Page 8 of The Road Home
"Do you have a safe place to go at night?"
"I think I do now. I met a guy today that said I could join a group of other people that he claims is safe. He's the one who told me where the clinic was. I'm not sure how many people are there, but there is safety in numbers. I'll give it a try. Like I said, I just got here and am still trying to learn my way around." Orson sighed. "I think I was wrong to come to Salt Lake."
The thought of Orson leaving shouldn't have bothered Jared, but it did. He probably wouldn't see him again once he left the clinic, but there was some nagging voice in his head telling him that Orson needed to stay in the city. "I think you'll do well here. Don't give up on us yet. Give yourself some time to see what happens."
"I guess. If nothing happens, I'll head back to Arizona for the winter. Not sure I could handle the snow here if I don't get into a program of some kind." Orson nodded to the x-rays in Jared's hands. "Broken?"
Jared shook his head. "No, you were right, just bruised, but in more than one place. Are you sure you don't want something stronger for pain?" He wasn't supposed to push pain meds on the homeless, but he didn't get the feeling that Orson was going to abuse them. Hell, the guy had refused them the first time he asked.
"No, I'm good. I'd just sell them and that isn't going to help anyone really. Just something to take the edge off. I heal fast."
"How many times has this happened?"
Orson shrugged.
"I'd really like to check the rest of you if you'd let me. I know it's not the most comfortable thing, but if there are any tears or infection…" He didn't really know how to deal with this. Most rape victims were dealt with by the nurses and a specially trained team. He handled medical issues and such, but not the conversations.
"I don't think—"
"But you're not sure." Jared raised a brow.
Orson blew out a long breath. "No, I'm not sure."
"Then let me have you change into a gown. I'll just take a look and make sure everything is okay. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, and if there is no damage, I'll let you get dressed and we're done here." He planned on making sure he gave Orson a card with counseling information before he left, just in case.
Orson didn't say anything, so Jared grabbed a hospital gown from the drawer and handed it to him. "I'll give you a minute to change."
"You don't have to go. You're going to see everything anyway." Orson was already undoing the button on his pants as he also kicked off his shoes.
Jared turned away, giving him at least a little privacy. When he turned back, he smiled, trying to ease both their nerves. There was no way to make this kind of exam comfortable. "Do you want to get up here and lay down?"
"Yeah." He slid up onto the exam table finally, trying to hide the cringe when he sat on his ass. He rolled to his side a little. "How is this easiest?"
"Actually, on your back, but slide down." Jared pulled the stirrups out. "Brace your feet in these. I promise to work as fast as I can. No one likes being exposed this way."
Orson closed his eyes as he slid down and did what he was told. He kept his eyes closed, and seemed to be holding his breath.
"Try to relax." Jared quickly examined him, his stomach tightening when he saw the bruises and two small tears. Nothing looked like it needed to be treated. It would heal on its own, but it couldn't be comfortable. "You've got a lot of bruising, and you have two small tears, but nothing that won't heal on its own. I'm going to give you some cream for the itching and burning that you'll probably have, but I think you'll be okay.” He finished the exam, stepping back to let Orson sit up and cover up. "I have to ask, will you report this?"
Orson shook his head. "That would mean more exams, more attention, more problems. It's done and over.”
"Whoever hurt you should have to—"
"In a perfect world maybe, but my world is far from perfect. Please, just let it go. I know you're trying to do what is right, but the truth is, this isn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last. I'd rather just move on."
Jared wanted to ask if he could move on from it. What kind of world was it that a young man could be raped and look at it as something just to move on from? It had to take a physical and emotional toll on him. The fact that he expected it would happen again made Jared's stomach turn. Still, he couldn't push Orson to do anything. All he could do was be a good doctor, treat what he could see, and pray it didn't happen again. "Okay, I'll let it go."
"Thanks." Orson glanced up at him. "I'm sorry. I know it must be hard for you to understand, but this is just the way it is. Until I can get in a program, I'm stuck. I don't have a lot of choices."
"No, I guess that's true. At least try and get into the shelter if you can at night. I know the lines are long, but it's safer."
"Not really, at least not most places. I've seen rapes happen in them with a hundred other people in beds around them, and not one person tried to stop it." Orson slid off the exam table and reached for his pants. "Anyway, thank you for all you have done. My arm and chin feel a lot better."
It didn't feel like enough, but it was all he could do. "Will you come back into the clinic in a few days and let someone check your chin? I want to make sure that infection is clearing up. The cast needs to stay on for at least four to six weeks. If you just drop by any time after that, someone here can cut it off for you." He almost wished he'd be the one working so that he could at least follow up on how Orson was doing. The thought bothered him as he reminded himself not to get caught up in his patient's issues.
"Yeah, I'll try if I'm still in the area." Orson did the button of his pants before sliding off the hospital gown completely. "Thanks for everything. I'm sorry I can't pay."
"I don't do this for the money. I'm glad I could help." Jared hated sending Orson back out there, but honestly, what else could he do? "Just try and stay safe. I'll give you a couple prescriptions to get filled. The front desk will help you with that. If the pain gets worse or you feel feverish or nauseated, come in."
Orson nodded, but didn't make eye contact. That told Jared that Orson probably wouldn't be back no matter what. Maybe to get the cast off, but more than likely, he'd have someone on the streets help him cut it off before it was time. Jared sighed as he turned to make notes in the chart.
"Can I go?" Orson asked.
"Here, give these to the front desk." Jared handed a few scripts to him.
Orson took them and gave Jared the first real smile he'd seen since he came in. "Thanks again. And thank you for not preaching to me or forcing the issue of contacting the police. Have a good night." Orson turned and rushed out the door.
Jared watched him go, resisting the urge to follow him and beg him to take care of himself. This was just another patient. He saw hundreds like him before. He couldn't change their lives or help them all. But as he remembered the pale gray eyes staring up at him filled with sadness and insecurity, he couldn't help but think this one was different.
