“Me?” Her father professed his innocence with mock outrage. “I wasn’t the one who started the waterworks. This is all Cole’s fault. You saw it, all I had to do was mention her fella.” He looked around, pretending to be confused, and Connie rolled her eyes. “Where is Cole, anyway? You run him off with your incessant questions? Woman, why you gotta make everything so hard?”
“That’s what she said,” Nelly chimed in from somewhere out of view, and Connie and both her parents groaned at the joke.
“How—” She paused to cough and groaned when pain hit, her middle felt like someone was hacking her apart. She strangled the next cough and looked up gratefully as her mother held a glass close, straw pointed to Connie’s mouth. Two small swallows later, she felt ready to continue. “How did you all get here?”
Nelly laughed and Connie watched her, trying to hide the relief she felt. If the news was bad, her sister wouldn’t look so free and easy. She looked at her parents in time to catch a look that passed between them of fond tolerance for her little sister’s shenanigans, something she’d often seen throughout their lives. “Cole called somebody who knew somebody, and that somebody had someone call Dad’s precinct, even before the ambulance got you to the ER. By the time you got out of surgery, they were already taking over the waiting room. He’s on my bad list, because he didn’t warn me they were coming.”
“He’s a good man,” her father said with a smile. “Knows to butter up the parents. Not that it was good getting that call, baby girl.” He patted the back of her hand as he laid it on her stomach, smoothing his palm up the skin of her arm. “But he made sure we got regular updates as we drove.”
“It’s a six-hour drive.” Connie frowned up at her mother. “You hate driving.” There’d been a lot to process over the past minute, and she struggled to hold onto what felt important. “What happened…I had surgery?” Surgery that had lasted more than six hours? Connie closed her eyes, hiding in the darkness for a moment as she tried to put her memories into the proper sequence. “Jonas. They, I think they shot him, Dad. He’d…” Her words trailed off as she reached across to touch the place that hurt, finding a layer of thick bandages where his knife had pierced her skin. “He stabbed me, I think. I remember it hurting.” Her eyes flew open and she looked at the three faces staring down at her, wishing more than anything there was a fourth there. “I’m not dead, right?” Her mother’s head shook back and forth. “And Cole was there? I don’t know how, but he was there, wasn’t he?”
“This is the first time he’s left the room since you got out of recovery.” Nelly chimed in, a tiny smile creasing her lips. “Gonna be POed you woke up without him here.”
“He was crazy.” Connie shivered as she remembered how unhinged Jonas had acted.
“Cole?” That was her mother’s puzzled voice, and Connie shook her head.
“No, not Cole. He’s…Cole.” Perfect and unbelievably mine. “Jonas was crazy. I don’t know how I never saw it.” She coughed again, the sudden ripple of pain through her middle making sense now. “He would have killed me.”
“But he didn’t. He didn’t, and you’re here.” With a deep voice that resonated through her bones, Cole spoke from across the room, and she started to cry, tears slipping from her eyes silently. “You’re here, and you’re going to be fine.” He strode towards the bed and she saw her father step back, hand on Nelly’s shoulder as he pulled her out of Cole’s way. “You’re here,” he repeated as he bent over the bed, his palm caressing her cheek, thumb sliding underneath her eye. His voice was infused with confidence and faith as he told her again, “And you’re going to be fine.” Leaning close, he pressed his lips to hers firmly, branding her with a promise she believed in with all her heart. “I’ve got you.”
***
“Taylor, when are you coming on vacation with us again?” Connie’s father yelled the question across the apartment. “I think we’re going to Venice Beach next year.”
As if they’d practiced it, Taylor and her mother locked gazes and shivered dramatically. He said softly, “Sinkholes,” and Diana nodded, eyes wide. “Hard pass, Big Tony. Florida’s a no-go zone for me.” In sing-song, Taylor finished with, “Saww-rry.” Back to a whisper, he leaned close to Diana and said, “You can come stay with me, Mom. I’ll keep you safe.”
