Baby Doll(71)

The three of them left the courthouse. Her mother drove, all of them caught up in their own thoughts. They’d almost reached the subdivision.

“Mom, can you look after the kids this afternoon? I want to take Abby somewhere.”

“That’s fine, Lil. Whatever you need.”

“Where are we going?” Abby asked.

“You’ll see.”

They returned to the house. Lily scooped up Sky, who was almost too heavy to carry. She’d turned seven last month and filled out, her tiny frame transformed into a budding athlete. Sky loved sports, especially soccer. Some evenings it took almost thirty minutes to get her inside. When Wes stopped by, he’d spend hours in the backyard, kicking the ball around with her. It was clear that she was a natural. Lily covered Sky with kisses until she slipped out of her embrace. These days Sky was more interested in playing than hanging out with her mother. It wasn’t easy letting go but it was the only way for them all to move forward.

Abby was sitting on a blanket next to Wes and David, covering the giggling baby with kisses. David was squealing with laughter as Wes stared at Abby with unabashed devotion. Lily looked away and focused on Sky. That’s what she’d forced herself to do over the last few months. After hours and hours of soul searching and endless sessions with Dr. Amari, Lily realized that it wasn’t Wes she wanted. She didn’t know him, not the man he’d become. No, what Lily wanted was to recapture that high school love: the optimism and simplicity that made everything so special. But Lily’s longing and disappointment over Wes and what might have been was ever present. She hoped it would fade, as time went by.

As far as she could tell, Abby and Wes weren’t officially “together.” There were no hugs or kisses, no obvious displays of affection, but their body language and looks didn’t lie. Whenever she asked Abby about the status of their relationship, her sister changed the subject. Lily thought about pushing for information, but figured they would both come around when they were ready.

Lily knew it was getting late and she didn’t want to be out after dark. She clapped her hands. “Come on, Abs. Let’s rock and roll.”

Abby gave David one more slobbery kiss and told Wes they would be home later. He gently squeezed Abby’s hand and turned his attention back to the baby.

Lily climbed behind the wheel of the SUV, and Abby rode shotgun. Lily headed down Highway 12. Abby stiffened and sat up straighter in her seat.

“Lil, I don’t think this is a good idea,” Abby protested, having guessed their destination.

But Lily wanted to see the cabin in daylight, to see the place she’d called home for so long. The cabin was only a place, she told herself. A building that had no control over her. She’d heard that it had become a local tourist attraction, drawing sick and twisted weirdos that were eager to catch a glimpse of the famous “sex basement.” She wanted to see it one last time, and then she’d never come back here.

She pulled into the driveway, turned off the engine, and climbed out of the SUV. She couldn’t go inside. She’d never be that strong. Instead, Lily sat on the hood, leaning on her knees and staring at the cabin. Abby sank down beside Lily.

“You were so close. So close and I didn’t know it,” Abby said.

“I didn’t either, Abby.”

Lily wished Abby had known. That their bond had brought them together earlier. But that was silly. Just wishful thinking. Lily closed her eyes and was transported to that spectacular day when they’d passed their driving test, sitting on the hood of their car at the Dairy Queen, eating chocolate-covered-cherry Blizzards.

“What does a spectacular day look like now, Lilypad?”

Lily smiled. Their connection was growing stronger. It was as if Abby were reading her mind. Lily seriously pondered Abby’s question. Each day she was free from Rick was spectacular on its own. But she’d been seriously considering her future, thinking about all the possibilities that were available.

“In a perfect world, Sky is healthy and happy and has no memory of Rick or the early years. Mom’s found something that fulfills her. You and Wes would be married and—”

“Lily—”

“Don’t interrupt me. It’s my spectacular day. You two would be married and David would have a sister or brother. I’d go back to school and start running competitively. And Rick Hanson would be gone. Poof.” Lily snapped her fingers. “It would be as if he’d never existed at all. That would be a pretty spectacular day.”

“I want that for you, Lil. More than anything.”

Lily knew there was no escaping Rick. She also knew that she was tired of giving up her power.

“I’m going to speak at the sentencing. Not for me. But for Shaina and Bree.”

“I’ll be there, Lil. I’ll be right there beside you.”

Lily gripped Abby’s hand tightly. She couldn’t stop staring at the cabin. Someone had boarded up all the windows. Police tape still surrounded the perimeter, and graffiti, mindless scribble, covered almost every surface.

“Everything’s going to be all right, isn’t it, Abby?”

It was an unusual thing to say considering how far she’d come, but Lily was overcome with a sense of foreboding she couldn’t quite explain.

“Listen to me, Lil. There are nothing but spectacular days ahead for the Riser twins.”