Chapter Eleven

By the end of the second day after her surgery, Jaime's arm was strong enough to allow her to pull herself upright in bed – so she could stare at her legs and curse them for their utter non-cooperation. This was how Jenn found her: ignoring the dinner tray at her bedside and scowling furiously at her feet.

"Hi, Jaime," Jenn said cautiously from the door. "Is it okay if I come in?"

"Of course," Jaime told her (wondering if Steve had stopped to talk to Rudy).

"I left Steve at home," Jenn explained, "because I hoped you and I could talk."

Jaime didn't know her visitor very well, but they'd spent some time together at Elgin family gatherings – and at the wedding, of course. Now that they were 'practically sister-in-laws' maybe it was a good time to get to know each other better. Besides, Jaime was craving company. "C'mon and sit down," she invited, smiling.

Jenn could see that the smile made Jaime flinch almost imperceptibly in pain. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed, but Jenn was alert for exactly that sort of sign. "Lot of men hanging around here," she noted, "and not much female companionship, huh? Jaime...is there anything you need that you might not want to ask them about?"

"Not really, but...thank you."

Jenn took a deep breath. She knew she'd be treading dangerous ground, emotionally speaking. "I'm so sorry about what happened to you. I know it must've been terrifying." Jaime nodded mutely, so Jenn kept going. "It's even worse when you don't have anyone to talk to." Another deep breath, then she dove in. "See, I know because...I went through it."

Jaime's jaw dropped and her eyes blazed with anger. "Steve hit you? I'll kill him!"

"Oh, Lord – no. It was...my first boyfriend, when I was in college. We were together a long time...more than two years."

"I've been married to Michael for two years," Jaime noted, empathizing.

"Yes – I know. Gregg was so sweet at first, so loving and gentle. I'm betting Michael was, too. And then gradually, he started isolating me, keeping me away from my friends and family....all to himself." Jenn noticed the flicker of recognition in Jaime's eyes and knew she was hitting a bulls-eye. "It happened so slowly that I didn't even notice....but I was so alone. And he didn't want to talk to me anymore, either. He just sat in his chair thinking those deep thoughts of his like I wasn't even there."

"What happened?" Jaime asked quietly.

"One day, he just lost it. It was a stupid fight, really; I don't even remember how it started. All of a sudden, he pushed me down...and when I got up to argue some more....he hit me. Hard."

"I'm...so sorry..." Jaime whispered.

"When I woke up, he was so sorry. He said and did all the right things – it was like having the old Gregg back. So I stayed. A few weeks later....he lost it big-time and tried to strangle me. Nearly did, too."

Jaime was stunned. "I had...no idea..."

"Steve didn't even know, until I told him the day you had surgery. The reason I'm telling you now is because I don't want you to make the same mistake I did. Michael will contact you, and he'll say all the right things, but don't fall for it, Jaime – please. Once a man becomes a batterer, once they've crossed that line, it's so much easier for them to cross it again."

"Whoa – wait a minute!" Jaime protested. "Michael's not a batterer! He just...."

"Lost his head?" Jenn retorted. "Wasn't feeling well? Needs a little counseling and it'll all go away? Don't buy it, Jaime. Your life is at stake here. You can either give it back to Michael to do whatever he pleases with it....or claim it as your own, once and for all. I didn't come here to try and preach to you or tell you what you have to do, but I want to help you....and I'd like to be your friend."

Jaime nodded and smiled wanly at Jenn, who reached over and patted her hand before standing up to leave. "I know that's a lot to think about. I'll stop by tomorrow, if that's okay."

"Thank you," Jaime said softly. She sat quietly for a few minutes after Jenn had gone, then pressed Rudy's call button. "I need to see Michael," she told him in a firm, clear voice.

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