Until Today (11 page)

Chapter Nineteen

Greg's uncertainty stokes my courage, replacing the cold emptiness that has been my constant companion. It chases away my fear. It dawns on me that I have the upper hand.

“Down here, Dad.” My eyes remain fixed on Greg.

“Kat, is Greg with you? His car is in the driveway.”

Greg's eyes narrow in silent warning.
He wants me to tell Dad that he's not in here.
Squaring my shoulders, I stand tall; I will not lie for him anymore.

I smile at Greg, enjoying the freedom from his control. But when I turn to leave the clubhouse, my arm is wrenched back. My head jerks violently, and my teeth snap together. Greg's fingers are like a band of steel around my arm. He thrusts me behind him, and leaves the clubhouse, without looking back.

From the window, I watch Dad walk down to meet Greg and clap him on the shoulder. Their voices drift toward me.

“What were you doing down here?”

“I was just chatting with Kat. I stopped by to drop off the papers.”

“The trip was a success?” Dad turns with Greg to walk toward the house.

Forcing my feet to move, I follow them.

“It was. I have the information in my car. I'll get it.” Greg glances over his shoulder, narrowing his eyes when he sees me following. Turning back to Dad, he says, “Better yet, let's go for a drink to celebrate.”

“No, that's okay. You've been gone a few days. Leave the papers with me, and go home to Amy. ”

“She's not there,” I blurt out, without thinking.

Dad looks back at me.

“Was her car in the driveway when you got home?” I ask Dad, ignoring Greg's glare.

“No. Why?”

“She was here to say—”

Greg steps in front of Dad, blocking our eye contact. “Come on, David, let's get that drink. I'll track Amy down later. I have a lot to tell you, and I'd rather finish our business before going home.”

Dad turns to walk to the house with Greg.
Am I ready to tell him?
Watching Dad walk away with Greg is hard to swallow. The frustration of defeat overwhelms me; I can't do this in front of Greg.

This is your only chance. Snap out of it! Don't blow it!

The image of Amy leaving fuels me. Greg has ruined so many lives, hurt so many people. I want him to suffer. I want him to hurt so much more than all the suffering he has caused.

A shout draws our attention to the corner of the house as Scott barrels around the corner, shouting my name over and over. We all stand, shocked, until it suddenly dawns on me that this can't be good. I step forward and yell at him to stop, but I'm too late.

“You son of a—” Scott's outburst is cut off as he launches through the air and tackles Greg to the ground.

Greg recovers quickly and throws Scott off. Dad grabs Scott from behind and holds him as he scrambles to get up and attack again.

“What's wrong with you?” Dad yells, jerking Scott back as he lunges again.

This can't be happening. Please make this stop. Please let this all be a dream.

Mom steps through the patio doors. “What's going on? I heard shouting.” She shivers in the cool air, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. “David, why are you holding onto Scott?”

I glance from Mom to Dad.
Will they believe me?
What if I never feel this strong again? I have to say something before Scott does.

I shake my head back and forth.
No! No, no, no, no, this can't be happening!

“Kat, what is it? What's going on here?” My mom leaves the porch and hurries across the backyard. I look around and realize they are all staring at me. I must have cried out loud.

Greg recovers faster than I do. “I'm sure this is a big misunderstanding. David, why don't we…”

“No!” Scott yells and jerks toward him again, but Dad manages to hold on to him. “You know damn well there's no misunderstanding. You're sick. You belong—”

This is your only chance. Take control.
I'm tired of being afraid and thinking I'm the bad one. I'm tired of being his victim. I'm tired of not fighting for myself.

“Scott, stop it. Stop it, now. This is my decision!” I stare into his blazing eyes until he stops struggling. Dad's arms relax, but he doesn't let go.

“Kat, what's this all about?” Dad demands to know.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Greg turn toward me. I can feel the anger radiate from him, even from where I stand. I focus on Dad and Scott, my heart beating furiously.

“Amy is gone.”
Did I just say that?
“She couldn't stand to see him again.” I point to Greg. The words tumble from my mouth.

Mom gasps, and Dad stares at me, as if trying to decide whether he should believe me or not.

“Do you know what she's talking about?” he turns toward Greg.

Greg chuckles and shrugs. “No idea, David. I talked to Amy on my cell just before I got here.”

He did
not
talk to Amy. Amy was here, and Greg was looking for her. It's just one more nasty, disgusting lie to add to the pile that he started when I was a child.

“Kat, why would you say something like that?” Mom stares at me with shocked eyes.

Scott begins to struggle again, glaring at Greg. “You snake!”

My worst fear crashes down on me – my parents take Greg's word over mine. I would expect this from Dad, but I had always hoped Mom would stand by me.

My head buzzes and I try to fight all the second thoughts warring inside me. I don't want to think. I don't want to see him. I don't want him to win. I want my parents to love me.

“He's lying.” I point toward Greg, unable to control the words tumbling out. “He's been lying for years. Amy found out, and that's why she left.”

“Kat, that's enough.” My father's authoritative voice seems to waver slightly.

