Page 22 of Truth

“What were you remembering?”

“Stephan... he wants me to talk to you about... about getting waxed.”

“I know. I heard him talking to you.” She gave me a small smile.

“I was remembering... the last time.” Closing my eyes, I tried to block out the images that once again threatened to creep into my head.

“Oh,” she said.

Lily released my hands and looked out the large windows showcasing the city. It was a beautiful view of downtown Minneapolis. I never got tired of looking at it.

“He used that to hurt you, too.” Her voice was flat as she said the words. She didn’t ask it as a question. She stated it like it was a fact. I was beginning to realize that it was hard for people to fathom all the ways Ian had devised to torture me. If something could be twisted to cause pain, humiliation, or even discomfort, he found it and used it.

“What’s it like?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from my time with Ian. If I continued to talk about it, I would go into a panic again, and I didn’t want that. Stephan wasn’t here, and he was the only person who could make me feel better afterward. Even now, I felt how far away he was, and I wanted him here with me.

“Waxing?” she asked.

“Yes. I never had anything waxed... before.” I didn’t have to elaborate. She knew what I meant.

“Well... it does hurt some, but only in certain spots and it’s not that bad. Plus, after a few seconds the pain is gone and so is the hair.” She smiled.

“They don’t... do anything... else?”

She bunched up her nose. “No. I mean she has to touch you in order to get the hair, but that part doesn’t hurt or anything. And it’s not sexual at all, if that’s what you’re asking. She just removes the hair and then it’s done.”

“She?”

Lily giggled.

“Julie is my esthetician. She’s really nice. I think you’ll like her. I’ve been going to her for years, and she’s always been great.”

“Will you... will you go with me?”

“Of course. Besides, I doubt Stephan would let you go alone, especially not your first time, knowing how nervous you are.”

I nodded.

“What do you say I make us some popcorn and we watch a movie?”

“Okay.”

“Come on,” she said, dragging me over to the bookcase where Stephan kept all the movies.

She ran her hand over the titles until she landed on Pretty Woman. I couldn’t remember ever watching it. Lily was stunned when I told her. She insisted it was a classic and that everyone had to watch it at least once. I didn’t argue. I was just happy to do something that didn’t require thinking for a while.

When Stephan arrived home that night, he held me in his arms and asked me about my day. I started by telling him about my conversation with Lily. He said he was proud of me for facing my fears. It felt good to be in his arms, like I could take a deep breath again.

Then he’d asked about Cal. “How do you feel about what Ross said?”

“I don’t understand,” I told him, truly not getting what he was asking me.

“Karl told Ross I like to hurt women. How do you feel about that?”

“You won’t hurt me.” I trusted Stephan more than any other person. He’d had plenty of opportunities to hurt me, and he hadn’t.

He kissed my forehead. “No, love, I won’t. You are precious to me.”

Time ticked by as we sat together with his arms around me. Everything was peaceful. Everything was right.

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