Chapter 13

His only words were " I'm picking you up tomorrow at nine we're going shopping for a few dresses" and he left. I kept watching him till I could see no more. The phone still ringing I closed the door and went to answer. Later I would have time to think. Spending  all night thinking about the shopping and the stress of it all. I need to be sure of what to buy how to cover my self up. How to cover my scars. I decided to wear something that I have from work, for the twenty first birthday.  I will not let him see my body my scars my faded bruises which have never left me.  

That night before going to bed I sent him a message saying " Max, Thankyou for the offer to go shopping with you. Unfortunately I can't I have too much to do as we were short staffed tonight.  I already have something pretty to wear, please don't waste your money on me.  I see you soon if not then I'll see you on Saturday"    

It was late and  Max was sitting at his desk at work he received the message from Jenna. Opening it up and reading it.  Thinking of his other girlfriends who would love the chance to wear thousands of dollars of  designer outfits.  

He decided to go down stairs to the archive office and get her file, he needed to be ready for what and if  she tells him.  

Taking her file back home with him,,he sat down and started to read.  The abuse and neglect were so obvious in this ten year old Jenna. She was just physically and mentally abused.  

Those big brown eyes staring back at me in the photo just breaking my heart, the scars the bruising on her little body how much she endured, since her mother died.  She’s been left in unsupervised and dangerous situations alone at home from a very young age. Didn’t any of their neighbours hear crying or yelling?  She’d never been to school.   

Unfortunately, Jenna is one of the millions of children the system had let down and had never been found until that day ten years ago.     

This will  leave deep, lasting scars on her or on any child. The file ends with her being put in an orphanage and that was the last contact.  Looking into her father he was jailed and served time for one year and eight lousy months before being released.   

Putting the file back in his bag he new in his head why Jenna covers up her body. He needed her dresses to be specially made so he called in a favour from one of his ex girlfriends who works at “Evangelical “ who’s dresses cost thousands.    

“Carolyn it’s Max, how are you darling “ he says    

“Maxy baby I’m fine I haven’t heard from you in years to what do I owe this pleasure” she says.  

Explaining the situation and leaving a lot of details out. She knew what he wanted and she  was prepared to design it.  “ money isn’t an issue, I’ll bring her in for measurements tomorrow at two how’s that “ relived that she could design it in a few days.    

After hanging up he sent Jenna a message “ hey babe that’s fine but be ready at  one o’clock I'll pick you up it’s only for half an hour and drop you back off at home no excuses .  Good night xx”.  

Next morning Jenna saw the message, she tried calling Max but he wouldn't answer after showering and having breakfast she called again still no answer. She got dressed and went to the bank and did a bit of cleaning back at the restaurant. She tried to call again but still no answer, but she did get a message from Max say " you're not getting out of this! " with smiling emoji  she put her phone down and went to make a coffee.