"I broke up with my boyfriend over the weekend." Erin began without preamble, wanting to get to the heart of the matter with her group. "He was cheating on me, and I caught him at it."
The others in the group nodded. "Did you slip?" Carri asked, biting her lip nervously. Erin knew they were in a somewhat similar position, having both broken the one year of abstinence rule.
"No, thank God. I have a very lovely friend who managed to find me at my office on Friday. She took care of me over the weekend, and now, we're kind of attached at the hip. Tragedy has really turned into something beautiful in this case." The others nodded, and she took a deep breath, locking eyes with Carri. "We're open to the idea of beginning a relationship, though, once the dust of all this settles. Men hold little appeal for me now that I've lost two companions to someone else."
The leader looked at her, she could feel his eyes on her. "That would not be wise, Erin. You are most likely confused about your life right now." Erin was strangely hurt by his assertion and frowned at the man. This was a really disappointing turn of events, as she had just become comfortable with this group.
Nodding sharply, she sat back in her chair and listened to the others speak. When the session was over, she jumped up and fairly fled from the room. Carri was hot at her heels, though, and stopped her by her car. "Don't listen to Mitch. He's just being an old stick in the mud. You can love whoever you want to love, just because he doesn't like gay people shouldn't affect you. I hope this doesn't keep you away from group, though."
Erin sighed. "I don't know that yet, Carri. I have to feel support from you all, too, and when I'm getting flak already for something like this, it makes me wary. Here, take my card." She pulled one of the small business cards out of her purse and gave it to the young woman. "I would like to keep in touch with you, even if I don't come back here."
Carri nodded and then hugged her quickly. "I'll talk to you later, Erin. Have a good night."
She nodded as she got in her car, driving off into the night. When she got home the first thing she did, after kicking off her heels, was call Penelope. "Hey, Erin, what's up? I thought I was going to call you?"
"Plans changed. Are you free?"
"For you, of course I am. Give me twenty minutes?"
"Could you make it fifteen?"
"I'll try. I'm heading out the door as we speak."
Erin nodded and sighed. "Thank you, Penny." They hung up and Erin made her way into the living room, sitting heavily on the sofa. The minutes ticked by and all she could do was sit there, hugging herself as she thought about what she was doing, where she was going. The soft knocking at her door startled her and she got up, crossing the distance between her and Penelope in a few quick strides.
Only, it wasn't her standing there when she opened the door. "Mitch? What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
"You gave Carri your card; I just borrowed it from her." He pushed past her into the room, and she felt a shiver of fear run down her spine.
"I'll thank you to leave, Mitch. Now." Her voice shook, which upset her, and she kept her eye on him as she made her way over to the table that had her gun. Making slow, deliberate movements, she tried not to raise his suspicions.
"I don't think I can do that, Erin. You've already made one mistake, I won't let you make another." She reached out to open the drawer where she kept her weapon and he noticed the movement, reaching out and grabbing hold of her wrist tightly, pulling her against him. The fear grew in her, fueling her adrenaline, and she began to struggle, trying to get away from him.
She barely felt the heavy blow to her head as she tried to sink her teeth into any part of him that she could reach. The hand around her throat, though, had her stiffening in fear. With his free hand, he reached under her skirt and began to tug at her panties. Erin went limp, not bothering to fight what was happening to her any longer. And then she heard Penelope's sweet voice. "What the fuck do you think you're doing to her?"
Mitch's movements stilled as he looked up at the other woman. "What do you think you're doing here?"
"Saving my friend, jackass." Erin watched her reach into her purse and pull out a can of mace. As Penelope sprayed the can in Mitch's eyes, she scrambled out from underneath him and picked up the phone, quickly dialing 911.
"911, what is your emergency?"
"I've just been attacked in my home." She hated how scared she sounded and tried to draw in a deep, calming breath. "He, we, my friend maced him, but…"
"I have a police car on the way, Ma'am. Are you in any immediate danger?"
"I don't know. He's screaming in pain, from the mace. I'm afraid my friend got him right in the face. I'm an FBI agent, should I train my gun on him?"
"I wouldn't, Ma'am. That could only further enrage him. The mace should keep him blinded for the next few minutes. Would you like me to stay on the line with you until the officers get there?"
"If you would, please." Penelope came to her side, wrapping an arm around her waist, and she leaned against her friend heavily. "I just can't believe that something like this happened to me. I'm trained to be a little more quick on my feet."
"These things happen, even to the most seasoned of professionals. No one can be on twenty four hours a day. Are you hearing the sirens yet?"
