“What is your plan?” Joe asked Emily as he held Lisa’s hand, stroking the top with his thumb.
“I’m going to get up in the morning and I’m going to the walking trail where he took me. I plan to drive as much as I remember until I get close to the river. From there, I’m going to let memory take over and see what happens.” She shrugged, her plan not without merit. I just hated she felt she needed to do it alone. I would never let her deal with her anger alone again.
“Then I think it’s time we get some sleep since we need to be up early in the morning,” Joe said. “I’m going to call a friend of mine in the sheriff’s department and see if they can have someone follow us, just in case.” We all stood from the table and embraced in a group hug, their warmth and understanding flowing through the embrace.
Emily, Jake, and I made our way into Caroline’s old bedroom and crawled under the covers, wrapped in each other’s arms. Jake, the dutiful guard dog, plopped himself against Emily’s back, pushing her further against my chest.
“I love you.” I whispered down to her as I kissed her head and hugged her tighter against me.
“I love you too. Thank you for coming after me,” she whispered against my chest as I felt her lips brush against me.
“I’ll always come for you, Emily. You are my entire world.”
We slept in each other’s arms all night, waking up before the sun had risen, determined that today was the day I helped Emily put the last of her demons to rest.
My hands were sweating as I got out of the car and looked around at the innocuous running trail. Joe had parked the car and we started walking as I let the memories of that day wash over me. I forced myself to not open the envelope I had retrieved from the storage shed, not wanting it to cloud my recollections. When we got to the spot where I remember the screeching tires, I felt the warmth start, my anger slowly growing.
I was jogging when he snatched me, Andrew screaming for him to let me go as he threw me into the car. I took Josh’s hand as we walked back to the car and I pointed them in the direction my memories were telling me to go.
“I remember driving past the mall. We got stopped by a light and I tried to open the door but they were locked and there was no lever on my door to unlock it.” I recalled, not looking at anyone as the memories continued to replay in my mind.
I kept pointing to things I remember, muttering to myself, not really addressing anyone else in the car. Driving up the road, I kept seeing things I hoped were actual memories and not my brain trying to make up the facts. As we approached the local community college, I pointed straight and told Uncle Joe to go to the road ends, turn right at the light and sweep left onto the highway.
When we rounded the big curve, we immediately hit a bridge, driving over into Alabama. The tune, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ started playing in my mind and I remembered his words, “He started singing the song Sweet Home Alabama when we went through the big curve and was bouncing in his seat as we crossed the river. Take this exit.” My voice flat from the memories bombarding me. I pointed to the road they installed about six or seven years ago, giving new access to the river on this side of the banks.
We got to the end of the road and my brain screamed right so I pointed and told him to go slow. I felt Josh’s hand squeeze mine, giving me the strength to continue. We drove about a quarter of a mile when I saw an old overgrown road, a small red brick building covered with kudzu at the edge on the left side.
“Stop here.” Joe pulled the car over and we all got out, the sheriff’s patrol car pulling up behind us.
Uncle Joe walked back to meet him, shook his hand as they spoke quietly before walking toward us. “Emily, this is my friend Barry. He just placed a call to the local sheriff who is sending a deputy out to meet us. Are you sure this is the right place?’ Uncle Joe asked me, my memories coming from every direction.
Nodding to him, “I’m sure. There weren’t all those apartments back there, it was more deserted but I’m positive this is the place. I remember that brick building and thinking how strange it was to have a house covered in vines.” I remarked, pointing at the building across the two-lane road from where we pulled onto the side.
The sound of an approaching car had us turning, an Alabama sheriff’s car stopping behind Barry’s Georgia car. The two deputies addressed each other before I was introduced to the female officer standing in front of me.
Josh took my hand as we walked onto the overgrown road and began down the path, the sound of rushing water getting louder with each step. My heart was racing and I felt like I wanted to vomit. I withdrew my hand from Josh’s and continued walking until the old dirt road ended into a small clearing, the river flowing wild and untamed just at the edge of the clearing.
