Life to My Flight

by Lani Lynn Vale

  “It’s okay,” he laughed. “Dooley walked in right after you left. It works out. Be careful driving home. Text me when you get there so I know you’re safe.”

  I felt warmed by his concern.

  It’d been just me taking care of the world so long that it felt nice to be cared after.

  “Okay, thanks Cody. I’ll see you in two days,” I said just before hanging up.

  Starting my car, I pulled through the parking space and straight into the street.

  My drive home was luckily short, but I knew as soon as I got out of the car that I’d be soaked.

  I stuffed my phone down deep into my bag, followed by my jacket before I zipped it up, perused the distance to my door, opened the car door, and flung myself out.

  I slammed the door shut behind me, but the sound was lost in the howl of the wind.

  I started running up the stairs two at a time, and finally came to a stop under my awning, soaked through and through.

  “Fuck me in the ass,” I groaned as I missed the lock twice, before finally sliding it all the way in.

  I turned it quickly, and had just turned the front light on when my pager went off in the bottom of the bag.

  My state pager.

  The one that told me when I had a case.

  I slapped my hand against my forehead.

  Dropping my things down on the couch, I dried off my arm with the afghan laying over the back of the couch before I dug for my phone and called into work.

  “Christus Health, this is Erma,” a voice answered cheerfully

  “Hi, this is Rue Loden. I was just paged for a sexual assault. May I speak to the supervisor please?” I asked Erma.

  Erma was one of the ER’s newest nurses, and hadn’t yet gotten that jadedness that most of the nurses got once they’d worked in the ER environment for a long time.

  “Sure,” Erma said sadly. “I’ll get her now.”

  It took less than two minutes before Mona was on the line. “This is Mona speaking.”

  “Hi, Mona. This is Rue. I was paged,” I went straight to the point.

  “Yes, dear. I have a case for you. I know you’re not on call, but...I need you. I don’t trust anybody else for this,” Mona said softly.

  I stopped for a heartbeat, waiting for her to explain, but she never did. “Mona...what’s going on?”

  “Just...get here. The sooner the better,” she replied quietly.

  I blinked.

  “I had a drink a little over thirty minutes ago. Only one though. I’ll need some coffee and some water. Maybe about thirty minutes for my head to be on straight again,” I explained.

  “You got it. She only wants you,” Mona said before hanging up.

  I blinked rapidly. She only wanted me?

  ***

  “Tell me what’s going on,” I demanded.

  Mona sat down at the table with me and handed me a cup of coffee that was so strong I’d probably see hair on my chest in the morning.

  Then all my joking took a flying leap out a fifteen story window when I heard what she had to say next.

  “Audrey was sexually assaulted on the way to her car today. She’s okay, physically, other than the obvious, and she only wants you,” Mona said softly.

  I closed my eyes, trying in vain to shut out the infuriated scream that threatened to burst free of my lips.

  “Rue, sweetheart. I know it’s rough. Believe me, I do. But you need to drink your coffee and get it together. Now,” Mona said authoritatively.

  I opened my eyes, cleared my mind, and stood.

  The coffee came with me as I walked into the hall. “Which room?”

  They had two designated rooms that we normally used for these types of cases.

  Collecting evidence on rape victims could take upwards to six hours, and they wanted the room to be private and as comfortable as could be.

  “She’s in the blue room,” Mona said quietly.

  I nodded. The blue room was good.

  It was the furthest away from the main ER as it could be without actually being off the floor.

  “Are the things I need already in the room?” I asked.

  Mona nodded. “I put them in there myself. Let me know if you need me, okay?”

  I nodded. “Absolutely.”

  I walked into the room not knowing what to expect, but the defeated, beaten woman in no way, shape, or form resembled the Audrey I knew.

  “Audrey?” I asked.

  The beaten woman looked up, and I met Audrey’s beautiful green eyes.

  They were on fire.

