by C L Wesley
“Taryn!” I hear Noah’s voice and see a crowd of people gathering in the backyard as Noah picks me up and holds me by the shoulders looking at my mangled face before heading straight into the shed. Through blurry vision, I could see Noah beating the shit out of Josh, punch after punch. Josh either didn’t or couldn’t put up much of a fight before campus police arrived and arrested them both. I remember screaming for Noah to stop knowing he was going to be in trouble and he just kept hitting Josh over and over. As the police took Noah away in handcuffs he yelled out Jensen’s name. Jensen was already behind me shimmying out of his jacket to cover me and pulling me into his arms shielding me from all the cell phone videos before picking me up and carrying me to the second ambulance that was dispatched. Once we were up front, we watched as Josh was taken away handcuffed to a stretcher, his face completely unrecognizable.
A male EMT sat on the bench next to Jensen and leaned across me to grab a blanket when I flinched, causing Jensen to lash out. “Hey man, with all due respect is there a female on unit?” Jensen kept hold of my hand, rubbing at my knuckles.
“Jay, get me out of here. I don’t want to go to the hospital.” I manage to get out between sobs.
“Ma’am, I’d highly advise you to at least be seen. You could have some broken bones.” The EMT says in his calmest voice despite knowing that I am about to flip out on him.
“Jay?” I try to look at him and realize my left eye is swollen shut.
“Miss, I know you just want this over with but with all due respect if you do not go and put something on record they will only have your word to hold that son of a bitch.” The EMT looks at me with pity and sorrow.
“He’s right.” Jensen squeezes my hand. “At least let’s go make sure that nothing is broken. I’m sure you can give a statement at the hospital.”
“Okay.” I murmur. As much as I don’t want to go, Noah is going to need my statement and pictures to get out of this mess.
Six hours later, the emergency room finally released me into Jensen’s care. I refused to call and worry my parents about this. I am leaving with a broken nose, a bruised rib, and a slight concussion, along with numerous bruises and contusions on my face. I gave my side of the story to the police and answered questions for at least an hour about everything including how I know Josh, Noah, what life is like on campus, what I know about them both, their families. It wasn’t until Jensen stopped them that the questions ceased.
“They are not releasing Noah tonight. I called my father and asked him to represent Noah legally.” Jensen tells me as he lifts me into his truck and puts my seatbelt on. “He’s flying up tomorrow.”
“Okay.” I find myself trying to cry but it burns my eyes. “Hey Jay, can I please stay with you?” I ask as he puts his truck in gear knowing he just got his own apartment off campus a week ago. “I can’t go home like this.”
“Of course, sweetheart.” Jensen looks at me and I see it in his eyes…he’s scared for me…for Noah.
Jensen helped me out of his truck and into his new apartment. “I wish I could see. I would tell you what a nice place you have.” I try to joke around and smile but find myself wincing when I tried to curl up my lips.
“It’s okay. You have plenty of time to check it out.” Jensen disappeared into his bedroom and came out with a t-shirt and pajama pants. “These are going to be huge but they have a drawstring. They are what Izzy used to steal when she stayed over.” I watched through blurry eyes as he nervously poured himself a finger or two of vodka from the Ketel One bottle he had in his empty freezer. Once he downed the first one, he grabbed another glass and poured one for me. “You need this too.” I quickly swallowed the cold yet warm liquid and asked for the bathroom.
“Oh My God!” I scream when I finally get to see my reflection in the mirror. My left eye is swollen shut and starting to turn a nasty burgundy color. I have an open cut on my left cheek that has been stitched closed. My nose is swollen and packed with gauze beneath the hospitals bandage. My right eye has some dark color beneath it and my lip is cracked open and that is just my face.
Jensen came flying through the door, “Taryn?” He stopped in the doorway when he realized that I had yet to see myself.
