Stolen Innocence
We must all be ever vigilant.
Already late, I pulled into the drugstore parking lot, jammed the car into park and jumped out. God, I hated being late all the time. Nick’s parents would be mortified when I arrived late again for Sunday dinner, and he was going to kill me. I entered the drugstore at a half trot and ran smack into someone just coming out.
“Seems we’re both in too much of a hurry….” I bent and picked up the rectangular box of condoms that had dropped to the ground. “Wow, the mega pack, you must have a hot da…..Lauren?” I felt my heart sink to my toes as I recognized the face of my neighbor’s 12-year-old daughter.
Lauren’s face turned 3 shades of red, she was obviously embarrassed. “I am yes, so sorry I wasn’t watching.” Lauren grabbed for the box in my hand, but I held it away from her. “Really, they’re not mine, it was a dare. God, I’m so embarrassed. Mrs. Lesee, please don’t tell my mom.”
“Oh, I’m not going to tell her.” Lauren’s eyes glimmered with hope for a moment. “You’re going to tell her yourself, but first we’re going to have a talk.”
“But….” I raised my eyebrow and Lauren closed her mouth, obviously resigned to whatever was coming. She followed behind me slowly as I walked back to my car. Nick was not going to believe this one. He was always teasing me about parenting the whole neighborhood, but instinct wouldn’t let me walk away from this girl.
“C’mon, get in.” I motioned to the passenger’s seat and she climbed inside. I settled into the driver’s seat and placed the box of condoms prominently on the dashboard. “Now let’s hear it.” I wasn’t as angry as I sounded but I was concerned that a child her age could be already experimenting with sex.
Lauren didn’t answer but instead stared out the passenger side car window. I gently put my hand on her shoulder. “Lauren, talk to me.”
“Will you promise not to tell anyone?” She glanced at me briefly and then turned back to the window.
The terrified look in her eyes told me instantly that this was indeed more than just a dare. “I can’t do that Lauren. I can promise that whatever is going on, I will help you as much as I can, you know that. But I can’t promise not to tell your mother and I can’t promise you won’t have consequences.
Lauren looked at me silent tears sliding down her cheeks; her eyes searched my face as if trying to determine whether I could be trusted.
“I will help you Lauren that I much I can promise.”
“It’s Manny”. Lauren blurted.
The name vaguely rang a bell. Suddenly it hit me. “Manny, the new guy that moved into your building awhile ago?”
Lauren nodded. “The day before my birthday.” she whispered quietly.
“Lauren, he must be almost 30, and way too old for you to be….” Suddenly Lauren turned toward me in the seat, threw her arms around my neck and began to sob, huge terrified sobs. The kind that no mother ever wants to hear coming from their child or any child. My stomach cramped as I realized instantly why this child was so terrified. I hugged her tight and stroked her hair, whispering softly that it would be okay.
“He makes me.” Lauren managed to whisper in between sobs.
“Okay honey. It’s okay, you’re safe now.” I continued to hug her and stroke her hair for several minutes. It was my turn to cry. Warm, silent tears slid down my cheeks as I seethed inwardly at the situation. I struggled to maintain my composure; there would be time for me to react later. “I will help you Lauren. It’s okay now.” I pulled her up and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with my hands. “It is going to be okay; I promise.”
He said if I told, he would get Jordis.” she whispered softly. It was clear to me that this girl had been struggling over fear for herself and concern for her younger sister for several months.
“We’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen, Lauren. Manny is sick, what he’s done to you is wrong and we will make sure he doesn’t do this to you or anyone else, ever again, okay?”
Lauren nodded without speaking. She sat back in her seat and closed her eyes, obviously exhausted from the outpouring of emotion.
“I only buy the things because he said they’re a waste of his money and I…..” her voice trailed off.
I glanced at her. “It’s alright, Lauren. I’m not angry. You have done nothing wrong. We’re going to talk to your mom now, okay?”
She nodded without opening her eyes and my felt like it was breaking as another tear slid from the corner of her eye and slipped silently down her cheek.
I shoved the key into the ignition and started the car. We drove the 3 short blocks to Lauren’s apartment building in silence. I was dreading the conversation, knowing that no matter how it was phrased; a mother’s heart would silently shatter today as she helped her daughter to heal from the evil that had quietly invaded her little girl’s world.
When I finally connected with Nick late that night, I told him what had happened and then sobbed in his arms until at last exhausted, I slept.
Eighteen months later, I once again cried myself to sleep. Manny O’Hare had finally been sentenced to prison. There had been others besides Lauren. She and several others had bravely told their stories to a courtroom full of people several weeks ago.
I wanted desperately to believe that locking him up helped, but I knew that there were in all likelihood ten or more just like him in our area alone. Just waiting for the right opportunity to steal the innocence of children whose parents could not possibly protect them every second.
As I drifted off to sleep, I vowed to be more vigilant.
Meg Stewart is a full-time freelance writer, the Founder of Freelance Filter, and author of the prepper fiction novella, Weathering the Storm Together. She lives in Ohio with her two youngest daughters, dog-Reese, and cats Scattle and Moo. Join her tribe for more posts like this one.