HWA Message Board: When It Rains It Pours

Dunfermline, Scotland – 11:06 p.m.

The bathroom door clicked shut with a finality that made Sarah’s stomach turn. Her hands trembled as she twisted the lock…..once…..twice…..until the metallic clunk reassured her that no one could come in. She slid down to the cold tiled floor, knees drawn to her chest, clothes stained with grass, tears and blood. The silence in the house was deafening. Her mom was in bed asleep or reading and her brother was playing video games in his room with headphones on oblivious to everything else. The weight of what had just happened thundered in her ears like an oncoming train. She’d begged to go to the end of the year party. Everyone was going to be there especially Baxter. Baxter Graham, the boy had known since she was ten. Baxter, who she watched go from class clown to a serious student focused on making his way into the Rangers Football Club.

It was one of those situations where you’d grown up with someone, had classes together, exchanged the occasional greeting in passing…but were never really friends. He dated Emily last term but was single now. So when his gaze lingered longer than normal over the last weeks, when he smiled at her when he saw her, when he actually said her name and invited her to the party, her knees went weak. They weren’t exactly kids anymore. She had breasts now, had her period, and was transforming into a young beautiful young woman, and Baxter Graham no longer had that blazing face of acne, braces, and had developed the most amazing physique you ever wanted to see. Her hand reached for her phone with a sudden urgency. Her fingers hovered over the screen, shaking, sweaty, and she pulled up “Auntie” and hit “call.”

Los Angeles – 3:08 p.m.

Wisdom was leaving the office and was in the elevator on her way to the helipad. Having these rides was one of the best splurges she ad Butch had ever made. It was just over a two hour drive from LA to Santa Barbra and most days it wasn’t so bad, but today she needed to leave early and getting behind the wheel of a car in traffic at this time felt too taxing. Butch was already ahead of her and just getting home and the ride would give her a little more time to wrap up a few things so she could switch gears and be a devoted and attentive mom and wife. Her phone rang just as she reached the roof and the pilot waved her over to the helicopter. She put a finger up gesturing that she’d just be a moment and answered the call as she power walked towards the helicopter handing an attendant her bag as she headed up the steps. The caller ID said that Sarah was calling which was slightly uncharacteristic of her.

(Wisdom): Sarah, sweetheart….I’m just about to get on…

Wisdom paused there on the stairs. Instantly she knew something was wrong. Instead of Sarah’s usually bright “Hey Auntie!” greeting…she heard sobs. Her brow furrowed with concern and she lowered her head into the phone as if it would make her hear better.

(Wisdom): Sarah? Is everything ok? What’s happened?

Dread struck her and she felt a heaviness weigh her down. Diana? Jake? Something happened. Only sniffles were heard on the line.

(Wisdom): Sarah….what’s happened? Talk to me!

The voice came sharp, concerned, miles away and yet instantly grounding. Wisdom walked back towards the building away from the helicopter so she could hear, and found herself on the roof access stairway back inside the building. Sniffles turned into an uncontrollable rant. Sarah couldn’t speak. She let out a choked breath instead.

(Wisdom): Sarah? What’s wrong? Answer me!

A sob escaped her, the first of many. Her throat burned.

(Sarah): I…..I don’t know what to do.

(Wisdom): Where are you?

Wisdom’s voice dropped into that steady calm Sarah remembered from when she was little and scraped her knee on the sidewalk that time when Uncle Butch visited with Wisdom for the first time.

(Wisdom): Tell me where you are.

Finally, she pulled herself together enough to form a sentence.

(Sarah): I’m at home. I locked myself in the bathroom. I…

Sarah’s breath hitched. She could barely get words out.

(Sarah): Something happened. He wouldn’t stop, and I said no, and I….he…..Auntie, I couldn’t make him stop.

There was silence. Heavy, measured silence as Wisdom quickly connected the scattered dots. She leaned against the wall, closed her eyes with shocking comprehension and pounded her fist against it behind her, sighing low enough for Sarah not to hear her own distress. Her voice, was softer now, laced with a pain that spanned the ocean between them.

(Wisdom): Sarah…did he hurt you?

Sarah nodded before she realized Wisdom couldn’t see her.

(Sarah): Yes! Not…..not bruises, but… he…..

Sarah began to cry again, dribbling the words out in between tears,

(Sarah): I told him no. I promise I told him. He said I was being dramatic and just kept going. I froze. I couldn’t scream. And when he was “done” he just smiled like nothing happened. Said something about how long he had waited for some “Parker Pussy.”

She was near hysterical now, literally spitting the words out as she cried uncontrollably.

(Sarah): I ran. That’s when I feel and hit my knee and scrapped my hand and elbow. I’m sore, and it hurts down there….I think I’m bleeding.

Wisdom’s nostrils flared. She wanted to rip this boys little dick off and choke him with it.

(Wisdom): Sarah, listen to me. You did nothing wrong. This is not your fault. You were very brave to call me. I’m so proud of you.

(Sarah): I feel disgusting…I feel like I don’t even exist.

(Wisdom): I know that feeling. I wish I didn’t, but I do.

Wisdom thought back years ago to a situation with Michael Dredge.

(Wisdom): I promise you this: you do exist, and you matter. More than anything.

