It was just a normal night. Or so Stella thought. She and Mac were watching over 3 year old Lucy for Danny and Lindsay while they had a night to themselves. That was rare, so when Danny had come to ask them to do it, Mac and Stella happily accepted. Suddenly, she heard Lucy calling from her bed. It sounded like crying, so she ran toward her.
"Aunt Stella, me scared!" she said with a whimper.
Stella smiled comfortingly and picked up the little girl. "Scared of what, Lucy girl?"
''The bad man. Him hurt," Lucy answered.
Stella felt as though she had been punched in the gut. Was Lucy saying what she thought she was saying? "Lucy girl, you're not in trouble," she coaxed, "but Aunt Stella needs to know what happened. Who is he?"
Afraid, Lucy could only shake her head, the tears falling.
"Lucy, please. I know you're scared, I promise you, though, you will be safe. You just gotta tell me the truth. I'm not mad at you, and no one else will be either ok? Do you trust me?
Slowly, Lucy nodded. "Him tell me he hurt my daddy and my mama, though if me tell anybody. He say it a big secret just ours." Lucy cuddled her stuffed dog, getting more afraid as she said it out loud. "Him scare me cause he big and strong. Him had a gun." She whimpered. "Auntie, him said no talk."
"I know, Luce, but if you tell Auntie, she can make it better," Stella persisted.
This wasn't the type of thing you brushed off or chalked up to an overactive imagination at least in Stella's book. She needed to know so she could tell Danny and Lindsay and they could help her get through this. So they all could. "Please. Lucy, talk to Auntie Stella. I want to help. I really do."
"The man, him touch down there," whispered Lucy fearfully, "the place between my legs. Him say it was okay, that it was apposed to feel like that."
Stella drew in a breath to keep calm. "Lucy, who was he?"
"A man at daycare. Him called Paul." Lucy clutched Stella's collar. "Now him will know I tell!" she cried out. "No talking anymore." she cuddled her dog close,
"Lucy, what was Paul's second name?" Stella coaxed.
"No," she said, shaking her head "No more."
"Lucy I can help I promise."
"Casey," Lucy answered after a long moment's thought.
Stella's blood chilled. Casey? Could the man who hurt Lucy be Shane Casey's brother or father? "Lucy, you were really brave. I'm glad you told me," Stella told her, trying hard not to let her voice show the shakiness she felt on the inside.
"But now I in twouble," Lucy said guiltily.
"No, no, Luce, not at all." Stella cuddled her really close. "you did the right thing."
"You not mad?"
"No, of course not, baby girl. I told you I wouldn't be mad. It's not your fault. You didn't do anything for Auntie Stella to be mad at."
"Him scares me," she said as softly as she could where Stella could still hear her.
"I know, Honey, but I'll help you."
"You no leave?" Her voice was pleading.
"Never. I'm just gonna call your daddy so he and your mama can help us." Stella;s hand shook slightly as she dialed. She hoped she could keep her anger in check for Lucy's sake.