Package Deal(62)

“So, what’s going on?” Marcus stood behind her and rubbed her neck and shoulders.

She looked over her shoulder at him. “If I were a cat, I’d be purring right now. That feels heavenly.”

“I know some other places I could rub that would make you purr, too,” he whispered.

“That may be, but we have to talk business first.” Then she closed her eyes and leaned into the feel of his hands as they squeezed her shoulders and rubbed her neck.“You know about the play therapist. She’s been here several times, and this week we had a major breakthrough.”

Marcus nodded, listened and then frowned when Amanda told him what she’d learned.

“The therapist thinks it would be helpful if Cecelia had a man friend who could help her see that Carl’s behavior … you know, that other men don’t do that sort of thing. I thought of you.” Amanda reached up to stroke his face. “She trusts you and has always liked you.”

“Like it used to be, before all this,” he said.

“Yes, but it means spending time with her and eventually touching her like you used to—you know, on her head and shoulders. I’m not sure what she’ll do if your hands ever touch her front or her back and arms. And, I don’t know where else Carl may have tried to touch her. I only know that he tried things in the office a few times and Cece didn’t like it.”

“If you’re asking me to be her friend, you know the answer to that.I’m not sure I can be a therapist, but reading to her and even carrying her downstairs is something I’m happy to do.You look worn out running up and down to take care of her.”

“I thought at first I should keep her downstairs, but since it happened in the living room, and the bathroom is upstairs—and her bedroom, too—whereshe feels safe and secure, it was easier to keep her there.”

“How long is she going to be in that leg cast?”

“At least two more weeks.” She sighed and leaned into him, pulling his arms around her. “When it’s off, she’ll be able to come downstairs. Her arm cast is scheduled to come off this week. And she wants to play soccer again. I’ll talk to her coach if that’s possible this fall. She needs to get stronger before I will let her run up and down the field and maybe get knocked down.”

“You can’t wrap her in a cocoon, Amanda. That’s not going to help her get back to normal.”

“I know, but I can’t abide the thought of her being hurt again. She seems to have regressed a bit—behaviorally—more tears, more frustration, like when she was younger, sometimes even her language skills. I keep thinking it’s because she can’t do much in those casts. She’s always seemed more mature than other girls her age, probably because she’s an only child. Now I’m worried that what happened has changed her.”

“She’s had a bad scare. We’ve all had bad things happen to us as kids. But those experiences don’t have to dictate our future lives. And you have to let her face what happened. If she doesn’t do that, she can’t put it behind her. It sounds like that’s what the play therapy is doing for her—she talked about it and knows you accepted everything she said and did.”

“I know.I think she’s made a great start, but I’m not as confident as the therapist that these few sessions are all she needs. That’s why I’m thinking about something else Marie said. If we can find the right one, I’m going to get Cece a dog. Something for her to take care of and be responsible for, something she also thinks of as a protector.”

“Is she still having nightmares?”

“Yes, but not nearly as often.” She held up the coffee pot and poured him a cup when he nodded.

“What about you?” He took the cup from her, brushing his hand against hers. “How are you coping?”

Amanda sighed and sat down next to him. “I feel guilty missing so many of my classes spring quarter because I was at the hospital, although Greg has been wonderful about that. He called the other day to see how Cece is doing. I’m so grateful he and the rest of the department were willing to step in until I was able to go back to class. I’ve offered to teach second summer session, even though I wasn’t scheduled. Jim’s new baby is due soon, and he’d love a break—we’ve already talked about my taking two of his classes, and maybe one more. Scott asked me about one of his, too. I told Greg it was my way of paying everyone back for helping me.”

“What about your articles?” He pulled her close and resumed rubbing her neck and shoulders.