Chapter Nine: Reason To Believe

"This is all my fault!" Manny cried.

"Why would you say that? Jonathan had an accident. Don't blame yourself," Jimmy told her.

"If I had never put that diving board in, this wouldn't have happened."

"Why don't you all go up and see him. I'm sure he'd love to see his family," Jared suggested, changing the subject. "He's in room 215." Everyone took his advice and went upstairs. Manny was the first one in the room, followed by Jimmy, then Chris, and finally, Paige.

"Hey buddy!" Jimmy said, ruffling Jonathan's hair. He was the first one to speak. Manny simply burst into tears, throwing her arms around him.

"Uh…mom?" Jonathan said. "Why are you crying? I'm fine. I'm not dead, you can let go of me now," he said, completely calm.

"But…did they tell you?" she asked him.

"Tell me what? That I'd never walk again? Do you really believe that Mom, because I don't," Jon stated confidently.

"You don't?" Manny asked her son, surprised. She pulled away and looked him straight in the eyes.

"They said the same thing to dad, didn't they? And Chris lost one of his legs; he's fine now. Don't worry, I'm fine."

Every person in the room was in awe of how brave Jonathan was being. He had been told that he'd never walk again, yet here he was, telling them that he would. And he wasn't scared at all.

"Jonathan should get his rest now," a nurse said as she walked in.

"She's right you guys. Go home and quit worrying," Jon told them with a huge smile on his face. Manny hugged her son one last time as they were ushered out of the room.

"Call us if you need anything," Chris said before he left.

"And your dad will be at work for a few more hours if you need him," Paige added.

"I'm his dad," Chris whispered in her ear, but she elbowed him in the stomach.

"I'll be fine!" he yelled after them as the nurse shut his door for some privacy.


Paige offered to drive Manny home since she had ridden to the hospital in the ambulance. Chris wanted her to ride with him, but Paige convinced her because she had to talk to her about something. Chris told Manny that he'd meet her back at her house with Bella and her truck. Paige pulled up in front of Manny's house and put the car in park, turning towards Manny to talk to her.

"I have to tell you something," she finally said with a sigh.

"What is it?" Manny asked, curious.

"He…he's back Manny," Paige blurted out.

"Who's back?"

"Matt." Manny gasped as she heard his name and started to remember something.

-Flashback-

"Oh no you won't Manny. You are not yelling for anyone and you're not going anywhere either. Paige isn't pleasing me and since you are her friend, it's gonna be your job to please me." While he was saying this, he grabbed Manny by her arm and dragged her over to his desk.

Manny is so scared that she can't make a sound. She has no idea what to do and Mr. Oleander is so much bigger than her. He shoved her down onto his desk and put his hand up her skirt. She cried out, but with his other hand, he covers her mouth. With his other hand he pulls down Manny's underwear and his own pants. He begins to rape her. Tears are streaming down Manny's face as it happens. She can't move or get herself out of his grip. She can't even cry for help.

-End of Flashback-

"Manny?" Paige called, snapping her fingers in front of her friend's face. "You okay?" Manny snapped back to reality and tears were slowly falling down her cheeks.

"I gotta go," she said, stepping out of the car.

"But…" Paige began to say.

"Just…call me later okay?" Manny slammed the door shut and ran into the house.

"What's wrong?" Chris asked her the minute she walked into the living room. He reached up and touched her cheek, but she pulled away.

"Where's Emma?" she asked, instead of answering him. She wiped the tears away.

"She left as soon as I got here. She didn't look too good, and was mumbling something about 'not being late' and she had to make dinner. I don't know what's going on with her," he explained.

"You don't know what's going on with anyone because you haven't been here," Manny said harshly. Chris turned his back to her.

"I'll just see myself out. I can see that you don't want to talk right now." As he started to walk towards the door, he felt the same old comforting hand on his shoulder turn him around.

"Matt's back," she said, bursting into tears. Chris took Manny into his arms and hugged her.

"Shh…it's going to be alright. He can't hurt you," Chris whispered. Just then, the front door opened and Jimmy walked in.

"What are you going?" he asked, an accusatory tone to his voice.

"I was just…" Manny started to explain. Jimmy held up his hand for her to stop talking.

"Get out of my house Chris," he said, pointing to the door. Chris did what he was told and headed for the door. Before he actually closed it, he had the audacity to turn around and stare at Manny. Jimmy picked up a vase near him and threw it. It hit the door, shattering into tiny pieces, and littering the carpet with water and roses.