“God, I hope so!” Carrie says. She bounces up. “It’d be anticlimactic if the creep just ran away.”
“Got away, more like,” Gail says. “If he withdraws voluntarily, he can enroll in another college and prey on other victims. He needs to get taken down.”
“But isn’t it better for Jenny if he leaves? She wouldn’t have to go through some trial,” Haley says. I wouldn’t have to go through some trial.
“It might be easier for her in the short term, but is that closure?” Carrie asks. “Is that justice? Months or even years from now, will she regret that her attacker never had to own up to what he did? That he might have even gone on to rape again?”
“See, that’s why she really needs to go to the police,” Gail says. “I’m with her father there. If he slips through the college process, they can go after him another way.”
“That train has left the station,” Carrie says, not bothering to hide the disappointment in her voice. “Without a rape kit there’s not much the cops can do. And it’s too late for that.”
Buzz saw. That’s how this feels. Haley’s been in her room less than two minutes and the whirl of words sounds—and feels—like a saw in her head.
She really can’t handle it right now.
“You know, guys, I’m sorry to interrupt this little strategy session, but I was hoping to get some shut--eye.” Boundaries, she thinks. You’re not being a bitch; you’re setting boundaries.
That had been her father’s suggestion. He’d called her. The night after her failed conversation with Mom.
“I understand you feel responsible for this girl,” he’d said. “But you need to look out for yourself as well. Set boundaries. Say what you need. Even if it feels awkward, you’re better off. You’ll avoid doing things you resent.”
Dad has always been big into boundaries. He claims most of the dysfunction in their family is the result of poor boundary--setting.
“I’m sorry,” Gail says immediately. “We’ll get out of your hair.” She and Carrie begin to pick up their stuff and make for the door.
“You don’t have to wait in the hall. I just don’t need some therapy session going on in here right now is all.” She sees Gail flash Carrie a look. But they don’t comment. Instead, they resettle on Jenny’s bed.
Her bed now vacant, Haley stretches out. She’ll shut the blinds once they leave. Sleep as long as she needs to. Right through dinner, if necessary.
Someone’s phone pings. Text. Not hers; she turned the sound off.
It’s Carrie’s. She hears her make this annoyed sound, a semigroan, when she reads it.
“Let me guess: lover boy? Still whining?” Gail asks.
Carrie laughs. “No. It’s Mona. They’ve rescheduled the house meeting again.”
Gail tsk--tsks in disappointment. “Too bad. I’ve missed those heartrending pleas for your forgiveness.”
“Yeah, you’re the only one.” Carrie snorts. “I was this close to reporting him for stalking.”
Gail winks at Haley. “Some women call them ‘admirers.’ Carrie calls them ‘stalkers.’”Carrie fake--punches her. “Give him a break,” Gail says. “You broke his heart.”
“Misogynists don’t have hearts.”
“Okay, if you two are going to keep me up, you at least have to tell me who you’re talking about,” Haley says. But she knows.
“This absolutely adorable young thang Carrie was sleeping with,” Gail says, barely able to conceal the glee in her voice.
“Please,” Carrie says. “I’m really not proud of this.”
“Two years younger and, ooh, hot,” Gail continues. “For a white boy, that is.” This makes Carrie laugh.
“I didn’t take you for a cougar, Carrie,” Haley says.
“Carrie the Coug!” Gail exclaims. “Oh, I like that!”
“Thanks, Haley,” Carrie mutters. “The last thing she needed was more ammunition.”
“Spill,” Haley persists.
“What can I tell you?” Gail says. “He was the latest on the Carrie Mason love--’em--and--leave--’em list. Seriously, Carrie, you will leave a trail of tears behind when you graduate.”
“Trail of mistakes, you mean.”
“I should have made your mistakes,” Gail says, sighing.
“I still don’t know what happened,” Haley says.
“I led with my libido is what happened,” Carrie says matter--of--factly. “Which usually isn’t a problem, unless the guy in question gets serious and wants a relationship. Which this guy did. Turns out he’s a complete Neanderthal. And a stalker. When I told him it was over, he started following me! Seriously, I saw him pop up in places I know were not part of his schedule. Plus he was texting me nonstop. Wanting to talk. I was one text away from going to campus security about him, but then he quit. Just bam, nothing. Finally got the message, I guess.”
“You are harsh, girl,” Gail says. “She doesn’t realize the effect she has on men, so she’s all surprised when they can’t let her go.”