A Changed Life (26 page)

Simon had texted me, telling me that he was on his way. I was so nervous about seeing him. We haven’t discussed my rape. I scoffed at myself, acting as if my rape was a tangible object you could hold. I guess in a way, it was. I remember every detail of that night, and would never be able to forget it for the rest of my life. Michael left an everlasting imprint on my soul. I cursed myself for being so blind to him, and why I didn’t tell my parents everything.

I was so concerned about my parents, and their feelings, that I had disregarded my own. My foolish choices are what led me here. I felt sick and disgusted with myself.

I can’t be with Simon anymore. I have to end it before I hurt him even more than I already have done. I begin to cry. I had already put him through enough, and I didn’t want him to see me this way. I began pulling my hair until my scalp hurt and then I remembered I still had a massive bump on the back of my head, and stopped. I didn’t want to feel better; I wanted this hurt to go on. I needed to remember how foolish I was to give Michael, chance after chance to leave me alone, and move on. My actions made him more determined to get me, and I did this. I’m responsible for Michael’s anger, and putting myself here. I screamed at the top of my lungs at my lowest moment where I felt I had hit rock bottom. My cries startled the nurses outside, and they ran in thinking something was wrong. They even paged Dr. Jonas for assistance.

I began thrashing at the women trying to help me until I saw Simon’s scared face at the entrance to my room. He was holding flowers for me. Dr. Jonas rushed past him, and gave me a shot, within seconds I was out. I woke hours later to feel Simon’s hands wrapped in mine, and his head was down. I started to pull my hands back, and my movement woke him. He touched my hands again, kissing the tops, and tears began falling from his beautiful eyes. I realized now that I was breaking his heart.

“Hey beautiful, welcome back” he whispered to me. Baby, you scared the hell out of me. What happened?”

I knew I had to think carefully on what to say next to Simon. He looked devastated as he waited for my answer. I lied by telling him that I was waking up from a nightmare which was not too far from the truth. My answer seemed to appease him, but he still looked at me with concerned eyes.

“Baby, we are going to get through this together.” Simon held my hands, and gently kissed them. He looked so tired and sad. I begged him to go home, and get some much needed rest, but he always said no. I needed to separate myself from him, and take some time to think. Simon, said he wouldn’t go until I had fallen back to sleep. I closed my eyes, and tried to be still, and quiet. I felt him kiss my forehead, and whisper, “I love you” as he quietly walked out. Tears took over once again, and I cried until I had no more left to shed.

Dr. Jonas was on early morning rounds, and I was her first of many patients she would see today. It was barely seven am, and my eyes felt like they were swollen shut. I was awake though and cooperated while Dr. Jonas examined me. My wounds were healing, and I was to be discharged today from the hospital.

We discussed my outburst from the prior night, and she urged me to start my therapy as soon as I could. Not only did my body need to recover, but my sprit as well. I had my follow-up appointments already scheduled, and she handed me more information to read up on and said she would see me soon. Dr. Jonas gave me her card with her personal cell number on it, reminding me that I wasn’t the first female patient of hers to go through this. She wanted to help me anyway she could. I showered and dressed while I waited on my parents to arrive. It was odd that they weren’t here already. Remembering the raised voices I had heard outside of my room yesterday, I feared they were still fighting… continuing to blame myself for their pain, and mine own.

I was being released today from the hospital and going straight to jail. I was still handcuffed to my bed and I had a guard outside of my room. This was the upscale version of jail, I thought. My father and his lawyer John arrived before nine am. I hadn’t seen my doctor yet, so who knew when I was actually leaving.

“John, I need to see Nicolette before I go anywhere today.” My father spoke before John could even answer.

“Did I hear you right? There is no way in hell you are getting anywhere near that girl.”

“Dad, I need to explain to her that I’m ok, and I’m not angry with her for hitting me.”

“Michael, these delusions need to stop son. You raped that poor girl! You attacked me, your own father! You are lucky I’m here at all trying to help you.”

“You feel guilty, dad? You were never there for me. I was always your cross to bear. When you couldn’t make me the perfect son, you cast me aside and ignored me all together.”

“That’s not true Michael, and you know it. I’m sorry your mother died, and I’m sorry you thought I was a shitty father. I’m all you’ve got in this world. Shut the hell up and do what I say.”

My father stormed out of my room, and John stayed to go over some things with me. I did everything to ignore him, but he kept droning on about what was to happen today. I felt confident that my father’s money and influence would keep me from going to jail today. So I didn’t worry too much about it. I just wanted to see Nicolette.

