“Why do they all care?” Maddie closed her eyes briefly before reaching for my arm. Her slender fingers wrapped around my wrist, the heat of her touch causing a reaction—desire mixed with something unfamiliar.
“Because I do.” My admission caused her to relax enough for me to guide her toward the center of the room, which was only several steps from where we stood.
They must’ve been listening at the door because they all entered the room without me asking. My mom was first, her smile big and inviting. She had a calming way about her, making me believe with a simple grin that everything was going to be okay, even when I was unsure myself.
“Hi, honey,” she said, setting her black medical bag on the bed. “I’m Addy, Linc’s mom.”
“Addy?” Maddie asked, her tone bordering surprise.
“Yeah.” My mom nodded before opening her bag and pulling out tubes for blood and a pee cup.
“Your name rhythms with mine.” A shy smile crept across Maddie’s face. “Addy and Maddie.”
“That’s because we’re cool,” my mom responded. I saw the tension evaporate from Maddie’s frame right before my eyes, which in turn made me relax.
“So, tell me, Maddie. How are you feeling? Any issues? No matter how small, you should tell me so I can make sure there isn’t a bigger problem.” She placed her hand on Maddie’s arm in comfort. “Okay?”
Maddie looked to me, then back to my mom, biting her lower lip but not saying anything.
“Linc, can you wait outside?” It wasn’t really a question but instead a command. I abided without giving her an issue. Whatever Maddie wanted to tell her was obviously private, and because I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible, I left them to it.
18
The moment I sat down with Addy, a calm washed over me.
“Now that it’s just us girls, how about you tell me what’s wrong.” I opened my mouth to start, but she interrupted me. “Sorry, how rude of us.” She pointed toward a pretty dark-haired woman who looked to be about her age. “This is Sully, Marek’s wife. And this,” she said, gesturing toward the younger female who was probably several years older than me, “is my daughter and Lincoln’s sister, Riley.”
Both women smiled and said hello. The young blonde shared a strong resemblance to her mom, which even included a similar shade of hair color and a family resemblance to Lincoln.
“So, what’s goin’ on?” Addy asked, her eyes on me as she sat on my right, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“For the past few days, it hurts when I pee. And sometimes I get dizzy.” I looked down at my hands in my lap, feeling embarrassed. Had one of those men given me a disease? Would these women and Lincoln, if he found out, think I was dirty, unworthy to remain with them?
“All right,” she said, pulling a thermometer out of her bag. “I have everything in here.” She laughed. “You wouldn’t believe how many times I had to take care of these guys back in the day.” Her laughter reminded me of my mom’s, and before I could stop myself, my eyes welled up. “It’s okay, honey. You’ll be okay. We’ll make sure of it.” I nodded because I couldn’t find my voice. “What you’re describing most likely sounds like a bladder infection or a UTI.” I frowned. “Urinary tract infection.”
“Oh,” I finally uttered, looking to my left when Sully took a seat beside me, sitting close while still not encroaching on my personal space. Riley remained standing, leaning against the dresser, smiling at me when I looked at her.
Addy put the thermometer under my tongue. “Pain during urination is a symptom, as well as dizziness from the infection.” She handed me a small plastic cup with a lid. “I need a sample of your urine so I can test to be sure.” I looked at the cup, then back to her. “When you’re done, I’m gonna take some blood and test for STDs as well as pregnancy.” Her words didn’t even register before she asked, “Is there a possibility you’re pregnant?” She pulled the thermometer out of my mouth when it beeped.
I would’ve loved to answer her question with a resounding no, but I couldn’t. Every time one of them forced themselves on me, not once did they use a condom, and I wasn’t on the pill.
“They never used anything when they…” I took a moment to try and compose myself. “And I don’t know when I had my period last. They’ve never been regular.” Any other words I was gonna say got stuck in my throat, a lone tear coursing down my face.
“Maddie, I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through,” Sully said, patting my hand. “If anyone knows what it’s like to live with those bastards, it’s me.” I turned my head so quickly toward her I almost gave myself whiplash. She lived with them, too? At my widened eyes, she continued speaking. “It was a long time ago, but my father was president of that club. But he never treated me like a daughter. He never protected me. He never loved me. He used me, in every way possible, then he passed me off to a man who was as bad, if not worse.” For Sully, a stranger, to tell me something so personal, to rehash memories that appeared to still be raw and difficult, meant a lot.
“How did you come to be here?” I asked, hoping I wasn’t overstepping by asking for more details.
“Marek took me from them.”
“Like Lincoln took me?” I found it hard to breathe while I waited for her to answer. Never wishing the torment they put me through on anyone, an odd, messed-up sense of comfort drifted over me knowing I wasn’t the only
