Who did this to her?I silently rage. Outwardly I hold her calmly and rock her while she cries and cries, her tears soaking my arm through my shirt.
“Bumppyyyy. My little bumpy,” Sarah sobs. “I’m so sorry! I tried to get away before it was too late. Mommy tried, my love.”
I sit, helplessly feeling my heart break as I listen to her speak to the baby she’d just lost. I put my hand on top of hers that are cradling her stomach, squeezing her delicate fingers, trying to give her comfort.
The paramedics show up a few minutes later with a stretcher and strap her in. On her stomach, because I wouldn't let them put her on her back.
Sarah's so inconsolable that they had to sedate her to calm her down.
Feeling uncomfortably turned inside out, I busy myself packing up the rest of her things into her bag and grab her purse from the chair. Ignoring my phone starting to ping with back to back messages, my eyes sweep my desk thoroughly to make sure I'm not missing her keys or phone.
“You next of kin?” one of the paramedics asks, pulling my attention away as his gaze assesses me quickly.
“No. But she was with me when it happened, and I have no idea who to call on her behalf. Sarah’s a colleague of mine. Can I come so she won’t be alone?” I ask, leaning over to grab my keys from the drawer in my desk, before following them out at the man’s nod of assent.
Steadily walking into my future.
Chapter thirteen
Perpetrator Toilet Swims
Hourslater,Isithere in the hospital chair next to Sarah, looking at her in concern. We're in a private room with the lights turned off, and it's so silent. Been silent for quite a while. Neitherof us knowing what to say, I think. And honestly, she shouldn't even feel the need to talk. She doesn't have to with me.
I see her.
She's curled under the blanket and just staring off into space. Every now and then, she’ll blink. But that's it. Understandably so. My heart tugs because I can only imagine what's going on in her head right now. Her soul.
About an hour ago I gave her her bag and purse, watching as she texted a number.
I sat here next to her silently while she told the medical officials about the abuse that's been going on and saw her muster up a rather steely resolve when they informed her that they needed to take pictures for their records. When they asked if she was hurt anywhere else, she showed him her jaw, having to use a wet wipe to remove the foundation hiding the bruising there.
Watching the dark bruise being revealed really fucked me up on the inside. But thankfully I could keep my emotions locked down, successfully hiding what I really think from her. Because this is about her, not me.
They x-rayed her just to make sure nothing was fractured.
I left the room for a second, too angry to feel like I could continue to sit there calmly. But now, I'm back in and by her side.
I look over at her small body huddled underneath several warming blankets in the hospital bed; her almond-shaped, light chocolate nails clutch the blanket under her chin. Her stunning hair spills down her front and side in a near black waterfall of loose waves, slightly mussed.
My face tightens as she sniffs delicately, holding a tissue to her reddening nose.
My heart thumps uncomfortably as I think about Aurora, who’d suffered four miscarriages before the doctors told her shewould never be able to have children. My palm itches to grab my phone, but it dings with an incoming text before I can.
Sleeping Beauty [9:58p]: Hey bro, you ok? I feel off but there’s nothing going on with me.
I sigh as I lean forward to reply to Aurora, who never misses the mark.
A [9:59p]: No, I was actually just thinking I wanted to text you but thought it might be too late. You won’t believe what just happened to me. Well….to my colleague. A therapist came to my office this evening to discuss a client.
Sleeping Beauty [9:59p]: The one from last week? The appointment you postponed?
A [10:00p]: Yep. She had a miscarriage in my office tonight.
Aurora sends a string of broken heart emojis and shocked faces.
Sleeping Beauty [10:00p]: Oh my gosh, Alex, is she ok?
A [10:01p]: Not really, sis. She's so….listless….it's heartbreaking.
