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“Yes, yes, I know that now. But it’s sometimes hard not to take on the blame. Even when Vinny came into my life, I pushed him away because I didn’t think I deserved a man like him. It took some time to deconstruct those thoughts so I could accept what he offered. That could be what’s going on with Monty.
“Possibly.” I thought about it. It made sense, considering all the people he had probably lost on the battlefield. “But how do I get him to the point where he knows he deserves help?”
Faith put her hand over mine. “Give it time. He might come around. He might also be feeling very vulnerable, and sometimes that makes it more difficult too. But in the meantime, you need to do what you can to keep you and your son safe, okay?” She glanced pointedly at the bandage on my scalp, and I nodded.
“So, how is the writing coming along?” Faith asked.
“It’s going,” I said. While I had been slowly getting over my writer’s block, it was still a slow process to finish up my book. I had taken Monty’s words to heart, and it was really helping me along. While I was far from being happy with the way the draft was turning out, I was now allowing myself to be trash and simply resting in the happiness that at least I was finally pursuing my dreams and I was in a safe, happy environment.
And the truth was, despite everything else going on in my life, I felt happier and safer than I had ever felt in a long time.
But later that evening, I was walking home when I felt it—the prickly feeling at the back of my neck and the sense of being followed. I was supposed to wait for Monty to come to pick me up, but I had chosen to walk instead, reluctant to get home to the awkward atmosphere. I also felt like the fresh air might help me, but now I wished I had just stayed put.
My heart began racing, but I tried to calm myself down, telling myself that I was probably being paranoid. Maybe it was because it was the first time I had been alone in a long time, so I was feeling uneasy. There was probably no one there.
I had almost managed to convince myself of that when out of nowhere, a hand slapped over my mouth.
