All The Hurt Would Go Away

Full disclosure...

We both left the house and Lin locked the door behind us, Tobi racing to and fro in front of us. I smiled at the dog, happy to see her after always bothering about the children.
"I might pay for a dog walker, I never seem to be able to balance work, kids and dog at the same time."
"You can't balance work and kids Lin."
"I know."
He muttered softly, although neither of us would address it we both knew that he needed to figure stuff out. But, so did I. We've always had something in common and this is our similarity now. Once we reached the park Lin let Tobi run out into the field and threw a tennis ball to keep her busy.
"Where were you aiming?"
He looked at me questioningly so I immediately explained myself
"Well, your eyes were to the left of where the ball landed signalling you wanted the ball to land further to the left than it did."
"That's, right? How come you're so analytic now?"
"It's what kept Andrew sane in prison, I'm trying to pick it up."
"Well, be careful, if people don't tell you something it could be a throwing mistake or something a whole lot more."
"I know I know."
Tobi returned with the ball and Lin threw it again, this time it landed closer to where he aimed it. Numerous kids were playing in the park, running about and hiding behind the various structures inside. It made me wonder why Andrew was so close with Stephanie, his niece. Perhaps it was the idea of innocence and fragility which he adored the most. He loves her because of how innocent and fragile she is but maybe when he met me it was a different kind of love and it scared him, so naturally he wanted to control it, and that got out of hand. My eyes widened and I wanted to shout with pride, if I'm right, then that's the reason Andrew did that to me since he wasn't paid or anything. It was so much more personal. So when I asked him why, he had to change the subject because he doesn't enjoy being the fragile one. He wants to take care of people, and not the other way around. Lin was busy petting Tobillo but I knew in my head, even if I just left, I had to see Andrew again. Just to know if I was right. He can easily cover it up in text messages but I need to see his initial reaction when I tell him my theory, that cannot be seen by text and is hard to cover up. Taking a deep breath I stood up and walked over to Lin.
"I just figured something out and I have to go and check if it is right or wrong. If right then it may be the answer to all of this struggling and if wrong -"
"- What are you talking about Jon?"
"I think I know why Andrew raped me."
"What, seriously?"
"Yes! Of course!"
He sighed
"Well, be careful confronting him. It's a soft topic for both of you so he might react badly."
I nodded and he waved me off as I walked to Andrew's house and pressed the doorbell.
"Jonathan? What are you doing here?"
"I need to check something."
"Did you leave anything here? It's only been two hours since you left!"
"I believe I've figured something out and I want to see if I'm correct but promise me you won't get angry or -"
"- I won't. I'm past that now."
He led me to the sofa and I sat down.
"I think I know why our first relationship ended how it did."
What a euphemism. Wow.
"I, are you sure you want to talk about this now? It's a sensitive subject."
"I know, that means it'll bring us even more closer if we address it successfully."
He leant back signalling for me to start.
"It's fragility or innocence. Your niece, Stephanie, you clearly have a strong connection with her and while I was in the park I realised why. She is fragile and innocent. So you want to protect her. When you met me I was also fragile and innocent but it was a different kind of love, and it scared you. You felt yourself weakening and wanted to remain in control and, needing to assert power on someone, well, yeah."
It was silent for 2 minutes and 28 seconds. I counted each second until Andrew spoke up.
"Wow. How did you figure it all out?"
"I was in the park just now and thought back to you and your niece and saw the resemblance."
"I, don't know what to say..."
"Am I correct?"
I said excitedly and Andrew looked up at me with the same shocked expression he wore throughout my explanation.
"I don't know. I need to think. Can you walk home?"
"Uh, umm, of course, yeah, I'll be, fine."
He shut the door in my face and I turned around and began the long walk back to Lin's. The strange behaviour could mean either I am completely right or offensively wrong and he's rethinking our relationship as a whole. I was proud of myself for figuring out such a good reasoning for the question that had been bugging me ever since I got my memory, it didn't make sense without an explanation. Nothing would. After three short knocks on the door, Lin answered holding Tobi away so she wouldn't escape.
"How'd it go?"
"He kicked me out saying he needed to think."
"Whatever it was you were probably right then, he would never turn you down otherwise."
"But what if I was wrong and offended him so much he kicked me out?"
"I fear he'd do worse if you were wrong."
Lin subtly commented, looking at the floor.
"Coffee?"
"That would be nice thanks."
I replied grateful for the change of subject. Tobi ran into the kitchen jumping into my legs, her tail wagging in the air. I laughed petting her as Lin rolled his eyes.
"Such an attention seeker isn't she? Only reason V and I got her was because she ran straight up to us for a stroke."
I laughed and followed him into the living room.