Swagger (Radioactive Tales of Love) (15 page)

Chapter 28

Roxie

Sitting across from Cruz in the law library was fun. I mean of course we didn’t talk, but we played footsies under the table as we poured through California law and it’s statute of limitations. It’s my way of having contact with him. I wanted to find out whether or not it was too late to prosecute Kathy. She’d done my sister wrong and even my mother.

I hold no sympathy for my mother. When I get the chance, I was going to ask her if she suspected what Kathy was doing and then, turned a blind eye to it. If she did that…she was just as guilty as Kathy. Perhaps it was guilt that made my mom so sick over the last few years.

Chances were, my mother would be deep in a fugue when I wanted to ask her. I also may never know the truth from her. I’m okay with that, mainly because I’m already well acquainted with what Kathy had done. I flip through another large tome and yawn. I could never be a lawyer this was some heavy shit. I pick up my pen and write down a few more notes of what I found. I’m excited. There is hope. “Bingo…” I whisper and tap Cruz with my foot.

He looks up from his book and I swear his eyes are crossed. We’ve been looking through these books for hours.

I giggle softly and get a
shhh,
from the librarian across the room. The funny thing is we’re the only ones in here besides the older woman, so it seems a bit silly on her part.

Cruz makes a funny face. “What did you find?”

I hold in the next laugh and whisper, “I found a statute of limitations for prosecuting Kathy civilly. It states and I quote…” I take a big breath and read from the page, “
In California, the filing of a civil claim of sexual abuse must be made within 8 years of the age of majority…meaning before your 26th birthday. However, California is one of 28 states that have adopted an extension of the statute of limitations based on the ‘discovery’ of child sexual abuse or its effects. While nearly every state has a basic suspension of the statute of limitations while someone is a minor, many states have recently adopted these new discovery extensions specifically designed for cases of sexual child abuse.”
I run my fingers along the words, so that I don’t lose my place.

Cruz sits and listens as I read.

“The discovery rule allows for civil lawsuits to go forward when they are within three years of the date the plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered that psychological injury or illness occurring after the age of majority was caused by the sexual abuse. This rule was designed to counter the problem of prosecuting molesters whose victims had repressed the memories for decades, long after the statute of limitations expired. Now, upon discovery of the memories of abuse often through therapy, a person has 3 years to file a claim.
After the Catholic Church abuse scandals, California also enacted a law that allows for lawsuits against people whom were aware of the unlawful sexual conduct by their ‘employee, volunteer, representative, or agent’, and failed to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent it. Upon his discovery of this person or entity, a plaintiff has one year to sue.”

“Wow, that definitely was a crazy mouthful,” Cruz says.

I inhale deeply. I want to solidify it in my mind and heart. A huge weight is lifted from my shoulders as I’ve found what I was seeking. A way to help my sister even though she’s already gone from this world.

Cruz wore the biggest cheesiest grin on his face and I could tell he felt proud of me. “You set out to help your sister baby, and you’ve done it and you did it all on her anniversary. I’m so proud of you.”

That means a lot coming from him. “Your support has meant the world to me Cruz. Without it, I don’t think I would have the courage to read the diary in the first place.”

“I love you, I could do no less.”

I slip my foot out of my sandal to rub my toes along his jean-covered calf and blow him a kiss. He blows one back and I catch it and hold it to my heart. Yes, we’ve turned into one of those couples, people love to hate with our public displays of affection. “I love you too. So, I guess the next thing to do is to contact a lawyer and go from there to see how I can sue Kathy. There’s also the fact that I need to get a place for mom. The doctor was right; I need to put her in a home. I can’t handle her anymore and it’s just going to get worse.”

Cruz grabs my foot under the table.

I muffle my laughter behind my hand. There’s nothing like getting in trouble by a stodgy old law librarian because you got caught playing footsie with your boyfriend, under the table in the law library.

“Let’s go. We can head over there now if you like?” Cruz says softly.

His voice as always sounds like warm caramel and sent a thrill through my body every time I hear it.
Focus.
“Yes, let’s do that.”

I place the tome I’d been looking over on the book tray and Cruz did the same.

Then, we head out to the local florist. I feel excited and it became hard to hold it back. I get settled into Cruz’s car. While he merges into traffic, I place my hand on his thigh and squeeze. There’s no need to tell him what cemetery to go to, as our town was still small enough to have only one.

