Chapter 38: Blame & Forgiveness
*****Saturday*****
Wallace woke up Saturday morning, determined to see Veronica. He had talked to her last night on the phone, and she had assured him she was okay. However, he had obviously been kept out of a very big loop. He wasn't sure how he became an outsider in his best friend's life, but he headed over to her place intending to be let back inside the crazy world she lived in.
Veronica was absently eating a bowl of oatmeal when Wallace knocked on her door.
"Good morning," she said, smiling and stepping back to let him in. She was happy to have a distraction. It'd been too long since she and her best friend had hung out.
"I wanted to come see for myself that you're okay," Wallace said, eying her in concern.
"I'm okay," she said. "Would you like something to eat?"
"Nah, I'm good. But I'll pour myself some O.J.," Wallace said, heading to her refrigerator. "Where's Keith?"
"He has a half day at work. Then he's coming home, so we can do some father-daughter bonding," Veronica said.
"So you want to tell me why I've become the last one in your life to know what's going on?" Wallace asked. "It seems that even Dick knows more than me these days."
Veronica looked guilty. "I'm sorry, Wallace. It started kind of personal and escalated very quickly. I didn't mean to leave you in the dark," Veronica said.
"Personal?" Wallace prompted.
"Logan and I got STD tests, and I found out I was the one with an STD. So I knew that there was a good chance that someone else has taken advantage of me at Shelly's party sophomore year," Veronica informed him.
Wallace's mind raced as he thought about what she said. "And you found out who it was?" he asked.
"It was Cassidy," she said grimly.
Wallace's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Dick's little brother?" he asked.
Then Veronica proceeded to fill in all the missing pieces for Wallace, who listened with rapt attention.
When she was done talking, Wallace got up from his stool and put his arms around her shoulder. "I'm really sorry," he said simply.
Veronica leaned her head against his shoulder for a minute. "Me, too," she said.
She got off the bar stool. "Let's sit on the couch. It's more comfortable," she told him. He followed her to the couch, and they sat down on each end, facing one another.
"So Cassidy got arrested?" Wallace asked.
"No, he's in the psych ward at Neptune Memorial," Veronica said. "They'll be a 72 hour watch and evaluation on him since he almost shot himself."
"He's obviously one messed up kid," Wallace said with a shake of his head.
"More than anyone realized. Mac was dating him. Sort of," Veronica said as she frowned thinking about what had changed with her, too, the past few weeks.
"I bet your dad is going crazy," Wallace said. "Is he mad at you?"
"I think he's more hurt than anything. He's ready to kill Lamb, though," she shared. "He and Cliff are hatching a plan to get him removed from office."
"That'd be vastly satisfying. Lamb's blatant 09er favoritism and ignoring the crime you reported just ain't right," Wallace said in disgust.
"It's so long ago that I don't even have anything but disgust left for Lamb. I don't even think about him anymore unless I have to," Veronica said. "But I'd love for Dad to get his job back and removing Lamb would be the first step. I'm just not sure that I want the entire town knowing my business. Things are finally better at school. This will start all the crap up again."
Wallace knew how vicious the rumors were when he started his junior year at Neptune. It seemed so long ago now. But it had been clear immediately that the only person brave enough to cut him down that day from the flagpole was also the most reviled girl in the school. Her turnabout and sudden blossoming relationship with the ring leader of all the hate had been met with skepticism and disbelief by many. Others thought it was just proof that she was as easy as everyone said.
"Things are very different now," Wallace reminded her. "You're dating the Dark Knight, and friends again with King Kane."
"You've been spending too much time with Dick," Veronica said with an eye roll. "Dark Knight?"
"Well, he's no prince charming, but he protects you now like a knight in shining arm, but his armor is kind of dark," Wallace said with a grin.
Veronica groaned. "So lame!" she complained.
"How's things with you two? It must be getting serious if you're getting STD tests," Wallace observed.
Veronica's face heated as she thought about exactly how heated things had been getting between her and Logan. "He says he loves me," she replied without committing.
"And?" Wallace probed.
"And what?" Veronica asked, playing innocent.
