I walked into the kitchen and flipped on the light. I immediately went for my medication. "You make a good point." I chuckled and uncapped a bottle
"All right…" she said, her voice trailing off. I put all my pills in a little bowl, then grabbed a water bottle and took a sip. "Oh, dayum. Fish lips gives a good mug shot."
I perked up. "I want to see."
"FaceTime me and I'll show you."
I did, and she flipped the screen so I could see what she saw. I leaned against the kitchen counter.
My heart skipped a beat looking at the picture of Kova from the shoulders up. His green eyes lacked vitality, and he had a purple fat lip. His hair was disheveled, and there was a small cut near his eye. A series of pangs thumped in my chest. I still couldn't believe Dad had him arrested.
I stared at him, feeling his torment crash over me in waves. There was anguish in his gaze, though resigned, like he deserved this.
This was all my fault, and I would fix it. I just hoped he didn't hate me for this.
"What does it say?" I asked, my voice a little shaky.
Avery scrolled. "He was arrested the night you were admitted to the hospital. No bond has been posted…" Her voice trailed off, then picked back up. "It says he hasn't been released."
Chills coated my arms. I stared in confusion. I didn’t know what to think.
"Ah, Aid?"
My heart dropped at the dread in her tone.
"He wasn't arrested for assault, he was arrested for aggravated assault and simple battery."
"What! What does that mean? Is that worse? Why are there two charges? Are you sure?"
"Yeah. That’s what it says." Avery sounded like she was in a state of disbelief herself.
"How long do people stay in jail for something like that?"
"No clue. Let me see what I can find." Avery placed the phone in her bra so I could watch while she opened a new tab and typed. "Aggravated assault charges in Georgia…"
She grew quiet. I couldn't see what she was reading no matter how hard I squinted.
"Okay, there’s a couple different things… I could be wrong, and don't quote me, but it's a felony. He could face one to twenty years in prison, plus fines and restitution."
"What makes it a felony?" I asked, my voice low.
"Let me see, hang on."
I held on for what felt like an eternity.
"…with intent to murder, rob, or…" Her voice trailed off again. "Or rape someone." She spoke so low I almost missed what she said.
Chills raced down my arms. I moved to a chair and took a seat.
"So your dad did file charges against him," she said more to herself, her voice full of sympathy.
I nodded as if she was sitting in front of me. My mind flickered like a strobe light with thoughts flying to every corner. How had he managed to file rape charges if I was eighteen?
My heart plummeted to my gut. He must've lied. Again. I bet Dad had told the police I was seventeen since I was unconscious and couldn't speak for myself.
This was all sorts of fucked up.
"And simple battery?" I whispered. "What’s that?"
I almost didn't want to know the answer.
"It's a misdemeanor," she said a little brighter. "He’d serve up to a year in jail and some small fines, could be elevated to an aggravated nature if…"
Avery stopped speaking and I leaned forward. I wasn't sure how much more my heart could take.
"What is it?" I asked.
"If the victim…" She struggled to get the words out, and cleared her throat. "If the victim was pregnant…"
The silence was deafening.
Neither Avery nor I spoke for a solid minute. This must've been what Dad had meant when he threatened to press other charges against Kova if I didn’t keep my distance.
My dad went there. He really, really went there. If Dad couldn't get Kova for rape, he'd get him for something else.
"Want my theory?" Avery offered, breaking the dreary silence.
"Sock it to me."
"My theory is your dad told the police you were seventeen. He'll later say he forgot you just had a birthday because he wasn't thinking clearly. He'll put on a show and they'll buy it. They'll also drop the charges because your relationship was consensual. Plus, you're legal and you'll never press any."
I was momentarily speechless and a bit proud of Avery for coming up with that.
"Not bad. But what about the simple battery? Kova didn’t touch me, and Dad already admitted he told the police I got hurt trying to break up their fight," I said, curious to see what she'd say next.
Avery mused over the question. "Daddy doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Even if he lied to the police and told them Kova hit you and that’s how you got hurt, you can easily set the story straight. The truth is your dad’s emotions got in the way and he lost it."
A pulsing throb began in the side of my neck. I needed a moment.
I needed air.
I walked across the living room and slid open the sliding glass door. Beach air breezed around me as I stepped onto the balcony. I inhaled and closed my eyes. The ocean was the place I found comfort in many times growing up.
"I'm sorry, bestie," Avery said, her voice soft and apologetic.
I opened my eyes and kept my gaze focused straight ahead on the horizon. The sun had completely disappeared behind the ocean.
I didn't want to face the music that my dad had taken this as far as he had, but the spasm in my heart forced me to wake up. The fact he’d purposely lied about my age to keep Kova and me apart as long as he could topped everything for me.
Dad knew exactly what he was doing. If this did actually go as he hoped, Kova would miss everything we’d worked so hard for.
The Trials…
The Olympics…
A breath rolled off my parted lips.
I was sick to my stomach at the thought of Kova missing it. That's not how it was supposed to be, that wasn't the plan. Kova deserved to be there just as much as I did.
It wasn't fair.
I took a deep breath, my lungs tight as I struggled not to panic. How was I supposed to do this without him?
I shook my head. I couldn’t. I needed him. Kova was my everything.
I swallowed thickly. Tears rose to my eyes at the possibility of that being the outcome. It killed me inside.
"Are you sure there are two charges?" I asked, needing confirmation.
"From what I'm reading, if this is his first offense, they'll release him on his own recognizance." She paused. "Is this his first time?"
I shook my head, overwhelmed. "I… I don't know. I assume so, but I guess I really don't know. I'm guessing since he's still there it's not. Unless my dad said something and wants to actually go through with the other charges without speaking to me, but he can’t do that. So, the only issue really is my dad's charge. And," I continued, drawing out the word, "I'll say I don't know who hit who."
My body started to overheat. The last thing I wanted to do was call Dad and talk about this, but I realized I had no choice. Not because I wanted to beg him not to press charges, that was a given, but because Kova had to be at the competitions with me. His absence would raise red flags, and without a doubt, it would hinder my performance.