Embry's Story

by kat3411

Embry Call is the ladies man of the pack. Always out for a good time. What happens when he finds someone and wants more than that? And who is he, really? Where does he come from? Read on and find out . . .

66. Chapter 65

CHAPTER 65

Leah POV:

Embry showered and put on clean clothes then had his Mom clean up his face and the wound on his leg. It was already healing, but she wanted it cleaned in case of infection. He insisted on taking me home, so his mom and dad each hugged me and told me they loved me. They were such good people. I loved them, too.

Embry put me in the Jeep and drove me home. We walked into the house to find Mom already home from work. She had worked a rare day shift today. Seth should be home any minute from school. I knew they would have to know what happened, but Embry would have to tell them. I just couldn't. Embry walked me in and sat me on the couch. Mom just looked at us and said slowly, "What's wrong? Embry, honey, your face! Let me see that." She touched Embry's face and he flinched. "What happened? Leah, are you OK?"

I couldn't look at her, I don't know why. I just stared at the floor and shook my head back and forth. Embry had his arm around my shoulder and I leaned into him. I don't know where I would be right now without him. He was my rock and I was clinging to him. Finally Embry said, "No, she's not. Something happened today, and, um, it was pretty horrible."

Just then the door opened and Seth came in. He looked at us then said, "What happened? Did he come back? Did you catch him?" He walked over and sat down by Leah.

Mom said, "He? He, who? Who came back? Somebody better tell me what the hell is going on here."

Seth jumped in with, "Josiah, Mom. He came back last night and took Leah after she got off of work."

Mom shot a look at me. "What? Why didn't I know about this?"

Seth went on, "Because it happened late last night. Embry and I tracked them down and found them. And we had him, we had him and Leah let him go. Then Sam and Paul and I ran him down and caught him and we beat the shit out of him! Then Sam and Paul took him back to his brother and told him if he ever came back here we would kill him," Seth said excitedly. He was having a little too much fun with the story.

I couldn't believe I had any tears left, but they started flowing again. Embry held me close and I buried my head into his shoulder. Embry said, "Um, Seth, let me, OK?"

Seth looked at him then said, "OK."

"He didn't hurt you, did he, Leah?" Mom asked.

I just shook my head. "He would have if we hadn't found them," Seth said quickly. Then he looked over at Embry and said, "Sorry."

Embry said, "He came back this morning." He launched into the story and just hearing it all again brought it vividly to mind. I fought the urge to put my hands over my ears. He finally finished talking and Mom and Seth just stared at both of us.

Mom had started crying while Embry was talking. When he finished she kneeled in front of me and pulled me into her arms. "Oh my God, Leah. I'm so sorry, honey. I'm so sorry you had to see that." We held each other as we both cried. Then she let me go and turned to Embry. She reached for him and as she hugged him she said, "I'm so glad you're alive."

Seth just sat there and stared at us. Mom moved back to the chair and wiped her eyes. We all sat there in silence for quite awhile. What else was there to say?

Finally, Mom got up and went into the kitchen. I could hear her banging pots and pans around and I knew she would be cooking something. Mom and Emily were cut from the same cloth. When there was a crisis, they felt the need to feed people. Embry's phone vibrated and he looked at me. I nodded so he pulled it out and answered it. He looked at me and mouthed, "Jake," then he got up and walked over to the other side of the room to talk to him. Seth said, "Are you OK?"

I shook my head. He put his arms around me and held me. We sat there until Embry came back. Then Seth stood up and went to Embry. He looked at him and finally said, "I'm really glad you're OK, bro." Embry smiled and pulled him into a hug. "Thanks, bro. I love you." Seth mumbled, "Love you, too." Then he ran upstairs and I heard him shut his bedroom door.

Embry sat down and looked at me. "You haven't eaten all day. Can I get you something? Anything?" I shook my head. I snuggled up to him and he put his arms around me and held me. This was all I could do right now.

Word spread pretty quickly around the pack and they came to see us and show their love and support. It was amazing, really. It wasn't that long ago that I was such a bitch to all of them. And now, here they were, showing me how much they cared about me. Paul and Jared came by and soon Jake and Quil showed up. Embry had been so strong all day, but when Jake came in and walked up to him with tears in his eyes, Embry lost it. Jake put his arm around Embry's shoulders and led him outside so he could have some time to get it all out. These guys had been together their whole lives and they were closer than any two brothers could ever be. I was really glad that Jake could be there for Embry. Especially since I couldn't.