Wallace rolled his eyes. "Don't try that innocent act with me! Remember, girl, I actually know you!" Wallace exclaimed. Then he got serious. "It can't be easy. All this coming up again and be reminded that Logan was a key player-however intentional- in what happened to you. He supplied the drugs that Dick used and drugged Duncan."
"Don't remind me," Veronica said tensely. "He hates himself for it, though. How can I hold it against him? Especially not after all we've been through since then."
"You can hold it against him because you're human. No one would blame you if you take a knee for a bit until things settle down again," Wallace said.
"A lot of people forget that Logan and I didn't just suddenly get together or just discover each other. Logan moved to Neptune six years ago. He was a fixture in my life for four years. He, Lilly, Duncan, and I spent every weekend together and most of every summer together. He was always with Lilly and I with Duncan, but we still hung out together," Veronica said. "I know him better than anyone but maybe Duncan. I know that he would've loved to see me humiliated and embarrassed. But raped? No. Not for a moment. If I doubted that at all, I would never have went out with him. He told me back in the spring about his behavior toward me at Shelly's party. He never hid it."
Wallace nodded. He knew the roots were deep with her and Logan. Now it was even more obvious. "So what are you thinking of now that all this has come back up and the guilty party found, so to speak?" Wallace asked.
Veronica tried to figure out how to express what she'd been feeling. "I know it's going to take some time before my dad can ever look at Logan without disgust and anger. He's really mad. He blames Logan and Dick just as much as he does Cassidy, I think. He's not said anything to me yet, but I know how his mind works. And it was pretty obvious last night when Logan and I gave our statement to Leo," Veronica shared.
"Are you going to break up with him? Will your dad make you?" Wallace wondered.
"No, I don't think he'd go that far. It's not really his style. Especially since I turn eighteen in less than a week," Veronica remarked.
"But what do you want? You still aren't saying," Wallace said, calling her on her evasiveness.
"I want Logan," she admitted. "Things have been going great with us this summer. Ever since I was shot, he's really stepped up and done everything I've asked. He wants things to work between us. I know that."
"So work through this and then go out and celebrate with your honey when you feel better," Wallace said as if it was a given.
Veronica laughed. Wallace always managed to remind her what a complete guy he was. "I've missed you," she said.
"You have Weevil now," Wallace said a bit snidely.
"Weevil could never replace you," Veronica assured him. She could never imagine talking to Weevil like she could Wallace. Then she grinned. "Guess who's going to be dating Weevil very soon?"
Wallace perked up at the new, less gloomy gossip. "Who?" he asked.
"Mac," Veronica said happily.
"Mac? Mac and Weevil?" Wallace asked in disbelief.
"That surprises you?" Veronica asked.
"Not as much as you and Logan, but yeah, it kind of does," Wallace admitted. "I wouldn't have thought Mac would be his type."
Veronica became instantly protective and protested, "There's nothing wrong with Mac! She's brilliant, quirky, loyal, pretty, and dependable. Not too mention very clever and devious when she wants to be."
"Hey, I wasn't trying to dis Mac. I just thought Weevil preferred a different type," Wallace said giving her a meaningful glance.
"I don't know what Weevil's type is, but I know that ever since he kissed Mac during spin the bottle, he's had his eyes on her," Veronica said.
"I thought he preferred short, pesky blondes," Wallace said with a grin since she wasn't getting his hint.
"You and Logan both," Veronica replied rolling her eyes. "But, like always, you're both wrong!"
Wallace snickered. "You and your crazy, complicated love life. Glad it's not mine," he said.
"Speaking of love life, how's yours? You seeing a lot of Hannah?" Veronica asked with a raise of her eyebrow.
"We've went out a few times. She's really sweet. And hot," Wallace said with a satisfied grin.
"And young," Veronica emphasized. "Don't go breaking the poor girl's heart!"
"Hey, don't hate the player. Hate the game!" Wallace bragged. His boasting was interrupted by the ring of his phone. He looked down and checked his text message. "Mom wants to know if I want to go to the beach with her and Darrel. Do you want to go?"
