Before long, Sam carried a tray to her and sat it on her lap. "I called Jeanie."
"Oh, Sam,...your father...wouldn't...like that."
"I don't care what he likes. We have to do something and Jeanie can help." The determined look on his face convinced Emily that argument wouldn't help, and anyway it was too late, the call had already been made and knowing her next-door neighbor, she was sure that she was already on her way.
Sure enough, she had only nibbled on a bit of the toast and drunk about half of her cup of tea when she heard a knock at the door. Kyle admitted Jeanie Stoltz, tall, thin almost to the point of gauntness, fast moving and capable. Jeanie had a reputation for being ‘no-nonsense’. She was a woman who immediately appraised a situation and acted, taking control quietly and efficiently. People tended to rely on her, trusting her good sense. True to form, as soon as she saw the condition of her neighbor, she was deciding what needed to be done. "My, God, you look like you were hit by a truck. Now, don’t try to make explanations, Sam told me what happened. He said that you were hurt pretty bad and were having a hard time getting your breath but I had no idea it was this bad. You're going to the hospital. Sam, you get Danny bundled up. Kyle, run and get a pair of socks for your mother. And Scott, you can get her coat and boots. Emily, where is your purse? You will need your health card."
“It’s in the...closet.” The sense of relief Emily felt, as she looked into the face of her capable friend, brought tears to her eyes. At last she could relax; the decision to get help had been made and now she now had someone she could rely on.
It had come as no great surprise to Jeanie when Sam told her what had happened to his mother for she had been suspicious for quite a while about what was going on in the house next door. There would be days on end when nobody saw Emily and then she would be seen at the grocery store or at the school, meeting with one of the teachers, with traces of bruises on her face or with a cut on her lip that would be almost healed. Jeanie had seen knowing glances pass between people who would notice and later whisper about the secrets that Eric and Emily thought were kept securely behind closed doors. Her suspicions however, didn’t prepare her for the shock of seeing Emily’s face. She was totally unrecognizable, her face bruised and swollen grotesquely. Jeanie felt so sorry for this friendly, quiet woman who had suffered so badly at the hands of her husband and at the same time she was filled with anger and disgust at a man who could inflict this terrible damage on his wife, the mother of his children.
She pulled the car up as close to the door as she could get it and helped Emily into the front seat. In a short time, everyone was seated in the car and they were on their way to the hospital.
Chapter 5
It had been a long, busy night and a hectic morning. As Dr. Hamilton picked up Emily's chart all he was thinking about was a beef sandwich with lots of mustard and a cold beer. He glanced at his wristwatch for the tenth time in as many minutes and wished that 12 o'clock would hurry. His 20-hour shift was almost over and he was exhausted. This would be his last patient for the day and if luck was with him, he or she would have the flu or would be in need of some stitches, something relatively simple. He flipped open the chart and groaned, “Frig, this one is going to take time, plenty of time.” The triage nurse had listed enough injuries to keep him busy for quite a while; a broken nose, swelling and bruising around the eyes, difficulty breathing, severe bruising on both sides of the torso, suspected rib fractures. He would have to check for damage to her eyes and for internal injuries as well as ordering x-rays done to check for broken bones in her face and rib cage. This one couldn't be rushed through. He looked around to see if there was another doctor nearby that he could pass this one off on. Of course there wasn't. He couldn't be that lucky.
"Damn," he muttered, as he crossed the emergency ward, "just my luck."
He pulled aside the curtain and entered the cubicle where Emily lay. "Hello, Mrs. Thompson. I understand that you are experiencing a lot of pain. Let me see exactly where."
He began with her eyes, which were difficult to examine due to the severe swelling which left only slits through which he could see the amount of damage to the eyes. He carefully checked her face and then began an exploration of her rib cage. Emily gasped as his probing fingers sent pains shooting through her chest making it even more difficult to breath.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure those ribs are fractured. We'll need X-rays and while they're taking pictures we’ll get some of your face and see if there is any damage other than to your nose." He stepped back, knowing that he needed to talk to this woman about the abuse she had suffered; yet dreading even the thought of getting involved in it. He spoke, trying to keep the tone of annoyance out of his voice, "You should have been seen yesterday Mrs. Thompson, I understand that these injuries occurred yesterday afternoon. Why did you wait until today to come here?"
Emily swallowed nervously, "I couldn’t...get here...yesterday. I just...couldn’t."
"I would think you could have found a way." Despite his effort his annoyance was obvious.
"I'm sorry." She became aware of a familiar knot in her stomach. “Nothing ever changes,” she thought, “Here I am apologizing again."
