Sam and I still have our gazes locked, but neither of us speaks. I wonder if he knows Dr. Schall specializes in teen victims of violence and abuse.
God,ofcoursehe does! Hemust.His sister sees him, and obviously her family - her wealthy family who could afford any doctor they wanted - did their research before choosing him. Part of the reason my mom joined the big firm was because their insurance covered him. I run through some of the crazy things I've said or done in front of Sam since we've met, and realize he's probably already deduced that I'm a victim ofsomething.Seeing me here shouldn't change anything. ButGod, why won't he say anything?
"You're going to be joining us for dinner, aren't you, Rory?" Bits asks in a clear attempt to break the tension.
I force a small smile for her benefit. "Um, yeah. After my, uh, appointment. Sam tutors me for calculus and we have a big test tomorrow," I explain.
"Great, looking forward to it," she replies, and starts toward the door.
Dr. Schall emerges from his office and shakes my hand. It took us a few sessions before I felt comfortable with even that minor contact, but lately it's been fine. "Come on in, Rory," he invites.
"Yeah, me too. See you later," I murmur back to Bits.
Sam continues to stare at me. "Uh, later, Ror," he mutters, and follows his sister out the door.
****
When I leave the office an hour later, the day's rain has let up into a light drizzle.
No.
No, nono!Shit!
I left my headlights on. Whodoesthat?Fuck!
I unlock my jeep and fling myself inside. I shakily jam the key into the ignition, pray, and turn.
Please please please...
The engine growlshalf-heartedlylike a sickly dog on its last leg, but it has no bite, refusing to spark to life.
I try again with no luck.Fuck.
I don't know what the hell to do. My mom's working late and she won't be home until eight.
I suck in a deep breath. Okay, well I can't stay out here, because I can't be alone, even in my car, out at night.
It's dark. And unnervingly desolate.
Okay, Rory, don't panic.
I scurry back inside the office, but only make it as far as the vestibule. The office door is locked. I ring the buzzer, but there's no response, and after trying several more times and knocking until my knuckles sting, I realize Dr. Schall and his receptionist must have left through the back. I'd forgotten about the back exit.
Fear rolls in my gut, my hands trembling as I take out my phone. I tell myself everything is fine, but my anxiety is a living, breathing monster, whispering that my fear is indeed very rational - the danger lurking just beyond the meager protection of the glass doors, earnest and laying in wait. My pulse races as I make to call Carl, but at the last moment my shaky fingers dial Sam's number instead.
"Rory?" he answers.
"Hey," I greet, trying to remain calm. I take a deep, steadying breath. "Look, I left my headlights on and my car won't start. I'm still at Dr. Schall's," I say tremulously. I'm trying to keep it together, but I'm frightened, and I know he can hear it in my voice.
"I'll be right there. Stay inside." In the background I can hear he's already on the move, which calms me a little.
"Everyone already left. I didn't notice, when I was trying to get my car to start. I can't get back in. I'm in the vestibule," I say a little less shakily, but not by much.
"Everything's going to be fine, Rory. Just stay in the vestibule. If there's a lock you can turn from the inside, do it. Otherwise just stay inside and I'll see you in ten minutes, okay?"
"Okay." There is a lock, so I turn it and relax a little more.
Sam takes an audibly deep breath. "You want me to stay on the phone with you?"