Veronica decided that there was worse ways to spend her Saturday and said yes. "Back-Up will love having Darrel to play chase with," she said, giving the dog a fond look. He wagged his tail excitedly. "I'll call Dad and tell him to pick us all up a lunch and meet us there."
"Great!" Wallace said and waited while she went to change and call her dad.
******The Next Day******
Mac found herself having lunch for the second time with Weevil and his family. His grandmother seemed overjoyed to have another mouth to feed. Weevil must have told her about her eating habits because she made the best vegetarian lasagna Mac had ever tasted.
"This is so good!" Mac said blissfully. "Please give me the recipe, so I can give it to my mom."
Lettie beamed at her. "Of course! I will get it!" she replied, getting up.
"I didn't mean now," Mac said in embarrassment.
"No problem," Lettie said and left to get the recipe.
Mac gave Weevil a guilty look. He laughed. "Don't worry. She loves giving people recipes," Weevil assured her.
"Yeah, but I didn't mean for her to get up in the middle of lunch," Mac said.
"Since I've been here, I've rarely seen her stay seated for an entire meal," Logan added. "She's always doing like twenty things at any given time. Sometimes I feel like a lazy slug around her."
"What do you mean sometimes? Don't you mean all the time?" Weevil said with a smirk.
Mac smiled at the obvious familiarity that had grown between Weevil and Logan. She was no longer surprised that Logan was at home at the Navarro's. Lettie treated him like one of the family, and he seemed to blossom under the attention and affection. She came back into the kitchen with a pie.
Logan's eyes lit up. "Is that coconut cream?" he asked eagerly.
"Yes. I made two. I thought your sweet girlfriend was going to come for lunch, too," Lettie said, a questioning note in her voice.
"Her dad hates me right now, and she's staying home until his killing instinct passes," Logan said glumly, his eagerness at pie quickly dying as he thought of the distance building between him and Veronica.
Lettie didn't seem perturbed by this news. "It is a daughter's duty to obey her father. Father's are protective of their daughters. I cannot imagine Mr. Mars hating you. You are such a good boy," Lettie said fondly.
Weevil snickered at his grandmother's obvious blindness when it came to the people she loved. Her boys could never do any wrong. "Good at pissing people off," Weevil said grinning.
Logan gave him a dirty look, and Lettie whacked him on the back of the head. "What's your language, Eli!" she scalded, causing Logan's face to smile once again.
Jordan and Tony laughed. "Yeah, Eli, watch your mouth!" Jordan mimicked.
Lettie cut Jordan a very tiny piece of pie, causing him to instantly complain. "Boys who get an F on their spelling tests are lucky they get any pie at all. Eat that. No complaining. Then go into your room and study your spelling," she informed him in a tone that brook no argument.
Logan loved dinner time at Weevil's. It was so normal. So Leave it to Beaver like. There had been very few dinners like this at his house growing up. Dinner at the Kanes had never been much better because Lilly had always been provoking one parent or the other. He took a bite of the pie, savoring it. He used to live on take-out. Now he rarely went out or ordered in. He looked up at Lettie warily as he broached a sore subject. "It's my turn to go grocery shopping," Logan announced. "And before you protest, I won't take no for an answer. You let me live here. You refuse to take my money. You have already saved me a few hundred dollars that I'd normally spend eating out. I know you are uncomfortable with it, but I am uncomfortable living here and adding expenses to you. I am paying for this month's groceries. It's only fair."
Lettie opened her mouth to argue when Weevil stepped in. "He's right, Grandma. He can afford it. Make a list, and I'll go with him and make sure he gets all the brands you like," Weevil said.
Lettie sighed in resignation but nodded without arguing. Then she got up to clear the table. Mac got up to help her. She gave Mac an offended look. "You are a guest. You do not clear the table!" she insisted.
Logan jumped up. "Since I'm not a guest, I'll help," he said meaningfully. Lettie smiled and then ordered Jordan to his room. Tony asked to play Logan's Wii. Logan gave permission, and Tony happily jumped from the table.
"Thanks for inviting me over, Eli. This is exactly what I needed. Normal," Mac said.
"I'm glad you're here," Weevil said, giving her a warm smiled that caused her heart to race.
