Mary had cooked my favorite, lasagna. The house smelled like garlic bread and marinara sauce. It was comforting, but the thought of seeing Claire made me feel like my stomach is in knots. I took a deep breath and walked into the dining room. Claire was sitting in her usual spot, and she was so beautiful. She had her eyes downcast so she wouldn't have to look at me. The last time I looked into those eyes, I saw so much love. "Thank you for coming, Rawls," said Mary, giving me a tight smile. "It means so much to us that you're here. I am so glad that you were with our baby girl before we got to the hospital." Robert offered me a firm handshake. "Thanks for looking out for her.” "I would do anything for Claire. She needed my help and I am glad I could be there for her." Mary's eyes searched mine, and I knew she could see the pain hidden behind the forced smile. The dinner was awkward, with conversation sticking to safe topics like work and the weather. Every time I looked a
It has been a week since the dinner, and I still can't get Rawls out of my mind. I do still love him but is love enough to fix my heart. I gave him every part of me, heart, body, and soul. Work was the only thing keeping me sane. I was working late every night. By the time I would get home, I was exhausted. Just as I was getting ready to finish up for the day, I heard a knock on my office window. I looked out and there was Rawls. He had a bouquet of flowers and a sad look on his face. I didn't know if I had the energy to fight with him again, so I just ignored him. I headed out and got in my car and headed home. As I was parking in the driveway, I saw that he was already there, waiting for me. He was standing by my car door when I opened it. "I need to talk to you," he said, his voice firm. "There's nothing to say, Rawls," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. He stepped closer, his eyes searching my face. "Please, Claire, just hear me out." I sighed heavily and le
After my encounter with Claire, I needed something stronger than a beer. I went to my home office and grabbed the decanter of scotch. The very thought of another man touching her made my blood boil. As I poured the amber liquid into a glass, I knew I had to do something. I could not let her push me away like this. I knew I hurt her, but I had to prove to her that I would always be there for her, that I would never leave her again. I had to do something before some asshole tried to take what is mine. My thoughts were racing as I took a sip of the scotch. The burning sensation down my throat was a reminder of the pain I was feeling. "What the hell was I thinking, letting her push me away like that?" I murmured to myself. I knew I couldn't just sit around and wait for her to come back to me. I had to do something to show her that I was serious about making things right. The first thing I need to do is to get Evie into a program. I worry she may try something again to hurt Cla
Jonathan was right on time. He said twenty minutes and he was true to his word. He is a very sweet person, and I feel terrible for using him. I meet him out by his car. I was planning on just jumping in, but he gets out and comes to open my door. Such a gentleman. "So, Claire, where would you like to go? I am up for whatever you would like to eat." I forced a smile. "How about Italian? I haven't had a good pizza in a while." "Italian it is," he said with a grin, and we headed to a cozy restaurant, named Amici's, downtown. Throughout dinner, he talked about his latest project at work and asked about my day, but my mind was elsewhere. I kept glancing at my phone, expecting a text or call from Thelma, hoping she had some insight or comfort to offer. Jonathan noticed my distraction and reached across the table, placing his hand on mine. "Is everything okay, Claire? You seem a bit preoccupied tonight." His concern was genuine, and it tugged at my heartstrings. "I'm fine,"
I watched Claire come home with her 'date." He was her age, where I am twice her age. He would be perfect for her, but could he make her happy. I saw when he leaned in to kiss her and I want to go over there and break his neck. I felt like a peeping Tom, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the sight of her with another man. It was like watching someone else live my life, a twisted soap opera where the wrong people were playing the starring roles. The rage inside of me grew with every second, but I knew I had to keep it in check. For her, for us. Jonathan's car pulled away, leaving Claire standing in the doorway, looking lost and vulnerable. I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay put. This wasn't the time for confrontation, not when she was already hurt and confused. I had to be the bigger person, the one who waited for the storm to pass before reaching out a hand to help her. From the shadows of my bedroom window, I observed as she walked up to the house, her shoulder
I feel like I am in my own little world sitting in my bedroom window. So many nights I have sat here and dreamed of Rawls. Dreamed of feeling him touch my body. That dream came true and then it turned into a nightmare. I see a shadow moving across my lawn and my heart jumps into my throat. My mind races. Who could it be? I don't move from my spot as I watch the shadow get closer to the house. Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. It's gentle, but it echoes through the empty house like a gunshot. I know it's him. Rawls. I don't know if I should answer, if I should let him in. But something pulls me, a magnetic force that I can't resist. I get up and make my way down the stairs. My hand hovers over the doorknob for what feels like an eternity before I finally turn it. He is standing there, looking at me with those blue eyes, the same eyes that once held so much love and warmth. Now, they are filled with pain and regret. I can't help but feel a pang of pity, despite the anger t
