Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:34:06 -0400
From: Barry Gold <barry.gold69@gmail.com>
Subject: Respect

Sally & Beth

by

Donal and Gold

krazydog@juno.com
bgold49@myway.com


Respect

(A story where Sally is attacked, but turns out to be as much about how
Beth gets thru it too.)

Beth popped out the gym door, expecting to see her love in her usual
spot. When Sally wasn't there, she started looking around.  * * *

Beth spotted Sally over by the bleachers, surrounded by four boys. One of
the boys pushed her in the back. That one pushed her to one side. Beth
leaned back in the gym door, "Somebody call `911'. Sally's being attacked!"
She dropped her stuff and took off running.

As Beth got closer, she heard one of the boys say, "You just don't know
what real sex is. When we're done, you won't be a lesbo anymore." He
reached out, grabbed the front of Sally's blouse, and pulled. Beth heard
the material tear. Another boy reached under her skirt from behind.

She reached the group just as Sally was pushed to the ground. Beth kicked
one of the boys in the knee and heard a satisfying `crack'. He dropped to
the ground with a scream, clutching his leg. Diving over Sally, Beth
wrapped her arms around Sally's waist, and rolled them both out of the
circle, cushioning Sally as best she could.

Beth popped up in a fighting stance, "Sally, get behind me," and faced the
three remaining attackers. She sensed Sally against the back of her legs.

"Well, well. The other lesbo wants to play. You'll regret hurting Jimmy."
They spread out as if to come at her from three sides.

Beth snarled, "Someone is calling the cops as we speak and they should be
here soon. If you value your precious privates, I would leave now. If we
continue to play, you might end up as sopranos."  * * *

Beth heard her Sensei as she waited for the boys to make their move,
"Defend with vigor. Run away if you can. But if you can't, don't let your
attackers have a second or third chance to come at you from an unexpected
direction and hurt you. Trust your instincts, but temper them with your
intellect. Bloody noses and black eyes are better than broken bones. Broken
bones are better than internal injuries. In the end, if the only choice is
your life or the lives of your attackers, do not hesitate."

Another student spoke up, "Sensei, have you killed?"

"My student ..."  * * *

Sirens were just barely audible, "Big talk, little girl. Let's see if you
can back it up." Beth's foot snapped out in a vicious front kick, catching
one of the boys squarely in the crotch, who dropped with a gurgle. Pivoting
without stopping, Beth hit the boy on her right across the cheek, spinning
him around and down.

Beth rounded on the last attacker. He looked at his three friends on the
ground, the horde of people boiling out of the gym, and the red-maned
lioness protecting the cub at her feet. Deciding that discretion was
healthier, he turned and ran off across the soccer field. Some of the
people coming from the gym peeled off to follow him.

Sirens were louder now. Beth looked for Sally, who was rolled up in a ball
at her feet. Reaching down, she brushed Sally's shoulder, who screamed and
tried to roll away. Beth caught her and hugged her, "Baby, it's me. You're
in no danger. They're taken care of." Sally's eyes flashed open. She
wrapped her arms around Beth's neck, her legs around Beth's waist, and
buried her face in Beth's shoulder, sobbing.  * * *

Surrounded by police, EMTs, coaches, students, and staff, Beth sat on the
ground. She cradled Sally's head with one hand and ran the other one up and
down Sally's back, "Shhhh, Love. You're Ok." They loaded the 2 injured boys
onto stretchers and handcuffed the other one. Officers circulated, trying
to determine what happened.

"Can someone lend me a cell phone?" An EMT approached Beth and Sally. He
lightly brushed Sally's shoulder, who twisted away and tightened her hold
on Beth. "Give me a minute, Ok?" The EMT nodded and stepped away. Beth
squeezed Sally briefly. "You have to let them look at you, Sally."

Beth heard a muffled, "No. I'm Ok," coming from her neck.

"I'm not going anywhere. You don't even have to move, just sit back a
little. I'm going to call home while they check you out so your mom and dad
can meet us at the hospital."

Sally's head flew up. "Hospital? Why?"

"I saw what they did to you before I hit the first one. I'm sure your
parents will want you checked out to be sure."

