A History of Domestic Violence
Disclaimer: The obviously recognizable characters belong to Rob Thomas and the staff of "Veronica Mars," and I humbly thank them for creating them. The song lyrics in chapter 1 are from "Our Town" by Kate Rusby. Credit must also be given to my awesome roommate and good friend who aided in the writing of this story--both by being a beta and inspiration.
Author's Note: All titles are variations on pre-existing movie titles in order to follow the format for naming episodes in "Veronica Mars."
--Chapter 1: Echolls' Family Reunion--
Lauren walked in to hear them fighting. This was nothing new. She dropped her bag and started upstairs. "Where d'ya think you're going?!" He was in one of his moods again. She didn't reply; she just turned to face him. He stomped up the stairs toward her--something was different today. Sara ran up the stairs after him.
"No!" She grabbed his arm, trying to hold him back. "Ren, get out of here!" She pulled with everything she had in her, and she almost succeeded. He twisted and pushed her down almost a full flight of stairs. Lauren watched in horror as the woman who'd been caring for her fell to the ground with a loud crack.
Sara didn't move again.
Lauren snapped her attention back to where she was, and she ran up the rest of the stairs as fast as she could. She had to get to a phone or at least get something to protect herself. He pounded up the stairs after her, screaming her name. Her heart beat in her ears and her muscles strained to the breaking point as she threw her whole body against the door, keeping him from entering. It was locked, but it wasn't very strong, and she couldn't hold the door forever.
With a sudden burst, the door exploded, throwing Lauren back across the room and into her mirror, shattering it into hundreds of jagged shards. Blood streamed from her knees and hands as she tried to pull herself up out of the mess of razors. He pushed her over with his foot and kicked her. Pain shot through her as he connected with her rib cage. She kicked up, catching his leg. He fell to one knee and grabbed her shirt, pulling her back into the pile of glass. Kneeling over her, he got his hands around her throat, and she choked and sputtered, trying to breathe. Her vision started to blur. She began feeling the fragments beneath her and found a large one. The skin on her palm split, blood teeming down her arm, and with her last ounce of strength, buried the shard deep in his neck.
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"Hello?"
"Is this Mr. Logan Echolls?"
"Yeah, what can I do for you?"
"Mr. Echolls, we have a Lauren Lester admitted here. She's in intensive care right now, and you're listed as her next-of-kin."
"Who?"
"Lauren Lester."
"I've never heard that name before."
"Well, nonetheless, Mr. Echolls you are listed as her next-of-kin. I must insist that you at least come out here to finalize her paperwork."
"Why?"
"Excuse me?"
"Why must you insist?"
"Because she's a minor, and her foster parents are now dead, which makes you her legal guardian. If you don't wish to be, then you have to see a judge and get that changed. But for right now her social worker is requesting that you come."
"Alright fine, what hospital?"
"Massachusetts General."
"Massachusetts?!"
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Logan did find it slightly funny that he had landed at Logan Airport. But now, as he made his way down the long hallway, he wasn't laughing at the situation. This was not how he envisioned spending a week of his summer vacation. He turned into room 516 to find a young girl asleep in the bed. She'd obviously been badly beaten, but she also seemed to be healing well. She looked a little familiar--not like he'd seen her before, but more like she could be related somehow. Lester was his mom's maiden name, so maybe she was a cousin or something. All he knew was he'd flown across the country for this girl, so she'd better appreciate it.
He sat down in the chair next to her bed and opened the file that the social worker who'd met him in the lobby had handed him. "Just take a look at it," she'd said. "I'm not telling you what to do but it may help you make your decision." In it he found a number of police reports, hospital records, and other forms indicating foster home changes--there were eleven of those. Eleven homes since she'd entered the system eight years ago? That had to be rough. But as he started reading the forms, he realized that she'd been removed from each home because of abuse. Raised by an adoptive family for eight years, only to have them die and be thrown into beating after beating in home after home? Logan definitely felt for this girl. But he wasn't sure he could be responsible for another human being. And why him anyway? Who was he--who was she? He turned another page and found his answer. There before him were her birth certificate and guardianship information, along with a letter and one more police report.
