“Give him a big hug for me,” she finally said.“Yes.Of course.I love you too.”
Janice hung up the phone, freezing where she stood.And then she was back to wiping at her face.
“Janice,” I said, knocking softly against the door.The door creaked open further giving me a better view.Janice looked like she was going to fall completely apart.“Hey,” I said gently.“It’s okay.”
“It isn’t okay,” she snapped.
I slipped into the room and approached her slowly.“It is okay.”
“I shouldn’t have dragged you into this.”She practically threw herself on the bed.
I slowly crawled onto the bed and laid down next to her.As soon as I touched her, she rolled over and attached herself to me and cried.
“Things aren’t okay.People keep saying it, but I shouldn’t have dragged you into this.I’ve ruined everything.”
“It’s not your fault,” I murmured, trying my best to keep my voice steady even as I felt like crying myself.“None of this is your fault.Someone else made the choice to hurt you, not you, and this is all on them.Every last bit of blame goes to them.”
Janice’s sobs slowly subsided, leaving only tremors through her body.
“But what if he comes back to finish the job?And you’re there.Or your guys.Or Calvin.Or your dad.Or—” She choked on her words.
“Or the police who have been stalking you since it happened.They are well aware of the situation and Davies and Officer Brelly and all the other guys with a badge are doing everything to find that man and whoever hired him.It won’t be that easy to get to us, not again.We’re going to figure this out.”I rubbed her back.“You’re not alone in this, okay?”
Janice nodded weakly, wiping her eyes.“I’m scared to go out.I don’t think I can go.”
“Go where?”
“The concert.What if something happens?”
I pulled back and smiled at her gently.“Nothing’s going to happen.The cops will be there, and so will be a bunch of other people.You need to get out.Breathe fresh air.Let all those kids distract you.Hopefully feel normal again, even if it’s just for a little while.”
Janice took in a shuddering breath.“Fine.Stop twisting my arm.I’ll go.Only because you’re making me.”
I laughed, which got her laughing too.
“Thank you,” she said.“For always being there for me.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
For the first time in days, Janice managed a genuine smile.It wasn’t much, but considering everything that had happened, it was a good start.
