Chapter 6

"So, yes I understand the ugliness and won't ever judge for how you feel or what's been done to you/"

Dinner has been consumed and all four of us help clear the table and head to the living room. Jessica and Jackson settle on the love seat and Jason and I sit on the couch.

"When did you meet Jackson, Jessica?" I ask fidgeting with my shirt hem.

She smiles at her husband fondly as he holds her hand. "Five years ago. We've been married the last two years, when I finally decided that he was truly who he said he was."

"And I knew that I had to be patient with her and Jason, too, and it was well worth it in the end." He smiles at his wife and step-son. "It took Jason longer to trust me and I can understand why. His father, who was supposed to love him and protect him, beat him daily and made him terrified of men. It took Jason a long time to trust me and that I wasn't going to hurt him or his mother."

"I can understand that, Jackson." I say to him. "The only man other than my br