Vivian's List (Vol. 1) Read Free

shoving me playfully in the arm. “Mister Grumpy Pants.”
    I smiled . “I’m not that moody, am I?”
    “You are, too ,” she teased.
    “I was also thinking …” I tipped the last of my beer a bove my mouth, dripping it dry. “About your boyfriend.”
    All teasing fled her voice. “Oh, yeah?” she said slowly.              
    “I’m just curious, ” I went on, “what you’re doing with a guy like that.”
    “What do you mean?” Her tone was defensive.
    “You know what I mean.”
    “No. ” Vivian sent me a hassled look. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “I didn’t like him talking to you like that , Viv. You didn’t deserve it.”
    She sighed and turned to gaze out at the open yard. “It’s not like that all the time.”
    I waited for her to say more.
    When she didn’t, I could not keep silent.
    I wasn’t going to be around much longer and she needed to hear this from me.
    I hesitated for a moment, debated the proper approach and opted for the most straightforward. “He’s abusive, Viv.”
    It took a second for my words to sink in. “He’s not.” She looked down, wrapping her arms around her midsection as if to shield herself. “Brody’s never laid a finger on me.”
    “ Brody may not be physically abusive, but he’s emotionally abusive.”
    When she glanced up, her delicate brows were drawn together in a frown . “What would make you even think such a thing?”
    I cleared my throat. “Let me guess, is Brody the real jealous type?”
    “Yes.” Her frown deepened. “But jealousy is an emotion. It’s human nature. It’s a sign of love.”
    “I agree … to a point. Does Brody ever accuse you of flirting? Does he always question you about who you’ve spoken to or seen during the day?”
    Her expression was guarded, hard to read.
    Watching her closely, I asked, “Does he get jealous when you spend time with your friends? Or if you have any hobbies that don’t include him?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “Then his jealousy is not a sign of love. It’s a sign of abuse. His jealousy is no longer an emotion, it’s become a behavior that’s toxic.”
    She pressed her lips firmly together , her eyes refusing to meet mine.
    “And I bet he’s controlling. Am I right?”
    “Well,” she hedged.
    “Your clothes … does he have a say about what you wear?”
    “You mean if I wear anything too slutty?” Confusion and alarm warred in her eyes as she blinked up at me. “There’s nothing wrong with that. Brody means well. It just shows that he cares. You know, he’s just concerned. He doesn’t want to see me dressing like a slut.”
    I stared at her, a small muscle in my jaw tightening. “He calls you a slut?”
    “No, ” she protested. “He says I dress like one.”
    “Name calling. ” I gave her a long, pointed look. “Shaming,” I added. “Another sign of abuse.”
    “No.” She shook her head, as if trying to convince herself otherwise. “Brody’s being honest with me. He’s only trying to be helpful.”
    “He isn’t trying to be helpful, Viv. He’s controlling.”
    He’s a wolf disguised as a shepherd, I thought .
    When she spoke again, some of her conviction had gone out of her voice. “You don’t understand. He’s not controlling. Brody just likes to … to smother me.”
    “He overpowers you,” I stated.
    “That’s not true,” she said , her voice soft, a confused vulnerability in her expression.
    “You know it is, Viv. I’ve seen the way he acts around you. The cutting remarks. I’ve heard him take jabs at you, make fun of you, and then say that it was all just a joke. He’s constantly giving you mixed messages. Those are all red flags, Viv.”
    “But don’t you see?” She closed her eyes as if summoning the energy to continue. “Brody was joking. He never meant those things that he said. Anyway,” she went on, not meeting my eyes, “I’m a strong girl. You know … sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt