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Part 3
Doctor Jones's Office
La Jolla
California
Saturday 10 November 1984, 9:30 AM
After Harm had finished telling his mum what Sarah had just told him, Trish had decided that Sarah should go and see a doctor. It had taken Harm quite a long time to convince her to go but finally she had relented after he had promised he would be with her and tell them what had happened. She didn't think she would be able to tell again let alone to a complete stranger. So now they were sitting in the waiting room of the doctor's office.
A lady came out of the office area and said: "Sarah MacKenzie, you can go in now."
Slowly Sarah stood with Trish and Harm coming behind her. When they entered the doctor's office the three of them said down. After a few seconds the doctor started:
"Sarah, can you tell me what's wrong?" Sarah decided that she could do this and if she couldn't Harm would still be there for her so she looked over at him, getting the strength she needed she started: "I … uh I've got some bruises and uh …I'm an alcoholic, I need to dry out."
"Okay, first we need to have a look at your bruises so would you lay down on the table over there and expose the place of the bruises please."
When the doctor started to close the curtain around the table Sarah protested: "No, please, leave it."
The doctor did that and started to examine her stomach and sides. After finding no reason for internal injuries he put some ointment on the bruises to help them heal and told her to cover up.
Before she had a chance to get up from the table though she heard Harm's soft voice: "Sarah, you've got to tell him, there might be something wrong you know." Trish, who had been silent all this time finally said something: "I agree Sarah." Sarah wasn't really looking forward to that, she knew that when she would tell the doctor he'd want to examine her, besides she wasn't sure she would be able to tell hem without breaking down and she couldn't do that in front of a stranger so she asked Harm: "Would you, please."
Harm looked at her, she looked so vulnerable. The doctor just stood there, waiting for someone to address him so Harm said: "She wasn't just beaten, she's also been sexually abused." He couldn't look at her, knowing the pain he would see there so in stead he walked over to her and held her hand. The doctor looked shocked for a moment but then realised it was part of his job so he told Sarah that he needed to examine her. When she started to undress he was closing the curtain again and asked Harm to step out but Sarah wouldn't let him go.
The doctor didn't mind with the bruises but he wasn't so sure now until he heard Sarah begging him: "Please doctor, let him stay" she finished with a whispered: "I need him." The doctor gave in and told her to put her legs on the holders and covered her with a sheet before starting the exam. He took some tissue for tests and cleaned up the wounds he found there. He wasn't sure what had happened but he actually didn't want to know either.
After the exam was finished he gave Sarah a prescription for ointment for her bruises and some medication to help her with drying out. He told her that she would go into withdrawal and to expect it to be awful but he gave her a medicine to help with it and it should take about a week. Last but not least he gave her the address of a good therapist and told her that she'd need to go and see her.
Harm's home
La Jolla
California
Saturday 10 November 1984, 1 PM
After their visit to the doctor they went to the drugstore to pick up the prescription and they picked up some movies. They decided that whatever the next was going to bring at least they could have some entertainment. Just then Trish entered the lounge room, where Harm and Sarah were sitting, with a tray with roast beef sandwiches and some veggie sandwiches as well for Harm. While they were eating Trish suggested calling Harm's teacher to let him know that Sarah and he wouldn't be in school next week, she knew that with the withdrawal Sarah wouldn't be able to go anyway and seeing the two interact with each other it was clear that Harm was probably the only person she trusted.
Sarah knew that the next week was going to be hell but she also knew that with Harm by her side she could handle it. Wanting to take her mind off of things she asked Harm if they could go and do something. They decided to take a walk down the beach while she was still feeling kind of okay.
While walking along the water they had some light conversation, both not in the mood for heavy stuff after all that had happened since that morning.
"So, tell me stickboy, what do you want to do after you graduate?" Sarah asked.
"Stickboy? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, with all the healthy food you eat there's never gonna be an ounce of fat on you so you're a stickboy, now answer my question."
"I want to go to Annapolis, the naval academy. I want to be a naval aviator, like my dad." They walked in silence for a bit, both thinking about Harmon Rabb Sr. and how he had given his life for his country. After a while Harm spoke up: "What about you princess?"
At the use of the endearment she looked at him, not sure what he meant by that. He noticed the confused look in her face and explained: "That's what Sarah means, princess, now tell me what are you going to do after you finish high school?"
"I'm not sure yet." She had a big smile on her face, he was the only one except for her mum to ever use an endearment with her and from him she like it. It made her feel wanted. Carefully she reached out to take his hand, not sure how he would react she was happy when he smiled at her and laced their fingers together. They both knew they were falling in love but now was not the right time for that.
After walking for half an hour Harm turned her to face him and asked: "You ready to head back yet?" "yes" Harm turned them around so now Sarah was walking on the side of the water. She took her shoes of and kept pulling him closer to the water wanting to get wet feet. As soon as they got close enough for her to touch the water there was a big wave and their legs got soaking wet. Both started laughing and Sarah decided that since she was half wet already a bit more wouldn't matter. They were splashing each other in the middle of November but they didn't care, they had fun and that was what they needed before the storm…
Harm's home
La Jolla
California
Saturday 10 November 1984, 8 PM
Sarah started to get antsy, she wanted a drink, no, she needed a drink but she knew she couldn't. Oh god, this was going to be the hardest week she had ever had. They watched another movie to keep her mind of the need of alcohol, that was what they tried anyway, they both knew it was hard for her but the least they could do was try.
During the movie Sarah had moved closer and closer to Harm on the couch until he had his arm around her shoulders and she was leaning her head on his chest. She felt save, something she hadn't felt in years, if ever. Slowly she started to drift off. When the movie was finished Harm looked down to find a sleeping Sarah in his arms. Careful not to wake her he picked her up and carried her to bed. She threw her arms around his neck and wouldn't let go when he wanted to tuck her in. He tried to make her let go but the only response he got was a : "don't let me go."
Then he heard his mum's soft voice: "She needs you, stay here."
Before he could reply she had left the room so he moved her to the middle of the bed and said to her: "Listen Princess, you have to let me go for second so I can put my PJ's on and get you into something more comfortable to sleep in and then I'll hold you till you wake up okay?" Although still asleep she seemed to have understood since she let go of him.
He quickly went to his room to change into boxers and a t-shirt, then went back to Sarah's room and helped her put the clothes on he got for her yesterday night, praying she wouldn't be mad at him when she woke up. He climbed in the bed with her and immediately she snuggled up to him. He put his arm around her, gave her a kiss on her forehead and closed his eyes. Still amazed at how much she trusted him in spite of all that had happened he fell into a deep sleep.
