THE INEVITABLE │ t.h

TEN

Venus played with Evelyn while Tom finished up his work, but was unaware he was also checking his voicemails during this time as well. As Tom closed his laptop, he furrowed his eyebrows as his eyes fell upon the all too familiar number. He huffed, thinking that the four voicemails were of Evelyn being excited over everything her and Venus had done while he was out.

"Daddy, Venus went to take a phone call and she doesn't seem well. Call me back please."

"Okay, daddy, I listened to her talking a little. Venus is definitely sad. Please call."

"Daddy, I don't know what to do. I know you're busy but Venus is hurting. Her voice is shaking, and I think she's about to cry. Please daddy, call me back or come home soon."

"When you get this message, daddy, call the home phone. Venus is crying in the bedroom right now."

Evelyn's voice grew more and more panicked and distressed throughout the first three voicemails. The last one sounded as if she had given up on getting Tom to help her cheer up Venus.

Tom felt his body shrink and his heart snap. Venus was crying earlier? Of course he had a meeting the one day she needed someone to talk to. He sighed, stuffed his phone in his pocket, then walked over to Evelyn's playroom. He knocked on the door frame to let the girls' know of his presence.

"Wanna play with us, daddy?" Evelyn questioned as she spun around to face him.

"Not right now, princess," Tom responds. Venus heard the serious tone in his voice, not knowing how to feel about it. "Venus, can we talk?"

Venus gulped harshly, looking over at Evelyn. She handed the little girl her Barbie and stood, following Tom to a bedroom — his bedroom. He shut and locked the door, running his hands through his hair stressfully. When he made eye contact with Venus, she saw the concern and worry in his eyes. She swallowed loudly again.

"You wanna talk about something?" he questioned softly. Venus's eyes widened, her mouth falling into a frown. Evelyn must've heard her earlier and called him.

"N-no," she responds, avoiding his eyes. She gripped her left elbow with her right hand, squeezing her eyes shut. "It's complicated."

"I have time," Tom responds politely.

"It isn't my story to tell," Venus retorts.

"But it's affecting your life," he remarks gently, stepping closer to her. She didn't inch back — she wanted to vent to him about this new obstacle in her life, in fact. He always comforted her — she was yearning for his reassurance. "Venus. If you're afraid I'll tell someone, I promise everything you say stays with me and only me." He watched as her body and facial expression changed, as if she was leaning more toward spilling everything out in front of him. "Just ask Evelyn — I'm very good with keeping secrets." He smiled as he saw a ghost of a grin on Venus's face.

"It just isn't right for me to tell a story that isn't mine," Venus sighs, holding her head in her hands. "No matter if it's killing me — it's not my place."

"Venus," Tom pleaded, "it upsets me to see you this way." Venus's back straightens. "You don't deserve to feel this way."

She huffs out a heavy exhale, returning her eyes to him. "You promise that this stays between us?" He nods with no hesitation. "You can't even let the people involved know you know." He hesitated this time, but only for a moment. Only because he was hoping he could help whoever was in distress.

"I promise, Venus."

"We better sit then," she responds, moving over toward the bed. Tom grabbed the chair from his desk, sliding it in front of Venus and seating himself on it.

Venus told him everything. From start to now — everything she knew of was all out on the table. She felt a weight lift off her shoulders as someone outside of the small group listened and understood the situation. Someone she could share her opinions and thoughts with without feeling guilty or embarrassed and ashamed.

"I'm so sorry, Venus," Tom sighs. Without thinking, he places a hand on her knee. She didn't really notice — her body needed a sign of reassurance and comfort. "Michelle is such a nice woman — she seems like someone I could be friends with, honestly. It's a shame she's dealing with this massive struggle."

"It's so shitty," Venus huffs, wiping the spilled tears off her cheeks. "I'm so glad she found Jocelyn."

"Me too," Tom responds. "I am proud of her for coming out and becoming who she truly is — I understand it's a scary thing."

"Her family isn't in touch with her anymore," Venus responds, her voice sounding far off as she felt like she was floating outside of this world. "Not because she's a lesbian, but because they saw her addiction only getting worse."

"Boys are dicks," Tom chuckles, referring to Michelle's origin story, the reason she got hooked in the first place. Venus giggles, shaking her head.

"You've proved that statement wrong," she retorts. "You're so sweet, and kind, and caring, and loving — it's a surprise that you're single." Venus's smile fell, her mind scrambling for an apology that didn't sound half-assed. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to mention that," was all she could come up with. She shook her head in disappointment at herself.

"It's okay," Tom chuckles. "I actually enjoy being single." Venus's heart fell. Of course he did. Tom noticed the shift in her mood for the tenth time tonight. "Not that I wouldn't enjoy dating someone," he quickly adds. "I just- Being single isn't something that makes me sad, ya know?"

"Yeah," Venus sighs. "I get it."

"Do you feel any better now that you aren't hiding that from me?" Tom questions, not trying to sound like anything except respectful and caring. He really hoped she'd give a positive response.

"Yeah," Venus answers, giving him a soft smile. "Thank you, Tom."

"Anytime, Venus. I'm always here for you."