“Look what he did to me!” I started crying uncontrollably. Jensen slowly walked over to me as if I were a wounded dog, reaching out for my hand. I hesitantly put my hand in his before he wrapped his arms around me, allowing me to get it all out. Jensen held my head to his chest while he shushed me like you would a baby. When I finally caught my breath, I looked down at my hands only to see that I was beyond filthy. “Can I take a shower?” I murmured into his chest.
“Of course, let me start the water for you.” Jensen let go of me and turned the shower on, placing some clean towels on the edge of the sink, and letting me know he would be in the living room. I washed my body, once, twice, and again. Even though Josh didn’t get the opportunity I still felt dirty simply because he touched me. I scrubbed at my legs and ankles, the places he touched the most. “Taryn?” I hear Jensen’s voice but I don’t respond. “Sweetheart, the water is cold.” I see his hand reach in the shower. “Taryn, honey, you are freezing.” He must see me shivering. I hear the water turn off and feel a towel wrap around my shoulders. “Come on. Let’s get you warmed up.” Jensen urged me out of the shower drying my shoulders off before sliding the t-shirt over my head. “Here baby, put your arms through.” He was talking to me like I was fragile. I don’t know, maybe I am. My body and my thoughts are not in the same realm.
I wake up screaming sometime later propped up in Jensen’s bed. I feel my heart racing and I can’t calm down. “Taryn?” Jensen came flying through the door dressed in only pajama pants.
“I’m sorry.” I started crying again. Jensen sat on the edge of the bed and offered me one of the pain killers the hospital sent me with. “Bad dream.”
“Don’t be sorry. None of this is your fault.” I try to focus to see his face, coming up short. “Try to get some sleep. I darkened the room the best I could. It’s almost 9AM.”
“Jay?” I lean back against the pillow. “Will you stay in here with me?”
I hear him take in a deep breath. “Yeah.” Jensen walked over to his dresser and put a shirt over his head before climbing in the opposite side of his bed and holding my hand until I fell asleep.
14
“Taryn?” I feel the bed dip and it causes a searing pain through my ribs. “Taryn? Wake up baby.” I hear Jensen’s voice. I try to open my eyes and they are both swollen shut.
“I can’t open my eyes.” I feel Jensen get off the bed only to return with a warm washcloth. He places the warm cloth in my hand. I dab at my eyes until I can somewhat see from the right. It’s pure night in the left.
“My dad just called.” Jensen puts his hand on my knee. “They are charging Noah with first degree assault. Josh’s family is pushing for attempted manslaughter.” I try to sit up and cry out in pain. “Take it easy baby.” He reaches across and grabs the other pillow on his bed to place behind me. “My dad has contacted his parents and they are flying up tomorrow. Noah has to stay in county until Monday morning when he can go in front of a judge for a bail hearing.”
“Oh my God.” I try to cry but there are no tears. “Why aren’t they charging Josh?”
“They are charging Josh with attempted rape and first-degree assault. Noah beat Josh within an inch of his life. One more punch and Josh may not be alive.” Jensen informs me. “Are you hungry?” He changes the subject. I shake my head, “Oh and I texted your parents from your phone. I told them you two were surprising Izzy with me in Chicago for a few days. That way you can figure out what you want to tell them.” Jensen rambles, his tell-tale sign of being nervous or not knowing what to do.
The next day, John stopped by Jensen’s apartment sans Marla. I lay in Jensen’s bed and try my best to eavesdrop on the conversation happening in the living room. I hear Jensen filling in John on what his dad informed him of before Jo
hn turned the conversation to me. I strain my ears to hear Jensen, “That asshole broke her nose, bruised her ribs, and I think he punched her because she is swollen like a boxer’s face.” I hear John cursing. “She is worried about Noah. She breaks down in the mirror and has not really gotten out of bed, mostly because she can’t really see. She did give the police every bit of information she could think of and she scratched Josh so there is a DNA trail.” I can’t hear the rest of the conversation as they must have walked away. A few minutes later, I hear the door push open the rest of the way.
