The man I admittedly stabbed is a high-ranking political figure. He was at the time it happened and is even more so now. When I walked in that room and found him raping that little girl,” I have to stop and take a steadying breath before I can finish this sentence, “I decided right then that I would never back down from protecting the innocent.
If I give in to his demands. If I let him get away with this without telling the truth – no matter what it costs me – I will be as much to blame as he is. I will have helped him hurt innocent people and I can’t live with that.”
Lindsay finally finds her voice. “What do you hope to gain by telling your story today, Andi?”
“My hope is that others will see him for what he really is. I have to believe that as his victims come forward, they will find strength in knowing they’re not alone. I want them to see that they can help put an end to the years of terror and pain he’s inflicted on them.”
The crowd erupts in applause and many people jump to their feet. Lindsay wipes a tear away and rises to take the microphone to the audience for their questions. There are so many questions from the audience that Lindsay and her producers decide to post the complete, unedited version on their website as a marketing test tool. After more than two hours of questions and answers, Lindsay finally wraps up the show.
Many people come forward to share their story of past abuse. They talk to me about what an inspiration I am for standing up to someone who has used his power to do so much evil. I thank them for their kind words and inwardly wonder what kind of evil will now be unleased on everyone I know.
LUKE
While Andi’s at the talk show interview, Imake a life changing decision to pursue a change in career. Again. She’s too good of a person to hold it against me, but my lack of direction and success is disturbing to me. I don’t want to depend on her and her inheritance to live on. I want to be able to provide for my wife and my family. That is, when we decide to have one.
And there are things about my past that I have to come to terms with. I have to find a way to move past this and quit mind-fucking myself over it. The truth is I’m afraid I will lose Andi if sherealizes out what a screw-up I really am. I want her to be proud of me and proud to be my wife.
Right now, I don’t have much going for me in either area.But that is about to change. Her solid belief in me has helped me see that I need to step up my game and be the man she needs. So, I just submitted the application and proof of continuing education credits to have my psychologist license reactivated. After working with Andi at the youth center, I’ve decided I can put my psychology expertise and the skills with my hands to good use by working with the kids.
The kids there are great too work with and talk to– they absorb everything. Even though I’ve had previous failures in counseling adults, I’m sure I can make positive changes in the kids. I’ve seen some evidence of it when I’ve worked there before. I want to try a mixture of athletic training, neighborhood beautification and positive peer pressure to help change their lives.
Now to get past the hurdle of the parents thinking Andi is crazy and a bad influence on their kids. How ironic will it be when they find out I’m a psychologist? A psychologist engaged to a former mental patient…..classic.When this comes out…..I hate to think of the repercussions Andi could face.
I really hate the thought of Andi doing this interview alone. I tried to talk her into lettingme go with her in case things get out of hand with the questions but she refused. She said she needed to do this on her own. She didn’t want the impression that she needed backup or anyone to corroborate her story. The promo ads have been running all week, advertising that Andi will finally tell her story and answer all their damn questions.
I will lose my shit if I stay here any longer and just wait. Useless. So I gear up and head to the gym to work off some frustration. It really doesn’t help that there are several reporters with cameras just inside the door as I walk in. I’m tempted to accidentally shove them out of the way when I realize that Shane is standing in front of them – talking.
“I will gladly submit to any type of drug test – urine, blood, hair – you name it. I have nothing to hide and I’ve done nothing wrong. Every one of you can take it to your own independent lab as long as they conduct the tests live, on camera, and no one interferes. I’ve been set up and falsely accused. I want it shown to the world now,” Shane declares with gritted teeth.
Well, hot damn, I think we have a fighter here.
“I should have offered this the first day this ridiculous accusation was leveled against me, but I couldn’t think straight. I wanted to believe that it was a simple mix-up at the lab and would be corrected immediately. It’s important that my fans realize that none of this is true,” Shane stops and looks directly into the closest camera, “I’m asking you to believe in me.”
With that, Mack announces that’s the only statement that Shane will make and, unless they’re taking samples to the lab, he will answer no further questions. Several reporters jump at the chance to be the ones to either clear him or condemn him.
Shane willingly takes them to the locker room with him and the ringside doctor performs the blood draws himself. Mack’s lawyer steps in with paperwork for the reporters to sign and a boxing commission representative arranges for each specimen to have an official escort.
I move to the far corner to work on the speed bag alone and clear my head. Mack raised Shane and Andi – he taught them both how to stand up for themselves. Watching Shane actually helped me get past this feeling that Andi needed protecting during her interview. She’s strong, she’s independent, and she’s opinionated – and I wouldn’t change a thing about her.
Brandon was right – a love like this only comes along once in a lifetime. And I am damn lucky to have found her when I wasn’t even looking. Now there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. If I could get my hands on Rhoades, she would never have to worry about him again. He’s a piece of shit who doesn’t deserve to live for what he put Andi and those little girls through. His day is coming.
Three hours later, I’m exhausted from my extensive workout, which included sparring in the ring with another boxer for several rounds. When we climb through the ropes, I look up at the clock and realize I haven’t heard from Andi all day. Immediately, I feel my heart beat against the inside of my chest at the thought something has happened to her. I reach for my phone inside my gym bag and it starts ringing. Andi’s beautiful, smiling faces lights up my screen.
“Hey baby, I was just about to call you,” I try to hide the fact that I was worried about her.
She laughs. She knows me too well.
“I’m fine, honey. The talk show recording went way longer than expected and turned out even better than I could hope. I go back tomorrow to view the edited version and make sure I approve of what they cut out,” her enthusiasm is contagious as she tells me about her day.
“Good – I’m glad to hear that. Now I don’t have to kick Lindsay’s ass for being mean to you,” I joke with her.
“OH – and let me tell you the best part!” I think she’s about to start squealing like a girl now.
“What’s the best part?”
“Travis Malone was there! You know, the lead singer ofSound Bar!He was there for the taping of a different show but he listened to my whole story. He came forward and told his story of how he was physically abused as a child. He’s agreed to do public service announcements with me about abuse. AND – he wants to leave his record label and sign with me!”
Yep, she’s a squealing girl now. A squealing girl who sounds like a groupie for the handsome lead singer of one of the hottest bands out right now. Isn’t that just fucking perfect?
