Healing Grace by Anna Christine Boulier

Author:Anna Christine Boulier
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anna Christine Boulier
Published: 2019-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Laura and Jacob didn’t speak but watched the couple run around grabbing things as they rushed out the door in such a hurry, they didn’t even say goodbye to them.

Jacob laughing took another bite of pasta. “That just leaves more for us.”

Laura nodded and took a small bite. Realizing how alone they were, he began to worry she was uncomfortable. Which is why it was a surprise when she spoke up.

“So, after today’s lesson am I an expert?”

He smirked. “Not quite. As I said earlier, it’s about muscle memory. I think a few more lessons repeating the moves would be important.”

“Okay.”

Grabbing her glass to fill with water, he noticed she flinched. Careful, Jacob. Don’t scare her. It’s a big deal she hasn’t gone running for the door yet.

“I also want to teach you some Jiu Jitsu moves for when you’re against someone in a rage state or high on drugs and causing pain to them is harder. I know some techniques for if you’re against a wall or on the ground, and can show you how to get out of a choke hold.”

Bringing back her water, Jacob sat it down gently in front of her. Sitting back down, he looked to see if she realized how alone they were, but she looked up at him with tears in her blue-gray eyes. “You know, don’t you?”

It was a statement, not a question. Jacob slowly nodded. “Please don’t be mad at Brian. He only told me after I asked a few questions.”

Crumpling up a napkin, Laura strangled out, “I’m not mad at Brian. I’m mad at myself. I’m ashamed of what my son went through.”

“Laura...”

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Laura whispered, “He was so young. Blake started hitting me just a week after we were married. I... I naively thought when I found out I was pregnant; a baby would make things better.” Her voice rose in pitch. “I didn’t realize a child would just make him angrier. He became even more violent and I should’ve left him then, but didn’t.”

“Why didn’t you, Laura?”

She ripped the napkin to shreds, unable to look at him. “He threatened me and the baby. He told me I wouldn’t be able to hide; I had no way to survive without him. He was in the military and no one would believe me.”

Jacob gripped his fork so hard, the tines dug into his hand. “It was wrong for him to use the military as justification for his actions.”

Laura looked down at her hands. “I lived in fear of him for years and after skipping college to marry him, I had to hide earning my degree in dentistry.”

“You did what you needed to do...”

“But I didn’t!” Leaning forward, Laura threw the tattered napkin down. “didn’t protect Brian. I could’ve left, run, found someone to help!”

Reaching out for her hand, Jacob froze when she flinched. Forcing himself to lean back even when all he wanted to do was hold her and protect her, Jacob said softly, “Laura, you did the best you could in the circumstances and you’re away from him now.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.