REVISED

thanks for you thoughts svurookie. After careful consideration...I have made a few changes to ch. 21 and 22. Hope this makes things a little better.

Hey everyone…thanks for you reviews.

Now to explain a little of my thinking behind Olivia's behavior. Yes I know that she's a little out of character, but think about it. Yes she's good at talking to kids on their level, but a minister could talk to other people's kids about drugs and sex, but when it comes to his own kids it is still harder. This is my thinking with Olivia, she's just having a harder time figuring out what to say to Sarah. It should start to get a little better in the next few chapters. Just wait and see.

There was a knock on the door after a while.

I said," I don't want to talk."

The door opened and Olivia said," I do."

She went to sit down beside me, but I got up and walked out of the room.

Olivia gently grabbed my arm before I made it to my room.

I stopped, but I stayed facing into my room.

Olivia slowly pulled me around.

I looked down at my feet.

She said," Please look at me Sarah."

I didn't look up, but tears were rolling down my face.

She gently lifted my chin.

I looked away from her as tears poured from my eyes.

She asked," Why won't you talk to me?"

I started to pull away as I began to sob.

She pulled me up to her and held me tightly up against her.

I broke down in her arms.

She held me close while I cried.

After a while, she asked," Are you ready to talk yet?"

I asked," Can I just go lay down?"

She said," Please talk to me."

I shook my head and tried to pull away from her.

She held me close and said," I won't let him hurt you again. I promise."

I started to cry hard again.

She held me tight and said," I promise I'll never let him hurt you again."

We stood there in the hall together for what seemed like an hour, but was probably only about ten minutes before she gently pulled away and asked," Do you want to eat something?"

I shook my head no.

She said," You haven't eaten anything today. Come on sweetie."

I shook my head no and headed into my room.

She took my hand and said," No, Sarah, you can't keep ignoring me, we have to talk. You have to talk to me."

I said as I tried to get away," I can't."

She asked," Why? Why can't you talk to me?"

I just shook my head and continued to try and get away from her.

She said," Not good enough anymore. You have to tell me what's going on. I'm lost Sarah, what's wrong?"

I said as I pulled away from her," You can't protect me Olivia! You didn't protect me!"

She grabbed for my arm and said," I know I didn't protect you. I'm sorry. I promise I will never let you be hurt by him again. I'll never let him hurt you."

It was one of the few times I had ever seen her cry. I knew that she meant it.

I hugged her and she held me tight.

She whispered," I'm sorry Sarah."

I said," Olivia,… I love you."