Page 64 of Turbo

“Hey I heard someone was asking for me.”

“Porsche,” Syd’s eyes were red rimmed as she dropped down to sit eye level with her.

“How about we start simple?” Nightingale said as she gloved up and took Doc’s seat by Sydney. “First things first, have you ever been tested for strep when you had a sore throat?”

Sydney nodded and Nightingale held up a capped swab. “Well, kinda the same thing.”

“But not the nose right? I was sick and they stuck one of those up my nose,” Sydney said.

“That was for the flu, and those are horrible I feel like I’m poking brains,” Nightingale said.

“My throat isn’t sore though,” she said.

“I know, but sometimes things grow in there and we want to see if we can catch them before they get sore.”

Sydney nodded and Porsche took the seat vacated by Mike. The swabs were quick and soon the little girl was squeezing Porsche’s hand tight as they locked into a staring contest as Nightingale drew labs.

“All done,” Nightingale said and Sydney turned sharply to her.

“I didn’t feel anything!” she exclaimed.

“I’m magic,” Nightingale said. “My son has to get regular blood draws because he has a condition that needs to be monitored. I’ve learned all the tricks watching the nurses.”

“It’s not you, it’s Porsche.”

Sydney’s words sent a blanket of heat wrapping around her that turned into an inferno when Mike placed his hand on her shoulder.

“That’s it, we need to hire her as the professional hand holder around here,” Nightingale said. “Now, Sydney, remember how I told you we needed you to get in an ugly dress so Doc can look in the spots Mitch hurt to make sure it’s not gonna be hurt anymore?”

She nodded, her palm turning to ice in Porsche’s hand as she glanced over to her and Porsche could see the mask floating down her face. The one the little girl must have put in place when she was done fighting to stop what was happening and disappeared into another world. Every part of Porsche wanted to stop this, save the little girl, but she knew this was the saving, this was the chance for her to have a better life. To prove beyond a shadow of a doubt what had been done to her and a chance to fix any damage so twenty years down the line if she wants a child she can have one. Her tiny body had been assaulted and much like with the throat swab they needed to know what might be lurking in there.

“Sydney, do you want to know the nickname your dad gave me,” Porsche whispered in the little girl’s ear making her jolt a bit and her mask slip.

“Is it a secret?” Sydney asked with a gulp. “Because I don’t want any more of those.”

Her heart dropped, here she was trying to bond and instead added to the burden the poor girl already bore. “You know what, you’re right, you don’t need any more secrets. Do you need my help changing into the ugly dress with really weird snaps?”

She nodded and then glanced at her dad.

“Mike, can you please step out for a few minutes?” Porsche asked, he nodded and mouthed the word thank you as the nurse and doctor also allowed the little girl her privacy. “Did they tell you that you can’t wear your underpants?”

Sydney nodded as tears filled her eyes, but didn’t fall. It took a few minutes and Porsche lifted the girl up to the end of the table then played with the stirrups to get her to loosen up even though she could see her trembling. A couple knocks on the door and Doc came in and gloved up with Nightingale as they set up a kit, complete with the smallest speculums Porsche ever saw.

“I don’t know what’s worse,” Doc said as she laid out the contents of the sterilized kit on a tray. “The fact Red ordered a child size speculum or the fact it was made because doctors needed ones this small for patients.”

“The latter,” Porsche said as she made eye contact with the woman’s brown eyes. “Hands down.”

Doc talked through every step, stopping if Sydney asked to stop, continuing when the little girl was ready. Regular at first, ears, nose, throat. Pressing on the belly and checking for any bruising or disfiguration if Sydney spoke of a past injury or current ache. Then it was time and Doc performed the task she avoided with any other patient, but she couldn’t ask Sydney to be examined by Red. Not because he wouldn’t be professional or kind, but the last thing Sydney needed was a man invading her privacy further. With Doc it wasn’t a simpleI’m going to touch your inner thigh warning or a little bit of pressure now. This was delicate with smears collected and comments made. Checking in at each stage with Sydney and only Sydney on what she could handle.

Comments were made a bit too low between the women at the other end of the exam table, but for Porsche most of what was being said was a murmur because her focus was the clutched hand around her own. Being there for Sydney to see someone was watching out for her and assuring her she was safe. Something her mother should have been doing all along and failed.

Once everything was collected, part was sealed up in a box with a badge on it after Nightingale and Doc both signed paperwork. The rest was moved across the hall to the lab and what couldn’t be run would have to be sent out. Sydney dressed, her little body and mind exhausted.

“Let’s all go upstairs,” Doc said. “The upper clinic is empty and will give Sydney a place to lie down.”

Porsche wasn’t even questioned as she walked up the backstairs to the waiting area where she sat on the couch and Sydney curled up next to her. Placing a pillow under the little girl’s head she removed her binder and softly brushed her fingers through the bright blonde locks. Mike sat at the far end of the couch, pulled in on himself as Doc sat across from him.

“She was abused,” Doc said. “There’s no doubt and right now she has a UTI and yeast infection, mix that with the trauma and the bed wetting is expected.”

---