Jim and I are sitting on the deck having some coffee with Jane after walking the dogs. When we hear a car pull in the driveway. Zeena turns and runs for the car, with Loki right behind her. I hear Uncle's voice. "Hi Girl." He says. "And who are you?"
I run around the corner and Auntie & Uncle are here a day early. Auntie holds her arms open to me, and I run to her for a hug. She just holds me tight in a Mom hug, that I never want to end.
I feel a tap on my shoulder. "What about me, Trouble?" Asks Uncle.
I turn and hug Uncle. I had tears in my eyes with Auntie. I start to cry as Uncle hugs me. Uncle soothes me by rubbing my back, and I can hear the emotion in his voice. "It's ok, Trouble. I've got you. You let it all out." He says as he just holds me tight, rubs my back and kisses my head.
I manage to stop crying and sniffle as I wipe my tears away. Jim puts his arm around me. "You're early." I say.
"Jim told us you were having a hard time. We thought we would come up early." Says Auntie.
I look at Uncle. "You never just take a day off." I say.
Uncle smiles at me. "I would move Heaven & Earth if one of my girls needed me." He says as Auntie puts her arm around him.
Jim looks at my apologetically. "I texted Auntie while you slept. I promised her I would let her know how you were when I told them I was coming up early and didn't need to be picked up."
"Tattle tale." I say, as I look up at Jim with a smile.
Auntie looks over my shoulder, and steps around me. "I am sorry." She says. "We are Mary's Aunt & Uncle. I am Beth and this is her Uncle Joe."
Jane steps forward and shakes Auntie's hand. "I am Jane. My parents have a cabin up the road, and that's Loki. I am sorry. I didn't mean to intrude." Says Jane.
"Nonsense. You are fine." Says Auntie.
"Just the same. I will go and allow you a little family time." Says Jane.
I turn and hug Jane. "I will call you later. Thank You." I say.
Jane smiles. "You are so welcome." She says as she turns and heads back to her cabin.
Auntie gives me another great big Mom hug. I know she has been worried about me, but right now these hugs feel so good. "So do you want to show me your new room?" She asks.
"Of course." I say with a smile.
Auntie follows me in the slider to my bedroom, and the guys stay on the deck. "Jane seems nice." Says Auntie.
"She is. I met her walking with Zeena, and we hit it off." I say.
"That's nice." Says Auntie. She then turns to me, and looks me in the eyes. "Can I ask you a question, and do you promise to answer me truthfully?" She asks with a worried look on her face.
"Of course, Auntie." I say.
"Was there more to the attack than what you told us?" She asks, but doesn't give me a chance to answer. "He didn't..." She says but her voice cracks. "Assault you?" She asks.
"Oh No, Auntie. He never laid a hand on me." I say, feeling like I want to cry again.
"Are you sure? It wouldn't be your fault. You could tell me." She says now with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"NO! He never actually touched me, period. Zeena jumped, and then I punched him." I say I can hear my voice full of emotion. "Ezzie, please have her believe me." I cry in my head.
"She believes you, Mary. She had to ask you face to face. Auntie & Uncle have been living with the fear that you were sexually assaulted." Says Ezzie.
We hug each other as we both cry. I start sobbing as I start reliving it all. "I promise Auntie. I was so scared, but he never touched me." I cry.
Auntie hugs me. "Oh Thank God." She cries. We stand there holding each other as we eventually calm down, wipe our eyes with a washcloth and go out to Jim & Uncle.
I see Uncle give Auntie a serious look. I see Auntie shake her head no, and Uncle lets out a huge sigh of relief. I run to him and give him a big hug. He wraps his arms around me, hugs me tight and lets out a big sigh as we hug.
"I am sorry." I cry into his chest and hug him tighter.
Uncle lets me go but holds my head in his hands as he tilts it up to him. "You are OK?" He asks softly.
"I am OK. I promise." I say. He hugs me to his chest and kisses the top of my head. "I Love You."
"I Love You Too." I say, as I feel Zeena wiggle her way between our legs.
"Don't be jealous, Girl." Says Uncle. "I still Love you too." Everyone laughs and it helps lighten the mood. I move over to Jim and he wraps his arm around me, as I watch Auntie stand beside Uncle, and he puts his arm around her.
Uncle and Jim bring in their luggage. Uncle then walks us through and around the cabin explaining everything he did to it. I have no idea what he means with half of what he says but I smile and nod. I do try to pay attention to the security system stuff.
We are sitting on the deck, when Uncle asks. "So who is Jane?"
"She actually works for me." I say with a smile.
"She works for you." Says Uncle as if to say really.
"She is a realtor in the North Shore Goldstar office." I say.
"Are you kidding me?" Says Uncle.
"Nope. I met her when I was walking with Zeena. Then when I started getting nervous when I was all alone the other night she came down and kept me company. She is really nice." I turn directly towards Auntie. She is sitting beside me just stares at me for a moment. "She has.. been assaulted." I say softly. "She said she understood being afraid for no reason."
I see Auntie's face soften. She reaches out and squeezes my hand, and stands us up. "Give us a minute boys." She says and walks us down to the chairs on the lawn. She points to a chair. "Sit." She says softly.
We sit down. "You told me you were ok." She says.
"I am." I say.
"Then why did you need someone to keep you company the other night?" She asks.
"I got a little nervous." I say.