Saved By the Man by Vanessa Lynn Gilbert (rm book recommendations txt) 📕

shrugged and said, “Well, I still got a headache, my ribs hurt, and well for some reason I can’t stop shaking.” Erik looked at me pity in his eyes. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “Like I said I’m not leaving your side till you say I can go.” I smiled.
“Well you know I probably won’t let you leave my side for awhile.” I said. “Yea and I hope you don’t let me leave.” I smiled and Erik smiled back. “So, uh, what’s the conclusion of my case?” He sighed and said, “Well simply Carter broke 2 ribs, gave you a concussion, and he…uh…he… was able to uh cut you.” I looked at Erik confusion in my eyes. “What do you mean, I don’t remember being cut.” Erik leaned over and gave me the same may I look. I nodded and then he lifted the paper gown up to show a nasty looking scar that went from the side of my butt down to my calf.
“The doctors stitched it up.” Erik said. “I…don’t…,” Erik looked at me and saw the confusion in my eyes. “They said that he had a switch blade hiding inside his jacket like…the Piranhas.” Erik said. A single tear ran down my cheek. The Piranhas are a gang that “runs” uptown. The Piranhas killed my best friend, Michelle just because some kid wanted to join and we looked like the perfect girls. Of course I was with her when it happened. The only reason I lived was because at the time the Piranhas where afraid of my family. But those days are over I’m now at the top of their hit list. Erik whipped the tear away and then held my hand. “The cops say they have the Piranhas with your sexual harassment, raping, and of course the beating.”
I looked up at him and said, “But it’s not the Piranhas that did this Carter did. They should be arresting him. I’m not saying that the Piranhas don’t deserve to be behind bars but that they should arrest the guy who did it.” Erik smiled at me and said, “You hungry? I’m gonna go get you something to eat.” “Okay.” I answered. Erik got up and left the room. I looked around and then looked over by a chair in the corner. There were 3 green bags. One was large and the rest were small almost like makeup bags…mom. My mom walked in and she had on her work uniform and her hair was up in a ponytail. “Oh my god, honey are you okay? They didn’t tell me what exactly happened just that you were raped and, oh honey did he hit you hard?”
My mom frantically asked. I smiled at her and laughed at her thousands and thousands of questions. My mom sat in the chair right by the head of the bed and I told her what happened. “And yea that’s all I know right now,” My mom awed in amazement and then I asked, “Where’s dad,” As I asked this Erik walked in with two paper bags. “Hey…oh hello um…,” Erik looked at me for the answer. I laughed and said, “Mom, Erik, Erik, mom.” I said.
My mom smiled and said, “So you Erik huh?” Then she laughed. I could feel blood rush up into my cheeks as Erik looked at me. “Mom, didn’t you say you had a thing to do.” My mom looked at me and said, “Oh right I have to go but it was really nice to meet you.” “You too,” Erik said. My mom was a pain in the neck…but I loved her for it. Erik watched my mom leave then sat down in the chair that my mom just unoccupied. Erik stared at me for a good minute then said, “Well, I didn’t know exactly what you like so I got you a subprime burger, large curly fries, and a large Dr. Pepper.
I smiled at him then said, “Hand it over.” He laughed then handed me my food. I pulled the subprime burger out and took a big bite out of the thing and chewed for a good long minute before swallowing. Erik pulled out his food and took a bite out of what I guessed to be the new BBQ sandwich, well actually burger but whatever. We sat in silence just eating our amazing junk food and enjoying that I’m alive and the Carter was going down. I took a long sip of my soda then I asked, “So, did I miss anything at school?” I stared at Erik waiting for the answer but Erik seemed too involved with his burger to even have noticed my question.
Erik looked up at me, swallowed his food and then said, “Well, I’m the wrong person to ask.” I looked at him with curiosity writing all over my face and asked, “What do you mean? Didn’t you go back to class when they came and got me?” Erik shook his head, “Nope I stayed with you. The doctors and nurses suggested that I stayed and gathered your homework but I declined and went with.” I smiled and shook my head, “You’re too sweet for your own good.” Erik smiled and said, “I know.” I laughed and took another bite of my hamburger. I never really was able to hang out with Erik…well I was but not alone not like now.