“I always wanted a son,” Diana murmured back, leaning her head against Taylor’s shoulder. “You’re my new favorite.”
“God.” Connie breathed shallowly and shut her eyes, trying not to laugh.
“You need anything?” She angled her neck to look over the back of the couch at Nelly. She’d parked herself here an hour ago, using Connie and the furniture as a physical barrier when their parents had waltzed in. “I can get you anything, go anywhere for you. The farther away the better. Send me to Alaska for crab, please.”
“Make them go home.” She reached up and grabbed Nelly’s wrist. “Please, for the love of God. Make. Them. Go. Home.”
Since Connie had been released from the hospital a couple of days ago, their parents been staying at a local hotel, coming over every morning to check on her. And cook, clean, shop, and smother her with attention and love. Not that she was complaining, but this was day three, and she was so far over it she couldn’t see back to where it had started. Nelly had abandoned Connie during the day, making herself scarce by going back to work, so it had been just Connie here with their parents.
“They leave tomorrow.” Nelly grinned and looked side to side suspiciously, as if she were checking for eavesdroppers. “I heard Mom tell Taylor yesterday.”
“Oh, thank God.”
“Thank God what?”
Connie jumped and twisted with a shriek when her father spoke from behind her. “Owww.” He scowled. “Thaaaat I’m feeling so much better.” She nodded and yanked at Nelly’s arm, pulling her close. “And that my sister is here. We’re close now, Daddy. So close.”
He nodded, lifting his bottle of beer in a salute. “Near-death experiences will do that to you. Having snipers aim their rifle barrels at you has a way of bringing everything into focus.” Connie’s stomach dropped, and her father stared at her a minute. “Sorry, baby girl. I know you don’t want to talk about it, but it happened. Not talking about it won’t make it go away.”
“Captain.” Cole’s voice was a welcome distraction from the conversation her father wanted to have, and she liked how he’d fallen into calling her dad by his rank. Her father had worked hard and for a long time to achieve what he had, and having Cole, whose career was within a similar ranking structure, bond with him in this way felt good to her. “How’s your day, sir?”
Tony stared at Cole for a moment before extending his hand. They shook over the top of Connie’s head, and she watched her father’s fingers flex around Cole’s, clamping down when he would have pulled back. Her gaze flicked to her father’s face and she saw an unfamiliar emotion there. Grief mixed with relief. “You’ll take care of her the way she should be.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Cole nod. “Or I’ll be back here and kick your ass into next Sunday.” Her father’s fingers flexed again, and this time Cole’s grip tightened too. “Be the man I know you to be, and we won’t have any problems.”
“Is he handing me off?” she asked Nelly, frowning when her wide-eyed sister nodded. “Did you just do that whole caveman thing, Daddy? Did you just try to give me to Cole?”
“Didn’t try, baby girl.” Her father released Cole’s hand finally and rested his fist on his hip. “Mission accomplished.”
“You can’t do that.” She pushed at the cushions underneath her, struggling to sit more upright. A strong arm curled around her back, supporting her, and Cole helped her change position. “Thanks.” She glared at her father. “You can’t just do that, Dad. It’s not the dark ages.”
“You mind being mine?” She turned her head to find Cole right there, his eyes crinkling at the corners, cheek creased in a smile that showed off the dimple she loved so much. “Is it that hard
to stomach?”
“Well, no. But…what he was doing is entirely different.” Connie shook her head, stopping the movement when Cole cupped her cheek. “That’s, um…” He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “Different.”
“You want me to ask you instead?” She stared at him. The expression on his face was so open and earnest it told her this was something he wanted very much. Cole was so close now she could feel the heat of his breath against her mouth. She’d only have to move a fraction of an inch to kiss him. Each word carried him closer. “Constance Rowe, will you be mine? If you aren’t ready, yet, I’ll wait. I’ve already promised you that. But will you be mine one day?”
