Part 28 (1/2)
She cleared her throat. ”I was driving down Valley Road.”
”Valley Road? Keith lives close to there. Where were you going?”
”I needed some fresh air so I left Craig's. You know how driving helps me think. I've had so much on my mind considering what had happened between you and me. Sarah, I've missed you so much.”
”I missed you, too, Mel. But that's over now. Nothing's gonna break us apart.” Not even Keith? Melody wondered. ”Mel, I promise you we are gonna get the b.a.s.t.a.r.d who did this to you. I don't care what we have to do! He won't get away with this.”
Melody continued with the story. Lying seemed to come so easily at this point. ”My jeep started hesitating. I got out to see what was the matter with it.”
”You got out on the street alone at night?”
”I know, it's the dumbest thing I could have done. I had to check under the hood.”
Sarah cuddled Melody's hand. ”You always did know a lot about cars.”
”Yeah, well everything seemed okay. When I was going to get back in, uh...a man grabbed me. He ordered me back inside.” Sarah panted. ”He told me not to scream or anything. I think he had a knife but I can't be sure. He had something I believe. Then he...” She stared at the wall. ”He raped me.”
”Oh G.o.d,” Sarah sobbed. ”Oh, Mel.”
”It happened so fast, really. I couldn't comprehend what was going on until it was almost over. I just kept screaming and begging for him to get off me.”
”And no one saw you being attacked right there on the road?”
Melody hadn't thought of that. She shrugged. ”Well, it was on a desolate part of Valley Road, away from the traffic.” Sarah nodded. ”Plus, it was so dark tonight I don't think anyone could have seen us in the jeep.”
”Cops pa.s.s through that area religiously.” Sarah bit her lip. ”And not one pa.s.sed through tonight?”
”Obviously not.” Melody shrugged.
”How did he look?” Sarah gazed into her eyes.
This would be the hardest part. She couldn't reveal the real rapist. Would Sarah even believe her if she had? She loved Keith. Worse of all, Sarah felt she knew Keith more than anything. She wouldn't accept Melody accusing him of rape. It just wouldn't add up with her. Keith had set Melody up with sheer brilliance. He'd planned to rape her knowing d.a.m.n well that she wouldn't tell Sarah the truth.
He knew she could never hurt Sarah. Telling Sarah the truth would hurt her unlike anything. She couldn't shoot a hole in her sister's heart. She couldn't tear through Sarah's soul and watch her bleed to death. This had been the one person who loved her unconditionally. Sarah had always been there when Melody needed her. She'd been a friend, mother, and confidante.
She'd taken her in. She made sure she had everything she needed. She even put up with Melody's strange disposition and smart mouth. So how could she destroy Sarah's love, though it sickened Melody, for Keith by telling the truth? People always said Melody looked out for others more than herself. She supposed they were right. She'd do it again, right now.
She couldn't hurt Sarah just to make Keith pay. And he'd known that. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d played her like he invented the game.
”Honey, take your time,” Sarah whispered. ”Can you tell me anything? We need to know what to tell the police.”
”Sarah, I don't want to go to the police.”
”Mel, you have to! This man could hurt someone else. Besides that, he raped you! I'm not gonna let him get away with this. Now please tell me what you remember about him.”
”I'm trying to forget it, Sarah.”
”Melody, you have to do this. Can you tell me anything about the man who raped you?”
”Sarah, please, I don't want to talk about it right now.” She still wasn't sure if she should say it had been Keith or not. She just knew she couldn't deal with this now. She needed at least tonight to rest.
”Okay, I won't pressure you. But we gotta go to the police as soon as you're comfortable, Mel.” Sarah rubbed her hair. ”The doctor says you can leave when you get ready. Are you going to Craig's or coming home with me?”
Melody sobbed. ”You don't even have to ask.” They hugged.
A middle-aged blonde lady walked in. ”Melody Cruz?” The lady smiled. ”h.e.l.lo. I'm from the Rape Center.”
Melody sighed.
Sarah snuggled beside Keith on his couch later that night. She hadn't wanted to leave Melody alone. Melody insisted she'd be fine. Sarah figured a need for solitude came natural with a rape victim. She sniffed into her teacup. She loved the aroma of mint and cinnamon tea. Keith had been the only guy she knew who could whip up homemade tea recipes.
She glanced around the gorgeous living room. He'd created the perfect setting with candles and light snacks. She hadn't been sure of things before she came here tonight. Keith's arms always rescued her from the worst moments. She looked into his intense, mysterious eyes. He smirked. She loved that sly smile of his. He had the power to unleash all of her emotions with just a glance.
He took her hand. She laid her head on his shoulder. She'd never been so in love. She actually felt guilty for being happy while Melody went through such pain.
”You okay?” Keith whispered. She nodded. ”I hope you don't blame yourself. Sarah, you couldn't have prevented it.”
”I made so many mistakes with her, Keith.”
He stared into his tea. ”Because of me, right? If that's the case, then this is just as much my fault as anyone's.”
”No, honey.” She kissed him. ”This is the rapist's fault.” He looked away. ”You probably don't understand the bond between sisters. With sisters, you feel like that's the only person in the world you have...each other. You're not that close to your brother so you may not understand.”
”So I did come between you two?”
She sighed. ”If you did it was my doing, Keith. I was the one who made the choice.”
He touched her chin. ”Do you regret the choice you've made? Because all I want to do is be with you, Sarah.” He kissed her. She relaxed in his arms as if nothing else mattered. He gently pulled her away. ”How much do you love me, Sarah?”
”Oh, Keith, I've never loved anyone like you. Melody could never understand the hold you have on me.” He smiled. ”I can't understand it, either. All I know is that when I look into your eyes, I know everything will be okay. I know we were meant to be together. By this time I usually get bored.” She grinned. ”But I could never get bored with you. I love you so much, Keith.”
”Sarah, I hope I never disappoint you.”
She grinned. ”How could you? You seem to live to make my dreams come true. Keith, the only way I could be disappointed is if this ended.” She wrapped her arm around his shoulder. She rested her head against his chest. She even loved how he smelled. A manly, hungry scent that left her breathless.
”I have a feeling you want to say something else.” He rubbed her thick crinkles.
”Keith, from now on, I want to do what's best for Melody. I hope you understand that.”
”Oh, of course, Sarah. I know how hard this must be for her. It's terrible what happened. I hope she really is doing okay.”
”It's too soon to tell. She's being strong, but that's how Melody is. She doesn't break easily.”
”I've noticed. You must be proud of the kind of woman she turned out to be.”
She nodded. ”Keith, would you mind not coming to the house for a while? I want Melody to be able to heal and I don't want her dealing with any conflicts so...”