Note: This chapter contains an outburst by Julie that I feel really shows a more developed side to her… or my version of her. Let me know if you like it. I tried really hard to word it... perfectly.

Happy Reading!

Chapter 22:

Wednesday

For Julie Wednesday morning much the same as Tuesday. Except her mom was home not her dad. She carefully ate breakfast, French toast sticks, then went back to bed. She read for a while when she woke up and stayed to herself. Her mom let her relax. At 11:30 Julie carefully texted two messages that took quite a while to actually type and send.

Hey Tim. Thinking of you and I hope you have a good day. - XOXO Jules

Hey Tyra. If you are not working, I'd love for you to come hang out today after school. 3:30?

Julie didn't know how long it would take for a reply so she went back to reading.

At the McCoy household JD was getting used to his new restrictions.

He had come home Monday afternoon and slept for nearly eleven hours. He was so thankful just to be back in his own bed. His lawyers and his parents had made it happen. The judge warned him that he could not leave his house for any reason except an emergency and potentially school but not for a few more days for that, His parents would have a meeting with the administration to find out how to do what was best for him. He was told he would not be allowed to participate in football or any extra things. Only classes. He had a black ankle monitor attached to his right leg.

Tuesday he worked out a little and lounged around the house.

This morning he had a session about anger management. Listening to the counselor speak made him realize he might actually have some anger issues to work out. The counselor spoke about suppressing anger and releasing it in other ways. JD realized he used football as a big outlet for all of his emotions. Without that release he wasn't quite sure what was going to happen. He didn't exactly feel angry… he was confused still.

He still wanted to speak with Julie. He felt like he needed to speak with her. His lawyer had discouraged him saying she has serious injuries and is afraid to see him. His dad had tried and failed. His simple requests were denied. Today he had convinced his mother to go over and she was going to try. If this didn't work he wasn't sure of his next move.

Tami was working at the dining room table when the doorbell rang.

Julie was in her room and heard it but wasn't that motivated to find out who it was. She knew her mom would handle it so she kept on reading.

When Tami opened the door she was tempted to just close it right back up. Instead she stared and waited.

"Hey um… Tami."

"Hello Katie."

"I um…"

"You can't speak to Julie and she's not speaking to your… child." She said harshly.

"I'm not here for that. Actually I wanted to speak with you. I understand if this is not a good time or place. I just… I don't have many people I trust… I… maybe this was a mistake." She started to back up.

"No… now wait just a second. Are you alright?" Tami asked concerned. She looked Katie over and saw that she didn't look like herself, she was pale and wearing wrinkled clothes. She had dark spots under her eyes.

"I… I guess so"

"What do you want to speak about?"

"I… I'm sorry for JD. I just… from one mother to another I just wanted you to know that."

Tami felt conflicted.

"Katie… it's not your fault."

She burst into tears.

"It is… how could he?"

Tami pulled her into a hug.

"I can't invite you in Katie… Julie is here. It just wouldn't be right."

Katie nodded.

"Is she… is she alright? I mean… that seems like a stupid question…I know she is hurt..."

"She's… managing. She takes it day by day. I don't think she is as sore physically but she's got a lot on her plate."

Katie nodded again.

"He's… he's a different kid. I couldn't… I didn't believe at first, he's my baby… you know? but… he talks in his sleep and last night he…"

Tami had no clue where this was going.

Katie took a breath.

"He was having a memory or a dream or something… he kept repeating himself."

"What did he say Katie?"

"You have to understand… at the hospital and the police station he kept saying she never said no and that he couldn't remember everything because of the alcohol. He was so drunk."

"Okay… What did he say last night?"

Katie swallowed. "Stop doesn't mean no. It's different… she said stop but she didn't say no. I'm good. Stop doesn't mean no."

Tami's eyes went up.

"I… I don't even know if it was about Julie or something else but he sounded so… so… cold. He's my baby Tami but I… I think he hurt her and I think he knows he did and I'm… I'm just sorry."

Katie froze. Over Tami's shoulder she saw Julie.

"I'm sorry Julie." She said and started again to back away.

"Mrs. McCoy?" Julie asked. Tami just stared between the two.

Katie didn't know if she wanted to flee or stay.

"Mrs. McCoy… would you like some tea?" Julie asked.

Katie swallowed. "You… you don't hate me?" She asked nervously.

Julie thought about it. "If you want honest… I'm not sure. I do know that I think you are real brave coming over here like this and I'd really like to know why you did."

Katie followed Tami and Julie into the house and they all sat down at the table.

"You should both know, JD… he does want to talk to you."

Julie tensed.

"I don't know what he wants to say or why but I didn't come to convince you. He wanted me to do that but I just... I can't. "

"Why did you come?" Julie asked curiously.

"I wanted to tell you and your family that I'm sorry. Joe and JD just… I wish we'd never come to Dillon and I'm sorry you got hurt."

