Meryl and Don: An Unforeseen Journey

Chapter 34

The next morning Don was sitting in a chair next to Meryl's bed as he switched back and forth from reading the newspaper that was brought in to them and watching her sleep. He was glad that she was sleeping so soundly; especially after the day before. He just couldn't sleep much. Not with them continuously coming in to check on Meryl and the baby. He was glad that Meryl mostly slept through it but he couldn't. As grateful as he was that they were monitoring both hers and the baby's heartbeats, he couldn't sleep with all the beeping from the machines; but he of course wouldn't have it any other way. Don was brought out of his thoughts when he heard a tap at the door. He quickly went to answer before it woke her up. "Larry." Don whispered surprised to see him.

"Hey, I need to talk to you...alone." Larry said worriedly.

Don knew this couldn't be good. "Okay, I'll be right out." Don went over to make sure his wife was asleep and with a kiss to her forehead he quietly closed the door and met his best friend in the hallway. "Can we do whatever it is here? I want to be able to hear if she calls out or something. After her nightmare a few nights back I don't want her to think I left."

"Yeah, but I think you're going to need to sit down." Larry told him.

Don just shook his head. "Tell me. You're all dressed up for a Saturday. This isn't a social call is it?"

"No." Larry said. "I thought it would be best to tell you first then we can tell her."

Don was starting to lose his patience. "What is it, Larry?"

"After the DA, police and I listened to Meryl's statement on the recording we are no longer charging him with molestation." Larry held up his hand before Don could protest. "We're charging him with rape."

Don fell back against the wall in shock as he held onto the railing that ran along the wall. "But he didn't, well he didn't penet...fuck I can't even say it. This is my wife we're talking about, Larry."

"I know, Don, I know." Larry said sadly. "The legal definition of rape is: a criminal offense defined in as forcible sexual relations with a person against that person's will. Rape is the commission of unlawful sexual intercourse or unlawful sexual intrusion. We heard her yelling and saying no. He ejaculated. While it was not intercourse it was a sexual intrusion. She said no and yet he 'finished.'"

Don buried his face in his hands momentarily and then looked up at Larry. "So, what does this mean?"

"It means he will serve even longer." Larry said. "He will be listed on the sexual predators database. He won't be able to hurt her or anyone else ever again. This means no one will go through what she has at his hands."

Don nodded his head as he rubbed his eyes. "My wife was raped, Larry. RAPED."

"I'm so sorry." Larry tried to console Don.

Don looked down at his wedding ring. "The fucker did it when I was only feet away; WE were only feet away."

"He's a sick bastard; but we've got him." Larry told Don.

Don nodded. "We need to tell her. God, how do I tell her this? How do I help her through this?"

"Just like you have been, Don; by reminding her she did NOT warrant this and by loving her. By being there for her. I know it will be hard, but also by not flying off the handle. You can do that with me; not with her." Larry told him.

Don took a deep breath. "I do love her; more than my own life."

"You have proven that." Larry said as they heard Meryl call out for him. 

Don pulled himself together. "We need to keep her as calm as possible so her blood pressure doesn't get too high."

"You always calm her." Larry assured him.