Page 44 of The Only Seconds that Matter
“Was she acting different in the car on the ride over?”
Johnny gave it a moment’s thought.“I don’t think so.She seemed quieter, I guess, but I thought she might just be tired.What’s wrong?”
“She told me she can’t ride because your sister’s boyfriend spanked her so hard she can barely sit down.”
Johnny stared at him for a second, first disbelieving then with increasing displeasure.“She told you this?”
“Yes.She said he did it with a belt.”Victor paused before continuing.“I don’t exactly know what the damage is, but if it’s bad enough she can’t sit on a horse, I imagine there’s bruising.”
“God fuckin’ damnit,” Johnny snapped, scowling.“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill him.”
“I was going to suggest getting the authorities involved.”
At this, Johnny’s reaction was immediate.“Hell no.”
“Johnny, this qualifies as child abuse.It has to be reported.”
“Mike’s brother is a fucking cop on the local force.Half of his family is.They won’t give a single damn, and you have my word on that.All it’s gonna do is make shit worse.And even if they don’t care, what are they gonna do?Take Taylor away from my sister?That ain’t good for her either.”
“If she’s being abused—”
“We’re gonna settle this the old fashioned way.I’m gonna call Mike.”
Christ.Victor hated that he had to be involved in this clusterfuck, because he knew it was going to blow up in his face.“And dowhat?Make him promise to stop?”
“Put the fear of God in him, that’s what I’m gonna do.”
“We need to put Taylor first.”
“I’m puttin’ Taylor first by killin’ Mike.”
“Johnny, don’t you fucking joke about that shit,” Victor replied, terrified that Johnny was being serious.He had the posture and expression of a man on a mission.“Listen to me.It sounds like your sister knows Mike did this.I don’t know the situation, and I’m not sure if your sister is implicated.She might be afraid of him, I don’t know.But you need to get this figured out before I let Taylor go back home.She begged that I not tell you.If this blows up, Taylor could be caught in the crossfire.”
“Oh, Taylor ain’t goin’ anywhere right now, I promise you that.”Johnny pursed his lips, face drawn.“Go get Taylor.I’m gonna take a look at the damage and then give my sister a call.”
“She made me promise not to tell you because she was afraid of your reaction.So keep a hold of yourself.”
Johnny offered a minute nod, jaw locked.With a sigh, Victor went to the outdoor round pen, where he found Taylor swinging a rope over Midnight’s rump and up between her legs to gauge her reactivity.Midnight stood quietly, ignoring all of it.That had not been her initial reaction to a lasso hitting her rump, and it had taken several sessions to get her to this point.
“Taylor,” Victor said upon his approach.Taylor jumped in surprise, then went to the gate and opened it, Midnight following behind on a loose lead.“Hey, kid.Lemme take Midnight.I need you to go to the office and talk to your uncle.”
Her face fell, eyes wide with fear.“I didn’t want you to tell Uncle Johnny anything!”
“I’m sorry, Taylor.I had to.I can’t let people hurt you.As an adult, it’s my job to make sure you’re protected.”
“He’s gonna be so mad,” Taylor whimpered.
“He should be.I’m mad, too.What Mike did to you is wrong.”
“He’ll tell Mama, and then she’ll be angry atme.They all will.”Tears started welling up in her eyes.“I don’t want anyone to be mad at me.”
Victor drew Taylor into a firm hug, letting her cry against his shirt.Midnight nuzzled her shoulder from behind, sensing her distress.Taylor turned away from Victor and grabbed Midnight around the neck, burying her face in her fur.
Victor gently placed a hand on Taylor’s shoulder.“Hey.Look at me.Taylor.”
Taylor twisted just enough to look at him with one eye.
“I promise you thatno onewill hurt you, okay?I’m glad you told me the truth, and I’m not taking it lightly.I’m going to do all I can to make sure you’re safe and protected.But you have to talk to your uncle and show him what Mike did.What he did was wrong, and he needs to be held accountable.”
