Page 31 of Unforgiven

“Kind of. I like the idea of being able to do what I want, though. It would make me brave.”

“You’re living on your own. You survived getting beaten bad enough to land in the hospital. You were brave enough to work with a lawyer and the cops and free yourself from that guy. If you can do all of that, you’re braver than most folks.”

“Thank you.”

“So, what are you afraid of? If not an abusive ex-husband, what?”

“Part of it is that Leon made me afraid to leave the house.”

“And the other part?”

She hesitated, then blurted, “I’m afraid of facing everyone.”

“No one is going to hurt you, Tab.”

“Maybe not with their hands.”

“Most won’t even try to hurt you with words. But you’ll never know if you don’t give people a chance to prove you wrong.”

“Maybe I’m judging them some too,” she whispered.

“So you blame everyone for . . . what?”

“For pretending that my brokenness was none of their business. Everyone acted as if they couldn’t see what was happening to me, but they did.”

Awareness came to his eyes. “And no one helped.”

“No one helped and I couldn’t leave. I had nothing. Until I almost died.”

“I’m sorry.”

She laughed bitterly. “For what? You weren’t around.”

“I was at first.”

“Yes, but you were also just a kid.” When she saw a muscle in his jaw twitch in umbrage, she almost smiled. “I haven’t forgotten that you’re three years younger than me. Have you?”

“No. It doesn’t matter now, though.”

“I reckon not. Besides, friendship with people of all ages is a good thing.”

He looked like he was about to say something but held his tongue.

Tabitha knew she shouldn’t have sounded so real or so bitter. “I’m sorry,” she said. Just as her phone rang.

She’d never been so happy to hear a telephone ring. “I better get that.” She got up and rushed into the kitchen.

• • • •

In the open doorway, Seth watched Tabitha pick up the cell phone from the table and hold it to her ear. He couldn’t help but smile at her tentativeness. Clearly, she didn’t talk on the phone very often. Maybe next to never.

“Hello?” she said, her voice carrying down the hall. “Yes. I’m Tabitha Yoder.”

Realizing that he should give her more privacy, Seth backed up. But just as he was about to turn around, Tabitha froze, then with a stricken expression, pressed a hand to the wall. He changed course and strode forward.

No longer caring about her privacy, he rushed to her side. “Tab,” he whispered.

Tabitha’s eyes lifted to his. Her face was pale, and she had the phone in a death grip.

---