What hurt the most?

To the girl who admitted for assault today,

I’m not very eloquent and sometimes I do not express myself well; when I asked you 'what hurt the most?' during this morning’s ward round, I didn’t really mean which of the injuries you sustained was the most painful.

I was really wondering which one of the so many ways you were wounded in hurt you the most.

Was it the fact that the person who did this to you was a close relative who betrayed your trust?

Was it the way that he ignored your humanity and continued to hit you when your back was turned and you were cowering, helpless from the fury and hoping that he would stop?

Was it the fear that you may never be able to love your mother again, after she told you not to make a police report?

Was it muted curiosity from your classmates when you wore that bloodied eye to school today?

Was it the fact that after all that, you had to come to the hospital alone and without enough money to pay for your medical bills?

Was it the blow this episode dealt to your self-esteem, at this most vulnerable time when you are turning from a child to a young woman?

Was it the strain it took to continue to wear that smile on your battered face when we came by your bed today?

You see, I really wanted to clarify myself and ask you again, but there was a lump in my throat then and I couldn’t speak anymore.

angry doc