“Let’s talk about why that is,” Cherell stated.
“I was at the event with Elias and our friends. My first thought when I saw Keith was fear, but I knew Elias was there. I knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to me, and it helped me feel at ease. Even though seeing him then startled me. He wasn’t supposed to be out so soon.”
“Were you not informed that he would be released early?”
“I was,” Eri sighed. “They mailed a letter along with the restraining order, but I hadn’t opened it when this occurred. I thought they would call.”
Sunday morning, after the event, before she’d burrowed into comfy blankets and her boyfriend’s chest, she’d gone through all the mail sitting on her entry table, and there she found the letter she’d received informing her of his upcoming release with the restraining order. It was dated four days before the incident.
“How did this encounter happen? Walk me through it.”
Eri paused for a brief moment. “I went to the bathroom, and when I came out, I bumped into him. I attempted to leave, but he blocked my path, and when I could finally get around him, he grabbed my arm to get me to stop and listen to whatever he was trying to spout. That’s when Elias stepped in.”
Cherell nodded. “So the initial run-in could have been an accident, but his not allowing you to leave and then followingyou was a direct breach of your restraining order. He’ll get in trouble for that.”
“He…he won’t. I didn’t report it.”
“Was there a reason?”
“He and Elias got into a fight.” Eri paused. “I think it would be more accurate to say that Elias used him as a punching bag, and the event security wanted to call the police. I didn’t want them to. I didn’t want Elias getting in trouble over that man, and spending the weekend in jail because the assault was bad. So, I asked them not to call, and I didn’t report it.”
“I can understand wanting to protect Elias. But you can still report it now.”
Eri shook her head. “I wouldn’t put it past him to retaliate by reporting Elias for assault, and since I’m sure his injuries haven’t healed, he’d have some form of proof that he was assaulted. I don’t want to take that risk. But if I run into him again, then I will.”
She’d promised Elias that she would, and regardless of whether any subsequent run-in was accidental or he pursued her as he had at the party, she would report him. She only hoped that with the population of Albuquerque, she’d never have to see him again.
“And you’re okay with not reporting him?”
“Yes, I’d do it again in a heartbeat in the same situation. Elias shouldn’t have to get in trouble for protecting me from that monster.” Just then, her phone vibrated beside her. She glanced at it before picking it up. “I’m sorry. Give me one second.”
Elias:Can I come over after my last client?
She didn’t have to think about it. Eri thought she might have been suffocating him with the way she’d been under him the last few days, but if he wanted to come over, she wouldn’t tell him no. She wouldn’t deprive herself of comfort.
Eri:Yeah, you can.
She put her phone back beside her and returned her attention to Cherell.
“I’m glad you could cope and that we’re speaking about it so you can get it off your chest, and maybe find peace with the run-in.”
“If we’re being honest, had I been alone or just there with friends, I probably would have called you for an emergency session. But…” she trailed off.
“But having your boyfriend there helped ease what could have been a bombardment of negative feelings?” Cherell supplied.
“Yes, exactly. Spending the last few days with him in a bubble helped tremendously.”
Her therapist gave her a knowing smile. “That’s great, Eri.”
Eri returned to fidgeting with the tassels on the pillow, changing the subject to something less unpleasant.
Afew hours later, Eri looked through the peephole, even though she knew it was Elias from the text he sent her when he’d pulled into the parking lot. She opened the door, stepping aside to let him in. He kissed her temple as she took in the bags in his hand.
“Hey, Amate.”
“Hey, what’s in the bags?”
“I picked up some of your favorite snacks,” he responded, going into the kitchen to put them away.
