The Special Girl Read online

  When Mom and I return home, Liam and Brendan are pulling suitcases out of Liam’s car. They rush over to hug me and mom. I just love when we are all together. I miss Zack but I am glad he is spending time with his family too. We spend the evening eating a takeout dinner and catching up. The conversation veers off to the trial. Brendan asks me how that is coming along. I tell them what was said at my last meeting with the DA. “She says it is an open and closed case,” I say. “He should be found guilty with the evidence and witnesses,” I add. My family all look sympathetic at me. “I just wish you didn’t have to go through all of this. You have already been through enough,” my mom says. Liam says, “Well don’t worry about facing that punk ass in court! Between me, dad, Brendan and Zack he won’t get the opportunity to hurt you again!” I smile gratefully.

  Brendan informs me and Liam that he plans on getting another tattoo this weekend from Benny. He says his appointment is for Friday afternoon. “I am definitely going with you,” I say. “I want to see Benny.” Liam says he has also been thinking of getting one. He wants to go to get some ideas. Zack was planning on getting back that day but I’m not sure what time. Maybe he can meet us there. I will wait to hear from him.

  I spend Thanksgiving Day helping mom cook our extravagant dinner. We have a few friends and relatives over, and it turns out to be an enjoyable day. Liam, Brendan and even Ava have plans after dinner. I stay home and spend the evening with our remaining guests and my parents. Zack calls around 8 o’clock. He tells me about his day and what David said about Alex pleading guilty. I tell Zack that the DA had mentioned that as a possibility, but it hadn’t happened yet. We talk for a while then his mom calls him. I tell him to go enjoy the time he has left with them and I will see him soon. After we end the call, I realized I forgot to mention going to the tattoo shop tomorrow. I will just wait until he calls me when he gets home.

  Liam, Brendan and I drive over to the tattoo shop this afternoon. I still haven’t heard from Zack, so I guess he hasn’t returned yet. As we enter the shop, I notice a picture of baby Lila on the wall. This shocks me. Hopefully, this means that Mick has changed his attitude towards his beautiful daughter and is helping with her. I will have to ask Benny. No one is in the front of the shop to greet us, not even that sleezy Rachel. My brothers get busy studying the tattoo designs on the walls. I hear a girl talking in the next room. She says, “Come on baby, come over here and touch me.” Oh my God! Is this Mick and one his chicks again? But then I don’t hear Mick’s voice, but a more familiar voice say, “Not now, Maybe later.” I practically run to see what I hope is not real.

  I turn the corner and see Zack against the wall with a topless Rachel pushed up against him with one of her legs lifted with her knee to his side. My eyes bulge out of my head. He catches my eye and immediately pushes her away and she tumbles to the floor grabbing on to him as she falls. He must fall on top of her because when I look back around that is how I see them. Liam comes into the room to see what is going on followed by Benny and Brendan. I run out of the room. I hear Liam roar at Zack, “What the fuck dude! I’m going to fuckin’ kill you for doing this to my sister!”

  I don’t care. I just run out of the shop onto the street. I run down the block and don’t stop until I can’t run anymore. I stop a few blocks away panting and leaning over with my hands on my knees crying and trying to get my breath. I am feeling like my entire world has ended. I can’t catch my breath and I feel like I could just lie down and die. I feel arms wrap around me and I struggle to free myself fearing the touch. Then I realize it is Brendan and I relax into him and let him hold me as I sob uncontrollably. He picks me up and carries me to his car that he must have abandoned when he saw me. I let go of him and get into the car.

  Brendan drives me home and turns off the car. He doesn’t make a move to get out of the car and neither do I. I just sink into my seat and hold on to myself. He turns to me and says, “Maura I don’t know what was going on back there but somehow I don’t think it was what you are thinking.” I look up at him curiously. “That guy has shown everyone how much he cares about you and loves you in the past few months. I can’t believe he would throw what he feels for you out the window for that slutty girl. You have to let him explain.” I think about that and frown. “Yeah I sure hope I am wrong, but it sure sounded and looked like something bad,” I stammer still crying. He puts his hand on mine. “If he did do that, I will be next to kick his ass. I promise. Liam obviously is first,” he chuckles. “Now go inside. I will be back. I have to go get Liam. He may have been arrested by now,” he chuckles some more. I get out of the car smiling and head inside to my room.

