Deciding that the best path forward was the one where nothing had to be acknowledged tonight, I shut the fridge again. Containers cluttered my hands. Ten minutes later, she sat across from me at the table, a warmed bowl of dal in front of her. After a first taste of the spicy lentils, and a smile, she looked at me.
“It’s delicious, as always.”
“Amma would be so pleased, you think so.” I gave her a warm smile that she reciprocated. “I need to head into physical therapy, but I’ll be back in an hour or so. Are you all right?”
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip as she nodded. “Yes, thanks Vik. I really am sorry. I . . .”
“No explanation necessary until you’re ready.”
Tears pooled in her eyes, then disappeared as quickly. She smiled, head ducked a little as she picked up her spoon. A quiet, “Thanks,” came next. With a few more exchanges, I slipped out the front door, internally seething.
Less than five minutes later, Vinita’s voice filled my car. I turned a corner, navigating quietly out of the neighborhood.
“Hey, Vik.”
“Tell me that Timothy Hanover didn’t attack Katelyn five years ago. That he wasn’t, for someinsanereason, releasedback to the same town where he can stumble on her every day. I need to hear the words Vini, because I’m about toloseit.”
Her astonished silence didn’t make me feel any better.
“What? She told you?”
I pressed back against the seat and growled. “That’s not what I wanted to hear.”
“Explain, Vik,” she snapped.
Slowly, I laid out the clues. What happened at the grocery store, and finally the text messages from Hernandez. Vini groaned.
“Poor Kate, I had no idea. Her story is not mine to tell, Vik. She’s my best friend and I’ve been helping her through a few . . . tough times . . . with my colleague.”
I ground my teeth together.
“That’s confirmation, thanks.”
“Vikram!” she cried. “Don’t you dare do something stupid, like out her. She will tell you if and when she desires. You will act as if you knownothingand you will respect her privacy.”
My breath was hot and fast.
“I won’t just sit by and let her be afraid of this guy! He’s out now, Vini. What if—“
“You aren’t.” Her firm tone knocked me off the shrinking ledge that felt too small. The anger I could barely keep under control. She softened. “Youarehelping her, Vik. She told me she feels safe with you, and she hasn’t said that word for a long time. For heaven's sake, she’s finally stopped talking about her rules! Let this play out, all right? You’ll gain more trust if you let her come to you.”
“I’m going to him first.”
“You will not,” she countered, huffy. “You will let Kinoshi secure the restraining order, and you will provide a safe place. The last thing she needs is drama. Believe it or not, Katelyn is not the emotionally abused girl that lives next door anymore. In five years and a lot of therapy, she’s come alongway. Are there residuals? Absolutely, but she’s working through them. Right now, she needs a friend and a safe place. You will be both.”
Properly chastised, I closed my eyes.
“You’re right.”
“Of course I’m right.”
“She’s already put a restraining order together?”
“Yes. Kinoshi helped her with it after she received the call that he was getting out, probably on good behavior..”
Some of my ire calmed, but didn’t drain away. It jumped around inside me like hot beans.
“Fine.”