  Rage. Turmoil. Helplessness. Sadness. Disgust.

  Those were only a few of the emotions playing in her eyes, and I knew that she’d fight.

  She’d never give up.

  Not our Audrey.

  “Hey, sweet girl. Are you ready?” I asked softly.

  I gave her room, knowing that was one of the things that assault victims had trouble with: invasion of their territory.

  She nodded and croaked, “I’m ready.”

  I closed the door softly behind me, locked it, and moved closer to her at an extremely slow pace.

  “You just tell me if I do anything you don’t want me to. I’ll try my best to explain each and everything that I’m doing, and if at any point you get uncomfortable, just let me know, okay?” I told her.

  Her eyes never left mine. “Yes.”

  “Okay, sweet girl. Let’s get started. What I want you to do is leave your clothes on. I’m going to start on the outside and work my way inside, okay?” I asked.

  She nodded but didn’t say anything.

  Part of a SANE nurse’s job was to collect evidence, collect the statement, and document the injuries that he or she observes.

  SANE exam protocols were set in place for the safety and comfort of the patient. We didn’t want to make them any more nervous than they already were. The rule was that there was only one person collecting the evidence and doing the invasive procedures, which made it more tolerable for the patient.

  The only good thing that came out of this was that Audrey knew me. She trusted me. She cared for me.

  Otherwise, I’d have spent a lot longer trying to calm her down.

  I was doing well, too, until I got to the point where I was uncovering Audrey.

  The mass of purple bruises on her legs made her flinch from the sight.

  “I’m going to start taking pictures again, okay?” I asked.

  I wanted to hug her so badly, but I knew there wasn’t a place for that right now. She needed me to do my job, and that was what I was going to do.

  ***

  Four hours later, I helped Audrey to the shower.

  “Okay, honey. You’re welcome to shower and wash whatever you want. Do you need any help?” I asked softly.

  She shook her head. “No ... but will you stay? In that seat right there? Don’t leave me yet, okay?”

  I nodded. “I’ll stay right here and start on my paperwork, okay?”

  She nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”

  I started writing out exactly what I’d found. What evidence I collected. Her statement. Anything and everything I’d collected now had to be documented, time stamped, and handed over to the police.

  I wouldn’t be doing that, though, until I got Audrey home to her brother.

  The one whom she’d refused to call, until just a few moments ago, because she didn’t want him to know what exactly had happened to her until after she’d had it all taken care of.

  Bowing to the patient’s wishes, I’d conceded and did what she’d asked me to do.

  I’d finished seven pages of paperwork before she finally turned the shower off.

  “I need a towel,” she sniffled.

  I stood, placed the paperwork on the table in the room, and got her some towels.

  “There’re some scrubs here for you to wear. The clothes you had on will now be in evidence,” I explained as I handed over the towels and the scrubs.

  She too
k them and closed the door quietly while I gathered up the evidence.

  I’d just finished packing it all in evidence bags when she exited the bathroom wearing only hospital issued non-slip socks and surgical scrubs two sizes too big.

  “You ready, Audrey?” I asked.

  She nodded, but her legs stayed put.

  I held my hand out to her, the evidence bag and my paper work under my other arm, and she reluctantly took it.

  Her grip was tight.

  Almost like if she let go, then her whole world would be gone.

  “I’m ready,” she confirmed.

  I opened the door and sent quelling glares to each and every member of the ER staff that’d stopped and stared.

  They moved quickly, but Audrey still felt the curiosity on her and started to move faster.

  “Hold on, honey. I have to drop this off with Mona, and then I’ll walk you out, okay?” I asked.

  She nodded and we walked quickly to Mona’s office.

  She was sitting there drinking a cup of coffee, staring blankly at the wall.

  “Oh, Audrey,” she whispered as she stood and walked slowly to Audrey.

  Audrey never let my hand go, but she managed a pretty good hug regardless.