Logan had a sister--a sister he'd never known about. Apparently they were full-blood siblings, but she'd been born here in Boston. She'd gone home from the hospital with the adoptive couple, and Lynn had relinquished her parental rights. Apparently though, at some point Lynn had tracked her daughter down because she had authorized the order to name Logan as Lauren's next-of-kin. But it had been done years ago, why hadn't they called him until now? Whatever the reason, they'd called him this time. He read the letter; it was from his mother--their mother--and it was dated just weeks before she'd thrown herself off the Coronodo Bridge.
Dear Lauren,
If that's even still your name, though I hope it is--I always liked it, and I was honored that Nate and Jesse allowed me to choose your name. I know I have no right to contact you. I've never been a mother to you. But I wanted you to know where you come from, and why you are where you are now. I owe you that much. When I found out that I was pregnant with you, I was afraid. Aaron, your father, was starting to get violent, so I didn't tell him I was pregnant. I considered an abortion, but that didn't seem fair to you, and I knew that Jesse desperately wanted a child but couldn't get pregnant. It seemed like the perfect solution--you would get a better life with them than you would have here. When I started to show, I brought my son Logan out here with me, and we stayed with Nate and Jesse until I gave birth. He probably doesn't remember anything about it though, he was only two. Thanks to a very helpful social worker named Gale, all the paperwork was finished by the time you were born. Logan and I said goodbye to you and Boston and came back to Neptune, California because being away for four months was pushing things--especially for the wife of an actor. For what it's worth, I did it because I cared about you, though I know this is probably too little too late. I want you to know that I was able to give Gale a way to get in touch with your brother Logan, should you ever need him.
I'm sorry and I love you,
Lynn
Lauren stirred, but didn't open her eyes. "You waking up?" he asked. But she didn't show any signs of consciousness. "Okay," he said, "Have it your way; I've got time." He looked back down at the file in his lap to find one more police report; it bore Tuesday's date--two days ago--the day before he'd gotten the call.
A neighbor and a co-worker had found Lauren unconscious underneath her foster father, his throat sliced clean through. The neighbor mentioned that this was one of many domestic disturbances she'd heard coming from the house. However, this time one of Lauren's co-workers had knocked on her door, asking if she'd seen Lauren . . . she hadn't shown up for work that day, and she was never late. Together they'd gone into the house, found Sara dead at the bottom of the stairs, called the police, and then discovered Lauren, still barely clinging to life. They'd rolled Mark's body off of her and made sure her heart kept beating and her lungs kept breathing until the paramedics arrived. He read the medical examiner's report and the detective's theory about what happened. He looked at the harsh black stitches, carving a path across the pale palm of her open right hand.
A nurse came in to check Lauren's IV and to make sure her wounds were staying clean. "Is she gonna wake up?" Logan asked, concerned.
"I don't know," the nurse admitted, "But I sure hope so--Ren's a really great girl. She's in here a lot. She's had a lot thrown at her, but she just takes it all, and smiles, and gives you a free drink at the bar, or bakes you some cookies."
"She's my sister." He still didn't quite believe it. "No one ever told me I had a sister, but I'm still kicking myself for not being here to protect her." The nurse nodded solemnly and left. Logan leaned toward the bed and whispered, "Listen, you have to wake up okay? . . . Because you're the only family I have left, and we don't even know each other." He scooted the chair a little closer to the side of the bed and took her left hand in his own. Uncertain of what to do next, he pulled out his phone and flipped through the numbers in his phone book, finally settling on one. He pushed the send button and listened to it ring. One . . . two . . . three . . . four.
"Hey it's Veronica, leave a message." He closed the phone, ending the call.
A few hours passed, and a different nurse came in to check on Lauren. "There's a couch in the waiting room if you'd like to lie down," she offered.