“Taryn, are you awake?” I hear Jensen and I carefully sit up leaning my back against his headboard. “Noah’s dad is here. He’d like to see you if that’s okay?” I open my right eye and today I can see clearly from it but my left is still swollen shut. “If not, I’ll just tell him no.” Jensen sits on the bed patting my hand.
“It’s okay.” I tell him before he walks back out in the living room. I nervously play with the grey and black comforter on his bed waiting for John to walk in.
A few seconds later I see John standing in the doorway. “Oh, sweet Jesus. Taryn, I’m so sorry.” John says in his deep southern twang.
“Hi John. You can sit.” I pat the side of the bed. “You should see the other guy.” I try to make a joke but it hurts to laugh. “I’m sorry. Bad joke.”
“Well Darlin’ I am not happy about this situation from any angle, yours, Noah’s, but I am pleased my son put that son of a bitch out.” He covers my hand with his. “Is there anything you need? Jensen said you are staying here for now.”
“No, I just wish I could open both eyes.” I try to give a smile but come up short. “Is Noah able to come home tomorrow?” I change the subject from me.
“I don’t know yet. From what Mr. Marshite has told us, he should be offered bail but it is going to be a few thousand.” I see John look down almost in shame. “We may not be able to get him out at that point.”
“We will get him out.” I just received my living money from my student loans last Friday. I have it available and this is all my fault.
I wake up Monday morning to Detective Shumer calling and asking if I can come into the station this morning. An hour later once Jensen got home from the gym, he drove me to the police station. I was led down a hallway and passed The Grodnowski’s sitting in an open waiting area. Marla’s hand came up to her mouth when she looked at me but she made no move to say anything. John jumped up and walked over opening his arms. I slowly walk into his embrace as he shook Jensen’s hand. “Miss Morrison, we are ready for you.” Detective Shumer called out to me.
I made it halfway to the detective when I called back for Jensen. “I can’t come back with you, Sweetheart. I will be right here when you come out. I promise.” He tells me and I feel my heart race along with the familiar burning from the tears forming.
“This is my office not an interrogation room.” He tells me while offering me a seat. I sat nervously playing with my hands in the pocket of Jensen’s soccer hoodie as he begins. “The Fredono’s lawyer have contacted me with Josh’s story.” He took a deep breath, “He’s claiming Noah did this to you and he tried to break it up when Noah turned on him. That they are soccer teammates and good friends.”
“He’s fucking lying.” I raise my voice and I feel the tears falling.
“Here’s the thing. You will have to testify and they will say that you are covering for Noah.” He rubs at his forehead. “I personally believe you and we are waiting to get the DNA match from the hospital kit. You were very smart digging your nails into him and allowing them to do a kit even though there was no intercourse.”
“What exactly do you need from me, Detective?” I ask just wanting this to be over as quickly as possible.
“I know you were asked questions at the hospital and I’d like to ask you to recall any detail of that night. So if you could please go over the night with me again, detail by detail.” He turned on the recorder and began.
Two hours later, we were standing with Jensen and his father as we waited for Noah to be released to his parents. Noah’s bond was taken care of by his parents via Jensen’s father who I believed put up the cash anonymously. Noah walked through the door, dressed in his suit from Friday night, scanning the room until he found me. Bypassing his parents, he scooped me into his arms causing me to wince. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.”
“It’s not your fault.” I rubbed at his back. “Go see your mom. She has been worried.” I whisper into his ear as we all walk outside. I stand by Jensen while Marla goes off on her son in a very hushed, very stern voice. “She’s not my biggest fan.” I tell Jensen while I pull down the bill of the ballcap I borrowed to hide my face.
“Doesn’t look like she is a fan of anyone.” We continue to watch the Grodnowski’s go at each other before Jensen’s father walks over to us.
“Taryn, I have copies of your statements both to the police that night and also to the detective just now. I also have Josh’s statement and Noah’s. I’ve requested that Josh stay in police custody as he is still formally being charged. I am going to take the Grodnowski’s to lunch. Jensen, Taryn I’d invite you but this is business.” He puts his hand on Jensen’s shoulder before walking over to Noah and his family.
