Package Deal(60)

“I should have paid more attention to what she told me, when she complained about him in the office and said he was icky. It’s all my fault this happened. If only I had been more watchful.”

“Amanda, you are no more at fault than your daughter. You did not know about him. How could you? It wasn’t something he advertised and you weren’t around when he tried to make friends with Cecelia.” The woman refilled her cup. “That’s how they do it, you know. First, they make friends while they do little things that don’t seem so bad—like when he told her he would walk her back to your office after the soccer game. That was very innocent and no one would have noticed. After all, you said Marcus sometimes walked her over to your lecture hall after a game. Only because Cecelia started walking with the other girls, Sam and Gloria, the coach’s daughter, did he go away. He was trying to get her to trust him. Usually after they establish trust, they assault—and they often tell their victims not to tell. I don’t know if he told her that. Maybe he inferred it. Cecelia never said, but what concerns me is he probably is a predator and he could hurt some other little girl.”

She sipped her tea then set the cup down. “I think Cecelia was a convenient target. She went to your office when he happened to be there. And when he came to your house, she was there and you weren’t. He took advantage. He shouldn’t have, but he did. You heard her. She didn’t want to let him in. I’ll bet he pushed open the door before she could close it.”

Amanda choked back tears, unable to speak.

The therapist went on. “Your job is to help Cecelia heal. She’s come a long way by saying what happened. I suggest you have an attorney contact me for my clinical notes. I’ll be happy to testify, although that may not be enough for a conviction. Cecelia may have to tell the court what happened. She’s a brave little girl. Right now, she needs to see that you still love her and don’t hold her responsible for letting him in and then running into the street. Obviously, you made it very clear to her that she wasn’t ever to do that.That’s mostly what she feels guilty about. She knows she did the right thing in running away.”

Mrs. Connor reached for a cookie, while Amanda dabbed away her tears with a tissue. “I think Cecelia would benefit from safe, positive contact with an adult male, someone she feels comfortable with—to help her see that all men aren’t like this one. Without a father to help her do that, perhaps you could enlist the help of someone she likes, someone she’s close to, maybe the father of one of her friends or her soccer coach. A man who doesn’t represent danger to her.”

“We have a friend who might do that.”

“Good. Let’s see how she sleeps this next week. If she has more nightmares, call me and we’ll work on them. I’m going to leave some of the dolls here for her to play with. Let her use them whenever she chooses.” She put her teacup on the counter. “One other thing—Cecelia told me another story, about a girl who got a dog. The dog lay next to her bed and was her watchdog—not letting anyone but her mother come into her room.” The therapist smiled. “Has she ever asked for a dog?”

“Many times, but not so much since we moved here. Do you think it’s a good idea for her to have one?”

“She can’t take care of it until she’s mobile—out of those casts—but if you think she’s old enough to take care of a pet, it might give her something to look forward to.”

The next day while they were eating lunch, Amanda broached the subject of adopting a puppy or dog with her daughter. Cece yelped enthusiastically.

“This dog will be yours to take care of, Cece. That means you have to walk it before and after school, and make sure it doesn’t dig in the garden or run into the street.”

“I’ll do it! Sam has a dog. She can help me train it. I know she will! When can we get one?”

“Not until you’re walking on your own—no cast on your leg. When you’re strong enough, we’ll go to the shelter and see if they have a dog you like.”

“Sweet! Could you get me some books at the library about dog training, so I can be ready?”

Amanda smiled. “Yes. Now it’s time for you to take your nap. You can dream about what you might want to name this dog.”

“I will!” Her daughter hugged her and scooted under the covers. “A dog! I’ve always wanted one. Wait till I tell Sam.”

Amanda went back downstairs and took a seat in the kitchen with a sigh. I hope this is wise.She picked up the phone and called Marcus. “Could you come over tonight?”