Shane nodded.

When I was about twelve and my sister Rae was ten, my mother met this man, Gary. She became so obsessive with him; she said she was in love with him within two weeks of knowing him. In about four weeks she moved him in with us. For the first few months, he pretended to be the caring boyfriend and tried to buy Rae and me. He lost his job and started drinking. While my mom was at work, he would be back at the house with us. If we didnt do a chore right or if we didnt answer him fast enough he would hit us. It happened daily. Rae was a tomboy all her life. She dressed like a boy, played sports and eventually liked girls.

Shane walked a long the wall across from Andie and sat down in front of her. She stayed silent as Andie talked.

Rae was so open about who she was. She didnt care what people thought of her looks, her weight or who she loved. The first day Rae had me help shave her head I was so scared. I was fourteen and couldnt understand why my sister needed to do these things. When Gary saw her hair, or lack of it. He flipped out and hit her with his fist over and over. I could hardly recognize her face. The only thing my mother said was Why did you have to go and piss Gary off? Cutting your hair like a boy, Rae? One night Gary was drunk and getting on Rae again about who knows what. She spoke up against him; she started sticking up for herself. I was so proud of her. He started to pull out his belt, you know, one of those brown think ones and he went after her. I was sick of it. I wasnt going to let him hurt her anymore. So I jumped in front of her and yelled for her to get of the house or the room. Andie refused to look up as she spoke. She could hear the screaming of her voice and the sobs of Rae as if it all had just happened. Shane kept her eyes on Andie, who was hugging her knees.

Rae got out of the room and Gary closed the door. He pushed me on the bed and whipped my back with the belt for what seemed to be an eternity. He must have locked the door because I could hear Rae and my mother pounding on the door. My mother had just came home from work to hear and see Rae slamming in the door. She refused to take me to the hospital for the swelling, cuts and bruises. The five scars were the deepest of them all. A few days later, my mom sent me to my aunt in Wyoming. Saying I was the problem. I pleaded for her to let Rae come with me, but there was no convincing her. She kept Rae with her.

Shane let out a breath. Andie at times seemed as if she was telling a story about someone else. Other times, her voice would crack and tremble.

Rae lived all over L.A. when Gary would go crazy. I only got to see her on holidays and in the summer. But she seemed so content with who she was. I was learning the guitar and met Zo from the band. She loved my sister after going with me to L.A. a few times. She decided to stay in L.A. to be close to Rae. Every time I would visit I would beg my mother to let Rae come back with me. She absolutely would not have it. I even thought of just taking her with me either way, but never did. The summer I turned eighteen, a few days before I was going to come visit. Rae had called to tell me that Gary had seen her and Zo together on the street. She was scared to go home. I told her to get on a bus and to meet me in Seattle, that they wouldnt find us there. She agreed and hung up.

Andie began to rock back and forth. Shane moved to sit next to her and took her hand tightly.

Andie you dont need to say anymore, baby. Shane whispered.

I know, but I have to say it. Andies voice wavered again.

Okay. Shane nodded.

The next day, Zo called crying. She said that Rae had gone home to pick up all of her clothes. Zo went with her and waited outside. Gary had been waiting and had hid his car and kept the lights off, so they would think he wasnt home Andie sighed and looked at the palm of Shanes hand. Gary killed her. They fought about him seeing Zo and her. She fought back hard. Zo got into the house too late. Gary was on the floor next to Rae, he was crying. He had beaten her and strangled her. I left to Seattle right after I heard. Hes in prison now, where my mother still goes and sees him. Andie stopped and took a breath. She looked at Shane and saw tears running down her face. Andie lost all control and broke down hiding her face in Shanes chest. Shane held on to her tightly.

Thank you for telling me, Andie. Shane whispered and then brushed her lips across her ear.