Ali was alone in the main room when the phone began to ring. Sighing, Ali picked it up. Molly had gone to work and Micha had taken her up on screaming in her study. "Hello?"
"Ali?" The voice had a pronounced Spanish accent that she recognized as Julio Hemenez.
"Yes, Mr. Hernandez." She kept her voice even.
"I… I am calling because… I have been… I'm sorry, I let Micha down. I wanted to call to see how she was doing. To—"
She kept her voice soft and steady. "She is dealing with things as best she can. She is better than when she got home yesterday." She paused a moment, then continued. "Are you fully aware of what happened?"
"Sí… Ronnie Left me a letter explaining. That Keltam had paid him to record him assaulting Micha in my store. That he was to make it suitable for Keltam to put it online. To humiliate Micha forever. I failed her in so many ways. I want to make this right, if I can."
Ali felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find Micha had come back through the portal. Her voice was very low as she asked, "Who?"
Ali replied in kind, "Julio."
Micha motioned to give her the phone.
"One moment, Mr. Hemnnez." Ali handed her the phone.
"Julio." Micha's voice had a tremor in it, but she was clear.
"Micha? I'm so sorry. I caused you so much… I should have thrown out Keltam long ago. And I didn't for all the wrong reasons."
"Julio, stop. Please listen to me. I understand why you didn't. Everyone working for you does. You need the business, we get that. I-I can't fault you for that. Do I wish you had kicked him out? Yeah. But that didn't happen."
She paused, taking a deep breath. "Julio, as much as I've loved working there, I'm not going to be in for a while. I can't face everyone right now."
"I understand. I… Micha, I'm going to hold you on payroll for the time being. You've been a wonder to work with and I… quiero reconocer eso. This is on me—mi mal juicio con Ronnie y Keltam. I want to make this right." His voice grew quieter. "Siento como si hubiera fallado a mi propia hija."
Julio's phrases in Spanish: "…I want to acknowledge that." "…my poor judgment regarding Ronnie and Keltam." "I feel like I've failed my own daughter."]
Micha was quiet a moment.
“You didn’t touch me. You didn’t laugh. You weren’t like them. That matters, Julio. I believe you mean what you said.”
Her voice faltered, then steadied again.
“But I’m still scared. Still trying to feel safe in my own skin. I need time. Please don’t take that as rejection.”
She paused, breathing through it.
“Just make sure this never happens to anyone else. That’s how you make it right.”
"Micha, thank you, and you take the time you need. I don't expect you before you feel ready and able." His voice softened a bit more. "Keeping you on payroll includes the basic stipend, for your average schedule."
"Julio, you don't have—"
"It is what will be."
"Alright, but if you need anything physical ferried, Molly can stop by."
"Sí. Please, be well Micha. I pray you will find your strength and peace."
"So do I, Julio. So do I." She ended the call.