It was so hard to leave her. I know that I have a long way to go before Claire will let me back into her life completely. The way her body responded to me made me so hard. I wanted to be inside her again. I haven't even pleasured myself since we have been apart. I left her house feeling both hopeful and frustrated. I knew that Claire still has feelings for me, but the wall of fear and pain she has built around herself was going to take time to break down. I know that I can't rush her, no matter how much I wanted to erase the hurt and make everything right. As I walked back to my place, I couldn't help but think about what I could do to prove to her that she can trust me again. I knew that words alone weren't going to cut it. Actions were what she needed to see, consistent and loving actions that would show her that I was in this for the long haul. The next few days were a blur of work and planning. I made sure to keep my distance from Claire, giving her the space she needed t
The counselor's office was a small, cozy space, with a large window that overlooked garden. The soft hum of a water fountain in the background created a soothing environment . It was helpful to calm the turmoil I felt inside. Rawls squeezed my hand reassuringly as we sat down on the couch, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. The counselor, a kind-looking woman with a gentle smile, introduced herself as Dr. Laura. She began by explaining the process of grief and how it affects each person differently. "I know this is hard for both of you," she said, her voice soothing. "But talking about it can help you heal and move forward." I nodded, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. Rawls sat next to me, his thumb tracing patterns on the back of my hand. The gesture was comforting, but the fear remained, that whispered doubt in my ear. Dr. Laura began, her eyes meeting mine with a gentle insistence. "Can you tell me about the moment you found
The next morning, Rawls drove me to work, he was being so protective. I tried talking him out of walking me in to my new office but he was not taking no for an answer. The new office was small but cozy, with a large window that let in the early morning light. It was on the opposite side of the building from where Jonathan worked. The move had been pretty quick, and it was clear that Thelma had pulled some strings to make sure everything was taken care of. The sight of my old office, now occupied by a new face, was a reminder of what had happened. Thelma had come through for me, as she always has. She had managed to get all of my cases reassigned to a new benefits rep without a single problem. “Rawls, honey, you can head to work. I will be okay. Thelma is right next door. She is as much of a guard dog as you are." Just them Thelma walks in. “So this must be the man responsible for putting a smile on this girls face. I’m Thelma. It is so good to finally meet you.” Rawls’s handshake
I had trouble sleeping most of the night. I am worried about Rawls doing something to Jonathan after what happened yesterday. I love him dearly for wanting to protect me, but I don't want him to do something that will land him in jail. Claire: Thelma, I need to meet with you before we get started with work. Thelma: What's up sugar plum? Claire: It's about Jonathan. Something happened and I really need to talk about it. Thelma: Ok. Meet me at the office at 730 and we can have time before anyone else gets in. I don't know what I would do without Thelma. She has been my rock and confidant through so much. Rawls wasn't going into later to the office, so I snuck in and gave him a quick kiss before I headed out the door. I thought he was asleep, but he was just pretending because he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me down on the bed. "Where do you think, you are going to so early, my love." He was kissing down my neck and his facial hair was rubbing on my neck and g
I had trouble sleeping most of the night. I am worried about Rawls doing something to Jonathan after what happened yesterday. I love him dearly for wanting to protect me, but I don't want him to do something that will land him in jail. Claire: Thelma, I need to meet with you before we get started with work. Thelma: What's up sugar plum? Claire: It's about Jonathan. Something happened and I really need to talk about it. Thelma: Ok. Meet me at the office at 730 and we can have time before anyone else gets in. I don't know what I would do without Thelma. She has been my rock and confidant through so much. Rawls wasn't going into later to the office, so I snuck in and gave him a quick kiss before I headed out the door. I thought he was asleep, but he was just pretending because he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me down on the bed. "Where do you think, you are going to so early, my love." He was kissing down my neck and his facial hair was rubbing on my neck and g
It took everything in me to not go to Claire's office and beat the hell out of Jonathan Cramer. How dare he try to lay a hand on my woman. Makes me wonder how many other women he has tried this with. The image of Claire's tear-stained face and her trembling voice recounting the assault played over and over in my mind like a horror movie. I know I had to be smart about this. I couldn't just go in there and start throwing punches. That would only make things worse for Claire. But the urge to protect her was burning a hole in my chest. I couldn't sit around and do nothing while that scumbag was out there, breathing the same air as her. I had to come up with a plan. As the day dragged on, I found myself unable to focus on anything but the rage simmering just beneath the surface. The office felt like it was closing in on me, each tick of the clock a reminder of the injustice that had occurred. I knew I had to channel this anger into something productive. After a restless lunch,
When the nurse came in this morning, I was feeling a little bit better. They were cutting back on my meds. I was going to have a group therapy session today. Guess they want me to be lucid in order for me to bare my soul. The therapist, Mrs. Hennessey, reminded me of a grandmother. She had a gentle way about her that made it easier to talk about the darkest moments of my life. But today, she was going to get more than she bargained for. The group therapy was small, only five of us, all young women with sad eyes and no smiles on their faces. We all had our reasons for being here, our own demons to face. I was the quiet one, the one who didn't say much. But today, I had to tell them. I had to get this secret off my chest. Mrs. Hennessey, the therapist, sat in the circle with us. She had a gentle smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, like she had seen too much pain in her career. "Let's start with you, Toni," she said, turning to the girl with short hair that was dyed blue.
