familiar. The dude might not appreciate me interrupting his fun even if it is with good intentions. He’s on top with his back to me, still pounding away. She’s beneath him, so I can’t see much of her at all.
Her thrashing movements don’t make it seem like she’s just uncomfortable with the location. It looks like she’s trying to fight him off…
“Rob. Rob, did you hear me?” Mom gives my shoulder a little shake, snapping me back to the present.
I gulp in a deep breath. It’s still not enough air.
Diana stands directly in front of me, looking nervous, worried, and exhausted. “Rob, I’d like you to be in the room when we tell Evie what happened. I heard her tell you she thinks she was in a car accident. The neurologist told us it was safe to tell her what really occurred even if she doesn’t remember it. The rape counselor said they’d send someone to be in the room to help her deal with the news. They’ve already advised us on the best way to tell her the truth. We’re supposed to keep it simple. We all think it would be a good idea if you were there since you found her. You know most of what happened. She may have questions and need reassurance of the facts.”
“No.”
“No?” Diana looks heartbroken at my answer.
“I won’t do it. I’ll never tell her any of it even if she begs. I don’t want her to know. I’m glad she doesn’t remember.”
“She cried in her sleep when you left last night. She called for you several times too. She might not remember anything from the past three days, but you seem to bring her some comfort. Please? I know it’s hard for you, but she needs you now.”
Mom rubs my back. “Honey, if she has questions, you’re the only one who can give her answers. She deserves to know.”
They’re double teaming me, expecting me to cave.
“She didn’t deserve any of what happened to her,” I hiss at my mom. Looking at Diana’s confused stare, I have to make her understand that it would not, in fact, be a good idea for me to see Evie ever again. “And she doesn’t need me. I couldn’t even protect her! Look at what that bastard did to her! Have you even seen what’s under that hospital gown? Because I have! I saw him do it! I can’t be in there when you tell her how I just let it happen. It’ll only upset her more if the guy who let her be violated like that is standing right there while you tell her why she doesn’t remember the last three days of her life. I won’t do that to her. No.”
Our moms exchange glances. I don’t know how else to explain it to them, so they better not ask.
I can tell by the look in her eyes that Diana isn’t giving up. It’s the same determined expression that her daughter sometimes gets. “This wasn’t your fault any more than it was Evie’s. And you didn’t deserve to watch him do that to your girlfriend, just like she didn’t deserve what happened to her.”
Ah, so she does know.
YiaYia and Papou approach us on their way into the room, accompanied by a woman who must be the rape counselor. She gives us the once over, probably figuring me for the asshole that caused all of this. She’s a professional. She isn’t attached to this situation by emotion. She can pass unbiased, third party judgment.
“Diana, Patty.” She nods her head to the women cornering me, already seeming to know them which blows my already blown mind. “And you must be Rob.”
She extends a hand to me. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Cathy.”
I look down at her hand in absolute disgust. Is she for real right now? Instead of the handshake that she’s requesting, I cross my arms over my chest. “No offense, lady, but there’s absolutely nothing nice about meeting you.”
“Robert! Don’t be rude. She’s here to help.” Even when Mom’s yelling at me, she can’t pull it off without sounding worried. “He doesn’t want to be in the room when we tell Evie what happened. He thinks it will only upset her for him to be