Keeping Claire

Chapter Thirty Five

                Chapter Thirty Five

Claire’s POV-

                The next week or so passed by in a blur. I went back to work after Thanksgiving. A week after that, the doctor said that I was completely healed but to be careful with the activities that I did. I was still sore, but felt a lot better.

                I spent more time with Sam and got up the courage to tell her everything that had gone on in my life. It was hard, but I felt better after the fact. It felt like an invisible weight had been lifted from my shoulders when she said that she understood. Now we go out for lunch almost every day and I consider her my best friend.

                After getting back to the swing of things, I called my uncle. I had forgotten about my apartment because I spent all my time at Cody’s flat. Most of the furniture was my uncle’s plus he owned the apartment, so I kind of got it for free. I explained to him what had happened and told him that I was moving in with Cody. He understood completely and invited me and Cody to visit sometime. I thanked him for all he had done for me. A week after that, I moved in with Cody. It was weird at first and I’m still trying to adjust to it.

                I reflected on the past few weeks as I casually flipped through a magazine. The shop wasn’t busy today, which was a major contrast from the usually hectic workplace filled with people frantically trying to find a small gift for their forgotten distant relatives. It amused me; the way people ran around seeking out that one artist but couldn’t find it. As I mindlessly flipped through the pages of the magazine, I hadn’t even heard the front door open. I did, however, hear footsteps saunter up to the counter. “How can I help you?” I said in a cheery, yet calm, voice.

                “Claire, can we talk?” I looked up to find a nervous looking Kayla. She wasn’t wearing her usual vindictive grin with the revealing top to match. She had a worried, frightened look on her face. I actually felt sorry for her, but still put my guard up because she was, well, her.

                “Sure.” I replied calmly.

                “I just wanted to, uh, come by and apologize for-for the things that I did to you. They were ruthless and uncalled for. You didn’t deserve to be treated like that. You had enough to be sad about anyway, but I couldn’t see past my fury to realize what you were going through. I hope that one day you can accept my apology.” She looked down as she said the last sentence, almost like she didn’t deem herself worthy enough to be here.

                As crazy as it sounds, I did forgive her. In fact, I had forgiven her a long time ago. I now understood why she had done all those things to me. She was just trying to make herself look better by making me look worse. I could’ve written a book on being insecure. Heck, I could write a whole series on it. I looked at her and smiled. Her eyes got wide, like she didn’t understand what going on. “Kayla, I had forgiven you a long time ago. While it still stings a little sometimes, I understand.” I said.

                She nodded, taking in my words. After a moment of reflection, she turned and started to walk out the door.

                “Hey Kayla?” I said.

                She turned with a startled expression.  

                “If you ever need to talk, I’m here. You know how to reach me.” I said sincerely.

                She smiled and nodded in appreciation then walked outside into the falling snow.

*2 days later*

                “Are you sure you want to do this?” Cody asked with a worried expression.

                I nodded with no hesitation. Sure I felt a little bad about testifying against my father, but I felt worse knowing that there was a possibility that he would be free again.

                Cody nodded stoically then kissed me on the forehead. After that, he walked away, leaving me in line to be accounted for in the court house.

                After about an hour, I was called from the witness room and onto the stand. I spared a glance at my father. He looked old and worn and twenty years older than he had a month ago. Does jail really do that to people?

                The questioning was short and sweet. I answered honestly to all questions, tearing up at some points. Some tears contained sadness while others held nothing but rage.

                I was dismissed then, about thirty minutes later, they relayed to us that he had been found guilty on charges of rape, domestic violence, and abduction. It turns out that I wasn’t the only one that he had beaten on. There were five others that went through a similar fate. I exchanged phone numbers with some of them, hoping to possibly befriend them in the future.

                Cody met me outside the court room and enveloped me in a hug. I pressed my forehead into his chest, taking in his heavenly scent. I turned back around when there was a commotion of footsteps coming out of the court room. I saw my father and, reluctantly, went over to him when he called my name. Cody grabbed my arm. “Claire, no.” He said with a worried expression.

                I reassured him with a smile then walked over. I felt surreal, walking to my father as he was being escorted by two policemen that had him in handcuffs. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t sad. I hoped to have a relationship with him one day.

                “I’m sorry, Claire.” My father said.

                I nodded, trying to find the right words, but my father beat me to it. “I hope that one day you’ll be able to forgive me. Just promise me one thing?” He said. “Promise me that you’ll find the strength to come visit me one day?”

                I nodded, choking back a few tears. “I promise.”