Present Day
Since Jill showed up on Alex’s doorstep, bloodied and bruised, Alex was on autopilot. When Jill opened her robe, as if Alex would take advantage of her too, Alex was mortified, and all she could manage to say was, “God, no.”
Alex quickly covered Jill with a blanket, searching for something more to say, but words escaped her. Alex’s heart ached when she thought of the trauma Jill endured for so long. Her thoughts threatened to overwhelm her, so she pushed them aside. Now was not the time to worry about her own feelings; Jill needed her.
Alex sat on the bed and faced Jill. She gently stroked Jill’s hair, but said nothing. After a while, Jill closed her eyes and her breathing became steady. Alex stood slowly in order not to disturb her and was almost to the bedroom door.
“Whe