Sarah could footsteps from the kitchen and covered her mouth to stifle a sob. Jake or her mom had got up to get a drink or something.

(Wisdom): I want you to do something for me, alright? Stay where you are, in the bathroom. Keep the door locked. Is your mom home?

(Sarah): Yes, she’s in her room I think.

(Wisdom): I’m going to call her right now. You don’t need to explain anything to her if you can’t…I’ll do it. Just stay put. I’ll be back on the line in a few minutes.

Sarah shouts out loud.

(Sarah): No! You can’t say anything. She’ll hate me.

Wisdom had to calm Sarah down, get her to see reason and get the help she couldn’t provide from thousands of miles away.

(Wisdom): Sweetheart, it’s your mom, she loves you.

(Sarah): No! She can’t know, Jake can’t know…nobody can know. Please Auntie!

She can’t leave this poor girl in distress like this. Understandably, she wasn’t seeing the situation clearly.

(Wisdom): Sarah, someone has to know. Let me call the police in your area. You don’t have to decide anything yet, but you deserve to be protected. You don’t have to carry this alone, and this boy needs to be held responsible for what he did.

Sarah’s fingers tighten around the phone.

(Sarah): What if he says I wanted it? What if no one believes me?

(Wisdom): I believe you, and once your mum hears this, she’ll believe you too. We’ll get you to a doctor, get someone to talk to, whatever you need. But the first thing is keeping you safe.

Sarah let herself cry then, full-bodied and unrestrained.

(Sarah): I can’t….no….nobody…especially Uncle Butch. You can’t tell. You can’t tell anyone.

(Wisdom): Sarah…

(Sarah): Promise! Promise me you won’t say anything.

Wisdom found herself in a tough spot. Sarah was in a very fragile state. She could end up hurting herself out of shame, but the fact remained that she couldn’t be there right now to manage this in person. She signed deeply in resignation.

(Wisdom): I promise Sarah, but I need you to promise me something.

(Sarah): Okay!

(Wisdom): I want you to stay away from this boy, if he calls or texts don’t answer no matter what he says. Don’t even read his messages.

(Sarah): School’s out now so…

(Wisdom): Even better, you have no reason to see him.

(Sarah): Auntie, I can’t be here….I don’t want to be here….can I come there, just for the summer?

(Wisdom): What would you tell your mother? I’m not going to lie to her. And Jake? If you come he’ll want to come too.

(Sarah): Maybe there’s some dance program I could join for the summer, I don’t know.

(Wisdom): Maybe, I’ll have to see. Let me see what I can come up with.

Wisdom looks at her watch, it’s later…well after 11:00 p.m. now in Scotland, pushing towards midnight.

(Wisdom): Sarah listen to me. It’s late…right now I want you to get in the bath, it will help trust me. Get yourself cleaned up, brush your teeth, and go to bed and try to get some sleep. I’m going to call you first thing in the morning before I go to bed and we’ll sort out next steps then okay sweetie?

Sarah nods, and again realizing Wisdom can’t see her replies.

(Sarah): Okay!

(Wisdom): What happened to you is beyond reprehensible, but I’m with you…you hear me? You’re not alone. We will get through this together, you and me kiddo!

(Sarah): Okay!

Her voice was weak and defeated and be it her own determination or her mindless obedience of her aunt’s orders she rose from the floor and turned she shower on. Wisdom could hear the water run smiled with a bit of relief.

(Wisdom): You call me anytime, day or night. If you want to talk, if you just want to hear my voice and not talk…just call me alright.

(Sarah): Okay!

(Wisdom): I love you sweetheart, and you’re going to be alright.

(Sarah): Okay….Love you too…bye!

Before Wisdom can reply Sarah hangs up. Wisdom hopes that she’s okay. Hopes that she just gets through this awful night without losing it. It was horrible that she was alone right now, mentally isolated with no one to wrap their arms around her, poor thing. And this boy…she didn’t get his name, didn’t even know who it was, but she’d find out later and there would be a reckoning. Everybody in Scotland knew you didn’t fuk with the Parkers. Butch would tear you apart, but this brazen little bastard decided to try his goddamn luck. He violated Sarah and Wisdom knew she would never be the same for it.

This boy stole from something she could never get back. A purity and innocence that it typically given by choice. How could she keep this from Butch? She had to. He couldn’t handle this right now. There’s no telling what it would do to him. And Sean….even in the state he’s in he’d be beside himself. This secret fell up on her shoulders to carry. Wisdom got her thoughts together and headed back out to the helicopter still waiting. She boarded and within minutes was in the air and heading home. The work she planned for the ride would have to wait. Right now she was searching for summer programs Sarah and Jake might join. A ruse for them to visit for a few months while she took care of Sarah. She needed to get her to a doctor, have her checked out properly. There was a lot to do in so little time, and keeping it all a secret was one of the heaviest burdens she’s ever had to carry. She’d have to earn her Oscar, acting like everything was fine for Butch and their family would deserve an award.

45 minutes later she was landing at home. She’d throw on a fake smile for Butch and the kids while her heart hurt inside and worried for Sarah. She’d carry on with her normal routine and pretend the day was as regular as any other when it had turned into an absolute disaster. Sarah had texted that she was going to bed which brought her some relief but the girl wouldn’t sleep, she knew that, and tonight…neither would she.

Fade to black.