Chapter 20:
A little while later Eric went to the store with a list from Tami.
Tim was Julie's watchdog and Tami just stayed busy with household things and baby Gracie Belle.
Julie had woken up from her nap and she and Tim were playing a fierce game of left handed Pictionary.
Julie bust out laughing.
"Tim! What is that?" She giggled.
Tim shrugged. "It's obviously a boat."
She laughed even harder. Tim had drawn a circle with a line next to it and had traced the line 3 or 4 times.
"That's… a… boat?"
"Obviously… don't you see the paddle?" He asked pointing to the line.
Julie couldn't control her laughing and soon had to hold onto her ribs to stop them moving.
"I don't think either of us win. We cannot draw left handed." Tim said.
"I mean… I can't draw either way so that's fine by me but seriously… how is a circle a boat?"
"I dunno Jules… I think we need a new activity." He said stacking up the paper into a used pile and a not used pile.
She nodded.
And just then the doorbell rang.
"Saved by the bell Mr. Riggins." She teased.
Tim was still smiling when he opened the door. The smile dropped off his face immediately.
"You… you can't be here."
"I can be anywhere I please Mr. Riggins."
Julie stood up and grabbed the phone and dialed 911. She knew that voice.
"No… you can't. Why are you here?" Tim asked.
"911 what is your emergency?" Julie heard.
"Hi, my name is Julie Taylor. I need police at my house right now. I... we have an intruder and I feel unsafe. Please contact Detective Wolfe too."
"I'm here to speak with Miss Taylor please." Joe stated as calmly as possible.
"NO! You need to leave." Tim said.
"Julie... can you please tell me what is going on?"
"Mr. McCoy…He is at my house. PLEASE! Send help now."
"Units are being dispatched Julie. Do you have somewhere safe you can go?"
"My mom and baby sister are here. And my friend… Please Hurry!"
"Two units are close by and are on the way sweetie, stay on the line and try to remain calm. They will be there soon."
"Tim… I would just like to speak with her about my son… I'm not going to do anything."
"Mr. McCoy… I will not allow you near her. She doesn't want anything to do with you or your son. You should just leave before anything gets worse."
"Worse? I'm not sure much can get worse Tim. I'd like to speak to Julie."
"No."
Tami entered the room. "What's going on Jules?"
Julie was shaking. She had her injured arm cradled to her chest and was holding the phone to her ear.
"Mom! It's Mr. McCoy at the door. I called 911 and Tim is trying to get him to leave." Julie whispered.
Tami strode right over to the door.
"Joe McCoy you get off my property right now. You are trespassing." She said trying to move Tim over. He wouldn't budge from blocking the door.
"Tami…listen I would just like to speak with Julie for five minutes. JD has a message."
Julie dropped the phone with a thud.
JD has a message… what the absolute fuck? No no no. This could not be happening. It was another nightmare. I'm just dreaming. I fell asleep and I'll wake up with Tim holding me.
"Are you insane Joe? You and that monster son of yours are not coming anywhere near my girl ever again. Get the hell off my property or they can take you in for trespassing and intimidation." She said nodding to the police car that had pulled up.
Julie heard the sirens.
"JD just wants Julie to know that he wants her to come see him at the house. He made bail and he'd like to talk this all out." Joe shouted as he backed away.
Julie felt a chill down her spine. He made bail… how the fuck did he make bail? He wants to talk? Yeah… like we talked Friday night? Oh my God. He is a piece of shit. Oh no… I'm going to throw up.
Julie went into the kitchen and vomited in the trashcan.
"Ma'am is everyone inside okay?" An officer asked.
"Yes. He didn't come in."
"Detective Wolfe has been contacted and is on her way."
"Oh um… thank you." Tami didn't know how to respond.
Tim didn't leave his spot by the door until Joe McCoy was in his car and gone.
"Ma'am, 911 says the phone call line is still open…" The officer said.
