The drive home is filled with their tales of exotic places and adventures, but I catch Dad watching me in the rearview mirror more than once.He's waiting, giving me time, but I know the moment we get home, the real conversation begins.
I'm right.
The moment we arrive, Dad sits me down at the kitchen table."Now, please, tell us exactly, from beginning to end, what happened that night.And no skipping parts, Alisha."
Mom's hand covers mine as I begin to speak, her presence giving me strength.
"It happened after I locked up the store and walked to my parked car in the alley behind the shop."My voice shakes, but I force myself to continue."The man who had been bothering me in a club a few weeks before appeared out of nowhere and pushed me against a wall.He said a woman like me needed to learn a lesson.Then his fists hit my face and stomach."
My entire body tenses at the memory.Dad grabs my other hand, squeezing gently.When I meet his eyes, the love and support radiating there strengthens me to continue reliving the horrific attack.
"When he let go of me, I crashed to the floor.I tried to get away but I couldn't."My mother swipes a tear from my cheek."He dragged me to the middle of the alley, shoved me on my back and began touching me."
My mother's grip on my hand becomes painful."Oh, my sweet baby.Did he..."
I glance at my mom, whose face has gone pale with fear.When I shake my head, she lets out a shuddering breath."No, he didn't.A loud noise distracted him.He turned to see what it was, and as he did, I tried to crawl away, but he saw this and started kicking my ribs."
I close my eyes, my mouth going dry as the terror of that night washes over me."I begged him to stop...but he continued.Just when I thought my spine would break, he stopped and walked off while saying, 'See you later.'From then on everything is a blur.Amanda found me the next morning.She called 911."
I open my eyes when I feel a strong finger wiping away fresh tears.Dad's face is a mask of barely contained rage.
"Is he behind bars?"he asks, voice tight.
I shake my head."No, he's still out there.The police are investigating the box and note he sent me.But as for now they have no leads."
Dad's brows slam together."He's stalking you?"
When I nod, silence falls heavy over the kitchen.Mom is the first to break it, standing to pull out a package of caramel walnut cookies—her go-to comfort food since I was little.She arranges them carefully on a plate, her hands trembling slightly.After placing them on the table, she sits back beside me, close enough that our shoulders touch.
Then Dad stands, and I bite my thumbnail as I watch him pace through the kitchen, mumbling and letting out odd noises.Mom and I both jump as he suddenly roars, "Goddamn son of a bitch!"
Mom rises, placing herself in his path."Jim, honey, calm down."
His eyes meet hers as he throws both hands in the air."How the hell can I do that, Clair?Our girl just told us that the piece of shit that attacked her is still out there.And now he's stalking her."
He stalks past Mom, continuing his patrol of the room."If I get my hands on him, I will skin him alive.Nobody beats and hurts my baby girl," he shouts.
Love floods through me hearing my father call me his baby girl, even as my heart breaks watching him struggle with this news.He's now gazing out of the kitchen window, arms crossed, a deep frown etched between his brows.
"Dad?"
"I want you to come back home," he says, still staring into the garden."You're not safe in your apartment.There's no security."
"I'm already living somewhere else."His head shoots my way."What?"
"After receiving the letter, I decided to move.Amanda found me the perfect place, and now I'm living there."
"And where isthere, Alisha?"My father squints.
I clear my throat and whisper, "The Millennium Tower."
Dad's eyebrows shoot up."You're living in the most expensive apartment building in Boston?"
I nod, watching his face darken with suspicion.
"Alisha Alexandra McQueen, what are you hiding?You don't earn enough to pay for the rent in that place."
"It's okay, Dad.Nick Brown's best friend, Cole, lives there."My heart skips at saying his name."He owns two apartments and knowing my situation, he doesn't mind me living there for a while.It has top-notch security."
