Redemption

by Phil M. Williams

  Michelle swallowed hard. “I want a divorce.”

  His tone was desperate. “Please don’t do this. I know the hearing was bad, but it was all bullshit. All of it. I swear on my life—”

  “Did you molest your sister?”

  He hesitated. “It’s not what it seems—”

  “Yes or no, Jason. Did you molest her or not?”

  He blew out a ragged breath. “Yes, but—”

  “Stop.” Michelle stood from the bed, her body tense. “I don’t want to hear your fucking bullshit. You disgust me. I never want to see you again. Never. Do you understand me?”

  He didn’t respond.

  “I’m coming for my clothes tomorrow. Don’t be home.” Michelle hung up.

  The phone rang seconds after, causing Michelle to flinch.

  On the third ring, Frank picked up, his voice booming from his bedroom. “Hello?”

  Michelle pressed Talk on the cordless receiver and put it to her ear.

  “May I speak to Michelle?” Jason asked.

  “You gotta lot of fucking nerve. Don’t ever call my house again. And stay away from Michelle. You better hope you end up in prison. If you don’t, I’ll see that justice is served. Personally.” Frank hung up.

  Jason said, “Michelle, I know you’re there. Please listen. I know all this looks awful. I can’t explain it, but I swear to you that I’m telling the truth. You know me. You know I’m not a liar—”

  Michelle hung up.

  Chapter 24: Making Amends

  Michelle drove a few miles to Susie’s apartment complex, parking in a visitor’s spot. The setting sun was low on the horizon. The wind swirled a dusting of snow around the lot. The complex was a collection of three-story brick buildings, housing twelve apartments in each building. Susie’s red Ford Mustang was parked along the front of her apartment building.

  Michelle exited her BMW. She went to the front door and punched in the code, freeing the lock. Michelle had been to her sister’s more than enough times to memorize the never-changing code. She climbed the stairs to the second floor and walked to apartment 2B. She took a deep breath and knocked.

  Susie opened the door, guarding the doorway, her face puckered, as if she’d smelled something rotten. “What the fuck do you want?”

  Michelle dipped her head. “I came to apologize. I’m so sorry for being on the wrong side in court yesterday. I believed him, but I was wrong. I’m so sorry, Susie.”

  “You brought that sick fuck into our life.” Susie pointed at her sister. “You did that.”

  Michelle raised her gaze. “I know. I’m so sorry. I don’t expect you to forgive me. I just wanted you to know that I know I was wrong. I told him that I want a divorce. I’m leaving him.”

  Susie rolled her eyes. “I would hope so. Jesus. You don’t deserve a medal for leaving your pedophile husband.”

  “I’m just telling you. I’m not asking for anything.”

  Susie put one hand on her hip, the other still on the door. “I’m suing the shit out of him. I wouldn’t expect to get anything in the divorce.”

  “I’m not expecting anything. I just want him out of my life.”

  “I already have an attorney. He said, once Jason’s convicted, we’ll have a strong civil case.”

  Michelle nodded. “Good for you. How’s Becky doing?”

  “How do you think? She’s either scared, depressed, or acting out.”

  Michelle winced. “Is she still seeing the child psychologist?”

  Susie narrowed her eyes.

  “Mom told me.”

  “She’ll probably have to see a fucking shrink for the rest of her life.”

  Michelle swallowed hard. “I really am sorry. I’ll do whatever I can to help. Whatever you and Becky need.”

  Susie stared for a long moment, then she sighed. “You really want to help?”

  “Whatever you need.”

  “You can help me shuttle Becky to her therapy appointments.”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  Becky appeared beside Susie, wearing her pajamas, and carrying a blanket. “Aunt Shelly.”

  Michelle smiled and bent down to her level. “Hi, sweetheart.”

  “Will you play Ice Cream Shop with me?”

  Michelle stood and eyed her sister. “That’s up to your mom.”

  Susie stepped aside from the doorway. “You want a drink?”

  “Sure.” Michelle stepped into her sister’s apartment and back into her life.