Seth had come back downstairs when he heard the guys come in and he had taken Embry's place as my protector. He sat close beside me on the couch and talked to the guys so I wouldn't have to. I nodded or shook my head a few times but mostly I just stared at the floor. I was retreating into myself more and more and I could feel myself shutting down. It was all I could do to stay upright and keep breathing. I was feeling so anxious without Embry's arms around me. I kept glancing at the door and watching for him to come back to me.

Finally the door opened and Jake and Embry came back in. Embry looked better and I was glad. He came right over and sat down beside me and I gravitated back to leaning into him and letting him put his arm around me. I felt some of the anxiety float away. Seth got up to walk Paul and Jared out so I stretched out on the couch and laid my head in Embry's lap and closed my eyes. I wasn't sleepy, but I just couldn't find the energy to interact with them anymore. If I laid here and pretended I was asleep, no one would have any expectation of me.

Mom announced that she had some chili ready if anyone was hungry, so Jake, Quil and Seth headed for the kitchen. Embry sat there with me, gently running his fingers through my hair. I wished I could convey to him how much I loved him right now, and how much I needed him. I wished I could be there for him. I knew I was adding to his burden instead of helping him to let it go, but I couldn't do anything right now to change that.

Jake came back out and I heard him say, "I brought you a bowl of chili," and Embry say, "Thanks, man. I haven't eaten all day." Embry took the bowl from him and Jake asked, "You want something to drink? Wait, you always drink milk with chili, don't you? I'll get you a glass." I felt Embry chuckle. Soon Jake was back and he set a glass of milk on the table beside Embry. Seth and Quil stayed in the kitchen and ate with Mom.

While they ate, they talked a little about work. Jake told Embry that he was right about what was wrong on the truck they were working on, which I knew made Embry feel good. He loved figuring out why something wasn't working and then fixing it. It was like a puzzle for him. Jake told him that he fixed it and called the guy to come and pick it up. Then Jake went back into the kitchen and got them both another bowl of chili and Embry said, "Turn on the TV. I need to watch some stupid, mindless show to take my mind off of things."

Jake flipped on the TV and I heard "The Simpsons" theme song. "How's that for stupid and mindless?" Jake asked. Embry answered, "Perfect." They sat in silence and watched until Seth and Quil came back into the room. Then I heard Jake ask, "What's that?"

Seth said, "Dessert! Brownies with ice cream."

"Oh, I gotta have some of that!" Jake said and he disappeared into the kitchen. Seth sat on the floor in front of the couch. I really appreciated how he stayed close to me. I wished that I could tell him how much I love him. Right now, I just couldn't say anything.

Jake came back with a bowl of dessert for himself and one for Embry. Quil came in and joined them and they all watched TV and laughed and commented on the show. It was so weird laying here like this. It was like I was here, but I wasn't. Like I was just observing. Then I heard Embry say quietly to Jake, "I'm really worried about her. She hasn't said one word since this morning. When we got back to my house, and we told my parents what happened, she spoke up and said that this was her fault. That he did all this because he was in love with her."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Jake spouted.

"That is exactly what I said. Then I went off on her and yelled at her that HE made the choice, it had nothing to do with her. I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't have yelled at her like that. She hasn't spoken since."

Jake leaned toward Embry and said, "Yea, you should have yelled at her. And when she's awake, I'll yell at her. I can't stand that she is blaming herself for this. The guy was fucked up. He had problems. He might have done this anyway, regardless of how he felt for her. She has to realize that."

I did know that. I did know that Josiah had problems. He hated what he was and how he was being forced to live his life. Who wouldn't? I knew he wasn't handling it well, but . . . I still felt like if he hadn't been so in love with me, maybe he would have stayed there and tried to figure out a way to deal with things like Josh did. Instead, he left to come and find me. To tell me he loved me and I had to reject him. I had to. I didn't love him like that. I wasn't really convinced that he would have raped me either like the guys were. He wouldn't have forced me to do that. Would he? And he wouldn't have gone after Embry like that if it weren't for me. He was trying to get rid of Embry to get to me. It was all about me, and I hated it! I felt myself retreat even farther inside. I don't want to think about this anymore! I want to stop!

"I hope she does realize it and soon," Embry went on to say. "He told me he would get his revenge on me. And if she can't let this go, then he's right. He will always be there between us, haunting us. I can't stand the thought of starting our lives together with him always there. Fucking bastard," he added under his breath.