If we did hang out Ella was always with him. She would be at his side her arm wrapped around his waist and his arm wrapped around her shoulder. It always killed me to see them like that, but now we are alone…together…alone together. I laughed, aloud, at my stupid remark. “What’s so funny?” He asked. I looked at him and smiled. “Nothing…just well I realized we never hang out.” Erik looked at me and said, “We always hang out.” “Not alone. Ella is always there and so is the rest of the group…me and you never get to just you know sit alone and talk.” Erik was about to protest but thought it over and by the look on his face I’d say he realizes that.
He looked at me and said, “You’re right. I’m sorry we don’t.” I shrugged and said, “It doesn’t matter.” I was lying through my teeth even though I wished it was so true. Erik stared at me sincerity in his eyes and then brought his attention back to his food. I did the same. I took another bite of my hamburger, drank some coke, and then ate some curly fries before the doctor walked in. “Hello Mrs. Molson, and how are we feeling.” The doctor said. I looked up at the doctor and was almost pushed away by his beauty. He is tall, not as tall as Erik, has amber brown hair, and very light eyes.
Of course he wore the white coat doctors wear and he had the clipboard that most doctors hold. “Well I’m pretty good still having a headache and all but I’m good.” I responded. The doctor nodded and wrote something down. “Well, you’re free to go but I’m going to write you a prescription for the headache and for your ribs.” I nodded. The doctor left and as soon as the door closed behind him Erik looked at me and said, “That’s great.” I nodded and then quickly got up.

3 HOURS LATER
I stepped out of my mom’s green Toyota with Erik holding my right arm and helping me get out. “Erik, I told you to go home.” Erik smiled and said, “Nope, I’m not going anywhere till I’m sure your fine besides I can walk home I don’t live that far away if you remember.” I smiled and shook my head, “How can I forget Mr. Remind me ever single second,” I said bobbing my head back and forth in a mocking way. My mom ran in front of us and unlocked the door. My house on the outside was pretty normal. Tan pueblo walling, a blue purple roof, a pavement road that lead to a purple blue garage door, a dark brown wood porch, 7 surrounding trees, and some flowers that were scattered and covered my overgrown weeds. Erik always teased me about being a red neck about the yard.
I never listened to him. My mom unlocked the dark brown door and pushed it open. Erik lead me into the house and we both were surprised when my grandma, my dad, my uncle, my grandpa, my great aunt, my great uncle, my two little cousins, and the rest of my family shouted out, “Welcome home!” We both jumped and gasped at the greeting then laughed. “Oh, thanks guys! But wasn’t like I was there for months.” They all shrugged and my great aunt, Sofia, said, “Oh who cares? We are just happy that you’re alright.” I smiled. Erik was standing stiff as a brick not moving or saying a thing, which was unusual for him.
“Erik are you alright?” I laughed. Erik looked at me, after a minute or two, and said, “Yea just didn’t think I’d ever meet your whole family.” “Oh this isn’t the whole family sweetheart this is only half of the big Manson family,” My grandma said. I blushed then whispered, “Erik you can let me go now. I need to thank everybody.” Erik looked down at me with serious eyes and said, “I’m not gonna let you go…ever.” I blushed then quickly looked away from his gorgeous blue eyes before I was consumed. “Well let’s get this party started Zoster.” My cousin, Amber said. The music suddenly came on and everyone was mingling while Erik helped me go to my room.
We strolled into my room and where approached or we approached a clean bedroom. I smiled and thanked god that mom cleaned my room. Erik helped me get to my bed then said, “Okay, well, uh…” I laughed at how embarrassed he was with the situation placed before us. “Erik, I’m not handicap I can get dressed.” I said. Erik laughed and said, “I’ll wait in the hall way.” “Good idea.” Erik left and I quickly changed from the sweats, t-shirt, and sneakers my mom dressed me in. I stood in front of my closet full of clothes and just stared. “What am I going to wear?” I asked myself. This questing was a question I rarely, well actually never, asked.
I sighed and said, “Zoe stop being such a girly girl and wear your jeans and a t-shirt.” I looked around then found my favorite black jeans that had holes on my thigh down to above my knee. “Okay pants check,” I said, “well now for the shirt.” I usually didn’t really care what I wore to school or anywhere else for that matter but whenever I remember that Erik and I usually hanged out together I freak out and start being all girly girl about what to wear. I hated how he affected me like that. I searched my shirts and found my good shirt that matched the pants.
It was a white tank top with kind of a flowered pattern on the collar. I walked over to my desk that had a mirror hanging above and quickly fixed my hair. My mom almost didn’t put the huge mirror there but I