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Before I can utter another word, I register a beep on the other end of the call, and when I look at the screen, I see Cammie’s name.
“I have to go. Someone’s calling.”
“Alright. I’ll see you soon. Be a good girl for me and don’t cause trouble.”
Then he’s gone, like a phantom.
With a heavy exhale, I answer Cammie’s call.
“Hey, Cammie!”
She sniffles, and I register her quiet sobs.
My heart instantly races.
“Cammie? What’s wrong?” I jump to my feet, rushing for my keys.
“I—I did something,” she sobs, barely able to catch her breath. “Can you…can you please come?”
“I’m on my way.” I jump out the door and charge into my car, keeping her on the line as I drive off, Chris immediately in my rearview. “Talk to me.” I put her on speaker. “Tell me what happened.”
“I—I called my mom,” she cries. “I thought that this time…may-maybe she’d wanna talk to me, you know. But—but she said she never wants to see me or hear from me. That I shamed her and got myself raped and am playing the victim.”
She snivels so hard, my heart rips into two. How could her mom say that? It wasn’t her fault she was taken. She was an escort at the time and came from a religious family. They had no idea what she was doing on the side, and when she was taken, the police told them the truth.
When they got her back, they shunned her. Her father and brother called her a whore. Told her she brought shame upon their congregation. She thought her mother, someone she was once close to, would eventually forgive her and take her back, but she didn’t. And all that girl ever wanted was for her family to love her again. But they never truly did. Because loving someone in the shadow of who you thought they were isn’t love. True love isunconditional.
But I wonder… Would my own family and friends love me if they found out what I’ve done? Or would they treat me like Cammie’s family has?
I think the answer scares me.
“Oh, Cammie, I’m so sorry! I know how much you wanted their acceptance. But sometimes we never get that. Sometimes the truth is hard because it hurts so much. And nothing I say will make it hurt less. But I’m here for you, okay? I’ll be there to listen, to let you cry as much as you want. We can even go to one of those ax-throwing places and imagine it’s your mom’s face.”
When she stops crying and silence erupts, I wonder if I overdid it a bit. Then again, her mother deserves it.
Her laughter bursts out, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Glad I didn’t lose you with that one.”
“No.” She chokes on a laugh. “I actually would like that.”
“It’s a date! I’ll be there in about fifteen. Just stay with me, okay?”
“I’m here,” she whispers. “In my room.”
“Good. You don’t ever have to feel alone. We’re your family now. It may not be the same, but we’re here for you, and we’ll never turn you away, no matter what.”
“You were…” She starts crying again, attempting to catch her breath. “You were always so nice.”
Yeah, nice. That’s always been me. Can’t say I’m that nice anymore…
We continue to chat about inconsequential things until I get to Helping Hand and get out of my vehicle.
Chris leans against his SUV and nods. “If you need me, just call.”
“Thanks.”
I rush inside the building and scan my card. Passing by a security booth, I enter the elevator, heading for the dorms on the second floor.