I pace back and forth. “No, it's not enough. He's lying to you. He lies to me. He told me that I have to prove I love him…and that he loves me…and that I'm his special girl.”

I stop pacing and plead with my eyes, desperate for my parents to understand and forgive me. Dad releases Scott abruptly. Scott stumbles from straining against the grip that suddenly isn't there anymore.

“He told me that I was a good girl if I did it, and that nobody would love me if I told. He told me it was my fault. He lied when he said that it's okay for him to touch me. I was younger than Sarah is now that first time. I believed everything.”

I choke on my sobs, no longer able to continue. I'm so tired. I collapse to my knees, covering my face with my hands. The emotions I've been holding in for so long pour out, like poison flowing from an open wound. A high-pitched screech escapes, releasing the pain and frustration that has been building for years.

The echo of my scream dies away, and I raise my head to the tense silence surrounding us. Mom's eyes are wide with shock. Dad's mouth is open, his fists clenched at his sides. Greg is standing with his eyes closed. His smirk is gone.

We are all frozen in time – statues – until Dad grabs Greg's shirt collar.

“You son of a bitch, what did you do to my daughter? What's she talking about?”

“Come on, David. I'd never do anything to hurt her. Your family is my family, remember?”

“No, my family is
my
family!” Dad's face is red and his eyes bulge.

Mom rushes over and pulls his arm. “David, let him go.”

Dad glares at Mom. “Get back, Maria.” He uses his free hand to push her behind him. Scott takes her by the arm and moves her farther away from Dad and Greg.

“Where the hell did you touch my daughter? What did you do?”

“Oh, get real, David. Look at her. She's a kid. What would I want with a kid when I have Amy? She's lying.” Greg looks at me, a sneer on his lips. “She's had a crush on me. I haven't said anything because I thought I could handle it myself. She has even been trying to blackmail me. Amy knows all this. Let go and we'll talk about it. We can work it out and get Kat the help she needs.”

I draw in a deep breath and wait for Dad's inevitable look of condemnation. Mentally I prepare for Dad's response, sure that he will turn on me for saying such horrible things about his best friend. How will I ever face him again if he believes Greg's lies?

Fight for yourself, Kat. Take control.

Releasing my breath, I rise from my knees and walk toward Greg and my father.

My steps falter for a moment when Scott walks toward me, but I manage to keep going. Scott reaches for my hand. His silent show of support stokes my determination.

I hold his hand but look toward my father and stare directly into his eyes. “If you think I'd lie about something like
this
, you don't know me, and I'm not your daughter.”

Dad gazes at me in stunned silence.

Chapter Twenty

Greg's shirt collar is still gathered in Dad's fist, but both of them seem frozen.

“Daddy,” I finally whisper, unable to stand his silence any longer. I can hear Mom sobbing behind me. A tear falls from my father's eye – something I've never seen before – and trickles down his stubbled cheek. I almost expect it to disappear into the recesses of my imagination.

As if sensing how much trouble he may be in, Greg struggles against Dad's hold on his shirt. The rest happens so fast, I can't even say who threw the first punch. Within seconds, Dad and Greg are engulfed in a vicious struggle, the sound of their grunts and punches ringing through the air.

Scott drags me away from the swinging fists to where Mom is. I stand, numb, with Scott holding one hand and Mom the other.

Greg loses his balance when Dad swings at him again. Greg falls to the ground and pulls Dad's arm, taking him down as well. They continue their battle, rolling around on the damp grass.

A flash of red comes into view down by the woods. I hold my breath, hoping to see Amy following behind Sarah, but she doesn't appear.

“Mommy, make them stop!” Sarah yells, flying toward my mom and hugging her around the waist. Sarah's sobs are muffled in my mom's skirt.

Another loud crack draws my attention back to the fight. Dad's face swings to the side, an arc of blood following the motion of his head.

“This has to stop.” Mom disentangles herself from Sarah and runs across the lawn, disappearing through the patio doors. Sarah follows close behind, still crying.

What if Greg really hurts Dad? It will be my fault. I never imagined that this would happen and I'd be standing here watching them try to tear each other apart.

I approach them, trying to find a way to break up the fight. Now Greg is on top of Dad. I grab his jacket, trying to pull him off. “Leave him alone.”

Greg swings his arm around, knocking me in the face and sending me to the ground. “Get away, you little…”

I huddle on the ground, covering my bloody nose. Dad throws Greg off him. “Don't you ever touch my daughter or anybody in my family again.”

Scott grabs my arm, pulling me up and farther away from the scuffle.

“That's enough. I've called the police. Break it up – now!”

I hadn't even heard or seen Mom come back out from the house. The fact that she has called the police begins to register in my muddled brain.

What will happen to everyone? What will happen to me? Will my parents tell them what Greg has been doing to me?

“Kat, what happened?” Mom is staring at me with wide eyes. She gently touches my cheek where Greg hit me. A strange, croaking sound escapes her, and I leave Scott's protection to be enfolded in my mother's arms. How long have I wished for a hug like this?

