Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 72401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
“Rue, sweetheart. I know it’s rough. Believe me, I do. But you need to drink your coffee and get it together. Now,” Mona said authoritatively.
I opened my eyes, cleared my mind, and stood.
The coffee came with me as I walked into the hall. “Which room?”
They had two designated rooms that we normally used for these types of cases.
Collecting evidence on rape victims could take upwards to six hours, and they wanted the room to be private and as comfortable as could be.
“She’s in the blue room,” Mona said quietly.
I nodded. The blue room was good.
It was the furthest away from the main ER as it could be without actually being off the floor.
“Are the things I need already in the room?” I asked.
Mona nodded. “I put them in there myself. Let me know if you need me, okay?”
I nodded. “Absolutely.”
I walked into the room not knowing what to expect, but the defeated, beaten woman in no way, shape, or form resembled the Audrey I knew.
“Audrey?” I asked.
The beaten woman looked up, and I met Audrey’s beautiful green eyes.
They were on fire.
Rage. Turmoil. Helplessness. Sadness. Disgust.
Those were only a few of the emotions playing in her eyes, and I knew that she’d fight.
She’d never give up.
Not our Audrey.
“Hey, sweet girl. Are you ready?” I asked softly.
I gave her room, knowing that was one of the things that assault victims had trouble with: invasion of their territory.
She nodded and croaked, “I’m ready.”
I closed the door softly behind me, locked it, and moved closer to her at an extremely slow pace.
“You just tell me if I do anything you don’t want me to. I’ll try my best to explain each and everything that I’m doing, and if at any point you get uncomfortable, just let me know, okay?” I told her.
Her eyes never left mine. “Yes.”
“Okay, sweet girl. Let’s get started. What I want you to do is leave your clothes on. I’m going to start on the outside and work my way inside, okay?” I asked.
She nodded but didn’t say anything.
Part of a SANE nurse’s job was to collect evidence, collect the statement, and document the injuries that he or she observes.
SANE exam protocols were set in place for the safety and comfort of the patient. We didn’t want to make them any more nervous than they already were. The rule was that there was only one person collecting the evidence and doing the invasive procedures, which made it more tolerable for the patient.
The only good thing that came out of this was that Audrey knew me. She trusted me. She cared for me.
Otherwise, I’d have spent a lot longer trying to calm her down.
I was doing well, too, until I got to the point where I was uncovering Audrey.
The mass of purple bruises on her legs made her flinch from the sight.
“I’m going to start taking pictures again, okay?” I asked.
I wanted to hug her so badly, but I knew there wasn’t a place for that right now. She needed me to do my job, and that was what I was going to do.
***
Four hours later, I helped Audrey to the shower.
“Okay, honey. You’re welcome to shower and wash whatever you want. Do you need any help?” I asked softly.
She shook her head. “No ... but will you stay? In that seat right there? Don’t leave me yet, okay?”
I nodded. “I’ll stay right here and start on my paperwork, okay?”
She nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”
I started writing out exactly what I’d found. What evidence I collected. Her statement. Anything and everything I’d collected now had to be documented, time stamped, and handed over to the police.
I wouldn’t be doing that, though, until I got Audrey home to her brother.
The one whom she’d refused to call, until just a few moments ago, because she didn’t want him to know what exactly had happened to her until after she’d had it all taken care of.
Bowing to the patient’s wishes, I’d conceded and did what she’d asked me to do.
I’d finished seven pages of paperwork before she finally turned the shower off.
“I need a towel,” she sniffled.
I stood, placed the paperwork on the table in the room, and got her some towels.
“There’re some scrubs here for you to wear. The clothes you had on will now be in evidence,” I explained as I handed over the towels and the scrubs.
She took them and closed the door quietly while I gathered up the evidence.
I’d just finished packing it all in evidence bags when she exited the bathroom wearing only hospital issued non-slip socks and surgical scrubs two sizes too big.
“You ready, Audrey?” I asked.
She nodded, but her legs stayed put.
I held my hand out to her, the evidence bag and my paper work under my other arm, and she reluctantly took it.
Her grip was tight.
Almost like if she let go, then her whole world would be gone.
“I’m ready,” she confirmed.
I opened the door and sent quelling glares to each and every member of the ER staff that’d stopped and stared.
They moved quickly, but Audrey still felt the curiosity on her and started to move faster.
“Hold on, honey. I have to drop this off with Mona, and then I’ll walk you out, okay?” I asked.
She nodded and we walked quickly to Mona’s office.
She was sitting there drinking a cup of coffee, staring blankly at the wall.
“Oh, Audrey,” she whispered as she stood and walked slowly to Audrey.
Audrey never let my hand go, but she managed a pretty good hug regardless.
“I’m not going to be at work tomorrow,” Audrey stammered.
Mona placed both of her hands on either side of Audrey’s face. “Take as long as you need, baby. But I still want you to call me. Let me know you’re all right and tell me when you’ll be up for visitors, okay?”
She nodded. “Thanks Mona.”
Mona smiled sadly and turned to me. “I’ll take that now.”
I handed the paperwork over to Mona. “Please make two copies. One for the PD, and one for our records.”
Mona nodded. “Detective Rector is outside waiting to take the evidence.”