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clothes into the over stuffed suitcase.
     
    ***
     
    Roxanne was happy to be back at home in her mom’s cozy familiar condo. She had unpacked her bags as soon as she got home. Her mom helped to welcome her back. They had dinner together. Roxanne thought it was nice to sit and eat with her mom. It reminded her of the past.
    Even though her mom was keeping a stern watchful eye on Roxanne, it made her feel safe, comfortable and loved.
    After Roxanne’s mom did the dishes she was back in Roxanne’s room hovering like a dutiful mother hen.
    “Are you going to school tomorrow?” Margaret asked. She surely would understand if Roxanne didn’t go back to school at all. She could transfer but she didn’t want Roxanne to regret not finishing college when she was so close to the finish line.
    “No I don’t think so.”
    “Roxanne you have to go back to school eventually.” It hurt Margaret to say those honest words.
    “I don’t know if I can do that. Of course I want to go back but.”
    “It’s your last year. You have worked so hard to get here. You’re on the Dean’s list.”
    “Mom I don’t know if I can concentrate on school with what’s happened.”
    Margaret thought it impossible but she would never say it to Roxanne. “I know it will be hard but you have to carry on. You’re a very smart, strong and capable young woman.”
    “I want to go mom. It’s just going to be so hard. How can I sit in class and listen to the professor when I don’t know if the guy that raped me isn’t sitting in the class with me. I can’t look at any man without wondering if it’s him.”
    “I understand.”
    “No you really don’t. It’s like there’s someone following me every time move. It’s like something is attached to me when I knew there’s nothing there.”
    Margaret walked up and patted Roxanne’s hair back with her hand.
    “I will support you no matter what you do. I can’t make you go back to school but your future is something you should think long and hard about. You’re almost at the finish line.”
    “Mom I know that.”
    Margaret held Roxanne’s face in her hands. “That monster already raped your body. Don’t let him rape you of your education.” Roxanne’s eyes started to tear up. “You think about that. Before you make any decisions that will affect your future. I’m going to go put us on some tea. I’ll be right back.”
    Margaret left Roxanne’s room. Roxanne walked over and looked in the mirror above her chest of drawers. She held back her tears before they fell from her eyes.
    Everything her mother said was true and she knew it. She wanted to continue her education. Even if her mind could focus, would her body be able to drive to class everyday without it shutting down. She wanted to get rid of that car. That was where it all happened.
     
    ***
     
    Everything was calm and peaceful that night at Roxanne’s mother’s condo. Roxanne had thought long and hard and she had her mind made up.
    It was a completely different tale that night on the city streets. Tony’s minivan was parked a few parking spaces away from yet another convenience store. Tony sat alone in the van. They had changed up their regular routine. He snatched a baseball cap off the dashboard and shoved it down on his head.
    Tony opened the door and got out of the van. He closed the door once he was out. He spit his cigarette down on the pavement.
    Tony was already feeling the rush of the crime and it hadn’t been committed just yet. He walked up the curb and entered the store. There were small bells attached to the door that made a jingling sound when he opened the door to enter.
    The sound of the bells alerted the only employee. The cashier looked over at Tony and gave him a halfhearted smile. Tony nodded and pulled up his sagging pants.
    The cashier was a skinny white kid around nineteen years old. He had short thick hair and a face full of acne that had been picked and prodded for years.
    The counter was a four-sided