Hello dear readers, I'm finally back. Marcaille-I did indeed read your most excellent story "Walk Through Fire For You", (and I most enthusiastically recommend it to all of you,) but my High-Rollers suite is based mainly on something a hospital I once worked for had and my assumptions that since Vegas hotels had high roller suites hospitals would likewise have accommodations for big shots. I just want the poor kid to get some rest, so this chapter is primarily warm and fluffy
Chapter 14-Rest and Healing
Soon the sitting room was filled with whiteboards on easels, a large corkboard filled with pictures of missing women, framed map of the city, a large box of books taken from the crime scene, and boxes of case files. Coffee cups littered the tables, along with various and sundry cartons of half-eaten Chinese take-out. The profilers were gathered on the couches discussing the case in earnest while an officer on loan from the Las Vegas police department guarded the elevator and emergency exit. Meanwhile, in the hospital type room, Nurse Ann was changing the dressings on Spencer's various injuries as the boy checked out all the channels on his television. He settled on a show about the rainforest on the Discovery channel, finished off the last of the chicken rice casserole on his plate, and drank the last of the milk. Dessert was, of course, long gone.
"All full sweetie?" Asked Ann as she cleared his table. "Uhn Huh." The child replied shyly, contentedly patting his full tummy. He could definitely get used to this food 3 times a day thing, and then they gave him snacks too! After all the years of hunger and thirst, this was paradise. Spencer was determined to be a VERY good boy so Daddy Eh-Run would want to keep him and this good life of love and safety and food would continue. "When Miss Ann eat?" he inquired worriedly.
"Don't worry honey, I'll have my dinner pretty soon. Your Uncle Derek brought me back something. Right now, I just want to take care of your owies so they get better, OK? Now, you know I won't hurt you, right? I need to look at the owies "down there" now, so can you turn over on your side for me?"
The boy nodded reluctantly and turned, blushing bright red. "Oh Spencer, please don't be embarrassed" the nurse said kindly, "I've seen lots of bottoms-it's part of my job."
"I kn-know" he replied, "but mans did sexual intercourse with Spencer there, and is b-bad, s-s-so Spencer b-b-bad," the boy stuttered, looking down, eyes swimming with unshed tears. "M-maybe if Daddy Eh-run f-find out Spencer bad he won't w-w-want him anymore!" he cried. "P-please don't tell Daddy Miss Ann! Please?"
Ann had to turn away for a moment to wipe her eyes and quash her emotions before turning back to the distressed child. "Spencer, I need you to listen to me very carefully, and believe what I am telling you. You know I wouldn't lie to you, don't you?" At the child's nod she continued "What happened was not your fault. What those men did was bad, but that did not make YOU bad. And Daddy Aaron already knows what happened to you. He told me he feels angry at the men that hurt you, and sad that you were hurt and starved and kept in that dark basement. He doesn't think you are bad. I don't think you are bad. YOU ARE NOT BAD. Do you understand?"
At the boy's shaky nod, she hugged him, and rubbed soothing circles on his back as he cried. As his sobs quieted, she hugged him again and pulled back, handing him some tissues and instructing that he blow his nose. "Now" she asked," Can you tell me where you learned such big words as sexual intercourse?" "Uhn huh…was in book Spencer read in the bad place." He answered. "What book was that?" Anne inquired. "Webster's Collegiate Dictionary" he replied. "You read the whole dictionary? Wow!" "Uhn huh" the boy said with a shy smile, "there were lots of words in there. Spencer like to read." Ann noticed the improvement in his speech, and began to wonder if that had anything to do with how secure he felt…."What other books did you read sweetheart?" Ann encouraged him to continue.
"Mathematics and Biology and Algebra and Geography and Chemistry. Spencer started read Geometry but HIM came and took book away. Said give back if Spencer good boy to mans coming to see Spencer, and give water. But HIM didn't. Daddy Eh-run did. Him give Spencer water and blanket and untie Spencer, and make HIM go away forever."
Ann had to turn away and again regain her composure, before turning back with a bright smile. "Guess what Spencer? This hospital has a school room for kids that need to stay here for a-while. There's lots of books down there. Would you like to see some of those books?" "Yeah!" responded the child enthusiastically. "When Spencer see books Miss Ann?
"I'll go get some for you in the morning, OK sweetheart? Then you can start to read them after you eat breakfast. I want you to get lots of sleep tonight though. Don't worry-I'll be here and your Daddy will be sleeping right on that bed over there. There is a nice policeman guarding the elevator and he won't let anybody up here, so you are totally safe. Do understand?" The boy smiled and nodded, and Ann continued her examination and treatment. Soon everything was cleaned and dressed, and the child was again enthralled with the television.
Meanwhile, Hotch had come in to check on the boy, and was charmed by the sight of Spencer engrossed in a program about The Galapagos Islands while Ann made notes in his chart. The nurse looked up and smiled, then gestured for him to join her on the other side of the room.
"How's he holding up?" Hotch inquired, looking back at the child.
"Pretty well I think," Ann responded with a gentle smile. "He already seems to feel safer-his speech improved a bit and he is talking about his experience without fear. That is good. He broke my heart though, when he asked me not to tell you about the sexual abuse because he thought you would think he was bad and not want him anymore. Don't worry-I told him you already knew from the beginning and didn't think he was bad, but he used the term sexual intercourse, and when I asked him where he learned it he told me he had read the entire dictionary! Plus several other schoolbooks. I suspect he is incredibly intelligent. He has been kept with minimal human conversation and interaction since the age of 3, so his current speech patterns and behavior like a toddler makes a lot of sense. I think that with normal interactions and maybe reading an English book he'll be right up to and beyond his age level. If you don't mind I'll bring him something up from the schoolroom downstairs in the morning."
"I would appreciate that" responded Hotch, "The doctor told me she suspects he has Asperger's, and I know that usually comes along with a high IQ and lower social and verbal skills. He would likely greatly appreciate the chance to learn proper grammar and usage. Interaction with my son Jack should help a lot with the social skills. Hopefully Jack can teach him how to be a child and how to play. He's only 5, but he is already such a caring and loving child. Oh My God! I need to call him! It's all been so crazy these past few days…I need to tell my son he is getting a brother…I need to tell my Sister-in-law too."
"Uh-yes, you do!" Ann exclaimed. "Go do that now, while it is on your mind. Your new son is ok, and caught up in his program. Never saw that level of concentration from a 6 year old before! And he is so sweet…especially considering what he has gone through. I can't think of a better brother for your Jack."
"Thank-you Ann" Hotch replied. "And I want you to know how much I appreciate you taking on private duty for Spencer. He is so calm and comfortable with you, and you are so good with him. I think having you around makes him feel safe too."
"My pleasure" grinned Ann. "He is such a precious child-it is my honor to be here for him. Now, you go make your calls, and I'll take good care of the little one."
Sorry to take so long to post…life has been crazy busy. Thanks for your patience. Please review….