My stomach twists into knots, and I have to physically force myself not to wince from the pain. She has no clue, does she? This man was a sexual predator.
“I know that’s TMI, but it’s true. And this stuff happens to men who have money all the time. Women are Jezebels. They claim rape and who knows if it’s true or not. I know in this industry, many women are willing to give it up for free if it lands them a role in a movie. So no, I don’t believe them.”
A sinking feeling dropped low in my chest, and I had to tell myself to blink because the shock would be too apparent on myface if I didn’t. She would never believe me if I told her, would she?
Richard is a monster, but she would take his side.
In her eyes, he’s this perfect husband and father who makes her believe she’s his everything. That he only loves her. That he adores her. It was all bullshit and it made me sick to my core.
“If it’s so hard to prove, then you should have nothing to worry about. Right?”
“Well, he’s got all these charges against him, so he may have to go to court, and we were hoping you would testify.”
“Me?”
“Yes, because once they hear you and I say how wonderful of a man he has been over your real dad, since he left us high and dry, then charges will be dropped, and case closed.”
Bile rose up my esophagus, and I had to swallow hard to keep it down.
“I mean, he’s been such a great man, Mealnie, he’s even stayed with me through my horrible alcohol addiction, remember? I know I wasn't the best mom during all that, but that’s why I try and make it up to you any chance I get, sweetie.” She brushes the side of my cheek with her hand.
“Richard is a good man. He tells me how much he loves us all the time and he’s helped you and I in so many ways, so it’s our turn to return the favor.”
I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry, I wanted to hit something. I didn’t know what to say. I just can’t believe this is my life. How do I say, no. Can I say no? Hell no, I won’t help the guy who took my innocence away. Who took everything from me? Who made me believe he was doing everything he did, because he loved me?
“C’mon, sweetie, there was a time you looked up to Richard and wanted to be just like him.”
She’s right. I did, but that was before he wrecked me and took my consent away. I did love Richard. In the beginning he treated my mom and I like queens. Gave me everything I never had. A beautiful home, a fairytale bedroom. Clothes, vacations, cars,anything I wanted. He even took me with him to help him decide on movie sets.
For years, he did what I know now is called grooming. He groomed me into thinking he was so in love with my mom, and I would never do anything to get in between their fairytale happiness, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“He’s been in our lives since you were a young girl and watched you grow up into this beautiful, talented woman.” still rubbing at my cheek my mind flashes back to when I was thirteen years old.
I woke up to the sound of a door knocking.
“Mel, it’s time to get up. Olga is sick, so I’m taking you to school.”
When I looked down, there was a pile of blood, and I gasped. My stepdad must have heard me because he flings the door open, and the first words out of his mouth were. “Did you sneak a boy in here?”
“What no?”
The muscles in his face relax, and he lightens his grip on my doorknob.
Then this must be your period. Your mother told me that may happen while she is in Ireland filming her new movie.
“I’ll grab you a tampon and show you how to use one.” He walks over to my bathroom, and before I have time to process what’s even happening, he grabs my hand and instructs me to pull my pants down.
“Can’t I just use a pad? I thought Olga said she bought some for me.”
“Do you want to be made fun of? Pads leak through clothes. And you have ballet practice after so you’ll be moving around a lot. You’ll want a tampon. Now pull your pants down.”
Memories of when I was eight come flashing back to me. I feel my body getting warmer and the sweat starting to form on my forehead.
“Mel, are you okay?”
“I-I-” I stutter, not able to form words.
He bends down on one knee and takes my hand. “I’m doing this because I love you, sweetie. I want to help you. You don’t want to be the laughing stock at school now, do you?”
