Eve stared back at Amber, the perky Realtor who’d negotiated the sale of the property. The house itself would soon be torn down. Eve had decided, along with Abby and Lily’s blessing, that they’d rather have it destroyed than let some degenerate get off on living in the Riser home.
“I’m sure.” Eve handed over the keys and took a final look around. The demolition was a few weeks away, but Eve knew this was good-bye. She could still see Dave carrying her over the threshold, the two of them giggling as he tripped and went flying in a heap. She could see Dave, the man she’d thought she’d love forever, carrying her baby girls home, five-pound bundles, one in each arm. So many firsts: the squeals of toddlers, the joy of middle schoolers, the exasperated shouts of teenagers. This house had held so many happy memories, but for Lily it was a reminder of what she’d lost. And for the outside world, it was a tourist attraction.
Eve had found a new house across town, with a giant yard for Lily to work her magic on and plenty of bedrooms for the whole family. As difficult as starting over was, Eve knew it was the right decision. She checked her cell phone to make sure she hadn’t missed any messages, and Eve made her way outside. She glanced up and saw Tommy across the street, leaning against his police cruiser. Eve momentarily lost her breath. He looked so good. It had been three months since Rick’s death, two months since they’d even spoken. She’d ignored his calls and texts that first week but he wouldn’t stop, telling her he’d come over and speak with her in person if she didn’t message him back. Eve finally texted.
I need some space.
He’d respected her wishes and hadn’t contacted her since. It wasn’t a lie. Eve simply didn’t have the emotional real estate to deal with Tommy and whatever this was. Another bomb had gone off and Eve had to pick up the pieces. There were lawyers to hire, psychologists and mental health evaluations to pay for, therapies to organize, children to look after. But Tommy, it seemed, had waited long enough. Eve knew him well enough to know that he wanted to talk. She made her way over to him. He knew her. He could tell how surprised she was to see him here.
“I didn’t mean to blindside you like this.”
“No, Tommy, it’s fine. It’s good to see you,” Eve said.
“Is it?” he asked, tension and judgment in his voice.
“Yes. I’ve been meaning to call you…”
“Why do I feel like that’s not entirely true?”
Eve forced a smile. “Been a lot going on around here.”
“I know. I saw the news in the paper. It’s great news, Evie. You’ll do a lot of good.”
“I hope so.”
Eve had just closed escrow on an office space in downtown Lancaster. It was going to be the new home of the Riser Foundation. Eve had no choice in reinventing herself if she wanted to stay in the medical profession. Her career at the hospital was over; her continued legal pursuits against Lancaster General made that clear. Lily had received donations from strangers, people from all over the country. People who connected with her story, with the story of the twins, and who wanted to ease the family’s financial burden. When all was said and done, they had topped out at two and a half million dollars. That wasn’t counting the repeated book offers and requests for TV interviews that Lily was considering. Or the potential settlement from the hospital. It was more money than they’d ever need. Having spent time with Bree and Shaina’s families as well as helping her own girls through this nightmare, Eve wanted to offer help to victims of sexual assault and their families. She wanted something good to come from all the bad. The foundation’s task was simple. Organize and fund rescue searches, cover medical expenses, mental health care, and any additional costs for the girls’ recovery.
“I don’t really know what the hell I’m doing, but I’ll figure it out.”
“You’ll do great, Evie. I have no doubts.”
There was an awkward pause before Tommy continued. “I saw Abby. Heard the hearing is next week.”
“We’re all just trying to stay positive.”
The conversation was so polite that Eve could barely stand it.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t stop Abby. If I had known…” Tommy said regretfully.
Stunned, Eve shook her head. “You can’t possibly think that this is your fault. Any of it.”
Tommy didn’t answer. Eve realized that’s exactly what he thought.
“You couldn’t have known. None of us could.”
“Then why did you pull away? What changed between us? I thought… I mean, I thought we were going to figure this out.”
There it was. The question that had lingered day in and day out as Eve attempted to put her family’s life back together. What were they? Were they anything? Could they be?
“Dave and I should have divorced years before Lily was taken. He wasn’t happy. He knew I wasn’t. By the time she was gone, we were strangers. Then you came into my life. The way you made me feel, our connection, I kept telling myself, ‘I can survive this.’”
“I know. And I should’ve stuck by you after Dave’s death. But I was scared. I’m not anymore.”