"I'm not leaving her." He seemed adamant.
"Would you like a pillow then, maybe a blanket?" she asked.
"Um yeah, thanks." He was fading fast. He could barely keep his head up as she returned with the items.
"They're not very soft, but they're more comfortable than just that chair."
"Thank you," he said again.
"If there's anything else, just let one of us know." He nodded and made himself as comfortable as he could while she closed the door behind her. He didn't remember falling asleep. His eyes had betrayed him and closed while he tried to keep his vigil. It was her movement that finally woke him.
Lauren opened one eye, then slowly opened the other; this proved a more difficult task than it should have been, but then, she was facing the window. Her eyes took a minute to adjust, and she realized she was in a hospital room . . . again. She straightened her neck and caught a glimpse of the ceiling before squeezing her eyelids shut again in pain; her head threatened to explode. She forced her eyes open again, wincing in pain, clenching her jaw tight to ward off the agony. A tiny cry escaped as tears rolled from the corners of her eyes, but she would not let it become more than that. She sucked in as much air as her lungs would hold and let it out slowly. Breathe Ren, just breathe. In, out, and in again. With each breath she pushed the torment farther back, and she was now becoming aware of the rest of her body. The familiar ache of cuts and bruises along her back and ribs, and for some reason her hands felt heavy.
Her eyes fell to her right hand and the rend that had been closed with black surgical thread. A flash of memory seared her mind, but she closed her eyes to it, banishing it from her thoughts; she would deal with it later. On her forearm she saw a small red dot, surrounded by irritated skin. So they had put in a saline drip, but it was gone now--she knew this meant they were preparing to put in a feeding tube. She turned her head to her left hand, and it took her a minute to realize there was someone else's hand holding hers. It was a man's hand, but none that she knew--it was too clean. Her eyes followed the arm up to its owner and widened, startled when she saw who it was. She lay there, blinking--it couldn't be . . . could it? He opened his eyes--it was him all right. "You're awake." He sat up, still holding her hand. "I'm . . ."
"Logan," she finished.
"You know who I am?"
"Lynn sent me a picture of you once. I kept it in my wallet, but that's with my pants . . . which are probably in a bag in Jody's locker. He's usually the one who keeps my things for me." She struggled to sit up, pushing against her throbbing ribs and her stinging hand.
"Wait, let me help." He fixed her pillow and gingerly placed a hand under each arm to help lift her upright. She let out a small cry, and he put a hand on each of her shoulders. "Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine, just give me a minute." She let out a breath, and he sat back down in the chair. "So, why are you here?"
"They called me and told me that I had to come take care of some paperwork."
"You flew all the way out from California for paperwork? I mean, you still live in California, right?" She couldn't completely turn to face him.
"Haven't moved yet, though sometimes I wonder what's stopping me. The lady who called said I had to--that technically I'm your legal guardian."
"But you didn't have to stay." Her eyes held a mixture of gratitude and sadness. But the sadness was deep; she didn't feel it because of him, it was a part of who she was. He understood that.
"Yeah I did." He stood. "I'm gonna go tell the nurses you're up. Do you need anything?"
"Nothing the nurses won't get me before I can ask," she laughed. He nodded, allowing half a smile to appear where his worried expression sat only seconds before. Leaving the door open, he left the room and turned down the hall toward the nurse's station.
He returned a few minutes later with Mary in tow. "How ya feelin' Sweetheart?" she asked, checking the cuts and bruises on Lauren's face and arms.
"Like I was hit by a bus."
"Are you hungry?"
"Yeah; it might hurt, but I really don't want a feeding tube again."
"Can't you give her anything for the pain?" Logan asked.
"Wish I could," Mary answered.
