Cecilia and Daniel followed me in. I carried Rabbit directly into the bedroom and sat her on the bed. I pulled the parka off her shaking form. Daniel appeared beside me with a damp cloth and wiped away the dried blood from her neck, examining the site. While he was doing that I went and washed the blood off my hands, not wanting Rabbit to see it. Returning to the room, I winced when I saw the scratch marks she had inflicted on herself before I had managed to pull her hands away. Her appearance was almost frightening. She was so pale, her face haunted in its expression, and her lips ragged from where she had been chewing on them the entire time. She was shaking so hard, I sat down beside her needing to comfort her. The tension in her body made it impossible for me to draw her into my arms. “Rabbit,” I soothed. “It’s done. He won’t be back. I promise.” She didn’t respond or relax. Nor did she raise her eyes to look at me.
I looked at Daniel, who mouthed ‘shock’ at me. He turned to Cecilia. “Get me something warm and sweet. Lots of sugar, not hot, just warm. Tea, coffee; whatever is fastest. Please.”
She disappeared; returning quickly and Daniel knelt down in front of Rabbit with the mug in his hand. His voice was quiet and kind when he spoke. “Lizzy? I need you to drink some of this for me, okay? It will help you feel better. Please.” He helped her by holding the mug and I watched her struggle to swallow the warm liquid, her eyes shut.
After a few minutes, she spoke. “Can you take this out, Daniel?” she whispered, her voice ragged as her hand went to her neck.
“Tomorrow, Lizzy. I’ll arrange it for tomorrow when you’re at the hospital for the other tests.”
“Not today?” Her voice was almost plaintive and I looked at Daniel with concern. Had what just happened been too much for her to handle?
He shook his head. “It’s going to require stitches, Lizzy. I don’t have the supplies here.”
“But you’ll do it?”
He nodded. “I will. I’ll introduce you to Dr. Woods, as well. She will take good care of you. You’ll like her. Okay?”
Rabbit nodded but still didn’t look up. “May I lie down, please?”
Something in her voice broke my composure and I stood up. “Excuse us.”
They moved towards the door. Cecilia murmured something about getting food for everyone and Daniel placed his hand on my shoulder. “Patience, Joshua. She’s very vulnerable right now,” he instructed firmly. I nodded.
I closed the door after Cecilia and Daniel left and turned back to Rabbit. She had moved and was laying on the bed as far away as she could get from my side, curled into a small ball. Her eyes were shut and I could see her chest moving in small distressed breaths. I picked up the blanket and draped it over her. Bear jumped up and lay at the end of the bed watching her anxiously. Unsure, I knelt down. “Rabbit … open your eyes, baby. Please.”
Slowly they opened and I winced at the bereft, lost expression in them.
I slowly wrapped my hands around her cold ones, stroking them gently. “I’m sorry I broke my promise, Rabbit. But, I just reacted. Frankly, he deserved it with his offensive remarks. I won’t stand by and listen to anyone degrade you,” I insisted. “I tried to walk away; I didn’t plan it. It just happened.”
She nodded silently, her eyes still glazed over in anguish. I squeezed her hands and rested my forehead against hers. I heard her soft, stuttering sigh and I pulled back and looked at her, worried.
Her eyes dropped and I gently lifted her chin. “It’s over, Rabbit. Done. You’re safe now.” I reached up and touched her neck. “This will be gone tomorrow. There will be nothing left of him. Nothing.”
She stared at me, not saying anything. Then slowly her eyes shut. “I’m tired, Joshua,” she whispered. “Can I go to sleep now?”
I felt my throat tighten. “If that’s what you want, of course, Rabbit.” I paused. “Do you want me to stay with you?”
I was surprisingly hurt by the small shake of her head. I stood up, unsure what to do next, “I’ll, ah … I’ll be down the hall if you need me.” I turned to leave and felt her hand grab mine.
“I love you, Joshua. So much. I just ... so awful … I just need … a little time …” the last word was broken off with a small sob.
Swiftly, I leaned down, kissing the tears that were silently sliding down her cheeks, feeling both resigned and relieved. She just needed a few minutes alone. She wasn’t rejecting me. I needed to understand that she needed a little time to process what had happened.
“I love you as well, my Rabbit. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.” I gently pulled the blanket up around her, kissing her forehead before I left the room quickly, fighting to keep my own emotions under control.