“It’s nice to meet you,” I reply, shaking her hand, hoping mine isn’t too sweaty.
Turning to Talon, she says, “Dahlia did me quite the favor by placing this interview in my lap.”
Shaking the woman’s hand, Talon corrects her. “She did us both a favor.”
A door opens from somewhere behind us, and I’m shocked to see Dahlia herself enter the room. I bristle when she makes a beeline straight for Talon, kissing him on the cheek.
“I certainly appreciate this,” he says. “Especially after the way I spoke to you on the phone.”
Poised and regal as ever, Dahlia replies, “It was actually the way you spoke to me that made me aware of how much you care for him,” she says as both pairs of eyes swing toward me.
“I love him,” Talon clarifies.
“I know,” Dahlia says.
“You didn’t have to come all the way down here,” Talon tells her.
She gives him a small smile and pats his cheek.
“Actually, I did. I’m recording in the studio next door with Carly about the drama surrounding the upcoming art symposium.”
Talon returns her smile and gives her a nod.
“Always in the thick of things,” he teases. “Thank you, Dahlia.”
She exits the room, and I can finally breathe again.
The plan is to tell the story on a live podcast, which will then be uploaded to multiple outlets. Stills from the interview will be posted to social media, and the transcript will be sent to three print media sources.
At my request, Talon sits next to me on the couch during the podcast. Some felt he should be in the frame; others felt he shouldn’t, but I need his strength. I’m better with him next to me. Plus, I think it’s important for those watching to see Talon’s face when he looks at me. His isn’t an expression that can be faked.
Twenty minutes later, Georgia sits down with Talon and me as I lay the truth bare.
“There are a lot of feelings involved in surviving a situation like mine. Those who love you want justice. Some survivors want revenge. Others just want to forget. And sometimes you feel all those things at once. There are people who will add guilt to your already overwhelming list of emotions because they feel like you chose the wrong path to moving on, or you’re too fragile to make the right call. But the truth is that theright callcan be different for everyone.”
With steady hands, I hold up the pictures I’d acquired of my bruised and broken body.
“Even as I lay in a hospital bed recovering from surgery that was made necessary because of being beaten and sexually assaulted, I didn’t want to press charges. I wanted to heal, forget, and move on. But the strength that decision took was seen as a weakness by my assailant. He thought I would remain afraid and embarrassed, and would therefore cave to his threats forever. Upon my name being printed in connection with…Christian’s,”—it feels so weird calling him that—“my ex has decided to use me as a payday. One that isn’t coming. I’m choosing to fight back now because it’s the right choice for me…forus…in this moment.”
It gets less painful every time I see the pictures and talk about the events that occurred, which isn’t something I expected. I thought that night would always haunt me.
Georgia tactfully asks questions about my background andmy life before meeting Talon. Taking advantage of his presence, she also asks permission to discussTalon’slife, including his dating history, and I listen with rapt attention as he speaks.
“It can be exhausting trying to determine someone’s motives as early as a first date. Most of my partners were women who grew up in the same social circles as I did, which puts an unhealthy expectation on both parties. When I met Zeke, he didn’t know who I was or how much my family is worth, and that gave us the space to create an authentic connection without worrying about dollar signs,” he explains eloquently as he laces our fingers together.
When we finally get to the whole point of the meeting, I feel nothing but relief as I spill the sordid details of what it took to survive.
“Am I proud of the fact that I stayed in an abusive relationship and used my body as currency? Of course not. But Iamproud of the fact that I had the strength to do those things so that I could survive. I wouldn’t wish my early life on anyone. With time and distance, I’m able to see now that those acts didn’t make me who Iam. They were things Ididwhen I had no other options, and I refuse to let them define me any longer. Derek’s expecting a payday because he thinks I’m ashamed and want to keep this information quiet. But I’ve discovered there’s power in speaking out. And I’ll no longer be ruled by fear.”
By the time the forty-five-minute podcast is over, I feel lighter, but also exhausted, until Lorraine reaches for me and pulls me into her arms.
“You are so brave,” she whispers, forcing tears to my eyes. I can’t hold back my sob of relief that this is finally over. Lorraine squeezes me tighter and rubs my back in a motherly way. I was never hugged by my own mother like this…and that makes me cry even harder.
“Shhh,” she whispers soothingly in my ear. “We’ve got you, honey. You’ll always have a seat at our table. You’re home now.”
Chapter 39
Talon
