Forgive us

It took Johan a good half hour to snap Macey out of her breakdown. The nurse had given them some water and offered to make Macey a cup of tea. She also gave Macey a toothbrush and toothpaste so she could brush her teeth and get rid of the vomit taste in her mouth. Johan had helped her stand and led her into the bathroom.

When Johan walked out of the bathroom all her brothers were standing there. "You all need to leave her the fuck alone" Johan bit out. He was furious her family had done that to her. She was an innocent kid and had to face the world alone. "Look, I just want to check on her" Asher responded. "Check on her? Like you did when she was a kid? Stay away from her. She doesn't need people like you in her life" Johan replied. He knew he couldn't speak for Macey but he was angry for her and just wanted to protect her from her family. He liked Macey and hoped they could be more than friends one day.

"We are staying till we know she is ok," Diesel said. "Do you really think she is ok after hearing all that? Do you think hearing her father wanted to rape her was easy on her? Wake up to yourselves, you all caused damage and yet you are trying to barge back into her life when she clearly thrived without you" Johan stated.

Macey brushed her teeth and washed her face. She was still in a state of shock from hearing what he father wanted to do to her. She knew he was a monster but she had hoped that he would be remorseful of what he had done. Clearly, he was delusional because he tried to justify what he had done. Macey calmed herself down and then headed out to see her brothers glaring at Johan who was standing in front of the bathroom door looking as if he was protecting the door. Macey put her hand on Johan's shoulder alerting him to her presence.

Johan felt Macey touch his shoulder and turned around. "Are you ready to get out of here?" Johan asked Macey. Macey nodded, she had enough of these people and just needed space. She had nothing to say to any of them.

"Macey, wait we need to talk about this" Asher called out as Johan took Macey's hand and began to walk away. Macey shook her head no, she had nothing to say to any of them at all. "Macey please, we just want to talk" Tyler added.

Macey swung around glaring at her brothers, she was tired and felt horrible. All she wanted to do was curl up into her bed, cry and then sleep and pretend she never was here. She wished she had never come here to see that vile man but now she just wanted to forget the words he said about what he had wanted to do. "There is nothing to say. What could you possibly say to fix what you all did? You are all just like him" Macey spat.

Tyler and Diesel hung their heads in shame. "Macey, I never laid a hand on you. You know that" Asher stated, he just wanted to talk to her and was saying anything to stop her from going. He knew ignoring what was happening was just as bad as actually putting his hands on her. He hadn't known it was physical until after she left but he heard the words and knew the neglect was unacceptable, especially seeing she was just a kid.

"You knew what was happening and yet you did nothing, Asher. You turned your back on me like the rest of them. You pretended to hate me and then when no one was around came and apologised and tried to take care of me. Don't tell me you never laid a hand on me" Macey bit back. Johan kept quiet not wanting to step in unless he had to. He knew Macey was strong and could fight her own battles, but he made it known he was standing right beside her.

"Macey, can we please go somewhere and talk? Apparently, there are letters from Mum in your room that Dad wants destroyed. Let me get those and we can go read them" Asher tried a different angle he didn't want to lose his sister again. "I have my letters from Mum. There is nothing in that house for me. It's not my room, it's my hell" Macey replied.

Asher was shocked she would refer to her room as her hell. He had thought while she was in there, she was safe. "Can we meet somewhere in an hour then?" Asher asked his sister. He had to try otherwise he would be driving to Wollongong every weekend until she agreed to talk to him. Macey didn't know if she had the strength to do this now. She had pulled herself together but knew she was a wisp away from breaking down again. She didn't want to give her brothers the satisfaction of seeing her weak. It meant they had the power and she would never willingly give that to them.

Johan was watching Macey closely. He could see she was struggling so he decided he would give her an out. "Actually, I have to be heading back shortly so maybe another time" Johan replied while looking at Macey. He saw her sigh in relief and gave her a small smile. "What about this weekend?" Asher asked trying to get time to talk to his sister. Macey looked at Johan and then back at Asher. "We work weekends" Macey replied.

Asher was upset but he would work around his sister. "Macey, I'm happy to see you any time. You work nights so I can have lunch with you or come an hour before your shift. I'm happy if it's just me and you if you aren't comfortable with all three of us" Asher stated. Tyler went to speak but was cut off by Johan. "I'll be there too, for Macey" Johan stated while looking at Macey letting her know he had her back. Macey nodded her head in understanding. "Maybe a late lunch on Sunday?" Macey questioned both Johan and Asher. Both agreed before Tyler stated he would be there too, but Diesel remained quiet. He had nothing to say at all and didn't know if he wanted to pursue a relationship with Macey or not anymore.

Macey and Johan left the care unit. Once outside Macey felt she could breathe again. Johan stopped and pulled Macey into a hug, "I thought you might need a hug after that. That was heavy and I just wanted to say, you are one of the strongest people I have ever met" Johan stated. Macey buried her head into Johan's chest and began to sob. She cried for the loss of her mother, for the pain, for the loss of her family and mainly for herself and how far she had come.