Page 108 of The Tattered Gloves
IT WAS LATE when I finally walked up to that familiar doorstep, tired and hungry.
Every bit of me was engulfed by Addy the second I pushed the door open.
“I don’t care if this is too close,” she sobbed into my shoulder. “Please don’t do that again.”
It was the first time we’d ever hugged.
After four months.
It was long overdue.
The hugging party didn’t end there. After Addy came Allison, who held me tight and swore she’d never let me go.
But she eventually did. Only because Sam was getting antsy.
“I knew you’d come back,” he said with a tired smile.
I could see dark circles under his eyes… ones that probably matched my own.
“Always so sure of yourself,” I replied as he reached out for my hand.
“Well, what was out there for you anyway? I’m right here.”
I took the first step, or maybe he did. But, within seconds, his big, strong arms were around me. No more witty humor or silent apologies.
I was just glad to be home.
“You said I was brave,” I whispered.
With my head resting against his, I could feel his mouth curl into a smile, as he knew I’d listened to his message.
“The bravest.”
Pulling back, I turned, still clinging to Sam, but I needed to see Allison and Addy again.
“I wanthimto pay,” I finally said. “I want what happened to me to never happen here. Not in my school. Not in my town. I never want another girl to feel this way because of him. Will you help me?”
Addy nodded, a visible wave of relief washing over her. “Always.”
I wanted to get started right away, call everyone we needed to, so I could settle into bed, knowing I’d done something good. But then my family saw the blisters on my feet and the way I wavered like a falling leaf while trying to hold myself up, and I knew I wasn’t going to get anywhere tonight.
“You need food,” Addy said, taking my hand.
“And rest,” Sam added as I was led to the couch.
“And maybe a shower?” Allison chimed in.
I nodded, giving in to the feeling of being cared for. It made me think back to the girl in the garden. I hoped she’d made up with her father. Maybe they were sitting together on a couch in that great big fancy house right now, laughing over their outburst and wondering what the neighbors must have thought.
Safe and happy.
Just like me.
Addy went to the kitchen to whip me up a grilled cheese sandwich and soup while Sam kept me company.
Allison, having already called her parents to announce the good news, was heading home. I didn’t blame her. Everyone was tired.
“I’ll be here first thing in the morning,” she said after bending down to give me a brief hug.