Walking around, everyone had stopped and was giving me space to think. I closed my eyes and allowed the sounds of the river to pull me into my nightmare. When I opened my eyes, I looked down and resting on the ground, surrounded by trash and drug needles, I saw something shimmer.
I looked over my shoulder as the vision flashed in front of my eyes and I grabbed my arm, rubbing the scar hidden under my tattoo as tears began to fall. I pointed and the Alabama deputy walked up to me and bent down, retrieving a small broken bracelet, my name engraved onto it.
“It was a present from my Grandad for my twelfth birthday. I didn’t remember wearing it that day and I have been looking for it for years. It must have come off when he…” taking a deep breath, I continued, “when he pulled the door back onto my arm and broke it. I didn’t even know I had lost it until right this minute.” I cried as I felt Josh spin me into his arms and I allowed the tears to fall freely.
The deputy bagged the bracelet and we walked back to the car, I felt all the energy drain from my body the closer to the road we got. Josh, sensing my impending emotional crash, picked me up and carried me to the car, the deputies leading the way, Uncle Joe and Aunt Lisa bringing up the rear.
Josh settled me into the car and told me he needed to call Jason so the lawyers could get involved, I nodded my head and pull myself into a tight ball, wanting the horrible moment to pass. I could feel his hands on me, his rancid breath on my face, the feeling of pain across my entire body.
I am stronger than my demons.
With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and called Dr. Sawyer. “Emily, are you okay?”
“I think so. I did it, Dr. Sawyer. I was right.” I cried into the phone, the relief pouring from me.
“I knew you could do it. I’m so proud of you. Is Josh with you?”
“Yes. He is outside the car talking to the deputies and making sure Jason’s lawyers know what we found.”
“Can you put him on the phone?”
I called Josh and handed him the phone as he listened to whatever Dr. Sawyer told him. He nodded his head, said yes a few times and handed the phone back to me. He kissed me on top of my head before going over and shaking the deputy’s hands and talking to Joe and Lisa.
“Hello?” I asked Dr. Sawyer.
“Emily, I want you to come home. There isn’t anything else you need to do there. You have done remarkably well but now you need to rest. I want to see you tomorrow morning and bring Josh with you.”
I confirmed the appointment time and disconnected the phone. Laying my head down, I pulled my hoodie over my head and allowed the tears to fall unchecked.
I was right! Now, I’m going to make him pay!
I met with Dr. Sawyer the next day, Josh sitting in on our session, as he listened to me express my anger in the only place I have ever felt comfortable to let it out. We worked on some therapeutic techniques and Dr. Sawyer encouraged Josh to attend my next few sessions so he could learn my triggers and the best ways to diffuse my anger and resentment.
As always, Jake sat at my feet, snoring throughout the session. Dr. Sawyer suggested we have Jake registered as an emotional support animal and I vehemently refused the suggestion. Jake is my pet, my companion, and while I feel calmer when h
e is around, he is not trained for the kind of situations that may arise with my anxiety and depression.
I don’t think people should be able to register any untrained pet to be with them at all times. If I get to that point, which I don’t think I will, then I will invest in a trained service dog and Jake can still be my pet. Until then, Jake can accompany me some of the time and sleep on my pillow when I have to leave him at home.
It’s a win-win in my book.
I spent the first few days back from Columbus hiding in my apartment, still angry at my family when Josh reminded me, they all had my best interest at heart and I broke down and called my brother.
We cried and yelled for a few minutes and I promised Josh and I would come for dinner the following weekend. We gathered at Caroline and Andrew’s house and I was engulfed in a group hug by my family as soon as I entered the front door. Caroline passed off a sleeping Lillian to me and I sat in the rocking chair, playing with the soft tuft of blonde hair on top of her head, her little lips suckling as she slept peacefully.
