Chapter 48: Chapter 44
I wake up and smell food. Chicken I think. Looking around it isn't coming from my room, but there is someone asleep in the chair by my bed.
I attempt to sit up, even though it hurts. Looking closely and waiting for my vision to clear out of its groggy fog, I recognize the dark hair and tall build that is slumped in the chair.
"Jordan?" I croak out.
His head shoots up, clearly he wasn't as asleep as I thought, "Rhea? Oh my god, you're awake! How are you feeling?"
"Still tired, hungry, confused... And really happy to see you."
He takes my hand and pulls it to his lips, his eyes start watering, "I was so scared I'd never see you again, you scared the crap out of me."
"I'm sorry," I whisper as he kisses my hand, "Jordan what's happening? The police were here, I... I didn't know where you were. Did my dad get arrested or something?"
He shakes his head, "No, it's nothing with your dad, well that's not entirely true, but the cops don't know about what happened with him," His face gets dark and eyes become sad, "They're here about Dominic, and what he did to you. I'm so sorry baby."
He pets my hair as I look away, glancing up I see the tv, it's on the local news with the headline "Local Teen Arrested for Domestic Abuse".
"But... How did-"
"At the park, I talked to the police. And I let them listen to the voicemail you left me while you were being treated. You said Dominic hit you, he's been arrested and they need to talk to you before they can charge him. Can you talk to them? Tell them what happened?"
My eyes water at the thought of his family being dragged into this, and at the thought of talking about it all again.
"Will you stay with me?" I whisper.
"Rhea, I'm not leaving your side ever again... I'm so sorry I wasn't there when you needed me," He runs his thumb across the covered cut on my cheek, "I'm so sorry you had to go through this."
I close my eyes and take in his touch, feeling like I've been deprived for far too long, I soak in his warmth and welcome that familiar scent of chili powder and chocolate.
He presses a button on the side of my bed, alerting the doctor to come to the room. Jordan tells my doctor that he can send the police in. The same officers as before step in not long after, asking me question after question about what I went through. I tell them about what happened at his house the other night and I feel Jordan squeeze my hand.
"We can send for a rape kit," One officer says, "If he left any DNA it can help make the charges stick."
I nod gently as they leave to go make the necessary calls. I can't look at Jordan right now, after what he just heard I don't feel like I can look at him.
"Are you alright?" His voice is soft as his hand grips mine.
"I'm so sorry," Is all I manage to say, and it gets tangled up in a mess of sobs.
"Why the hell are you sorry?" He tries to touch my face and I inch away, "Rhea look at me. Look at me please," I don't lift my eyes but I turn my head. His hand travels in soft curves down my face, "None of this is your fault, you were put through hell. You were hit and shamed and you don't deserve that. You haven't done anything wrong, it's Dominic who should be sorry."
I look up at him, his face a mix of concern and anger, "He... I'm... I feel so... Tainted..." The tears spill out as he pulls me close, resting my head on his chest.
"Shhh, it's alright. Listen to me, you aren't tainted, you're incredible. You're so much stronger than I'll ever be, and I'm going to be with you through this, every step of the way. I won't walk away again."
"Why'd you walk away at all?" I push away from him, feeling suddenly very protective of myself.
"Dominic. He came to me the night we looked at lights, that's why I was late. He said we needed to talk," He checks that no one is listening and leans in close to me, "He called me in Aspen, saying he knew about your dad. He knew you wanted to keep it a secret and told me that if I didn't break up with you he'd either get me arrested for abusing you or expose your dad. I knew how much you wanted to avoid that happening... I didn't know what to do..." A few tears run down his cheek, "I didn't know he'd... I'm sorry... You were right, I'm a coward."
"Jordan," I put my hand on his cheek, "It's ok. I understand. It's ok. You did what you thought was best. Thank you for trying to protect me."
"But I didn't! All I did was basically drop you in his lap, I should have called his bluff, I should have fought for you and listened any of the times you called and asked for help. I'm sorry, I'm sorry I didn't protect you."
"Jordan you couldn't know, but you're here now. I'm alive because of you, if you hadn't listened to my voice mail, if you hadn't called for help, I'd be dead. I'm just so glad to have you back."
He leans down and presses his lips to mine and all I can do it try to pull him closer. I kiss him until we're both out of breath.
"You have no idea how badly I've missed that," He caresses my face, a satisfied smile on his now red lips.
"Don't I? I thought about you every night," I take his hand as I yawn.
"Sleep Rhea," He whispers, "I'll be here when you wake up."
"Promise?" He nods as he pulls my blanket up and kisses my forehead.
Sitting back in his chair, he holds my hand. I close my eyes and fall asleep to the feeling of him rubbing my hand.
Waking up the next morning, I hear people talking. It's much brighter out and I squint against the light. Jordan is still sitting next to me like he was last night, but now my dad is with him.
