Stolen Innocence by Erin Merryn Page A

it out of me. When we got to my house I saw Allie and her friend Kathleen sitting in the sunroom with my mom. I could tell by the look on all three of their faces that my mom had just been told something that shocked her. It was a look of anger and disgust. My mom began talking to my friend Melissa about good summer books to read. I told mom that we were riding our bikes to the store to go shopping. Mom told me she had to show me something in my room before we left. I knew right then she knew the truth. While walking up the stairs I looked back at Allie and Kathleen and the look on Allie’s face gave it away. When mom walked in her room and closed the door she told me to sit on the bed. I sat down and mom looked up at me and said,” I know what Brian’s been doing to you. You’re safe now and he will never hurt you again.” She gave me a big hug and tears began to form in her eyes. A huge sense of relief came over me. I no longer had to live in silence. She told me we would discuss it tonight when dad got home. I could see the tears falling from my mom’s eyes as she watched me walk out of her room. I met Melissa at the bottom of the stairs were the two of us went outside and got on our bikes. The whole way to the store I told Melissa what Brian and done. She was in shock. When I got home later I walked in to see my mom, Caitlin, and Allie all sitting in the kitchen. Caitlin was in disbelief and couldn’t imagine Brian doing something like this. When dad finally came home he gave me a big hug and told me I don’t ever have to keep a secret like this from him. Mom and dad had talked and decided dad was going to walk over to Aunt Mary’s to talk to her. I walked over tonight with dad. My other uncle lives next door so I sat on his deck while my dad went to the front door. I could hear my dad asking if it was a bad time to talk. I sat there on the deck looking over at Brian’s house knowing he was somewhere in there not knowing I just broke my silence. I then looked up in the sky at the stars. I began praying to God to make everything go ok and to comfort me. When dad finally came around the corner I got up and walked down the path back to our house. My dad told my Aunt Mary. She was in shock and said she would talk to Brian with Uncle Scott. For the first time in two years I am not going to bed with a terrible secret that is eating away inside me. I’m no longer alone. I can rest tonight knowing Brian will never hurt me again. Good night.
    Erin

APRIL, 1998 9:40 P.M.
    I knew it! Brian is not admitting to the truth. I hate him so much. My mom talked to aunt Mary. Aunt Mary said that Uncle Scott and she talked to Brian and he told them that Allie and me were making it up. He always told me he would not confess to it, but it just makes me so mad that he is going to try saying he didn’t do any of this. My anger is boiling. My Aunt and Uncle believe Brian and aren’t going to do anything about it, which has my mom furious. My mom has been trying to call my aunt all week, but no one will answer and we know they are home. My mom is planning on going to the police next.
    Erin

APRIL, 1998 10:45 P.M.
    I had a terrible Easter. It was the first time I was seeing Brian since I broke my silence. I was so scared! While flying kites I walked past him in the grass field. Brian looked at me and gave me a dirty glare. A glare I’ll never forget. Brian is still lying and my parents are having a meeting with Brian’s parents about the whole situation. My mom is putting Allie and I in counseling. Our first appointment is this Thursday at three. I don’t know if I am ready to talk about any of this. I just wanted it all to end and go away. My Aunt Mary wanted to keep everything between my parents and her, but behind our backs she told everyone in the family and made very light of the situation, which really upsets me. She has no right to say anything because she doesn’t even know