Page 28 of Served
“What? Me? Selfish?” I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation. I raised my voice, “how dare you? I already got attacked by some jerk. I don’t need to be attacked by mybest friend!”
She walked quickly to me and pointed her finger in my face and raised her voice to me, “You are beingtotallyselfish! You didn’t report it because you didn’t want to hear shit from your dad and now you won’t save this man after he,in your words, saved you. What about other women?” Her arms were flying around, and she kept getting louder and louder and pressure was building behind my eyes again. “What about the next unsuspecting girl in a bar or a club who doesn’t have a knight in shining armor come rescue her? What then, Lucy? All because you think you’re saving face with your dad?”
I was gritting my teeth. I already felt horrible, and I hadn’t even said it yet. “Why? So I can be dragged through the mud like you were? And for what? That piece of shit didn’t even get a slap on the wrist, Amy.” The tears started falling. “What’s the point?”
Amy’s muscles relaxed as she walked to me and grabbed me. I was sobbing in her arms.
She lowered her voice, “I know. It wasn’t fair. But at least he couldn’t get a job or a date after that?” A laugh broke through my tears, and she laughed a little before she went on, “And his whole family moved because everyone gave them so much shit.” She pulled away to look at my face. “I would do it all again. It’s so hard because not enough of us do it. At least your dad wouldn’t be the one questioning you on the stand. I still can’t believe he couldn’t get that jerk convicted. What a sucky DA.” We both laughed at that. My dad was the Chief of Police, and her dad was the District Attorney.
I blew out a breath as she hugged me again.
“Your face is all fucked up. Go fix it and get your ass to work. Then we will go together, this afternoon, and you can file your report.” She was squeezing my hand and I squeezed back. She was right. I should have done this Sunday. But better now than not at all.
Chapter 16
Lucy
Work dragged by horribly slow. I was so unfocused. I was also running out of shirts with high necks to wear in public. My phone dinged about halfway through the shift.
Jason: Still a free man. Can’t wait to see you later.
Me: I wish I was with you now.
Jason: I knew I left you wanting more.
Me: Yes you did. Gotta run an errand after work, then Amy and I will be there.
Jason: Ok beautiful. Don’t get arrested.
Two more hours. Amy was meeting me here to go straight to the station since it was closer. I could only imagine what dad would say. And mom. He would immediately call mom. They were the best parents, but so old fashioned. It’s bad enough the detective would ask what I was wearing, but it would be the very first thing my parents ask. That’s the first thing they asked when Amy was assaulted. And of course, they’d ask what I was drinking. They would ask me if I was alone with Eric. What we did. How long we were together. I already knew everything they would ask. And all of my answers sounded terrible in my own mind.Damnit! Why are we conditioned this way? I can’t do this.
But I have to do this.
Amy was right. But her case should have been stronger than mine. She wasn’t even trying to be alone with that guy and they had lots of evidence. It was a huge deal that the jury acquitted him. Her attacker’s dad was a prominent businessman and rumors were that he paid them off. Still, her dad should have motioned for a new venue but didn’t want to give up the reigns.
But just because she got screwed out of justice doesn’t mean I shouldn’t claim mine, and clear Jason’s name at the same time. I decided to use the fact that I knew the process to pump myself up instead of freaking out. Except, Dad…
Amy was waiting outside at three on the dot. She put her hand out, so I grabbed it and we walked. My chest was burning from the bile that had setup camp there all day.
“So how was work?” She asked. I looked at her sideways and she shrugged. “Just trying to keep it weird, ya know.”
My nerves were bubbling up the closer we got to the station. The bile from my chest was rising to my throat. As soon as I saw the station ahead my mouth became dry, and my muscles quivered ever so slightly. Enough for Amy to notice, though.
“Hey, you didn’t do anything wrong. Stop acting like you got pot in your bag. I don’t need to get searched today.” I looked at her with wide eyes and she waved her hand not to worry. Knowing her, I may need to worry a little.
Once inside, Jimmy immediately saw me and came over.
“Twice in a week, that’s some kinda record.” He smiled and put his hand on Amy’s shoulder. “Hey Amy, long time no see! How’s your dad? I don’t go to the courthouse much anymore.”
“He’s good. Busy at work, busy questioning my life choices. Ya know, dad stuff.” I had hoped Amy would eventually learn to speak to people but it still hasn’t happened, and I don’t know how much longer I could hold onto hope.
Jimmy just laughed, though, but then his face got serious. “So, what brings you girls in? Another friend get arrested?” I smiled and fought off the eye roll that was begging to happen.
“No, not today. We need to file,” Amy shoved me, “I,Ineed to file a report.”
His face turned down, but he nodded his head and motioned for me to follow him. Amy followed along. It felt like we were moving in slow motion. Like we were in a movie, but there was no suspenseful background music. Just voices talking, paper shuffling, phones ringing, and chairs moving across tile floor. He led us to a desk in a large cubicle and logged into the computer. Amy grabbed my hand and squeezed, but we both kept watching Jimmy.
Jimmy was very professional, reading straight from the screen. He asked me to describe the encounter after a series of questions. No judgement on his face, just typing away. I told him every detail, but it was as if I was talking about someone else as I recalled what happened. My voice was completely void of emotion. My breathing was normal. My heart wasn’t racing. Then he asked if there were any markings to support the claims. I nodded and pulled my collar down. He leaned back in his chair briefly, still very professional in the face, but his eyes showed a hint of sorrow. He straightened back in his chair and typed some then asked if there were any others.
