Holly could see the brick building as she drove down the street. Its barbed wire and fences sent a chill down her spine. She never thought she would set foot in a place like this. Shutting off her car she was unsure of what to bring inside. She figured the least amount of stuff the better. So she grabbed her few items and headed inside.
Holly was startled as the metal door slammed behind her. She sat at one of the tables where she would be talking to Victor.
A few minutes went by as Victor finally approached her. She smiled at him. Even though he looked disheveled, well actually a mess she didn’t care. An officer handcuffed him to the table before walking away to a corner in the room. Victor spoke first “Hey.” 248Please respect copyright.PENANA0x7lEhovwS
His voice brought something out of her that she couldn’t explain. Holly wished he wasn’t wearing the bright orange prison jumpsuit.
“Hi...how...how are you?” Holly couldn’t understand why she was stuttering and was nervous. She’d been waiting for this moment for a long time.
“Not the best. The food here is disgusting and I can never watch what I want on TV.”
“That sounds frustrating. How are you? I mean emotionally?”
“Been better.”248Please respect copyright.PENANASBjg9ew9us
Holly was surprised he paused since he was usually a chatterbox. She could almost see a switch being turned off in his brain.
“Holly? I need to ask you something.”
“Yes, anything.” Holly would follow Victor to the end of the earth if he asked her too.
“Why did you talk to the police?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Holly felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
“Well they questioned me the other day and they asked who kept on calling me. They didn’t mention who the person was.”
“I didn’t know where you were. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I was fine!” Holly could see a hint of anger flash in his eyes.
“Why are you so upset?”
Victor laughed in disbelief “I’m not upset. You just can’t keep asking how I am…”
“Alright, Victor.,” Holly said with a sigh.
“What’s wrong?” Victor’s voice shifted with concern.
“When will you be released?”
“I’m not sure. They have a lot of charges against me.”
She was scared to ask the next question but she had to know more even though she loved him with every bone in her body. “What are you charged with?”
“Breaking and entering, stalking, abuse of power. There’s more I just can’t think of them right now.” Victor said with a snicker and a small smile.
“Is this a joke to you?” Holly was shocked not only by Victor’s changes but by the hardness of her own voice.
“Everything will be fine.”
“What? We had plans. We were going to get married.”
“We still can. Ask your sister Sierra, she can tell you more.”
“Her name is Sarah and why are you bringing her into this?”
“She doesn’t know you like I do.”
“I’ve known her my entire life and you for only a few months.”
“Yeah, but when’s the last time you spoke to her, like six months ago? I remember you told me one day as we were driving down the California coast.”
“We were just going through a rough patch.”
“Listen, honey. I know Sarah doesn’t approve of us.
“Why do you think that? She’s never met you.” Holly pushed her hair behind her ears.
“Her husband is a respectable counselor so she has made it. And you...well you just have me. I’ve been through so much and it hurts that your family won’t accept me.”
“How do you know Sarah’s husband?”
“Through some colleagues.”
“Oh…” Holly gathered her thoughts before speaking again. “Maybe I can talk to someone about your charges.”
“They won’t listen to you. All the things I’ve done, well they assume I’ve done.”
“What can I do?” Holly looked at Victor with love in her eyes.
“Let’s talk about your sister for a moment. Has she been through something difficult lately?”
“Yes. But I don’t understand how-”
“Do you think it happened?”
“Of course I do!” Holly said with a hint of shock in her voice.
“Isn’t it a coincidence that her husband left home and she was attacked right after. Plus there's no evidence.”
“Why do you know these things?”
“Her case has been spreading like wildfire throughout our community.”
“I mean it’s a strange case.” The gears in Holly’s mind began to turn. She knew Victor would tell the truth. She loved him and she knew deep in her heart that he loved her.
“Time’s up!” One of the officers said standing close to the couple.
“When can I see you again?” Holly had tears in her eyes. All she wanted was to be held in his arms and never see him in a place like this again.
“I’ll call you.”
“But I-”
“Ma’am time’s up. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” 248Please respect copyright.PENANAgehwUN5MQg
Holly nodded as she rose from the table and glanced back at Victor whose lips were in a straight line.