Without another word, he left to make arrangements for the X-rays, then stepped into the staff lounge and poured himself a much-needed cup of black coffee. He could rest for a few minutes while the technicians were taking pictures and then he would do what he could to patch her up, so she could go home for more of the same. He had seen too many of these women. He had even spent a day in court, testifying about the injuries another woman had received at the hands of her husband. He had broken a cardinal rule with her. He had felt so sorry for her and so angry with the man who had caused her injuries, that he had become emotionally involved. He had spent a great deal of time counseling her, had put her in touch with people who could help her, had spent sleepless nights worrying about her, had tried to convince her that she would be better off without her husband and finally had gone to court to get him put away where he couldn't hurt her again. Yet, when it was all over and he was convicted, she had, like Tammy Wynette, ‘stood by her man’, until he got out of jail and fractured her spine, putting her in a wheel chair for life. And even then, after he had shed a few crocodile tears, she had forgiven him. He simply didn’t have the time or energy to get caught up in another of these hard luck cases. If these women wouldn’t help themselves, why should he devote his energy to helping them? It would end up proving to be a waste of time anyway.
After another cup of coffee, Dr. Hamilton shook his head and got to his feet to check on Emily's progress. As he entered the ER, he saw the porter just arriving back with her and the envelope of X-rays. He retrieved them and as he suspected, discovered that two ribs were cracked. There was no bone displacement so there was really nothing that needed to be done for her except to caution her to take it easy and not to lift any weight. Her nose was broken, but there was no other serious damage to her face. He would make an appointment for her with day-surgery to have her nose fixed and packed. There were no apparent internal injuries and her eyes showed no permanent damage, so he could just send her home until the next time. This had turned out to be quicker than he had at first thought it would. Another few minutes and he should be on his way home. He took down the X-ray's, shut off the viewing lights and went to see his patient.
This time as he entered the cubicle, he took a minute to look at the woman who lay there on the gurney. "My God," he thought, "How can anyone do this to another human being." The coffee and rest seemed to have given Dr. Hamilton a better outlook and after he had discussed her injuries and treatment with her, he pulled up a stool and sat down to talk.
"Mrs. Thompson, according to our records, this is not the first time you have been here because of something like this. It seems as if things are not getting any better for you, are they?
"No...I guess...they aren't."
"You’re going to have to make some changes in your life you
know, for this can’t go on forever. One day he will go too far, and then what?”
“I...don’t know.” How could she possibly make him understand how desperately she wanted to get away and how trapped she felt when she wasn’t sure that she really understood her inability to act herself. She tried unsuccessfully to find words to tell him her thoughts, but they didn’t come to her.
He continued. “Nobody can help you until you’re ready to do something yourself. There is help if you truly want it. You must have friends or family who could give you a place to stay. And that’s what Social Services are for. They would give you money to rent an apartment.” He hesitated to give her time to think about what he was saying, then added, “I understand that you have children. Have you considered who would care for them if something happened to you?"
"I don't know ...what would happen...to them...and I know...that I have to do...something. I’ve tried...to make...plans. I think...about it...all the time. I know...that...I have to...leave Eric...but I'm afraid. I'm just...so afraid.” It was little more than a whisper.
"Do you have anyone who can help you? Any family?"
Emily fought back tears. "Not really. I have family...but I haven't...heard from them... in over eight...years. I guess they...got tired...of trying to help...and I can't...blame them."
"I think you should get in touch with them. Talk to them. If they had any idea what was happening and if you could explain that you can’t live like this, just maybe they will help you again."
"I've written...letter after letter...and they don't...answer. I've tried to call...but they got...an unlisted number...years ago...and I don't have...the number."
He shook his head. "I guess the important question is - What do you want to do?"
"I want to get away...from him but...I can't. Sometimes I think...just maybe I can...get away...but I know...in my heart...that I can't. He would kill me...if I try. And I've got...four kids. How on earth...could I manage...on my own...with four kids? I'm trapped."
"Well, this is one trap that you have to get out of if you place any value on your life. If you can’t do it alone, you will have to find a friend, a clergyman or somebody who can help you?" Emily knew that she couldn’t turn to Pastor York. He would believe whatever Eric would tell him and you could bet your life that Eric would never accept responsibility for what had happened. If only Jeanie didn’t live so close, she felt that she would be able to turn to her. More than anything she wished that she could call on her parents for help. How desperately she needed them right now. At one time she had been sure of their love for her and the children. Actually, she and her parents had been extremely close. She had considered her mother to be her best friend and she had always been her Dad's little girl. There had always been a special bond and the loss of them had left an emptiness in her life that she couldn’t bare to even think about. What could possibly have caused them to turn away from her? Could it be that they were upset with her for staying with Eric after all they had done in the past to help her get away? Them being upset with her made a lot of sense, but to totally disown her and their grandchildren - there must be more to it than that. It seemed impossible that anything could have caused them to cut her out of their lives and yet they had. Time after time, when she had needed them, they had been there for her. Perhaps if she could just talk to them she could convince them to help her this one last time. She resolved to write to them once more and beg for their help. Just maybe they would call her. She had sent them her new address and telephone number over and over again with no response so her chance of getting help from them was very slim but it was worth a try. She had no options. These thought tumbled through her mind as she looked into the weary eyes of the young doctor who stood here before her.