Erin listened for a moment. The sound of sirens grew louder in the background and she let out a sigh of relief. "Yes, I can hear them now. They're almost here."
"Good. Now, are you hurt at all?"
"No, just scared." The police car pulled into her driveway, parking behind Penelope and rushing into the house. "Oh, thank God you're here."
They nodded and cuffed the man. The older one led Mitch out while the younger one stayed behind with them. "What happened, Ma'am?" he asked as she hung up with the operator.
"I had just gotten home from my AA meeting, and called my friend, Penelope, to come over and talk me off the ledge, so to speak. I thought it was her when he knocked at the door. His name is Mitch, he's the leader of my AA group. He told me I was making a mistake, thinking about getting into a relationship so soon, and that he would fix that. I tried to get to my gun, but he stopped me, choking me. He'd just begun to rip off my panties when Penelope came in, macing him. If it hadn't been for her…"
"I understand, Ma'am. Is there anything else you'd like to add, Miss?" Penelope shook her head.
"I wasn't here to see what happened beyond him on Erin, trying to rape her. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You saved your friend." The cop turned on his heel and exited her house. Penelope went to let go of her and Erin stopped her, holding onto her arm tightly.
"Penny, don't leave me."
"I'm not, sweetheart. I'm just going to shut and lock the door. Okay?" Erin slowly nodded, not letting go of Penelope's hand as they moved to the door. Once it was locked, Erin led her into the living room and she collapsed onto the sofa, the first sobs tearing from her throat.
Penelope sat next to her, pulling her into a tight hug. She clung to the woman, letting all of her fear and sorrow pour out of her. "I-I, oh god, Penny, if you…"
"But I did, I was in time. You're safe here, with me." Erin nodded and lifted her face. Penelope's lips covered hers in a gentle kiss and she welcomed the sweet buss. "Let's get you upstairs now, and into bed."
"You promise you won't leave me?" Once more, she hated how weak she sounded, but Penelope made no note of it. Instead, she just smiled gently, cupping her face to rub her thumb against her cheek.
"I won't leave you." Erin nodded and stood up, holding her hand out to Penelope. As she clasped it, Erin began to lead her up to her room.
"I want to take a shower. I don't like being afraid in my own home." She knew she was babbling, but couldn't help herself. "It's not that I want you to be in the bathroom while I shower, but I kind of do. Which makes no sense…"
"But you want to feel secure. I understand." Penelope squeezed her hand and she took a deep breath. "And I'm staying the night."
Erin felt her shoulders slump with relief as she nodded. Letting go of Penelope's hand, she stepped behind the bathroom door, quickly stripping before stepping into the shower. As she closed the curtain, she called out, "Penny?"
"Right here, Erin. I'm going to sit on the toilet while you shower."
Erin nodded, even though she knew Penelope couldn't see her. Just knowing that her friend was there made everything better, and she took her time with washing her hair and body. It seemed like she wouldn't ever get clean, but the rational part of her brain knew that was a common reaction. Finally, though, her water began to cool and she turned the shower off. "I'm done now."
"Here." Penelope reached around the curtain, handing her a fluffy towel. Erin wrapped it around her body before stepping out of the shower. "I'll wait for you outside, okay?"
She nodded and once Penelope was gone, she dried off. Taking a look at the counter, she smiled when she saw that Penelope had laid out a nightgown and fresh panties for her. She pulled the clothes on and went to join her friend. "Thank you," she whispered.
"You are most welcome. Now, would you feel okay if I went down to my car and grabbed my go bag? I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail, I promise."
"I suppose." Penelope smiled at her before leaning in to kiss her forehead. She left the room and Erin sat on her bed, pulling her knees up to her chest. True to her word, Penelope was back quickly and she slipped into the bathroom to change. While she waited, Erin crawled beneath the covers, pulling the sheet up under her chin. Turning on her side, she tried to get comfortable, but found she couldn't, she was too nervous.
"Scoot over a little bit, sweetheart. I'm not this thin." Erin did so and felt Penelope spoon up along her body. "Are we going to work tomorrow?"
"Yes. But will you come home with me? I can't not be here, Samantha will be here, and I have to be strong for her. I don't care if she thinks we're dating at this point, I just need you by my side. Is that too stifling? I don't want you to feel like I'm trying to…" She turned to face Penelope, wondering what she was thinking.
"No, you're not being clingy. I totally understand, and I would hope that you would do the same for me." Reaching up, she ran her fingers through her damp hair and Erin arched into the light touches, loving the feeling. "Sleep now, if you can. I'll be here in the morning and for as long as you need me to be here." Erin nodded and let her eyes close as Penelope wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her close.
