Page 41 of In the Air Tonight

“Tired and sore, but otherwise okay.”

“I’m so sorry you went through another traumatic ordeal.”

He sounds tearful, which breaks my heart. My dad is the strongest person I know, and I hate to hear him broken because of me. “I’m all right, Dad. I promise. But what happens now that we can’t use the baby’s DNA to prove he attacked me?”

“I’m not sure. I have a call with the prosecutor later today to update him.”

“I still want to testify against him. Even if we lose, I want people to know what he did to me.”

“I’ll pass that along. You amaze me, Niece. I’m so proud of you.”

“I get my resolve from you.”

“I suppose you do, but I wasn’t strong like you are now when I was your age.”

“What is it you always tell me? That people step up to the moment when they need to? That’s all I’m doing.”

“I’m very proud.”

“That’s all that’s ever mattered to me. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yeah, sweetie. I know. Do you want me to come up there?”

“There’s no need for that. We’re fine. Kane is taking very good care of me.”

“Tell him thanks from me.”

“I will. How’s Mom?”

“She hasn’t had a drink in a week, and she went to an AA meeting with Mrs. Dalton. Do you know her?”

“The neighbor down the street?”

“Yes. Mom had heard she was in recovery and reached out to her. Mrs. Dalton offered to take her to her first meeting and to be her sponsor.”

“That’s progress.”

“I guess. We’ll see if it sticks without some sort of in-patient rehab.”

“I hope it does.”

“Me, too.”

“Do you still love her, Dad?”

“That’s a complicated question. If you’d asked me that before this happened to you, I would’ve said yes. Now… I don’t know. I’m furious that she let you suffer in silence for weeks after you were attacked. How could shenotknow you were going through something so awful?”

“She’s got an illness. I don’t blame her for that, and you shouldn’t either.”

“I’m trying. Mrs. Dalton suggested Al-Anon for me, and I’m thinking about it. I’ve heard great things.”

“I think you should try it. Can’t hurt, right?”

“That’s what Mrs. Dalton said, too. Let me know how you’re doing later?”

“I will. Thanks for checking on me.”

“Love you so much, honey. I hope you know…”

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