"Julie." Tim muttered heading back in. He picked up the phone and ended the call. Then found Julie in the kitchen. Tears down her face, shaking and still slightly hunched over the trashcan.
"Julie… he's gone. It's okay." He said coming closer.
She grabbed a dish towel and wiped her mouth.
Her lips trembled.
"Oh Jules." He pulled her into a hug.
"Julie hun… it's okay. He's gone now baby." Tami said.
Tim steered Julie back to the couch.
He sat on her left and held her. She had her left hand wrapped around him and was still crying.
"Mrs. T… she won't stop crying."
Tami bent down and put her hands on Julie's face.
"Julie baby, That man and his awful son will never hurt you again as long as I live. You are safe. Your daddy and I will make damn sure they cannot come near you."
Julie nodded but her breathing was erratic. Tim knew she was hurting her ribs.
He put his hand on her stomach.
"Julie, slow breaths." He commanded calmly. Tami watched transfixed as Tim calmed Julie with just his touch.
She calmed down and eventually let out a big sigh.
"I'm okay now… I think." She said.
Neither Tim nor Tami were convinced but a new distraction came since Eric was home.
"Hey, I'm home. Tim could you help me unload?"
Tim shifted.
"No. Tim, stay with Julie please."
"Yes ma'am."
"Hey hun, I'll help." Tami said kissing Eric's cheek.
They brought in all the groceries and Tami locked the door.
"Eric."
"Yeah hun?"
"We need to talk. Now."
"Okay… what did I do?"
"It's not you."
Eric was in the kitchen and looked out to the couch to see Julie leaning her head on Tim's shoulder.
"The kids?" He asked concerned.
"No… well yes… Joe McCoy was here."
Eric dropped the package of string cheese he was holding.
"He what now?"
The doorbell rang and Julie screamed and cuddled into Tim.
Eric went for the door. Tami followed.
Tim was just holding Julie and rubbed her back.
"He's not back. He's not that stupid. Relax Julie. I've got you." He kissed her tear streaked cheek.
"I'm scared. I want to go away and never come back." She whispered.
"Jules." Tami said carefully.
Tim and Julie both looked up.
It was Detective Wolfe and her partner.
Julie sat up and pulled her left hand out from behind Tim to wipe her eyes.
Detective Wolfe pushed the papers over on the table and sat down on the coffee table facing Julie.
"Are you alright Miss Taylor?"
Her lip trembled. "N-no. How can he come here?"
Wolfe sighed. "Joe McCoy has been discouraged from visiting you but he has no legal reason to stay away."
"So give him one. I don't want him or JD near me. They scare me. JD can't come near me right?"
"That is correct. JD is confined to his home with an ankle monitor for the time being. He made his plea of not guilty this morning and was granted bail with the stipulation that he may not leave his home and he will receive two types of counseling in his home, one for anger management and one for substance abuse."
Julie nodded. Better than nothing I guess.
"When will he go to jail?"
Wolfe sighed again. "He will have a trial and if found guilty he will have a sentencing."
"Oh my God…" Julie shivered.
"What?" Tim asked.
Julie looked at Tim then back at the detective.
"If it goes to trial… I have to testify." She said to Tim. "Well… and you do too since you were a witness… I'll have to see him…"
"Maybe not… you could testify in a few different ways. You will be notified as the trial comes closer."
"Is there... Could he be found not guilty?" Julie asked.
"I don't want to lie to you...it is possible."
"This is a nightmare." Julie stated.
"Miss Taylor… you did everything right today. If anyone makes you feel unsafe in your home you have the right to call 911 and me. Obviously JD will not be able to come near you but he may try other methods to contact you. Even in the hospital he requested to speak with you several times."
"What?" Eric said.
"Why does he want to talk to me? Hasn't he done enough to me?" She asked grabbing Tim's leg. His right hand was still on her lower back. He moved and interlaced their fingers.
"He made his plea of not guilty and claims a lot of things that are different from your version of events. He claimed he would like to speak with you to set the record straight."