I felt Josh kneel next to me as I looked down at my niece. A feeling of peace overtaking me as I looked around at the family surrounding me. I missed my parents every day and knowing they were up in heaven, with Lucas’s dad and Maddie’s mom made getting through the tough times easier. I knew Mom had sent Aunt Lisa to me that day in Columbus finding me before I went out on my own, possibly tainting the evidence needed to keep him locked up.
Caroline came and took Lillian from me, my arms suddenly feeling empty. I watched my brother embrace his wife and baby before Caroline took a sleeping Lillian to nap. My heart panged for the decision I’d had to make after my attack and I prayed, one day, that I would have a family of my own. A baby to hold in my arms, to love and protect, to cherish and comfort.
I stood up walked into the kitchen, Josh settled in behind me, his strong arms wrapping around me, giving me strength and courage to face any challenge thrown at me. I turned in his arms and pulled myself up, placing a kiss on his lips as he pulled me tighter against his strong body.
I heard my brother loudly clear his throat, a noisy plea for us to cease our display of affection, so I playfully wrapped one leg around Josh and deepened the kiss. Again, another throat clearing, followed by a loud cough. Laughing, I broke my embrace with Josh and swung around to see my family all smiling at us, no discomfort at our loving embrace.
After we ate dinner, everyone gathered in the large family room while the babies slept peacefully in their parents’ arms. Josh, watching me observe the sleeping infants, leaned in, and whispered, “Whenever you’re ready.” His strong, tattooed arm around my shoulder as he placed a kiss on my temple before reengaging Jason in conversation.
Was I ready to have a baby now? No. Not yet but in the next couple of years, I would love to have a baby with Josh. He would be an amazing father and I have no doubt he would pamper our children like he does everyone who is lucky enough to gain his love and trust.
I heard the conversation going on around me but I was content to listen and not participate. The words trial period spoken by someone had my brain focused on the recent developments Jason lawyers had informed me of. When we came back home, I called Jason over to the apartment and he allowed me to chew him out for his invasion of privacy and let me cry when I thanked him for protecting me from the asshole. That’s officially his name, as far as we all are concerned.
The lawyers still report to Jason since he is paying the bill but I am consulted on any and all developments at the same time as Jason. Either conference call, e-mail, or meeting, he knows, I know. No secrets.
“Jason, can you do me a favor?” I spoke, the room suddenly silent at my request.
“Anything you need, Emily. All you have to do is say the word and it is yours.” Jason replied to me as he leaned forward, reaching a hand out to me as I reached back and held on to his strong grip.
“Emily?” Josh asked, a quizzical look on his face.
“I want to meet with him. Face to face. Can you set that up somehow?” I asked, the words sounding right as soon as they passed through my lips.
“Hell no!” Andrew’s stern voice causing James to whimper. Maddie and Caroline took the babies and put them in the pack-n-play in the connected dining room and returned to a pacing Andrew and a smiling Josh and Jason, “Why would you want to meet with him?”
“I realized something over the last few months but in particular, since I went to Columbus. He has no power over me. He never did. He took a moment of my life and altered the path I walked on. The path we all walked on. Now, I look at you and the love of your life, my beautiful niece asleep right there,” pointing to a sleeping Lillian and James, “The amazing home you have, the family that surrounds us, the family that is no longer with us. I realized how lucky we all are. To have this moment. Today. Tomorrow. Every second until the good Lord calls us home and I am tired of being angry.”
Blowing out a breath, Andrew sits down and Caroline begins to rub his back, his posture slumped over his knees his hands folded between his legs. “Why do you want to see him? The lawyers can handle everything now that his parents realize they are facing a lawsuit in Texas from that girl and her family. They dropped his appeal as soon as they received the flash drive with your video diary, and the lawyers have the feds looking into the interstate charges. He will never see the light of day, Emily. Not after all the jail time he is looking at. Why put yourself in front of him when you don’t ever have to look at him again?”
“To show him I won. He is nothing to me, Andrew. The sooner I can look him in the eye and say, for myself to that cowardly man, who you locked away, from good, decent people for the rest of his life, the quicker I can leave him where he belongs. In the past.” Andrews’ head popped up at my words.
