Chapter 4

The alarm went off in the Residence at 6 am.

Both Jed and Abbey stirred, but neither didn't really want to get up. Eventually, reality overcame desire and Jed threw back the covers.

He was in the shower when the phone rang. Abbey was still trying to catch a nap.

She cringed when the phone rang. "Yes?" Abbey was still sleepy. She figured it was Curtis calling to remind Jed to get up. Even with Abbey in town, Jed didn't really get out of bed real fast. He enjoyed his sleep.

"Mom, its Liz." Liz's voice cracked into sobs.

Abbey was wide awake. "What is it Liz? It's only 6. What's wrong?"

"Mom, its Annie. She…" Liz couldn't get the words out.

"What about Annie?"

By this time Jed had come back in the bedroom to get dressed. With that question, he sat down on the bed next to Abbey.

"What about Annie, Abbey? Is she okay? Is she hurt?"

The unknown was killing Abbey. Jed was also anxious to know the reason for Liz being so upset.

"Mom, Annie was raped last night at her prom." Liz's sobs continued.

"Raped? Raped at the prom? How did that happen? Is she okay?"

Abbey's mind overflowed with questions. At the word 'rape', Jed tried to get the phone away from Abbey. She refused to let go, so he ran to the second phone in the room and joined the conversation.

"Liz, its Dad. How did it happen?"

Liz tried to calm down so she could talk to her parents. Doug had gone back to Annie's room while Liz called Jed and Abbey.

"Apparently she and her date had a great time at the dance and left about two to get the traditional post prom meal. They went to meet some of his friends who had rooms in the hotel, but they were not there. He and Annie got to kissing, you know how these things go. Well apparently Annie tried to pull away from him and that's when he got rough. She tried to stop him, but he ripped her dress off and then held her down by her throat as he did it."

By now, Abbey and Jed were crying right along with Liz.

"After he was finished, he opened the door to the room and left. He told her agent on the way out that, and I quote, 'You have some trash in there.'"

"Why didn't her agent stop it?" Jed was furious that the Service had not protected Annie.

"Oh, Dad! I so wanted Annie to have a great night that I asked her agent to give them some space. She did as I asked. I won't ever forgive myself."

"Now, Liz. Guilt is not the emotion you need right now. We need to worry about Annie."

"Thanks, Mom. But I do have to share the blame here." Liz's sobs got louder.

"Is this boy under arrest?" Jed was vacillating between sorrow for Annie and furious rage for Tom.

"Yes, Dad. As soon as the agent saw what had gone on, she called an ambulance and notified the police who arrested Tom as he arrived back at his house. But he said she encouraged him. He told the police that she asked for it. That it was consensual."

"I'll kill the bastard."

Abbey smiled at Jed's remark. Just like him to say this. Someone had dared to hurt someone he loved with all his heart. But Abbey knew that Jed was not at the head of the line for this particular task.

"How's Annie?" That's where Abbey's priorities were.

"She thinks she brought it on. That it's her fault. There's a woman from the Rape Crisis Center working with her. But Mom, she looks so frail. So much like a child. And she looked so grown-up when she left the house last night."

"What about physically?" Abbey was in full doctor mode.

"Well, the doctor that did the exam said that she had some tears and bruises inside but nothing that won't heal. Her neck is covered in bruises from his hand where he held her down. But those will go away in a couple of weeks. Emotionally, I just don't …"

There was a pause.

Then Liz continued. "Mom, Doug is motioning to me. I have to go, but I'll call you later."

"Okay. And Liz, give Annie a big hug from her grandparents. Tell her we love her."

"Will do. Love you."