Sam
meets Rosalee at the hospital. She's a new social worker, who sits
down to talk to him about himself and Emma.
"Are
you staying with them right now?"
He
shook his head. "Current foster family is very anal. They say I
shouldn't rely on the kindness of strangers. Although they are more
or less strangers. I've known Grant's family most of my life."
"Do
Grant's parents know about Emma's dad?"
"Emma
begged us not to tell them. Grant's mom suspects and talked to her,
but Emma denied it."
"You
know I must report this?"
"I
want you to! They'll listen to you! It has to stop or she's never
going to quit. One night, I won't get there in time, she'll die and
I'll never forgive myself."
Sammy
broke down. The thin strands holding him together, shattered. Sobs
shook his body, making him weak. Rosalee took him in her arms as he
cried. She smelled like flowers and springtime. Other people came in
to check on them, but she waved them away.
"It's
alright," she answered them all. "He must get out the bad,
to make room for the good. You cry all you want, angel. You get those
tears out."
Sam
sniffed and snorted. Rosalee placed tissues in his hands.
"Men
aren't supposed to cry," he gulped.
"Says
who? Men have tear ducts, don't they? They feel pain and sorrow,
right? If God didn't want you to cry, would he provide you the
equipment? Do you think just because you have testicles, it precludes
emotional outbursts?"
He
laughed despite himself. "When you put it that way...."
"See?
You let some good in. The more bad you lose, the more good you gain."
The
doors leading to the waiting room from the examination cubicles
popped open. Dr. Rivers stood there with a frown . He jerked his head
at Sam, motioning angrily for him to follow. Slowly, the boy rose,
terrified by the doctor's expression. One frightened glance at
Rosalee convinced her to follow. Dr. Rivers barred her way.
"I
want to talk to him alone."
"I
don't think so. You brought me into this. I'm here for the duration.
I am his advocate now."
Angry,
but knowing she was right, he allowed her to follow. They walked to
an empty treatment room. Dr. Rivers all but slammed the door after
them, whirling on Sam.
"I
want to know what you gave her!"
"What?
Me? Nothing! She was like that when I found her!"
"She
said you gave it to her," the doctor continued, getting up in
his face.
"What?"
Sammy's
knees gave out. Rosalee helped him sit before he fell down.
"I
asked her who gave her the drugs. She said, Sammy."
"Hardly
damming, Clifton. She's not in her right mind."
"Keep
out of this, Rosa."
"I
won't!" Her dark eyes flashed angrily. "He brought her
here, didn't he? Would he do that if he'd drugged her?"
"He
might if he wanted to keep out of trouble."
"I'm
always in trouble," Sam answered bitterly. "I've never
given Emma drugs. We both use, I don't deny that. But I never, not
ever—not that shit."
"What
shit?" The doctor advanced again.
"The
date rape shit. That's what you mean, right? The cocktail that makes
her helpless while a guy f**ks her. Why would I use it? I can tap
Emma anytime I want!" He jumped up, angry now, belligerent. That
he spoke the truth wasn't lost on either of them.
"Did
you tonight?"
"No,
sir."
"So,
if I screen you, I'm not gonna find your sperm?"
"Jesus!
No! God!" He recoiled from the doctor in disgust.
"She
had multiple sex partners, Sam." The doctor explained quietly.
"We've treated her, done blood tests, taken evidence...."
©2020
Dellani Oakes
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