She looked down at the pie. Mac wasn't quite sure how to deal with the new feelings he brought out in her. "So I told my parents what happened Friday night," she shared.
"You did?" Weevil asked in surprise.
"Didn't you tell your grandmother?" Mac asked.
"Well, I told her Dick's brother tried to kill himself and the police came and everyone went home. I didn't go into details," Weevil said.
"Well, my dad and I are really close. He could tell I was upset yesterday, so the entire story came spilling out," Mac said.
Logan came in and grabbed the rest of the plates in silence.
"What did he say?" Weevil asked.
"Mom freaked out a bit that I had been spending time with a boy that was capable of such violence," Mac shared.
Logan couldn't resist adding, "I bet Weevil's looking like a prize now!"
"Screw you!" Weevil said in annoyance.
"Eli, I can hear you!" his grandmother yelled from the other room, causing him to flush in guilt and Mac and Logan to laugh.
"I adore that woman!" Logan said happily as he carried the rest of the dishes into the kitchen.
"Logan seems at home here," Mac observed. Weevil shrugged. "Who would've thought?"
"Not me, that's for sure," Weevil said. "He's mellowed and removed that superior stick he kept stuck up his ass." Weevil practically whispered the word "ass", so his grandmother wouldn't hear.
Mac grinned. "I guess you found out that his silver spoon wasn't quite so polished," Mac said.
"That's an understatement!" Weevil said. "If you had seen the scars on his back, you'd understand that living with his father had to have been a nightmare."
"And no one knew," Mac said sadly. "No one ever knows what's really going on in a family."
"That's bull," Weevil replied. "People know. There's always signs. But no one wants to get involved. I'm sure that Duncan and Lilly knew. You can't hide stuff like that from your closest friends. Those that do, don't have close friends. Like Cassidy. He kept most people at a distance, right?"
Mac nodded, thoughtful. "You think Duncan and Lilly knew that Logan's dad was hurting him and did nothing? Lilly even slept with that monster," Mac said, a bit horrified.
"Lilly probably liked him more because he was dangerous. She liked to live on the edge," Weevil said.
"And it killed her," Mac said softly. Weevil looked sad but nodded. "I'm not anything like her, you know."
Weevil smiled. "I know," he said.
"I'm not like Veronica either," she said quietly. A part of her couldn't believe he was really interested in her. Mac was nothing like either girls she knew he liked.
"You have more in common with V than you think," Weevil said.
Mac looked surprised. "How?" she asked.
"Weren't you the one who did that purity test and conned the 09ers into dishing out their unearned money?" Weevil asked with a grin. "And then you posted their scores and turned the entire school in chaos. Lilly would've loved that."
Mac flushed in embarrassment, not sure how she felt about him comparing her to Veronica or Lilly. "I needed a new car," she said simply.
Weevil laughed. Lettie and Logan came back, and when his grandmother asked why he was laughing, he told her about Mac's cleverness.
Mac squirmed uncomfortably, convinced that Lettie would think she was awful. However, Weevil knew his grandmother better than she did. Lettie had worked most of her life for the 09ers, unappreciated and often ignored. She admired anyone that could manage to get the better of them without actually hurting anyone. "You are very clever. Your parents must be proud," Lettie said.
Mac's eyes widened. "I'd never tell my parents about that!" she said. "My mom would die!"
"So how did your parents think you afforded that new car?" Logan asked curiously.
"I told them I took the money from the websites I designed and invested in the stock market. They didn't even question it. They're used to not understanding me," Mac said.
Lettie looked shocked. "You lied to your momma?" she asked in disapproval.
"Grandma, you know a small lie is better sometimes if it keeps the peace. Like when I told you last week I liked that dress you wore to Mass," Weevil said, deftly turning the attention away from Mac.
"You didn't like it?" Lettie asked in surprise.
"Grandma, it was orange. Bright orange," Weevil said with a naughty grin.
"And you had a matching hat," Logan added, trying not to laugh.
"You boys are bad!" Lettie said, getting up from the table. "I'm going to go take a nap. Keep an eye on your brothers. No games or computer for Jordan until he can spell all those words correctly." She turned to Mac. "Come anytime, Cindy. You are always welcome. These boys need more women around." With a final disapproving sniff, she left.
