Jay drove the quarter-mile to Olivia’s apartment in less than a minute. He bounded up the stairs two at a time. The door to her apartment was a bit ajar, but he didn’t seem to notice. Jay wanted to scream hello at the top of his lungs. Then he realized it was almost one in the morning. He should wake her gently.
When he was able to push the door open, he knew something was wrong. Jay dropped his duffle bag. The bedroom door was open. He saw sheets and a floral comforter lying in a pile at the foot of the bed.
Was she alone? Was she hurt? Perhaps sick or drunk from a late-night party? Jay stepped into the bedroom doorway and looked in. Olivia was sprawled on her back, naked and sound asleep. A pool of fluid stained the bed sheets between her legs.
There was a noise in the bathroom—a toilet flushing. The bathroom door opened. A tall man with salt and pepper hair stepped out. He was only wearing a pair of underwear. The man was older but in incredible shape: Six-pack abs and no body fat. The muscles in his chest and arms bulged. When he saw Jay, his face turned flush red. He ducked back into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Jay vaulted over the bed, lowered his left shoulder, and plowed through the bathroom door. Splinters flew from the hinges as the door smashed inward. Jay slammed into the sink, bracing himself for a fight—but the bathroom was empty. The window next to the sink was open. He ran over and looked out. The street was quiet. Then he heard a car engine start. He caught a glimpse of a car leaving without its headlights on.
Jay went back into the bedroom and found Olivia still sleeping. He realized he was at a crime scene, and it appeared that the stranger drugged and raped Olivia. Jay stepped out of the bedroom and closed the door. Then he pulled out his phone and dialed nine-one-one.
Jay spent the rest of the night and the next morning in the ER waiting room. Finally, a nurse emerged from the exam room.
“Are you Mr. Mendes?” the nurse said. “Olivia asked for you to come in.”
Jay found Olivia lying in bed. Her face was pale, and her eyes bloodshot.
“Olivia, are you alright?”
She shook her head.
“Tell me what happened.”
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean? Did that man hurt you?”
She nodded. “The doctor said they found semen….”
“Oh God no,” Jay said. “I’m so sorry.”
Jay leaned over to hug her, but Olivia shook her head. “I need some space,” she said.
“Do you know the man who attacked you?”
“I don’t know. All I know is I went to a dinner at the Institute. I ate and had a glass of champagne. The next thing I know, I’m waking up in the hospital.”
“Were you drugged?”
Olivia nodded, “The doctor said they found traces of something called GHB in my urine.”
“What does that mean?” Jay said.
“He said GHB is a common date-rape drug. It comes in a clear liquid, and you mix it with a drink.”
“Like your champagne?”
“It could be. I don’t know.”
“Do you remember seeing anybody suspicious at the dinner?”
“No, Jay, I can’t remember anything.”
It took the rest of the day for Olivia to shake off the effects of the drug. She was distracted and said she wanted to rest. Jay didn’t argue, deciding to visit his mother and wash his laundry.
Jay missed Olivia and wanted to do something to help. He tried calling her, but his calls went to voicemail. He spent his time job hunting and working out.
A week later, she finally responded and told him he could come over.
Jay found Olivia doing work in the kitchen. She gave him a quick kiss but returned to her books. He felt something was wrong but couldn’t put his finger on it.
After supper, he asked her to take a ride to one of his favorite spots in Falmouth. They drove north on Route 28A past old houses with gray, weathered shingles and antique shops. He took a left towards West Falmouth harbor and pulled into the parking lot for Chapoquoit Beach. The wind was blowing hard, and the surf was up. Several people in wetsuits were kitesurfing.
The sun dropped toward the horizon. A few wispy clouds turning various shades of pink and orange. People lined up in their cars to watch the nightly ritual.
Jay and Olivia walked through the surf. The fine sand squishing through their toes. Jay stopped to skip some rocks while Olivia gathered seashells. When they reached a granite breakwater, he climbed up, and Olivia followed. They walked out to watch the waves crashing over the piles of granite boulders.
Jay held Olivia’s hands and pulled her towards him. “I wanted to say something to you for a long time.”
“Wait,” Olivia said as she resisted. “I need to be honest with you.”
“What do you mean?” Did I do something?”
“No, Jay. That’s not it. I won an award for the research report I wrote about our trip to the Falkland Islands. It included a grant to continue my studies for my Ph.D. I received a full scholarship to continue my research.”
“That’s great news. Did you got your first choice at the Institute?”
“I got my first choice. It’s not here.”
“Where is it?”
“I’m going to study at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in San Diego.”
“I thought you were getting the job at the Falmouth Aquarium? You were going to care for Jojo?”
“Stephanie got the trainer’s job at the aquarium. She’s staying at the Institute to work on her degree. There was only one slot available. He’s in good hands.”
“What will you be doing?”
“Sea mammal research. They have the research ship Sally Ride. We’ll be traveling to Alaska to study killer whales and seals.”
When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow. I was going to tell you sooner, but you know what happened.”
Jay turned his back. He tried to gather his composure.
“Jay, what were you going to tell me?”
Jay put his hand in his right pocket. He fingered the small box with the diamond engagement ring. The one his father gave to his mother over thirty-five years ago. He contemplated popping the question. But he knew that wasn’t right. He had to let her go.
“Nothing,” Jay said as he turned to look at her. “Olivia, I love you. I’ll be here when you return.”