Chapter 16
The next day, Denise invited Lora and Tracy over for lunch. After they got their drinks and sandwiches she started telling everything that happened. She included what happened at the anniversary party as well.
"I can't believe it! How could you say that about Ralph? You are saying that he raped you, not once but twice!" asked Lora. "Is that what you want me to believe?"
"Yes, Lora. It is true. I wouldn't lie to you about something like that. I mean, look at these marks on my breast and these bruises on my thighs and my ass and let me give you some clearer evidence. The medical examiner report also agrees that I was raped."
"No, they can't say by who but I am your best friend. You should believe me. I love you. I don't want to hurt you. I am telling you the truth". Denise broke down and cried. Tracy hugged her to comfort her.
"I don't know what to believe. Ralph is so nice to me, so gentle. I don't know what to think. Why would he do it? Why?"
"I'll tell you why," Denise's face went dark, "He watches you with Marshall gets jealous and angry then grabs the closest woman to him and fucks them. It's that simple. I just had to be the one."
"Oh my god! What am I going to do?" Lora was confused." I'm supposed to marry him. I can't marry someone that hurt my friend."
Tracy finally spoke up. "Lora, you have got to confront him then leave him. If he'll hurt Denise, he can still hurt you. If you want we could come with you."
"No. Just let me handle my life. O.K." As she ran out the door she yelled, "Just leave me alone. Don't come near me again, leave me alone!"
"Don't worry," said Tracy. "She will come around after a while. It is not that she doesn't believe you, it's just that she doesn't want it to be true." Tracy wondered if it could have been her. After all, she didn't remember what had happened to her last night and she did wake up feeling... different.
They spent the rest of the day talking, hugging, and crying. Denise needed comfort and Tracy suggested that she get some counseling. Denise wanted to go home. She started making plans to leave on the next plane.
She went to the university to find out what she could do to receive her degree (this was their senior year and she had extra credits). They gave her a Bachelor's in Educational Psychology and a minor in Sociology.
She got her things packed and waited for the plane which was going to leave at 9 o'clock in the morning. Marshall came back to a packed house. Everything was in boxes.
"What's going on?" Marshall asked as he stood at the door.
"I'm going home. I can't stay here anymore." Denise replied and broke into tears. "I need to get away from this island and all the pain it has given me."
"Am I part of that pain?"
"Yes. Because of you and your fucking dick I have been raped twice. Because you can't keep your dick away from Lora, I am in pain. I thought you loved me? I thought we were going to be together. Now I know you really loved Lora all along and were using me to get close to her. Weren't you? I hate you for that."
"Denise if you knew the truth you wouldn't be acting this way. Marshall replied. "I do love you. I love you more than you'll ever know. I just had an obsession with Lora I had to work through. I never wanted you hurt. I never used you. Please, give me a chance to prove my love to you. You are the one I want. I know that now and I don't have anything holding me back now from giving you the love you deserve. I am so sorry you got hurt. Please forgive me."
He gathered her in his arms and she cried uncontrollably. She didn't know what to do about him. She loved him. She loved him but he hurt her. She pushed him away. "I need time. I can't just forgive and forget." Denise moved away from him and continued to cry.
"I am not going anywhere." Marshall declared. "I will be here until you forgive me for not being the man you needed me to be. Go home and I will make sure all of your stuff gets to you. I will pay for you a house and be right here for you. I am so sorry." By the end of Marshall's speech, he was on his knees, crying.