Page 108 of Under His Protection
After we finish lunch and say goodbye to our friends, Philip and I go for a walk around campus. I’m hoping a walk will do me good because right now my nerves are a jumbled mess. I feel queasy at the thought of facing Andrea again. And then, there’s Mark to consider.
When I tell Philip about my concerns, he squeezes my hand and says, “I’m going to have a one-on-one talk with Mark before your lab class, and Andrea’s not going to hold Christian’s actions against you. If anything, she’s dreading seeingyou.”
“I don’t blame her for what Christian did.”
“No, but she probably feels guilty by association. I’m sure she feels terrible because of what he did to you, and she’s probably blaming herself for not realizing he was behind it all.”
We walk through the quad and down to Lafayette Street, passing restaurants and the grocery store, and of course the used bookstore. We don’t have time to make any stops, though. And that bookstore is calling my name.
We arrive back at the sciences building where my lab class is held. Philip ushers me inside. As we approach the classroom, my heart stops when I see Mark waiting outside the room. He looks… depressed?
I freeze in my tracks.
When Mark catches sight of me, he steps forward, glancing nervously at Philip, and then at me. “Can I talk to you, Haley?”
“Okay,” I say, feeling more than a little reluctant to hear anything Mark has to say.
“Privately, if you don’t mind,” Mark says as he eyes Philip warily.
“No,” Philip says. “Whatever you have to say to Haley, you will say in front of me.”
Mark starts chewing on his bottom lip. “Andrea told me about Christian,” he says. When I don’t say a word, he sighs heavily and continues. “Haley, I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted. In light of what you’ve been going through—and by the way, I had no idea about any of it—you didn’t need my shit on top of all that. Anyway, I am sorry.” He chuckles nervously. “Andrea sort of read me the riot act in class this morning.”
I swallow hard, knowing I need to make some kind of response. “Thank you.” I never dreamed he’d apologize.
Philip lays his hand on my back. “Haley, why don’t you go into the classroom? I’d like to have a word with Mark.”
“No problem,” I say. I can’t get away from Mark fast enough. He may have apologized, but he still makes me uncomfortable.
Just before I step into the classroom, I glance back. Philip has his hands on his hips as he talks to Mark, who looks more than a little intimidated.
I turn away and walk into the classroom to the table I share with Andrea. She’s already in her seat, facing forward, her hands clasped tightly on the table.
After I take my seat, I break the ice with a simple “Hi.”
Andrea turns to me with reddened eyes filling with fresh tears. “I swear to you, Haley,” she says, her voice cracking, “I didn’t know.”
“I believe you.” I reach out to hug her, and she practically falls apart in my arms.
A few minutes later, Mark walks into the room and takes his seat. I risk looking back at him, and I’m shocked at hisappearance. I don’t know what Philip said to him, but whatever it is, Philip made his point.
* * *
“What did you say to Mark?” I ask Philip when lab class is over and we’re walking to the truck. “He came into the room looking as white as a sheet.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about him anymore. I’m pretty confident he’ll behave himself from here on out.”
“Did you threaten him?”
Philip smiles. “Let’s just say I made him a promise.”
“In other words, you threatened him.”
He chuckles. “To within an inch of his life.”
With each step I take, I feel lighter. A weight has been lifted from me, and I finally feel like I can live my life again without constantly watching over my shoulder and fearing the worst. I can be a student and a girlfriend and a daughter without the fear of the unknown hanging over my head.
“How about some ice cream to celebrate?” Philip asks when we reach the main road. He nods toward Lafayette Street. “And afterward, we can visit the bookstore if you want.”
