Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

them would still be challenged if I hadn't lost a ton of weight since college or traded my thick glasses for contacts."
    "If the changes make you feel better about yourself that's all that matters. A poor self-image is one of the common problems a woman faces after rape. You must constantly remind yourself that you're a beautiful person. They were the ugly ones."
    Holly gave her a small smile. She had read that in a book about abused women a long time ago. That book was as close to professional help as she had ever gotten.
    After a thoughtful pause, April said, "Unless you have someone better in mind, this David Wells could be the right man for the job with Frampton. You should check out his reputation first, but if he's honest and hungry, he might work out very well. If you're right about his attraction to you, half your mission would be accomplished."
    Holly frowned and inched back in her seat. "I don't know."
    "I'm not suggesting you have an affair with the man. Just don't push him away so fast. Since he came to you first, he'd have no reason to suspect you of using him. Yet by becoming acquaintances, you could easily follow his progress after you anonymously pass him the file."
    April made it sound so simple, Holly couldn't come up with any serious objection and agreed to ask around about him the next day.
    "Now, I hope you don't mind my saying this but I get the impression you feel more comfortable with me today than you did yesterday. I am a psychiatrist, Holly, but I'd also like to be your friend. If you want to talk, I'll listen. If you want my help, just ask."
    April's way of offering without pushing allowed Holly the freedom to maintain her privacy. But the doctor's kind smile and compassionate expression made Holly want to confide in her. After opening up to her parents, she found talking to April extremely easy.
    Over dinner she told her new friend of the experience that changed her life. A few subtle questions from April had her relating her resulting problems since then.
    Holly was terrified of the dark.
    Someone touching her unexpectedly caused her heart to lurch in her chest and she had to fight the urge to violently defend herself against an imagined attack.
    She had no desire to have sex and couldn't sleep unless she was alone in her bedroom with the door locked and a light on.
    "As to your sleeping difficulty, I'll be glad to write you a prescription for something. There are times when a crutch is totally acceptable. It doesn't mean you're a weak person, just sensible enough to know when you need help."
    "Thank you, but I'd rather not start with drugs, even for a good reason. My mother has had some problems with tranquilizers in the past, and I heard that kind of dependency can be hereditary."
    Holly then told April about her relationship with Philip and how understanding he was about her idiosyncrasies.
    "I'd say an explanation from you is long overdue," April advised. "But be very careful not to name names or let him know what you're doing about Frampton. You may not think he's like your father because he doesn't display a bad temper, but it still sounds like he's very protective of you. Keep that in mind when you talk to him. And be aware that he might not be so understanding if you suddenly strike up a friendship with Wells or some other male reporter."
    Holly promised to call April every Friday to update her or just chat.
    "I have one last bit of professional advice," April said before they parted. "If you decide to use Wells, you might consider him practice for coming to terms with other men. You definitely could use a little more exposure to the opposite sex than just Philip and your father."
    April's warnings about Philip stayed with Holly as she drove to his house in Georgetown. She had been considering telling him everything, including what the Little Sister Society was up to, but she knew April was right. Philip could not be told the whole truth, for his own good.
    Philip greeted her at his front door as if he hadn't seen her in years. He crushed her to him in an embrace so tight she could barely breathe.
    She resisted as mildly as possible. "Philip, please. What will your neighbors think?"
    "They'll think I'm a very lucky man," he said, relaxing his hold then pushing the door closed behind her. "Wine or tea?"
    "A very small glass of white wine would be fine," Holly said as she took her usual place on the couch.
    A few minutes later he returned with two glasses and sat down next to her.