"You'll go with me?"

"Of course. I'll go with you in the ambulance and stay with you `til your
parents arrive. Can they go ahead?"

Sally stared at Beth with wide eyes. "Yes," she whispered. Beth motioned
the EMT over. He moved slowly and carefully. Even so, Sally flinched the
first couple of times he touched her.

Beth flipped open the cell phone while the EMT worked. Dialing Sally's home
number, she waited.

"Hello?"

"Stephanie? It's Beth. Are either of your parents home?"

"No. Dad had a meeting and Mom's still at work."

"I need you to get hold of both of them for me."

"Why?"

"Sally was attacked while she was waiting for me after practice." Beth
heard Sally's sister gasp, "She's Ok. The police are here and the EMTs are
checking her out now. They need to meet us at the hospital. I don't know if
they're going to keep her overnight, but you should bring along a change of
clothes."

"Thanks, Beth."

"No problem, Squirt." Hanging up on Stephanie, Beth dialed her home, "Mom,
it's me. I'm going to be a little late. Sally was attacked while she waited
for me after practice." Waiting a moment, "Sally's Ok, but we're about to
go to the hospital. I took down three guys before the police got here."
After a moment more, "I'm OK too. I just talked to Sally's sister who's
going to call her mom and dad. I'll call if I need anything. Thanks, Mom. I
love you too."

Beth closed the cell phone to find the EMT waiting beside a
stretcher. Sally was resting her head on Beth's shoulder. Handing off the
phone, she gently raised Sally's face. "You need to lay down on the
stretcher, Baby."

Sally's arms and legs convulsively tightened around Beth. She gasped at the
panicked strength in Sally's grip and it was a few seconds before she could
talk again. "It's for your safety. I promise you that I'll be right beside
you all the way." Sally didn't say anything, just relaxed a bit. Beth got
up and laid her scared friend on the stretcher. The EMT covered her with a
sheet and strapped her down. Beth held Sally's hand as they walked to the
ambulance.

A teammate ran up and told Beth that hers and Sally's bags had been put in
the ambulance and everyone hoped Sally was Ok. Beth thanked her.  * * *

A female doctor met them as the EMTs unloaded Sally. "Give me the bullet."

"Patient was assaulted, probable attempted rape. No penetration observed."
He relayed Sally's blood pressure and respirations. They were walking down
a hallway as they talked.

The doctor pointed, "Curtain 1." Stopping beside an empty bed, they helped
Sally across, while the doctor pulled the curtain around them. One EMT
gathered up their equipment while the other one got the doctor's
signature. Turning to the bed, the doctor looked down at the two young
girls holding hands,

"Good afternoon, Ladies. My name is Dr. Black. What are yours?"

Beth spoke first, "I'm Beth Wilson."

The doctor looked up at Beth's name, "Did you say `Beth Wilson'?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Do you play soccer for St. Francis?"

"I'm the goalie on the varsity team."

"I thought I recognized the name. My daughter is a cheerleader at Central
and her friend plays for West Catholic. She told us about the last time
they played St. Francis and the goalie that stopped her shot on a breakaway
at the end of the game. She was very impressed."

"That was me. Your daughter's friend is Allison White, MVP of last years
State Tournament."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry for the distraction. Your name is ...?"

Sally was very quiet, "Sally Ryder."

Dr. Black took in the torn and disheveled nature of Sally's clothes,
"Sally, can you tell me what happened?" Sally shook her head and squeezed
Beth's hand to the point of eliciting a yelp from her. A nurse slid past
the curtain and whispered in the doctor's ear, "That's fine, Julie. Tell
them to wait and come back in here." Turning to the girls, "The police are
here and waiting to talk to both of you."

The nurse reappeared and waited as Beth started to tell what she'd
seen. Dr. Black approached the bed and slipped the stethoscope into her
ears, "Sally, may I listen to your heart?" Sally looked at Beth and
nodded. The doctor moved the horn around Sally's chest, "Can you sit up for
me?" Sally inched up and Doctor Black slid her hand under Sally's
blouse. After checking a few places, "Thank you, Sally. You may sit back
now." The doctor also checked Sally's eyes and reflexes.

