Free Saving Avery by Angela Snyder

much better in my head. Frustrated, I scrub a hand down my face. "I mean is something wrong? She was very upset today, and I'm concerned."
    "She's always upset. There's no happiness in that girl unless she's with those kids."
    "Does she cry a lot?" Maybe she needs medication for depression, but that still wouldn't explain the bruises.
    "Well, she never cries in front of me or anyone, for that matter, but you can tell that she's carrying a huge burden on those little shoulders of hers. Avery's such a lovely girl. I don't know why she stays with him."
    "Him? Her husband?"
    She nods with a frown.
    And then the question is out of my mouth before I can even process it. "Does he hit her?"
    Rosie hesitates like she isn't sure whether she wants to tell me. "Well, I mean how clumsy can one person be? Over the years I've seen the bruises she tries so hard to cover up. And believe me, she does one hell of a job at covering them up. Even when it's a hundred degrees outside that girl will wear long-sleeved cardigans and turtlenecks." She blows out a long breath. "Listen, Dr. Harrison, I was in an abusive relationship. I know the signs, and she has all of 'em." She shakes her head sadly. "I've known Avery for six years, back when she was still in high school and started volunteering as a way to please her father and pad her college resume. The girl she was before she met her husband is not the same girl you see today. She used to be so spunky and full of life." She stares into the distance. "The complete opposite of who she is now," she says softly.
    I try to imagine Avery as her old self, being vivacious and cheerful. What I wouldn't give to see her like that once more.
    Rosie sighs deeply and continues. "I tried to bring it up once, about her leaving him. Avery didn't talk to me for weeks on end. Her bruises aren't the only things she's covering up. For some reason, she's protecting him. I see it like this --- if she doesn't want to help herself, then how can I help her?" A deep frown sets on her face. "Avery is a strong girl, but she's been more withdrawn lately. Something happened about six months ago, and Avery hasn't been the same since. I can see a change in her, and it scares me. She's good at pretending, but that hard armor of hers is starting to crack, and I think maybe he's finally breaking her down."
    Her words sink in slowly. My mind fills with images of Avery being hurt, and it kills me inside. I really don't know her that well, but I do know she doesn't deserve that kind of a life.
    "Anything else you need, Doc?" Rosie asks, breaking through my thoughts.
    "No. Thank you. You've been very helpful."
    "If you think you can help her, please try, because that girl needs saving. She just doesn't know it yet." She offers a small smile, pats me on the shoulder and leaves the room.
    I run a hand down my face and over the stubble on my chin. Rosie gave me a lot of information to take in. Instead of getting over this little crush I have with Avery, it is actually growing into more of an obsession. I need to find out more about her and what's going on in her life that would make her stay with someone who hurts her. I wouldn't exactly label myself as a knight in shining armor, but maybe she needs me to be hers.
     
    *
     
    It's late when I arrive home. There was an emergency at the hospital, and so my shift lasted a lot longer than usual. I set my things on the kitchen counter and immediately make my way outside onto the back patio. I step into the darkness and instantly spot Avery on the beach. This is definitely a ritual with her. This has happened every night this week, and somehow I sense that this is the only way she can deal with her emotions for the day. I think the ocean is her therapy, a catharsis.
    I resist the urge to go to her. I need to find out more before I start interfering in her life. For all I know, I could make things much worse for her by intervening. My hands clench into fists, and my gaze drags to the house next