“How old is she? Do you know if she’s on any medication?”
“She’s 19 and I think just birth control,” I replied. It felt like I should be doing more for her, but I was useless. The doctor saw me at war with myself and came toward me. “You did good getting her here. We’ll take care of her. Try to relax and we’ll come get you in the waiting room in just a bit.” He smiled reassuringly and I turned to leave the room. I found Terrell sitting on the edge of his seat with his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes were red from crying. I put my hand on his shoulder and sat in the chair beside him.
“Maisha’s gonna be here in like five minutes. She said she’ll call Sam’s parents when she gets here if you want her to.” I’d almost forgotten that someone would have to break the news to them, and I wouldn’t even know where to start.
The clock on the wall said that it was nearly one in the morning and I couldn’t believe that things had turned out this way. When Sam didn’t show, at first I thought she was just being stubborn and that she wanted me to sweat a little because she was still upset. But when it got later and she didn’t even call or answer her phone, I started to think that something was wrong. So, when I called again at midnight, that was when she answered and confirmed my suspicions.
I glanced over at Terrell again to see how he was holding up. His expression was tense as he stared at ground. “We have to find out who did this,” he mumbled.
I looked up as Maisha was rushing into the waiting room. She was still wiping tears from her face when Terrell met her in the middle of the room to embrace her. When he let her go, she came in my direction and wrapped her arms around me. “Are you ok?” She asked.
I couldn’t even answer her question because I wasn’t sure what to say. She rubbed my arm consolingly and backed away. “Have the doctors said anything yet? Can we see her?” She asked frantically.
“No, we’re still waiting,” Terrell replied. They sat side by side with their hands interlocked, staring at the doorway. “AJ, do you want me to call Sam’s parents?” Maisha offered. That sounded like the easiest way, but I felt like I should do it myself. I had to stand up and be a man even though at the time I didn’t feel much like one.
“Thanks, but I’ll do it.” I stared at my phone in my hand and decided to wait until the doctor had more to tell us.
“Who would’ve done this to her?” Maisha asked, not actually expecting a response. Terrell turned to look at me and then shook his head.
Time crept along as the three of us continued to sit there, waiting. Three whole hours passed before a doctor came into the room and walked in our direction, we all hopped to our feet instantly. “I’m Dr. Murphy. You’re here for Samantha, correct?” The woman asked.
“Yes. Is she alright?” Maisha responded frantically. Her expression was hopeful as she anticipated the doctor’s answer.
“She’s fine. Most of her injuries are superficial, and she’s awake now if you’d like to see her.”
Maisha and Terrell took off for the door immediately and then the doctor amended her statement. “But, she’s understandably still shaken, so I think it would be best if you went back one at a time,” she added.