Someone spoke to the nurse by the curtain who relayed the message to the
doctor, "Sally, your parents are here. Would you be more comfortable if you
changed out of those torn clothes?"

Sally looked at Beth, "I told Stephanie to bring you some new clothes. It
probably would help Dr. Black, too."

"Ok," was the soft reply.

Dr. Black held out a hospital gown, "Why don't you put this on `til we're
done? That way, your clean clothes won't get messed up."

"Ok."

"We'll leave you alone to change while I talk to your parents. I'll bring
them back in a few minutes."  * * *

Beth stood beside Sally, "Need some help?"

Sally held up her hands, her shaking hands, "I think so."

"No problem." Beth started by unbuttoning Sally's blouse. Shaking out the
gown, Beth draped it over Sally's shoulders, "Don't try to help me. We
don't want to make anything worse."

"Ok." Beth slid the torn blouse down Sally's shoulders and set it
aside. She unhooked Sally's bra and set it aside too. Helping Sally get her
arms into the gown, Beth reached for Sally's waist. Not wanting to
embarrass her, Beth continued to look Sally in the eye as she drew down her
skirt and panties. Slipping her sneakers off, Beth helped Sally get under
the sheet. Bending down to kiss her, Sally turned her head so Beth only
kissed her cheek.

"Are you Ok?"

"Fine," but Beth could hear the fear and uncertainty in Sally's voice.

"Are you going to be able to tell them what happened?"

"I don't know."

"Look, I took three of the bastards down and I think I know who the fourth
was, but they need you to make sure they pay."

"What if I was at fault?"

Beth took Sally's face in her hands and looked her in the eye, "I won't
believe that, not ever. Nothing justifies what they did." Sally smiled
wanly. "Listen to me. I...Love...You. I'm not going anywhere and we'll get
through this together." Beth kissed Sally this time.  * * *

She looked into Sally's frightened eyes and wondered if she wasn't partly
to blame for the attack. If Sam hadn't stopped me to ask a question about
our next opponent, I would have been on-time to meet Sally. I would have
been there to stop the attack. Beth shut her eyes
briefly. Self-recriminations would have to wait. Sally needed her to be
strong right now...

She was bigger, faster, more capable and she'd not been able to protect
Sally. Beth had rescued her before she'd really gotten hurt, but the look
in those eyes was just as bad.  * * *

"Do you think the doctor is done?"

"Probably not. You know she'll want to look at your thighs and take an
X-ray to check your ribs."

"I guess."

They both heard someone say, "Are you decent in there?"

"I'm fine, Mom. You can come in." Sally's mom, dad, and sister appeared
past the curtain with Doctor Black. Sally's mom kissed her on the cheek.

Beth leaned over and whispered in Sally's ear, "I'm going to talk to the
police. Be back in a few minutes. Ok?" Sally nodded.  * * *

No sooner had Beth cleared the curtains around Sally's bed when she started
shaking. Shivering as if she had a chill, Beth had to sit down on a nearby
bench when her knees suddenly gave out.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, "Miss, are you OK?"

Beth looked up to see a concerned policeman, "Fine, Officer. Just coming
down from the adrenaline rush. Are you here about the attack at the
school?"

"Yes."

Beth identified herself and walked them through what she'd done and
seen. Each officer asked a few questions for clarification, "Did you catch
the fourth boy?"

"Not yet. Your friends lost him in the woods behind the field. We canvassed
the area, but no one saw anything."

"I think his name is Jarvis Hyltonian. He's a new student from Ithaca. How
are the other three?"

After making a note on his paper, the officer who'd been concerned about
her consulted another page, "The one you kicked in the knee if facing
reconstructive surgery and a long rehab. One has bruised testicles and the
other has several chipped teeth."

"Are they saying anything about the attack?"

"No. We couldn't question them without their parents present because
they're juveniles. Their lawyers came with them to the station."

"So you weren't able to talk to them beforehand?"

"No. The boys asked for their parents right away. They were well aware of
their rights."

"That's too bad. You're sure you couldn't leave me alone with them for five
minutes?"

