Brooks shrugs. “I don’t really know; it’s some inside joke with my hubby and his brother.”
“Wait, wait—who is your husband and your brother-in-law?”
“Evan Waters is my husband,” he explains, full of pride. “Gannett would be his goofy as all get out brother.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “Wow. This reallyisa small world.”
“I know, right?” Brooks chuckles. “Speaking of, come on. Your men are inside waiting.” He winks at me, holding out his hand.
As soon as I step inside, Caleb spots me. Grinning from ear-to-ear, he weaves through everyone to make his way over to me. Brooks smiles to himself before leaving my side to go sit next to Evan.
“First day on the job of your new project,” Caleb notes with his hands. “How did it go?”
We had our very first, local and in person, support group meeting for those, like me, who live with the trauma of sexual assault. There were only a few folks in attendance today, but I’m told that could be expected. I’m so proud of the few who did come… even the ones who chose not to speak up. They were still engaged, I could tell.
Sometimes, just like now, the biggest step is the first one through the threshold. It’shuge, actually. In time, I can see this blossoming into something so much bigger, and, while my guard was up initially about leading something like this, I can already tell it will be just as rewarding for me in the long run.
For the sake of confidentiality, I keep my response to Caleb short and sweet… and in sign. “The support group went really well for our first meeting. Cathartic, I believe. Small turn out, but I think what we’re doing will end up being a good outlet to be able to share coping mechanisms with one another.”
“That’s wonderful, babe,” Caleb signs back. “I hope you know what a champion you’ll become for those women.”
“It’s not just women,” I remind him. “Men, though less frequently, are also victims of sexual assault. And they’re less likely to speak up about it if they are, as well.”
I spare a glance over Caleb’s shoulder, feeling eyes on our conversation. The big, burly, tatted guy whofrequents the gym a lot—Gordy might be his name, if I’m not mistaken—is watching us. More specifically, our signed conversation.
“Pardon me for eavesdropping,” he signs, and instantly I’m stunned. “But I couldn’t help but notice that you mentioned you went to a support meeting for victims of assault?”
I blink at him, my lips parted in stunned fascination—he signs. I know he’s hearing, but hesigns. I probablyshouldbe a little annoyed that he was eavesdropping, but I can’t help but be impressed instead.
“I do. It’s a project of mine, through work, that I’m just piloting,” I explain with my hands.
“When and where?” he asks.
“Second Sunday of every month. We’ll be there from noon until two. Down at the Tern-Inn, in their conference room,” I tell him, baffled.
“May I come?” he asks, his normally cold expression suddenly appearing more sheepish than anything.
“You?” I point to him and ask.
He nods.
“Of course you may. It’s completely anonymous. Stay as long, or as little, as you’d like. You don’t even have to say a word, if you’re not comfortable.”
He mouths the wordsthank youto me before turning back to a perplexed looking Gannett and whispering something in his ear. Gannett glances over to me and smiles before kissing Gordy on the cheek.
Oh…
Oh!
“Wait,” I blurt out loud to Caleb. “Are theydating?”
Caleb smirks and nods.
“Where’s Marco?” I ask, scanning the room.
“Cam has to head into work, so Marcus went back to the house to go get Aaron and bring him here.”
I smile at that. I figured, and wasn’t perturbed by it at all, that when Aaron moved in with us that I would be his primary caregiver throughout the day. In fact, I was positively thrilled that I would have someone to hang out with now that I had all these huge gaps in time, wherein I am only part-time at my new job. However, what I didn’t count on was that Marcus would be just as invested as me, Caleb, and, heck, even Brody.
