The judge was very sympathetic, "Two months of psychiatric care of her choice and a year of charity work in a rape crisis center." That was Lora's sentence. Insanity was the cause of the problem so he didn't see the need to punish her any more than she already had been. She chose a doctor from the states but the judge chose to appoint which one. He chose Doctor Lin Williams.
Lora went to the Hilton hotel room 517 to meet the American counselor the court had flown in. Doctor Lin Williams was a dark-haired dark-skinned, tall, and slender middle-aged woman. Her speech was very refined like she was raised rich and her manners were very direct. She approached Lora with a delicate tone and was deliberate with her every word.
Doc Lin answered the door for Lora and ushered her in. Lora sat in a big heavily cushioned chair. She offered Lora a drink to calm her nerves and after Lora accepted and took several sips Doc Lin started the session."
"Hello, Lora. It's nice to see you. Today, I would like us to talk about Ralph."
"Yeah, I figured you would."
"Ralph is in jail."
"Do we have to talk about him?"
"Do you feel uncomfortable talking about him?"
"Yeah, I don't like talking about him."
"Why is that?"
"It just makes me think of bad memories. And I don't think I want to waste my time thinking about him."
"What kind of bad memories?"
"Just about what happened."
"I think it would be helpful if we could talk about what happened. Can you tell me what he did?"
"No. I don't know you. I am not ready to tell you anything."
"How are you feeling right now?
"Freaking out. I don't like how you are approaching me. It's like you only want to know the juicy story. I can't breathe."
"Let me teach you a breathing exercise." You will get the most benefit if you do it regularly, as part of your daily routine. Okay, now let's do this sitting in a chair that supports your back. Make yourself as comfortable as you can. If you can, loosen any clothes that restrict your breathing. Let's keep your legs straight. Are you feeling a little better?"
"Yes. Lora followed the doctor's directions."
"I know it may seem weird, but I want you to feel safe with me. Now, let your breath flow as deep down into your belly as is comfortable, without forcing it. That's it. In through your nose and out through your mouth. Gentle breaths for a count of five. Good. Do you feel better?"
"I think I'm okay."
"Okay. How about we talk about how you felt when you were with him?"
"Before he hurt me, I felt joy and bliss. I couldn't, didn't have any idea he could turn on me like that. I felt scared because I didn't really know what was happening, and I knew it was wrong. I was unable to do anything about anything."
"Are you feeling scared now?"
"No, not as much."
"Do you feel safe?"
"Yeah, kind of. But I am not ready to talk about it.
"I see that this is tough for you, but I'm glad to hear that you feel safe. You are in a safe place. The feelings you're having now are because of something that already happened. It's okay to feel that way, and it's okay to talk about it. I'm here to help you feel less bad and to work your way through the events so you can clear it out of your mind."
"When I feel like opening up, I will. I am not ready." Lora was done for the day and decided to end the session.
The next session was two days later. "Lora. You know why you are here. Why don't we get started?" Doc Lin went straight to the point.
Lora talked a little about what happened to her. She refused to go into detail. Lora decided to talk about her feelings about what happened instead. "I can't understand how someone who claims they love you could hurt you like that."
"You need to go ask him. Get closure on that question in your mind. We will move on from there when you get home."
Lora couldn't believe she said that. She left and went back to her hotel room. Lora decided to take Doc Lin's advice.
Everything in Lora's life was ruined. She still couldn't figure out why Ralph would hurt her. Lora decided to go and see for herself the punishment the law put on Ralph for what he did to her, for ruining her life. At first sight, Ralph looked gorgeous to Lora. He was still as beautiful as ever. The whip marks were still on his face, arms, and everywhere else that was visible. His hair had been cut off so that the doctors could treat the cuts she had put there when she scalped part of his head and the tattoo which read rapist and other foul words, showed brilliantly on his chest. Ralph did look like a beaten man but he was still beautiful to her. She hated that.
"Hello, Lora. my love. I knew you would come." Ralph spoke first. "How are you getting along?"
"I have no life, I have wasted four years and six months on something I thought was wonderful, and I am afraid to look anyone in the eye because I can't tell if they were one of the ones you shared me with. Other than that, I guess I am getting along well." Lora snapped her answer at him.
"It's good to see you don't hold a grudge." Ralph's sarcastic answer really angered Lora. "I mean I am the one in jail, mutilated, and with an organ, I might never be able to use normally again. I am the one who should be angry."
"You? You raped my friend because a guy got too interested in me and then raped me and humiliated me by sharing me with anyone who wanted me. If you really thought I wouldn't get revenge, you never knew me. You were a fool and I wish I never met you. I came here for closure. Well, it is going to take a lot more than seeing you as a broken man for me to get closure. How could you hurt me like that? How could you when you said you loved me?"
"It was because I loved you. I had to teach you a lesson for giving yourself to another. You loved Marshall making love to you. You wanted more from him and as my girl; you can't react that way with anyone else but me. I had the right to punish you. You deserved it. You deserved it all." Ralph was furious at Lora. He didn't want to be but her anger was unbearable. He didn't want her to stay angry at him. He wanted her back in his life as his lover. She didn't have the right to stay mad. She got her revenge so it should have been over. They should have been able to go back to loving each other. "You can't still be angry. You got your revenge so let's get back to loving each other."
"I know you have lost your mind! There is no way I would ever go back to you. I hate you and I never want to see you again." Lora couldn't believe that Ralph thought they would get back together. "If you ever come near me again I will kill you. That is a promise. You will be a dead man!" With that, she started out of the room. The guards moved in to grab Ralph as he reached for her arm.
"You'll see me again! They won't keep me in jail long and when I get out, I am coming to get you and bring you back! Nothing I love ever leaves me!" Ralph yelled after her.
The week was over and the friends left for America. Two happy couples and a soul-sick friend. Amazing how things change.