She nodded and pressed forwards, sighing as his lips molded to hers. “Yes,” she whispered and felt his lips move as he smiled.
Chapter Eleven
One year later
“Yes, Mr. Senator.” Connie held her head high, focusing all her attention on the man who had asked the most recent question of her, ignoring as best she could the array of microphones fastened to the podium behind which she stood. “It is my belief that reworking the law surrounding children conceived via violent criminal acts is in the best interest of the public.”
“Miss Rowe.” He shook his head, ears sticking out from the side of his head like cab doors. “These men are biologically related to the children. By changing the law as you and your group,” he gestured to the people in the seats behind her, “recommend removes and restricts their God-given rights. I do not believe I can condone this petition.” He sat back and scanned the other senators seated at the tables positioned on the platform at the front of the room. “The law already allows for legal action to be taken by the victim to sever parental rights of the convicted criminal. What more do you want us to do?”
“Mr. Senator.” Connie paused and held her breath until he looked at her and nodded, giving her permission to speak again. “If someone raped me”—she heard a pained noise behind her and knew it came from Cole. Ignoring his reaction, she continued—“if they forced themselves upon me against my will and left me on the side of the road, should they be punished? If they stole my choice to have sexual relations or not, should they be punished? If that violent act, a criminal act by your own admission, happened to result in a medical condition, why should I have to consult with them on anything resulting from that act? If I had a mental breakdown following, should I ask if it’s okay for me to see a professional? There is no relationship. It’s a forced involvement at every step along the way, up to and including a trial if one happens. Don’t continue to rape me by making me co-parent just because my rapist had a single sperm that made contact with my fertile egg.”
“Miss Rowe, how about the cases where the rapist is in a relationship with the victim? Spousal rape isn’t unknown. What about the cases where progeny of their more cordial unions exist? How should the courts handle those cases?” He sat back in his seat with a huff, throwing one elbow over the back of his chair.
“If it pleases the senators, I believe the courts can handle those cases individually. Because you are correct in your assumption that more complicated cases would need further scrutiny. But the law as it’s written now covers all cases with the same blanket statements. Mr. Senator, there is a case before a lower court right now for the mental anguish of a rapist, because the male child born from his criminal act was circumcised without his consultation. The rapist in that case can bring such a frivolous suit because, under the existing law, he has the right of medical decisions.”
The senator leaned forwards again, head cocked to one side. “Seriously?”
She nodded. “Seriously.” Placing one hand palm down on top of the stack of paper in front of her, Connie ignored her nerves and pleaded, “All we’re asking is for this committee to read the proposal and consider it. My testimony today, this petition, it’s all the result of public outcry following several instances in recent years where the law did not serve the best interests of our state’s citizens. It has the backing of Mrs. Abernathy and Mr. Shole,” she gestured behind her to where the two senators who had worked with Alden sat, “and the support of the two-dozen state and national lawmakers in the gallery today. And all we ask is for the committee’s attention and consideration.”
He lifted a lip as he skimmed his gaze across the occupants of the room, coming back to rest on her. “All you ask for now.”
Connie nodded, dipping her chin to hide her smile. She’d won. They’d won, and she knew it. She could afford to be magnanimous. Quietly she agreed, “All we ask for now.”
***
“Look.” Taylor jostled her elbow, and Connie clutched at her drink, successfully holding on to it. He pointed at the TV. She turned to look and saw image after image of women filling the screen. They flew across nearly too quickly to identify, slotting into place on the digital wall behind the news anchor staring somberly into the camera.