Julie frowned.

"Mrs. McCoy… he's fifteen… not four. He made his choices that night and you shouldn't apologize for him. I know he got drunk but it doesn't excuse it."

"He's sorry you are hurt."

Julie scoffed. "I'm sure he is. He's also probably sorry two people saw what he was doing to me."

Katie flinched. She had heard the report and the charges but sitting here with this girl and her mother. Well, it wasn't easy.

"Julie… do you… do you want to speak to him? I'm not pressuring… just asking." Katie offered.

Tami glared at Katie.

Julie swallowed and began a speech she didn't know she had in her.

"Mrs. McCoy… I'll be honest with you…I'm afraid of him… terrified even. I know to you… he is just your kid… but to me, when I think about him… my heart races in fear. I remember him being bigger than me and not letting me leave. He pinned me to a bed and I remember him touching me in places I've never been touched before… without my permission. I remember him undressing me… without my permission. I remember his weight holding me down so I couldn't move. I remember him telling me he just wanted to get to know me. I remember his fist punching me in my ribs when I told him to stop. I remember that I couldn't catch my breath after that to even speak. I remember his hands prying my legs apart. I remember the feeling of terror when he took off his boxers and I felt his penis on my thigh inching closer to me… I may not have been raped Mrs. McCoy but that is only because seconds before he would have done it, two people heard my screams and cries and were brave enough to come in the door and rip him off of me. I don't care if it was alcohol or whatever else your lawyer has said or will say. JD hurt me… He broke my wrist and cracked three ribs and he was going to take my virginity by raping me. I cannot imagine seeing him ever again. The idea of speaking with him makes me want to vomit and makes my chest feel tight all at the same time. You asked me if I hate you… I don't think I do, I understand that you weren't there and you had no part in his choices… but if you ask me if I hate your son my answer is unequivocally yes. I do honestly hope he realizes the mistakes he made and would have made. I hope he gets treatment or whatever so it never happens to anyone else but I also want him to go to prison because of it. I just want him to leave me and my family alone. I'm… I'm trying to heal and he's making it worse. Every memory makes it worse. I don't want to testify. I don't want to spend time with lawyers and detectives… I don't want to sit home with broken bones. I want it to have never happened but I can't have that so I honestly just wish he would confess and end my pain."

Tami and Katie both have tears in their eyes.

Katie stands up "I'm sorry Julie… I hope you can heal." Then she left as quickly as her feet would carry her.

Tami followed and locked the door behind her.

"Julie baby…"

"I'm okay mom…" Julie said standing up.

Tami hugged her.

"You are so brave Julie. I love you."

"I love you too mom."

Julie went back to her room and shut the door. She had two new messages.

Sorry Julie. I'm working at the crapplebee's 4 - till close today and tomorrow. Raincheck? Maybe Friday? –Tyra

Hey Jules. I'm thinkin bout you too. :) Can't wait to see you later. – Tim

Julie let out a sigh. She wanted to see Tyra but was beyond thankful she would see Tim. He just made her feel like somehow things were still going to be alright. He was her rainbow after a horrible storm.

She replied to both.

Tyra, Friday sounds good. I'm not sure if my parents will want me to go to the game or not though. I'll have to ask.

Tim, we just had a surprise visitor. Katie McCoy. Everything is fine but I'm seriously ready to pack a few bags and run away. Know any good places? I miss you.

Tim got Julie's message in the middle of chemistry. He asked to go to the nurse and then told the nurse he had a headache and needed to go home. He was given permission and headed to Julie's.

At 1:00 the doorbell rang again. Julie tensed. She had eaten lunch and changed into her fuzzy cookie monster PJs with a blue tank top and decided to take a nap.

Now she heard a knock on her door.

"Come in mom."

"I'm not mom… but I will come in." Tim said.

She smiled and uncovered herself and went to him for a hug.

"Hi. What are you doing here?"

"I missed you too." He said.

"You didn't have to skip… you'll get in trouble… hang on… did my mom let you in?"

Tim nodded.

"Yes and she told me the walls are thin and we should not have any hanky panky."

Julie laughed.

She pulled Tim down on the bed and he kicked off his shoes.

"You know… you are becoming very important to me Tim."

He smiled. "You are very important to me Jules."

She looked into his eyes and saw the seriousness.

She melted her lips to his in a passionate kiss.

"What about school?" She asked.

"Less important…"

"No… seriously… do you have to go back… what about practice?"

"No, I'm not going back today. I have a headache. I think I can miss practice too. I mean my headache would cause me to be distracted and that would be… unacceptable."

She frowned. "Do you really have a headache?"

He smirked. "Gonna kiss it better if I do?"

She kissed his lips instead.

Then they settled down cuddled together and Julie got her nap and Tim got one too.