Sunday and the next few days came in a series of blurs. She was officially done with the McGann campaign, so she was anxiously waiting to hear from the police chief. She had eaten three more times with Raphael's family and expressed her regret that she could not return the favor because her motel room was far too small to accommodate them all.
"Do not feel bad, my child." Splinter comforted. "We are pleased to have you for company. I know I enjoy having a calm mind around." He smiled softly as his sons protested loudly.
At last, she heard from the chief. His email to her was brief but exhilarating.
Ms. Drake,
This speech you have written is great. I would love to present this to our community. We have several meetings scheduled next week with different groups that I feel would benefit from these words. Would Officer Rafle be able to present this or would I be able to present on his behalf? I would love to meet this extraordinary man in blue.
Chief Higgins.
She was elated! She could always tell when her work was well received when the client wanted to use it immediately. She cracked her knuckles in a theatrical way and responded to his email:
Chief Higgins,
I am very pleased you found the speech suitable for your needs. Unfortunately, Officer Rafle prefers a modest life away from the lectern. He had given me permission at the start to allow a fellow officer to share his words and I am sure he would feel honored that the Police Chief himself volunteered.
Please let me know when and where your first oration will be. I would like to be present to see the reception of his words.
Kindly yours,
Darielle Drake
She checked the rest of her mail and heard the 'ding' that she had just received a new email. It was from Chief Higgins.
Ms. Drake,
While I wish Officer Rafle to receive his kudos, I certainly understand being podium shy. As Police Chief, the microphone comes with the job. There is a meeting Monday night at the station hall. I believe you've been there. It's a support group for women who have been victimized. They had asked me to guest speak and I would like to use Officer Rafle's material.
Would I be able to meet with Officer Rafle or yourself to go over the speech before I present it? The meeting is at 6:30pm. Let me know when and if either of you are available.
Chief Higgins
They went back and forth a few times and she solidified a time to go over the speech with him that night. When they met, Chief Higgins was very amiable; a large man, but by no means unfit. He certainly looked the part of a police chief and she felt he would deliver the speech well. She coached him on certain parts, when to let certain things sink in with a pause and when to emphasize certain words. At the end of the meeting, he felt at ease with the material and expressed his regret that he could not meet this Officer Rafle. She made excuses and told him she would see him tomorrow at the time of the meeting and wished him luck. He winked and took a sip of his coffee as she saw herself out.
She came to the station hall early and sat in the back. She watched as the members gathered. The women ranged in age from as young as 15 to looking at retirement. Some of the women had visible scars, some did not. Many of them seemed to know each other and greet each other in a friendly but somber way. There were others that silently took their seats and did not look around. But before 6:30, the hall was filled. Most had visited the refreshments table and at least held a cup of coffee in their hands if not a plate filled with a cookie or two.
The Police Chief walked out and tapped the microphone. The soft murmur that had been static in the hall simmered into silence and the Police Chief stepped away, motioning another woman to the microphone. She stepped up to it and spoke uncertainly.
"Welcome to the bi-monthly meeting of Living Free. Each week we strive to free ourselves of the events that have scarred us. Some physically and all emotionally. We come together to give each other strength when we feel we have none of our own. Today, I have asked a guest speaker, Police Chief Higgins, to address us with information he feels might be beneficial in both overcoming and preventing what we have experienced before." She clapped and walked away, the rest of the audience haphazardly joining in.
"Thank you, Lucinda. I am very honored you asked me here tonight and I believe that each and every one of you has heard a rehash of the same information each meeting. What to do. What not to do and it's all the same. The trouble, is remembering it when you need to. Being able to remember all the little things when it comes down to it. Because all of you know that in a moment of attack, you are led by your instinct. It doesn't matter what you can reason; reason isn't an option. There isn't time. So I'm here to tell you and everyone, that the number one way to keep yourself safe is to make something instinct." He paused, exactly as she had instructed.
"Now, how do you do that? You ask. Is it even possible? Can you retrain your instinct? Answer me this, how many of you, when you found yourself in trouble, whispered a prayer? How many of you recited the Our Father in hopes that He would hear you? Or perhaps even sang a song to calm your nerves as you ran away?" He gestured around. "I know you have. And how in this time of panic do you manage to remember the words to "Let it Be"? Or the Hail Mary? Because you memorized it, burned it into your minds with repetition. So it seems to me that the best way to help your instincts is to give it what it wants: repetition. So I have a quick saying for all of you. When you go out, be S.M.A.R.T." He turned and wrote it up on the board going vertically.
