Thrive - Side 2
Leave Her Alone
Today marked the beginning of in-store signings and acoustic performances while Abby headed back to work after having two days off. Toward the end of Abby’s lunch break and during one of my own, I texted her.
How’s your day been going?
Okay. We need to talk when I get home.
Did something happen?
Yeah, but I'll be fine till I get home.
If you need me, please don’t hesitate to call.
Alright. I love you.
I love you, too.
I couldn’t even imagine what happened and I had to keep it in the back of my mind until I could actually speak to her. That night, I waited on the couch since I was worried about her. When the front door opened, I saw her frozen in place.
“Abby. What’s wrong?”
Fuck. This is really not good.
I knelt in front of her.
“Abby. Can you hear me?”
Her eyes moved and focused on me.
“That’s a relief. Please come sit down.” I sighed.
She sat next to me on the couch as I held her hand.
“What happened?”
“I got a phone call.
“Who was it?”
“My father. He just got out of prison.”
“How’d he get your number?”
“I don’t know. He wants to meet me.”
That bastard. He has another thing coming if he thinks he’s gonna meet Abby.
“Oh my God.”
I pulled her into a hug where she began crying; she wrapped her arms around me as tightly as possible, not wanting to let go.
“Don’t let me go.”
“I never will.”
“Good. Can we go to bed, please?”
“Of course.”
She kept a tight hold on me with her legs locked around my waist.
“Are you gonna be okay to change?”
She nodded and changed before heading to the bathroom. She was already lying on the bed when I was about to climb into bed. She was on her back and staring at the ceiling, further worrying me.
“Hey, baby.” I said.
“Hey.”
She turned onto her side before she placed her head on my chest.
“Have I ever told you how comfy you are?”
“Yep.”
She made a sound of contentment and smiled.
“Are you feelin’ any better?”
“Yeah, but I still have so much on my mind. I just want it to go away. I’m happy. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I don’t need this.”
“I know you don’t. If he somehow locates you, everything will be fine. I’ll make sure of it. I refuse for you to hurt more than you’ve already been.”
"I appreciate the sentiment, but who really knows how things are gonna be if he finds me. You know, if I had never been raped, this might be a different situation."
"Nevertheless, he was in prison for rape and for who knows how long. There's a special place in hell for rapists which I'm sure also includes your father."
"I agree.” she sighed.
She buried her face into my chest until she heard her phone ring.
“No...”
“I’ll answer it.” I said, kissing the top of her head.
He better get ready because I’m about to give him a piece of my mind.
“Ok.”
I moved slightly to answer while she kept hold of me; I had no plans on going anywhere.
“Hello?”
“Is Abigail there?”
“Who’s this?”
“Her father. Who’s this?”
“Her husband. How do you even have the fucking balls to call her?”
“Can I speak with her?”
Is he fucking serious right now?
“Why in the world would she wanna speak to you? You’re a piece of shit.”
“Neither one of you has any idea of what I’ve been through since I’ve been in here.”
“You’re saying you’ve redeemed yourself?”
“Yeah.”
“Doubt it.”
-click-
“What’d he say?”
“Well, he said that neither one of us has any idea of what he’s been through and he’s redeemed himself.”
“He raped somebody, at least one person and he says he’s a changed man. How do you even do that when you made the decision one day to have sex with someone against their own will? That’s the hugest load of fucking bullshit that I’ve ever heard in my damn life. You know what? I’ll be fine if he ever comes here. I’ll probably kick him where the sun doesn’t fucking shine because hell, I’m not afraid of my rapist any longer, so why should I be afraid of him?”
“You’re awesome. I kinda wanna be here if you decide to do that.”
I was so proud of her for standing up for herself. She laughed and decided to kiss me.
“You taste so fucking good.” she said, fully crawling on top of me.
“So do you.” I said, taking hold of her hair.
After a couple of minutes of making out, she buried her head into my neck as I imagined she was exhausted.
“Sorry, I’d go farther, but I’m drained.”
“No need to apologize. I understand. I understand completely.”
