Free Irrefutable by Dale Roberts Page B

pulled in the drive thru to place their order. “He was released on bond. Everything continued while he was awaiting trial. Seven months.”
    “I can’t imagine. I get upset if my dad gets called away on his off duty time, even though he’s just doing his job.” Carmen said.
    “When the trial started, I guess my mom realized it was true. Either that, or she was embarrassed about what everyone would think of the family. Either way, she would never testify. She committed suicide. The case was dismissed for lack of evidence.” Janet feigned a small laugh. “Who would take the word of an emotionally disturbed child? That’s what the lawyers called me.” She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Anyway, my dad blamed me for mom’s death. He said if I hadn’t told my teacher, everything would’ve been fine.”
    “How old were you?”
    “I was fourteen. I went to live with an aunt, my mother’s sister. She believed me. I never saw my father again. Bastard eventually drank himself to death, or so I’m told.”
    “So, how did you turn out so…normal?”
    Janet laughed, “Normal?”
    “I mean, you’re so nice. If you didn’t tell, no one would know anything like that ever happened.”
    “I did go to therapy when I lived with my aunt.” Janet explained, “I learned about the ways abusers control their victims. I learned that I was a victim, that it wasn’t my fault. They thought I felt guilty for my mom’s death, but I didn’t. She blamed me for everything, said I made the whole thing up. She can rot in hell for all I care.”
    “So what did you do?”
    “I finished high school while living with my aunt, then went to college, nursing school. I guess I became a SANE nurse because of what happened to me. I wanted to make sure no more rapists got away with it.”
    “What’s a sane nurse?”
    “Sexual assault nurse examiner. I’m kind of a forensic investigator, you know, like CSI, but my crime scene is the victim. I do exams and collect evidence.”
    “So that’s how you know my dad so well.” Carmen said.
    “That’s how.” Janet paid for the food and pulled away from the window. She handed the sack to Carmen. “So how was the prom?”
    “It actually turned out good. I had fun.” Carmen removed her food from the bag and gave it back to Janet. “I was afraid I would be in trouble because I got home late but, my dad got home after I did. He looked like he’d been crying, but I didn’t want to ask.”
    “Maybe he felt bad for having to leave you.”
    “Maybe, but he wouldn’t cry about something like that.” she said then took a bite out of the taco.
    “So, the boy you went with, is he a boyfriend?”
    “He’s just a friend.” She tried to catch a piece of shell that fell but she missed and it landed between the seat and the console. “Sorry about that.”
    Janet didn’t acknowledge the accident. “So is he a close friend?”
    “Well, I do like him, a lot, but we aren’t going steady or anything.” Carmen stared at her taco, “He’s very popular. Some of the other girls gave me a hard time. I think they were jealous.”
    “You don’t need that kind of headache. You’re too young to get caught up in all that. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.”
    “Get caught up in what?” Carmen asked.
    “Boys. They’ll break your heart.” Janet took a bite of her taco. “I’m trying to figure out how to get out of a relationship now. My bastard boyfriend has been cheating on me.”
    “That sucks.”
    “Yea, I can’t prove it though. I guess I really don’t have to prove it to anyone. I know, so that’s really all that matters.”
    “What are you gonna do?”
    “I’m not sure yet, but when I figure it out, he’ll wish he had never looked at another woman.”
    Carmen looked at her, then out the window. “I should get back to school.”
    “Okay. Well, thanks for having lunch with me.”
    “Thanks for buying.” Carmen smiled.
    Janet pulled into the circle drive.