Page 39 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

Whoa. They were going there.As far as Dillyn knew, Selah hadn’t spoken to anyone aboutthe night. Dillyn sat up a little straighter to ensure Selah knew she had her full attention.

“My life changed forever.”

Dillyn remained silent as she listened, but guilt weighed heavily on her. Deep down, she felt she might be responsible for what happened.

“Sometimes if feels like they took everything from me.” Selah’s eyes were glassy.

Dillyn squeezed her hand.

“Most days, I feel like I’m a walking zombie. I’m so fidgety, and therapy isn’t helping.”

“Have you talked to Ben about it?”

She shook her head, “A little. We rode this morning, and it was great, but he’s been through so much. I don’t want to add to whatever he’s going through. Not when I know there is a part of him that feels responsible. He’s like that, you know. He piles all the bad stuff that happens in life on his shoulders.”

“I’ll make sure to make a mental note of that,” Dillyn smiled gently.

Selah sighed. “My brothers are doing everything they can to help, but they are guys, you know? Ben’s answer was to give me this gun.” Selah reached into her backpack and pulled out her 9MM.

“Wow. You know how to use it?”

She nodded. “Yeah, it’s easy enough. Point and shoot. I won’t lie and say I don’t feel a little safer having it than not. So, I’ve decided to just always keep it with me. However, I hoped talking to another woman might help with all the emotional stuff. I thought maybe you would understand more.”

Dillyn mulled over her thoughts. Speaking her truth out loud would be painful. But watching Selah, who was so vibrant when they met, become a shell of herself was worth it. “I think I might understand better than most what it feels like to be betrayed and violated.”

Selah’s brows knitted together. “Really? How?” This time, she sat up a little straighter as she gave Dillyn her full attention.

“Up until I met Palmer, betrayal by those who should have done everything to protect me was an almost daily occurrence.” Dillyn released a big puff of air. “I was trafficked at a very young age.”

Selah’s eyes widened almost to her hairline. “Oh my God! That’s horrible!”

“I won’t lie. It was horrible. I was around nine or ten when I was saved. Then I bounced around from foster home to group home until I was eighteen.”

“I am so sorry that happened to you. I was smacked around, but it could have been so much worse. I wasn’t raped.”

Dillyn breathed a huge sigh of relief. They hadn’t known the extent of Selah’s injuries because she hadn’t talked to anyone outside of her therapist about them. Dillyn teared up.

Selah exited her chair and wrapped her arms around Dillyn, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know and never would have brought it up if I had.”

Dillyn held her tight, “These are not tears from grief but relief. That type of violation is a scar no woman should ever have to carry, and I’m glad you don’t.”

“Neither should you,” Selah whispered.

“Most days, I’m fine.” Except for the occasional panic attack and nightmares, but I’ll keep that part to myself.“Anyhoo, back to my pep-talk. Where was I . . .” Dillyn wiped a wayward tear away and smiled, “Palmer.”

“Palmer?”

“Yep. She helped me see the good in people again.”

“Have you known her a long time?”

“We met her in high school.” Dillyn smiled wider at the memory. “We had a math class together. I instantly liked her but was too shy to introduce myself. Good thing Palmer sucked at math. She quickly realized I was good at it and asked if I would tutor her. I jumped at the chance. We would go to her house every day after school to work on it. Her family was amazing. They gave me a sense of family and normalcy.”

“I’m glad you found her.”

“Me too.”

“Still, you don’t fit the description of a techie.”

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