My photo
51:23is your computer wallpaper,
51:25the one from
51:25when I was a sophomore.
51:27I meant the guys
51:28who had stopped
51:28by my stall
51:29for burritos.
51:30Sure enough,
51:31Leonard looked
51:32briefly embarrassed.
51:36He was probably
51:37cursing them
51:38in his head.
51:40Okay,
51:41fine.
51:43I was an exchange
51:44student at your university
51:45in my freshman year,
51:47doing a photography project.
51:50You were there that day,
51:51so full of life.
51:53I couldn't help
51:54but take a picture.
51:55Later,
51:55I heard you were
51:56with Roderick,
51:57so I kept my distance.
52:00I don't do home wrecking.
52:02He lifted his chin
52:02slightly.
52:04It wasn't until
52:04I saw you in the hospital
52:05that I realized
52:07how stupid
52:07I'd been all along.
52:09If I had stepped in
52:09back then,
52:10maybe none of this
52:11would have happened to you.
52:14After that,
52:14I kept an eye on you,
52:15waiting until the day
52:16I ran into you
52:17at your stall.
52:17He looked genuinely
52:18regortful.
52:19I reached out
52:20and hugged him.
52:23Don't blame yourself.
52:25Some things
52:26were meant to happen.
52:27It wasn't your fault.
52:28I'd almost missed
52:29the chance to be
52:29with someone so wonderful.
52:30But in the end,
52:32nothing was too late.
52:33Other people go to rehab
52:34for drugs,
52:35alcohol,
52:36or gambling.
52:37I went to quit
52:38loving a man.
52:39In the end,
52:40I didn't just quit him.
52:43I learned to love myself again.
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