title: The Absolution of Aidan
author: Coopmans, Kathy
description: Aidan Hughes I was cruel to Deidre La Russo. Said things I should never say to a woman. Seen things happen to her. Things darker than the bottle of liquor I consume. I felt helpless. Defeated. The memories are more tortuous than the act of her torture. Then she walks back into my life, only she’s not alone. Deidre La Russo I have my reasons for leaving. I lived through hell. I was beaten, tortured. Drugged. I have secrets. I have to tell them. Danger brought us all together. Danger may rip us apart.