Fallen Woman(53)

“Girl, if you heard the stories I get in here, you’d know there’s nothing you could tell me I haven’t heard before. So shoot—what’s going on?”

I leaned over the counter to make sure no one else heard what I said. I didn’t even want to hear it. “I think I might have been taken advantage of last night, but I don’t remember.” My voice was weak and filled with uncertainty.

Her head moved slowly up and down, her eyes roamed my face. Then her voice changed from that of a tired nurse who’d likely been here for twelve hours to one of concern and pity. “Can you fill these out for me? Do you have an insurance card and picture ID? I’ll need to see those as well.” I gave her what she asked for and took a seat to fill out the forms.

It wasn’t but a few minutes later she came around the desk and whispered in my ear, “I can take you back now. I didn’t want to call your name. I’m sure you’d rather this be private.”

I appreciated her concern. Nothing made any sense. Holland wouldn’t hurt me—ever. But he was the only person I’d been with. I’d last been at his home and then woke in my bed, still in the same clothes. He would have been the one to bring me home, open my door, put me in bed. He’d never do this, though. Surely, he wouldn’t.

She hooked her arm around my waist as I meandered down the hall with her leading the way. Lost in a daze, I couldn’t escape my thoughts. I followed her instructions and got undressed on the large sheet of paper she put on the floor. A nurse came in and collected the paper and my clothing. I was inundated by swabs in places Q-Tips shouldn’t be, but I gritted my teeth and bared it. With a large wooden toothpick, she scraped under my fingernails and dropped each utensil into a separate baggie before sealing it. They combed through my hair and took countless pictures of every inch of my body before I put on the hospital gown she offered. Then, I waited for the doctor she promised would be in shortly. The exam had taken a few hours and been far worse than the actual incident, but only because I couldn’t remember any of it.

Luckily, the person who entered was a woman—I wasn’t sure I could handle a man at that moment. When she asked what happened, I gave her the best account I could. “I remember being in his study. I remember him pouring two glasses of wine. And then, feeling really warm, very heavy but not tired. Then I woke up this morning in my bed.” I told her about the sensations between my legs and my cheeks. I admitted I knew him and that I’d gone out with him, knowing it would limit my credibility.

“I want to draw some blood and urine to do a tox screen, too,” she informed me. “We may find evidence of narcotics in your system. It sounds like you were slipped Rohypnol, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Her smile was kind and her tone soft. I wondered if I was in shock. I felt like I should be freaking out, but I was eerily calm.

A couple of hours later, the doctor returned with the nurse in tow and tox screen results on her iPad. “You were given Rohypnol at some point last night, and it was a pretty healthy dose for it to still be at this level in your urine. You mentioned knowing the person who might have done this to you. Do you want us to contact the police for you?”

I shook my head.

The look of disappointment crossed her face, but she wisely didn’t express it. “The kit will be kept at the crime lab for six months. Should you choose to press charges, here’s the number you need to call. Think about what you want to do before you make a final decision.” She patted me on the knee. “We’ll get you checked out so you can get out of here.”

“What about clothes?” I hadn’t had the forethought to bring anything with me.

“Do you have anyone you can call to bring you some?”

I shook my head as tears filled my eyes. Calling Jase would ensure Holland’s crucifixion, and if anyone was going to annihilate him, it’d be me. But I couldn’t have that conversation or any other until I got home, and I wanted a shower more than I craved revenge right now.

“Let me see what I can find. I’ll be back.” They left the room together, pulling the curtain closed behind them.

Not long after, the same nurse returned with some sweat pants, a T-shirt, and cotton panties and sports bra. “I promise the panties and the bra are new. I just opened the package. I know they’re not super stylish, but they’re clean and will get you home. The clothes were donated by staff.” She brought me some apple juice and a muffin and set them down with the outfit.

There’s nothing to say to someone after they’ve swabbed your anus and taken pictures of you nude. She’d been kind and gentle, and all I could offer her was, “Thank you.”

“Here’s your discharge paperwork. Once you get dressed and you’re ready to go, just follow the exit signs out. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No. I’ll be okay.”

I could tell by the look on her face she wasn’t so sure, but I didn’t have it in me to try to reassure her. The clothes were too big, but they were clean and smelled of fresh linen. The fluorescent light above me flickered as if to warn me it was about to give out and it was time for me to go.

~~~

When I finally got back to my apartment, it was nearly eleven in the morning. I was shocked I hadn’t heard from Miss Pearl or the kids. I ran inside to quickly shower and change clothes before I went next door to get them. Needing to hurry, I didn’t dry my hair. Jeans and a T-shirt were as formal as it would get today. I wasn’t going to work, there were no doctor appointments, and all I wanted was to get my kids and hang out. The park, the apartment, I didn’t care as long as I could see them smile. I prayed Emmy was feeling well enough to go outside and soak up some of the gorgeous weather and cooler temperatures.