I dress Linus and put her in her new stroller. It’s Tuesday and we’re off on a walk to the store to get the milk and bread that was never purchased on Sunday. He’s gone back to work. It’s a warm day in September. It does me good to get out and take that long walk. Before we are half way, Linus has fallen asleep. I cover her with her blankie. I can’t look at the gravel yard as we go by…
At the store, I round up the milk and bread. I suddenly become aware of the buzz of conversations going on. I don’t pay too much attention until I hear “gravel yard” and “isn’t that just awful.” I turn red, put my head down but I want to see who is talking. I get a bag of potato chips and see three woman reading a folded newspaper and commenting. “Is this in the paper? Oh my God nooo…”
Now two men start doing the same…commenting that if that bastard lives around here, he better watch his back. One of the woman says “It says here he has a young wife and child too. That son of a bitch…” I suddenly become afraid they’ll know I’m his wife and this is his child. I get in line to pay for my stuff. At the newspaper stand, I don’t want to know but I look anyway. On the very front for, all to see…Local man 22, indecently assaults 14 year old. I put my things on the counter. I have a hard time concentrating. I shake like crazy giving the girl my money. I think everyone is looking at me. I’m so scared. I take a bag and run out…
I breathe and walk…breathe and walk. I hear someone shout “Hey there!” My heart starts to pound. Again he yells “Hey you! Wait minute!” I won’t wait a minute. They’ve figured out who I am and now they’ll hurt us. Only when he yells “you forgot your bread!” do I finally stop. I’m shaking so hard, I need to sit on a guard rail. He hands me my bread and I thank him. He tells me I’m white as a sheet and asks if I’m ok. I tell him I’m pregnant, it gets me when I least expect it. His buddy runs back into the store, returns with water and the three woman gossips.
I can’t ever explain how I felt as they fussed over me and offered me a ride home. They have no idea they’re talking to the wife of THAT bastard. I accept the water but I won’t have them know where I live. The women say to be careful if I have to go by the gravel pit. “I’m sure you’ve heard about that awful man and what he did to that poor girl.” Yes I have. They’re talking about my husband…they have no idea what they’re doing to me…They think my baby is so adorable with her curls and big blue eyes…and they ask one more time if I would like a ride. I tell them I’m good. They leave and I make my way home.
The truth is not the police version or his version, it’s the fact that people have decided what he has or hasn’t done. He did this thing. The truth is our lives and that of others will never be the same again…
Next -> The Trial
Tags: newspaper, potato chips, son of a bitch, three woman gossips