Tacoma Falls: Wild Horses

Acclimating

Amber

I stayed the night at Mary and Beau's place before Grayson took me home to my folks' place. My folks were waiting for me when we entered the house. Momma tried to hug me, but I backed away. She stopped and lowered her hands as her brows furrowed.

It's not that I didn't want their hugs. But I could face the disappointment in their faces. I was so ashamed of letting Satan turn me into something I'm not. The Amber they knew no longer existed after staying with Satan.

"Amber, it's good to have you home," Momma said.

"Is it?" I glanced at Momma.

"Yes, it is." Momma's lips curled into a small smile.

I averted my eyes to the rug. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Daddy asked.

"For disappointing you," my voice was barely a whisper.

"Baby, you could never disappoint us."

I snapped my head to Daddy. "But I stayed with that monster when you and Momma tried to talk me out of it. You said Rusty was no good. But I thought better. And look where it got me."

Daddy stepped forward. "Now, you listen here, Amber Marie. Rusty had no right to lay his hands on you. It doesn't matter if you thought better. It matters how a man treats a woman. Rusty got what he deserved. And Daddy made sure of it."

I looked at Daddy. "What did granddaddy have to do with this?"

"Your grandfather made sure no one retaliated against you or others. He absolved anyone involved of any wrongdoing. Once you're settled, you need to visit him."

That wasn't a request. It was an order to visit Granddaddy Heart. He was the most powerful and respected judge in Tacoma Falls. He was also my grandfather.

I nodded. "I will."

Daddy nodded in response.

I carried my bag to my bedroom with Grayson following me. I set it on the bed and looked around at my old bedroom. It was the same as when I left it.

I met Satan during high school. He pursued me fiercely until I caved and agreed to a date with him. I shouldn't have agreed. He had me fooled into believing he was this gentleman. I shouldn't have believed him. He convinced me to move in with him. I shouldn't have let him.

In the process, Satan slowly chipped away at my self-worth and self-esteem. He wasn't obvious. Oh, no. He was very subtle with every word and every action until he wasn't. Then it was too late.

I became another statistic, along with many others in my position. I got lucky. I escaped.

"Wild Filly?" Grayson's deep voice snapped me out of my reflection.

"Why didn't I see the signs, Gray?"

Grayson looked at me with pinched brows.

"How could I let a man control me?"

"The rat manipulated you, Wild Filly. He was that smooth."

"I suffered at the hands of a monster." I closed my eyes and shook my head in defeat.

"Hey." Grayson rubbed my upper arm and lifted my chin with his finger so my eyes met his. "You're the bravest person I know. Don't let anyone tell you differently. You survived.  That's what matters. Not everyone gets that choice. So don't ever doubt your judgment. You fought and won. You're here."

Relief crashed over me when Grayson said I was here. I had been so lost in my thoughts about the abuse that I didn't realize what everyone had been telling me. I lived when I could have died. It was a sobering thought that would push me to reclaim my life ultimately, starting with more therapy.