Seth and Quil got up and gathered up all the bowls and took them to the kitchen. They must have helped Mom with cleanup because they didn't come back right away. "Maybe she could talk to a counselor or something," Jake suggested.

"Yea, maybe."

"What about you, bro? How are you going to get past this? He had a gun on you! I still can't believe that. You could have been killed today. Man, I just can't wrap my head around that!" Jake said.

"I don't know. I've been trying to push it out of my mind. I just keep thinking about Leah. "

"Yea, but you will have to deal with it, too, eventually or it will never go away." They got quiet and Quil came out of the kitchen and said, "We better go, Jake."

"Yea, OK."

Quil said to Embry, "Man, I'm sorry for what happened. I'm really glad you guys are alright. Take care, alright?"

"Yea, I will. Thanks, Quil."

Jake stood up and said, "You'll call me if you need me, right?"

"Of course I will. Is it OK if I take a couple of days off? I really need to be with Leah right now."

"Sure, sure. No problem." Jake stood there for a moment, not knowing what else to say. Finally he said, "Take care, bro."

Embry answered, "I will." Jake turned to go and Embry said, "Jake? Um, thanks, man."

"Yep," Jake replied. Then he and Quil left. Seth was still in the kitchen with Mom, so it was just the two of us. Embry leaned down and whispered, "They're all gone now. You can stop pretending you're asleep."

What? He knew I wasn't sleeping? Then why did he say all that stuff about me to Jake? Oh, because he wanted me to hear it and know how he felt. I slowly sat up, but I didn't look at him. I was a little embarrassed.

He pulled my chin around to face him and he said, "It's OK. I get it. It was too hard with everyone around, wasn't it?"

I nodded and he smiled. "Come here," he said as he pulled me into his arms. "I'm going to stay with you tonight. I need you right now as much as you need me," he said softly. I put my arms around him and clung to him. I doubted if he needed me half as much as I needed him. He was my lifeline right now.

Mom and Seth walked in and Embry pushed me slightly away to sit up. He looked at Mom and said, "Sue? I want to stay here tonight with Leah. I just can't leave her right now, and I don't think she wants me to." I shook my head. "I hope you understand that."

Mom smiled. "I do. I'm glad you're here with her. I can see how much you need each other right now."

"Thanks. This means a lot. I'm glad you trust me."

"Oh honey, I didn't say that," Mom said with a smile.

Embry laughed. "Well, good. You shouldn't. But, seriously, I just want to hold her so she can find a way to sleep."

"I know, Embry." Then she looked at me. "Leah, honey? I know you've been through something really terrible. And for now, I'll let you be silent and try to just get through the day. But, I want you to know, that eventually you will have to talk about this. Because if you don't, it will never go away. Whether you talk to me, or a counselor of some sort, you will have to deal with it. I love you way too much to see this ruin your life."

I felt tears slide down my cheeks as I nodded. She took my hands and stood up and brought me with her. She held me tight and whispered, "I love you, baby girl. You will get through this." I hung onto her and tried hard to believe her.

She let me go and I turned to look at Seth. He smiled and stood up and I put my arms around him. He held me tight and I cried on his shoulder. "It's OK, sis," he said softly. I finally let him go then I turned to Embry and he held out his hand. I took it and stood up and we walked upstairs to my room and he closed the door behind him. I sat down on the edge of the bed as he said, "I need to call my mom and let her know I'm staying here." I nodded. He took out his phone and called her. I just sat there and listened as he told her he needed to stay here with me. He told her he was doing OK and that he would be home sometime tomorrow. Then he asked how his dad was doing. "Yea? Good. Make him take it easy. . . yea, I know. I love you, too, Mom. See you tomorrow." He put the phone on the bedside table and looked at me. "Are you ready to go to bed?"

I nodded. He pulled off the t-shirt he was wearing and laid it on the bed. Then he looked at me and said, "Arms up." I held up my arms and he pulled off the shirt I was wearing and slipped his t-shirt over my head. I gave him a small smile. He remembered that I liked to wear his t-shirts because it felt like he had his arms around me. I stood up and took off my shorts and crawled into bed. He took off his pants and then asked, "Do you mind if I put on some music so it's not so quiet?"

I shook my head. He turned on the radio and turned it down to just play softly in the background. Then he crawled in beside me, fluffed the pillows and laid back then reached for me. I snuggled in beside him and felt all the tension just melt away. Here, in his arms against his bare chest, I was home. I was safe.

