Chapters (38)
- one
- two
- three
- four
- five
- six
- seven
- eight
- nine
- ten
- eleven
- twelve
- thirteen
- fourteen
- fifteen
- sixteen
- seventeen
- eighteen
- nineteen
- twenty
- twenty-one
- twenty-two
- twenty-three
- twenty-four
- twenty-five
- twenty-six
- twenty-seven
- twenty-eight
- twenty-nine
- thirty
- thirty-one
- thirty-two
- thirty-three
- thirty-four
- thirty-five
- thirty-six
- thirty-seven
- epilogue
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t believe she told you about Carrie, and I was too shocked to know what to say. It was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced, Ronni. So I told Vicky she had to set things right, though I’m sure she still made me look horrible. Maybe even responsible. But I wasn’t, Ronni, I swear.” He had tears in his eyes, standing there helpless in his official uniform, twisting his hat in his hands. “She was a beautiful girl, but she was disturbed, I guess you’d call it, and I tried to help her. I did compliment her a lot. I did tell her she’d find the right person, who would adore her. I wrote her encouraging little notes. I took her to lunch once or twice, but I swear...even her parents didn’t blame me. Her note talked about an ex-boyfriend and bullies in high school and the bank manager and on and on. The reference to me was that she loved me and could never have me. She never said a word, Ronni, I had no idea. I never cheated on Vicky, even though she’ll move heaven and earth to try to make you think I did. You’re supposed to believe I’m a liar and a cheat and incapable of commitment. She’s trying to ruin what we have together. I love you, Ronni. I’d never hurt you. I never meant for Carrie to get hurt. My God, I thought I was helping that girl.” He was crying now. I took the hat and set it down, then wrapped my arms around him.
“We don’t ever have to mention Carrie again,” I whispered. “As for the rest of this, I’m exhausted, Rick. I’m not saying it’s all settled, but let’s end it for tonight.” I took his hand and led him to my bedroom, closing the door against the world.
Afterward I lay with my head on Rick’s chest and talked about anything but our pasts or our future together.
“I need to tell you a few things.” I traced a path through his soft chest hair. “First, I gave Deanna the book money.”
“Good. I was hoping you’d do that.” He hugged me and kissed the top of my head. “You have a beautiful heart, Ronni.”
“And she made me go and talk to Jocelyn. In person.”
“I thought she might. How did it go?”
“Pretty much as I expected, and it dredged up a lot of painful memories, but I’m glad I did it. I’m definitely able to see her the way I should see her now. I’m not afraid of her. She’s pathetic.”
“I’m sorry, Ronni. Maybe I should never have told you about her.” He clasped his hands behind his head and studied my face.