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“So, I’ve decided to sell the house when it’s no longer a crime scene.” Henri
nods. His amber eyes study me emphatically. His hair is askew, and he has a
bandage over his right temple where Teo hit him with the gun.
We were taken to the hospital to be thoroughly examined while the police
questioned us. Our clothes were taken for evidence. We are both decked out in the

finest hospital gift shop threads. Henri had gone back in the house with a police
escort to get my purse and phone. I shudder at the memory.
Henri’s warm hand wraps around mine. He pulls me through the den, his
bedroom, and into the bathroom. The door is open, and I can still see his bed.
Despite the trauma, my body reacts to the memory. His wrist flicks the metal knob.
The pipes roar to life, and water flows out the shower head.
“Let’s wash today away,” he says softly.
We silently undress and step in under the spray. The warm water heats my
chilled skin. I’m briefly soothed. I jump when Henri’s hands make contact with my
shoulders. The shock washes away, and the magnitude of what Teo tried to do me
worms its way into my consciousness.
Snapshots of him pushing his way into my house, pushing the gun in my face,
tying my legs, trying to force himself on me, slapping me, and shooting hit me with

body shots. They flash like neon flares, and I can’t shut it off. If Henri hadn’t come
by or demanded to speak with me, I have no idea what would have happened. If
Henri hadn’t interpreted my hints, I could have been raped, seriously wounded, or
killed.
The panic I should have felt with Teo seizes me, and I choke on my tears. Henri
washes me. He rubs me with gentle consistent swipes of his hand. No surprises.
“It’s okay. Let it out.” Henri turns me and pulls me into a hug. The firmness
of his body is comforting. He’s real, and he’s okay.
My anger sets in.
“The bastard breaks up with me to date my college roommate. He rubs it in
my face. He tried to kill my self-esteem. And when it didn’t work, HE
ATTACKED ME! I can’t stay there; he’s tainted it.”
“I know, baby.” He rubs my back. “We didn’t let him win. You’re here with
me, and we’re safe.”
“And you, I heard the gunshot…” I’d felt fear in the pit of my stomach.
I’d imagined the worse. I prayed that Henri wasn’t lying there lifeless.