Discussing their daughter’s discharge with Dr. Jonas, Mason, and Christina Vanelle, were interrupted by Clayton St. Clair.

“Mason, Christina, I was wondering if I might have a few minutes of your time?” Dr. Jonas, broke up the tension between them, and explained they were finished.

“Whatever you have to say Clayton, make it quick. Nicolette is coming home today, and I don’t want her to see you”, said, my father.

“Mason, I’m truly sorry and heartbroken over Nicolette. There will never be enough words to tell you how deeply sorry I am for this to have happened to your daughter, and to know that my son is responsible for it.”

“Clayton, you can’t even begin to comprehend what our family is going through. My daughter’s life has been changed forever and it’s because your son raped her. You need to leave now and never bother my family again.” With anger consuming him, my father hit Clayton in his face, causing him to stumble backwards into the wall.

“Oh my god,” shrieked my mother. Mason, stop it right now and control yourself. Hitting Clayton is only going to make things worse.”

Wiping the blood off his lip. “Christina, it’s alright. I’m sorry that I intruded... My father still had his fists clenched and began to charge Clayton again when he was pulled back from the strong arms of Uncle Jack. “Easy now brother isn’t you always telling me to calm down?” Uncle Jack mockingly said.

Uncle Jack turning to his brother, “Introduce us?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Jack. We need to take Nicolette, home.”

Ignoring my father’s attempts to lead him away, Uncle Jack, walked over to Clayton, and glared at him with cold eyes.

“You must be the mighty Clayton St. Clair, I’ve heard so much about.”

Composing himself, Clayton tried not to look intimated by my uncle who was towered over six feet tall. “Yes, I’m Clayton St. Clair, and who the hell are you?”

Stepping back as Uncle Jack came closer. “I’m Jack Vanelle, and I’m the uncle of the girl that your pig of a son raped, and that would make you the coward’s father.” My mother stepped in between the two men reaching for Uncle Jack’s hand to lead him away. Uncle Jack gently moved my mother to his side, and continued to talk to Clayton. Without ever breaking eye contact, Uncle Jack delivered a simple warning.

“St. Clair, one way or another, your boy Michael, will pay for the acts of violence he has committed against my niece. I will not rest until your son gets what he deserves.”

“Mr. Vanelle, I will not be intimidated by your threats. I don’t scare so easily. My son will be dealt with for his actions.”

“Agreed.” Said, Uncle Jack.

“Michael, will be dealt with. You can count on that.” With one last look to Clayton and to my parents, Uncle Jack, walked away.

“Well that was scary, are you ok Mason?”

Holding his wife, “Scary doesn’t even begin to describe what just happened here. Let’s take our daughter home.”

After wrapping up his meeting with his lawyer, Michael waited to be transported to the police station. He didn’t know the 6’ 3” man who had just entered his room. He went to hit the call button, but the man was too quick, and grabbed it from Michael’s hand.

“Who the hell are you?” asked Michael, “and where is my guard?”

Placing a piece of tape over Michael’s mouth to silence him… Jack didn’t need to alert anyone of his presence. Michael was bound to the bedrail by his cuff and now silenced by the tape over his mouth. He was trapped by the stranger who was now hovering over him.

“Now that I have your attention, asking me who I am is not relevant. Do you think you could just rape my beautiful girl, and not expect to be punished for it? You are a pig, and do you want to know what happens to pigs? Hmm,” taunting Michael, as he pulls a blade from his pocket wielding it in front of him. “Pigs get slaughtered. Do you think you can hide behind your daddy? Or his money and feel safe? You are lucky to still be breathing. Had I known about you sooner, you wouldn’t be.” Grabbing Michael by the throat, Jack squeezed his fingers as tight as he could around his neck. Gliding the shiny steel blade across Michael’s cheek. You will suffer for what you did, just not today.”

Ripping the tape off of Michael’s mouth, as he begins to cough. Jack easily walks out of the room, leaving Michael to gasp for air.

My mom helped pack my bag, and get me ready to go home, which I was so ready to do. I donated all the flowers to patients throughout my floor, since I had so many that filled my room. I only kept the bouquet Simon had given me the previous night. An orderly arrived with my wheelchair to escort me downstairs to my waiting car, but the detectives stopped us before reaching the elevators. Detective Westphall briefed my parents that Michael was also being brought down. He didn’t want us to see one another, but it was too late.

“I thought you said he was in another area of the hospital? How did this happen?” My father questioning Det. Westphall. Before he could answer, we all turned to see Michael coming our way.