  Chapter 25: Leave

  The next day, Michelle sat in her principal’s office, told him about Jason and the charges, and asked to take a leave of absence for the rest of the school year.

  The middle-aged principal rested his forearms on his desk. He frowned and shook his head. “This is a shock. You must be devastated.”

  Michelle nodded, holding back her tears.

  “How’s your niece, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “She’s struggling, but she’s seeing a child psychologist, so hopefully in time …”

  The principal nodded. “I can understand why you’d want to take a leave of absence. I think it’s a good idea, and we should be able to accommodate.”

  “Thank you, Principal Harrison.”

  “Of course. I hope to see you back next year. You’re one of the good ones. I’d hate to lose you.”

  ***

  After her appointment with Principal Harrison, Michelle drove home to pick up her clothes. She pulled into the driveway of their ten-thousand-square-foot stone-and-stucco mansion, hit the garage door opener on her visor, and parked inside. Jason’s M3 was parked in the garage.

  She let out a tired breath. “God damn him.” She thought about turning around and getting her things another day, but it was a long drive, and she needed her clothes and toiletries. She was wearing her skirt suit for the third day. Thankfully, she had been able to purchase fresh underwear.

  Michelle went inside through the garage door. The alarm was off. She walked through the laundry room and the kitchen. Then she climbed the spiral staircase to the master bedroom. One of the double doors was open. The king-size canopy bed had a Jason-size lump under the comforter. She tiptoed inside, hopeful that she could pack her things and leave without Jason waking. Heavy rhythmic breathing came from the bed. Michelle went to her walk-in closet, grabbed two suitcases, quietly unzipped one, and started packing it with her clothes and shoes. She had too many clothes to take everything, so she was selective. Once it was full, she grabbed her duffel bag, went to the bathroom, and packed her toiletries. She saved her dresser for last, since it was right next to the bed. She carried her luggage to the hallway for a quick getaway.

  Michelle reentered the master bedroom, taking the second empty suitcase to her dresser. The dresser was oak with a dark brown stain and an attached mirror. She glanced in the mirror, checking the lump. Jason was still motionless, except for his steady breathing

  She opened the suitcase, working the zipper slowly. Then she opened the top drawer, grabbing bras and underwear by the handfuls and setting them in the suitcase. After her underwear, she packed her socks. She shut the drawer a little harder than she had intended. Her gaze immediately went to the mirror. The lump moved, and his breathing quickened.

  Jason sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Michelle?”

  She stiffened, still looking in the mirror. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be gone in a few minutes.”

  “Don’t leave me. Please.” His voice sounded like a little boy.

  Michelle swallowed hard, opened her T-shirt drawer, grabbed a stack of shirts and tossed them in her suitcase.

  “I don’t have anyone.”

  Becky came to mind, the thought vanquishing her empathy. Michelle packed her sweats and shorts.

  He stood from the bed and inched closer. She continued to pack, ignoring her husband. He reached out and touched her shoulder.

  She wheeled around and slapped him. “Don’t touch me.”

  Jason stepped back,
his hand on his cheek. His hair was disheveled. His eyes were red-rimmed. He had a five o’clock shadow. He wore sweatpants and a sweat-stained T-shirt. He blinked, and tears slipped down his face.

  Michelle went back to her suitcase, zipped it shut, and hurried from the room. In the hallway she grabbed the rest of her luggage and left.

  He didn’t follow.

  Chapter 26: Blast from the Past

  Over the next nine days, Michelle settled into a routine with her family. The trial wasn’t until the end of March. She lived with her parents in her childhood bedroom. She helped Susie by babysitting Becky and taking her to therapy, so Susie could spend more time alone with Cody. Amid the chaos, they still hadn’t set a formal wedding date, but they were shooting for late summer. Cody still needed to do some remodeling to make room in his house for his new bride and stepdaughter. In addition, Michelle did what she could to help her parents. Anything to keep her mind off Jason.

