Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Blaise
NOW
By Friday morning, I’ve begun to feel slightly better even though I’m still sore from head to toe. I’ve never been in a car accident before. I don’t recommend it. My face is covered in colorful bruises, and my badly sprained wrist is encased in an inflatable splint. Thankfully, I can shower with it on. Blow drying is a challenge, since it’s my right wrist, but I do what I can with my hair. I don’t bother with makeup.
Let them see what Ryder’s father did to me.
From what I’ve heard, it’s been all over the news that Mr. Elliott tried to kill me, and he torched the cottage where I’d been staying. The police are continuing to look for him but having no luck so far. As long as he’s on the loose, I’m in danger, which is why we’re still at the State Police safe house days after we were first brought there.
I’ve talked to my mom every day since the accident, and to both of my sisters as well.
Teagan is beside herself over it. “I hope there’re no questions left about why you didn’t come forward when this first happened.”
“I suppose that’s an upside to nearly being killed.”
“Don’t make jokes, Blaise. None of this is funny.”
“No, it isn’t, but it’s still better than keeping that secret was.”
“I give you so much credit for what you’re doing. In spite of everything, you’re resolute in getting justice for Denise.”
“Thank you, but I wish I’d been brave enough to stand up for her back then.”
“You’re doing it now, and I’m sure that matters to her.”
“I guess I’ll find out. I’m meeting with her before the hearing.”
“Oh, damn. How do you feel about that?”
“I’m okay with it. She requested the meeting. I feel like it’s the least I can do.”
“You’re a badass, Blaise. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” My big sister is proud of me. How cool is that? Her praise touches me more than I can say.
“I’m going with Mom to court.”
“You guys don’t have to do that.”
“We’ll be there to support you. I have my own regrets, you know. If I hadn’t been such a selfish bitch back then maybe you would’ve come to me for help. I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t. It pains me that you suffered in silence for all this time, thinking everyone would hate you for coming forward.”
“Arlo probably does.”
“He’ll get over it once he figures out that his good buddy is dead-ass guilty. Reminder—none of this is your fault, Blaise. Keep the blame where it belongs.”
“I’m trying. Thank you for the support. It means everything.”
“You’ve got my support and my love. I want the chance to get to know you again and for you to know my kids… I want that so badly.”
“I do, too. We’ll fix that soon. I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“Thanks again, Teagan.”
“Love you, kid.”
“Love you, too.”
I sobbed for half an hour after that conversation the other day. My big sister loves me. She’s sorry I didn’t feel like I could go to her with this when it first happened. What might’ve been different if that had been an option? And what she said about Arlo gave me hope, too. Maybe he’ll come around to forgiving me at some point. Wouldn’t that be something?
The State Police drive us to court in Newport and escort us inside an hour before the hearing, past a huge group of media that’ve been cordoned off to the side of the stone stairs. Having a former congressional candidate charged with sexual assault is a big story in this little state, especially when two eyewitnesses have come forward fourteen years after the fact. The media has picked apart the story from every angle, going so far as to publish the transcripts of the preliminary hearing that was held the first time Ryder was charged.
We’re walked through a metal detector. My purse is scanned like at an airport.
Jack’s hand on my lower back provides the support I need so badly right now. He’s been right by my side as I rested and recovered from my injuries and prepared to testify today.
Josh Spurling is waiting for us inside, and escorts us to a private room. “How are you feeling?”
“Still sore but better than I was.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I was told this morning that the U.S. Marshals are being brought in to find Mr. Elliott.”
“It’ll be a relief to hear he’s in custody.”
“Indeed. Thank you for agreeing to see Denise before the hearing.”
“It’s no problem.”
“Can I get you anything?”
“We’re fine. Thanks.”
“Okay, I’ll bring Denise in when she arrives.”
While we wait, Jack sits next to me and holds my left hand. I so appreciate his insistence on being with me today. His unwavering support makes me love him more than I already did.
About ten minutes after we arrive, the door opens to admit Denise and a tall, handsome man with a military haircut.
She’s still strikingly beautiful. Her cheeks are slightly fuller, and there’s a maturity to her that wasn’t there before, but I would’ve recognized her anywhere.
They sit across from us. “Thank you for seeing me. This is my husband, Kane.”
“Good to meet you, Kane. This is my friend, Jack.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Jack.” She clears her throat and looks directly at me. “I was horrified to hear about the accident. Are you all right?”
“I will be.”
“I’m so sorry that happened.”
“Thank you, but it’s not your fault.”
“I asked to see you because I wanted to thank you for coming forward.”
That’s not at all what I expected her to say. “I, um…I don’t deserve your thanks. What I did was despicable.”
“I don’t blame you. We all know what would’ve happened to you if you’d reported it then. By coming forward now, you’re clearing my name and giving me justice I thought I’d never get.”