Logan and Weevil burst out laughing as soon as she left. Mac grinned ruefully. "I feel like such a sinner!" she said.
"I know what you mean. Nothing pains me more than her disapproval," Weevil said.
"She cared more about my white lie than scamming the entire school," Mac said in wonder.
"Well, you had to know that the woman who raised this hoodlum had to have some messed up morals somewhere," Logan teased, no malice in his words.
"You're just jealous 'cause you don't have a grandmother," Weevil said.
"True," Logan said without offense.
"So how's Veronica?" Mac asked. "I called her yesterday, but she didn't call me back. Just sent a text."
Logan shrugged and frowned. "She spent yesterday with Wallace and Keith. They went to the beach with Wallace's mom and brother," Logan said. "I wasn't invited. Today's she's working at the Hut."
"It's going to take Keith a while to get over this, Logan. He just found out that his daughter was drugged and assaulted over a year ago. He's the last to know," Mac said.
"Like my grandmother says, 'Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.' You were an ass. You are indirectly responsible for what happened to V. We all know it," Weevil reminded him.
Logan gave him an unhappy look. "Thanks for your support, dude," he said.
"Look, I know you love Veronica, and it has to be killing you knowing she was hurt like that by your friends. But you have to know that you turned the school against her. You made her a target. I know from experience with my boys that if you don't clearly spell out how far you want to take things, someone will always take the initiative and cross the line," Weevil said. "But you didn't. You just made it open season on her. You can't be overly surprised that someone hurt her like that."
Mac wanted to defend Logan because she felt so sorry for him. He looked miserable. However, she didn't know what to say. Finally, she said, "You didn't rape her anymore than Dick did. Cassidy is the one that crossed the line. Cassidy hurt her. You and Dick both need to take responsibility for your part and learn from it. But there's no point in hating yourself. You made a mistake. One that your regret. I know Veronica knows that. She doesn't blame you."
"It just never occurred to me that I needed to say, 'Guys, don't rape her!' I didn't know any of them were capable of doing something like that," Logan said in disgust.
"But it's okay to drug your girlfriend or your best friend?" Mac asked pointedly. The 09ers' screwed up morality really annoyed her sometimes. Dick thought nothing was wrong with drugging Madison as long as he took it, too.
Logan looked guilty and couldn't meet her eyes. "I know. I just didn't think. I.." he stopped and blew out a frustrated breath. "I guess being allowed to do pretty much whatever you want screws with your sense of morality. I know better now." He got up from the table, not wanting to discuss it further.
Mac felt guilty. "I didn't mean to upset him," she said to Weevil.
"You didn't upset him. He's already upset and will be until this blows over. He's gotta forgive himself before he can move on," Weevil said. He got up. "Would you like to go to my room? Or we can take a walk."
Mac decided that being alone in a bedroom wasn't something she was ready for. The last time in her room it'd gotten a bit heated. "A walk would be nice," she said.
Weevil nodded in understanding. He knew she needed time. She still felt guilty over Cassidy, and he didn't want her to regret anything between them. He held out his hand. When she easily took it, he smiled in satisfaction. This was enough. For now.
*****Monday Morning******
Dick and his dad had to fend off two reporters that were staked outside of their house. Word of Cassidy's attempted suicide had gotten out. However, the full story had yet to make the rounds of Neptune's grapevine. Dick knew it was only a matter of time before the full story got out. He dreaded that happening.
They were going to see Cassidy before meeting with the attorney. "Is the attorney going to meet us at the hospital?" Dick asked his dad.
"Yes, he wants to meet Cassidy. He's going to do everything possible to keep your brother out of jail," Dick Sr. said grimly. "You letting the cops take his computer won't help matters."
"How could I stop them? They had a warrant!" Dick protested.
"You should've known they were coming for it. The former Sheriff's daughter was there," Dick Sr. said in annoyance. "You've broken enough shit over the years. Couldn't you manage to drop it or something?"
It hadn't even occurred to Dick to do such a thing. Now he realized that his dad had a point. He knew first hand how damning the information on the computer was.
