Chapter 20
“This looks so good,” Justin commented as his stepfather set the large turkey on the table in front of him. Mashed potatoes, gravy, ham, candied yams, beans, rolls, and corn were already set out. Vicky stared as if she had never seen a feast like this before. She was used to a small chicken and some potatoes every Thanksgiving with her parents. It all looked so good, but something told her not to eat anything. She kept feeling a pain in her stomach that couldn’t be ignored. Something was going to happen that night.
Justin gently nudged her and asked, “Could you pass me your plate?” Vicky handed it to him as she dismissed the feeling from her mind.
“So Vicky, how did you and Justin meet?” Mrs. Timberlake questioned to break the ice between them. She sat on the other end of the table beside her husband.
“We met on the island that we just happened to be stranded on together,” Vicky answered as Justin set her plate in front of her.
“How’d you fall in love with him?” she kept interrogating.
“Actually, it was more like I accidentally fell in love with him. He started out being the rudest person I’ve ever met. I knocked him out for a few hours after he told me off, then felt really bad for what I had done, so I apologized. Afterwards, Justin turned into a total sweetheart, and that’s how I fell in love with him,” Vicky explained. Justin wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer.
“So, what’s your family like?”
“It’s just me and my dad now. My mom got sick while I was in
“It’s okay,” he whispered to comfort her. “Everything’s going to be alright.” After that, no one said anything about Vicky’s family.
Vicky began to eat her dinner slowly. Justin kept his arm around her just in case she needed him. She leaned over to whisper into his ear. “I can’t eat. I’ve got this feeling something’s going to happen. Every time I think about it, my stomach turns. I know it’s going to be really bad.”
All of a sudden, the phone rang. Vicky grabbed her stomach knowing this was what she had predicted. Justin looked at her with concerned eyes, then stood up. “I’ll get it,” he said. He reached the phone and answered, “Hello?”
“Hello, is this Mr. Justin Timberlake?” a male voice said on the other line.
“That’s me. Who is this?” Justin replied. He sat down in a chair beside the phone.
“This is Lt. Bob Berkley, Chief of Police for Tampa. This is about the tests your doctor sent in about your girlfriend’s rape.”
“Uh-huh.” Justin didn’t know how to answer. His mouth went dry as he thought about what this would end up proving.
“The DNA test revealed that two people were involved in the rape. Chad Peterson and Ricardo Anderson.”
Justin sat unable to speak or move. At his loss of words, Vicky went to him and put her hands on his shoulders. She knew something was very wrong, and she was ready to hear the news.
“We haven’t been able to find them, but when we do, we’ll be sure to make you a call. I’m sorry about giving you such bad news over the holidays,” the officer continued.
“At least you told me. Thank you,” Justin replied as he hung up. He turned to Vicky and stared at her. She could see the pain in his eyes as he stood up and took her hands. He led her to the living room away from his parents.
“What, sweetie?” Vicky asked, now more concerned than before.
“The test results are back,” Justin said. “There were two people involved.”
Vicky started moving towards the wall. She knew more was to come. “Who?”
“Ch… Ch… Chad… and Rick,” Justin stuttered.
Vicky’s shoulder hit the wall and she slid down to the floor. “Oh, God. Oh, God,” she softy repeated as tears began to flow. “No!” Vicky screamed out. “No!” She buried her face in her hands as she cried, “Why?”
Justin kneeled down beside her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Vicky pushed him away as she stood up. She ran to the bedroom and slammed the door. Justin ran after her and knocked at the door.
“Vicky, calm down,” Justin coaxed.
“How the hell am I supposed to calm down if I just found out that my ex-boyfriend and his best friend raped me?” she yelled from the other side.
“Vicky, let me in. Let me talk to you,” Justin pleaded.
Inside, Vicky paced the room in her angry rage. She wasn’t about to let anyone in, no matter who they were. “Why?” she asked herself as tears streamed down her cheeks. “How could he do this to me?” She lay on the bed and stared up into space, thinking. Her thoughts were focused on the March afternoon that Vicky had dumped Chad. She knew when he said that he’d make them pay, he was going to do it. She was now afraid that the threat had come true.
Justin took out his keys and unlocked the door. He saw Vicky in a trance while staring at nothing. He sat on the bed and waited for her to show any sign of life. Justin waited, uncertain of when Vicky would speak again. His hand brushed through her hair, but she didn’t move. Her eyes never left the top of the canopy. Her deep trance kept her from being there.
Justin waited for hours as he watched Vicky. He thought she was dead, but her chest rose with every breath she took. There was a part of her that died that day, though. No wonder she was so out of it. Justin was completely oblivious to his parents as they walked in and out of the room trying to find out what was going on. There was nothing more important to him at this point except for Vicky. As she stared into oblivion, her eyes seemed so distant, so calm, that for some reason, he wished he knew where she was.
Justin got up to go to the bathroom. As he looked back, Vicky turned to stare at him. He rushed to her side and asked, “Vicky, can you hear me?” She slowly nodded unable to speak. Justin took her hand and gently held it up to his cheek.
“Why?” Vicky’s weak voice asked as she felt his warmth.
“I don’t know,” Justin whispered, “but I promise I’ll protect you.”
Vicky smiled a weak smile as Justin wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the top of her forehead. She was overwhelmed that anyone could love her as much as he did. Justin nestled her next to his chest as she closed her eyes. She fell asleep beside him, exhausted from crying so hard.