This Can't Be Real

Chapter 27

I don't know how long it's been since I left the house. It could be days, maybe a week, I don't know. I didn't explain everything to Louise and Charlie when they came by the next day. I just told them that someone followed us while I took my car out for a drive and I almost begged them to not tell Joe.

I don't want him to come home from preseason because in all honesty, he needs to get away. He's been dealing with me and everything that's happened since May. He's practically been a full-time dad to Zachary since the accident. On top of all of that, he's had to deal with footballing duties and everything else in his life that I don't fully know much about.

I've had Louise and Charlie buy food and anything else that I may need for the coming days which I know I'm brave enough to do on my own, I just don't want to chance it.

"Has she told Joe about what happened?" I hear Charlie ask his wife. They're both sitting in the living room with Zachary, the television on but muted. "He has a right to know."

"He does but it's not our place to tell him," Louise responds on an outtake of breath. "Leigh has to be the one to tell him, not us."

"He's our son, Louise."

"And she's his wife. It's happening to her. Not us. If she wants to tell him, she will."

"It's not right that she's keeping it quiet from him. She's pregnant and this amount of stress for her isn't good for either her or the baby."

"You don't think she knows that? She's just trying to do what she thinks is right."

"Keeping this quiet isn't right. I'd call the police in if it meant they were safe from the maniac."

"Charlie-"

"We need to tell Joe."

"And for him to do what? Come home from preseason to protect her and Zachary? The answer's no, Charlie. We're not telling him for two reasons. One, it's not our place to say, and two, he needs this preseason trip as much as we all need normality again. It's not been the best few months, but we all need to try and get back to normal and as soon as that can happen, the better we'll all be and feel."

I almost smile to myself at hearing Louise defend my choice of not telling Joe about what happened. He does need to get away and this preseason trip is doing just the thing. He'll come home feeling more energetic and relaxed, he'll just be looking forward to getting on with his life like we all want to do.

I straight my posture and walk into the living room, stopping at the back of the couch my in-laws are sat on. My hands fall onto the back of the couch and I smile weakly at Louise who has turned her attention to me.

"How are you today, Leigh?" She asks sweetly.

"Not too bad. Thanks for asking," I answer.

It's partly true and it won't be changing anytime soon. When Joe's back home, I'll be happy. My answer to how I'm feeling won't be 'not bad', it'll be 'good'.

"What are your plans for today?" Charlie asks.

I open my mouth to speak but a knock on the front door has me turning on the spot and looking out of the living room to the front door that's directly opposite from the room.

"That'll be Chloe," Charlie explains while rising to his feet. "I hope it's okay if we invited her?"

I keep my lips firmly pressed together and just nod. I've only met Joe's sister once since May and it was only briefly. She came by the house to drop Zachary off after he spent the day with her and her kids, and it just so happens that I was in the middle of walking up the stairs when she arrived. Joe had called me to come back down the stairs, and that's when I met her. She seemed nice and completely understood my need to cut the introduction short as I was tired and just wanted to sleep.