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“Miss Brooks, I understand your position but as I’ve told you before, without a name there is nobody for us to speak with.”
My frustration with Campus Safety has grown ten-fold since I took this seat. In my heart I know they don’t mean to dismiss my fears but watching this guy click the top of his pen and suck whatever he had for lunch from his teeth doesn’t exactly make me feel like a priority. Regardless of what I logically know to be true, I need this man to tell me what I want to hear. I need to know they understand my level of fear and need for people on my side. People in charge and with authority.
“I hear you but Detective Randel said that it would be important for you to also have a file with the ongoing instances. Can’t you open a file?”
My voice catches as I plead my case. Detective Randel didn’t even question my fear nor did he cast any doubt on the validity of what is happening. Maybe it’s because he’s a police officer and has more experience with something like this, but as intimidating as the police department is, I felt less uncomfortable there than I do here.
“Look, rent-a-cop”—I place my hand on Morgan’s arm, squeezing it enough to cause her to stop speaking, but she clears her throat and continues—“it’s been months that this freak has been messing with Sophia. She’s scared out of her mind and quite frankly, the fact that this is happening on campus and you, CampusSafety, aren’t doing anything to protect her is appalling.”
The man, K. Appleby according to his nametag, clicks the pen twice more before tossing it on the desk and standing. Morgan and I look at one another while he moves to an old file cabinet and thumbs through the papers. His back stays to us and he doesn’t speak a word until he returns to his seat.
Tapping aggressively on the keyboard in a pecking manner, he continues to stay silent. I’m not sure if he’s dismissing us and we should leave, but since he hasn’t given us direction, we just sit here and wait until he does so.
“Name?”
“Oh... um, Sophia Brooks.”
Pecking of the keyboard and clicking on his mouse, Officer Appleby takes all of my information and the history of the contact. I tell him of the backstage incident opening night, which earned me a flurry of curses from Morgan. Until now, I hadn’t shared that with anyone.
“Miss Brooks, I want to be honest with you here. It’s my experience with things like this that if you continue to ignore the guy, he’ll eventually give up. I would recommend you don’t go anywhere alone for the time being and consider changing your telephone number.”
“With all due respect,sir, Sophia has taken many precautions. For months. She came to you weeks ago to report this issue. Does this guy have to actually hurt her before anyone will help? Why does she have to changeherphone number? This seems unfair.”
Sighing, Officer Appleby leans back in his chair, the seat creaking. “Ladies, I understand your frustration. Simply put, we don’t have the technology to help you. That’s something the police will have to do. I’ve started a record here in our office and will make sure to let the staff know at our next meeting of the issue. Have them be a little extra present. Other than that, our hands are tied. Stay vigilant and call us if something else happens.”
Nowwe’re being dismissed. I thank the officer and lead my mumbling friend from the office and into the fresh air. The skies are gray like my mood. I want to go home and crawl into bed. Pull the covers over my head and wallow. How is this my life?
“At least they finally have something on record,” Morgan says as she moves to start our walk to the house. Thankfully we stopped there first and dropped off our bags before coming here. I’d hate to be dragging those with us.
Our walk is quiet, each of us deep in thought as we approach the house. Stepping inside, I’m slapped with chaos. Music is blasting throughout the house; girls are laughing and someone shouts “shots” from the kitchen.
I look to Morgan for explanation and she tilts her head, looking to the ceiling as if it holds answers. “There’s a party at the house on Fifth.”
“On a Sunday afternoon?”
Shrugging, Morgan says, “Day drinking and a BBQ, I guess. Once they’re all gone we can order a pizza and find something on Netflix.”
We start down the hall to our rooms but stop when we come to our doors. “Hey.” She turns to face me. “Go to the party.”
“Are you coming?”
“No. I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Then I’m staying home.”
There is no better friend than this woman standing before me. I realized when she jumped to my defense at Campus Safety how much she’s sacrificed for me these last weeks. She hasn’t been on a date or gone to a party. Her fun has been sharing popcorn with me and binge watching shows.
“Absolutely not, Morgan. I love you and all you’ve done but you should go. Have fun.”
“Come with me. We’ll go mingle and people watch.”
Offering her a small smile, I shake my head. “It’ll be good for me to be alone. You can’t babysit me forever.”
I know she wants to argue but I also know she really misses being social. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to repay her for all she’s done. Morgan pulls me to a hug and then holds me at arm’s length before she says, “I promise to flirt with at least two guys in your honor.”
We both laugh and turn to our rooms. With a deep exhale I go about preparing for my quiet night at home.
Alone.