  My phone has been buzzing ever since I left the tattoo shop. I have many texts and missed calls from Zack and even a text from Benny. Benny texting me piqued my interest, so I read it. Benny: Zack didn’t do anything with Rachel. He would never touch her! She does shit to every guy that comes in here. He was trying to get rid of her. He knew you were coming. He wanted to surprise you. He would never cheat on you!! But I heard him tell her, “Maybe later.” That sure sounds like he was going to mess around with her later maybe after he got rid of me. I don’t read Zack’s texts or voicemails. I turn my phone off and cry myself to sleep.

  I am woken up by my brothers. “Maura wake up we need to talk,” Liam says. Brendan is standing next to him peering down at me in my bed. “What?” I say groggily. “We need to tell you some things,” Liam says. I sit up and wipe my red swollen mascara-smeared eyes. Brendan goes in the hall and returns a minute later with a damp washcloth. He hands it to me, and I thank him. Liam has made himself comfortable sitting next to me on my bed. Brendan pulls my desk chair up to the bed.

  “Listen when you ran out of there, I wanted to kill that asshole for hurting you. I saw that skanky girl in her bra under him on the floor. He tried to go after you, but I grabbed him and almost hit him,” Liam says. “You hit him?” I ask wide-eyed. “No. I was stopped by Benny and that other dude that works there. They held me back while Zack got up. He was furious at that bitch. He was almost in tears as he tried to go after you. He kept saying he loved you and needed you know that he would never touch another girl.” Liam explains. “I have to tell you Maura, I believe him,” Liam admits. Brendan takes my hand and says, “Maura I think you have to talk to him and let him explain. I agree with Liam. That dude loves you sweety.” Liam rubs my head and then hugs me. “I would never let anyone hurt you. You know that. I think you should talk to him,” Liam pleads. “He is outside right now. You should go talk to him,” Brendan says.

  I think for a few minutes and decide my brothers would never put me in a bad situation. They must believe what he says, and I need to know what is going on. I get up and follow them downstairs and outside. I see a figure sitting in the dark under the tree in my front yard. His head is in his hands and he looks defeated as I approach. He must hear me as his head lifts and then he jumps up to stand. He comes towards me with his arms extended saying, “Oh Maura I…” but I stop approaching and keep my arms tightly crossed in front of me. I look up at him hesitantly. His face shows devastation.

  “Maura, I need to explain. Rachel is always trying to get me to go off with her. I never give her any reason to think I will, but she still tries whenever I see her,” he says. “Well having sex with her before may be a reason she may think you will again,” I say interrupting him. He looks down ashamed. “I know I did a lot of shit before you that I’m not proud of baby, but I love you with everything I have, and I would never risk that for anything. I have no desire to be with anyone else ever again,” he pleads. “She was coming on to me strong and I knew you would be there any minute. I wanted to surprise you and be in Benny’s chair when you arrived. She cornered me and took her shirt off. I just wanted to get away quick and instead of physically knocking her down, I told her ‘maybe later’ so she would back away. I never really meant that. You have to know how I feel for you. You are everything to me. I love only you Maura,” he says as he closes t
he gap between us and pulls me in for a hug. I hug him back and sob into his shoulder.

  The next day Zack comes by and we talk some more, and I realize my brothers were right, Zack does love me and wouldn’t hurt me. I knew this all along but sometimes our eyes and ears deceive us, but the heart knows. We visit Piper, Lindsey and baby Lila. Lila has gotten so big. Piper looks great and is doing well with her job and raising Lila. Piper tells us Mick came by to see Lila in late September. He instantly fell in love with the baby and visits her often. He isn’t comfortable watching her alone, but he likes to come by twice a week and hold her, feed her and sometimes change her. He has been sending Piper checks every month for Lila and it has helped tremendously. I told Piper about the picture of Lila at Mick’s shop. She smiled happily to learn that.

