Page 99 of Petite Fleur

His name is Tyler and he’s on the baseball team. From the looks of it, he’s popular, smart, and going places after college, but an attack at a party has ruined his confidence and his mental health.

“I can’t stay there, Dr. Aldon. Every time I step foot on that campus, I’m terrified that I’m going to run into them. I don’t even know who they are!” He whines.

Why has this become such a problem?

This is the fifth patient who has started coming to me after being raped on campus or at a college party and it’s starting to get concerning.

I’ve already contacted the dean of the school to inform him of the situation happening on campus, but without being allowed to give names and none of my patients being willing to come forward to the cops or the dean, I’m stuck. The school is forced to believe me without any form of proof, therefore they’re limited on what they can do.

From what I’ve heard, they’ve doubled campus security and put up a few flyers about being safe while drinking, but that’s about it.

I give a short nod and make a quick note in my notepad about Tyler’s confession. I can’t have him give up school, but I’m limited on what I can do for him aside from talk him through his trauma.

“I understand, I know it must be hard to live with the unknown, but there are steps we can take to make you feel safe without having to abandon your dreams.” I reassure him.

Tyler huffs and wipes a tear from his eye and I quickly hand him the box of tissues on the table between us. “I have no dreams anymore.” He mumbles.

I won’t accept that.

“Tyler, you’re pre-med, you’re going to be so much more than the worst thing that has ever happened to you, but you have to be willing to push through how you’re feeling to get to the next step.” I promise him.

He’s already halfway through his medical degree, I can’t let him throw that away over this.

I wish at least one of my patients knew who it was that had attacked them. It would make moving past this much easier if their rapist was found murdered in their apartment, but all anybody can recall is the smell of sweat and vanilla.

“How can I? Every time I close my eyes, I feel them on top of me, I feel their weight and myself being held down. How do I stop that? How do I go on when I can still feel what they’ve done?” He snaps.

I wish I had an answer, I wish I knew the perfect thing to say to make him magically forget what had happened, but that’s not how this works.

“Can’t you give me something? A pill or a shot or something?” He asks.

If only.

“There is no pill that will make you forget your attack, Tyler, but I can give you something mild for anxiety. Do you think that’s necessary?” I ask.

I hate drugging patients when they don’t need it, but if it will help him carry out his day to day life while I work with him, I will do it.

“Please. I can’t sleep, being on campus makes me feel sick, and I haven’t felt comfortable hanging out with my friends since that day. Why didn’t any of my friends see me that drunk and help me? Why didn’t anyone see me being drugged, carried, or led off and stopped them?” He asks desperately.

“I wish I could answer that for you, Tyler, but unfortunately you are more likely to be attacked in large gatherings because everyone else assumes that someone else is looking after you. But you cannot blame your friends, this isn’t anyone's fault but your attacker, not even yours.” I promise him.

Tyler huffs loudly and drags his hand down his face in a failed attempt to hide his tears. “If I hadn’t drank so much.” He starts, but I cut him off before he gets the chance to continue that sentence. “How much you drink has nothing to do with the actions of a sick and twisted person.” I reassure him.

Don’t worry, the irony is not lost on me that I have never cared or asked Maeve if she is okay with anything that’s happened between us, but I’m better than whoever has been attackingthese students. I care about Maeve, she is the sole reason my heart beats, the only thing that wakes me up in the morning, and the only thing that makes me happy in this filthy world.

No, this campus rapist is nothing like me.

Despite my best efforts to avoid it, I prescribe Tyler with anti-anxiety medication and something to help him sleep. I don’t think he needs them, but he needs something to take the edge off while we work together.

This happening on campus is making me more and more grateful that I did take Maeve when I did.

What if I hadn’t been there the night she had gone out for her birthday?

Would she have been another name on an unfathomable list of students assaulted by their classmates?

The thought alone makes me sick.

I feel as if I’m on autopilot throughout the rest of my day. Three patients, two consultations, and a very welcomed break to enjoy the lunch my girl had made me for me.

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