The officer smiled, "No, Ms. Wilson. As much as I would like too, we
couldn't use anything they said while you were `discussing' the situation
with them. Do you think we'll be able to talk to the other girl soon?"

"I'll check." Then the events of the day crashed in on Beth. She'd been
unable to protect Sally. She'd been responsible for hurting, possibly
crippling one or more people. Granted, they'd deserved it. But, Beth had
dramatically, possibly permanently, altered the lives of Sally's
attackers. The enormity of everything, combined with the fading adrenaline
high, turned Beth's lights out.

Beth heard someone yell, "Somebody help! She's in trouble here." Something
was moving along her back.

An EMT rushed over and caught Beth. After checking her vital signs, he
broke an ammonia ampoule under her nose. His partner caught Beth's arms
when she came up swinging, "What happened?"

"You passed out."

"How long...?"

"Just a few seconds. We checked your vitals and used an inhaler to bring
you around. You really should go in and get looked at. Fainting usually
indicates a deeper problem."

"I'm fine, just a delayed reaction to the attack." Turning to the
policemen, "I'll check on Sally."

The four men shook their heads, "Teenagers?!" The officer told the EMT that
he would mention the fainting spell to the doctor.  * * *

Inside the curtain, "Sally, I need to check the inside of your thighs. Is
that Ok? I promise to try not to hurt you." Sally only nodded. The nurse
held up a sheet to separate Sally and her family from what the doctor was
doing. Doctor Black folded back the bed sheet and eased Sally's gown
up. She saw the beginnings of some bruises and some inflammation around
Sally's pussy and anus, like one of the boys had tried to insert his
finger. Dr. Black pulled Sally's gown down and replaced her bed sheet.

Beth stood beside the bed, holding Sally's hand again, "The police are
ready for you. Can you talk to them?" Sally just nodded.

"I'm going to schedule you for an x-ray as soon as they're done. If that's
Ok, we'll probably send you home."

Sally's dad held her hand briefly, "We'll leave you alone."  * * *

The police came in as everyone else was leaving. "Ms. Ryder, we're sorry
you got hurt. We know it's difficult, but we need you to tell us what
happened today."

Sally squeezed Beth's hand and swallowed. She told the police how the boys
had surprised her outside the gym and pulled her towards the bleachers. She
continued, with the boys pushing her around and tearing her clothes. When
she felt a pain between her legs, she closed her eyes. She kept them closed
until Beth said it was Ok and hugged her.  * * *

Sally's parents were talking to Dr. Black, "How is she, Doctor?"

"I think she'll be fine. I think she was just bruised and scratched. Her
friend's arrival probably kept her from being injured worse."

"What kind of follow-up will you recommend?"

"I want to see her in my office in a few days to be sure she's healing
properly."

"Do you advise she see a counselor?"

"That's up to her. A lot of love and support from her family and friends
may be all she needs. I'll give you a name in case she wants to talk to
someone."

"Thank you, Doctor."  * * *

Everyone was standing around, talking about inconsequential matters, trying
not to talk about what had happened. Dr. Black brushed past the curtain,
holding an x-ray on one hand. "Good news! The x-ray is clear. There's no
evidence of broken ribs."

"That's good. That means we can take Sally home?"

"Right. If Sally wants to get changed, I'll get the discharge paperwork
started." Beth helped Sally slip into the shorts and t-shirt that Stephanie
had brought. An orderly brought in a wheelchair and helped Sally into
it. Beth picked up her book and gymbags and handed Sally her bookbag. They
stopped at the nurse's station to sign Sally out.

Dr. Black took Sally's hand, "It was good to meet you, Sally. I'm just
sorry it had to be under these circumstances. You may hurt for a few days,
but be sure to let someone know if it gets worse or feels different. You
have an appointment to see me next week to make sure things are healing
properly. Ok?"

"Thank you, Dr. Black."  * * *

Beth called home when they got to Sally's place, "Mom, it's me. We're at
Sally's." She was quiet for a moment, "I'm going to keep Sally company
tonight." After a moment more, "That's Ok. I have clothes here and I'll be
sure to stop by home tomorrow. Thanks, Mom. Tell Dad I love him."

