“Why?”
“Wrong place, wrong time. They were high and wanted to get higher. I didn’t have enough cash on me and they were angry. So, they punished me for it.” I was quiet for a minute.
“It wasn’t until I was partway through my recovery that I was given the news I would probably never be able to father a child. They had taken that away from me as well. There was… a lot of damage.”
Rabbit’s hand came up and pulled my head down to her chest. I was surprised to find my face wet with tears. Her hand stroked my head gently and she whispered soothing words, allowing me the comfort of her embrace. With her warmth and softness around me, I felt myself let go and I acknowledged the pain I carried with me without even realizing it. After a few minutes, I looked up at her. “Sorry,” I whispered.
Her hand wiped away the remnants of my tears. “Don’t be sorry. I understand.” She smiled and warmly grazed her lips on my forehead. I tightened my arms around her in a silent thank you.
“Did they … did they arrest the people who did this?”
I shook my head. “No. They were gone when I was found and I never got a good look at them. They’ve never been discovered.”
Her arms tensed. “That must be a frightening thought?”
I nodded. “Sometimes more than others.”
We were quiet for a few minutes.
“How long were you in the hospital?”
“Six months.”
“You moved here after that?”
“Yes. I couldn’t stay in the city. I had bought this property a year before it happened and had the house built. I had come up for a weekend and I loved the area and the scenery and one day I was out driving around and stumbled across this piece of land and I had to buy it. So, when I needed to escape the memories of the city, I came here to recover and … I have never left.” I drew in a deep breath and looked at her directly. “I have never left, Rabbit.”
She nodded in quiet understanding, her eyes sad. “Agoraphobia?”
“Yes.”
“You can leave your house though?”
I nodded. “It took a long time before I could. Lots of counseling. And Bear. He helped me. He needed to go out and I didn’t want him lost, so I had to go with him. But I never leave the property. I’m not sure I ever will.”
Rabbit was quiet. “I … I know who you are.”
I pulled back and looked at her. “What?”
“I saw the awards on your shelves while you were making dinner and I was putting away the medical books you left out. I saw your books on the bottom shelf. I’ve read all of them, Joshua. I know you’re a mystery writer. A very good one.”
I looked at her. Her gaze was soft and accepting.
I shrugged. “I suppose it was only a matter of time before you figured it out. I wasn’t trying to hide it. It’s just … well; J.B. Bennett is my professional persona. He doesn’t live here. Joshua does.”
She nodded. “I understand, Joshua. I won’t say anything. When I leave. Your secret is safe.”
My stomach tightened at her declaration.
When she left.
Because she would. Even she acknowledged that. The storm would end, the road would be plowed and she would leave. And, I would stay here and continue with my life. She would figure out her past, pick up the pieces of her life and move on. Those were the facts.
Suddenly, the room was too warm, and Rabbit was too close.
I pulled away and got out of bed.
“Joshua? What’s wrong? What did I say?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. I’m thirsty and need a drink. Go back to sleep.”
“Are you coming back?” her voice was sad.
“No.”
I didn’t look back before I walked away.
Chapter Nine
Joshua
The rest of the night passed slowly. I didn’t even bother trying to sleep, as my mind went back and forth. In the early hours of the morning, the storm finally broke and the wind died down. I stood at the window watching the sun break, gazing at the vast amount of snow that had fallen. The world was white as far as the eye could see. Tree branches were weighed down heavily and ice was visible on the electric wires that I could see towards the one end of the property. I knew I would probably be without communication or power for at least a couple of weeks, maybe more. Mentally, I was going through the gas supply I had left compared to how long I thought it would be before I could get any delivered, when I heard a noise behind me.
I turned to see Rabbit hesitating in the kitchen, unsure if she should come any closer. She looked as exhausted as I felt. Bear stood beside her, eyeing me with utter disdain.
Traitorous dog.
I was exhausted and not in the mood for any kind of confrontation, even though I knew one was about to happen. “I made coffee,” I said, turning back to the window.