Jack of Harts

Alex wanted nothing to do with me the day I brought Julie over to Alex’s house. But I got Julie to pull up her shirt to show Alex the bruises. I told Alex that Julie couldn’t live with her father anymore. I still remember the look of hatred she aimed at me in that moment. They were first cousins, and an abusive uncle would hit every scandal rag if she followed her dreams into the talking head networks. She would be pigeonholed into every parental abuse media panel. She would be the face of abuse on the networks. She wanted more than that. So much more. I was destroying her future by bringing this into her life. Then Alex looked back to Julie and the hatred melted away in favor of compassion and love. She welcomed Julie in to tell her mom, and when Julie made it clear that I was coming in too, Alex gave me just one exasperated smile and nodded me in. Some people say that people can’t change. I know the truth. I saw Alex change before my very eyes in that moment, and I will never forget it.