Page 26 of Home Changes
“I’m sure there are worse,” Seth said. “And I’m sure there are relationships you don’t even know about. But you really do need to let that go. Ken doesn’t hold any ill will. And when we talked to Sam today, she didn’t seem to have a problem with you either. Though you wereveryquiet for a while.”
“Observant of you,” Allison said, a little laugh in her voice.
“It’s the law enforcement training,” Seth replied. “Tend to notice things like that.” He let the pause stretch just long enough before asking, “Why haven’t you forgiven yourself?”
Allison let out a breath, this time slower. “You know, I’m not sure. I still can’t say exactly why I won’t let myself find forgiveness. I know Ken’sforgiven me. I know Sam is a sweetheart and holds no grudge. But something in me still believes I deserve the punishment. Does that make sense?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, you know Ken and I dated in high school, right?”
“Yep.”
“I was a bitch to him. I mean, when we first started going out in high school, it was fun. Having a date for the dances, someone to hang out with in the halls, having a guy around in the summer when we went to the lake or such.”
“Yeah, typical high school stuff. What’s bitchy about that?”
“Nothing. It was after that. See, when I was growing up, I was traumatized by some people who picked on me. It built this … well, a vortex of insecurities inside me. I knew Ken liked me, even if I didn’t return the affection. I used it to control him, to keep him close, to make myself feel better.” She paused for a moment. “I’ve worked through all of that, and I’ve made amends, but as I said, I still feel bad about it and think they shouldn’t forgive me. I hope that doesn’t make me less in your eyes.”
“Not in the slightest,” Seth said honestly. “I don’t think you need to worry about it. They seem coolwith you, but if that’s how you feel, it’s real for you.”
Allison laughed again, softer this time. “Oh my God. You sound just like Dr. Wheeler.”
Seth chuckled. “I think I need to meet this guy. Sounds like my kind of people.”
“He totally is,” she said. “He used to work at a maximum security prison. A serial killer actually tracked him down here in Hollister.”
Seth sat up straighter. “Say what now?” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Repeat that.”
“Oh, it’s a long story,” Allison said, amused. “But yeah. A serial killer found him. From what I understand, they had a history. It happened during that massive tornado a few years back that took out a lot of the old buildings here in town. It was chaos. And Jeremiah, that’s Dr. Wheeler, ended up going one-on-one with the killer. Needless to say, I’m skipping over alotof details, but everything worked out. Jeremiah decided to stay, put down roots. He’s married now, has kids, and he primarily works for the Marshalls.”
Seth frowned. “The Marshalls? Oh, you mean …”
“Yeah,” Allison confirmed, her tone quiet. “We don’t talk about it. We don’t confirm it. But we all know it’s there. It’s the best kept non-secret inHollister. And if a stranger ever asks you about it?” She paused, voice a shade lower. “You know nothing. That’s the way it works, and that’s the way we keep it going,” Allison said, her voice quieting with tiredness.
“So I’ve been told. Ken made all that pretty clear the first time he talked to me.” Seth heard her yawn and smiled. “I’m gonna let you get to bed. I know it’s late.”
“Not for normal people.” She laughed. “I can talk.” She yawned again.
“Youcould,” Seth said gently, “or you could fall asleep and wake up refreshed in the morning.”
There was a pause and a small laugh from her side of the connection. “True.”
“Thanks for talking to me, Allison.”
“You can call me anytime, Seth, not just when you need someone who won’t say the same thing fifteen times in a row. I really do enjoy your company. I enjoy our talks … and I enjoy being around you.”
Seth’s smile widened, his heart softening at her words. “And I do think you were the cutest girl in school,” he said. “And I enjoy talking with you, too.”
Allison chuckled, but her voice held a hint of vulnerability. “Seth Hansen, I keep telling you, if youkeep saying things like that, I’m going to start to think you like me.”
“You’ve said that before, and you should believe it,” he said. “Because I do.” A quiet beat passed between them before he quietly added, “Goodnight, Allison.”
“Seth?”
“Yeah?”
“I really like you.”
