“You made it.”
“Yeah. Gave as good as you got, huh?”
“And then some.”
“Look. The woman out there is very nice. Do you think you could tell her everything? I’ll be right here with you.”
“No.”
He sighed. He didn’t like pushing her, but this was for her own good.
“Look, Nancy. If you don’t tell them, he walks out of here. Let’s pretend he’ll never touch another woman again-which is a lie, but still. You won’t have peace of mind because you know he’ll be out there somewhere. Don’t you think you’d feel better if you knew he was locked up? Besides, what if he goes after someone else? Do you want someone else going through what you go through?”
She took a drink of the coffee and didn’t say anything. Cole tried again.
“Just think about it, okay? He’d be locked up and you’d never have to see him again. Wouldn’t that feel good? Besides, people like him don’t do so well in prison. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
“I think she’ll take you seriously. Just try, okay? I think it’ll help.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be right here with you, okay? Just tell them what you told me.”
She nodded again. He stood up and went to the door.
“Get that tape recorder. And don’t interrupt-she’s not too eager to do this.”
The sergeant left and came back with a little black box. Cole went back to sit next to Nancy, who promptly moved over to lean against him. Nobody spoke for several minutes.
“It’s kind of a long story.”
In an emotionless voice, Nancy told her story for the second time.
Chapter Ninety-One
Dr. Cornelius Grey had been in prison for two months and eight weeks when the nightmares finally stopped. Nancy had just started her third year at college when she realized this. When Cole picked her up that afternoon, she mentioned it.
“The nightmares are gone.”
“I told you you’d feel better.”
“I do.”
“Good.”
He looked nervous and Nancy wondered what was wrong. For a minute she wondered if he was going to break up with her but she shoved that thought out of her mind.
The car ride home was quiet. When they got in, Nancy went to the window. She loved this window-it was huge and had a great view of the Space Needle. She looked over at the empty bottle of pepper spray. It was in a glass box on the wall, reminding her that she wasn’t a victim anymore. She didn’t notice Cole come up behind her until she saw his reflection in the glass.
“What’s up?”
“You know I love you, right?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Um…we’ve been…together for a while now, and um…I was wondering if I could…”
She folded her hands and waited.
“CanIkissyou?”
It took her a minute to figure out what he’d just said.
“You’ve never kissed anyone, have you.”
He shook his head, a small, embarrassed smile plainly visible on his reflection.
“Okay. Don’t let me fall-I’m not good in heels and the last thing we want is to fall over.”
“Okay?”
She turned around to face him and put her hands on his shoulders to balance. He put his hands on her back. She felt shy.
“Close your eyes, Nance.”
Firsts are special. Whatever.
She did as he asked. It was another minute before he kissed her. They broke apart a second later when Sadie squeezed between them and sat there.
“You’re sure that was your first?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow.”
He looked past her at the window. She rested her head on his chest and asked, “Is this okay? For your ribs?”
“They’re a lot better. You’re fine.”
“I love you, Cole.”
“Love you, too, Nance.”
Nancy closed her eyes and listened to the rain hit the window.
Maybe we’re not completely normal, but this is good enough for me.
THE END
Thank Yous
To my family-Mom, Daddy, Nonie, Papa, lots of love for sticking by me during the duration of this book.
To my friends-there’s too many to name, but you know who you are. Thanks for assuring me that I’m not crazy.
And, lastly, to everyone who was there when I needed you the most. Thanks.
-Lalla Squeglia
Color Blind Page 21