gainst the bathroom wall, wiping m

tor had warned Me about this, how My body might still think it was pregnant for a while. T

in there twenty m

e, Ja

ter on my face, avo

ive me a

ell of toast turned my stomach, but the sight of Janet's worried face w

ing," Janet insisted, pu

r's or

k onto the couch, pulli

of toast and nibbled the corner without ta

rd time she's called this morning," Jan

r that?" I silenced the ph

investigation's

n't kno

mug down, coffee sloshing over

erday. Sam changed The sto

y would h

ou think?"

e him do it since he already detes

ha

ed up?

e, opening it to the dozens of job listi

ack on my feet. Can't fight bi

the screen. "Senior Content Co

can't be c

ni. You're a victim." I

I'm not a victim. I

aised her hands

need to talk to someone. The the

nger's office explaining how

tment, hanging in the air between

trying t

. I'm sorry." I reopened my lap

ons instead? Your cover lette

et's smile w

i, at so

worked in silence for an hour

a reminder for her shift at th

Janet offered, ga

l in

would be ok on my own." At

bout calling the therapist? Or co

about it," I said,

t, too exhausted to leave. My phone rang again. Detective Ri

acles to

's voice was profes

trying to r

ed to the window, stari

ying to put my l

wanted to update

s concerned about evidenc

e on the line. "Just tell me straight,

witnesses, the DA doesn't think we can g

it? He drugs me, I lose my bab

ing up," Rip

y take time. We mig

ther of which I have." I pressed her fingers a

has plent

a. I believe you.

unately, the law isn't." I hung

. I grabbed her jacket and keys, needing to move, to breath

e heading home from work. Normal people with normal problems. I walked

rapy appointment for Thursday. Wil

onding. I walked until my feet hurt, until the stre

g awake due to nightmares. At 3 AM, I gave up and returned to job applications, feeling l was begging for scraps from a life that used to be mine.