"Can we get out of here, please? I would rather not stay any longer."
I stood up and pulled her with me. "Yeah, let's go."
Vanessa hooked her arm though mine as we left the hospital. It wasn't until we were in my SUV that she spoke again. "I want you to find out who Joel is for me."
"Done." I was planning on doing that anyway.
"And I want him arrested for what he did to me."
That part would probably be a little bit trickier, considering it wasn't actually he who pushed his way into her house and attacked her. "I'll contact Sheriff Andrews and see what we can do."
Vanessa nodded. "I need to call my father and let him know what happened. I have no idea how he's going to take it."
"I wish I could make that call for you." I would do anything to help her through this.
"It's okay. It would be better coming from me anyway."
"Did you want to call him now or when we get home?"
Vanessa sighed. "It should probably be now before Hannah has the chance to dig her claws in."
I had a few choice words for that, but I chose to keep them to myself.
As I drove back to Vanessa's house, I listened as she talked to her father and, once again, broke down and cried. I wanted topull over so I could hold her, but she must've read my thoughts because she shook her head at me.
By the time we got to her house, I was on edge and tempted to drive back to the hospital to give Hannah a piece of my mind. Vanessa needed me more, though.
I waited until we were in the house before I asked, "How did the conversation with your father go?" I had overheard her half but not his, so I was eager to find out what he had to say.
Vanessa moved over to the couch and gingerly took a seat in the corner. It occurred to me that she had probably tweaked her ribs when she had collapsed to the floor.
"Do you need anything for the pain?"
"No, I'll be fine. Honestly my heart hurts more than my ribs."
I knelt down in front of her and placed my hands on either side of her thighs. "Tell me how I can help?" I would do anything to make this better for her.
"Find Joel."
I smiled sadly at her. "That's an easy one. What can I do for you right now?"
"Hold me." It was nothing more than a whisper, but it sounded like the loudest thing I have ever heard. "I just need to feel something."
I pushed up from the floor and took a seat next to her. Being careful not to hurt her more, I gathered her in my arms and just held her.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I ran my fingers through her hair.
Vanessa settled deeper into my chest and sighed contently. "He didn't seem surprised."
"Your father?"
"Yeah. It was almost like he was waiting for this moment to happen."
If that was the case, I felt really bad for Vanessa's father. To have those kinds of thoughts about your own daughter had to be hard.
"I'm sorry."
"Me, too, but I don't want to talk about Hannah anymore. I just want to lie here with you."
