“My husband…did this…to me.” For the first time in four years, Jessie told the truth about her injuries.
The young receptionist’s brows furrowed as she searched the room behind Jessie. “Did he drive you here?”
“No. I rode the bus.”
It was the only way she could get to the hospital. She’d made it a point to leave her cell phone and car at home since Patrick used them to track her location. And she couldn’t take a taxi or a ride share because he’d be alerted if she used the credit or debit card. The little cash she had on hand meant the bus was her only option.
“Have a seat and someone will be with you shortly.”
Jessie perched on the edge of a hard vinyl chair in the near-empty waiting room. She balled her sweater in her hand again as she considered the barrage of questions she’d soon face.
Fortunately, the wait was brief, and she soon found herself behind a curtain with a petite nurse clad in navy blue scrubs.
“Can you tell me what happened?”
“My hus-band...” a tremor filled Jessie’s voice. She watched the curtain, expecting Patrick to shove it aside and drag her away. She swallowed and tried again. “My husband became enraged when I asked him if he was having an affair with his coworker.”
What was I thinking?
She’d practically begged for this beating by confronting Patrick about his relationship with Tina. A sharp ache filled Jessie’s chest. She should be happy he spent less time at home and fewer nights in her bed, but it was just another reminder of her failures.
Tears filled her eyes. No, she wouldn’t stand by while he had an affair. She wouldn’t put up with the criticism and biting comments any longer. And she wouldn’t allow Patrick to manipulate her again.
The nurse’s brow furrowed, and her eyes softened as she asked follow-up questions, taking copious notes. Then she left, saying the doctor would be right in.
Dr. Adams, a tall man with graying hair, came around the curtain a short time later, followed by a social worker who introduced herself as Janet Denton. She stood in the corner while the doctor examined Jessie and asked many of the same questions as the nurse. Then he asked additional questions concerning her injuries as he examined her.
“Has your husband ever hurt you before?” He asked as he examined her.
“Yes.” The word came out little more than a whisper. Another shiver racked her body.
Ms. Denton stepped to the side of the bed. “You realize, Mrs. Pendleton, that by law we have to report this to the police.”
Jessie met the social worker’s kind eyes for a moment before lowering her own and giving a solemn nod.
“They’ll ask if you want to press charges.” She placed a hand on Jessie’s shoulder. “I hope you tell them yes. This kind of violence never gets better. It only escalates.”
Jessie hugged herself again, hating the way her shoulders hunched in defeat. It had been a long time since she’d seen glimpses of the man she’d fallen in love with.
At first, whenever she'd pushed Patrick into a rage, he'd always apologized, showered her in presents and promises. She touched the diamond pendant at her throat.He would be sweet and tender and caring—the way he'd been when they first met. But over the years his rages became more frequent, and his tenderness gave way to threats.
“If you leave me, I’ll kill you.”
Jessie cradled her broken wrist.If I stay, he’ll kill me.
“I want to...” Jessie choked on the words. She cleared her throat and tried again. “I want to press charges.”
Dr. Adams ordered x-rays, and someone soon whisked away Jessie. When she returned, she found two female police officers outside her cubicle talking to Janet Denton.
For the next twenty minutes, Jessie stared at the emoji pain scale on the wall and recounted her story yet again. “When Patrick came home from work, he announced his plans to spend the weekend at a work retreat.” She sucked in a sharp breath. “I asked him if the retreat was at his coworker Tina’s apartment.” She refused to look at the officers’ faces. If she saw sympathy in their eyes, she’d fall apart. If she saw judgement…well then, she’d know Patrick was right. She deserved this.
When they lived in New York, Patrick always took her to his quarterly retreats. Things changed after his transfer to Seattle a year ago. He said spouses weren’t invited to the monthly retreats.
At first, Jessie was relieved. She didn’t have to worry about what she said or did when she was home alone. Then she saw the text from Tina.I can’t wait for our next weekend together.
Jessie suspected the work retreats didn’t happen nearly as often as Patrick claimed.
That’s why I provoked him today.
