Red Ribbons on Her Wrists

Things sort of fall together

Smith: Oh, wow. I did not see that coming. What did you do?

Young: I suggested he take his information to the police, although I had a feeling it wouldn't matter. I then thought about going to my father but again I had already involved him to much for my own comfort. I didn't know what to do and Ryan said he couldn't and wouldn't do that to his family. I asked if Kyle was still around and he said yeah he runs a used car dealership on fairmount. That's about four blocks from here.

Smith: Yeah I know the place, I bought my Jetta from them.

Young: Well you bought your car from an abusive serial rapist but not a murderer.

Smith: How do you know? I look at him incredulously, this boy is resourceful.

Young: I met with him. I actually stayed up that entire night debating on what to do. I had Thalia in my ear begging me not to go, to just let it be. She knew I couldn't though, Thalia was content now finally after a decade of misery. Someone could share her time with her, talk to her and add warmth to her cold existence with the touch of a hand but that wasn't enough for me. When a man starts dating a girl he as an insatiable urge to protect her, to keep all harm from her and to rectify past wrongs if he can. As crazy as it sounds I wanted to do those things for her, it wasn't just my curiosity any more, it was still there but I wanted justice for her, I wanted to know whoever had hurt her would pay for it. I wanted to help her let go, even if it meant losing her. So still drunk from the night before I made my way down to the dealership and there he was reading a paper warm cup of coffee steaming in the fall air.

Smith: Oh goodness I bet this went well. How did you even breech the topic with a complete stranger?

Young: You'd be surprised at the amount of courage a couple of shots and little sleep will give you. I walked up and fiend interest in an old beaten down mustang rotting in the side lot. Told him I wanted a fixer upper and he named an extremely unreasonable price which instantly made me hate him more. We haggled for a bit and I told him to just forget it. Obviously angry he started to walk away and I actually had second thoughts about the whole confrontation but he turned around and snarled what are you waiting for an invitation to leave? I couldn't understand how anyone could be attracted to such an unpleasant foul man especially my Thalia. Then I thought about Ryan, how he'd cried because his older brother, this beast in front of me had hurt her. I thought about poor Jessica and how she'd remember the red rings on her friends wrist forever and I snapped. I pulled my favorite picture from my pocket and almost slammed it into his smug face. He skidded back on the pavement clearly afraid and barked at me to get off his property. He ran to his office but I chased him and slammed my hand down on his as he tried to lift the phone. His eyes were livid, they seemed to scream how dare you, his arrogance was evident but I didn't care. I stared hard back at him and uttered where were you that night.

K.M. What the hell are you talking about? Get the hell out of here or I swear I'll call the police!
L.Y. I know you weren't home, I know you lied. Where were you? And call the police... You'll just be calling my father. Who also knows you've been lying.
K.M. I don't even know you, how the fuck do you know I'm Lying- Ryan.. The little bastard always loved her. Who are you a cousin of hers or something. That family was always a little too close for their own good. He chuckled the bastard had the audacity to crack a joke at Thalia's family's expense. I slammed my hands down on his light wood desk and yelled louder then before.
L.Y. Where were you that night? You hurt her I have at least two people who know for certain that you did and a couple more who suspect it! Where were you? What did you do to her? Where is her body! I was seething, my body shook with rage, I could have strangled him. Fortunately the alcohols effects were starting to fade and I was regaining some self control.
K.M. Listen I'll tell you everything I know ok, I don't want any problems with police. Please sit.
L.Y. I'll stand. I said defiantly and quite pleased with myself.
K.M. Suit yourself. I wasn't home, you already know that but I didn't do anything to her, other then what you know about. I had.. Have anger issues. I'm much more in control now then I was then and believe you me, I regret what I did to her, she was great and didn't deserve what I did while we were together or what I did after. I hit her often. I must have visibly tensed because Kyle raised his hands as if to say let me finish. I'm sorry for that, but I was insanely jealous of her and ridiculously insecure with myself. After she left me I spread vicious rumors about her and I lavished in the pain it caused her because I wanted her to feel as desperately sad as I did. I saw her that day, but I didn't hurt her. She left school early and I followed her out, I pulled up beside her in my truck and offered her a ride home which she refused. So I got out of my truck and started to walk with her. I apologized over and over. I begged and graveled for her forgiveness for her understanding and she said I had it. Fucking Thalia he laughs, she was totally ok with me, I wasn't her biggest issue anyway. She said she'd already forgiven me but we could never be together again because she couldn't let me keep hurting her, I started to promise it would never happen again but she stopped me with a finger to my lips. Her soft fingertip stayed there for a few seconds and then she simply said we both know you can't promise that, at least not yet. Then she walked away, I started after her but then her brother Abe appeared and I jogged back to my truck. I didn't go home that night because I picked up Stacey wilds and drank until I couldn't see straight, I also raped her that night. Kind of, don't look at me like that. My face scrunched in disgust at his words. She had acted like she wanted it all night but then she puked and passed out, so I kinda just helped myself. I know now it's wrong but back then I didn't see the big deal. I also went around the neighborhood smashing mailboxes which is why my parents covered for me. Plus what I did to Stacey doesn't compare to what I saw Abe doing to Thalia as I passed them that day.
L.Y. What are you talking about. I was already at the door, I'd grown tired of listening to this pathetic excuse for a human being.
K.M. Well I couldn't be sure as I was driving, but when I passed them it looked like he a tight hold on Thalia's bottom. It looked like she didn't like it. But It wasn't my place to interfere, she'd just dumped me.