Nets and Lies(65)

I was excited, but at the same time, scared to death. I didn’t know how people would receive me. Would I get stared at all the time in the hallway? Would people treat me like a disease? And what if there were people who didn’t believe me?

But the Saturday before I was to start back on Monday, Garrison called the house. Mom and Dad were out working in the yard, so I took the call. “Melanie, I have some good news and bad news.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. Mark Thompson has taken a plea deal by the prosecution and confessed to raping you.”

The phone slipped through my hands and clattered noisily to the kitchen floor. My lungs constricted, and I couldn’t breathe. From far off, I heard Garrison calling my name. Finally, I bent over and grabbed up the phone. In a strangled voice, I asked, “He really admitted it?”

“Yes, he did.”

I exhaled with a wheeze like a deflated tire. “Well, that’s good right? I mean, now I won’t have to testify or Jordan.”

“Right. There won’t be a trial now.”

“So what’s the bad news?”

“By taking the deal, he gets five years tops, probably only three served.”

A lump formed in my throat. “That’s all?”

“I’m sorry, Melanie, but that’s it. But at least it goes on the record as an admission of his guilt. Not to mention his teaching license has been revoked. He’ll never teach or coach again.”

I didn’t know how to feel. Part of me felt vindicated that he’d owned up to what he’d done, but the other part of me was desperate to see him rot away for years in jail. And then there was the fear of running into him after he got out. I shuddered at the thought.

The next week I saw Dr. Leighton everyday. Starting back to school and Coach T’s plea bargain had me reeling emotionally. I barely slept at night. I worried I was having a huge set back, but Dr. Leighton assured me it was just a bump in the road. But there was also something else—something much more positive that I needed to talk about with her.

Will and I were going away together to Hilton Head, South Carolina for Spring Break. Instead of Panama City, Florida or any of the other drunken party spots, we wanted somewhere quiet where we could be alone together. He made all the arrangements for us. And while we were going to tan and take it easy, there was something else we were going to tackle.

And that was sex.

We’d been together every day since I was released from the hospital, but our relationship was totally platonic except for kissing. There was a small part of me that wanted to keep it that way. But I also knew I wanted to be with him. And even though it was evident that each of us wanted more, we were afraid of what it might to do me. But I was willing to try anything to ensure what happened with Coach T wouldn’t destroy our future.

Friday afternoon before we left, I met one last time with Dr. Leighton. We talked about school and homework and graduation, and then we got around to Spring Break.

“And what are you telling your parents?” Dr. Leighton asked, a look of amusement on her face.

I blushed. “They think I’m going to the beach with Lauren and some girls from the team and that Will is going to be there with his friends.”

“Ah, I see.”

I ducked my head, staring at my newly painted toenails. “Is it wrong I’m lying to them? I mean, I worry about lying more than I ever have before. Even if it’s the tiniest thing, I lay awake at night going over and over it.”

“That’s understandable considering the circumstances. Just like with your trust, it’s going to take some time for you to be comfortable with what you lied about in the past.”

I grinned. “Hmm, sounds like you’re advocating me lying.”

“Not exactly. But we’re all human and all humans lie.”

“Do they all lie to their parents so they can sneak off with their boyfriend?”

“Well, you’re not exactly lying, are you? I mean, you will be at the beach.”

I shook my head. “Dr. Leighton, I’m ashamed!”

She laughed. The timer went off, signaling our time was up. When I rose from the couch, she handed me a slip of paper. “What’s this?” I asked.

“It’s my cell phone. In case you need me while you’re gone.”

I smiled. “Dial-A-Doctor.”

She nodded. “Yep, day or night.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Before I headed out the door, she hugged me. “Have a wonderful time, Melanie. You deserve it.”

“I’ll try. And thanks.”

***

Will was waiting for me outside. We were driving my car, so his mom had dropped him off.

“All packed?” he asked.

“Yep and ready to go.”

He nodded and headed around to the trunk to load his bags. When he popped it, he shot me a look. “We’re only going to be gone for five days, Mel. By the looks of this, you’d think we were leaving for college!”

“Oh just quit your whining, and load the car.”

He tossed his one bag in among my three and shook his head. “Women.”

I swept my hands to my hips. “And what if I need all that to be beautiful for you?”

“Mel, no one is that ugly!” he said, with a grin.