Sarah and Kevin 26

Kevin put his hand over hers and leaned down. "Sarah, did he...ugh." Kevin bowed his head and closed his eyes. He couldn't even say it. He felt her hand on his cheek and he looked down at her.

"No. He didn't." she said, shaking her head.

He pressed his lips together. "You're just saying that so we won't take you."

"No. Honest. Please."

An odd sense of relief passed over him. "Do you think you can sit up?"

"Yes."

They helped her sit up. Kevin put his arm around her shoulders for support.

"Don't you think you should go and get some x-rays taken?" Kevin asked.

She shook her head. "Better if no one sees me."

"Want to try to stand?"

She took a deep breath. "OK."

She staggered a little when she first stood up. Kevin put his arm around her waist. She leaned heavily into him as she tried to walk.

"Here," he said and picked her up like a baby, carrying her into his bedroom. He laid her on his bed and sat down next to her.

"Tell me what you need." he said.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Ice pack, shirt and the phone."

"One of my shirts OK?"

She nodded.

He helped her sit up and take off her torn shirt. She kept her eyes closed until his shirt was on her. He laid her back down and left to get the ice pack and the phone.

When he returned, she took the ice pack and asked, "Which side needs it more?" He gritted his teeth and gently touched her right cheek. She rolled onto her right side, putting the pack under her face. He handed her the phone. "Can I be alone?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah." He grabbed a t-shirt and walked out, closing the door behind him.