Her Name Was Annie by Beth Rinyu (the little red hen read aloud txt) 📕

your brother with whom you were very close with, and now these accusations.” The reporter was talking to him as if he were a fragile child who had been traumatized, not like the rapist he was.

“Yes, it hasn’t been easy. The death of my brother was a horrible loss for me. It’s something I don’t think I’ll ever get over.” His wife grabbed his hand almost in a rehearsed sort of way.

“And now on top of everything else you have to contend with these new allegations that are getting thrown your way. How are you handling it all?”

“I’m just trying to take it one day at a time. Look, I know when you’re in public office, people will make allegations or try to make you look bad for their own agenda, but anyone who knows me, knows that’s not who I am. I have the utmost respect for women. I supported numerous bills throughout my career, supporting women’s rights. I’ve been married to this wonderful woman sitting beside me for almost forty years. We have three beautiful children together and seven grandchildren. That’s who I am. A husband, a father, and a grandfather. Not this horrible person this woman is trying to make me out to be.”

I wanted to throw my wineglass at the television, changing the channel when his wife began to speak in an effort to plead his case. It was damage control at its finest. I was sick to my stomach over how someone could go on national TV and blatantly lie. The sad part was, he was so convincing. If I hadn’t met Francesca and heard her story, I might have just believed him. I thought about the woman he’d done this to. Was she somewhere watching him telling the world she was a liar? Watching how the media aided him in his ploy by falling all over him like he was the victim?

I was momentarily thankful for the ringing of my doorbell for switching my focus from the repulsive display I had just witnessed on my television. Once that temporary bout of gratitude faded, I was overcome with apprehension. Who the heck would just be stopping by without calling first? I bolted from the couch and peered out the window with my four-legged security detail right in tow. A combination of relief and surprise washed over me when I saw Jack’s car in the driveway. I was certain he must’ve tried calling, but my phone was once again buried in my purse, which was upstairs in my bedroom. When I opened the front door with a smile on my face, I was greeted by a frown on his. In addition to looking thoroughly exhausted, it was apparent he wasn’t too pleased over something. He was more than likely angry that I caused him an unnecessary trip here once again by not answering my phone, but I couldn’t imagine what he still needed to get in touch with me for. Our main reason for communicating over the past month or so had now been put to rest.

“Where’s Kara?” he demanded, pushing his way in. “She’s not answering her damn phone!”

“She went out to dinner with her girlfriends. Why?”

“Well, I just found out she’s seeing one of my agents.”

The cat was out of the bag and now Kara was avoiding the situation altogether. “Oh. How’d you find that out?” I asked calmly, trying to smooth over the situation.

“From her new boyfriend.” He was smug in his reply.

“Well, he seems like a nice enough guy.”

He paused and arched his eyebrows in disbelief. “You knew about this and didn’t tell me?” His voice rose in anger.

“Jack, it wasn’t my place to tell you. It was his and Kara’s…which he did end up telling you. Would you rather have had them sneak behind your back like two star-crossed lovers?”

“No, I’d rather they not see each other at all,” he shouted. “And what’s this with you all of a sudden and keeping secrets? After the secret your parents kept from you your entire life, you would think you’d realize they only do more harm than good.”

I knew he was upset with Kara, but I wasn’t going to allow him to take this out on me by making low blows about my parents. “Yes, I do know how much harm secrets can cause and how much hurt they can conjure up. Let’s not forget about the grandiose secret you kept from me.”

“Really, Steph?” He shook his head over my even lower blow directed at him. “This has nothing to do with what happened in our marriage.”

“And it has nothing to do with my parents either, so just stop! In fact, it really has nothing to do with us at all. Kara is an adult now. We may not like some of the decisions she’s going to make, but we have to—”

Jack turned his attention from the lecture I was about to spew to Kara, who had just walked through the front door. The wary expression on her face told me she already knew what she was in for.

“Go ahead. Tell me all the reasons why I shouldn’t be dating him.” She threw her hands up in defense. “And I’ll just tell you all the reasons why I should,” she continued.

“Kara, what the hell are you thinking? He was doing his job, and you used that as a dating service. You know he can be reprimanded for that?”

“Oh my God. Really, Dad?” The calmness that was in her voice just moments ago was fading to anger. “You would do that to him? To me?”

“That’s not a sign of a good agent, Kara. His assignment was to watch you, not fall for the first pretty face he sees. That’s the first thing you’re taught, never let your emotions interfere with the job.”

There were a million things I could’ve chimed in with to aid Kara in her defense, but as hard as it was, I remained silent. I meant it when I told Jack it