Author Note: Standard disclaimers apply

Chapter 21: Confessions

Wednesday Night

Abby

After Madi was discharged, the six of us went out to dinner, before going and getting her settled at Nick's.

Back at the hotel Ray and I were lounging around, the television turned to some cheesy made for TV movie. My head was resting on his arm, and he was playing with my hair, something he always seemed to be doing; when I finally confessed what had been bothering me.

"Ray?"

"Yeah babe?"

"If I tell you something will you promise not to get angry?" I asked.

"I can't promise I won't get angry, but I can promise to try not to get angry."

'Good enough.'

"I saw…" I started.

"What'd you see Abby?" he asked, rolling over so he look at me.

"I saw…Richard's brother Greg…at the diner…this morning…" I answered, hating my voice for cracking.

"WHAT?!!" he snapped, eyes flashing.

I flinched, and he pulled back, eyes wide, noticing the fear that showed in my eyes, realizing he was partly to blame.

"Hey, hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you." He said, rubbing my arm softly.

"It's okay." I whispered, not trusting my voice.

"Why didn't you tell me when we where at the diner? I would've beaten the shit out of him for you." He said, only half joking.

"You were busy with Chris." I replied simply.

His eyes hardened for a moment.

"Don't you know you're more important to me than he will ever be?" He said, spitting 'he' out like it was poison.

"Really?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes, I would give you the world if I could."

"Well, I guess it's a good thing I don't want the world then, huh?" I asked, smiling up at him.

He grinned, "Yeah, I guess so."

"I have another question, but you don't have to answer it if you don't want to."

"Shoot."

"What exactly started the feud between you and your father?"

His mouth became a thin, hard line, and his eyes filled with so much hate, I was scared of what he might do. I'd only seen that look once, the night I almost died. It was a look I never wanted to see again.

He thought for a moment,

"I think…I think it was because he hurt my mom, who was the only person who loved me, well, other than Madi, and I couldn't do anything to help. Every time I would even attempt to intervene, not only would he hurt me, but he would hurt Mom even worse. I constantly felt helpless, like nothing I could ever do would keep him away from her. Or from me. I hate that feeling."

"I know what that's like."

"You don't know what the hell it's like!" he exploded suddenly.

"The hell I don't, I had to protect my brother, my mother and myself from every drunk ass loser that walked through the door! Let alone the father that liked to "play games" with his little girl! Don't fucking tell me I don't fucking know what you're fucking going through!" I screamed right back.

He just sat there completely silent, and even after I closed my eyes against the hot, angry tears that were threatening to spill over, I could still see the stunned expression on his face. I didn't understand why he was so surprised. Suddenly, the realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

'Shit…I never told him…he doesn't know…now I'm gonna hafta explain…and relive all the memories again…' ran through my head, 'maybe he won't ask.' I thought, knowing there was no way I was gonna get away with not telling him.

Abby's past revealed...just what will next?

Let me know what you think...