Geneva
Detective Harrison had his attitude all wrong. He also didn’t understand the way her mind worked. Or maybe, he did. But nobody told Geneva what to do. Not even the man she had married—despite the love, honor, and obey part of the vows she had taken.
Before she shelved thoughts of the policeman, Geneva made a note to stop at home after she left the rehab center. The drop-in wasn’t strictly necessary, but one never knew.
She greeted the receptionist and made her way to the alcove beyond the lounge area, where Alexia sat at a table with her journal open. Instead of writing, she was staring out the window.
Geneva kissed Alexia’s forehead at the same time a tear slid down her cheek. By reflex, she swept it away with one finger. The breath rushed out of Geneva’s lungs, and she could barely choke out her question. “What’s wrong, honey?”
After laying her laptop sleeve and handbag on another seat, Geneva sat down, her heart racing. “Lexi, what happened?”
Alexia swiped her face, then glared at Geneva. “How could you?”
Her expression didn’t change when she asked, “What?”
“That Wall of Shame you came up with.” Her nostrils flared, and Geneva could have sworn she was looking at Spence, until Alexia spoke. “And for some reason, I can’t delete it.”
“That’s because I knew your first reaction would be to do exactly that.”
“I don’t see why you’d want to add something like that to my site.” Alexia turned her head away, huffing as she did. “You agreed not to post anything I don’t agree with, or want people to know.”
“You’re not angry with those people, but you’re angry with me?” Leaning back, Geneva folded her arms. “Is that why you’re crying?”
Alexia tapped her pen on the desk as if she wanted to ram the metal point through the wood.
Something had happened before she got there, but Geneva had to be patient. Alexia was like her, in that she preferred to deal with issues privately before sharing them with anyone else. While she waited, Geneva worked through an idea that had come to her in relation to that boy. She couldn’t even bear to have his name taint her brain.
“Chad broke up with me.”
Her matter-of-fact tone, that didn’t hide the hurt, brought Geneva back into the room. She wanted to comfort Alexia so badly, but sensed now wasn’t the right time. If she did, her baby would break down, and it wouldn’t solve anything.
She sniffed, then the words escaped in a rush. “He couldn’t face me, so he did it online.”
“Coward.” Geneva stayed silent to hold in the rage that washed over her. She’d known this was coming but couldn’t do anything to prevent it. Nor did she wish to do so. “He didn’t deserve you, but you know that.”
Alexia mustered up a smile. “I knew you’d say that.”
“Which is exactly why Chad and Danielle are on that wall with those other people.”
“Please take down their pictures.” Alexia dried her eyes with the sleeve of her T-shirt and held in a sob. “It’s too humiliating. He’ll think I did it because he dumped me.”
Geneva ran one hand over Alexia’s arm. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Lexi. They are the ones who should be disgusted with themselves for how they’ve treated you.”
“I know, but please do it for me.”
Geneva nodded. “Only because you asked.”
As she drew a breath, Alexia shuddered. “About the other stuff …”
“That stays.”
Her voice cracked as she cried, “But it makes no difference.”
“It does, baby.” The fury she sometimes couldn’t contain flared to life again, and she wanted to hurt someone the way her daughter was hurting. The way an angry dragon would—spewing fire and flicking its tail in a reckless, destructive tantrum. But that was a fantasy, and this was their reality. Geneva slowed her breathing and even managed a smile. “They could have prevented what happened to you, if they cared.”
“The way things are set up at these parties, people are off doing their own thing. The music was loud. It’s not impossible for stuff to happen without everyone knowing.”
Geneva didn’t want to hear any of that. “Young people share everything. They must have heard the others talking. Someone should have done right by you, instead of leaving you to die.”
“Island Escape is a big villa, and I didn’t die.” Alexia rubbed a faint nick on the table. “I’ve asked myself a thousand times already what I would have done if this had happened to someone else, and—”
“You have a heart of gold, Lexi.” With one finger, Geneva rapped the table hard in time with her words. “You’d have done the right thing.”
“Why are you so sure?” Alexia asked, staring at Geneva.
“Because I’ve watched you grow, and frankly, you’re a much better person than I am.”
Alexia’s half smile was crooked as she quipped, “Well, you see how much good that did me.”
“Like your father always says, never allow circumstances and people to change your personality.”
“But you have.”
Alexia’s quiet words had the effect of a slap in the face. The seconds ticked by before Geneva could gather a response. If only Alexia knew. The good thing was that she’d never know the depths her mother had plunged to because of one unfortunate incident. When she recovered from her shock, Geneva said, “You’re right. But you’re my baby, the best part of me, so I’m allowed.”
“I’ve never understood why you always get away with playing outside the family rules.”
She chuckled to break the tense atmosphere around them. Alexia had always been perceptive, and she’d forgotten that at her peril. “Because your mama has always been a rebel.”
To Geneva’s relief, the nurse and physiotherapist appeared over Alexia’s shoulder, greeted them, and asked if she was ready for today’s session.
“I have to go downtown, so I’ll leave you to it.” Geneva rose and leaned in to kiss her forehead. “Jaden will be along by the time you’re finished.”
“Is Daddy coming today?” Alexia’s eyes brightened as she gripped the table and stood.
A pang of regret stole Geneva’s breath as put out her hands to support Alexia, in case she needed help. “He has back-to-back meetings today. I’m sure he’ll be here tomorrow.”
“I’ll send him a message.” Alexia gripped the handles of the walker as the support staff hovered. “See you soon.”
“He’ll appreciate that. Talk later.”
One thing she knew for sure—despite his faults, Spence loved his children. But Alexia had his heart. Always had. Always would. She realized then that she still hadn’t found out where he’d disappeared to after watching the video. Much later that evening, he’d returned, sullen and quiet. If she didn’t know Spence’s habits, she’d think he’d been drinking. But, he hadn’t.
She’d left him alone, and when he fell asleep, she watched him, her heart aching. The grief she held at bay was etched into his features. She didn’t know what to think as her gaze traveled to his skinned knuckles and returned to the bruise around one of his eyes.