Page 8 of Under Rusted Stars

“I’m sorry,” I cry. “I’m so sorry.”

Dad lifts my face to kiss my forehead and smiles. “Nothing to be sorry for, baby. You are home, and that’s all we care about. Okay?”

“Okay,” I sniff.

“Sit with us,” he says, and I nod. They sit on the wicker couches, and I sit in the chair. I look down at my hands, finding the words I want to use.

“First,” Mom says. “How are you?”

“I’m okay,” I say. “Always overwhelmed, but okay.”

“What happened?” Dad asks simply.

“Uh, well… Jason had a habit of using me to close deals, make money, and pay his debts…”

“You mean…” Kate asks, and I nod.

“It’s not as hard for me to talk about being raped because I guess I've gotten used to it,” I say. “But the way he would hit me…”

“What made you leave?” Mom asks.

“I found out he had been drugging my coffee in the morning to keep me from getting pregnant. It’s not that I wanted kids, but I didn’t want to be drugged either. I might never be able to have a baby of my own because of him… I was angry and told him I was done. He got so angry with me. He went from slapping and punching me to choking me. I escaped and called the police, but I still ended up with broken bones, a concussion, severe bruises, and a lot more trauma. It scared the hell out of me, and I took the opportunity to get my shit together. A lawyer told me I legally could, so I cleared out our joint savings and checking account and ran. I stayed in random places while I healed, and then came here. I never showed up for court, so his charges were dropped and he was released.”

“Oh wow…” Kate says. “So no restraining order?”

“No,” I say. “It would have given him my address. I don’t know if I ever told him where I grew up specifically, so it will take a lot of searching for him to find me. I’m sure he will eventually, but…”

“If he shows up here, the fucker is dead,” Dad huffs. “He’s lucky I don’t go find his ass.”

“No, let’s just focus on Olivia,” Mom says.

“Yeah, yeah,” Dad grumbles.

“How does it feel being home?” Mom asks.

“It’s good,” I say. “It’s weird living on my own, but I’m managing.”

“She lives next to Bodhi in Daisy’s cabin,” Kate says.

“Oh, he’s grown up so much,” Dad says.

“Good-looking, too,” Mom says with a grin.

“Meh,” I shrug.

“Meh?” Kate says dramatically. “Bitch, have you seen that man shirtless? I’d totally use his abs as a washboard for my panties.”

“That’s fucking weird, Kate,” I laugh.

“You know what?” she says. “I won’t tell you anything about who he is or what he has going on because I want you to figure it out. It doesn’t mean the same if I tell you.”

“Why does this feel like a setup?” I ask her.

“Oh, because it is,” she says bluntly. “But I won’t push. I just won’t accept anyone else but him.”

“He tormented me for years,” I deadpan.

“When you were kids,” she says. “At least don’t discount him as a friend. Challenge yourself to let him earn forgiveness.”