  Later that afternoon we went back to the tattoo shop against my better judgement to see Benny and to watch my brother finally get his tattoo. Mick greeted us as we entered and an older woman he introduced as his mother was sitting at the desk. He apologized for Rachel’s behavior and he informed us she had finally been fired for inappropriate behavior towards the clientele. His mother was helping out until he could hire someone new. I was relieved to learn I wouldn’t see her today. My brother was already getting his tattoo in Benny’s chair when we entered the room. Liam was watching intently. Benny stopped what he was doing when he saw me. “Maura I’m so sorry about yesterday,” he said as he hugged me hello. “Thank you, Benny. I appreciate your text last night,” I said as Benny smiled. He got back to work on Brendan and I sat next to Liam and we all talked as Brendan got his second tattoo.

  Zack and I headed back to school on the train together on Sunday afternoon. When we arrived, he came back to my dorm with me while I deposited my belongings and talked to Kylie about her weekend. I would wait until later to tell her about my weekend. Zack and I went to his room as we usually did. We just laid in bed holding each other until we fell asleep. We had been tested this past weekend, but we survived.

  The next few weeks were occupied by studying for final exams and writing final papers. Zack and I spent every night together, but our days were full gearing up for the end of the semester and winter break. The DA had contacted us and told us there was a date for the trial, February 5th. Apparently, there would be no plea bargain and we would have to testify. Zack still held out hope that Alex would take a plea bargain. He still could all the way up until the trial date.

  Chapter 30

  Maura

  Winter break came and we drove home in my car. We spent some time with each of our parents even visiting Zack’s mother and stepfather in New York for a couple days. Our families readily embraced both of us. His family had always made me feel welcomed and adored. My family had done the same for Zack. My brothers had really bonded with him during Thanksgiving weekend and through winter break and of course Ava always had a fondness for him. Zack was treated as an extension of my family. I really like that and so did he.

  On Christmas Eve, we went to Zack’s house after a dinner at my house. Dana had the house decorated to the nines again. She had even erected a Christmas Tree in the basement for Zack. She bought special ornaments for him. There were even several with motorcycle themes such as Santa riding a motorcycle with a bag of toys slung over his back. Zack loved the tree. She was such a wonderful addition to Zack and Brian’s lives. I was so happy they had her.

  After talking with Brian and Dana for a while, we retreated to the basement as some of their guests were arriving. We sat down on the couch together with just the glow from the twinkling lights of the tree lighting the room. I sat leaning up against Zack’s chest with his chin resting on my head. He pulled a small, wrapped box seemingly out of nowhere and handed it to me. I sat up startled. “Where did you get this from?” I asked. He chuckled, “Santa left it.” He kissed the back of my head. “Open it babe,” he prodded. I opened the box and found a silver chain with a puffy silver heart charm. I pulled it out of the box and examined it closer. It was engraved on one side with Love, Z. I leaned in and gave him an excited kiss. “Thank you so much, I love it Zack!” I gushed.

  I asked him to put it on me and then leaned back into him. He wrapped his arms around me and told me, “I love you Maura more than anything. This is the best Christmas I have ever had sitting here with you.” We sat together enjoying the tree with the sparkling lights dancing in front of us for hours until it was time for me to leave. He was right, this was the best Christmas I could ask for just being with him in his arms. Nothing else mattered.

  When we returned to school in late January, the trial was heavy on our minds. My entire family except for Ava were planning to attend the trial to support me. My parents didn’t want Ava to be there to hear all the specifics of what I had endured even though it would be hard for any of them to hear those details either. Zack was on edge as the date approached. He had wished that I wouldn’t have to face Alex again and it killed him that he wouldn’t be able to be by my side while doing so.

  The night before the trial is to start, Zack and I lay in bed, my back to his front. He is caressing my hair softly as I lie staring at the ceiling. He says, “I have been dreading tomorrow but now that it’s here, I just want it to be over.” “The DA said in our last conversation that the evidence was immense and there are a lot of witnesses willing to implicate him. She is confident the trial will be quick, and he will be found guilty. She thinks he could get ten years,” I say hopefully. He kisses my head and says, “It will be alright. It has to be baby.” He pulls me closer and we drift off to sleep like this.