"Smart." He repeated, pointing at the 's'. "Be Safe in numbers." He wrote it out and turned back to the group. "Never go anywhere alone if you can help it. Especially at night." He went back to the board. "Be Master of your own destiny. Don't let anyone make you go somewhere or do something you do not want to do. Your friends will understand and anyone else is not worth knowing." He looked around the room. "Your friends want you safe so they won't make you do anything that would make you truly uncomfortable." He impressed upon them and then turned back to the board. "Be Aware of your surroundings. Know where you are and what is nearby. Be Ready to run. Always know a way to escape. If you don't know where a street leads, don't take it. Don't risk trapping yourself where you can't run away. This will save your life. Be Time sensitive. Always know what time of day it is. Be in a safe or public area when it is late." He stepped back and let the audience take in the board, now completed:
Be…
Safe in numbers
Master of your own destiny
Aware of your surroundings
Ready to run
Time sensitive
"Now," He said. "Even the short version works. Be safe, be master, be aware, be ready, be timely. Be .R.T.! Be smart and it just might save your life. Repeat it to yourself until you can say it in your sleep. Repeat it until your kids learn it just from hearing you around the house. Become composers and put your own melody to it so that even your garbage man whistles along with you. Whatever it takes, just be S.M.A.R.T." His energy had caught and everyone was visibly swept up. "You can be all of these things." He continued encouragingly. "You are strong and you are smart. You do not have to be anyone's victim. The first step is prevention, so be S.M.A.R.T. and be prepared. You are masters of your own destiny. This your life dammit and no one, no one should be able to take that from you. So don't you dare let them."He pointed at the board. "What are you going to be?" He challenged.
"Smart!" A young girl bellowed. She had clearly been upset. Her eyes were watery and she looked ready to swing at some one.
"Yes!" Chief Higgins pointed at her and clapped his hands. "You are! And what are you not going to be?"
"A victim." She choked. The rest of the audience joined Higgins this time. Some clapped their hands on the young girl, to show support.
"What are we all going to be?"
"SMART!" Was the resounding call, pride and empowerment fueling their voices.
"What are we all not going to be?"
"VICTIMS!" The cry was brutal and merciless. These were woman who were tired of feeling weak and who needed to hear that they could help themselves. Who needed to hear they didn't have to be afraid.
"That's right!" Higgins drove on. "You have the power. You all do and it's right here. Written on this wall. I have print outs, Ladies. Attached to each one is my card. Feel free to call me to discuss any concerns you may have. If you do find yourself in a dangerous situation, remember to be smart and get yourself to a point where you can call 9-1-1. The force is always patrolling, but call and we will be there as soon as we can. Does anyone have any questions?"
Several hands shot up and he answered all of the questions marvelously. Darielle had clapped along with everyone else amazed at the vigor of the crowd. After questions, Higgins had erased the board and started calling random women to repeat the words without looking at their handouts. She had no idea the audience would be so receptive to an associative acronym. It was a bit cliché, but she had wanted something easy for people to remember and it seemed to be working or at least be well received with this group. Before the meeting had ended, Chief Higgins felt the need to reveal that he did not come up with the acronym and gave credit to Officer Rafle. Everyone asked where he was and asked the Police Chief to at least pass on their gratitude.
After everyone had left, Chief Higgins walked up to Darielle.
"Ms. Drake, that was simply astounding. Are you sure Officer Rafle couldn't be persuaded…?"
"I'm afraid not, Chief Higgins, but I will be sure to relay the extremely positive reception to him."
"Extremely positive isn't good enough a description," He laughed. "I got caught up in it myself! I didn't seem too much like a televangelist, did I?" It was Darielle's turned to laugh.
"No! You were very passionate and sincere and that moved them. You delivered it perfectly. I couldn't have asked for a better oration."
"Thank you, Ms. Drake. I hoped I wasn't hamming it up and cheesing up the message, you know? So…how does this work? Do I need to ask permi-"
"No." Darielle interrupted. "As I mentioned, Officer Rafle will never present this speech and you may give it as many times as you want or have any of your officer's do so. He simply wanted the information shared."
"I wish I could thank him in person, I truly do, Ms. Drake."
"I will tell him for you." He held out his hand. She took it and gave it a gentle shake. She nodded her head in 'goodbye' and walked out the door thrilled with how the night went. She decided not to mention this to Raphael. It was just a small thing and now it was done. A few people were helped. She would say she had passed along his words.
When she arrived at her motel door, she saw Raphael standing waiting for her.
"Hello!" She greeted brightly. She couldn't see his face, but he was beaming at her full smile.
"Hey." He said and slipped his arm around her. "Wanna come over? I know we didn't plan it but-
"Yes!" She chirped. "Let me see if I can get us there without the map and directions tonight."
"You lead, I'll follow." He yielded.
"This way!" She was almost skipping along.
"Wow, you had a good day, huh?" She turned to him and bit her lip teasingly.
"Very good. So good!"
"Care to share?" He pulled her by the arm. She had jumped ahead a few paces, and wrapped his arm around her to walk next to her. She rolled her eyes in exaggerated thought.
"I just helped some people. I told them some of the things you told me and I think it really helped them. You really helped them." She amended.
"Good." He said, pleased. "I'm glad. So, just to warn you, Mikey is going to launch himself at you the minute we walk in because he wants to play Mario Kart. So, just, you know, be ready to run." She laughed. He didn't get the joke or the reference and she didn't explain.
"I'll be smart." She said.