If You Would [h.s.] HOLD

Nine

My jaw drops a bit as I stare past Mak and make eye contact with Randy Carson, my ex boyfriend of three years. He has his arm around a skinny little blonde woman. As soon as his eyes meet mine he quickly snaps his gaze away. I look at Mak, and she can tell by my panic stricken face that something was off. She looks behind me and sees Randy and her own eyes widen.

"Omg that's Randy. What's he doing here?" She actually whispers this time. I shake my head, still a little confused.

"Uhm I don't know. But he shouldn't be." I look down at my now empty coffee cup.

"Is your restraining order still valid?" She asks quietly. When I don't answer I feel her hand reach across and cover my own.

"I-I think so. Maybe we should leave." I stumble out and begin to stand up.

"Okay. Let's go." Mak grabs her and purse and we both lay a few dollars in the table before shuffling out of the cafe, trying our hardest not to look at him.

As soon as our faces hit the fresh air outside I finally let go of the breath I didn't know I was holding in. I stop walking for a second and just take a moment to gather myself. I feel a hand on my back.

"Hey. Eve. Let's keep goin okay? We can breathe in the car." Maks comforting voice sounds in my ear. I nod. We start walking again but as soon as I take a few steps a high pitched voice calls from behind us.

"Hey! Uhm. Evelyn?" I hear the voice and stop in my tracks before turning around and facing the blonde woman that was previously tucked under Randy's arm. She jogs up to us and I can't help but take a step back when she does.

"We don't want to hear whatever you're about to say." Mak surprisingly speaks up from beside me. I still feel speechless.

The blonde woman doesn't even look at Mak, instead she seems hellbent on staring straight into my soul.

"Hi Evelyn. I'm Gina. Randy told me not to come out here but I insisted. I uh, know that you don't really know me and I don't know if you care or not but I just wanted you to know that Randy has really been working on himself. He told me all about what happened between you too and the restraining order. It was a really sad situation." She pauses for a second. The girl seems harmless but her high pitched voice is still annoying and I don't know why she's talking to me about Randy. Especially if she knows what happened.

"He told you about the restraining order?" I ask suddenly. I can't really believe that the abusive, manipulative asshole was capable of telling the truth. She nods and smiles.

"Yes! He did. And I just want you to know that on behalf of us," She hold up her hand to show a giant engagement ring. My eyes widen at the sight, "we forgive you."

Bitch what?

"What do you mean you forgive me." I point to my own chest and take a quick side glance to Mak and notice that she is just as shocked as I am.

"Yeah. I mean I understand that with all the pressures going on in your guys relationship why you would threaten and beat him like that. Not that it was okay or anything but I just want you to know that I understand. I hope you're working on yourself as well Evelyn." She gives a quick nod and smiles. This woman has no idea.

"Are you out of your god damn mind!?" Mak shouts from beside me. My head snaps to the side and I shush her.

"I got this Mak. Okay listen Jenna."

"Gina."

"Whatever. Randy is the one who threatened and beat me. Not the other way around. I have the restraining order against him. Obviously he didn't tell you the whole truth and I feel bad for you. All I can say, is get out while you can. He isn't trustworthy. I'm assuming you guys have only been dating a year right? And now he's got you into an engagement. Let me guess, he really loves you right? And he's going to get you out of this town and build you guys your dream house somewhere. Well guess what sweety. It's all an illusion. In a few months he'll start the threats. Then he'll hit you for the first time and then it'll become a daily thing. Please Gina, for your own good. Get away from him." I didn't even realize I was tearing up until I was done. I'm not angry at her for talking to me. She just doesn't understand. She's under his spell. Which is quite alluring. Gina's face turns into a lopsided smile and she reaches out and places a comforting hand on my arm. She has sympathy written all over her face.