“You're bleeding. What happened to you?”

“I'm okay, Mom. I got too close. It's just a nosebleed.”

“Why are they fighting? Why won't they stop?” Sarah is behind Mom, clinging to her.

“Come here, Sweetie.” Mom reaches behind and draws Sarah to her side, still keeping me safe in her other arm. It feels so good to be held like this.

Mom's hands run through Sarah's hair, trying to calm her.

I didn't want it to happen this way. I feel Mom tremble when Greg's fist makes contact with Dad's cheek. I never should have said anything. This is my fault.

The wail of the police sirens draws closer.

“Are they going to take Daddy away?” Sarah whispers.

Mom's eyes look sad. Squeezing both of us, she whispers, “I don't know. I just don't know, Honey.” Mom looks into my eyes. “I just don't seem to know much of anything these days.”

“I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean for this to happen. I'm so sorry.” I bury my face in her shoulder, no longer able to stand the sounds of the fight.

Mom's hand feels warm and comforting when it rubs up and down my back. “Don't you be sorry, Kat. We're sorry.”

What does she mean? Why is she saying sorry? I'm the one who's screwed everything up.

Sirens and slamming car doors echo from the front yard.

Moments later, two police officers in full uniform run around the side of the house. They rush past us and approach Greg and Dad, who are still rolling around on the ground.

The tall officer drags Dad off Greg and pulls him off to the side. Greg stumbles to his feet to follow, obviously not ready to stop. The other officer immediately moves in and grabs Greg's arms, forcing them behind him. With an ominous click, the cuffs close around Greg's wrists.

Greg struggles with the officer. “What the hell is going on? Let me go.” His eyes show signs of desperation.

The officer moves to grab Dad's arms, but Dad holds up his hand. “It's okay. I'm done.” The officer nods, but still puts the handcuffs on.

Dad lowers his head to swipe the blood from his lip onto his shoulder, where it leaves a red smear on his ripped shirt. His pants, once a tan color, are covered with grass stains and mud. I've never seen my dad so dishevelled. His hair is sticking straight up, with dead leaves tangled in it. His eye is already starting to bruise and swell, and blood is still running down his nose.

Mom holds Sarah and me close. A shudder runs through her. “David,” she whimpers, staring at Dad.

Sarah's sobs pierce the air with renewed volume.

Dad looks at us, as if realizing for the first time that we're standing there. “It's okay, Maria.” His voice is familiar and firm, and strangely reassuring.

He looks at Sarah briefly and then locks eyes with me, grimacing in pain as he shifts his weight. For the first time in a long time, I find myself feeling sorry for Dad and wishing I wasn't the cause of his distress.

“It's going to be all right, Kat. We'll work this out,” Dad says, before the officer leads him to the front. The other officer follows, pushing Greg, still struggling against the handcuffs, along in front of him.

Emotions bombard me as Greg is taken into custody: fear of what's going to happen next, sadness for everything ending this way, relief and trepidation that my dreadful secret is finally out in the open. Yet, through all of this, the comfort of Dad's parting words echo inside me, controlling my trembling and calming me.

My head pounds and I'm suddenly exhausted. I want to climb into a black hole and forget everything that's happened within the last twenty minutes.

“Kat! Kat, where are you? Kat!” Steph's panicked voice rings out.

“Back here,” I whisper, unable to summon the energy to shout any louder.

The tall police officer who pulled Dad off Greg comes back around the house.

“Mrs. Thompson, you made the call?” My mom nods.

“I'm going to have to ask you some questions,” he says, stopping in front of the three of us.

Mom moves slightly in front of me, as if sheltering me from the officer's view. She nods and points toward the side of the house. “Let's talk over there.”

Scott is immediately by my side and wraps his warm, protective arms around me. I'm no longer angry that he started all of this. I just want to stay sheltered forever.

“Kat!” Steph comes around the corner of the house. She stops a few feet from Scott and me, trying to catch her breath, her eyes swing between us and Mom, walking up the lawn with the officer, followed by Sarah.

Scott cradles my cheeks with both hands and looks into my eyes.

“Are you okay?” He looks relieved when I nod. “Did he hurt you before I got here?” I shake my head and flinch when his hand rubs the tender spot where Greg hit me.

“Who? What's going on?” Steph was never able to wait patiently. Her head swivels back and forth in obvious confusion.

She's here now, but we've lost some of the closeness we once shared. We used to tell each other pretty much everything. Why am I hesitating now?

Sensing my reluctance, Scott turns to his sister. “Why don't you help Mrs. Thompson with Sarah, Steph? It looks like she could use it.”

After one last look, as if to let me know that it isn't over, Steph walks over to coax Sarah away from my mom and the officer.

Now that some of the shock of what's happened is fading, I look up at Scott again. “How could you? I told you that it was my decision.”

“I know. I'm sorry, Kat. I saw Greg's car and I just…well, I just snapped. I'm sorry.”

Sighing, I nod. It's done and there's no going back, even if I wanted to.