  Michelle parked her BMW in front of the apartment building, next to Susie’s red Mustang. Michelle peered at Becky in the rearview mirror, sitting in her car seat, playing with her Bratz doll. Becky had been quiet on the ride back from her therapy appointment. Michelle wasn’t comfortable with the doll’s short cheerleader skirt and impossibly skinny proportions, but it had been a gift from Susie, and Michelle was in no place to criticize.

  “You ready?”

  Becky nodded.

  Michelle exited her car. The afternoon sun was covered with gray clouds, casting everything in a dingy aura. Michelle’s fingers, ears, and the tip of her nose felt the bite of winter. She accessed Becky from a rear passenger door. Michelle unbuckled the car seat and kissed Becky on the forehead. Becky wore her puffy jacket and a knit cap with a pink ball on top.

  “Will you carry me?” Becky asked.

  Michelle smiled. “You’re getting too big for me, sweetheart.” Michelle held out her hand. “Come on. I’ll walk you up.”

  Becky climbed out of the BMW and grabbed Michelle’s hand. Michelle shut the car door and walked her to the apartment building. Michelle punched in the code, releasing the lock.

  As they walked up the steps, Becky asked, “When can Jason play?”

  Michelle cringed. It had been a week since she’d mentioned Jason. Michelle had hoped she’d simply forget about him. “Jason can’t play anymore, sweetheart.”

  Becky looked up at Michelle, her little nose wiggling back and forth. “How come?”

  “Because he’s a bad man.”

  “What if he stops being bad?”

  At the top of the stairs, Michelle hugged Becky and said, “He won’t.”

  After dropping off Becky with her mother, Michelle drove to Weis Markets to grocery shop for her parents. Michelle wore her knit hat low over her eyebrows, not wanting to be recognized.

  Michelle waited in line for a few minutes. When it was her turn, she loaded the conveyor belt with groceries and pushed her cart to the bagger. Michelle helped the young man bag her groceries.

  Once the groceries were scanned, and her cart was full, the cashier asked, “Do you have a Weis card?”

  “I think so,” Michelle replied, fishing through her wallet.

  The middle-aged woman behind her groaned.

  Michelle glanced at the stone-faced woman. She knows. Michelle had a bad habit of attributing every negative interaction to Jason’s crime. Michelle continued to search, with the added pressure of the long line behind her. Finally, Michelle said, “Can I give you my phone number?”

  “Of course,” the cashier replied, her tone upbeat.

  Michelle gave her parents’ phone number and received the Weis discounts.

  After Michelle paid and pushed her cart away from the line, the woman behind her said, “It’s about time.”

  Michelle ignored the woman and pushed her grocery cart through the automatic doors. She waited at the curb for a few salt-stained cars to pass. Michelle pushed the grocery cart toward her car near the back of the crowded lot.

  She parked the cart next to the trunk of her BMW. Michelle popped the trunk and loaded a few grocery bags inside. Someone beeped their horn, causing her to flinch. She turned to the sound to see Danny in his Dodge Ram 4x4. He parked next to Michelle and hopped out of his truck.

  “Hey, girl,” he said, grinning as he approached.

  Michelle forced a smile. “Hi, Danny.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Getting groceries for my parents.”

  “Let me help you.” Danny grabbed the last few bags and packed them in Michelle’s trunk. He shut the trunk lid.

  “Thank you.”

  “Of course. I’ve been meaning to call and see how you’re doing.”

  Michelle nodded.

  “How are you doing?”

  Michelle shrugged. “I don’t know. I think I made a mistake coming here. It’s a little cramped at my parents’ house. I miss having my own bathroom. To be honest, this whole town is too small. Everyone knows everyone’s business. I feel like people are always giving me dirty looks.”

  “I’m glad you’re here. I’m sure your family’s happy to have you back. Nobody else matters. You know how people are around here. They see a beautiful, classy woman with a nice car, and they’re jealous. I wouldn’t pay them any mind.”

  Someone else beeped at them. They both turned to a purple Dodge Neon, with a temporary spare as the front left tire. A twentysomething blonde stopped her car and rolled down her window. “I thought that was you,” she said, beaming at Danny, as if Michelle were invisible.