"That's what happens when you practically live in an emergency room for eight years," Lauren reasoned. "It's okay--I'm used to it." Mary kissed her on the forehead and left to get her some breakfast. Lauren sneezed and her ribs screamed at her; for a moment it left her breathless. Logan stood up quickly and put a hand on her shoulder--she'd never seen anyone react to her like this before. "Logan, I promise I'm not going to fall apart," she laughed, painfully. Jody entered with a small cart. "I'm only awake fifteen minutes, and they're already sending in the vampire?"
"Just doin' my job Sweetheart." He pulled out a sterilized needle and attached it to a vial. "Which side?"
"Left if you can get it, please." Logan watched in wonder as Jody simply looked at Lauren's arm and stuck the needle in without using a tourniquet. Lauren watched it too, unsurprised. "Hey boyo, when am I gettin' my stuff back?" she asked as he pulled the needle out and covered the site with gauze and tape.
"Before the end of my shift, I promise."
"I want real clothes."
"Well, they had to cut your shirt off, and your pants were pretty well soaked. I can find you some scrubs though."
"Thanks, I would like to feel a little covered."
"You got it Babe."
"You're my favorite, Jody." He also kissed her on the forehead as he left, passing Mary on her way back in.
"It's not the best quality, but I threw in a little extra if you're hungry," she said to Logan.
"Uh, thanks," he returned. Mary smiled and nodded politely back to him.
"Honey, if there's anything else, you know the drill." Lauren held up and shook her nurse's button to show that she did. Mary left them, and Lauren pulled the cover off what the hospital tried to pass as food.
"Mmm, powdered eggs," she said sarcastically. "My favorite." She picked up a fork, which she held loosely in her right hand--it didn't seem to want to bend all the way--and poked at the food. "Talk to me," she requested.
"What?"
"Talk to me," she repeated, "It helps me forget about the pain if I focus on something else."
"What do you want to hear about?"
"Anything--tell me about who you are, where you come from." He thought for a moment, unsure of what to say--how was he supposed to tell this girl, who'd been abandoned and abused most of her life, about growing up in luxury? Even now--he lived in the presidential suite of a five star hotel. He started to talk about his friends, but she stopped him. "I can't see you. Come sit here." She pointed to the bedside. He did as she bade, and she handed him a fork.
Together they picked at the poor excuse for food in front of them as Logan told Lauren about his life in Neptune. A doctor eventually entered the room. "Hey Peebo."
"Hey Graeme."
"Jody threw this at me in the hall on my way over." He handed her a large plastic bag containing a wallet, a small set of keys, a few pieces of jewelry and a pair of once black--now stained red--high top Converse All-Stars. There was also a set of scrubs shoved in on top.
"Thanks," she replied gratefully. He sat down on the bed on her right side so that Logan could hear him too.
"I have good news and bad; which do you want first?"
"Which did you get first?"
"The bad."
"Then start with that."
"Alright; Murphy put in your stitches, so it's gonna hurt when they come out."
"Great," she sighed, "And what's the good news?"
"No broken bones this time, and you'll be out of here tomorrow morning." He gave Logan a quick glance, then focused back on Lauren, briefly laid a hand on her leg, stood and left.
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They stepped out of the back of the cab--Ren had never ridden in a taxi before. The yellow crime scene tape still warned against entering the house, but she had to get her things--the scrubs worked for now, but she would need other clothes soon. A police officer escorted Logan and herself underneath the tape and through the doorway. "Thanks Mickey." He nodded back to her and let the two go on alone--the police already knew what had happened here--anything left in that house was Lauren's if she wanted it. Logan followed slightly behind his sister.
She picked up her bag, still laying just inside the front door, and carried it upstairs. There was no longer a door in the pathway to her bedroom, so as soon as they made it to the top of the stairs, they could see the reflective, silver pile of mirror shards that had been both Lauren's scourge and her salvation.
She made it to the doorway but had to stop. Logan put a hand on her shoulder and helped her enter the room. She turned the other direction, toward her dresser, so that she was facing away from the mirror. Together they packed clothes and a couple more pairs of shoes into the bag she'd brought up as well as one Logan pulled from the closet. When they had everything, they started back out the door, back to the stairs.