  “I’m not going to be at work tomorrow,” Audrey stammered.

  Mona placed both of her hands on either side of Audrey’s face. “Take as long as you need, baby. But I still want you to call me. Let me know you’re all right and tell me when you’ll be up for visitors, okay?”

  She nodded. “Thanks Mona.”

  Mona smiled sadly and turned to me. “I’ll take that now.”

  I handed the paperwork over to Mona. “Please make two copies. One for the PD, and one for our records.”

  Mona nodded. “Detective Rector is outside waiting to take the evidence.”

  I closed my eyes and opened them again. “Okay.”

  We left Mona’s office, hand in hand still.

  We’d just reached the hallway that led to the outside parking lot when the parking lot started to catch my eye. “What are all those bikes...?”

  “I’m sure that has to do with my brother,” she whispered beside me.

  I looked over at her and then back to the parking lot again. “What do you mean?”

  There had to be fifty or so bikes out there.

  They were everywhere.

  “My brother is a member of The Dixie Wardens,” she said softly. “He knows something’s wrong. I haven’t spoken to him in nearly a year... but I just needed him. I need him bad.”

  I looked over at her just as the first tear slipped out of her eye.

  “Oh, Audrey. I know, honey, I know. Do you want me to talk to him first?” I asked. “Tell him what happened?”

  She nodded emphatically, crying uncontrollably now. “Please? Would you? Please?”

  “Okay, which one is your brother?” I asked.

  She pointed to the man who was the only one out there with an actual truck. “That one. He’s my brother.”

  “What’s his name?” I asked.

  She looked at me and smiled her first genuine smile all night. “Tunnel Morrison. He’s one of the best men in the world.”

  He was also a cop.

  Holy shit.

  This was going to be bad.

  Especially since Cleo was standing next to him, and on the other side was Detective Rector.

  Beside Detective Rector, was my other babysitter, Silas.

  “Okay, honey. Let’s go,” I said as I scrounged up some manifested courage.

  As soon as we made it to the emergency room doors Audrey’s brother was sprinting towards us.

  Audrey froze, and then launched herself at her brother, who caught her with ease.

  “Audrey, what happened?” He asked.

  I looked over the brother’s shoulder to Detective Rector and nodded him over.

  Cleo stayed next to Silas, but I could tell he wanted over here with a ferociousness that I definitely didn’t need right now.

  Detective Rector came to our sides, and I spoke. “Um, Officer Morrison, would you mind coming over here, out of the entrance, so I can discuss a few things with you?”

  Tunnel’s eyes hit mine, and I felt like a mouse being eyed by a hawk.

  At first glance, he didn’t seem that imposing, but man oh man, the look in his eyes right now could peel paint off of a brand new car.

  I gulped. “Please?”

  He reluctantly let Audrey drop to her feet and guided her into the corner of the building where there were two walls at our back.

  Then he said one word. “Start.”

  I looked at Audrey, confirmed that she wanted me to continue, and started to tell him what had happened.

  “Audrey was sexually assaulted tonight on her way to her car after work,” I started.

  He froze, his eyes filleting me open with the horror.

  “Another male nurse that was leaving for the night heard the commotion and walked up on the act taking place. The assailant abandoned her on the asphalt, and was unable to be apprehended. Your sister was penetrated vaginally, and she has superficial defensive wounds on her hands, arms, legs, and knees. The assailant was interrupted during the act, so he wasn’t able to ejaculate. Audrey did tell me the assailant wore a condom. She’s physically fine, other than a few minor scrapes and bruises. However, she has an appointment with a rape counselor tomorrow morning at nine,” I explained to the man softly.

  Detective Rector listened to my explanation stoically.

  I’d have thought he was unaffected it if wasn’t for the anger glossing over his eyes.

  “Audrey,” Tunnel’s voice broke. “Oh, Audrey. I’m so sorry.”

  Audrey kept her head down.