We lay there quietly for awhile then Embry said, "Leah, I love you, baby. So much. I really need you right now." His voice shook as he spoke. I sat up to look at him and saw a tear roll down his cheek. I reached out and wiped it away and looked into his eyes. "I'm not as strong as you think," he told me as more tears fell. God, I can't believe how selfish I had been all day! Look at him! He's the one that was almost killed today, and you're acting like it was all about you!

"I am so sorry," I said softly. I put my arms around him and held him. I felt his tears soak the t-shirt I was wearing as mine fell silently down my face. Josiah had put us both through hell. But I decided then, I would not let him drive us apart. He would not get his revenge that way. Embry and I belonged together and we would get married and live happily ever after. Somehow, we would put this behind us and move on.

Exhaustion finally took over and we both settled down and slept. I woke up twice in the middle of the night from horrible dreams, but Embry was there to hold me and whisper that everything would be alright. Towards morning I felt him thrashing around and mumbling and I rolled over to wake him. "Embry! It's just a dream. Wake up!" I shook him and he bolted upright and screamed. The sound of it terrified me! He was panting and sweating. Seth came running in and said, "What happened?"

"A nightmare. Thank God, it was just a nightmare . . ." Embry said. He rubbed his face and Seth asked, "Are you OK? Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm OK. Thanks, bro." Seth nodded and walked back out and closed the door. I put my arms around him and he said, "I'm sorry, baby. It just felt so real." He looked at me and put his hand on my cheek. Then he leaned in and kissed me softly on the lips. I closed my eyes and savored the feel of it. Then he pulled me down to hold me and we settled in to sleep some more.

The next time I woke up, I rolled over to find I was alone. I panicked for some reason! I sat up and shouted, "Embry! Embry!" I pulled my knees up to me and kept yelling until finally he came running in.

"What? What is it?" He sat down on the bed and I launched myself at him. He pulled me onto his lap and I wrapped myself around him. "Baby, it's OK. I was just in the bathroom."

I hated what I had turned into. This wasn't me, some scared little girl. I was a werewolf, for God's sake! I was stronger than this! And yet, here I was, curled up on Embry's lap like a scared toddler. He held me and lightly rubbed my back. I finally forced myself to sit up and look at him. "I hate this," I whispered.

He gave me a small smile as he said, "Me, too." I stared into his eyes for a moment then I leaned forward and put my lips gently on his. He kissed me back and we sat there just softly kissing each other. Then Seth came to the door and said, "Oh goody, you're back to making out."

We broke apart and looked at him and he asked, "Is it OK if I borrow the Jeep to drive me and Abby to school today?"

I smiled and nodded my head. Embry said, "Keys are on the table by the door."

"Thanks," he said with a smile. "Carry on." He closed the door then ran downstairs. Embry looked at me and said, "It's so easy to make him happy." I smiled. He was right about that. Seth had such a good heart and he could be happy with the simplest things.

"Did you want to sleep some more or are you ready to get up?" Embry asked me. I crawled back into bed. He smiled and lay down beside me. I rolled onto my side and he scooted up behind me and threw his arm over my waist. I wasn't sleepy, but I didn't really want to leave this room. We had a nice little cocoon here, and I was going to stay as long as I could. We cuddled and he slept and as long as I was here in his arms, I could forget everything.

Embry POV:

I rolled onto my back and looked up at the ceiling. Here I was, in Leah's bed with her, hiding from the world. It was noon and we still hadn't gotten up. I couldn't hide here forever. I really felt the need to go home and see my parents. I rolled over and said, "Leah? Baby, are you awake?" She rolled over and looked at me and smiled. "Hey, I need to go home and see Mom and Dad." Her smile disappeared. "Come on, don't do that. We can't stay here forever."

"I know. But I feel so safe here, alone, with you."

I smiled and gathered her into my arms. "I know, me, too. Just think, when we get married, we can do this on the weekends. I can't think of a better way to spend the weekend than in bed with you." That made her smile.

"Me either." Then she kissed me, gently on the lips, and I felt that fire inside start to burn. I kissed her back, moving my lips slowly over hers to see if she was feeling it, too. She responded by licking at my lips with her tongue. I rolled her onto her back and deepened the kiss. She ran her hands over my shoulders and then . . .

"Leah? Embry? Are you awake?" Sue said as she knocked on the door. I jumped a mile then sat up and said, "Yea, we're awake."

Leah sat up and made sure we were covered up just as the door opened. "Hey, I'm sorry, but Embry, Charlie Swan is here and he has a couple more questions for you and some papers for you to sign." And there it was: the world crashing back in on us.