  Zack and I sat impatiently waiting for our names to be called outside courtroom #6. Zack’s leg was bouncing up and down as I chewed on a cuticle. Finally, I heard, “Maura McDevitt” called out by a bailiff. I looked up at Zack and he kissed my forehead and stood with me. The bailiff held a hand up to Zack directing him to stay behind as I proceeded through the open door into the courtroom. My dad was the first person I recognized. He smiled and winked at me as I made my way to the front of the courtroom. I noticed my mom and my brothers sitting next to him. They all gave me a supportive smile.

  The people in the jury box watch me as I walk through a small, hinged door that the bailiff held open for me. The room was so quiet, the screech of the hinges on the small door seem to echo off of the high ceiling. Just as I step past the small door, I notice Alex to the left of me glaring at me with his smug eyes. I quickly avert my attention to the right, and I caught the eye of the DA sitting at the table to the right. I was directed to a seat next to the judge in a box, facing everyone. I am sworn in by the bailiff. I take my seat and the judge tells Meredith, the DA in my case to proceed with her witness.

  She starts out asking simple things like my name and age and where I go to school. Then she asks questions about my relationship with Alex. Those questions are a little bit embarrassing in front of all these people, especially my family. I am asked if Alex and I had consensual sex while we were dating. I answered yes. She asked me how many times we had sex. I had to say more than ten times. Meredith had prepared me for these questions, and I had warned my mother, but it was still humiliating. Meredith asked me how we ended the relationship. I told the story of how he was angry I didn’t want to have sex and I had run away from him, fell and broke my ankle. Meredith had already heard this story from me, so she knew what questions to ask. Meredith asked, “When you fell, did Alex come to your aid?” “No,” I answered. “Was he present as you lay on the ground injured?” “Yes. He watched from across the way and then left the area,” I responded. I saw many in the courtroom look towards him in disgust including a woman I had guessed to be his mother.

  Then Meredith started to ask questions about the night I was attacked. I explained all I had remembered until I was taken to the hospital. My mother tried to hold back her tears as I relayed the memory of the attack. My father and brothers appeared to be clenching their jaws. My dad closed his eyes a few times as he tried to hold his composure. Even t
he woman I thought was Alex’s mother seemed emotional from the revelation. The questioning from Meredith lasted a few hours. After she was finished, the judge ordered the court to break for lunch until 2 o’clock.

  Meredith assured me I did very well. She said this afternoon will be more difficult as Alex’s attorney cross examines me. I was met next by my family. They hugged me and told me I was doing a great job. We exited the courtroom and Zack pounced on me. “Are you okay? How did it go?” he asked nervously. I assured him it went well, and I was okay, but I was nervous about the cross examination to come. Meredith had warned me that Alex’s attorney would not be nice and try to twist things in Alex’s favor.

  After a quick bite at a hotdog cart, we came back up to the courtroom and sat outside. Meredith came by and gave me a pep talk. I was really nervous about the next part of the day. Zack took me in his arms and made me look at him. “You can do this. You are the strongest woman I know. He can’t hurt you anymore unless you let him. We won’t let him, okay?” he asked. I said, “Okay.” He held me a few more seconds and then he let my family hug and kiss me before they took their seats back in the courtroom. He stood with me outside the courtroom until the bailiff escorted me back inside.

  I was seated back in my chair next to the judge. The judge reminded me I was still under oath and then he told Alex’s attorney, “The witness is yours.” He stood and paced before the room very dramatically. He asked me again about the time me and Alex had spent together dating. He wanted to know if Alex had treated me well while we were dating. I admitted that he had. He asked if I liked the sex with Alex. I gulped as I digested that question. Meredith sprang up and yelled, “Objection!” The judge agreed with Meredith and the attorney thought a second and asked if I had ever initiated sex with Alex. I hadn’t ever thought I would have to speak about such intimate details of my private life in front of strangers and my family. The only good aspect of this was Zack’s absence. I looked at the attorney and answered truthfully, “No.” He shot back, “You would have us believe that you never wanted sex with such a good-looking football player?” Meredith immediately yelled, “Objection! Asked and answered your honor.” The judge returned, “Sustained.” Then the attorney asked, “Isn’t it true that the night in question, you had in fact asked the defendant to gag and tie you up so you could play out your fantasy of being raped?” I clasped my hand over my mouth and gagged, literally gagged. I wanted so badly for Zack to come get me out of here. Even if it meant that Alex would go free, I just wanted to leave this room.