Cruz glances over at me with a smile on his face.

“I’m so grateful for you—with each passing day,” I tell him.

“I want to take care of you. I’ll do whatever needs to be done to see that through.”

I settle back in the seat and let him drive. My mind is actually going crazy with the thoughts of what I should do and how I should do it. I also feel more than a bit worried about what my reaction will be at Macy’s gravesite. Her loss has always weighed heavy on me and I always wondered why she’d chosen to give up her life.

Now that I know the reasons, it doesn’t really make it any easier. Her loss would always be painful for me. Life is about coping though, it’s my turn to cope and live. Along with this thought, comes the realization that it is time to move forward. My life has been lived for others for far too long. Today, with the knowledge of what I could do for Macy and how to deal with my mother’s care—I’m finally free.

The car stops and I turn to look out the window at the cemetery. All of a sudden, my hands are shaking and I start to tremble.

“Roxie, it’s going to be okay.” I hear Cruz say.

“I know. It’s just been a long hard road. It’s finally here.”

“Yes baby, come on. I’ll be there right with you through this.” Cruz gets out of the car and came around to my side, helping me out.

I took his hand and note how he already grabbed the flowers from the back seat that we picked up from the florist. They were beautiful. Maroon colored carnations. My sister loved the color maroon and she loved carnations, so they were perfect.
I can do this. Cruz is with me.
This is my time to speak to my sister and to let her know how much she’s missed and loved.

Squaring my shoulders, I lead Cruz over to her place of rest. Kneeling, I brush the leaves away from her headstone. Cruz hands me the flowers and I place them in the little holder I placed there last year “Hi Mace. I’m here with Cruz…” I pause, as if Macy is talking now and listen. A warmth spreads through me as if she touches me and I smile while opening my eyes. “I read your diary and I know what to do now. Kathy won’t get away with what she did to you. I promise…” Something catches my eye and I see a beautiful yellow butterfly flit across and land a little ways away.

Another sign that Macy is present and giving her blessing. She loved butterflies.

Though my tears are falling, I’m at peace. I know in my heart that my sister is now truly at peace. I didn’t care what anyone else thought. She was okay and that told me I’m going to be as well. “I love you Macy. I always will. From this day forward, things are going to change in my life. Thank you for all that you tried to do when we were younger. I’ll be back next year and I
will
be stronger. You’ll see.” I stand and take Cruz’s hand. I blow a kiss to the wind, to Macy and for myself.

Life is going to be wonderful now—I’m going to make sure of it.

Chapter 29

Cruz

Five days later

Roxie has grown by leaps in bounds in just a short time. It’s only been five days, but her confidence has grown since reading the diary. I’m sad that she ever lost her sister at all, but I’m pleased that it’s brought growth and not just tragedy. It took some calling around, but she found who she wanted to represent her if she needed to go to court.

She contacted the lawyer she wanted and held a working lunch…with her showing her all the evidence she had against Kathy.  She’d been told it would be considered a civil matter and most likely, Kathy would see no jail time, though she’d have to pay restitution.

Roxie was a trooper as she took that news in stride and told the lawyer all she wanted was something to happen, so Kathy wouldn’t get away with it anymore. As I watch her, she’s animated and more alive than she’s probably ever been. She’s on the phone now with the home she set up for her mother.

I’m here for when she has to talk to Kathy for the first time about what would occur.

Kathy had been called and told to come to the hotel where I was staying and we were going to meet her in the meeting room. It would be a public place, if Kathy decided to act crazy. I have a strong feeling she would. Kathy didn’t seem stable to me at all. I felt sure she would try denying what happened first, and then she would try to lie her way out of it.

At first, Roxie wanted to meet with her alone. I experienced such a bad feeling about it that I insisted on this plan of action. I’m so glad she agreed.

Roxie set the phone down and I observed her exhale, then square her shoulders. There—right there is the strength she’d garnered since this ordeal started.

“Please tell me this will be over soon?” Roxie says to me.

“The court case may take a long while to come up babe. I can’t promise that it will be a fast thing.”

“Yeah, I know. Just hoping she says she’s guilty.”

“With how she’s been in the past, do you really think she’s just going to up and plea to everything?”

