Page 8 of Drifter
“Dr. Edgar Sutton. That’s who. I was so stupid. At first, I thought he was just a nice man. He’s my father’s best friend and has been our family doctor for years. But as I got older, he started touching me, and it felt wrong.”
“You told your parents?” she asks, her arms tightening around me.
“My mother called me a liar and said I was making trouble for my father. My father said it was a cry for attention, and I was making something out of nothing. Dr. Sutton caught me alone a couple more times, but I finally got good at getting away and staying hidden whenever he was around. It wasn’t until I turned sixteen that things turned really ugly. The night of my birthday.” As I recall the events of that night, I shudder violently.
“Oh, Sasha. What happened?” Etain asks quietly.
“Everyone except Dr. Sutton and his wife left, and I went upstairs to get out of my party dress and go to bed, when Dr. Sutton came into my room. He cornered me, and when I started to scream, he slapped me so hard that I fell onto the bed. He was on me fast. I tried to scream, but he covered my mouth with his hand. When he went to pull off my panties, I bit his hand as hard as I could until he yelled out. My brother, Simon, came into my room and saw what was happening. He pulled him off me and started beating on him.” I choke back the tears. “Simon made sure I was never alone after that.”
“Why isn’t that man in jail?” Etain asks viciously.
“Because he has money, and my father has threatened to throw Simon out if I made waves. Simon wanted me to go to the police, but I can’t do that to him. I was sixteen, and if he was gone, I’d have no one.”
“We can go right now,” she urges.
I shake my head. “I would be the one who would suffer. Dr. Sutton has money, plenty of it, and connections with many judges in the state. I’ll come off as the slut who lured him and didn’t like it when he rejected me. Even if Simon backs me up, he’ll lose everything he’s worked for. Simon is supposed to take over Dad’s business, and God knows he’s earned it.”
“Your brother won’t care,” she insists.
“You’re right. But I do. Who would take me seriously? After all these years, they’ll make me look like a harlot who’s out to get a respectable doctor in trouble. I don’t doubt that for a minute.”
“Hell, Sasha, he shouldn’t get away with what he’s done.”
“No, he shouldn’t.”
“What if he’s doing this to other girls?”
“He’s not practicing any longer. I’ve never heard a word about him with another girl. It could be that there are others, and they’re afraid as well. I don’t know, and as selfish as it sounds, it’s taken me this long to move on. I can’t go back and relive that time.” I go back to my breathing, inhaling and slowly exhaling, until I regain a sense of calm. I look at Etain. “You’re the only other person, outside of my family, who knows about this. Please don’t tell anyone.”
“Sasha, my dear, sweet friend, you need to tell Drifter. If you’re in a relationship with a Redemption Rider, especially Drifter, he’ll protect you. And as a man, he needs to understand so he can handle you with care.”
“I won’t hide this from Drifter. But it was only hours ago that I found out he cared about me. This isn’t the type of conversation you have with a man while baking cookies.”
“I suppose not. But take my advice, don’t wait too long,” she says.
I take Etain’s hand. “I’m so relieved that you know, but I’m not fragile. Or not as fragile as I used to be. I did get counseling. Simon made sure of it. I’ve created a wonderful life for myself. A life away from my parents and from the ugly memories. I’m not in denial, and it’s never until my father comes pounding at my door or insists that I attend a gala where I know I’ll see Dr. Sutton again that I become anxious and upset.” I manage a small grin. “I’m still working on that.”
“You are so incredibly strong. I think you’re the most amazing person I know,” Etain says. “But I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop myself from kicking your father in the shins if he shows up here again with his disgusting behavior.”
“I don’t want you to get in any trouble on my account. Promise me you’ll try to control your temper. I don’t want to have to worry about you too. I have my hands full keeping Simon from losing his mind.”
“I wanted to know all about you, Sasha, but I never expected this,” Etain says.
“I’m more than what happened to me that night. I’m an excellent programmer, a yoga master, a flower lover, and hopefully, a good friend.”
“You’re all that and more.” Etain hugs me tight. Yes, it feels good to let it out to a friend. The weight on my chest feels lighter.
Chapter 5
Baring Souls
Drifter
Me: Babe, I’ll bring dinner.
Sasha: I can make dinner. Do you like shepherd’s pie?
Me: Love it, but you already made me cookies.
