Nets and Lies(23)

Mom slowly shook her head in shock. “Mark Thompson a ra**st? I can’t believe it,” she said in a hushed voice.

Dad grunted. “Well, I don’t believe it. We’ve known him since Melanie was a Freshman. There’s no way in hell he could have done anything to anyone, least of all Melanie!”

My face flushed with heat again, and I stared down at my hands. Their response was something I never expected. No arguments, no need to be convinced by me that it wasn’t true. Just an open and shut case of the unwavering innocence of Coach T. It was at that moment I knew there was no going back. If my own parents found it so appalling, how would I ever convince anyone it was true?

Detective McKay sighed. “Look, I understand your frustration and disbelief, but we’ve had an allegation of misconduct. We have to investigate it to the best of our ability.”

It was then a thought popped into my mind, and I blurted, “What’s going to happen to Coach T?”

Dr. Micheltree finally spoke up. “He’s been put on leave pending the investigation.”

The news sent the Old Melanie kicking into high gear. My eyes widened in shock. “But you can’t do that! We still have five games left in the season, and we’re undefeated. Coach T has to be there for us when we go to the playoffs.”

Once again, I didn’t think about me. Just like I’d put Will first and then my parents, I put my team’s happiness above my own. The reason seemed obvious enough to me. They were like my family. We would be broken without Coach T.

Dr. Micheltree shook her head. “I’m sorry, Melanie. We had no choice. We will have to pull Coach Simms up from JV to take his place or something. We haven’t had a chance to figure that all out yet.”

Tears of frustration stung my eyes. “It’s so unfair.” Good God. Did you really just say that? Do you honestly think so highly of the man who raped you two nights ago? You are seriously losing it.

Detective Pendley cleared his throat. “We will need to question Melanie further. I know this has been a great shock to her today, so I’d like to wait until tomorrow to do that. It isn’t necessary, but you might want to obtain an attorney for the hearing.”

Dad nodded and mumbled he would ask one of his partners. But I ignored him. All I focused on was ‘hearing’. “You mean, I’ll have to go to court?” I asked.

Detective McKay nodded. “Yes. If what you say is true, that Coach Thompson never raped you, then you will have to testify under oath.”

I started to feel shaky. Testifying meant talking in front of a crowd of people. A crowd who would all be staring at me. And all of it under oath and on the record. I would be lying under oath, which from my Government class I knew was a felony. I could perjure myself.

But how would I even get that far. First of all, they’d put a Bible in front me. A Bible I would be forced to swear on that I would tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God. Even though I was in a crisis of faith, I still didn’t think I had it within me to swear on a Bible and lie.

It was all too much.

I needed out. I didn’t want to be closed up in that room with them anymore. I frantically searched for an escape. I was slowly unraveling, and I needed time to regroup.

When I rose from the chair, my knees almost buckled underneath me. “C-Can I go now?”

“Sweetie, are you sure you want to go back to class?” Mom asked.

Dr. Micheltree nodded. “Your mom is right, Melanie. I’m afraid by now, word has spread throughout the school about what’s happened. It might be better if you went home and took it easy today.”

After experiencing what I had earlier in the day, leaving school was a tempting thought. But one person’s face flashed before me.

Will.

Pain radiated through my chest at the thought of what he must be feeling or going through—if he was even here at school today.

I glanced at the faces peering expectantly at me. I shook my head. “If I did that, then everyone would think I’d bailed because it was true.” But it is true. You were raped, Mel. I jerked my chin up. “No, I want to go to class. I want to be with my friends.” Why? So you can become exhausted by keeping up your little façade that nothing happened? So you can reassure each and every one of them it isn’t possible Coach T raped you when you know good and well he did?

Mom exchanged a look with Dad, and he nodded. “I suppose it’s all right if you stay.”

“Thanks.” I gathered up my purse and backpack.

Mom hopped up and hugged me. “It’s going to be all right, sweetie.” In her comforting embrace, I almost believed her. But deep down I knew it wouldn’t. Too much had happened for things to ever be all right.

“Thanks, Mom,” I murmured.

Before I could make it to the door, Dad stepped forward and hugged me, too. Oh Daddy, I wish for just one instant you could have wrapped your mind around it, considered it, contemplated it. I’m not your little girl anymore. You’d kill him if you knew the truth. You wouldn’t stand here and defend him. You’d break his neck. “Call us if you need us. I’ll call Garrison when I leave here to represent you,” he said.

I nodded. “Okay then.”

Detective Pendley stood in my path. “Ms. Reeves, we’ll need to talk with you tomorrow morning. Is nine am all right?”