Tracy’s question hit me hard. I froze for a second, not because I didn’t want to answer, but because I didn’t know where to start. My past wasn’t something I was proud of, and I never wanted to bring any of it into this fresh beginning with my new family–especially not anything that had to do with the Thayers.
“She is my husband’s cousin and Flora happens to be my husband’s friend. I’m really sorry you had to see them like this,” I said, trying to hide the shame in my eyes.
“So they treated you like this while you were still with them? What kind of man allows his wife to be treated like that?”
Tracy’s voice was sharp, and I understood her anger. No one would ever tolerate that.
“You really need to tell me more about them. They really need to be put in their place,” Tracy said. And before I could even speak, the young man Tracy called the manager stepped forward, bowing slightly to her.
“Mrs. Williams, I’m deeply sorry for what just happened. I had no idea the young lady was like that. We don’t tolerate customers who cause such scenes.”
Tracy gave him a small wave. “It’s alright. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
He nodded quickly and helped us package all the items into neat bags, moving with a kind of urgency that showed he didn’t want to mess up again.
I stood and watched Tracy quietly. But inside, I was buzzing.
Not because Claire had been humiliated–but because I stood up for myself, and Tracy had stood by my side
confidence.
with so much
I stole a glance at Tracy again. She was laughing at something the manager said, her face bright and calm like nothing had
even happened. But she had stood like a wall between me and those two brats. Not even blinking.
I didn’t know people like her existed–and even if they did, definitely not in my world.
We walked to the car. The manager himself helped load everything into the trunk. He bowed again before leaving.
I sat down and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“Are you alright?” Tracy asked, turning her head to me.
I gave a big smile, even though I didn’t mean it. The kind of smile I used when I didn’t want anyone to worry. “I’m fine. Just a little tired. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble for you or my brothers.”
Tracy reached over and took my hand. Her grip was soft but firm.
“Janet,” she said gently, “I don’t know if anyone’s ever told you this, but you are not very good at pretending. I can see your face. How bad you felt back there… you definitely need to fill me in about them. Let me deal with them.”
I looked down, my fingers fiddling with the hem of my dress.
I pressed my palm to my face. I was totally unsure of what to say. Bringing up how I ended up in the Thayer family was not
something I was ready to discuss with anyone.
“I won’t force you to share,” she added after a while. “In fact, I don’t even need to know. The past is done. It won’t change what we have now. And it was all our fault for not finding you earlier. But you are no longer the girl you were back then. You’re Janet Beckett now. You have me and your brothers now.”
I nodded slowly.
Tracy smiled and pulled me in for a hug. I rested my head on her shoulder.
