"When I heard this, nothing could move me from my spot outside her door. This sweet, innocent girl had been beaten for nothing more than making simple childhood mistakes. Abbey asked her to explain, and she said that she was trying so hard to be good and not take advantage, but if she screwed up, she didn't want them to take the blame for her mistakes and it was just better if she went anyway. Besides, if she was going to make a mistake, it was just better if she along took the beating and not them. Abbey questioned this, and Katie explained that was what happened when a 'grown-up', as she called them, got mad at her. She got hit. She knew how to take it, so it was just better if she got beaten instead of them, since neither of them had been through something like this before and wouldn't know how to handle it."
Sam looked at the President, struggling to keep his emotions in check, the sadness writ large across his face. In a voice barely above a whisper, he asked, "What happened after that?"
"Zoey went to our bedroom to get Abbey's bag for her. She gave her a strong sedative that had her laid out in 5 minutes. I walked into the room and tried to apologize to Abbey, but she waved it off, saying that she understood why Katie had reacted that way and she didn't blame me. She also told me that it was a good idea that I hadn't come into the room. She'd been afraid that Katie might've tried to hurt herself trying to run if I had. Abbey stayed with her that night and we were able to get her some treatment for this, but since she'd left for college, it was hard to continue reliable treatment. Abbey and I did our very best, but after she turned 21, it was difficult. She was always obedient, which we were sure had come from earlier circumstances, and did her best to continue, but there were times in her life that she just couldn't."
"She's so kind and giving, Sam, but she'll neglect herself more often than not, and very rarely are her efforts toward others ever recognized or reciprocated."
"I understand, sir. I've been trying to treat her like a princess since we met, but she keeps saying that she doesn't deserve it. I know it's going to be hard, but I want her to see herself the way that I see her. She always moves to the side whenever we're with other people, as if she's removing herself from the situation. She tells me that she does it so because she doesn't want to be a distraction or bother to me."
"Sometimes you can do little things that you don't even realize will help," Abbey said from the doorway. "She's a very tactile person. Have you ever noticed that, in certain situations, she'll clench and unclench or do something similar with her hands?"
"Unfortunately, ma'am, I haven't. What does it mean?"
"She's either getting very nervous or very scared. All that needs to be done is a light squeeze on her shoulder or hold her hand."
Abbey looked at the grandfather clock as it chimed. "It's 10:30, have either of you eaten anything? And don't even think about lying to me."
"No, dear, I haven't eaten tonight," sighed the President as he looked at his wife, then Sam as if to say, 'Don't even try to bail on me, pal.'
"Sam, what about you?"
"No, ma'am, I haven't either. I don't want to be any...," Abbey shrugged him off.
"Don't even try to give me that, Samuel Norman Seaborn, 'cause you know I won't buy it. Go into the kitchen and ask the cook to make you a sizeable sandwich and wrap it for you. You're not driving home, so I'll call up one of the cars to take you to your apartment. Also, please let them know that my husband and I will need something soon as well."
"Yes, ma'am. Sir, may I..."
"Oh, go already, would you? You of all people should know that my wife supercedes anything I have to say up here."
Sam smiled slightly, "Yes, sir".
Coming back into the room, he cleared his throat to let them know he was there. "Excuse me, ma'am, but the cook would..."
She kissed Jed on the cheek and looked at Sam, "Oh, I'll go deal with this. Remember, she's afraid of asking for anything she wants. Keep asking her what she likes and tell her how you feel whenever you talk to her," she patted his arm lightly, "Make sure you get some sleep when you get home, OK?"
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you so very much for confiding in me."
"Sweet dreams, Sam," Abbey added on her way out the door.
The President walked toward where he was standing. "Well, son, I guess it's time. Come and sit down."
"Sam, you've always been one of the most compassionate people I've ever known and I can see that this extends to your feelings for her. However, I would like to let you know...."
Sam chuckled to himself. "All due respect, sir, but why do I feel like I'm getting the same talk you gave to Charlie when he asked your permission to date Zoey?"
The President got a slightly angry look on his face, but continued. "I would like to let you know that she is the niece of my Chief of Staff, who can easily order the 82nd Airborne on your ass if you do the slightest thing to hurt her and say that it was a direct order from me without even blinking. I also want you to know that I'll issue the order if he doesn't. "
Sam looked at the President in shock. "Um...y-yes, sir." Just then, one of the agents came into the study through one of the side doors. "Excuse me, Mr. President, but the car that the First Lady requested for Mr. Seaborn is here."
"Thanks, Mike. Would you please follow him to his office and then direct him to the car?"
"Of course, sir."
"Thank you for the talk, sir. Both you and the First Lady have given me a lot of information that will allow me to help Katie."
"Just remember what my wife said. You know nothing about any of this unless she brings it up."
"Yes, sir. Good night, Mr. President."
"Good night, Sam. Oh, by the way, don't come in until 10 tomorrow. You need rest and time to process all of this."
"Thank you, sir. Good night."