“You said your dad is good?” I ask him.
“Has only lost once in his twenty-six-year career.” Jensen beams at his dad with pride.
“Good.” I feel hopeful that Noah will walk away from this. I watch as the older adults turn to head towards the parking lot when Noah jogs over to me.
“I have to go with them. I love you.” He gives me a quick hug and a light kiss before joining his parents. That was on Monday. Monday night I sent him a text.
Me: Hey I am staying with Jensen. Come over
Tuesday-
Me: I miss you!
Wednesday-
Me: Noah, what did I do that you are not responding to me?
Thursday-
Me: I love you. Please call me
Friday- “Anything?” Jensen asks as he walks in with a bag of Chipotle and two very large fountain drinks.
“Just your dad. Noah has been suspended from the soccer team per the university pending the charges. If he loses his scholarship, he can’t go here anymore.” I wipe at my eyes. “Why isn’t he responding? This is all my fault.”
Jay sets the food on the coffee table and pulls me into his side. “Taryn, NONE of this is your fault Sweetheart. You didn’t make Noah do what he did and you sure as hell didn’t ask for what you got out of that night.” He tilts my chin to look at him. “Look at me.” He rubs his thumb along my jawline. “This is NOT your fault.”
“He’s not even talking to me.” I cry.
Jensen wipes away the tears falling down my cheeks. “He’s an idiot then.” He kisses the top of my head before leaning forwards. “Hey, you can open both eyes today.” He notices, handing me a burrito. “I talked to my dad on the way home. The Omega’s are in trouble because there were underage drinkers at the party.”
“I didn’t even think of Matt’s fraternity.” I unwrap the burrito he brought for me. “I heard from Izzy today. She sounds good. She has opted for the 90-day program. I didn’t tell her anything. I don’t want her to worry. She asked about you.” I tell him, rambling so I don’t think enough to cry. “You know I will eventually tell her how amazing you have been with me.”
“I miss her, Taryn. Don’t get me wrong but I don’t miss the bullshit she brought along with her.” He tells me while we sit on his couch watching the local news. “I feel so old right now. Let’s at least turn on Netflix.” He giggles and hands me the fountain drink he brought home for me. “They had Coke.” He winks and grabs the remote.
Monday morning arrived rather quickly and I found myself sitting with Jensen in the second row behind Noah, his parents sitting in the front row of the overly wooded court room. I look to my right and see Josh brought in, handcuffed and in bright orange. It was a gratifying sight. I
look at the rows behind Josh and see Mason who cannot keep his eyes off me sitting beside an older couple that must be his parents.
Noah never turned around in his seat to look at anyone. He stayed facing forward the entire time we were in court. He was already in a room with Jensen’s dad when we got here so I didn’t have a chance to see him. I hadn’t heard from him and neither had Jensen, so Jay and I assumed his phone is AWOL. Today was only to hear their pleas, both of course pleaded not guilty. Once court was adjourned, Noah went with Jensen’s father into a room and the rest of us went into the hallway where I walked straight into Mason. “Taryn.” I could see his eyes water up as he focused on my face. “I’m so sorry.”
“I have to go, Mason.” I walked outside and joined Jensen along with Noah’s parents. John pulled me to the side. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of him. How is he?”
“Taryn, once the charges are dropped, Noah is coming home to Texas.” John put his hand on my shoulder. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for him but this is where it has to end. The college is willing to keep him on as a student because of his grades should the charges be reduced but we can’t afford it. I’m sorry to be the bearer of unfortunate news.” He walked away when Noah emerged from the doors with Mr. Marshite. His eyes met mine for a brief second only to look the other way and head to his parents.
“Noah?” I walk towards him. “Noah?” He meets me about halfway between his parents and Jensen.
“I’m sorry Taryn. I love you. But I knew you were going to be a distraction that would ruin me.” He turned around and walked away towards his parents his mother giving me the evil eye. I drop to my knees as he walked away leaving me on the courthouse steps.
