- Lily -
ivian’s face was full of desperation in the seconds before she burst into tears.
I dropped to my knees beside the couch where she was curled into a ball. “What happened?” I asked, pushing the stray pieces of her disheveled updo out of her eyes.
When she threw her arms around me and squeezed, I knew something was really wrong. She’d never been a hugger, much less given any indication that she viewed physical touch as anything more than currency.
I wanted to talk, but she wouldn’t loosen her vise grip, so I just let her cry warm tears against my neck for what felt like a long time.
“What happened?” I asked again more quietly.
She leaned back and her glassy eyes trembled like she was afraid to form the words.
That’s when I saw the bruises on her neck. “What the fuck happened?” I asked, reaching towards them.
She smacked my hand away so fast it startled me.
“Vivian, talk to me, please.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t have anyone else to call. I—”
“Breathe,” I said, laying a hand on her knee. “Just take a deep breath.”
She tried, but her inhalation was stuttered and broken.
My eyes went to her neck again. “Who did this to you?”
“I don’t know if he even gave me his real name,” she said. “It was a last-minute job.”
“Was it a referral?”
She shook her head. “I only took it because my other one fell through.”
I swallowed.
“And it was only supposed to be one guy. I didn’t know there’d be more or I never would’ve—”
“What are you trying to say?”
She dropped her face in her hands, and I rose onto the couch, kicking my heels away without taking my eyes off her.
“I met him at the Winchester,” she said. “It seemed normal in the beginning. We had a drink, made small talk.”
I clenched my jaw.
“He had kind of an aggressive vibe, but I didn’t think it was anything to worry about. I thought he was just being macho to show off.”
“Then what?”
“We started fooling around. I acted a bit coy because it seemed like he wanted to work for it a little, ya know?”
“Okay.”
“But then another guy came in the room.”
My face fell.
“I was instantly uncomfortable, but he kept insisting that he was only there for security and that he just wanted to watch.”
“No.” I shook my head. “Not okay.”
“I know, and I said that. I said that wasn’t what we agreed and that it was a deal breaker. And then—” She slapped a hand over her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut.
“What? And then what?”
“I realized they didn’t give a shit about my consent.”
“What are you saying, Vivian?”
“I’m saying he and the other guy used me like a blow-up doll.”
So many thoughts raced through my mind, I didn’t know which one to cling to.
“I was so scared, Lily. Nothing like that has ever happened to me. They were absolute thugs. I feel disgusting.”
“Jesus.” I rubbed my eyes. “Fuck.”
Tears rolled down her face.
“We should go to the police,” I said. “Could you ID them?”
“I don’t know, but I can’t go to the police.”
“Why not?”
“’Cause I took the money,” she said.
I furrowed my brow.
“The main guy shoved it in my purse when I was leaving, and I was too scared to do anything but get out of there.”
“At least let me take you to the hospital.”
She looked down at her hands. “They called me so many names.”
“Fuck them,” I said. “We have to make sure you’re okay. Physically, at least.”
“Do you know any nurses you can trust? Someone discreet?”
“Anyone I call is going to tell you to go to the hospital and the police, just like I have.”
“I’m not doing that,” she said. “I’m too sore. I’m not going anywhere.”
I wracked my brain. Brenda. Maybe Brenda would do it. I could pay her. And she’d have to keep it confidential, right? Was she even the right kind of nurse, though? “If I can get somebody to come, do you promise you’ll cooperate, no matter what they ask?”
She nodded, and her eyes took on the innocence of a small child who can’t bear the thought of any more punishment.
I took a deep breath, reached for my clutch, and pulled my phone out. I had four missed calls from Sebastian, none of which I’d even heard in my panic to get home. I dialed the Lotus Center and asked for Brenda.
“Her shift ended a half hour ago,” the receptionist said.
My heart sank.
“But it usually takes her a while to get out of here. If you’re happy to hold I can check and see if she’s still around?”
“Please. I’d really appreciate it.”
Brenda answered the phone a few minutes later. “Hello?”
“Brenda, it’s Lily. Paige’s sister.”
“Oh. Hi. Is everything okay?”
“Not really. I need your help.”
“What is it?”
“My roommate’s been assaulted.”
“Assaulted how?”
“Raped,” I said, bursting into tears.
“Oh God,” she whispered.
“She’s too sore and frightened to go anywhere, but she needs to be checked out. I didn’t know who else to call. I don’t even know if that’s the kind of thing you can—”
“Text me your address,” she said, reciting her cell phone number. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
I gasped for air between tears. “Thank you so much.”
Vivian reached out and laid her hand on my forearm when I hung up the phone, squeezing it as I texted the address.
I was such a mess I couldn’t tell whether I was frightened, sad, or angry. All I knew was that I couldn’t indulge any of my own feelings. I had to be strong for Viv. And I had to think straight, had to come up with something to tell Brenda besides the whole truth and nothing but.
Because the less she knew the better. For her, at least.
I set my phone down and pulled Vivian into my arms, stroking her hair as she hugged me back. “This isn’t your fault, Viv. You’re safe now, and you’re going to be okay. I promise.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said again. “I hope I didn’t ruin your date.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m glad you called.”
But the more I comforted her, the more upset I got.
Because it could have been me.
And if I didn’t stop playing this dangerous game, it was only a matter of time.