Seeking Escape

43: Friends or foes?

*** Joyce's POV ***

For the next several weeks, I worked from home. The university was understanding, but I knew that this solution wasn't sustainable. Quinn and I were getting our ducks in a row to do this tell-all feature. We were still being cautious with those around us, still unaware of who forced our hand on this.

That was probably the most stressful part, not knowing who was capable of betrayal or what else they had planned for us. We had the support of Ruth, my therapist, and the legal team. The cops would be watching chatter through their units that focused on sex crimes and cyber matters.

Quinn requested a security detail for me, which I didn't want in the first place. I wasn't going anywhere these days so it was really just peace of mind for when he couldn't be with me. Thankfully they dismissed the idea. No one had physically threatened me in relation to this situation. They believed I was safe. I did too. This seemed more about Quinn than me. My parents and Dan's involvement just another wrinkle.

At the legal team's urging, I sat and had a mediated conversation with my parents. It was really good. They acknowledged that they were wrong to not support me, but they still didn't fully understand why I was leading this "secret life." I patiently explained my fears and why I just found it easier to start all over. It was cathartic, finding the strength to put into words what I couldn't in the nearly seven years since I'd returned home. Everyone was in tears.

"We want a relationship with you...Joyce." My dad stated. I nodded. My therapist had asked how I would respond if that were the outcome.

"I'd be open to that, sure. But on my terms. Quinn is a part of that so if you can't accept him, then it won't work." I stated firmly.

They looked at each other and nodded, but I could tell that my mother had something to say. "Mom? Just say it."

"I just don't know why you won't give Dan a chance. He did nothing wrong." She pleaded his case.

Again, I was so grateful that my therapist prepared me for this too. "You're right. He's a victim of what happened to me too. But we aren't the same and we've both moved on."

"He hasn't. He..." She protested.

"Mom, he's engaged. And even if he hasn't moved on, I have. Quinn is my future." I shared.

I believed those words more than ever. Felt them in my heart. My dad nodded his head. He saw my conviction. I felt the need to reiterate my condition. "And if you can't accept that I can't have a relationship with you."

"I understand. Can we meet him? Properly." My dad asked.

"Once we're past our situation, yes. Maybe we can have you for dinner." I agreed.

I even managed to let them hug me as we were wrapping up. That set off a whole new round of tears, but again, it felt like healing.

Quinn and I then had the awkward encounter of running into Dan and his fiancée at the supermarket. We rounded the corner and almost had a head on collision.

"Joyce." Dan squeaked out.

"Hi Dan." I said. A few awkward beats of silence passed. "Um...hi. I'm Joyce, an old friend of Dan's."

I extended my hand to shake hers. We couldn't be more different. She was tall, super slim, and blonde. Hell, I think she was even taller than Quinn, who she was gawking at, completely missing my attempt to introduce myself.