Chapter 4: Bringing the Old Kimberly back

Kimberly's bruises were healing, but the light in her eyes was still gone. Even though she would never admit it, Tommy knew that Jake did more than just beat her. He was going to wait until she was ready to talk. When he asked the doctor if there was anything else wrong with her, the doctor was hesitant, but he told Tommy that she was just fine other than the bruises.

One day, he saw her cleaning up the dinner dishes when he wrapped his arms around her waist. She jumped and he had enough. "Kimberly, sit down for a second," he urged.

"No, I should get this done," she objected.

Tommy gave her the look that had her sit down. He sat across from her and looked at her. "Kimberly, you're hiding something from me. I know it, I have known you since high school, tell me," he insisted. She sighed and stood up.

"Let's take a walk, Tommy, and I promise that I'll tell you everything," she assured.

Tommy sighed and got up from his chair as she led him out of the house and down the path towards the lake.

As they walked, Kimberly stopped at the dock and sat down trying not to show him her tears. "I've been scared of men since the day I met Jake, Tommy," she assured.

"I know it's not just from his beatings," Tommy pointed out.

He sat next to her and she was looking at the water, refusing to look at him. "He raped me the first night we met. It was after I found out I was pregnant with Ann. However, this is the other reason why I sent Ann to France. I lied when I said that he wanted to adopt Ann, he believes that Ann's his daughter. I have tried to explain that I was a month pregnant that night. The last person I slept with before that was you. He doesn't believe me. He thinks that he's Ann's father. I made sure that Jake wouldn't poison Ann's mind with his tales that he was her father. When the first chance of sending her away came, I took the chance. I've been scared of men since that night. I can't stand to have another man touching me without his face appearing into my head," she explained. Tommy reached over and grabbed her hand.

"Kimberly, look at me," he whispered.

She looked at him and she could see the pity in his eyes and turned away. "I don't want your pity," she objected.

"Look at me," he urged.

Kimberly looked at him again and he placed a hand on her face. "I want to do what I can to heal you," he whispered. He stood up while standing her up and pressed his forehead against hers. "Close your eyes," he murmured. She gently closed her eyes and felt his hands trail up her arms and onto her shoulders. He did this continuously before whispering to her. "Don't think about what you see, what do you feel?" He asked. She concentrated and instead of feeling the feeling of someone touching her, felt a sensation she hadn't felt since the day that she first met him in high school. Kimberly was feeling love. Tommy was helping her heal the wounds inflicted open her mentally. She wasn't feeling the fear she normally did when a man kept touching her, she found herself melting into his touch. She then opened her eyes and smiled at him. Tommy wrapped his arms around her waist and gently pulled her closer to him. He lowered his head to hers and he gave her a kiss. Kimberly melted into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. They pulled from the kiss and stayed like that for awhile. "Kimberly, I was wondering if you would like to go out with me Saturday night?" He asked. Kimberly decided to play the little game she played on him the day he asked her to the school dance. "Well?" He asked. He was aware of what she was doing and decided to play along. Kimberly turned to smile at him.

"Yes, I'll go out with you," she replied.

She shrieked and giggled as he picked her up and spun her around while laughing with her. Ann was watching them through the bushes and waited for her father to put her mother down before running over to them. "Are you two getting back together again?" She asked. Tommy smiled at Ann and nodded. "YIPPEE!" She exclaimed. She jumped up and they both caught her. "Maybe you two will give me a baby brother or a sister one day," she added. Tommy looked at Kimberly who was smiling at him and nodded.

"Maybe one day, angel," he replied.

Kimberly nodded before they walked back home.

That night, Tommy was lying on his back, trying to relax when he heard the door open. He turned to see Kimberly standing there looking absolutely gorgeous in the moonlight. She walked over and he knew exactly what she wanted. He didn't say a word, he lifted the blankets and she curled up next to him on the bed. Thankfully Ms. Oliver agreed to take Ann for the night. She wanted to spend sometime getting to know her granddaughter. Tommy and Kimberly said nothing, they were just staring at each other. He touched her face and then he leaned down to kiss her. She kissed him back and nothing seemed to matter to them anymore.