Chapter 10
Amanda stood in Liv's bedroom in her bra and panties with her arms wrapped around her stomach. Melinda spoke softly and explained everything she was doing before she did it. "Okay sweetheart, I'm going to try and make this as fast as I can. I see some bruising on your back. Looks like they will look worse tomorrow. Some are red spots and some are turning purple. Can you drop your arms and let me check your ribs and stomach area?" Olivia reached for Amanda's hands and said "If anything hurts, you squeeze my hand." Melinda explained she was going press down and make sure nothing was broken. Amanda winced as Melinda pressed on her body. She squeezed Liv's hands tight and shut her eyes. Melinda didn't say anything out loud, but she had major concerns. She was a medical examiner. She could look at the bruises and tell the time difference. Some bruises were fresh and matched what Amanda told them and some were older. She became more concerned when she saw the fading bruises on her wrist, which indicated someone holding them in a down position. As she knelt down the color of the bruises on her thighs matched her wrist and some on her body. Looking at her thighs she could tell it was from someone holding her legs open in a violent way. She wasn't going to ask her to remove anything else, it would be unnecessary at this point. She asked Olivia for a T-shirt and shorts and praised Amanda for doing so well. "Thank you Amanda for letting me examine you. I think a bath to soak will help with some of the bruising and pain. While you do that I'll go grab us something to eat. Just keep this arm out of the water." Melinda left to get food. Liv grabbed some clothes and a towel from the closet and handed it to Amanda. "Put the towel around yourself and come into the bathroom when you're ready." Liv went to run some warm water and added some epsom salt. Amanda put the towel around herself and walked into the bathroom. She felt so uneasy. Here was the woman just last week she was flirting with hoping to have a chance to be intimate with and this was everything but that. No way Olivia would ever want her now. Truth was she flirted with Liv, but Amanda knew nothing about sex. She had kissed some boys, but nothing more and she had never done anything with girls. She couldn't stop thinking about the bruises on her thighs. That night was a nightmare and she couldn't believe what happened. She hadn't told anyone what happened that night. She had no clue what was going on and how it reached that point. Liv probably thought she was some slut. Maybe she should tell her, trust her like she said before. Amanda looked at the tub of water. Liv could sense something was wrong. Rubbing her back she asked "You okay?" Amanda looked at Liv, then at the tub. "Liv how the hell am I supposed to get in there and out? I'm hurting too bad." Liv shook her head "You know I've got some soap for that mouth of yours." Amanda's jaw dropped and Liv said "I like that I can make you speechless." Amanda finally laughed and that made Liv smile. "How about I help you in and down in the water and when you get in take off your bra and panties, drop them on this towel, and I will wash all of your clothes while you soak. Maybe when you get ready to get out it won't hurt as much, but if it does I will help you out and promise not to look." Amanda climbed in and Liv helped her sit down in the tub. She waited for Amanda to put her wet garments on the towel to take them away. When Liv got to the door she turned and asked Amanda if she was ok and reminded her not to put that arm in the water. "I'll be in the kitchen area, call if you need me. You have 15 minutes because I don't want you in there too long. Amanda yelled out "Yes mom!" Liv shook her head and was happy to hear that smart ass mouth of hers.
Liv threw the clothes Amanda took off in the washing machine then called to Amanda "Hey are your clothes in your bag clean or dirty? I'm washing your stuff." Amanda didn't answer so Liv flew to the bathroom door. Amanda was fine, just sitting not saying anything. "Don't do that! Why didn't you answer me? What's wrong?" Amanda looked at Liv and said "I don't know what's clean or what's dirty. I don't even know what's in the bag, because my mom just threw the stuff out. She didn't even give me my other bag. I didn't have much, but I have know idea what's in the bag and it's weird you're washing my stuff. Liv I'm not use to people caring or taking care of me." Liv felt Amanda's pain. Olivia's mother was a drunk and she basically raised herself. She saw similarities between herself and Amanda. They were both independent, smart, and resourceful. Liv was more mature at 19 then Amanda but that has to come with time. "Well, now you have me and I am going to take care of you. I'll wash it all and we will get you some more clothes." Liv went back to putting the rest of the stuff in the washing machine when Melinda came back. She yelled to Amanda, "hey 5 more minutes and keep that arm out of the water." Liv waited for the smart comment, "Yes mom!" this time with a childish giggle.
Olivia saw the food, "Yummy Chinese good choice." Melinda started unpacking the food, "I picked up some soup and ginger ale for her in case her stomach still isn't settled. Oh and remind me to check her temperature. Pain can cause nausea and fever. Every time she throws up her pain will be extreme. Her bruises are very deep from what I can tell. I have some pain meds that should help her sleep tonight. You should also call Alex, no school this week." Melinda took the rest of the food out and Liv grabbed plates, bowls, and silverware. Melinda moved closer to Olivia speaking softly. "Olivia, we need to talk about Amanda and what I observed. Her mom may have caused some of those bruises, but the bruises on her wrists and thighs, the time frame when she came to New York don't match. Something happened before she left Georgia." Liv dropped her head. "I know Melinda. I've tried and she won't talk to me about it. I think she doesn't want me to see her that way, but I'm prepared to deal with it. I am a SVU detective." Melinda went back to the table. "I know Olivia, but this is different. You may not know her well, but I know you. You like her a lot, I can tell. It's all over your face. This is not the same as you talking to a victim that you just come across. Her body language tells me she may need more help than you can give her, because until she gets it out, she can't heal. You know that Olivia. I have a friend that's a therapist that deals with her type of situation. She needs to talk about it and you know it. Don't let the love you have for blind you from the truth Olivia." Liv knew Melinda was right, she was trying to give Amanda time. She also knew from being a detective, that Amanda was showing signs of trauma. She walked towards her bedroom, but stopped and turned to her friend, "Melinda you are my best friend. I know you are right and thanks for helping me see things clearly. Will you give your friend a call? Melinda smiled at her friend, "Of course and I'll be here to support both of you, always. Olivia walked back to her friend and gave her a tight hug. "Can you set the table? I need to help her out of the tub. We'll be here as soon as I can get her out and dressed. Amanda let's go! I'm coming to get you out."