"My version?" Julie said raising her voice. "You mean the truth?"
Wolfe nodded.
"Yes Julie… his claims are different from yours, Tim's and Bryan's version of that night. A judge will be the one to ultimately decide his fate. It's not up to you or me. You can only focus on healing yourself physically and emotionally. So far the judge has decided JD can remain in his home with his parents."
Tami spoke, "Can we get a restraining order?"
"Against?"
"All of them… they shouldn't be near her."
"Well you have justifiable cause to get one against JD but he is confined to his home so it wouldn't be necessary at this time and for Mr. McCoy… did he make any threats?"
"No." Tim said.
"Then I'm not sure that this needs that level of response. He's been verbally warned to stay off the property and knows he is unwelcome. If you see him in public Julie, it will be your choice to stay or leave that area. Okay?"
"Yes ma'am." She said. I may never leave my bedroom ever again. She thought.
"What about school?" Tim asked. Julie's eyes snapped to Tim.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean is he going to go back to school? Will she have to see him there? Is he allowed to play football?"
Eric paled. He hadn't even thought about a possibility of the boy returning to school let alone his team.
"I'll check into that. Usual cases do allow for a return to school but I'm not 100% sure what the judge will have decided. I would not think he would be playing sports. If he was given a school exception it would likely be for classes and that's it and if that is the case the principal has the authority to determine his routes to classes so that he never crosses paths with Julie."
"I… uh… he shouldn't go back…" Julie suggested.
"Well Julie I know you feel that way but…"
"No… it's not just me… people know what he did and what he almost did. He should not return." She declared.
Wolfe sighed. "Again… that is not your choice nor mine."
A few more minutes of talking went on but Julie was done listening.
I want my bed. I want to curl up and never leave. I hate him for what he did and now he is still hurting me. He wants to set the record straight… yeah right… what does that even mean? How can he just think I'm going to talk to him after what he did? I just want him to go away.
"Detective Wolfe?"
"Yes Julie?"
"What… um… what would happen if I…if I didn't… um… If I didn't want to testify… or even go… if I just want to put it behind me and move on… is that possible?"
Eric, Tami and Tim all had shocked expressions.
Tim thought. She has to testify. The bastard needs to go to prison.
"Well Julie… at this point we have your statement as well as the two witnesses and it is possible that that would be enough for the judge during trial. It's really the judge's call since it is juvenile court. As for putting it behind you and moving on, I do suggest that. And maybe along with that perhaps you might think about talking to a counselor for your own emotional well-being."
"Okay… Um… Thank you for talking to me today. If you'll just excuse me." She said standing up and walking away. She walked to her room and shut the door. She didn't even care if she was rude.
Julie sat on her bed and rubbed her left hand over her face.
This is insane. I just… I don't even know what I want. I want him to stay far far away.
Julie stood up and carefully pulled her covers down. Her mom had placed a few extra pillows on the chair by her desk.
Julie pushed the pillows to the right and crawled in to the center of her bed and laid back against her head board. She rested her right arm on a pillow next to her and carefully pulled her legs up to her chest.
I can just stay right here in this bed forever. He can't hurt me here. He's confined to his house. He can't get to me here.
A knock brought her out of her thoughts.
"It's Tim." He said.
She sighed. "Come in."
He came in and shut the door behind himself.
He sat in front of her. Looking at her. She wasn't crying anymore. She just looked exhausted.
"Whatever you're feeling is fine Julie."
She nodded then smiled.
"Tim, do you wanna make out?" She asked.
Tim laughed.
"Really?"
"I don't know. I feel pissed off and scared and very thankful that you're here."
He smiled.
"I feel all of that too."
He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose.
She pulled him in by the shirt and kissed him deeply. He responded by scooting closer and sliding his hands around her back. He was very gentle and careful of her arm. She lifted her right arm to his shoulder.
He pulled his face back.
"You okay?"
"Yes." She melted her lips back to his and slid her left hand up his chest and into his hair.
