Chapter 25 #3
"Then why didn't you give my dad one?"
She gave a helpless, sad shrug. "Why didn’t he give me one?"
"Because he has too much pride, and so do you. One last thing… My grandfather's death was just an accident, right?"
"A tragic accident," Ellen said. "And it had nothing to do with your father leaving.
That was about Lily, and to some extent, himself.
David had ambitions. You might think that my actions forced him to take a path he didn't want to take, but he always wanted to go to college, to make something of himself. "
"I believe that," I murmured.
We gave each other another long look and then started walking again. We didn't speak further until we got back to the cabin. Jessica was sitting on the couch in her living room while Finn put a bag of ice on her swelling ankle.
I sat down next to Jessica. "Is it bad?" I asked.
"Compared to what could have happened, it's nothing. Thank you all for coming. I wouldn't be alive if you hadn't." Jessica looked at Ellen. "My mother always told me the only person she ever trusted in her life was you. You came through for her, and you came through for me."
"There's something you need to know," Ellen said, then stopped abruptly, her gaze moving to me. "Do you want to tell her, Cassidy?"
"This is your story to tell," I said, remembering how many times she'd told me that my father would have to tell his own story, but this one belonged to her.
Ellen nodded and sat down on the edge of the armchair across from the couch. "When I saved your mother all those years ago, Jessica, she was pregnant with you."
"She told me," Jessica said.
"Did she tell you who your father was?" Ellen asked.
Jessica's expression shifted. "No. She just said he couldn't be part of our lives, and she didn't want to talk about him. Why? Do you know who my father is?"
"Yes. Your father is my son, David. You're my granddaughter." Ellen blew out a breath as if those words had taken a lot out of her. "And so is Cassidy."
"What?" Jessica asked in surprise, her gaze turning to me. "You're my half sister?"
"Yes," I replied. "And I just learned that today, too. Once I heard your story, and we knew where you were, I had to come and find you. I couldn't let anything happen to you, not when we hadn't had a chance to meet each other."
"Wow! I have a sister. That's crazy." Jessica shook her head in bemusement. "I always wanted a sister."
"So did I." I gave her a heartfelt smile. "And I'm very glad you're all right."
"Me too." Jessica's gaze returned to Ellen. "Is it really over?"
"I think so. But until we know for sure, we'll play it safe."
"My dad…" Moisture filled Jessica's eyes. "Does he know about me?"
"No," Ellen replied. "I made your mother promise she would never tell him if I helped her get away.
I know that will sound as cruel to you as it did to Cassidy.
At the time, I believed it wasn't going to be forever, just until David and Lily both had a chance to grow up.
I wanted Lily to be safe from the people who were hurting her, and I wanted David to have the opportunity to be the man he wanted to be. But it didn't work out that way."
"I don't know what to think," Jessica said with a weary sigh. "It's been a long day and a longer year. I never really felt safe here. I kept waiting for something to happen, for someone to find me, and they finally did." She paused. "I'm going to have to go back and testify, aren't I?"
"I'm not sure," Ellen said.
"I don't understand why you didn't get more official help in the beginning, Jessica," I interrupted.
"I was put in a safe house for a day, but someone leaked my whereabouts, and I barely escaped," Jessica said. "That's when I ran to Ellen. My mother had trusted her completely, so I was willing to do the same. But now I don't know what will happen. I'm sure I can't just stay at Stonecross."
"Probably not," Ellen said.
I took Jessica's hand once more, feeling her tension. Gazing into her eyes, I said, "We'll figure it all out, Jessica."
Her lips trembled. "I haven't heard that word we in a long time. Not since my mom died."
"I'm sorry to hear that. My mother died, too. It was a long time ago, but I know what it feels like to lose a mother."
"But you had your father."
"Not really. He was too sad to be my father. But now I have a sister. And I think that's going to make everything better—hopefully, for both of us." I glanced back at Ellen and saw what appeared to be tears in her eyes. "You're crying?" I couldn't help asking.
"I'm sure you think I'm made of stone, but I'm actually not that tough." Ellen cleared her throat. "I'll let you girls talk. If you have more questions later, I'll answer them."
"I'll give you some space as well," Finn added. "But I'll be right outside. Call me if you need me."
As Finn left, Jessica turned to me. "Is he your boyfriend?"
"We just met like five days ago," I said, hardly believing how much had happened in less than a week.
"It seems like there's something there."
"Maybe," I murmured. "Maybe not. It's complicated."
"You look like you were in a fight, Cassidy. What happened to your face?"
"That's a long story. I'll tell you everything, but not right this second."
"That's fine. I need to catch my breath."
"So do I. Then we'll figure out what happens next."