Chapter Four - Easter
Robbie drove to Tampa to see his battered sister, Karen, as soon as he could pack a bag. He was worried sick about her. His parents were already at the hospital and were keeping Robby posted on Karen's status by cell phone. In addition to the concern for his sister, Robby was also as pissed off at her asshole of a husband as he had ever been at anyone in his life. Robbie was an easy-going guy but his good nature had an edgy side when he was angry. Karen's husband, Jason, had been arrested for domestic violence but was already out on bail courtesy of his wealthy parents and their compassionate attorney.
Karen was in a private room at the hospital; asshole Jason's parents were footing the bill for that as well, on advice of counsel. Jason Oliver was in hiding somewhere to avoid the bad press he was bringing his family; that was their main concern - bad press. It broke Robby's heart to see his sister there in the bed, her face swaddled in bandages. She was so small and looked so vulnerable. Carl and Louise Davis were relieved to see their son arrive. Karen had been asking for him every since they had been there. Carl and Louise went to the hospital cafeteria while Robby sat by the bed and held his sister's hand. Robby asked her what had happened.
"Jason came home after being gone for two days; I was angry and we started arguing. I told him I knew he was seeing other women and was involved in drugs and I wanted a divorce. He went crazy over that and started slapping me. He tore off my robe then started beating me while he raped me. He said he would kill me before he would let me have a divorce.
"I must have passed out because, when I woke up, he was gone. I called 911 from my cell phone and the police showed up with an ambulance. Jason showed up at the police station with his parents' lawyer. He spent the night in jail but then got out on bail. I am so scared, Robby; what if he tries to kill me like he said. He is mean and crazy," Karen sobbed.
"That's why I came here; and, when you are better, you are going home with me," Robbie promised.
"That's what I want, Robby; but what about school? I'll be here at least a week," Karen said.
Then she started crying harder and touched the bandage across her nose and over her left eye.
"The bastard broke my nose and chipped my eye socket. The doctor fixed my nose but said it will not look the same. And he won't know if my vision has been permanently affected until the swelling goes down," she wailed.
"Take it easy, Kari; everything will be just fine. Besides, I'll still love you even if you end up with two noses and one eye," he teased.
"Thanks, Robby; I know you mean that even if you said it as a joke. You are the only man I've ever met that loves me unconditionally. I can't believe I was stupid enough to marry that jerk. He was so sincere and loving when we were dating then he turned into an animal after we were married. Did you know he even tried to swap me with another guy on our honeymoon? I thought he was just drunk so I laughed it off. I am such an idiot. That's why we stopping coming over to visit. I did not want you or Mom or Dad to know anything was wrong; I was ashamed of the jerk I was dumb enough to marry."
"Don't beat yourself up over it, Sis; he was a good actor. He even fooled Mom and Dad. I never liked him just because he was taking you away from me; but I could never imagine him doing this."
"Well, I've learned my lesson; I won't make that mistake twice. I feel so much better with you here, Baby Brother. Can I have a kiss, or am I too ugly?"
Robby leaned over the bed and kissed her gently. She wrapped her slender little arms around his neck and sighed.
"The pain medication is making me drowsy. I wish you could hold me. Will you stay with me if I fall asleep?" she asked.
"You bet I will. I'm going to do some school work while you nap. I have all my assignments for the next week with me. I don't plan on you being out of my sight for a while."
Robby talked to Laura a couple of times a day while Karen was in the hospital. Laura said she was so lonely without him and missed him terribly. She would have felt even worse if it were not for their friend Jenna. Robby missed Laura also; they had been inseparable for four months. Laura told Robby that Jenna had met a man who seemed to be perfect for her. It was early -- but, so far, the guy had done everything right. Laura had met him and even gone out to dinner with them. Robby teased her about already stepping out on him even though he had been gone for only a few days. Laura said to not even joke about that; she was his and his alone.
Karen spent four more days in the hospital, mostly as a precaution for the slight concussion she had suffered. The bandages came off the day before she was discharged. Robby's anger flared anew when he saw the livid purple bruises that still covered her face. Mr. Jason Oliver had an ass-whipping coming if Robby got his hands on him. Anyone that hit a woman was a worm in Robby's opinion. But to beat his sister, who was barely five foot two and a hundred pounds, was truly despicable. Robby knew that he could kick big soft Jason's ass. His dad had boxed in college and taught Robby how to handle himself since when he was seven. Carl Davis had also insisted Robby take martial arts to counterbalance the music lessons Louise had Robby take.
Carl had to go back to his business after a couple of days. He drove Robby's truck back to Orlando and left his wife and son his Caddy. Robby usually teased Carl mercilessly about his flashy maroon 'pimp-mobile'. Carl protested that he needed it to impress clients -- but even Louise said he had bought the car because he had always wanted one.
Robby and Louise bundled Karen into the plush back seat of the car and drove her to her house. Robby went in first, half-hoping Jason was there. Jason, however, was still lying low, hiding out at his parents' place, and being a model citizen. When Robby had thoroughly checked the house, Louise and Karen came in and packed a couple of bags of necessities. From Karen's house, they drove straight back to Orlando. Karen said that she was never going back to that house or anywhere near Jason again.
At the Davis' home, Karen blanched and balked at the thought of being alone in her old room. She was petrified that Jason would come there and hurt her again. They settled on her sleeping with Robby in his room. Robby had always sought Karen's bed for comfort when he was small and something had scared him. So, it seemed only natural that he would provide the same comfort for her. But that was for later that night; for now, Louise and Robby made Karen comfortable on the couch where she could watch the television. Robby sat at the end of the couch with her feet in his lap. She cooed in contentment as he rubbed her tiny feet.
Louise Davis stood in the kitchen and watched them over the counter top as they shared the couch. She had never seen a bond between siblings as strong as her childrens'. Karen had never resented Robby for a second, not even when she was a teenager and was stuck baby-sitting him. Even with their seven year difference in age, they were best friends growing up. Karen had been fiercely protective of her brother when he was a youngster. She had even once taken on the neighborhood bully to protect him, a boy considerably bigger than she. Their roles reversed when Robby hit puberty at thirteen. Now, he was the protector and comforter. Louise knew that if Jason Oliver showed up at their house, he would be in for some serious trouble, even if her husband were not around.
Laura made a bee-line straight to the Davis' house when she arrived home from work. She walked into the house and straight into Robby's arms. She knew she was probably making a spectacle of herself but did not care as she covered his face with kisses. Karen sat up on the couch wrapping herself in the quilt Robby had covered her with to make room for Laura to sit. Laura had met Karen a few times but did not actually know her very well. Karen had been in college then off on her own since Laura had moved in next door four years ago. Laura was equally aghast at the lividly bruised and still-swollen face of her man's sister. She had never seen anyone that badly beaten in real life.