He made a moaning noise which made her smile.
Then she shocked the hell out of him by moving her left leg forward and straddling him.
"Jules." He moaned.
She sat up on his lap and smiled at him. He wrapped his arms around her back
"Tim?"
He blinked a bunch to regain focus.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for supporting me… currently that would be physically… but I know I can always count on you."
He just smiled and leaned in for more kissing.
He wanted to just lay back but he was afraid he would hurt her arm or her ribs.
The make out session only lasted a few minutes. They both knew her parents would check on them soon.
He gently put his hands on her hips and lifted her back to her spot in the bed and she carefully put her arm back on the pillows.
He kissed her lips again then kissed her head.
Tim wasn't sure about a lot of things but he was damn sure he was falling fast for this beautiful girl… his beautiful girl… and he knew he would do anything to protect her from the McCoy's.
That afternoon quickly turned to evening and they had pizza for dinner and all of them watched The Princess Diaries in the living room. Julie took her night medicine and Tim knew he was going to have to say goodbye soon. He would return home and not see her again till after practice tomorrow.
Julie was well enough to be at home but not well enough to be alone yet. Eric was planning to stay with her tomorrow and then Tami took off Wednesday – Friday. Tami decided she would pick up some files tomorrow and try to do some work from home the rest of the week. Eric needed to return for football. Gracie would still be going to daycare though so that whoever was home could focus solely on Julie and anything she would need.
When the movie was over Tami took Gracie to bed.
"I guess I should head out." Tim stated.
Julie's sleepy eyes popped open at that.
"Have a good night Tim." Eric said stepping into his room.
Tim took no chances of him coming back and just pecked a kiss on her lips.
"Call me if you can't sleep or need to talk or anything." He said.
She smiled. "I'll be okay… can you come over tomorrow?"
"Yes, I already planned on it. After practice, I'll be here."
"Good you can burn some energy practicing." She said.
"I plan on it."
"Tim?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you find out what everyone is saying… ya know… the gossip? I'd like to know… I shouldn't… but I'd like to know."
He nodded.
"I'll try. But I bet people know I was there… I bet they'll try to get me to talk if Smash didn't today."
"Oh… I didn't think about that."
"I know. It will all be alright. Sleep well Julie."
"Goodnight."
Tim grabbed his duffel and walked out. Time to head home. He thought.
Eric locked up and looked at Julie curled into the couch under a throw blanket.
"Jules? Are you going to your bed or staying out here tonight?"
"My bed… I'm just slow… and tired."
He held out his hand and hoisted her up.
"I love you Julie bear. I know it's been rough but you are one tough girl and I'm really proud of how you are doing. Mama and I may not know exactly how you are feeling but we are here for anything you need. Okay?"
She held back tears.
"Yeah dad. Thank you."
She carefully hugged him, went pee, brushed her teeth and then slipped into her room. Her mom had laid out some PJ's for her but she was already comfy in her orange shorts and navy t-shirt and in no mood to change so she put them on the desk and headed to her bed.
She found her phone plugged in on her nightstand and Whiskers sitting by the lamp. Jake was on her pillow. She smiled.
She decided to be very brave and try a new sleeping position. It might be a disaster but she was going to try. Two days of her back hurting was enough and she was sick of it. She carefully stood on the side of her bed and put 2 pillows on the far side with a spare just below them. She laid down on her left side and propped her arm on the pillows, tucked the spare pillow between her thighs and then gently pulled the covers up. Then she put Jake by her chest.
So far… no pain…This might actually work. She thought. She sighed and closed her eyes.
A few minutes later Tami checked on her but found her asleep. She pulled the covers a little higher and kissed her head.
"Goodnight baby girl. Sleep well." She said.
Note: Dramatic enough? :)
I don't have any idea how a Juvie bail hearing would go which is why i didn't write it but... we can all just pretend for the sake of the story.
Leave me a review. The more reviews, the quicker i write. Seriously.