  “Hey, girl,” Danny said, giving the same line and grin that Michelle had received minutes earlier.

  “I just wanted to thank you for helpin’ me the other day. Maybe I can take you out sometime.”

  “That’s really nice of you, but, uh, it’s against department policy.”

  She pouted. “Well, I’ll have to think of somethin’ else I can do for you.” She winked. “See you around, officer.” She drove away with a wave.

  Danny turned his attention back to Michelle.

  “Who was that?” Michelle asked.

  “Nobody. I helped her change her tire the other day.”

  Michelle smirked. “You’re blushing.”

  Danny mock-frowned. “I am not.”

  “Against department policy?”

  Danny laughed. “That’s my go-to. You’d be surprised how often that happens.”

  Michelle shook her head. “A handsome man in uniform. Not surprised at all.”

  “You think I’m handsome, huh?”

  “One compliment and you’re already getting a big head.”

  Danny laughed again.

  “It was good to see you,” Michelle said, fiddling with her keys.

  “Have you eaten?”

  “Not since breakfast.”

  “Would you like to have lunch with me? My treat.”

  “Oh, um …” Michelle touched her trunk lid. “I need to take these groceries home.”

  “It’s twenty-five degrees. Nothing’s going bad.”

  Michelle hesitated, then said, “Okay.”

  They drove around the corner to Sal’s Pizza and Subs. It was a place they’d been to many times when they were younger. It was a small place that catered mostly to takeout and delivery, but they had a few tables and booths for eating in too. It was late in the afternoon, well past lunch, so the place was deserted. Michelle sat in a booth along the wall. Their favorite booth.

  Danny smirked at her, as she slid into the familiar booth. “You want your usual?”

  “You remember my usual?”

  “Grilled chicken salad, balsamic vinaigrette on the side, with a hot tea.”

  Michelle smiled. “I’m impressed.”

  Danny went to the counter to order. She watched him joke with Sal, the owner, and put $5 in the tip jar, giving it some much needed green to go with the silver. Danny was tall, built, and rugged. A man’s man. Michelle thought about how she’d gone for someone so differen
t after Danny had slept with her best friend. In many ways, Jason was the polar opposite. For the first time since the affair that had destroyed her engagement and her friendship, she thought about what her life would’ve been like had she forgiven Danny.

  He returned to the table, all smiles. “Sal said he was glad to see us back together.”

  She raised her eyebrows.

  He showed his palms. “I told him we were just friends. You know what he said?”

  “What?”

  He mimicked Sal’s Italian accent. “That’s a how it starts.”

  ***

  After a lunch of reminiscing, Michelle helped Danny clear their table. They both waved goodbye to Sal, and walked to their cars, which were parked side by side.

  “Thank you for lunch,” Michelle said.

  “Anytime,” Danny replied.

  “I think I really needed to live in the past for a little while. It was nice.”

  They stopped next to Michelle’s BMW. She searched in her purse for her keys.

  “It doesn’t have to be in the past,” Danny said.

  Michelle extracted her keys and looked up to Danny. “What do you mean?”

  “Exactly what I said. We don’t have to be in the past.”

  She furrowed her brow. “Are you saying you want to get back together?”

  Danny took a deep breath. “Look. I know we can’t just pick up where we left off. I’d like to spend time with you. That’s all.”

  Michelle nodded. “I’m not exactly available emotionally.”

  “I know things are hard for you right now, but I’m not asking for you to be emotionally available to me. I’m asking to be there for you, to be your friend.”

  “That’s really nice of you, Danny, but …”

  “Let me be there for you. I care about you.”

  Michelle pursed her lips. “Okay.”

  Danny grinned. “I’m off this weekend. We could get out of here. I think you need a break from this town.”

  “That’s probably true.”

  “We could go to Blue Knob.” Blue Knob was a ski resort about forty-five minutes away. “We can get two beds, if you want—or separate rooms even.”