"Now thanks to you and your brother, Kendall and I didn't get married, and I had to come home and deal with all this!" his dad complained.
"Sorry to put a cramp in your social life, Dad," Dick said sourly.
His dad had come home Saturday right after the cleaning service Dick hired had cleared away all remains of the party. Both Logan and Mac had called to check on him, but Dick didn't answer the phone. He didn't want to talk to anyone, dreading his father's return.
However, Dick's dad had listened to Dick's tale about all that he'd discovered about Cassidy without saying much. Dick Sr.'s eyes had narrowed a bit when Dick revealed that abuse at Woody Goodman's hands, but he didn't comment. Instead, he had called Dick's mom. Dick went by the study once during the call and could hear his mom yelling through the phone.
"Is Mom coming home?" Dick asked as they arrived at the hospital.
His dad gave a bitter laugh. "Like your mother's going to take time away from that a**hole she's married to and be a real mother," he said. "As far as she's concerned, this is my fault, so I gotta deal with it."
"None of us have been good to Beaver. I mean Cassidy. You should've read some of the things he wrote in his diary. He hates us," Dick shared glumly.
"All kids hate their families at one time or another. He'll get over it," his dad said dismissively.
They rode the elevator to the floor Cassidy was on. Dick's dad talked to a nurse who led them to a room with a table and some chairs. "You're son will be here shortly," the nurse said.
A few minutes later, a pale, dejected looking Cassidy came through the door. Dick got up excitedly and gave his brother a hug. "How's the food? Are they giving you electric shock therapy yet?" Dick asked with a grin.
"Not yet," Cassidy said. He looked warily at his dad. His dad didn't get up and hug him. He just gestured to the chair across from him.
"How are you feeling?" Dick Sr. asked Cassidy.
"Okay," Cassidy said.
"It's never so bad that you need to die to make it better. I hope you know that. My sons aren't cowards. You're going to get through this," Dick Sr. said firmly.
Both boys looked surprised at their dad's words. Cassidy expected ridicule or anger. His dad didn't seem to be angry. In fact, his dad was keeping his face void of most expression. "I'm sorry," Cassidy said.
"We're all sorry, but don't worry. No son of mine is going to spend any time in jail. You might have to stay in the nut house for awhile. It's better than juvvie or jail. My attorney had an early court appearance with the D.A. He should be here soon," Dick Sr. said.
"What's going to happen?" Cassidy asked.
"You'll go before the judge one day this week. Our attorney should have the information," his dad said. His phone rang. "It's him now." He got up and went out of the room to take the call.
Dick looked at Cassidy. "Are you really okay?" Dick asked.
"I guess," Cassidy said with a shrug.
Dick finally said what he'd been wanting to say ever since he realized how bad things were with his brother. "I'm really sorry, dude. I've been a crappy brother. I just didn't realize. I didn't mean any harm. I'm really, really sorry," Dick said sincerely. "I hate that I didn't see what you were going through. I'm just really glad you didn't die."
Cassidy blink in surprise at the tears in his brother's eyes. Dick really meant it. "I didn't really want to die. I just didn't want to face everyone when they found out what I did to Veronica. And I didn't think you and Dad would understand about Woody. I thought you'd be disgusted and hate me," Cassidy admitted. He had trouble looking at his brother.
"What happened to Ronnie was just as much my fault as yours. You were still a kid, and I told you to do it. I don't think my not thinking you'd do it is really much of an excuse. And I'll tell a judge that, too. Not to mention, Ronnie was coming on to everyone at the party. No one knew she'd be roofied. I surely didn't," Dick said.
Before they could talk further, their dad reappeared. "Our attorney can't meet us here. He said he'd see you Wednesday morning before your arraignment. The D.A. is charging you for the rape of Veronica Mars and plans to create acts of terrorism or something like that," Dick Sr. announced. "He arranged for you to stay here instead of getting transferred to jail."
"What? Terrorism?" Dick asked in outrage. "How can that be?"
