The Boy Who Cried Help

Chapter 12

Aiden's POV

My world stopped for a minute. 

I was trembling and avoiding Paul's eye contact. Not wanting to see the look on his face of surprise, horror or worse; disgust. When I finally got the courage to look at Pauls' face, his expression was none of those, instead, he looked sorrowful and empathetic. 

And in a way, it felt like we were in good company because we both shared the feeling of pain. Deciding since I had started, I might as well spill everything I said " When I was fourteen, I was on the way to the grocery store to get some food for dinner for my mom and I decided to take the back alleyway to get there faster."

 I took a deep breath before continuing. 

I didn't know if I could recall the events without breaking down but I decided I was going to try.  "I was stopped about halfway through by a woman who wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. She handcuffed me and held my body down. Despite for my pleas for her not to, she didn't stop." There were tears rolling down my cheeks and I tried desperately to stop them.  Some feelings of that night came back to me and I started to feel violated, ashamed and hurt all over again. 

"Dude, I'm so sorry that happened to you. Jut know that it wasn't your fault and I'm here if you need anything," Paul said reassuringly.

 I tried to smile at him in response but I'm sure it looked more like a grimace. I thought back to today with finding out my rapist and figured that was an important piece that I should probably mention. "The reason I almost relapsed today was because I met my rapist again. Turns out she's Scarlett's aunt." 

"Oh shit," Paul said wincing.

 "Yeah, I freaked and ran." 

"I definitely get that," Paul responded. 

I sighed before looking at the sky. There were only a few stars out tonight and the wind was starting to blow harder. "Now that I've spilled all of my secrets, I should go," I said trying to lighten the mood, realizing how late it was and how I didn't tell my parents where I am. 

"Yeah, I should start heading home with Matthew," Paul said looking down at his blissfully sleeping l younger brother. Gently maneuvering him in his arms, Paul managed to move Matthew from laying in lap to resting on his hip. I smiled slightly at the obvious love and compassion he has for his brother. "Do you need a ride?" I asked remembering that I saw him walking from across the park. 

"No," Paul responded. "I parked just over there," he said gesturing towards the direction I had seen him come from. "Okay, well I'll see you tomorrow at school," I said starting to walk towards my car. "Okay, I'll see you," Paul responded before he hesitated for a second and said my name. 

I turned back to look at him and he took a breath before saying "Look man, I know you said what happened to you was three years ago so this is probably not relevant but did you ever get checked out?" I blinked trying to understand what he meant. 

My chest tightened as I realized that while I have had normal check-ups since then, they didn't test for STIs, STDs or worse HIV and AIDS. Paul saw my facial expression and took my silence as a no. "If you haven't had any problems this long after, you should be fine. But just in case, you should get checked out. Especially since she is a prostitute." 

"You're right, thanks," I said before we bid each other goodbye again. 

I kept thinking about what Paul said and wondered how I could be so stupid! What was that they called it on Law and Order? A rape kit. I should have gotten a rape kit done that same night. Clenching my fists against the steering wheel and my ignorance and stupidity, I drove home. 

I thought about how I was going to schedule an appointment. I thought about going to a free clinic but I knew that they would need parental consent and then I would have to explain to my parents. Of course I still had my pediatrician but again, I need parental consent. 

Getting increasingly frustrated, I turned the corner to my street and parked.  I didn't immediately get out of the car as I pondered what I was going to do. Not going to get checked is not an option. I sighed as I got out of my car, not yet coming up with a solution. 

I entered the house and before I could put my keys down my mom came into view. "Aiden, where were you? I was worried," she said before engulfing me in a tight hug. "Sorry, I forgot to call you. I came home and you weren't here so I went out. I didn't realize it was so late." "It's fine if you want to leave the house honey just let me know, okay?" 

"Okay," I responded making a mental note to do better. We both walked to the kitchen where I could see that dinner was almost ready. "Your father had to work late at the office so he won't be here for dinner," mom said. I nodded before she finished up and brought it to the table. When she finally sat down she asked "Where did you go?"

 "I was at Scarlett's house for the project but I ended up leaving early," I said the sick feeling coming back again. "Oh, why did you leave early?" she asked. I froze before realizing that this could be a good thing. "I felt sick and puked," I said trying my best to look sick and with the way I was feeling, didn't have to try too hard. 

"Sweetie, are you okay?" she asked looking worried and reached over to put her hand on my forehead to check my temperature. 

"I'm not sure, I responded." "Well maybe you should go to the doctor," she suggested still looking worried.

 Bingo. 

"You're probably right," I said agreeing with her. "Okay, I'll call Dr. Thompson in the morning," she said.  Since we had only moved half an hour away, we kept the same doctors so I know exactly who and where Dr. Thompson is. I finished my dinner and went to my room to get ready for bed. 

The next morning, I woke up and got ready for school. I went downstairs and saw my mom on the phone. "One today? I don't get off until two," my mom said into the receiver. I realized that she was talking on the phone to the doctor before I said, "That's fine mom, I can go myself. I'm 17." 

I could see that she was going to protest but I reassured her saying "Don't worry, I can do it. Your baby boy is all grown up." She rolled her eyes before giving in. "One o'clock it is," she said confirming the time. She hung up and looked over to me.

 "So they've scheduled you for one this afternoon. She gave me a once over and asked "You're going to school?" I responded "Yes, I think I can make it through a half day."

 "But what if you're contagious," she asked sounding worried. "Mom, I'll be fine," I said smiling at her. "Okay, " she relented before kissing my check and going to get ready for work. Dad came in a few minutes later and we exchanged a few words before it was time for me to get to school. "Bye mom, bye dad," I said loudly as I left. 

I got to school and went to my locker to get my things for class. After I closed my locker, I scanned the halls for Paul. I found him a few minutes later as he approached his locker. Walking up to him I said "Hey." Paul looked up and said "Hi." The bell rang before we could say more. We made our way to homeroom and took our seats. Before the late bell rang I looked over at Paul and said "I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon."

 He nodded and said "Good." The rest of the morning passed quickly. Thankfully Scarlett was not at school today as I wouldn't have any idea what to say to her. It was soon time for me to leave school for my doctor's appointment. I bid farewell to Paul, signed myself out at the office and headed to Dr. Thompson's office.