Chapter 27 #3
“Until she started dating Corbin. He was great at first. He doted on her, showered her with gifts and let me hang out as usual. Then he started to change. It was small things at first. Telling her what to wear or her friend was a slut and not to hang out with her or she’d get a bad name.
” The anguish that plagues my mind is close to unbearable.
I watch as Reese grimaces as she listens to my account.
“Then, he started shoving her. He’d call her a bitch or accuse her of fucking around.
She had unexplainable bruises and scrapes.
The day he hit her for the first time, it was my regular weekend.
She didn’t call me in time and I showed up.
She had a black eye and busted mouth. My rage was palpable. I shook as I cleaned her up.
“I begged her to come home with me on Sunday, but she wouldn’t.
Sallie made me promise not to tell anyone, especially Mom and Dad.
I despised the idea, knowing in my gut it was wrong.
But I kept my word and made her promise to get away from him.
” My hands tremble as the memories flood my mind, so vivid. Real.
“I made excuses to go visit her more often, spending every weekend I could with her. She told me he didn’t have the life we had growing up and he needed her to help him.
It was like she was protecting him or thought she could fix him.
I had a half day at school, so I showed up early one Friday.
He was beating her when I walked in. Sallie scrambled to get between us.
” Bile climbs up my throat, burning and gagging me as the images flash before me, haunting me to this day.
“I went after him, busted his eye open. He came at me, but I wasn’t Sallie.
I fucking hit back. I busted the son of a bitch’s mouth, hitting him until Sallie screamed for me to stop.
I turned my back on him to check on her.
The next thing I know, he was hitting me with a short, homemade bat.
She begged for him to leave, screaming I was a minor and the cops would arrest him.
“He left and for the last time, I prayed. Weeks passed, we healed physically, and I made every opportunity to stay with her. But I never told anyone what he was doing to her. I didn’t go to the police.
I couldn’t tell my parents. I made a promise to her.
I should’ve made her leave, to come home with me.
” I pace the room, anger pulsing through me, turning bright red as my face flushes with heat.
“It was finals week for Sallie and I told myself I was telling as soon as it was over. I didn’t care if she hated me forever. I was getting her out of there. It was the only way I knew to protect her. I let her stay, Reese. I let that son of bitch murder her.”
“Oh, no. Walker.” Her face fills with pain, and she reaches for me, but I flinch away. I can’t even look at her. I’m not worthy of her.
“No, don’t. I hate myself. I should’ve done something. Anything. Why do people keep that kind of secret?” I fist my hair, her pictures flashing in front me. Beaten and battered beyond recognition.
“You were a kid. You loved your sister, so you did as she asked you to.” She takes a step toward me, and I hold up my hand, stopping her in her tracks.
“Walker, you need to tell your parents. It’s not fair for you to hold all this responsibility, baby.
You did nothing wrong. You were the best brother you knew how to be. ”
“I did nothing. I let him kill her.” I drop my head in disgust. “I swore from that moment on to do everything in my power to protect the people closest to me.”
“I see. Hardy had a record.” Her face lights up as she puts it all together. I stare at her, wondering why in the hell she was still here.
“I thought I was doing the right thing at the time. Suddenly, I became the monster.” I shrug, running my hands through my hair. “I’ve hated myself for so long. I had become the thing I hated most.”
“You’re nothing like him, Walker. You wouldn’t hurt Thayer for anything.” She takes my hands in hers. “I know you would never hurt me.”
“I manipulated every aspect of our dating. I steered her decisions and lied to her.” I search her eyes, hoping she believes me. “I promise I’ll never hurt you like that, Reese. I swear, baby.”
She takes my face in her hands, studying it. “You listen to me, Walker Ian. You’re a damn good man. You’ve made mistakes, but you’ve made damn sure you paid your fucking penance. I’m your lifeline. Hold on to me and I won’t let you go.”
I fall to my knees under the weight of my demons. She’s by my side before I can look for her. “I would leave you before I ever hurt you, Reese.”
“I know.” She leans in. “I love you.” She draws me into her arms, holding me tightly, keeping me together. The air in my lungs dissipates, leaving me fighting for the most common human need. Just as I think I won’t come out of this; her voice drags me from the mire. “I’m here. Let go.”
More than a decade of hate and self-loathing pour from my soul, emptying from me and clearing my thoughts. Contempt and revulsion leave me on her command. Reese helps to heal my heart as I lay in her embrace. Finding solace, I know love.