"Well, I guess just having plans to make a bomb and cause harm to classmates is a serious felony," their dad explained. "Our attorney is confident we'll be able to get it reduced. He tried to get a gag order on the case since Cassidy is a minor but the judge denied it," Dick Sr. said.
"What's a gag order?" Dick asked.
"So that the details aren't made so public. Looks like the D.A. is filing charges today, so the word's going to get out," Dick Sr. said grimly.
"This is going to suck," Dick said.
"Well, I guess being in here isn't so bad after all," Cassidy said. At least he wouldhn't have to face nosey reporters in here.
A nurse came in. "It's time for group. You guys can come back during visiting hours this afternoon," she said.
"I'll be back, dude," Dick said. "Would you like me to bring Mac?"
Cassidy shook his head. "No. I don't want her to see me in here. It's bad enough she saw me lose it like I did on my birthday," he said. "She probably won't want to come anyway."
Dick started to argue, but Cassidy was led away before he could.
"Who's Mac?" Dick Sr. asked.
"Dude, do you not pay any attention at all? Mac's the girl who's been hanging out our house. She and Cassidy have been dating," Dick said. He saw no point in explaining about Weevil. That pissed Dick off too much to even think about.
"A girl? Really? That's good. At least he's not completely ruined," his dad replied.
Dick looked incredulously at his father. He couldn't remember being so angry at his father. "Do you even care what happened to him? He was raped repeatedly by that pervert coach when he was like ten! Do you get that? You and Mom didn't even notice! You're the parents; it's your job to protect us. Not encourage me to be mean to my own brother! This is your fault! Every bit of it! If my brother goes to jail or doesn't recover from this, I'll never forgive you!" Dick yelled. "For once, make your money good for something." With one last look of loathing, Dick left the room, not wanting to go anywhere with his dad.
Dick Sr. watched his son leave; his son's harsh words ringing in his ears. Dick was right about one thing. It was his job to protect his sons. He had failed. Woody Goodman wasn't going to get away with this. Dick Sr. didn't care who he was in this city. The sick bastard was going to pay.
*****Java Hut*****
Logan couldn't go another day without seeing Veronica. He hadn't got to see her or hold her since Friday night, and he was miserable. He knew it was pathetic that he couldn't go more than two days without her, but he didn't care. Not only did he miss her like crazy, he feared she'd let her dad come between them. Logan knew how much her dad meant to her. He didn't want to come between them, but he also didn't want Keith to come turn her against him. Or guilt her into breaking up with him.
The breakfast rush was over and lunch hadn't started when Logan entered Veronica's work. He timed it, so she'd have time to visit. Veronica smiled when she saw him. She was behind the register and moved to give him a hug in greeting. Logan gave her a tight hug, relieved that she was welcoming him. Then she gave him a light kiss. "I missed you," she said, causing him to smile happily.
"Not as much as I missed you," he said.
Veronica turned to another server. "I'm taking my ten minute break," she told the girl, who nodded. Veronica took Logan's hand and led him to a quiet table in the corner. "I'm sorry," she said as they sat down. "I didn't want to give Dad anymore reason to be upset with me. Reminding him that you're my boyfriend wouldn't make him feel anymore."
"But I am your boyfriend, right?" Logan couldn't help asking.
Veronica squeezed his hand in reassurance. "The only one I got. The only one I want," she said sincerely.
"You're not dumping me?" he asked.
"Logan, if I wanted to break up with you, I would never do what Duncan did to me. I'd actually respect you enough to talk to you," Veronica informed him. "Dad just needs time to come to terms with all that's happened. He'll come around."
"You think so?" he asked.
She nodded. "Eventually. As long as you don't give him any reason to doubt that I'm safe with you. You just have to show him my welfare is just as important to you as it is to him," she said.
"It is. I hope you know that," Logan said.
"I know it is," she said. She leaned closer to kiss him. Mindful of the fact that they were at her work, she didn't let the kiss get out of hand.
Logan leaned his forehead against hers and looked at her. "God, I've missed kissing you!" he exclaimed reverently.
She grinned. "Becoming addicted, huh?" she teased.
"You have no idea!" he replied. "So your big day's on Thursday. Can I take you out Friday to celebrate? It's not everyday I get to date an older woman!"
