"I punched him in the nose. Blood started pouring out of his nose. Mom started screaming and he called me a little fucking bitch. I managed to get out of the house when Mom started fussing over him and I ran. I ran fast and I didn't stop until I got here. No one was here except for Mrs. Martinez and she helped clean me up. I had his blood on my hand and arms. After awhile, I went over to Shea's and painted. I just painted and painted until my arms were tired and my vision blurred. I cleaned up and came here and the boys were home," I tell them, my vision a blur, recalling all the facts. Losing myself to my art is what keeps me sane. I just paint everything I need to say.
"Tera. Did he touch you inappropriately?" Dr. Mac asks.
I nod, tears sliding down my cheeks. "Yes. H-he grabbed me—my breasts. He hurt me."
"Motherfucker," Linc shouts.
"Calm down, Lincoln," Dr. Mackenzie states. "I know you don't want to do this over again, but we need to, Tera. I have to call the police. I'd also like to examine you if you'll consent to that. I'll have Sandy, my nurse, come to the house and we can go to the exam room I have here at the house for emergencies.”
Panic sets in and now I really shake. "D-do we have to? Call the police, I mean? Why can't we just do the exam and—" I let out a sob. Xander pulls my face into his neck.
"Dad," Xander pleads.
"We have to, Xan. If we don't and it happens again or, God forbid, something worse, we'll be one step behind," Dr. Mac informs him—us.
"I'll do it," I whisper in Xander's neck. "I don't want to have to go back there if I don't have to." I turn and look at Dr. Mackenzie. "Ca-can I stay here? Just until we know what happens next?"
He smiles softly. "Tera, you and Linc are welcome to stay here as long as you need to. There's never a need to ask. You're my family, too."
"Thank you," I whisper. "I don't… I can't go back."
As if on cue, the phone rings. I already know it's her without looking at the caller ID. I just know.
"Breathe," Xander soothes as his dad walks to the phone.
"Mackenzie residence."
We can hear her yelling while Dr. Mac remains calm. He doesn't tell her we're here. I think he wants to wait for the police first. If he tells, Mom will run—with Eddie. Dr. Mac is so smart. So kind. I'll never understand why Xan's mom left him. I want to marry a man like him one day.
Dr. Mac calls nurse Sandy and then the police and that sets everything in motion. It's a long night. I'm embarrassed to have Dr. Mackenzie look at my bare breasts, but he remains detached, like doctors do. The police woman comes in and takes a few photos. She allows me to put an arm across my breasts so long as I don't hide any of the bruising.
"Social services will be in contact," the policeman tells Dr. Mackenzie. This isn't the first time one of us has been in this situation. Usually, it's Ethan or Kennedy. Ethan settled back in between my knees after the exam and still hasn't moved. His arms draped over my thighs, his large hands rubbing my lower legs. I know he won't be able to make eye contact when this is over. Not for a few days, at least. He needs to process the situation and his feelings first. Ethan's been through way worse things than this. I'm not supposed to know that, but I do. I was here one time when he came in bleeding, barely able to walk, and Dr. Mackenzie took care of him. Kennedy too. I know what happened to them but we'll never talk about it. I won't ever let them know I know. I hope one day they'll talk to me about stuff like I do with them. Maybe after this…
"Why don't you all head on up to bed?" Dr. Mac suggests. "Tera, you should take this so you can get some rest and some pain relief for the bruising and swelling."
I nod, taking the pills and water from him. Kennedy watches me as I swallow the pills, his eyes filling with unshed tears. I stand up, stepping around Ethan and walking over to Kennedy, hugging him softly. At first he tenses up, going completely rigid, but after a few seconds he relaxes and hugs me back, burying his face in my hair.
"I'm sorry this happened to you," he whispers.
I nod. "I'll be okay."
He pulls back and looks down at me. "I know you will. You're stronger than you think you are."
I don't know about that. I go to sit back down.
"We need to teach her how to defend herself," Ethan announces.
They all start talking about it and the pills Dr. Mac gave me start to work. I'm so sleepy. I rest my head on Xan's shoulder and fall asleep.
* * *
The dream seems so real. I'm reliving what happened in my dream—only I don't get away. In this dream I'm caught.
"You think you can get away from me?" Eddie seethes. "Stupid little bitch." This time he does the hitting. A really hard slap right across my face.
I cry out in pain, then cover my cheek with my hand, backing away from him.
"You think you're too good for me? You're nothing but trash. I'll teach you how to fuck. Then you can go whore around like your old lady does." He licks his bottom lip. "But you'll be so much better. You'll be tight and brand new."