I nodded and said, "I'll be right down."

"Alright, I'll tell him." She closed the door and I looked over at Leah. Shit. She was retreating again. She had sunk down into the pillows and her eyes had that glazed look to them. I leaned down and said, "Hey, don't do that. Don't shut down again, OK?" I pulled her chin toward me so she would look at me. "I'm going down to talk to Charlie, and while I'm gone, I want you to shower and put on clean clothes. Then you and I are going to see my parents. Got it?"

She just stared at me. I wasn't going to let her get away with this. She must have seen that in my eyes because she finally nodded and said softly, "Yes." I smiled and said, "Good girl." I kissed her and got out of bed to pull on my pants. I looked around for my shirt then heard her laugh softly. I turned to see her say, "Looking for this?"

She took off my t-shirt and held it out to me. The sight of her sitting there in bed, her top bare and that smile on her face . . . it took my breath away. "God, you're beautiful," I said. Then I crawled back onto the bed and kissed her. She kissed me back and then I remembered I was supposed to be going downstairs. I pulled back and said, "I will remember where we left off." She smiled at that.

I took my shirt and slipped it on then went to the door. "Shower. Go," I told her. "Yes, sir," she replied. I winked at her and closed the door and headed downstairs.

I walked into the room to find Charlie sitting in the chair and Sue on the couch. Charlie stood up when he saw me and said, "Sorry to wake you. I just need you to sign the statement you gave me yesterday and I had a couple more questions for you."

"That's OK." Sue moved so I could sit down on the couch near Charlie. We sat down and he asked, "How are you doing?"

How was I doing? I was barely hanging on. "OK, I guess."

He looked at me and said seriously, "Look, Embry. You've been through something pretty traumatic. It's going to take some time to get through it."

"Yea, I know," I told him. "I'm more worried about Leah right now. She's got it in her head that this is her fault and she keeps retreating into herself. I've told her over and over that this is not her fault. He was a psycho and he probably would have ended up doing what he did anyway. She thinks he did it because she didn't love him, and somehow that's her fault."

Charlie looked over at Sue who said, "We were just talking about the two of you seeing a counselor. I know that Leah will need someone to help her through this."

I looked at her and nodded. She would. "Yea, whatever helps us to get past this. I just want to forget the whole thing and move on with our lives."

Sue said, "How about a cup of coffee?" I nodded and Charlie said, "Sounds good." She got up and went to the kitchen.

"OK, well, I need you to sign this statement for me," Charlie started. "Look it over real quick and make sure we have it all down correctly." I took the paper he handed me and started reading. It brought it all back vividly. Josiah forcing me into the truck with the gun . . . shooting me in the leg . . . making me drive while holding that gun on me . . . then stopping and getting out of the truck and fighting . . . and that horrific moment when I heard the gun go off and saw his head explode. I closed my eyes and forced the vomit back down my throat. I heard the paper rattle and I opened my eyes to see that my hand was shaking as I held the paper. I took a couple of breaths to calm myself then I laid the paper on the coffee table and asked Charlie for a pen. He handed me one and I signed my name and sat back.

"I'm sorry, Embry, to put you through that again, but I have to make sure we do everything legally," Charlie said. I just nodded. "Can I ask you a couple of questions about the night before?"

"Yea, sure," I replied.

He asked about Josiah taking Leah and how we found them. He wanted to know times things happened and he jotted all of the details down in a little notepad.

Sue came back in with a tray that she set on the table. She handed me a cup of coffee and I thanked her and took a sip. I was feeling pretty shaky and caffeine probably wasn't the best idea right now, but I drank it anyway. She also had some cookies on a plate and she picked one up and handed it to me. I smiled and took it. Charlie picked up a cup of coffee and took a drink. "Thanks, Sue," he said as he set the cup back down.

He asked me a few more questions then he said, "One last thing. Jason told me that Sam threatened to kill Josiah if he ever came back here again. Is that true?"

"I wasn't with him when he took Josiah home. I brought Leah back here and stayed with her." I wasn't sure I wanted to incriminate my brother, so that's all I said.

He looked at me like he knew, but he didn't say anything. Finally he closed his little book and said, "OK, I think I have what I need. Don't worry about any of this. You just take care of yourself and Leah."

"I plan to," I said.

Sue said, "Speaking of Leah, I think I'll go and check on her." As she stood to go, I said, "I told her to take a shower while I was down here."

"Good. I'll make sure she did." She smiled at me and went upstairs.

