Dr. Katherine Duquesne wore an unreadable expression, as did her best friend, Jezebel Ramsey. Each wore an expression of disgust and compassion. Something had transpired at the hospital today, and neither could process their emotions. So, as they silently sat there churning their coffee, they were surprised when an unknown voice spoke up, "Excuse me, ladies? Would you mind if I joined you for some coffee?" they looked up to see who the voice belonged to.
An alluring, petite woman in her mid-thirties was look at them. Her auburn curls flowed freely and framed her face in a way that brought out her lavender eyes. She was dressed exceptionally nicely as well. She wore a mulberry jacket, a light purple tunic shirt, and ivory-colored trousers. "Kathleen! How nice to see you again!" Jezebel greeted her before receiving a perplexed look from Kate. "She's Maddie Masters' distant cousin, remember? She and her kids were guests when we celebrated Rosh Hashanah a few months ago."
Kate's gorgeous features lit up, "Oh, now I remember you. Sorry, it's been a challenging, draining day for both of us. Plus, it's been a while since we saw you. Sure, you can join us for some coffee."
"Thanks," she said as she sat down next to Jezebel. Taking in their confused and disgusted faces, she couldn't help but ask the question. "What occurred today that left you both with that particular expression?"
Kate took a deep breath before explaining what the two women had to deal with today. A teenage girl came in with a man they presumed to be her father. It turned out she was a child bride, and they're beyond revolted. To Kathleen's horror, she continued by describing that out of the 50 states of America, 41 states still consented to child marriages.
Not only had it made it next to impossible to treat the patient, but both of them wanted to break the man in two. This wasn't marriage, no this plain and straightforward child abuse and being raped over and over again. No one should ever DARE approve of this.
Jezebel added she couldn't stand the fact that people would have the audacity to abuse the Almighty's name to justify this appalling practice. No one with a righteous conscience who truly comprehended the Almighty would ever think he supported any of this.
Kathleen agreed she found it shocking that this was practiced in the US. Kathleen asked what they were able to do for the girl. Did they figure out some loophole to get her out of this situation? They both acknowledged that was next to impossible with the whole thing legalized.
Still, they knew the child wasn't safe. So, they were able to use domestic violence as she was unquestionably beaten, along with being forced to have sex against her will. Also, since the 'husband' had threatened both the hospital staff and CPS workers, he was now in the county jail awaiting trial for assault and battery.
Jezebel explained the girl's confidential information wasn't to be released in any shape or form. Nor was her location at the moment. Kate even expressed that the hospital staff and most of the town sent letters and emails to the governor demanding they illegalize this practice.
Kathleen asked for authorization to post awareness of this predicament on her blog. She wouldn't name anyone specifically but asked if they would be willing to write part of the blog anonymously. They agreed and left for Kathleen's residence to bring more attention to this despicable act.