Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 106 & 107 Secrets/ Every Breath You Take

"I can come by tomorrow too and hang with you if you like." I imagine no one gives Cara any attention around here. They see her as a dangerous, sarcastic little spitfire. Which she is, but she's also just a girl. Younger than her age. Like Julia. Cara nods with a little more pep and a smile, giving her something to look forward to and I leave the room with Trevor.

Once we are down the hall so she cannot hear us, the doctor begins to speak candidly with me. Again, it always catches me off-guard because the way he looks and the cockiness of it doesn't match his genuine, caring voice.

"I don't know Cara very well. I haven't been here for long, but she always came off harsh and headstrong. You brought out her softer, more human side, Mr. Gallo. You have a knack for this stuff."

"She just needs someone to be on her side once in a while."

"Have you ever thought about being a counselor here? You'd have a lot to offer these people."

I smile as we walk down the hall. Jeremy Donovan said something similar to me not long ago. Hey, who knows. Maybe I COULD find a job doing something like this someday. Even with my disabilities.

******

*Trisha*

Apparently Donovan not only went to the hospital to talk to Nate, he also met up with Julia to clear the air as well. My question is, why is he just telling everyone this shit now? Why, because he fucking got caught with the SUV? He had months to come clean and didn't. I just don't trust the guy but apparently Julia does suddenly.

She talks fast but tells us everything over the phone from her Avalon apartment. We all listen intently and not one of us interrupt her. She tells us all about Donovan following her, being obsessed with her well before she ever started at the Avalon.

But the girl is fucked up. I'm sorry, but she is. She actually feels bad for that motherfucker. I can't wrap my brain around Julia. I will never understand her. One minute she scared out of her mind of the guy and the next minute she believes his bullshit and feels fucking sorry for him? She's a very naïve woman.

I can tell this is what Nate is thinking as well as we listen to her on speakerphone.

"Nate, it all makes sense now." Julia ends and takes a breath. I look over at Nate with wide eyes.

"He's nodding. This is a lot to take in." Jonah says into the phone and watches him scribble something on the white board. "He said - even more reason for you to be very cautious. Never let your guard down around him."

"I know. But I feel bad too. He can't help some of-"

"WHAT?!"Nate blurts out but then grabs we all yell at him so he scribbles on the board.

"He said- don't you dare make excuses for him. I know you, Julia. You always try to find the good in everyone. Don't forget the monster Donovan is" Jonah says into the phone.

"Nate, if he is a monster than so am I. I just hurt myself and destroy people's houses. He hurts other people and destroys their hotel rooms."

She's not wrong there

"Anyways. I thought it was good that he told me everything. I gotta go help James with dinner. Love you, bye."  Julia hangs up. Her reaction to all this news is... well... this is unbelievable.

"Well, that was.... a lot." Evan is the first to speak up.

"Guess rape runs in the family." I mutter and leave the room. I don't want to stress Nate out more by being emotional around him. That's the last thing he needs. Halfway down the hall, Evan catches up to me.

"You ok???"

"She's fucking feeling sorry for him." I walk into a small empty waiting room and huff when I look at the TV displaying the reporters and fans gathering outside this very hospital for Nate.

"If he knew his cousin was doing the same shit why would he do it too?" I plop down in the chair and drop my head into my hands in frustration. "If he was Dave's therapist, then he knew everything. He knew how it would mess someone up. Yet he goes off and does the exact fucking thing?"

"Your ex raped you?"

Shit. Right. This is a new guy, not Paul.

"Not the point." I retract. "He knew it fucked with my head. And it fucked with her head." I cry. "You're never the same after...." my words trail off but I keep my focus on the ground in front of me.

"I'm sorry." Evan sits down next to me and clasps his hands together. "I had no idea it was that bad. How are these men not in prison?"

"Drunk Dave and Sober Dave are two different people." I say softly. "I was in love and going to marry Sober Dave. I did the same God damned thing as Julia. I didn't pursue legal actions further. I thought I could help him get better."

I think about that for a moment. God I'm just like Julia, aren't I? I make excuses for Dave and feel bad for him just like she does with Jeremy. I blame his addiction like she blames Jeremy mental health diagnosis.

I make excuses for a man who raped me multiple times in our relationship.

******