Page 137 of Forgive You

Kathy.

“What are you doing here?” With a suspicious gaze, I round the table, stopping at the seat across from her, my hands resting on the top of the chair.

“Come sit, honey. Please.” My dad leads by example, taking the seat at the head of the table.

My heart pounds its way up my throat while my sweaty palms clasp the smooth wood of the chair.

“You have no right to be here. To come to my home.”

“I know,” she says with soft brown eyes before they flicker with defiance. “But I’m not gonna apologize. He needs to be stopped. And even though your mouth keeps saying no, I can see the cry for help in your eyes.” I swallow. “You agree with me. But he’s holding something over your head.”

Fuck. Fuck.Fuck.

I’m ready to share why and how he pushed me out of the company. I’m not ready to share that he…that he… Bile works its way up my throat. Waterworks threaten to break through behind my eyes, and I hold on to the chair a little tighter, trying to swallow everything away.

I can’t even say it, or I’ll break.

“Is that true, Julie?” My dad searches my eyes, determined to pull out the truth. “Something like fifty thousand dollars?”

Oh god.

It’s like I’m watching a nuclear bomb explode in slow motion. There’s no more running. There’s no more turning my cheek. This is happening, whether I’m ready or not.

I’m not.By the way.

“It’s not your fault,” Kathy says. “He’s the one to blame.”

I can feel her honesty, her compassion. The room seems to spin, and I close my eyes, trapping my tears inside.

“Did he hurt you, honey?” my dad questions, folding his hand on top of mine.

My lungs deflate, and I pull it back.

“I need a minute.”

“Don’t walk away again,” Kathy pleads when I’m halfway to the door.

“Ineeda minute,” I reply firmly, shooting her a glare and regretting it right away.

When I reach the hallway, I drop my back against the wall, then squint down, covering my head in my hands.

‘The truth has a funny way of catching up with us,’Charlotte said earlier today.

Dammit.

Since when is she fucking clairvoyant?

I’m happy I went to see her and told her everything. It gave me the strength and confidence to do things differently and confide in the people I love the most.

But I also wanted to do it onmyterms.Mytimeline. And in comes Kathy ripping my timeline to pieces. Is the universe messing with me?

I saidokay. I gave in. I’m on board. Can I please catch my breath? Why does it have to happen all at once?

Because you already waited too long, Julie.

Well, goddamn.

Pebbles trail up my arms, as if my entire body suddenly wakes up because, fuck me, ain’t that the truth?

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