Lauren made it to the spot she'd been when Mark had pushed Sara down, and she stopped. Her knees buckled, and she lost her resolve. In all the homes she'd lived, all the abuse she say and put up with, not once had she ever seen someone killed right in front of her. Kneeling there on the landing, looking down the stairs, she cried for the first time in years. Logan kneeled beside her and put his arm around her shoulders, hugging her close.
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As soon as Ren pushed open the heavy wooden door, she was recognized with a chorus of her name. Logan followed her up to the bar. Danny looked up from the drink he was pouring to see her hop up onto a stool, followed by a fairly tall boy right next to her. "Geez Ren, Mark got you good this time didn't he?"
"So good I was unconscious for two days," she responded, popping a pretzel in her mouth.
"Yeah, Sean told us about that. Who's your friend?"
"Brother actually; Ma left me out here and never told him about me--the hospital called him when I didn't have a foster family anymore." Logan was amazed at how nonchalantly she spoke. "His name's Logan. Logan this is Danny--he's the guy who made sure the cops never cared that I was working here underage." Danny nodded, and Logan returned the gesture. "So, unfortunately I have to let you know that I'm leaving. Logan's offered to let me live with him out in California."
"You know what that means don't you?"
"No," she begged, knowing exactly what he was talking about. "Please don't make me." It was too late; he made his way onto the bar and pulled Lauren up next to him.
"Everybody listen up!" Danny yelled, getting the attention of the room. "Seems you people have scared our girl away!" The room audibly objected almost in unison, and she shook her head, protesting what he was going to make her do. "Ren's leavin' for California, so we're gonna send her off right . . . and she's gonna sing for us!" She rolled her eyes as the men cheered and some started yelling up song requests. When she raised her hands, they all hushed. She took a deep breath and sang:
Up the street beyond the red neon light
That's where I met my baby one hot summer's night
He was the tender and I order a beer
It's been forty years and I'm still sat here
Can't you see the sun's sinkin' fast
Just like they say nothing good ever lasts
Go on and kiss it goodbye but hold onto your lover
Cause you're heart's gonna die
Go on and say goodbye to our town, to our town
Can't you see the sun's goin' down on our town
On our town, good-night
It's where I met my baby and I had my first kiss
I've walked up Main Street in the cold morning mist
Over there is where I bought my first car
Turned it over once, now it won't go far
Can't you see the sun's sinkin' fast
Just like they say nothing good ever lasts
Go on and kiss it goodbye but hold onto your lover
Cause you're heart's gonna die
Go on and say goodbye to our town
Can't you see the sun's goin' down on our town
On our town, good-night
I sit here on the porch, I see the lightning bugs fly
I can't see too well for the tears in my eyes
I leave tomorrow and I don't want to go
Oh I love you my town, you'll always live in my soul
I can see the sun's sinkin' fast
Just like they say nothing good ever lasts
Go on I've got to kiss you goodbye, but I'll hold to my lover
Cause my heart's gonna die
Go on and say goodbye to my town, to my town
Can't you see the sun's goin' down on my town
On my town
I can see the sun's sinkin' fast
Just like they say nothing good ever lasts
Go on I've got to kiss you goodbye, but I'll hold to my lover
Cause my heart's just died
Go on and say goodbye to my town, to my town
I can see the sun's goin' down on my town
On my town, good-night
Logan, along with the rest of the room, sat quietly mesmerized until Lauren finished. When she was done she threw kisses out to her audience. "Thank you guys, you've been great to me. I'll miss you all" The crowd agreed and honored her with their applause as she jumped down from the bar and hugged Danny. He pulled some cash out of the register and handed it to her.
"Here's your last week's pay. You take care of yourself now." He kissed her on the cheek, then nodded at Logan once more. Logan nodded in return and laid a hand on his sister's back, following her through all of her good-byes and finally out the door.
When they'd reached the street again, Lauren took a deep breath and looked up at her brother. "Let's go."