I ate the rest of the cookie that was still in my hand while Charlie listened to the call that was coming in on his radio. He stood up and said, "Duty calls. I gotta go." I stood up and walked him to the door. He turned and stuck out his hand. "Take care, Embry." I shook it and said, "Thanks, I will." He smiled at me then went out the door to his cruiser. I closed the door and headed for the stairs.

The bedroom door was closed so I knocked before I opened it. "Come in," Sue called. I walked in to find Sue sitting on the bed with her arms around Leah, who was wrapped in a towel, crying. I kneeled down in front of Leah and she looked at me and said, "I'm so sorry."

I put my arms around her and said, "Oh baby, don't be sorry." I held her as she cried and Sue got up and quietly left the room. I took her place on the bed and Leah pulled back to say, "I'm being so selfish. You're the one that he tried to kill, Embry. I should be here for you. I'm sorry. I'm just . . . "

"Hey, it's OK. I know you're here for me. You held me last night when I broke down. We are here for each other. We will get through this. Do you hear me? We will." She nodded and laid her wet head on my shoulder. I hated that bastard more now than ever. I would not let him do this to us. We had to find the strength to go on and forget about all of this.

"Come on, baby. Get dressed and let's go downstairs. You haven't eaten in days and I am going to make you eat something." She gave me a hint of a smile and nodded. While she dressed, I found my shoes and put them on. She sat down beside me and tried to pull the tangles out of her hair. "Here, let me do that." I took the comb from her and gently pulled at the tangles until they were gone. "There." I handed her the comb and then kissed her on the cheek. "Come on, let's go."

I stood up and held out my hand. She took it and got up and put the comb on her dresser. "Wait, I need shoes." She walked over and grabbed a pair of Vans and slid her feet into them. "OK," she said, and we headed down the stairs. I walked her straight to the kitchen and made her sit down at the table. Sue was in the kitchen and she said, "Bout time you ate something. What can I get you?"

Leah asked, "Do you have any chili leftover from last night?"

"I do. I'll have you both a bowl in no time," she said with a smile. I got up and poured Leah a cup of coffee and put it in front of her. She took a sip and said, "Thanks." We sat there and watched Sue as she heated up the chili. She talked a little about work and let us know she would be working nights the next couple of days then she would be off for two days. She poured the chili into a couple of bowls and put them in front of us. I gave Leah a look and she picked up her spoon, dipped it into the bowl and blew on it, then she ate it. I smiled and did the same.

We ate our lunch then Sue set out a plate with some of the brownies that were left over for us. "Sorry there is no more ice cream."

"That's OK. This is fine," I said as I picked up a brownie and took a bite. Leah had eaten most of her chili, and I handed her a brownie. We both ate two then Leah said, "I'm full, really. Can I stop now?"

I smiled and said, "Yes, you can stop now." Sue took our bowls and put them in the sink. I looked at her and said, "I think we're going to head over to my house to see my parents. I want to see how my dad's leg is today."

Sue nodded and said, "Good idea." I looked at Leah and she nodded. "I need to brush my teeth, though. I didn't have a chance this morning."

"OK, go ahead. I'll wait here." She got up and left the kitchen. Sue sat down across from me and said, "Embry, how are you, really?"

I closed my eyes for a second. Then I said, "I'm alright, really."

"You must have been so scared when he had that gun on you."

"I wasn't scared really. I was pissed. I knew I could overpower him and take it. I was just waiting for the right time. He stumbled getting out of the truck and that's when I took it from him. But then we fought and he got it back, but I could see in his eyes . . . he looked, I don't know, kind of nuts, you know? His hand was shaking as he held the gun on me and I didn't think he could make himself pull the trigger. I never thought he would turn it on himself. And you know, I don't think he planned that. It happened so fast, when he saw Sam coming at him. It was like a last minute decision."

She had reached her hand out across the table and laid it on top of mine. "I'm so sorry that this happened to you."

I just sat there. I really didn't have anything else to say. Leah came back into the kitchen and I stood up and said, "Ready to go?"

"Yes," she answered. Sue stood up and surprised me by kissing me on the cheek. "Tell Angie and Josh I said hello, will ya?" I smiled and nodded. Then she hugged Leah and said, "See you later, honey." I opened the back door and we walked outside. It was a nice sunny day and rather warm for March. It was a good day for a walk. I was determined that today would be a better day. And the day after that would be better yet. I took Leah's hand and smiled at her and she smiled back. That's all I needed. We turned and walked down the path through the woods that would take me home.