Breaking Free

“Did I hurt you?” Zoe stared at the large bruise on the woman’s arm just above her wrist.

  Marjorie jerked away. “No.” She shook her head as she smoothed her sleeve back over the injury. “It’s nothing. I just banged my arm on something the other day and have a bruise now. It’s a little sore.”

  It didn’t look like an accidental injury. It looked like someone had grabbed her arm hard enough to leave the impression of every finger. Zoe studied the woman’s face, a prickly, numbing shock traveling down her body. She gathered her composure with an effort and looked into the woman’s face until Marjorie’s eyes rose to meet hers. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “No. I’m fine.” Marjorie’s fingers smoothed the sleeve again. “But it might be a good idea for you to stay off that ladder. You almost fell.”

  “Maybe you’re right.” She had to do something. If there was the slightest possibility Derrick Armstrong was abusive, she had to try and help Marjorie. She struggled to bring her scattered thoughts and emotions together. “Sometimes I don’t want to recognize my limitations. I just keep ignoring them, until they slap me in the face.”

  “You seem to do pretty well,” Marjorie said. “And Hawk doesn’t seem to mind.”

  “He’s very supportive, but there’s a line where support can turn into pity. Once that happens, the balance is thrown off.” Zoe’s attention strayed to Hawk as he used the drill to sink sheet rock screws. A ridge of muscle along his shoulder blade stood out beneath his t-shirt. Her mouth went dry as she thought about running her hand over his strong back and feeling the movement of his muscles beneath her hands. “Relationships are all about balance, don’t you think?”

  Marjorie brushed her sun-streaked hair over her shoulder. “I hadn’t ever thought about it like that, but yeah, I guess you’re right.”

  “When one partner is too demanding or has unreasonable expectations, the relationship can escalate into something unhealthy and painful for both people.”

  Marjorie’s features grew slack, then shuttered. “I suppose so.”

  Zoe stifled a sigh. She sensed she’d gone as far as she could. She didn’t want the woman to shut down completely and push her away. She changed the subject. “What do you do, Marjorie?”

  “I’m a software analyst for a corporation that makes computer games.”

  “That sounds way more interesting than being a physical therapist.”

  “It doesn’t to me,” Marjorie said with a smile. “All those jocks who come to you for treatment--” She fanned her face as though hot. “You and Hawk haven’t slept together yet, have you?”

  Having the tables turned triggered an instant urge to retreat. Yet how was she to expect Marjorie to open up to her, if she wasn’t ready to do the same? She drew a deep breath and looked up from smoothing the compound at the bottom of the seam. “No we haven’t. I had a really bad experience in college, and it made me a little wary.”

  “Hawk’s a really good guy. He’d never hurt you.”

  The momentary possessive, predatory look of jealousy on his face as he had grasped her arm that morning in the bathroom came to mind. It had been jealousy, hadn’t it? Or had it been something else? He had never been out of control though, and had immediately backed off. “No, I don’t think he would ever hurt me, intentionally. I suppose all men have the potential, but it all boils down to control.” His behavior at the hospital after Brett had been slapped occurred to her. ”I’ve seen him furious, but he never lost it. He turned his anger toward getting something accomplished, not trying to destroy anything.” She had sensed his frustration tonight after returning from the hospital. He had done the same thing.

  “I suppose it helps that they can go blow something up now and then and release their aggressions.”

  Zoe nodded toward the three men hanging sheetrock. “Or they can do something constructive with a hammer and nails.”

  When Marjorie remained silent Zoe looked up to find her studying Derrick’s broad back, a look of sadness on her face.

  Emotion settled in the pit of her stomach as heavy as the bucket of sheet rock mud she dipped into. For as much sympathy and concern as Marjorie inspired, Zoe dreaded having to share her suspicions with Hawk just as much.