Sally was finishing a grilled cheese sandwich when Beth draped her arms
over Sally's shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "Feel like doing
anything?"

"No. I think I just want to go to bed."

"That's fine." Beth followed Sally up to her room. Sally sat on the edge of
her bed while Beth put a cd in the player and turned it on low. Sally
spooned up to Beth, who pulled the covers over them. Drawing Sally close,
Beth leaned over her ear, "You're safe, Baby. Go to sleep."

Very softly, Beth heard, "I love you."

"I love you too."

Beth woke when Sally started screaming and thrashing about. She tightened
her arms around Sally and used her legs to keep Sally from throwing herself
off the bed. Beth's sight blurred when the back of Sally's head met the
bridge of her nose.

Sally's mom and dad rushed in, "What's wrong?"

"I think she's having a nightmare."

Sally's mom took her by the shoulders, "Honey, wake up."

"Hungh, Mom?" Beth released her hold when Sally roused.

"You were having a bad dream, Sweetheart."

"Yea, I thought I was being attacked again. I was trying to fight back. I
think I even head-butted one."

From behind her came Beth's voice, "Yea, me."

Sally whirled around, "Ohmygod! Beth! I'm so sorry. Are you hurt?"

"I think I'll live. It may take a while before my nose forgives you,
though."

Sally's mom asked, "Do you think you can go back to sleep?"

"I'll try." Sally tucked herself into Beth's chest and closed her
eyes. Sally's dad pulled up the covers and kissed each of the girls on the
cheek.  * * *

It took a while before Sally didn't flinch at shadows. She started going
into the locker room with Beth after practices and games. She and Beth did
a couple of sessions with the counselor Dr. Black recommended and it seemed
to help.  * * *

The process took a big step forward when they went to court. The boys were
spoiled elitists whose parents couldn't believe that their `baby' was at
fault. Sally had to have asked for it and besides, a felony record might
possibly keep them out of Harvard, Yale, or some other Ivy League school.

The Assistant District Attorney handling the case met them outside the
courtroom. They had talked to him several times in the weeks leading up to
the trial. He had even brought Beth and Sally into the courtroom and let
them sit in the witness stand so they could get used to it and not get
nervous. He reached down to shake Sally's hand, "Ready to do this?"

Sally expelled a breath, "I guess."

The ADA laid a hand on Sally's shoulder and Beth saw it was all Sally could
do not to scream and run away. He picked it up and she relaxed, "Remember,
you and Beth will be sitting in the first row, right behind me, Beth on the
aisle. The boys and their lawyers will be at the Defendants' table. We'll
deal with any motions, pick a jury, then we're off and running. You won't
be able to stay in the courtroom after opening arguments, so I hope you
brought something to keep you busy. You'll be in the Conference Room next
to my office with a guard outside the door so nobody will bother you."

Beth answered, "We have schoolwork and our History teacher gave us an
assignment to keep a journal detailing our impressions of the judicial
process and what we learned."  * * *

"Yes, your Honor. The State moves for Summary Judgment dismissing
Defendants' suit against Elizabeth Wilson for Aggravated Assault and
Excessive Use of Force."

Without even giving the boys' lawyers a chance to respond, the judge rapped
his gavel sharply, "So ordered. Suit is dismissed with prejudice and
Defendants' are fined $10,000 each for abuse of process. The money is to be
used for Ms. Ryder's medical expenses, past and ongoing, with any remainder
split between her and Ms. Wilson and applied to the post-secondary school
of their choice."

A lawyer got up from the Defendants' table, `Your Honor..."

The judge cut him off with a rap of his gavel, "$15,000."

Another lawyer decided to try to swim against the tsunami threatening to
engulf them, "Objection, your Honor..."

Another rap of the gavel, "Denied. $20,000." Looking at the other two
lawyers, "Anybody else?" Finding their hands extremely interesting at that
moment, neither said anything. Turning back to the ADA, "Continue,
Counselor."

Beth and Sally looked at each other and smiled.  * * *

Beth was on the stand. The ADA had led her through her actions that day and
turned her over to the Defense, "Your witness, Counselors'."

