Free False Security by Angie Martin

Rachel said, “but I don’t ever want to get used to that. At least by the
time I’ve heard their stories, they’re already out of the situation. That’s
about the only thing that gets me through.”
    “Yeah, but overall, you should
feel good about what you do.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Think about it. At least you
know if they go back or end up in another abusive relationship, they’re able to
defend themselves against an attack.”
    “But I never want any of the
women to have to use what I teach them.”
    Danielle sat down on the bed and
faced Rachel. “It’s not only the self-defense, Rach. You teach them so much
more than how to protect themselves. You teach courage, strength, confidence.
That’s everything you taught me, and it helped me get past what that bastard
did to me. You showed me how to look forward and not be a victim to my past.”
    “I didn’t teach you those
things. I showed you where to find them in yourself. There’s a difference.” She
stood up and grabbed an elastic band off her bedside table. Pulling her hair up
in a ponytail, she said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to unload my day on you. I’m
going to do the bubble bath thing and then go over to the bookstore. Mark and I
are going to see a movie tonight and—”
    Danielle gasped. “I almost
forgot!”
    “What is it?”
    “Come here.”
    “Why?” Rachel asked.
    “Do you have to question
everything? Just come here.”
    Rachel followed her into the
kitchen. On the table, red roses surrounded by baby’s breath flowed from a
glass vase. “What are these?”
    “They’re roses.”
    “I know what they are, but where
did you get them?”
    “They were delivered today.
They’re for you.”
    Rachel stared at the flowers,
and rested her hands on the edge of the table. “Who delivered them?”
    “Mark. He said he wanted you to
come home to something beautiful.”
    Rachel flinched. “Why would he
bring me roses?”
    “Well,” Danielle said, her tone
as if she was speaking to a child, “sometimes when a boy likes a girl, he’ll
send flowers. It’s what some people call ‘courting’ and it’s a well-recognized
and accepted practice.” Danielle sighed. “I’m so jealous.”
    Rachel glanced at her, stunned
by the statement. Danielle jealous? Rachel thought she was the only one who
battled with envy in their friendship. Laughing, she asked, “Why are you
jealous?”
    “Mark’s one of the good ones.”
    The simple statement summed up
Danielle’s entire view of relationships. Good ones, bad ones. “Yes, he is,”
Rachel said. She looked back at the roses, taking in their exquisite beauty and
wondering what she had done to deserve them and him.
    Scrutinizing Rachel’s
expression, Danielle asked, “Haven’t you gotten flowers before?”
    “No,” Rachel said. She reached
out and stroked a petal on one of the roses, then withdrew her hand as if the
rose bit her. Her cheeks flushed and she fought a smile.
    “You’re blushing!”
    Rachel tried to hide her face
behind her hands. “I am not.”
    “Your face is red and you tell
me you’re not blushing. We need to work on this chronic lying problem you have.
Repeat after me. You’re right, Danielle. I am blushing.”
    Rachel lifted her eyes toward
the ceiling. “You’re right, Danielle. I am blushing. Are you satisfied?”
    “A little. Now, I have to go to
work and you have a date. I’m going out after work, so don’t get worried like
you do. I want you to write, ‘I will not lie to Danielle ever again’ one
hundred times on the chalkboard before I get home and I’ll forgive you.”
    “We don’t own a chalkboard,”
Rachel said.
    Danielle took one last look at
the roses before heading toward the front door. “Definitely one of the good
ones,” she murmured.

  Chapter Fourteen
    “Name one real
girl that can take on a guy,” James said. “And those fake professional
wrestlers don’t count.”
    Rachel bit her bottom lip in
frustration. She sat on the