Chapter 4
When she arrived home from town, there was a huge envelope full of evidence. It had multiple aliases, addresses and photos upon photos. It was way more than she bargained for. She scooped up the envelope and took it inside the cottage. Willow took in a deep breath and sighed it back out.
It was obvious that she wasn’t sure how to handle things, and that she needed a team. The whole world seemed as if it had turned its back on her, and she felt pretty lonely.
“Richy, I just got an envelope full of clues and information. I don’t know what to do with it either. I just need your guidance on this. If you could just call me back when you get a chance, I’d be so grateful. Thanks.”
There was way too much evidence in the envelope and she didn’t even know who sent it or why it was addressed to her. She read the big bold letters on the top of the folder. Greg Taylor. Wow.
Willow could feel her face getting hot. How could her husband be such a monster? And why did she have to pay for it? It wasn’t fair. But what else could she do? She had to figure out where he was so that she could prove her own innocence. Funnily enough, she had always believed in innocence until proven guilty, but the irony that people believed her to be guilty was astounding. She needed to take a moment to process things.
What she really needed was a strong drink. Wine wasn’t going to cut it this time.
She grabbed her purse and headed to the pub, making a beeline straight to the bar. Micah was sitting there bored and lonely, twiddling his thumbs when she requested her usual.
“Now, there’s a face I haven’t seen in a while. What seems to be the matter, my love?” he asked while he poured her a double shot.
“I’m guessing you haven’t heard the news about why you need to stay away from me, huh? Yea, it’s a doozy. Everyone is treating me differently.”
“I guess you haven’t heard that I don’t give in to town gossip. Whatever problem anyone has with you, is their own personal issue. I like you. I like looking at you. I like serving you and I’ll continue to do so. I think everyone deserves a little grace.”
“Even if I’m married to a monster who…”
She stopped herself in her tracks. She wouldn”t burst his bubble if he didn’t know who she was or what was happening. She needed more than just two people on her side. He raised his eyebrow for a second and then brought her a basket of fries.
“Eat up. You’re gonna need this.” He poured another double shot.
She smiled. At least someone outside her circle was still capable of treating her like a human being.
“Listen, I don’t know what’s going on with whoever you married; frankly, it’s none of my business. But whatever that man has going on, there’s no reason why you can’t break free. Seems like you’re out here for a reason. You also didn’t bring him along. So, in my heart of hearts, that tells me whatever it is, you’re not attached to him anymore. His sins are not yours. Don’t take them in as yours. Forgive yourself.”
He was exactly right. She was taking on the burdens of Charlie and Charlie was living his life as a whole different person. He had gotten away with murder…not really, but he was ruining the lives of women, which can be considered the same thing.
“How do you forgive yourself? When it’s clear that like…oh just forget it.” She gulped down the second shot.
Her mind flashed to Tommy, who still wasn’t talking to her and those detectives that showed up on her doorstep still hadn’t left town yet. They were looking for any clues to tie her to the crimes of Charlie or Greg or whatever name he was going by these days. They just kept harassing her. It was tiring, but she knew she couldn’t give up on herself.
“It’s not easy to forgive yourself when you’re taught through conviction. Sometimes, it takes a lot of unlearning. But you can do it. I hope it comes as easy as forgiving others does from this moment on.”
She really enjoyed talking to Micah. He was refreshing, to say the least. He knew how to speak to her and tell what she needed to hear.
“Why are you always so kind to me?”
“Everyone starts out deserving of kindness, my love. Everyone. You haven’t given me any indication that you’re not. So until you do, I’ll always extend that to you,” he explained.
Whatever happened, she was determined to clear her name. Micah was such a kind, nurturing soul. He could see that she hadn’t committed any crimes. He didn’t care what other people said about her, and he didn’t treat her differently.
She was sure that he’d heard the rumors, but he decided not to pay them any mind. He liked Willow and thought she was a good person. He knew she was genuine. He also knew that she had a thing for Tommy. And while things seemed innocent, he didn’t want to step on Tommy’s toes.
“How is it so easy to forgive?” Willow asked. She was so confused. On one hand, there was a town full of people that were happy to whisper about her. On the other hand, there was Micah who seemed to adore her no matter the circumstances.
“Because I’d like to be forgiven just as easily. It’s really as simple as treating others the way I want to be treated. It’s no secret that people can be mean. But I don’t have to be if I don’t want to,” he explained. He was having a great time with Willow. They seemed to have a connection.
She was only on her fourth drink when the room began to spin. She couldn’t get enough fries in her belly before she realized she was drunk. And boy did she revel in the feeling. With everything that was happening, she enjoyed the temporary escape.
“I like to think I’m a pretty forgiving person. Dependent upon the offense,” she explained. It wasn’t a lie. She was forgiving… most of the time. Maybe one day she would be able to forgive Charlie, even though what he did was inexcusable.
“Yeah? Well, my mother always taught me that forgiveness isn’t for the offenders. It’s for us. It helps us bury the hatchet instead of walking around upset. I’d rather walk around happy than walk around bothered.”
He had a good point. He had a wisdom about him. Willow felt like they had a connection, but she also felt a connection with the drink she was sipping out of, so she wasn’t to trust her judgement right now. Either way, she really believed that she had a real friend in Micah.
“Do I walk around looking bothered?” she asked but she already knew the answer. She could tell by the look plastered on his face that he could see her.
“What’s bothering you?” he asked sincerely.
She pondered whether to tell him the truth. If he didn’t know her already, she wasn’t going to volunteer the information. She wanted someone to trust her, to value her, to understand her. Could that happen if she didn’t say what she truly meant?
“I don’t know what to do with my life anymore.” She confessed.
“And what would you say you would do differently if given the opportunity?”
“I’d leave sooner.” She admitted. She was over this—over all the new evidence, the lies and deceit. She was over Charlie or Greg or whatever his name really was. She didn’t deserve any of this and she knew it.
“If you left sooner, that means you’d find yourself sooner too. Right?”
“Yes. I’m so lost, Micah.”
“That’s pretty easy to do. Sometimes we don’t even realize where we’ve ended up because of how blindly we follow others. It really does suck once you get free and realize how much they fooled you. You seem to be a very genuine woman. I don’t think there’s a malicious bone in your body, either.”
She appreciated his thoughts. Lately, all she was listening to were the thoughts in her head, telling her she’s a fool for believing in the lies.
“Can I have another?” She sunk into her seat.
“Okay but this is the last one. And then I’m going to drive you home.” He knew she was well over her limit so he wouldn’t dare allow her to drive herself.
“Don’t even bother. The last guy that took me home doesn’t even speak to me anymore. I’d hate for that to happen to us too.” She confessed. Her head knocked against the bar as she tried to compose herself but to no avail.
She downed the next one in four swift gulps when Micah placed it in front of her and smiled at him.
“I’m glad you cut me off. At this point, I don’t think I’m even gonna remember tomorrow.”
He smiled as he carried her to her car.
“Well that’s good, because I can finally tell you the truth… It’s been me this whole time. The one who’s been sending you all the clues.”