Page 68 of Ellie 3

And she was. We had romantic naked time… After I cleaned up dinner and did the dishes.

The next morning, I set the present I’d gotten her on the table, hoping it went much better this time.

She saw it and was hesitant since I hadn’t sent her anything to approve.

“I can sneak into your closet just fine, Ellie,” I said quietly, deciding to give her a pass on this one.

“Right, of course. How silly of me,” she chuckled. She looked into the bag and did a double take. “How did you know?”

“Joyce,” I answered, deciding to be honest. I smiled as she took out the book that I’d gotten her from an author she liked. There was also a pretty pastel long wrap sweater in the style that she liked to wear at home when the weather was rainy… And whatever cold the South ever got.

She immediately tried it on and told me she loved it before giving me a kiss. Then she went over to the kitchen drawer and pulled out a small box that she handed me.

I smiled when I opened it and found it wasn’t just the Apple Watch band, but one for my bicep or ankle depending on what I was doing. There were also some protective covers and a bicep holder for my phone if my shorts didn’t have pockets. “This is perfect. I love it.”

“Good, good, if not, you can exchange it for whatever you want on Amazon,” she offered, smiling when I gave her another kiss.

Ellie really was always right. This was so much better than stockings and garters. This was calm and loving.

Though I did really want to see her in stockings and garters one day.

So sue me.

19

Ellie

“Don’t be difficult,” I said into the microphone as I stared out at the audience. “How many of us heard that from our parents growing up?” I nodded when dozens of others did. “Don’t embarrass us or the family. Don’t be a baby. Don’t make a big deal out of nothing.” People were still nodding. “These are the phrases we need to stop telling our daughters.”

I gave people a moment with that.

“If we are to push further to combat the cycle of violence and abuse women suffer, wemustdo better by the next generation,” I told them firmly. “I know it feels like we’re standing on solid ground with all the progress we’ve made—and we have come far. But I promise it’s quicksand we’re slowly sinking into if we don’t take the nextnecessarysteps.

“People all over are becoming complacent as if the job has been done. I saw a commentary show talking about how it’s not the 1950s and women have so many options. That if they don’t leave and immediately report it,theyare the problem.” I snorted. “How easy for someone who’s never been in an abusive relationship to say.

“Hell, for a man to say about a culture and life he knows nothing about. I would never say being a man is easy or just give flippant advice. Do I think more women need to be strong andleave? Yes. Do I think more need to report crimes for change?Yes. Yes, of course I do, butshamingthem does nothing. Blaming them makes things worse.

“Those women would if they feltsafeand had support. He was specifically referencing the court case all over where the rapper has a list of crimes. Instead of support, everywhere I look they’re criticizing her that she could have left. Howeasyfor others to say. Yes, she could have left, but what came next?

“What camenowthat she spoke out? People criticizing her that she gave consent. Yes, but then she revoked it. Consent is neededeach time, not just blanket at the start. And her career is destroyed. His fans are harassing her, blaming her for his fall. It’sstillour fault, unlike other crimes. So we are not on solid ground, not even close.”

I took in a slow breath and let it out before meeting Aurora’s gaze of all people.

“I grew up in a different time and most now know my story. I receive flak for not being a mother and speaking on raising our daughters better. It’s not that simple, and you’re raising future members of the society weallare a part of.” I gestured out to the crowd. “Something we all take seriously and should help those who need it.

“Yes, we get a vote. We need to speak about it more and have a consensus on these topics. It’s not picking on and judging parents. Parents are not perfect. That shouldn’t be a debate. No one is perfect and we all need help. I need it. I have dozens of staff help me. Why can’t mothers accept the same? Pride?Shamethat they couldn’t do it on their own?

“Who taught them that?” I nodded when I saw what I was saying was being received well. “Our parents. I have so many colleagues who constantly talk about their ‘mom guilt.’ Funny because I’ve never heard of a ‘dad guilt.’ I’ve only heard thatmore are pushing for dads to stop acting like they’re babysitting their kids and need to parent like the mothers.

“Yes, we can change some of this now, but if we don’t change the way we raise our daughters, the same pitfalls and problems will continue. They will become women who are ripe to be abused. I say that as someone who was in a long-term emotionally and mentally abusive relationship and I didn’t even realize it. I thought it was fine because we weren’t committed.

“But he tore me down at every turn. He thought he was lying to me about his escapades and all of it affected my life. I was so far from the woman I was before meeting him that I was crushed. All the work I’ve done to help others and I let myself stay in an abusive relationship, completely blind to it. It’s been hard to come to terms with that—get back on track.

“I had people in my corner and willing to say I deserved better.” I found Ha-joon in the crowd and smiled. “And I found so much better than I thought possible.” I chuckled when he winked at me and focused back on the people there. “The right man won’t save you and our lives can be complete without a partner. I fully believe that.

“I would never push others into relationships or act like finding the right partner solves everything. No, that’s fairy tales. Some people thrive better on their own. That’s fine. We need to accept that as a way of life and not be so damn judgmental. Forme, my partner is the one who helped me see what I was surviving when I’d been so turned around to think I was thriving.

“Saying all of this is important, and hearing you aren’t the only one and many of us have been in the same spot validates us. But it doesn’t give you the tools of what comes next and how to do better.” I glanced around and let out a slow breath. “You are responsible for how people treat you and we have to teach our daughters that.

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