“It should’ve happened a long time ago. I’ll always be sorry it didn’t.”
“Better late than never.”
I’m amazed by her kindness and grace. “I absolutely abhor the way you were treated, from the first minute you joined our class all the way through that dreadful summer. You didn’t deserve any of it.”
“I know I didn’t. I’ve had a lot of therapy over the years and have come to see that it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with their insecurities.”
“I’m still very sorry for what you endured. I wish I could’ve been there for you the way I wanted to be at the time.”
“You’re here now.”
“I heard you have four kids. Do you have pictures?”
“Of course I do.” She smiles as she hands over her phone with a picture of two older kids holding babies. “That’s Charlotte, Levi, Hudson and Hayes.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“They’re a handful.”
“I’ll bet.”
“While you have my phone, put your number in my contacts. I’d like to keep in touch if that would be all right with you.”
“I’d love that.” I put my number into her contacts and return the phone to her. “Thank you for your kindness toward me. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Anger got me nowhere. Kindness and understanding for others has been far more productive.”
“Words to live by.”
After a knock on the door, Josh sticks his head in. “We’re ready for you in court, ladies.”
“Here we go,” Denise says with a grimace. “Let’s get it over with so we can get back to more enjoyable things.”
“Yes, please.”
Josh Spurling escorts us into the courtroom and shows us where to sit. “Keep Denise and Blaise on the aisles for when they’re called to testify.” To Denise, he says, “You remember Judge Denton from the first time, right?”
“I do.”
“It’s somewhat of a lucky break for us that she’s presiding this time, too.”
When we’re seated, with Denise and Kane in front of us, Jack puts his arm around me in a public show of support.
“Thank you for everything.”
He kisses my temple. “Entirely my pleasure, love, except the part about you getting hurt.”
A rustle of activity behind us precedes the scent of my mother’s familiar fragrance settling over me. “We’re here, Blaise,” she says.
Jack moves so I can turn—slowly and carefully—to see Mom and Teagan behind me. I wince from the movement. My ribs have been incredibly sore since the accident. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course we came.” Mom fixates on the bruises on my face that she’s already seen via FaceTime. “How’re you feeling, honey?”
“A little better every day.”
“It’s such an outrage that it happened in the first place.”
“Agreed,” Jack says.
Mom glances at him and raises a brow.
“Oh, um, this is Jack Olsen. Jack, my mom, Deena, and my sister, Teagan.”
“It’s so nice to meet you both,” Jack says.
“Likewise,” Teagan replies. “Blaisey has been keeping some secrets from us.”
“Blaisey, huh?” Jack asks with a grin.
“You’re not allowed to call me that and neither is she.” I give my sister a playful glare that earns me a smile. She knows how much I despise that old nickname. The typical sibling exchange, the first in years, fills my heart with yearning for so much more. I had no idea how much I truly missed her, June and Arlo until right now.
Speaking of my brother, he comes in through the double doors, glances quickly toward the defense side of the room and then shocks me when he tells my mother and sister to make room for him behind me.
What is happening?
“Hi, Blaise.”
“Hi, Arlo.”
“I’m sorry you were hurt in the accident. Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine.”
He reaches out a hand to Jack. “Arlo Merrick.”
Jack shakes his hand. “Jack Olsen.”
“Are you the artist?” Arlo asks.
“I am.”
“My kids love your crocodile books.”
“Oh, thanks. That’s nice to hear.”
Only because I’m turned around to see my family do I note when Ryder comes into the room. He’s wearing a dark suit and looks like he hasn’t slept in weeks. His gaze briefly lands on me before he looks away.
Ramona comes in with her husband next, followed by Cam, Sienna and Mrs. Elliott.
Sienna looks at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable, until she finally looks away.
It’s the first time I’ve seen her since we graduated from high school, after keeping our distance from each other during our senior year. So many people asked me why we didn’t hang out anymore. I dodged the question every time it was asked.
She looks older and a bit heavier than she did in high school, but she’s had four kids since then. She still has curly brown hair and bangs like she had back then.
“Was that the ex-best friend?” Jack asks softly.
“Yeah.”
“Can I be your new best friend?”
I turn to him, smiling. “You already are.”
“Yes!” He gives a little fist pump that only I can see.
I’m so, so thankful for him, that I get to go home with him after this is over and to spend every day with him going forward. I can’t imagine anything better than that.
After this hearing, we’re going to New York for a few days to pack up my belongings, so Kim can move in as of January. She’s so excited to be taking over my job and my apartment, and I’m glad to be closing the book on that chapter of my life and starting a brand new one, filled with love, adventure and passion.
I just have to get through this hearing and the trial to get to the good stuff.