One of the lawyers, who hadn't spoken when the judge dismissed their suit
against her, thought he would be smart and get in a comment, even though
the judge had warned them not to. "Now, Elizabeth. May I call you
Elizabeth?"

"No, Counselor, you may not."

Looking a little chagrined at her response, "Alright, Ms. Wilson. When you
saw my client and the other boys playfully pushing Ms. Ryder, you assumed
they were going to hurt her, didn't you?"

"Counselor, they were not `playfully' pushing Sally, they were shoving
her. Their words were not `playful', but hateful. I didn't have to assume
they were going to hurt Sally, I knew it."

"Be that as it may, don't you think your actions might have been a bit
excessive?"

The ADA popped up, "Objection, your Honor. You have already ruled that
Ms. Wilson's actions were justified."

The judge rounded on the defense attorney, "Counselor..."

Beth swallowed and interrupted, "I would like to answer the question, your
Honor."

The judge replied, "Are you sure? The Assistant District Attorney is
right. He," pointing at the Defense Attorney, "is out of line and he knows
it. I should increase the fine and possibly issue a contempt citation."

The Defense Attorney knew then that he had messed up and his future was in
the hands of this high-school girl. "I'm sure."

"I withdraw the objection, your Honor."

"Thank you, Counselor. You may answer the question, Ms. Wilson."

Beth turned to address the jury, as it was them she had to convince, "I
started studying Karate when I was 6-years-old. My parents got me started
because I was an only child and sometimes alone because they both
worked. They wanted me to have a way to protect myself.

It was later that I began to understand the self-discipline and physical
training aspects. I can stay in shape when I'm not playing sports and I
believe I'm a better goalie in soccer and guard in basketball because of
Karate. I have earned a First degree, or basic level, black belt. When I
passed the test, one of the things I had to do was register with the police
department. So, when officers arrived at the school yard, they knew about
me and what I was capable of doing. They didn't find me wrong.

My point is this; Karate is often mistaken, because of the movies, as a
fighting discipline. It's not. My sensei, or teacher, says that the art of
karate is for self-defense; not injuring one's opponent is the highest
expression of that art. My next trip to the dojo, I had to explain to him
and the other instructors what I had done and why. If they thought my
actions were `excessive' and unjustified, they would have taken away my
belt and expelled me from the dojo. They didn't.

Beth eyed the jury. "I used only enough force to incapacitate the attackers
and allow Sally and me to escape without further harm. I would have done
the same thing for my worst enemy, because nobody deserves to be treated
that way."

The defense attorney knew that his case had just been blown out of the
water by this teenager. The ADA only smiled. The judge spoke, "Thank you,
Ms. Wilson. You are excused." As Beth left the witness stand, the judge
turned to the ADA, "Call your next witness, Counselor."

"The Prosecution calls Sally Ryder."

Beth hugged Sally and wished her well. They swore her in and the ADA
began. He led Sally through the day's events. When he was done, the Defense
asked only a few perfunctory questions. It was obvious that they knew they
were going to lose, their only hope was to mitigate the damages."

"The Prosecution rests, Your Honor."  * * *

The Defense paraded character witness after character witness, in an
attempt to show the boys as misunderstood youths instead of hateful
punks. Even the boy wearing the knee brace didn't seem to elicit much
sympathy from the jury.  * * *

The Foreman got up, "We have, your Honor."

"On the charge of Assault and Battery, how do you find?"

"We find the Defendants guilty."

"On the charge of Attempted Rape, how do you find?"

"We find the Defendants guilty."

"The Court thanks the jury for its service. You are dismissed." After the
jurors had left, the judge turned back to the still-standing boys and their
lawyers, "Sentencing will be in 2 weeks. Bail is continued. Restraining
order remains in force. I know I don't have to, because your lawyers had
better, explain to you that the punishment for violating the RO will be
swift and extreme. Court is adjourned." The judge stood up and stuck his
gavel so hard that the things on the bench jumped.  * * *

When she heard Sally insult her sister, Beth knew things were back to
normal.


Sapphic Erotica
© 2008 Gold & Donal