Chapter 3
Liz slowly approached Annie, who was resting. She was dressed in a hospital gown, but looked like she needed to be on the pediatric ward. Something about her was different.
Liz looked Annie over, only like a mother would do and noticed bruises on her neck in the shape of fingerprints. 'What the hell?'
"Annie, dear. It's Mom." Liz spoke softly. She didn't want to scare her daughter.
Eyes opened to show those emerald green eyes that her grandmother had passed to her. Those eyes that could melt a man's heart without any trouble.
"Honey, what happened?"
At those words, tears started flowing down Annie's face.
"Mom, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do it."
"Do what sweetie?" Liz couldn't imagine what she was apologizing for.
"I didn't stop him, Mom, I couldn't stop him."
"Honey, what are you talking about?"
"Tom attacked me, Mom, and I couldn't stop him."
Liz just fell into the chair by the bed.
"He did what?"
Annie couldn't look her mother in the eyes. "He attacked me, Mom and I couldn't stop him. I tried to push him away, but he was too strong. He held my neck down with one hand while he…" Big sobs were coming from Annie at this point.
Liz stood up and hugged her daughter. 'So innocent. So unaware of what could happen in the real world. The bastard. How could he? HOW COULD HE?'
"Shh, honey. Mom's right here. Everything will be okay." As Liz was trying to calm Annie down, the door opened and the doctor walked in with a nurse and another woman.
"Mrs. Westin, Annie, my name is Dr. Flowers."
Liz and Annie looked up at her through the tears.
"Yes?"
"Mrs. Westin, we need to do an exam, with your permission. We had to wait until your arrival because Annie is under age. Will you sign this 'permission to treat' form?"
Liz scribbled her name on the sheet.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we will allow you back in a few minutes."
Liz noted the fear in her daughter's eyes when the doctor said her mother had to leave. "Please let me stay." Liz didn't want Annie to be alone.
"No, ma'am. It will truly be better if you are not present. This is Caroline West from the Rape Crisis Center and she'll be staying with your daughter." Dr. Flowers motioned to the second woman in the room.
"Okay." Turning back to her daughter, Liz reluctantly agreed to leave. Annie, honey, I'll just be right outside. And as soon as they give me permission, I'll be right in. Besides, I have to let your father know what's going on."
"Do you have to tell Dad?"
"Yes, sweetie. I do. But he'll be okay with it. You didn't do anything wrong. He'll know that."
Liz gave Annie a brief kiss on the forehead and left the room. Her thoughts were so jumbled she didn't know how she was going to tell Doug. But he had to know.