Free Tipping Point by Rain Stickland

valuables. Her face was fine, and she hadn’t told me or the cops that part, so I didn’t find out until I grabbed her wrist a couple days later and she freaked out.
    “I guess Billy was pretty much screaming the entire time they were there, so every time she heard him cry after that she couldn’t stand to go near him. I had to put him in daycare while I worked, because it was like she hated him. I felt bad for her. It tore me up that I hadn’t been able to protect her, and at the time I loved her. The damage was done, though.
    “I stayed, and tried to help her, but she’d had a very sheltered life up to that point and just didn’t have the coping mechanisms. Diane started hating me because I hadn’t been there to protect her. She said she’d never feel safe with me again, and she left. Billy was with me for a couple of years before she asked for joint custody, but she was never a real mother to him again. I tried to understand, but when you’re a parent you have to do what it takes to be there for your kid.”
    “I’m so sorry. Some people never get over being violated, whatever form it takes, and it’s extremely difficult for people to watch a loved one go through it. You have to bury your own anger and pain for their sake, but from what you’ve said you did everything that could possibly be done. Her recovery was never your responsibility. She has to do that herself.”
    “When you told me about Gerry, I felt pretty much the same thing. The fact that you were able to handle yourself is a big relief to me, and yet I want to go after him because I don’t think his nature is going to improve over the years. One day, if he hasn’t already, he’s going to seriously hurt someone. A woman more than likely. You said you’re going to the OPP station in Huntsville tomorrow?”
    “Yeah. If I don’t talk to them now, they’re going to come looking for me, so I might as well get it over with. I probably got him fired by sending that message to his boss. I doubt she would find it acceptable for an employee to follow a customer home.” Neil gave a small chuckle.
    “Probably not, no. Not real good for business. So, why don’t you tell me your life story, since I’ve told you the highlights of mine. Bet ya didn’t think you were gonna get a whole book worth when you asked,” he added.
    “I’m glad you told me as much as you did. I want to hear about your life. Hard to get to know someone otherwise.” As much as she hated discussing her past, it would always come down to trust. It came a lot easier this time.
    She filled him in on the family she had walked away from, and the two ex-husbands she hoped he didn’t judge her for, or worse, compare her to Billy’s mother. She told him about having her daughter when she was seventeen, and gave a glossed-over view of the mental problems of her daughter’s birth father.
    She waited for his verdict.
    “There’s only one thing I really want to know right now,” he said softly.
    “Yes?”
    “When can I see you?” Mac took all of three seconds to consider her response.
    “As soon as possible...if you tell me where, and when you can be there.” She could hear him suck in his breath.
    “Jesus Mac. I’ll see you right now if you want. Look, I’m south of Rosseau. I don’t know what direction you’re in, but maybe if we’re close enough...” He trailed off. This was where the real trust began, and she hadn’t even known him for half a day.
    “I’m near Rosseau Falls, Neil. You’d never find my place even if I gave you the address. I’d have to give you GPS coordinates, and even then I’d have to meet you out at the damn-near-abandoned road that leads to my driveway. I’m really paranoid,” she explained with a laugh.
    “Good. It’ll keep you safe. In the meantime, what do you wanna bet that we’re neighbours. Probably within walking distance.”
    When he told her where he lived, she just laughed.
    “I’m so glad I didn’t take that bet. I