Women that say No ll

Chapter 6

I stood up there after, finding my feet moving faster than my brain could process.

Something drew me after The path Angela had made. Walking into the lobby where she was sitting on the bench glimpsing out the huge window that slid down the entire hallway looking at the skyscrapers just feet away. I could instantly tell she was in deep thought and the sound of my heels slowly coming to a halt unable to draw my eyes off of her, caused her eyes to turn connecting with mine.

Neither of us said a word but our expressions said everything. For the first time we weren't bickering. I bit my lower lip allowing my feet to continue to waltz as she exhaled.

"I needed a break, I guess I heard enough. You know... they say, the truth is hard to swallow."

Positioning myself onto the brick wall across from her I folded my arms, rubbing the upper portions, trying to process my thoughts.

"He's your husband."

"Yeah but he's my children's father also. And I don't want their perspective to be ruined because of..." the volume of her words decreased as her eyes drifted off to the double doors of the courtroom.

"Aren't you here to support him though?"

"Yes, it's my duty as a wife. Look—Madison I don't expect you to feel any sympathy for me or understand where I'm coming from. But I'm dealing with a lot right now."

"We're all human Angela."

"No—." She shook her head softly smiling nervously. "You don't know the half and I'm not doing this for attention or because I love the man that's on that stand but I'm torn and I'm hurt and no matter our differences. Any of us. I was not prepared for any of this."

My eyes wondered about the floor attempting to digest where this conversation was going.

"I'd be lying Madison. Really. If I said that I was prepared to learn about the affair or become a step mother to my husband's illegitimate child. I've been a wreck and my emotions are unbalanced but with all of this media coverage and the accusations and trying to be a great wife to a man who's not happy and look you in your face, even now....... and pretend like I'm okay... is a lot. But it's my load to carry because I'm still wearing this band." She sighed fiddling with the wedding ring around her left finger. "Even if I take it off, I still have 2 children by him. My vows say for better or for worse. Hmph.... can I ask you something?"

I snapped out of my no response mode pausing briefly before nodding. "Sure."

"Did I ever do anything to deserve what you and him did to me?"

Pausing to take a moment I finally answered, "I could say I was young and dumb, but it's no excuse. You never did anything to me, but I didn't have the mind and maturity to understand the pain I was causing and about that I am genuinely sorry."

I watched Angela nod swallowing the apology I had gave whole. But her reply didn't come immediately as she looked me in the eyes finally asking, "Did Rick really rape you?"

My content expression changed to that of confusion. "Yes. He did, he raped me."

I watched Angela's eyes wonder the floor as she turned back to the window as she was before our conversation began and uttered. "You better get back in there, his testimony will be over soon."

I stood there for a moment like an indecisive child before taking her advice and turning to head back in.

"I pray one day that the man you love never betrays you and the kids you all conceived together." She sung out as I grappled the handles to the doors stopping to listen for her last words.