It was his memory of the license plate that allowed the cops to catch him. That allowed them to collect the evidence to lock him away. Now, an unknown girl in Texas who is the same age as me will be able to receive the justice she deserves.
“Me?” my big brother’s voice thick with emotion.
I stood up, my hand holding Josh’s trailing behind until I was outside of his reach. I walked up to my brother who had tears glistening in his eyes, “Yes, you. You remembered his tag number. Without that, he would have never been caught. You have always protected me, Andrew. You took care of me when Mom and Dad died, made sure I went to school, taught me to fight,” I giggled when he smirked at me.
“You still can’t beat me.” He joked as he pulled me into a hug.
“There is someone else who can take care of me now. You did a good job, big brother.” I whispered into his ear.
Releasing me from the hold, I looked around at my family, all gathered together. Andrew nodded his head toward Josh who stood up and pulled me into an embrace. I had found my forever and with him, I could face the last of my demons and finally put them to rest.
We arrived in Milledgeville complements of Dr. Sawyer. She convinced Emily to allow her to accompany us on the trip to the Georgia state prison, housing asshole. Little did Emily know, Dr. Sawyer, along with the rest of the family, thought Emily and I need a getaway after the meeting so Jason’s company jet is sitting at the local airport, our luggage already on board, waiting to whisk us away on a life list adventure for Emily. My parents picked Jake up from the apartment shortly after we left, agreeing we needed some ‘fur-baby free’ time.
I wanted to give her a good memory, in case she struggles after her confrontation with him. It took over a month of negotiations but his lawyers finally agreed to a five-minute visit, glass and phones separating them. I was going in as moral support and for that piece of shit to know that a real man loves her, supports her, and if he even looks wrong in her direction, I will take her out of there and he can go back to his cell, knowing my tiny, powerful woman beat him.
Emily was more carefree, spontaneous, alive. When she connected the last piece of the puzzle in her mind, she released a great deal of rese
ntment. I held her for hours that afternoon while she cried, and while she still has anger, she is able to talk about it, releasing it in healthy ways. She spent every morning at the gym with Andrew and is training to teach youth self-defense. Last week she bested her brother in a sparring match.
She vows to never let him live it down.
We make our way into the prison, handing over our ID’s and the paperwork supplied by the lawyers. We were there on an off-visitation day, compliments of Jason and his enormously deep pockets, I assume. Walking down the hallway, we go through a metal detector before entering a large visitation room, metal tables and chair welded to the floor and the outer walls lined with glass windows and phones hanging on the partitions between the booths.
The sounds of our shoes as we walk across the concrete floor echo with each step as we make our way to the booth with a light on over the top. Emily sits down and I stand behind her, placing my hands on her shoulders as Dr. Sawyer stands to the side, outside the line of sight of the glass divider.
A few minutes later, the sound of heavy metal doors opening muffled behind the glass as asshole is led into the room behind the window, his hands handcuffed to his waist and shackles on his feet as he shuffles to the booth and sits down.
He is a small man, larger than Emily but smaller than me by a good amount. His hair is greasy and he has acne scars on his face, healed track marks on his exposed arms. I feel Emily tremble slightly under my hands and I gently squeeze, lending her strength and calm to face the next five minutes.
He picks up the phone and Emily does the same. He looks at her, starts to open his mouth but Emily speaks first, “I hope you rot behind bars for what you did to me and that little girl in Texas and when you meet your maker, I hope that he puts you into that special place in hell where rapist pedophiles like you go to burn for eternity. Remember this asshole,” she leans closer to the glass, causing the cowardly man to lean away, the phone cord stretched to its limit, “I beat you. Now, I’m going to enjoy the sun on my face and live my life knowing you will never walk amongst free people again.” She hung up the phone and stood up, turning her back on him and walking out of the empty room.
The Soul That Redeems Me (The Forever Mine Series Book 3) Page 20