"By two months! I'm not sure that counts!" she replied. "But yes, you can take me out. Dad and I will be having dinner out Thursday with the Fennels."
"Let me guess: Luigi's?" Logan asked.
"Where else?" she replied airily.
"We won't be going there Friday. I have something else in mind," Logan said.
"Don't plan anything out of town. Dad won't like it," Veronica said.
"We'll stay local. Don't worry," Logan said. Then he looked at his watch. "Five more minutes, so we better make them count."
Veronica grinned and leaned over to kiss him again.
*****Mac's House*****
Dick had jumped in a cab in front of the hospital. He hadn't really known where he wanted to go, just wanting to escape his father's presence. He couldn't see going over to see Logan at Weevil's. He had a lot of friends, but he realized the only friend he had that he could really talk to or wanted to talk about any of this was Mac. He didn't know her exact address, but he gave the taxi driver directions to her house. When the cab stopped in front of her house, he threw some bills at the driver and got out. Hopefully, Mac would take him back home.
Mac was in her room reading when her mom knocked and opened her door. "Honey, your friend's here to see you," she said with a smile. She loved that her quiet, quirky daughter was finally getting noticed.
Mac sat up in surprise. She wasn't expecting anyone. "Who is it?" she asked. Then she smiled when she saw Dick. "Hey, Dick. Come on in."
Mac's mom made a point of leaving the door open, but Dick was oblivious and shut it. "Sorry to drop in, but I needed to talk to someone, and you were the only one I could think of," Dick said. He looked around her room curiously. "You must like books."
She indicated the book she had just put down. "I love to read. What's up? Is everything okay?" she asked in concern.
"No! Of course not! Dad and I just went and saw Cassidy at the hospital. The D.A. is filing charges against Cass, and my dad is a bastard!" Dick exclaimed as he flopped down on the foot of her bed.
"I'm really sorry, Dick," Mac said sympathetically. "How's your brother doing?"
"Okay. He told me he didn't want to die, so that's good I guess," Dick shared. "I told him I was sorry for being such a crappy brother."
"That's good. He needs to know people still care about him and that he can find forgiveness," Mac said.
"Do you think Ronnie will forgive him?" Dick asked.
"I think Veronica has a really big heart. She forgave Logan for a lot," Mac said. "It's got to mean something that he surrendered and is going to face up to what he did."
"I told Cassidy I'd tell the judge it was my fault. I'm the one who put him in the room with Veronica and told him to do it," Dick shared.
"Do you believe that? Do you think it was your fault?" Mac asked.
"More than it was his. He was all screwed up, and I didn't know. I'm such an idiot! And none of us knew she was drugged. She was all over several guys at the party. She even kissed me!" Dick said.
Mac knew things were never black and white. She was just glad Dick was at least willing to concede he carried some of the blame. "I think there's a lot of blame to go around, Dick. There was a lot of bad decisions made that night. What is your dad saying about all this? Was he at least kind to Cassidy?"
Dick scoffed. "Kind? My dad? Are you kidding? Well, I guess he wasn't mean. He told Cassidy that nothing was ever so bad that he needed to die over it. He's going to try and make sure Cassidy doesn't get sent to juvvie or jail. I told Dad that if he didn't save Cassidy, I'd never forgive him. Dad's the reason I was ever mean to Cassidy in the first place. Dad always thought it was funny, and I guess I liked having my dad's approval. God, I really hate myself," Dick admitted, his misery plain to see.
Mac moved until she was sitting next to him on the bed. She put her arm around his waist. "It's going to be okay, Dick. Cassidy is going to get help. You'll get through this. You both will," Mac said soothingly.
However, Dick just didn't believe it, and for the first time in his life, he cried in front of a woman that wasn't his mother.
*****Chapter End*****
I appreciate all the new readers who have just recently found this story and have alerted or favored it. Thanks for those who review regularly and those that just recently found time to review. I really covet your thoughts and don't take them lightly. There will be two more chapters after this one, so if you haven't found time to share your thoughts, please do so. Thanks so much! Your enthusiasm for this story keeps me interested in writing more!