Holly left the prison, but on the table, she left a sonogram photo. She drove and drove, past the county limits and through the state. She killed the engine at one of the biggest parks she could find and there she wept for the dreams she had for her life. 248Please respect copyright.PENANAJyMDuQhX8A
She’d imagined her and Victor on a sunny summer day. The wind was softly blowing and white thin clouds partially covered a blue sky. Their children who were eight, six, and three were playing nearby. She and Victor were stretched out on a white and red checkered blanket. Holly knew her life could be like that; she just had to find a way. She would just have to break some hearts to get there.248Please respect copyright.PENANAGbI92DuL7t
Holly knocked on her sister’s apartment door. Sleep hung in her sister’s eyes more than she used to remember.
“There you are. I was wondering where you’ve been. I was getting worried.” Sarah said with a smile.
Holly slipped behind her sister and sat in one of the recliners. “Is Chris here?” Holly wanted to get straight to the point.
“No. He’s at work.”
“Good. I saw Victor today.” She looked at Sarah who sipped hot tea and leaned against the kitchen island.
“You did?” Sarah responded.
“Are sure you’re telling me the truth?” Holly questioned with no hesitation.
“About what?” 248Please respect copyright.PENANAbolcRQfwW2
Holly watched as confusion, realization, and betrayal crossed her sister’s face. “You think I’m lying about being attacked?” 248Please respect copyright.PENANAXSDBQs6do9
“I spoke to Victor and he said-”
“That man is sick! You’re listening to him?”
“You said you saw him for counseling.”
“Yes, I did. Just once.”
“Well, I know him better than you.”
“So he said I was lying and you believed him?”
“Well, your case is a coincidence.”
“Holly, do you hear yourself? I’m your sister. We’re best friends. Why would I lie about something like this?”
“I don’t know. Look, Sarah. Victor and I are getting married and we’re having a baby.” Holly didn’t envision this was how she was going to tell her sister she would be an aunt.
“You’re engaged and pregnant?” Sarah sat down at her office chair and faced Holly.
“Well not technically engaged. When I saw him last before he was inside those disgusting prison walls. He was going to buy me a ring and we were going to get married.”
“How far along are you?”
“A few weeks.” Holly smiled with pride.
“Holly, why on earth are you believing his lies? He broke into David’s apartment. Victor may be part of something scarier than I ever thought.”
“What do you mean?”
“Chris just told me they’re investigating him on more issues.”
“Sarah you’ve always had everything. The career, the husband, the family.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“You have everything I’ve ever wanted. I can’t let you take that from me.” Holly stood up and walked over to a wedding photo of Sarah and Chris. “Remember when my ex humiliated me at your wedding.”
“Yes, I do.”
“I was so hurt and then I saw you with Chris. I wondered what I did wrong that I could never have a life like yours.” 248Please respect copyright.PENANArapJpQ0Qck
Holly smashed the photo to the ground. Its glass frame shattered across the floor. Holly glanced up at her sister who was standing up at this point with her cellphone in her hand.
“Holly I need you to leave now.”
“I’m just here to tell you-”
“At this moment I don’t care what you’re here to tell me. You can think me being traumatized in my home was just some sick and twisted joke I made up. You can think Victor has your best interest at heart but he doesn't.” 248Please respect copyright.PENANAaq6TTDNb9h
Holly didn’t like that she hurt her sister, but sometimes the truth hurts. The front door opened and Chris walked in. He wore a frown as he took in the scene before him then looked up at the women and said “What’s wrong?” 248Please respect copyright.PENANAsQXLlVOb7s
“Nothing. I’m just leaving. Holly grabbed her backpack, coat, and the rental car keys. Her hand gripped onto the front doorknob as she turned to the couple and said “And Sarah? Why don’t you tell Chris what a horrible liar you are.” 248Please respect copyright.PENANAjRX4WZRLdp
Holly slammed the door shut and ran down to the car. She drove back to the prison and parked at a 24-hour convenience store down the street. She pulled the small blanket from the trunk and draped it over her stomach where she wasn’t even showing. She couldn’t wait for her, Victor and their baby to finally become a family.
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