As soon as I heard the backdoor, I was so happy Claire was home. "Baby, I'm in the kitchen. How was your day?" As soon as I look at her, I know something is very wrong. Her eyes are red and puffy, and she is visibly shaking. I rush over to her, wrapping her in my arms. "What happened? Are you okay?" "It was Jonathan," she whispers, her voice trembling. "He...he attacked me in the parking lot." I pull her closer, my heart racing. "What? Are you okay?" "I...I think so," she says, her voice shaking. "I kneed him and got away. But he's so angry, Rawls. So much angrier than I ever thought he could be." My protective instincts flare up, and I hold her tighter. "You're safe now," I murmur into her hair, trying to soothe her. "Let's go into the living room and you can tell me everything." We sit down on the couch, her voice shaking as she recounts the incident. I listen, my jaw clenched, as she describes how he grabbed her and tried to kiss her against her will. The room fee
As soon as I walked into work, I see Thelma. I can't wait to tell her about my weekend. "Claire, you are in bright and early this morning. And that is a pretty big smile on your face." Thelma looked up from her a big smile on her face. She had been my confidant through all of this, and I could tell she could see the change in me. "I have something to tell you," I said, my voice filled with excitement. "Rawls and I are back together, and we are going to make it work, no matter what anyone says." Thelma's eyes widened, and she immediately stood up, rushing over to give me a hug. "Oh, Claire, I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed. "But what about your parents?" "It's complicated," I sighed, taking a seat at my desk. "They're still upset, but I can't keep living my life to please them. I need to do what's right for me and for Rawls." "Let's go to the park for lunch and you can fill me in on all of the details." "Yes, ma'am. I can't wait." Today was one of those days
I decided to visit Evie before heading to work. The mental facility had suggested that she was more lucid and calm in the early hours, and I did not want to miss the chance to see her in a calmer state. I wanted her to know how much i missed her, but I also wanted her to understand the necessity of her being there. The drive to the hospital was quiet, the early morning traffic was light. My mind was racing with thoughts of Evie, wondering what she would say, how she would react. I missed my little girl, and the ache in my chest was a constant reminder of her absence. I hoped that with time and the right help, she would find peace and come back to me. When I arrived, the receptionist checked me in, and I was escorted to Evie's room. The halls were painted a light shade of blue, designed to ease anxieties, but it did not do much for my own racing heart. I haven’t seen her in days and I was not sure what to expect. When I walked into her room, she was sitting up in bed, staring o
The evening began with lighthearted conversation. The dining room table was set with my mother's fine china. The aroma of roast chicken and vegetables filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of my mother's favorite candles. Mom and Dad sat at the table, their faces beaming with pride as they watched me bring out the plates of food. The clink of silverware and the murmur of their approval as they tasted the meal I had so painstakingly prepared filled me with a warmth that was bittersweet. I knew that the revelation we were about to share would change everything. The conversation flowed easily. The laughter was genuine, the kind that fills a room and makes you feel like everything is right with the world. But beneath the surface, I felt the tension coiling in my stomach, tightening with every passing minute. I have never been so scared in my life. Mary looked over at me, her eyes filled with love and admiration. "Claire, this meal is simply delicious," she said, patting h