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“So, you guys hang out here a lot, I presume,” I said with a smile.
“A lot is an understatement,” Andy laughed. “This is like our second home. The people here are incredible, and the relationship between the department and this place goes way back. I think the first owner’s son was a fire fighter at one point. Probably what got this whole ball rolling.”
“You’re definitely popular,” I gestured to the photographs hanging around us.
Andy looked at them for a second and shrugged. “It’s a small town. Everyone’s popular.”
“Small town my ass,” I laughed. “The University of Connecticut is right in your backyard.”
“Or you could say we’re in UCONN’s backyard,” Andy joked. “We’ve become dependent on it completely, I guess. Kind of put Mansfield on the map.”
“Since 1881,” I pointed out. “I’d almost say Mansfield only grew because of it.”
“Hey, give us some credit.”
I smiled and took another swig of my beer. My parents had always expected me to finish high school and enroll in UCONN. Keep their girl close to home kind of thing. I think I broke their hearts doing more than just marrying Dennis and throwing my life away. Then again, I had never been completely happy here. I had always thought I was made for more. It was funny how life turned out.
“So, Bobby’s really keeping a tight leash on you,” Andy cut through my thoughts.
“He’s always been protective,” I said. “Makes me wonder where the hell he’s been these past couple of years.”
“Have you asked for his help before?”
I looked at him for a few seconds before dropping my eyes. No, I hadn’t. I had always thought I could handle my problems on my own. Besides, ever since my parents had practically disowned me, I hadn’t thought Bobby would have cared much anyway.
“Can I ask you something?” I looked up, meeting his gaze.
“Shoot.”
“Your dad,” I started. “How did you put up with it?”
“You mean how did I stay quiet while he beat my mom?”
I shook my head. “You were as much a victim as she was. How did you finally put an end to it?”
“I pushed him down the stairs.”
My jaw dropped, and my eyes grew wide. “You did what?”
He chuckled and looked away, and I could instantly see how uncomfortable he’d become. “I used to brag about it, but in all honesty, I think it was an accident,” he said. “I definitely meant to push him. But not down the stairs. I think I wouldn’t have done it if I had known that’s what would have happened.”
“Wow,” I mouthed. “Was that during the time you suddenly disappeared from our lives?”
Andy nodded, looking at me. The mirroring of pain in his eyes was enough to make me want to hug him. “My mom was taking it hard. He put her in the hospital a couple of times, and each time I thought she’d had enough. That this time, for sure, she’d leave him. But she always went back. So, I stayed home more. At least that way, he had two people to beat, and my mom wouldn’t take the whole heat.”
“You loved her a lot, didn’t you?”
“I loved the idea of her,” Andy replied. “I loved what she could hav
e been for me if not for him. But the woman I knew had lost herself in the middle of all the abuse. Over time, I guess she just forgot how to be herself. It wasn’t a pretty sight.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“It turned out pretty okay, all things considered,” Andy shrugged. “Unlike other people who aren’t so lucky.” He leaned in and held my hand, and I felt a bolt of electricity shoot up my arm. “It’s a good thing you got out.”
“I’m not out of the woods just yet,” I said, trying to force a smile.
“You’ll get there.” Andy winked. “You have a support team here cheering you on.”
