The children had been busy collecting pine cones, birch bark, and bits of paper and yarn to make decorations for it. It surprised her how resilient the children were in the face of adversity. She fretted that there'd be nothing under the tree. But there was little she could do to remedy the situation. It wasn't that she hadn't thought about it. She had! Many times! Weighing the dangers of going out in search of trinkets and books, toys and candy. But every time she worked up her courage, she'd think back to that day at the museum and end up crying. The thought of him made her cringe. His face
...more
The man was/is a rapist -- but looking at Alex and his previous interaction from outside the action; he views the rape as a barter of his goods for her services.
