Red by Erica Spindler Read Free Book Online Page A

was—”
    She choked back the words, and swung away from Miss Opal once more, curving her arms around her middle, holding and comforting herself because no one else would.
    â€œWhat are you saying, Becky Lynn? Did those boys—” The older woman cleared her throat. “Did they touch you?”
    â€œYes,” she whispered, not turning, not wanting to see Miss Opal’s expression.
    Miss Opal’s silence deafened. Becky Lynn turned and faced her, spine ramrod straight. “What are you going to do now? Fire me? Call me a liar?”
    For a long moment, Miss Opal said nothing. Then she sighed, the sound old and defeated. “I’m sorry, child. So…sorry. I do believe you.” She folded her hands in front of her. “Though I wish I didn’t.”
    Miss Opal sighed again. “You were behaving so strangely…and those boys, there was something about the way they looked at you. I jumped to the conclusion that you…had…that you were…”
    Sleeping with them. Just the way poor white trash would. Becky Lynn lifted her chin defensively and drew in a ragged breath. “Don’t worry about it,” she whispered, her voice thick. “If I’m not fired, I’ll finish unpacking that order now.”
    Miss Opal touched her shoulder lightly. “I’m so sorry,” she said again. “Please forgive me.”
    Becky Lynn shuddered. Miss Opal’s touch was gentle, reassuring.
    She would love to be held, would love to lean against the older woman and sob out her fears. She would love to forget what Miss Opal had accused her of. But she knew better than to do any of those things. When she forgot her place and who she was, she got hurt.
    She shrugged off Miss Opal’s hand. “Don’t worry about it.”
    â€œBut I will worry about it. I’m fond of you and…and I feel terrible about what I just suggested. You’re a good girl, and I knew you wouldn’t do that, but I… Look at me, Becky Lynn. Please.”
    Becky Lynn turned and met her boss’s eyes. Miss Opal looked genuinely distressed. Her already hawkish features were pinched, her eyes soft with regret. As she gazed at the other woman, some of her anger, her indignation, slipped away. Even as she softened, she inched her chin up.
    â€œYou’re right to be angry with me. I was wrong, and I’m terribly sorry.” Miss Opal caught her hands. “Now, Becky Lynn,” she said quietly but in a tone that brooked no argument, “I want you to tell me what those boys did to you.”
    Becky Lynn shook her head and tugged against the other woman’s grasp. “I’m fine.”
    â€œThat’s not what I asked you, Becky Lynn Lee.” She tightened her fingers. “What did those boys do to you?”
    Becky Lynn gazed at Miss Opal, the truth pressing at her, begging to be told. She sucked in a deep breath. Shewanted to tell; she wanted someone to believe her. She wanted Ricky and Tommy to be punished.
    But she was afraid.
    As if reading her thoughts, Miss Opal reached out and tipped her chin gently up. “You can trust me, child,” she said softly, as if reading her thoughts. “I promise I’ll help you if I can.”
    Becky Lynn lowered her eyes to her toes. Her heart began to thunder; the blood rushed to her head until she was dizzy with it. “They…touched me. Ricky and Tommy…they shoved me up against a tree and they—” Tears flooded her eyes, hot and urgent. “They touched my breasts and my…”
    She lifted her eyes to Miss Opal’s, tears blurring her vision. “They wouldn’t stop. I begged them to, but they…wouldn’t.”
    The hairdresser made a sound of distress and drew Becky Lynn into her arms and against her bony chest. “Poor, baby. Poor, sweet child.” She stroked Becky Lynn’s hair, murmuring words, sounds, of comfort.
    â€œThey