Page 115 of The Making of Marnie Jones

“My story was in the news.”What does he want from me?

“If you don't want to talk about it, I’ll respect that. I’ve heard what was in the news. I need to hear your version.”

She understood what he was saying. She could do this. She could remember the best and worst day of her life.

“He had just…raped me. Nothing unusual about that. I was in the shower when I heard his footsteps above me. I'll never comprehend why I did what I did, but I stepped out of the shower. Soaking wet, I checked the basement door. I checked the door every time he left, hoping he might forget and leave it unlocked, but he used a deadbolt to lock me in. That day I tried the door and it opened. I guess in the rush to get the front door, he forgot.

“I didn't think. I didn't hesitate. I ran. I tore up the stairs, momentarily disoriented. The daylight blinded me, even in the house.”Fight, fight, fight.“I followed the voices. Lester was about to close the door when I pushed past him. I guess it surprised him, because at first, he didn't react. I threw myself at the delivery driver, and I've never seen anyone so shocked.

“Lester grabbed for me, telling the driver I was his mentally ill daughter, but something in my desperate pleas got through to the man. He put himself between the two of us and pulled out his cell phone, calling the police. You know what happened next.”

He held her gaze. “I still need you to say it.”

She took a breath and let it out in frustration.

He needs you to do this. You need to do this.

“He ran back into the house. I was completely naked, and the driver was guiding me to his truck. He came back. Lester.”Oh, God.“He came back. He had a gun in his hand and pointed it at us. He was going to kill us. I’m convinced of it. All I could think was that I was going to die mere steps from freedom. We heard sirens, and I’ll never forget the look on his face. He called me an ungrateful bitch, held the gun to his head, and pulled the trigger.” She closed her eyes. “The rest was a waking nightmare. I tried to run to him, but the driver held me back. The police arrived, and one of them wrapped me in a blanket. There was screaming, and I wondered where it was coming from until I realized I was the one making that ungodly noise. I hated the man, but he’d been my whole world for seven years. I had no concept of how I was going to function without him.”

“Marnie.”Soft. Comforting.

“I remember little beyond that. The paramedic gave me a shot, and the next thing I knew, I was in the hospital. It took me a while to explain who I was. An hour later, Matilda was there. My father, who was overseas, arrived the next day. By then, I was ready to be released from the hospital.” She twisted her hands in her lap, not meeting his gaze. “Reporters were camped out at the hospital and at my father's house. After a few weeks, I tried to venture out, but found it impossible. I lived in fear of him finding me. I saw him commit suicide, yet still believed he could find me and take me away again. The paranoia has followed me around to this day. It's ridiculous—but it's how I feel.”

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I’d never call your emotions ridiculous, because they’re your emotions. Just like I would never belittle Olivia and her fears. I wish I could take away your pain.” His blue eyes were dark in the weak lamplight.

She clasped her hands in her lap. “Your willingness to listen helps, Jake, it really does. This is why I’m going for therapy. I'll never forget, but at least I can move forward.”

“What does moving forward mean to you? You said you weren't living the life you wanted. What did you mean by that? Marriage? Kids?”

What the hell?She reeled as if he hit her in the gut. “Marriage? Kids? Are you kidding me?” Leaping from the sofa, she paced. “I'm not getting married. Ever. I mean, I can't get married. I mean, well, you know what I mean.”

“That's the thing, Marnie, I don't.” He rose to step in front of her. “With therapy and hard work, I don't see why you can't have the life you want.”

“Who says I want those things? What if I'm happy alone?”

“But you're not, are you?” As he reached for her, she stepped back and he yielded. “Don't you want kids?”

Are you nuts?“I can barely cope for myself, how on earth could I care for an infant?” She wrapped her arms around her waist. “If I couldn't care for Daniel…”

“Daniel? Who is Daniel?”

“My son.”

Chapter thirty-seven

Suckerpunch.Tothegut.

Marnie didn't have a child, of that Jake was sure. Was she suffering some kind of delusion? Maybe his pushing her to recount the memories had been too traumatic. Had he caused this? What was he supposed to do? Play along, try to get her to snap out of it? Call for help? He didn’t know who to call. He didn't even know the name of her counselor.

Olivia.She might help. Except Marnie said she and Tristan were at the movies. He desperately checked his watch. He'd only been here for an hour. There was no way Olivia’d be home soon.

He took another step toward Marnie.

She stepped back and dropped on the couch. She pulled her knees to her chest.

He stood, watching helplessly, as she withdrew. “Who is Daniel?” Maybe if he got her talking, he could keep her in the present.

Glassy eyes and a vacant stare met him. “Daniel is my son.”

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