Jen climbed unsteadily into the backseat of the car. She stretched out, placing her foot on the pillow. Mrs. O’Malley got in the driver’s seat.

“Are you okay, sweetie?”

“Yeah, just a little tired.” Jen watched through the window as they drove away from the hospital. She was glad to get away.

Jen leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. She could never hide from the memories, especially when she closed her eyes.

She flipped on the light.

“What the-?” Tim got off of Taylor, pulling up his pants.

Jen stared at him, her mouth open. She saw Taylor curl up in a little ball on the bed, Morgan creeping over to her.

“What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here!” Tim exploded, shoving Jen against the wall. He walked up to her and grabbed her shoulders hard. He shook her, her head hitting the wall as he yelled obscenities in her face.

“Stop it!” Taylor pulled on his hands and he knocked her to the floor.

Jen had taken that opportunity to try to get away. She didn’t get far. He grabbed her again and spun her around. He pushed her to the ground and got on top of her, pulling her hair and slapping her repeatedly. Jen was still in a daze, and the blows barely registered. The last thing she remembered was Tim being pulled off of her before she blacked out.

Jen bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. She had talked to Taylor later and learned that it had been her mom who had pulled Tim off of her. Taylor said she had never seen her mom so mad.

“Jen?”

Jen looked up and met her mom’s eyes in the mirror. “Why, Mom?”

Mrs. O’Malley pulled over, stopped the car, and got out. She went to her daughter, climbing in the backseat with her, and held her as she wept.

“Do you need anything, Jen? I can get you something.”

Jen laughed and shook her head. “Maddie, I’m fine. It’s just a sprain; I can walk on it.”

Madeline stood beside her sister’s bed, eager to help her. “Okay, but if you need me, I’ll be right down the hall.”

Jen smiled and watched her leave. She turned back to her magazine. “Mad, I’m fine,” she said when she heard a soft knock.

“Hey, Jen.”

Jen looked up at the sound of Taylor’s voice. “Oh, Taylor!” She embraced her best friend, crying for the second time that day.

“I’m so sorry, Jen, I’m so sorry.”

The two held onto each other, weeping. Finally, they pulled apart, each wiping their eyes.

“Why are you sorry?”

“Because if I hadn’t asked you to come over, you never would have found out and then he wouldn’t have hurt you.” Taylor looked ready to start crying again.

“Tay, listen to me.” Jen gripped her shoulders. “It is not your fault. It’s not Morgan’s fault, it’s not your mom’s fault, and it’s not my fault. No one’s to blame. Tim is a sick, sick man who needs a lot of help. It’s not your fault, okay? He was hurting you and Morgan. He had no right to do that. If I hadn’t found out, who knows how long he would have kept doing that?”

By the time Jen finished speaking, both girls were in tears again. Finally, they cried themselves out, laughing a little, and started talking about normal things. After a while, though, Taylor stood up.

“Well, I better be getting home.” She looked down at her hands. “We’re leaving tomorrow,” she said softly.

“I know.”

Taylor’s mom had decided it would be best for the twin’s and for her if they moved. They were moving to a different time zone, she was so determined to get them away. They wouldn’t be coming back.

“I’ll see you then, I guess.”

Jen nodded, the girls hugged again, and Taylor left.

Jen sat down at the computer. It was late, so she’d had to limp down there by herself. She hadn’t been able to check her email since the night before the concert. She saw that she had a new one from Zach, so she clicked on it. After reading it, she typed a quick reply.

Zach-

I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get back to you. I’ve been in the hospital too. I’ll tell you about it later. I can’t write anymore tonight, I’m sorry. I’ll email you again as soon as I can. –Jen

She finished checking her email and slowly made her way back upstairs to think of a good reply to Zac’s email.

Taylor and Jen stood outside of Taylor’s house. “I can’t believe we’re moving,” Taylor said softly.

“I know. I’m gonna miss you so much, Tayles.”

Taylor gave a weak laugh at the old nickname. “Not as much as I’m gonna miss you.”

“Wanna bet?” Jen said, trying to smile. She failed miserably. “So, have you heard anything about Tim?”

“He pleaded guilty, so there isn’t going to be a trial.” Taylor shook her head. “I’m so glad; I don’t know if I would have been able to testify against him.”

“Taylor, honey, we’re almost ready.”

“Okay, Mom.”

Ms. Chase gave Jen a light hug before moving to the car. Morgan, who was following her mother, stopped. She looked at Jen, tears in her eyes, and grabbed her into a hug.

“I’m gonna miss you,” she whispered.

The line had been said over and over, but it still had the power to make Jen cry. “I’m gonna miss you, too. You take good care of your sister now, you hear me? And of yourself.”

The two pulled apart. Morgan nodded, biting her lip, and ran to the car.

Jen turned to Taylor. “Who am I supposed to get to take me out now?” Jen said, laughing through her tears.

“I guess you’ll have to find somebody else. I don’t wanna leave Jen!”

“I don’t want you to leave either, but it’s for the best.” Jen took her hands, holding them lightly. “You’ll probably be better off. And we’ll keep in touch. What’s one time zone to fourteen years of friendship?”

Taylor hugged Jen again. “What am I gonna do without you?”

“Don’t forget, you still owe me one Hanson concert,” Jen whispered. She walked Taylor to the car. Taylor shut the door and looked up at her through the glass, putting her hand on the window. Jen mimicked her, walking with the car as it backed up, then going to the sidewalk. Tears running down her cheeks, she waved until the car was out of sight, and then she waved some more.

Jen limped back to her mom’s car, realizing for the first time that her ankle was killing her. She got in the car and nodded for her mom to take her home. She had just thought of the perfect reply.