Glimmer of Hope

Chapter 14

The hot water beating on her tired body was heavenly. She didn't want to get out. She began to think of the big mess she was in, and began crying yet again. She felt so dirty, so used. She heard the music playing, and even smelled the coffee brewing, but nothing could take her mind off of what she just recently endured. How could this other man possibly have any interest in a used and abuse, scared, insecure lady. She finally turned the water off, and slowly stepped out of the tub. She gazed at herself in the mirror and saw the slowly faded bruise on her mouth. As she absently touched it she heard Melanie in the living room and she stopped to listen to what she was saying as she looked over her shoulder at the bathroom door. 

"Hi, you must be Steve. Wow you are looker just like Sarah said you were." Sarah felt herself roll her eyes at her friend's comment and blush red at the same time.

"Uh...well thank you." Sarah could not believe Steve was already there, and she was dripping wet from head to toe. She knew she must pull herself together. She must appear much stronger than she actually was. She didn't want to scare Steve away from her before she even got to know him. 

"Sarah will be out in just a bit I am sure. Would you like a cup of coffee now?"

"Sure that would be great!"

Sarah loved to hear him talk. She drifted back to the evening at the mart. Her bumping into him. How he showed genuine concern for her, or was it all just a front. She questioned whether or not this was all too soon, was she being a fool, was this really too good to be true? She thought about all of this as she dressed in a light dress, and combed her hair. She was starting to feel a bit nervous with the whole situation. "Oh pull yourself together Sarah, he is here for coffee, nothing more, nothing less!" Then why did she find herself still trying to make herself presentable. "Breathe Sarah, and walk right on out there." 

With that Sarah opened the door. She gracefully carried herself to the table. She saw Steve's eyes on her as he stood, and offered his hand to her. "Good evening Sarah," he leaned over and touched his cheek to her own. "I must say you look a little more at ease than you did yesterday." He smiled at her and made her heart pump so hard that she thought it might leap from her chest.

"Thank you Steve." she said lowering her eyes. Steve walked around and pulled the chair out for her to be seated. "Thank you." She looked over at Melanie pouring the coffee with a faint smile playing on her lips. Melanie moved carefully to the table carrying two cups of coffee. She handed the first to their guest.

"Thank you ma'am," Steve said with a smile.

"Your are quite welcome." she said as she placed Sarah's cup in front of her.

"Mmm this smells good Mel, thank you."

"You are very welcome as well Sarah."

Finally Melanie sat down with her own cup of coffee. They talked for what seem like hours. The knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Sarah tensed up at the thought of who could be standing there. She felt a hand envelope hers, and looked up to see Steve smiling with assurance that she would be ok. Melanie slowly stood at the same time Steve and they went to the door together. With a big inhale she reached for the door and eyed the peep hole and then let out a breath that she had not realized she was holding. She opened up the door for Nick. "Wow I thought that you all went to bed!" He smiled at Melanie and gave her a kiss.

"Sorry sweetie, but things are a bit tense here you know?"

"I understand Mel, just giving you a hard time is all."

"So are you getting ready to leave now?" Melanie asked him.

"Not on your life honey! I called the station, and they granted me permission to keep watch all night. Well, they are letting me keep the car here even though I am off duty."