  “Tunnel, can I stay with you for a few days?” She whispered brokenly.

  Tunnel agreed quickly. “Mina and Dee would love to meet you.”

  I hadn’t any idea who those two were, nor their family situation, but I could tell both of them were pleased. “Take me home, please.”

  As they walked towards Tunnel’s truck, I breathed a sigh of relief that she wouldn’t be alone.

  “The paperwork?” Detective Rector asked.

  I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the brick wall.

  “Faxed to your office,” I answered tiredly.

  “You okay?” He asked.

  I opened my eyes and looked at him.

  “Fucking peachy.”

  He grinned. “Maybe you’ll fit in after all.”

  Chapter 12

  They have boobs.

  -Things men know about women.

  Rue

  My eyes felt gritty as I opened them the next morning.

  They burned with the need for more sleep, but my bladder was extremely persistent, so I got up with the upmost reluctance.

  My bed felt heavenly.

  Why was it that I’d tossed and turned for nearly an hour the night before because I couldn’t find a comfortable position, and then this morning it feels like I’m sleeping on the cloud? Everything felt perfect.

  Rolling out of bed and walking with my eyes closed towards the bathroom, I skipped over the light and did my business in the dark.

  I used the dispenser of hand sanitizer on the counter and walked slowly back to my bed, rolling into it and snuggling under the comforter.

  Then my bed shifted as a body rolled towards me, pulling me in close.

  I laid my head against Cleo’s pec and breathed in his scent, knowing exactly why I’d slept so well, and was reluctant to let myself think about why.

  “Morning,” he mumbled.

  “Sleep,” I answered back.

  “You wanna go for a ride this morning?” He rumbled.

  His chest vibrated underneath my cheek, and I shook my head no.

  He chuckled and wrapped both arms around me, folding me into his body like a life-size Cleo cocoon.

  “I’ll ask you again in an hour,” he laughed slightly.

/>   I murmured an “okay,” and fell back to sleep.

  ***

  Rue

  “Wake up,” the annoying voice asked.

  I ignored the bothersome voice, refusing to acknowledge it in hopes that it’d leave if I stayed extremely still.

  Boy was I wrong.

  Instead of leaving me alone, the annoyance continued to pester me.

  “Wakey, wakey eggs and bakey,” Cleo’s infuriatingly awake self, crooned into my ear.

  “No,” I moaned.

  “Yes,” he said as he removed the covers.

  I stayed as still as possible, hoping that if I pretended to sleep, he’d leave.

  I was wrong.

  “Come on,” Cleo pleaded. “I’ve been working for nearly a week straight. Please. I want to ride.”

  “I want to sleep,” I whined into my pillow.

  I was extremely tired, and my bed felt so beautifully perfect.

  “Eggs?” he asked.

  “Uh-uh,” I replied.

  Eggs weren’t good enough.

  “Bacon and eggs?” He tried.

  “No,” I said immediately.

  It’d have to be at least pancakes and bacon before I bothered with moving.

  “How about Krispy Kreme?” he asked slowly.

  I raised my head up to see him biting into a fresh, golden glazed donut. “Oh, man.”

  He grinned, and then licked his lips free of the glaze flakes.

  “I bought a dozen,” he teased.

  Pushing up onto my elbows, I lifted my legs until my knees were underneath me and pushed up to kneeling.

  My hands were planted on either side of my thighs, and I was watching as he shoved the last bite of donut into his mouth.

  Before he could lick his fingers, I brought them over to my mouth and sucked.

  “Yum,” I said as I licked the next finger.

  His eyes flared. “You are such a freakin’ tease.”

  I winked and stood from the bed. “Don’t tease me with my favorite things in the world next time then.”

  “That was the only way I was getting you out of the bed earlier than eleven o’clock.” He laughed as he followed me out to my kitchen.

  I sat down at the table and opened the box.

  There were eleven left, and I chose the one in the very middle.