She shook her head, "I'll try...to contact my...family...but I don't think...it will help."
"I can notify the police for you. You could press charges."
"No. I've done that...before. It was no use. He came home...and made me...drop the charges. He was going...to take the children...if I didn't...drop the charges. I can't do that."
"You can get a restraining order."
"I'd be dead...before the police...could get there. I live eight miles...out of...the village...with no near...neighbors. I've already...thought...of a restraining order...but it wouldn't help."
"You have to find a way out. From what I've seen your life depends on it. Not only that, but you aren't doing your children any favors, you know. Think about the example you and your husband are setting for them. For their sakes as well as your own, you have got to get out of that situation."
"I'll find a way." Her head was bowed and her voice wavered. All was silent for a moment and neither moved. Thoughts were racing through her mind and although nothing was simple or clear to her, a decision to leave was beginning to take root in her mind. She straightened up and looked directly into Dr. Hamilton eyes, "I swear to you...I'll find a way."
He patted her shoulder and rose to his feet. "Make sure you do it before it is too late. The nurse will be in to let you know when to be back for day-surgery. Good luck."
"I guess that's it," thought Emily, "Time to get moving and go home." She shuddered when she thought of having to return home. She was not up to facing Eric, who would probably be furious that she had gone to the hospital, especially since she had broken a cardinal rule and gone with a neighbor, who would now know what had happened. She would also have to tell him about the appointment to come back for her nose and she knew that he wouldn't be happy about that. One thing she was certain about, he wouldn't be the one to bring her back for her day surgery. Of that she was sure.
When the nurse came back Emily asked for Jeanie. It wouldn't hurt to have a witness in case Eric didn't believe that she had to come back. You couldn't be too careful when you were dealing with him.
Jeanie and the nurse helped her to sit up and get back into her clothes. Then Jeanie waited with her while the nurse arranged for her to return to the hospital at nine fifteen on Monday morning to have her nose fixed. With Emily leaning heavily on her friend for support, they made their way carefully to the waiting room to collect the children who were sitting grimfaced waiting for news of their mother. Even Danny, despite his young age, seemed to realize the gravity of the situation and was playing quietly with the toy given him by his brother. While Jeanie brought the car up to the emergency door, the children got into their coats and soon they were all in the car and heading for home.
Jeanie’s mind raced as she tried to decide what she should do. She had been puzzling about this ever since they had left the house more than three hours earlier. Just to drive them home and drop them off was beyond imagination. She had to do something to protect these four boys and their mother, of that she was sure and yet she knew that the next step was up to Emily. She decided that she needed time to talk to her, to convince her that it would be totally foolhardy to go home to whatever might lay in store for her there. Then, at just the right moment, she spotted a MacDonald’s ahead and an idea occurred to her. She pulled in and handed Sam a twenty-dollar bill and suggested that he take his brothers in for lunch so she and his mother could talk.
When they were alone, she turned to her friend and asked, "Now what?"
"I don't know."
"You do know that you don't have to live like this."
"Oh, don’t I?” There was a flash of anger in her voice. “What am I...supposed to do? Leave? That really...sounds easy you know...but it's not. Eric would kill me...before he'd...let me go."
"There has to be a way, Em. Nobody has to live like that with someone beating her. You and the boys are welcome to stay with us until you can figure things out. You know that don’t you? Whatever we can do to help you, we will. We care about you and the boys and we want so much to see you safe and having a decent life."
"Thanks, Jeanie. I’m sorry...I snapped at you. I’m not upset...with you. I'm just so tired...of all of this. No one understands...how I feel. I know tha
t...if I was smart...I'd be long gone...but I don't know how...to get out...even though...I know...I’ve got to. I have to find a way...and I will...I swear I will...but I need more time...to figure out how."
"I'm here for you. I will do whatever I can to help."
"I'm going to write...to my parents...tomorrow. I don't know...if they...will do anything...to help me...but I'm going...to try. I need...someplace...to stay until I can...figure out what to do."
"Emily, I meant what I said. You and the kids are welcome to stay at my place for as long as you need. I know if Gary were here he’d say the same thing. We would be so glad and so relieved to have you stay with us until you could make permanent arrangements."
"You've always been...a good friend. Thanks. I appreciate...the offer more...than you will...ever know. But it's too close...to Eric. I’d have to be...farther away...from him than that."
"Well, I suppose that makes sense but the offer stands - day or night. Anything at all that I can do, just ask. Now, I'm going to get myself a burger. What do you want?"
"Just a coffee. Cream and sugar."
"You need something to eat.”
Leaving Sharpstone Page 4