After the final image flitted past, the reporter began speaking, reading from the statement Alden released earlier as they stood on the front steps of the capital building. “The images you see are of women who have been raped. They’ve all agreed to have their pictures shown in the hopes of bringing light onto what’s been a dark subject for far too long. In our great state, women who find themselves pregnant following a rape have two options. If he’s convicted, and they are over the age of eighteen, they can file an order for termination of parental rights on the part of their rapist. They have a two-year period to file the order. In cases where the identity of the rapist is unknown and no charges are filed, once they’re past the two years, that door is closed. This means if the criminal is identified and convicted later, as has happened via DNA matching, they no longer have a way to terminate parental rights. Hundreds of women are being forced to co-parent with their rapist right now because of this archaic law. All that is being called into question now with a public petition brought before a senate sub-committee today as part of a joint effort of two local legal firms…”
Connie tuned out the reporter, looking across the room to where Alden stood talking to Mr. Matthews. It had been a challenging year, but with everyone around her pulling for the change, how could she not do everything she could to help?
“Baby girl.” Connie rolled her eyes as she turned just in time to be caught up in one of her father’s famous hugs, feet lifting from the floor as he swung her around. “So proud of you.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” She looked past him and smiled. “Hey, Mom. Nelly.”
Her father released his hold and she stepped backwards, stopping when a firm hand settled on the small of her back. She looked up at Cole who was reaching over her shoulder to shake hands with Tony. “Diana, Captain, it’s good to see you.” She shivered as his voice reached into her chest and plucked at her heartstrings. It was like that every time he spoke in his deep, resonant voice. “I want you to meet my sister, Audrey.”
Connie stepped to the side, letting Audrey take her place. Looking around, she spied Addy in Taylor’s arms, her legs latched around his waist as she whispered into his ear.
How did I go from where I was before, to this? She marveled at how much richer her life was. Smiling at Cole, she slipped her hand into his, leaning against his arm. “Is it time to eat yet? I’m starving. I’ve been so nervous about today I haven’t eaten.”
“You were pleased with the outcome today?” Cole studied her face, lifting his hand to cup the back of her neck. “I was…am so proud of you, Connie. You stood up there like it was nothing, arguing with a state senator, and I was privileged to watch as you slowly changed his mind, turning what he’d believed his whole life on its head.”
“It felt good.” She laughed softly. “I didn’t expect that part of it. How comfortable I’d be doing that.”
“I’ve been telling you this for the longest time.” Taylor spoke from beside her, and she turned to see Addy’s head resting on his shoulder, her eyes fixed on Connie. “You’d make a great litigator. I’ve worked with go
od ones in the past, and I live with one of the best, and you’re right up there, Connie.”
“I…that’s crazy to think about. I’d have to go back to school, and there’s so much to know.”
Cole’s grip tightened and he leaned close, forehead pressed to her temple. “I don’t think it’s crazy.”
“No?” She chewed her lip a moment.
“Nope.” He brushed a kiss across her cheek. “I don’t think it’s crazy at all. You are the most amazing woman I know.”
“To Connie,” Nelly shouted, and Connie’s name rang in response from the crowd scattered throughout the room. “The bravest sister I have.”
“I’m your only sister,” Connie scolded, laughing.
“Where do you go from here?” Her dad moved closer to take up a place in their little circle, leaving her mother talking to Audrey. Connie watched Alden walk towards them, his own glass held high in a silent toast.
She nodded at him, looked around at her friends, and repeated words she knew to be true. “We move forwards, and we don’t take no for an answer.”
“That’s my girl,” Cole murmured, and Connie smiled, running her thumb across the edges of the ring he’d slipped on her finger a few nights ago. Not making a production out of it, he’d asked with a soft, simple, “Would you?” Then proceeded to show her what he wanted in his own way.
“It’s only the beginning.”
~ End ~
Be The Change
Thank you so much for reading Hard Focus.
This story came into being because of an article I read. Part of a series by a major news source, the story included an interview with a woman who was being forced to co-parent with her rapist.
My first thought was “how can that be right?”
After researching, I was dismayed to find laws allowing custody by a rapist remained active in many U.S. states. In some cases, the chances of preventing a rapist from securing visitation and decision-making privileges were nearly nonexistent. I read and researched and fumed, and then after a long year and a half, I found my way through to this story.
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