Fractured [SHAWN MENDES]

~31~

Shawn walked down Adelaide Street humming to himself. He'd talked to Paul about the interview, and his therapist said he handled Gretchen's questions in a healthy and honest way. Paul suggested that it was time to stop hating himself and to move towards forgiveness. It felt like a weight had been lifted, and he actually believed he might come out from under the dark cloud that had hovered over him since he'd fucked everything up.

He entered The Good Luck Lounge and his heart stopped. Gretchen was standing on one side of the bar and Patricia and Taryn were on the other. Judging by the angry looks on the McAllister women's faces, he'd walked in on a tense conversation. "Gretchen? What are you doing here?" he asked as he approached them.

She spun around and was a bit alarmed by his sudden arrival, but she maintained a cool head. "Oh hi, Shawn. I was worried that you might not tell Taryn I wanted to speak to her, so I popped in to ask a few questions."

"I texted her right after you left."

"So she said! I appreciate that, and I guess I should have had more faith in you."

Shawn furrowed his brow. "I didn't give you her name. How did you know she'd be here? Have you been spying on me?"

"You've been very reclusive since returning to Toronto, so I did a little snooping to see what your day to day activities are. It's quite common in investigative journalism," Gretchen told him unapologetically.

He wanted to scream at her for invading his privacy and accosting Taryn like this, but he knew she could use his anger against him. "Then you found out that I lead a very boring life."

"Appears so. Taryn just started telling me that she fell at your condo. Must have been quite a tumble."

Shawn looked over at Taryn and willed her to not lose her temper. They both needed to handle this calmly so that Gretchen had no ammunition for her story.

"Like I was saying...it's not a big deal. I got up to get a drink, tripped on the piano bench, and fell face first into the coffee table. Shawn woke up and took care of me. I saw a doctor this morning and it's all superficial. No broken cheekbone," Taryn said.

Gretchen leaned across the bar and whispered, "Do you want to go somewhere to talk alone? I can help you."

Taryn leaned forward, too, so that her face was inches from the writer's. "Fuck. Off."

This was exactly what Shawn didn't want to happen and his anxiety level quickly escalated.

Patricia, who had remained quiet, put an arm around her daughter and eased her back. "Ms. Lattner, I questioned Taryn thoroughly when I saw her face. I've been in an abusive relationship, so my mind went where yours did. She told me what happened and I believe her. She never could lie to save her life, so I'd know if she was covering for him."

Gretchen looked from Patricia to Taryn and then to Shawn. "Women who are victims of  abuse often lie and say they fell or walked into a door. You have to understand why I'd ask."

"Yes, but you've been given your answer, so unless you have any other questions, it's probably best if you leave," Shawn told her with patience he was proud of.

She reached into her purse and pulled out a card which she set on the bar in front of Taryn. "If you think of anything you'd like to share with me, there's my number."

Taryn was about to tell Gretchen where she could shove the business card when her mother gave her arm a warning squeeze.

"I'm sorry if I've offended anyone. In my field there's a responsibility for due diligence, and I take that seriously. Thank you again for your willingness to speak with me, Shawn," Gretchen said before leaving.