Roxie rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest as she jumps up from her spot on the bed. “I know Cruz. Shit.”She looks angry.

“Whoa. Where is that coming from?”

For a minute, the anger held and then Roxie looks crestfallen. “God—what the hell is wrong with me? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be taking out my frustration on you. You…above all people, don’t deserve that from me.”

I go over to her and pull her into my arms, just holding her. “Baby you’re under a lot of pressure. I understand fully.”

Roxie put her head on my shoulder and wraps her arms around my waist. She lets out a small sob and her body shakes. She’s crying.

The only thing I can do is hug her and let her know I’m there for her always. “Baby, it’s okay. Don’t cry. You’re under so much pressure it’s unreal. Soon, it will relax for us, at least a bit.”

“It’s okay. I’m sorry for getting pissed. I’m tired is all. You’re right this is going to take some time. I have to be prepared for that.”

I raise my watch to eye level and notice the time. “We need to get you ready for that meeting, it’s supposed to happen in a few.”

“God, I’m going to be a total wreck for this meeting.”

I pull her back and shake my head. “Roxie, you’re one of the strongest people I know. You just have to realize it and take the bull by the horns. Or in this case…the bitch by the shirt and show her whose boss. You got this.”

“I need a drink.” Her eyes go wide as she says it.

I can tell exactly what she’s thinking, without her having to say it out loud.

“I’m sorry Cruz.”

“Just because I’m an alcoholic and my father and father’s father was one. Doesn’t mean I will go off the deep end, just because you mention you want a drink.”

“I know, but I keep putting foot in my mouth today.”

I kiss her lips softly. “I love your mouth and I love you. I’m okay and you’re okay. Let’s just deal with the task at hand?”

Nodding her head vigorously, she wraps arms around me tight again and places her head over my heart. “I love to hear your heartbeat. I listen to it at night when I go to sleep. It’s like a small chant.”

I decide right then and there, to tell her about how I chant her name to sleep at night or when I need to calm myself from anxiety attacks. Not yet though, I want her to realize how special she is to me but this craziness of Kathy needs to be resolved first and foremost. “Nothing at all wrong with that. I like the fact I can help you sleep. Now how about you go and wash up? Then we’ll head downstairs, go to the meeting room and wait for Kathy.”

“Yeah, I’m going to stay dressed in what I’m in, but I’ll go in and freshen up my make up.” She kisses me, then heads for the bathroom, closing the door behind herself. She really looks beautiful in that black pair of skinny jeans and the cute little top that shows her full figure.

I’m hoping that some of the fury she’s exhibiting will be displayed when Kathy is there. The last time I saw her with Kathy, Roxie seemed terrified of her. I think with the way things are now and having learned what Kathy did to Macy, she’ll surprise herself and be able to be strong.

Roxie is a strong-minded woman when she wants to be. This time, will be no exception. I actually pity Kathy for a brief second. No—the bitch would get what she had coming to her. I can’t feel sorry for someone who did so much damage to one family.

I close my eyes and do the one thing I’d stopped doing, once the beatings started. I pray. I pray to God to help my Roxie and to give her strength—then I thank him for giving her to me. I open my eyes.

The bathroom door opens and Roxie stands there refreshed.

“You’re just beautiful, so very beautiful.” I held out both hands for her.

She giggles taking my offered hands. “You’re just bias.”

“You got that right baby, I sure am. Come on lets go, we have time to settle and wait for her, so we have the advantage.”

“Good thinking.” She’s already heading for the door and exits, calling to me over her shoulder, “I’m going to get a tattoo and a belly button piercing to celebrate, once this is over.”

I grab the manila folder she’ll be needing, then close the door, jogging after her. I catch up to her and smack her ass and she squeals. “Oh you are, are you?”

“Yep, I’ve decided I’ve been held back too long. I want to do some of the things I’ve never experienced. I was talking to Candy the other day; she has several tats and nipple piercings.”

“Ooh...now nipple piercings sound sexy.” I grin.

She wraps her arm around my waist and laughs. “I just bet you’d like that. I’m going to start out slow first. Besides, whatever I get, I’ll be stuck with it for life.”

“Mmm, yeah since I’m going to be with you forever…nipple piercings are perfect.”

She lets out a peal of laughter as we step into the elevator and head to the motel meeting room.

My Roxie can handle this. I have all confidence in her.