I was emotionally exhausted. I had a video call with the police detective for what seemed like a day and a half, but it was really an hour and a half. I didn't want to answer her questions. If Parker got in trouble with the law, he'd blame me.
Gail encouraged me to tell the truth. I suppose the truth showed on my face. Although it had faded, it was still obvious he bruised me.
When I asked if they would arrest Parker, she told me they were still collecting evidence. She asked about his past relationships. I suspected something with a woman in his building, because she was always staring at me. At first, I thought she was jealous, but then I wondered if she was pitying me.
"Do you think she knew he could be violent?" the detective asked.
"Maybe. I don't know anything anymore. He called her a bitch, but he calls all women bitch, except his mother."
Thinking of how degrading he was towards women, I grew angry. I felt foolish for being so blind.
After that long meeting, I went for my first walk on the beach. It was late afternoon, and there weren't many people enjoying the sand. I sat and watched the waves. The salt air filled my lungs as the ocean sounds surrounded me — the surf, the seagulls, the children.
I watched two children run in circles until they fell on the sand. They were young but too old for diapers. I observed the little girl who looked like she had a bucketful of sand in her bathing suit.
I felt drew to them, because they were full of joy. I imagined they only knew love in their innocent little lives. I longed to go back to that feeling.
I heard a voice call out. "Clara and Ian time to go."
I felt a sense of loss after they ran to their father, gathered their toys, and left my view. In time, I moved on too. I walked up a side street with cottages and houses on each side. Inside families were having dinner and living happy lives.
As I started making my way back, I stopped to take a look inside the store. The Landing appeared to sell a small selection of grocery and health and beauty items. There were tables with people eating. The board displayed a menu of breakfast items and sandwiches.
On my way out, I saw a corkboard with notices pinned to it - lawn mowers and kayaks for sale and services offered, like yard work. Then I saw a note card with scrawled writing: Babysitter needed flexible hours for Clara -4 and Ian -3.
It had to be for the same children I had just seen, who had made me feel happy, just watching them play. Without hesitation, I grabbed the index card with the phone number and walked back home.
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A Summer Thing
Romance(Completed) When Patricia's daughter comes to her battered, she has to look at her own past as she helps her heal. As she focuses on mothering, she becomes aware that she is also woman. After leaving Parker, Callie never thought she would have a sum...
