Distant Shores

She let go of the cross, let her hand fall to her lap. Her gaze followed. "After a while, the party started breaking up. Drew--"

"Grayland?"

"Yes. He was telling me a funny story about last weeks practice, and when I looked around, I saw that only a few people were still in the room. There was a couple standing by the television, making out. Another few guys were at the keg. Drew leaned over and kissed me. It was so . . . gentlemanly. When he asked me to come up to his room, I said yes. " As the admission leaked out, she paled. Her lower lip trembled; she bit down on it. "I shouldnt have done that. "

This time Jack couldnt help himself. She was so damned young. "Youre nineteen, Andrea. Dont judge yourself too harshly. Trusting someone isnt a crime. "

Her gaze found his. It was surprisingly steady. "What he did to me was a crime, though. "

"What . . . did he do?" He winced at his own hesitation, hoping they could edit it out.

"At first we were just lying on the bed, kissing, but he started getting aggressive. He held me down so I couldnt move, and his kisses . . . I couldnt breathe. I started pushing him away, but that made him laugh. He grabbed me, hard. I started yelling at him, screaming for him to get off me. "

Jack could see how hard she was trying not to cry.

"He hit me once in the face. No ones ever hit me before. It isnt like the movies. It hurt so much I couldnt even cry. And then he was ripping my clothes off, yanking my underwear down. I heard them rip. Then . . . then . . . " When she looked up, her eyes were glazed with tears. "He raped me. "

Jack pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her.

"Thank you," sh

e whispered, wiping her eyes. It was a moment before she went on. "I dont even remember leaving the house. My roommate took me to the emergency room, but we had to wait forever. I finally gave up and went home. "

"You didnt see a doctor that night?"

"No. What was the point? I watch lots of lawyer shows on television. I knew people would say I asked for it. I went to his room and followed him onto the bed. "

Jack realized that his hands had balled into fists. He softened his voice; it seemed grotesque suddenly, asking these intimate questions for a bit on the six oclock news. "Did you tell anyone beside your roommate? Your parents, maybe?"

She made a little sound, maybe a sob. "I couldnt. I guess Ill have to tell them tonight. But I went to the campus police the next day. I knew they wouldnt do anything, but I wanted to make sure they knew what hed done to me. "

"What happened?"

"An officer listened to my story, then excused himself and left the room. About fifteen minutes later Bill Seagel came in. Hes the Panther athletic director. He laid it all out for me. How I had no proof, no doctors report, no witnesses. How I could have walked into a wall to get my black eye, and how Id been drinking. He told me nothing would happen to Drew if I came forward, but my college years would be ruined. So I shut up about it. "

"Why did you come forward now?"

"I saw your report on the news. " She looked up again. "I wasnt the only one, and they knew that. Those assholes knew it. I didnt want him to be able to hurt anyone else. "

"So you went to the Portland police. "

"It probably wont do any good, you know. I waited too long and did everything wrong. But I feel better. At least Im not afraid anymore, and Im not just lying there, taking it. Do you think I did the right thing?"

Jack knew he shouldnt answer. This interview wouldnt be much good if he ruined his credibility by showing that he cared.

But she was sitting there, staring at him through eyes that were heartbreakingly sad. And she was so damned young.

"I have a daughter who is just your age. My Jamie. I pray every day that she is safe at college. But if anything . . . bad ever happened to her, Id hope she could be as brave as youve been today. You did the right thing. "

Was that his voice, all soft and throaty? Theyd have to redub his answer for sure. He sounded like he was going to cry, for Gods sake.

"Thank you for that. "

"Thank you for the interview. "

After that, an awkwardness drifted between them. He noticed suddenly how close he was to her. Their on-air intimacy cracked apart, broke as quickly as it had formed. After that, everything felt uncomfortable. Jack didnt know what to say and Sally remained silent as they all went their separate ways. Kirk was the first to leave, then Jack and Sally said good-bye to Andrea and walked back to their car.

Jack didnt realize until much later, when he and Sally were driving toward the station, how shaken he was. How pissed off. "God damn Drew Grayland," he said, thumping his palm against the steering wheel for emphasis.