Chapter 88

Emma knocked on our door immediately after getting home from work. She was bouncing up and down and giggling like a school girl as Jess answered the door. Jess was puzzled but smiling as she let Emma in since Emma’s enthusiasm was contagious. They sat down on the couch so Emma could tell her story.

“So,” she began, “I was inspired by our play the other day, so I took things further at work...”

She proceeded to tell Jess about her exploits with Mike. Jess’ smile first wavered, then her expression changed to neutral and unreadable by the end. Emma, in her excitement, didn’t see the change at all.

Once she was finished, Jess asked, stone-faced, “So, at what point did the police arrive?”

Emma blinked and her own smile wavered as her brow furrowed. “Huh? They...”

“The police,” Jess prompted, her tone icy cold now. “At what POINT did THE POLICE arrive to arrest you for sexuallyassaulting your coworker?”

Emma’s smile disappeared completely and she was too stunned to answer.

“I ... didn’t...”

Jess cut her off.

“Oh, you most certainly DID. And if Mike had done that to a girl at your store, they would lock him up and throw away the key,” Jess said in disgust. Emma was stunned speechless.

Jess closed her eyes and shook her head slowly. After a long sigh, Jess said, “I thought I had taught you the difference between consensual and non-consensual, but it seems I didn’t. And I guess that is somewhat on me. I am very disappointed. In both of us.”

Emma swallowed hard. “Jess, I, I didn’t think that ... of that, I mean ... I...”

“As someone who was sexually assaulted herself, I would have thought you would have understood that situation better. And yet, here you sit, a rapist. Well, the only good news is that Mike hasn’t called the cops YET. If he had, they’d already be outside our apartment building and at your door. So, maybe you can still fix this,” Jess said. Emma’s face brightened instantly.

“How?” Emma said eagerly.

“Call Mike. He probably won’t want to talk to you, but you better MAKE him talk to you. You tell him how sorry you are and that you want – no, NEED, to make it up to him. Again, he won’t want to see you and will try to refuse, but for your sake you better sound sincere enough to convince him.”

“Then what?” Emma asked.

“Then you go over to his house. And apologize. By doing whatever it takes to make him realize you are genuinely sorry. And I mean WHATEVER it takes. If it is unpleasant, then good. The more unpleasant it is, the more you will learn from your mistake. Now go to your apartment, cross your fingers, and hope to God he takes your call.”