I panic, sitting up and scooting away. Jordan is quick to grab my hand and comfort me.
"Hey it's alright, don't be afraid, he's sober. He won't hurt you," He whispers, "Its ok."
Dad keeps his distance, standing by the door as Jordan pulls me back into the center of the bed. I won't look him in the eye as he takes a hesitant step forward.
"Did I do that?" His voice is quiet and shaking as he points to my cheek.
I shake my head, "No dad, you didn't. Someone else did, you did something else."
"What did I do?" He doesn't sound like he really wants to know, more like he has to.
I wrap my arms around my stomach and take a deep breath, "My entire stomach is bruised, you kicked me out because I was in the paper with the Stom Family. You told me I never should have been born and that mom would have been ashamed of a waste like me," I stop, biting my lip to stop from crying.
Jordan squeezes my shoulder, clearly angry but trying hard to not show it. I look up and see my dad has a black eye.
"What happened to you?" I ask looking at the both of them.
My dad glances at Jordan and shrugs, "Nothing I didn't deserve, but that isn't important. What's important is what happened to you, Jordan explained some of it to me but I just..." He looks down.
A knock on the door gathers everyone's attention, the doctor comes into the room with a new woman I've never seen holding a large plastic box.
"You must be Mr. Sommes," The doctor reaches out to take my father's hand, "We're doing everything we can for your daughter," He gives my dad a reassuring smile before turning back to me, "Rhea, we're ready to run the rape kit on you if you're up for it, are you?"
"Can... Can someone stay with me?" I ask shaking. He nods and I look to Jordan, "Please stay, I'm scared."
He agrees to stay while my dad is asked politely to leave as I'm positioned on the table. Jordan holds my hand and watches me intently as the nurse begins the process. She asks me about my sexual history and asks me about what Dominic did before she starts to examine me. I can't watch. I close my eyes and squeeze Jordan's hand while I feel the nurse poke, prod, take samples and pictures of my body. I feel my lip quiver as time passes slowly, I try to stop them but tears quickly start falling. I feel Jordan's hand run gently over my hair.
"Shh, it's ok, you'll be done soon," He whispers.
I jump at the sound of the nurses voice, "The police would like to get pictures of your bite marks and other injuries. We should be done in about another hour or so, I just need to get a few more samples and photos."
I nod and try to keep the crying in. At one point I can't help but flinch at her touch and groan in pain, squeezing Jordan's hand harder.
"Does this still hurt? You have an abrasion, it'll need to be monitored for infection."
I try to just ignore her presence and focus on the warmth from Jordan's hands on mine. When she finally tell me we're done I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Opening my eyes finally, I see it's been almost five hours since we started and I've been holding Jordan so tight that my knuckles are white.
The nurse gives me a sympathetic smile, "You did great. We got DNA and once we run it, things will get easier."
With that she leaves and police come in with cameras. Jordan helps me sit up and adjust my gown so they can pictures of my bites and cut. I'm so tired and overwhelmed I feel ready to just sleep forever.
By six that night I have Jordan in my bed holding me when we're startled by yelling outside my room.
"Get out of here!" Dad sounds sober but fear still creeps into me, "You're part of the reason she's here, that son of yours has traumatized my daughter! Get out!"
"Sir," I hear Councilman Stom's voice, "We'd just like to help, apologize to Rhea for what she went through."
Curiosity fills me as I try to climb off the bed, Jordan tries to stop me but I ignore him.
"Mr. Stom?" I poke my head out the door to see the whole family watching me sadly, Mrs. Stom runs to hug me.
"Oh Rhea," She whispers, "We're so sorry. If we'd only known... You poor girl."
Dad is stiff but relaxes when I return the hug. We all come into my room and talk. Emily comes to sit on the bed with me, holding my hand tightly. Her parents tell me bail has been posted for Dominic but they won't pay it, and they've offered me security in case someone else does. Dad accuses them of trying to bury the assault a few times but they assure him that's not the case.
"Rhea, I don't know if you know this but I'm a major domestic violence advocate," Mr. Stom says with his hands in his lap, "I promise you, that boy will never be welcome in my home again, and he will face the fullest extent of the law. They're trying him as an adult, and if you decide you're willing to testify against him then we will support that in any way."
I nod gently, "There is one thing dear," Mrs. Stom looks ashamed, "We do hope you'll avoid mentioning Dominic's name to the press. They weren't supposed to get yours but they did and they're swarming the hospital doors. We don't want Emily to be stuck with what Dominic did."
"I don't want to talk to any press," I say firmly, "And I'd never punish you for what Dominic did."
We all talk, they make calls for security for me so reporters stay away. They assure me I can keep my job babysitting if I want it and promise support in whatever way they can. With a final hug they leave for the evening and I curl back up with Jordan until I eat some soup and go to bed.
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