Safe at First

by

Paula Dillon

Daniel Crane was not the most athletic boy on his high school baseball team; as a matter of fact he was the smallest and almost effeminate. You would never even select him in pickup games during the summer. He was just a hair over five foot and hardly one hundred pounds. If you passed him up though, you would be making a big mistake. He was the best defensive short stop his school had in many years.

He was not a terror with his bat with an average of only .210 but his on base percentage was the third highest on his team, and he had the highest base on balls in the district. He was the bane of many opposing pitchers with his ability to foul off their most effective pitches. It was not unusual for him to make the pitcher throw ten or twelve pitches to him per at bat, wearing them out till he drew a walk.

On base they called him the Road Runner. He was third in the state in stolen bases in this, his freshman year. He was known to torment opposing short stops by flicking out his tongue and going beep-beep. He was the only person in the state to have stolen home and he had done that twice.

Debbie Crane, his older sister hated going to her brother’s home games. It’s not that she hated her little brother but she resented her mother insisting she attend and walk her little brother home after the games. At least her friend Shelley Brooks was watching the game with her this night. Her brother’s team won the game 3-2 thanks to her brother’s base running. Debbie could care less about baseball but she was glad that her brother had the respect of the team. He had been often picked on, called all sorts of names and generally had his life made miserable till he was able to demonstrate his skills. Now he was often carried off the field on the team’s shoulders. As her brother’s popularity rose so did hers.

Debbie and Shelley met Daniel at the locker room door and headed to their home they lived less than half a mile from the school. They always took a shortcut across the recreations grounds next to the school. Debbie always carried her cell phone out when they did this because one never knew. Daniel carried his glove and shoes hanging across his bat as they walked.

Daniel was the first to notice the noise off to the side. It sounded like a muffled scream near the football bleachers. They saw three guys who were apparently raping a girl. Daniel dropped his glove and shoes and carried his bat into the fray, while Debbie dialed 911. The girl was being held down by one guy while another was having his way with her, the third was watching and getting him self ready to take over. Daniel swung his bat like he never swung it before and struck the one standing on the side of his knee. The guy holding the girl down stood and caught the bat in a massive golf swing in the crotch. The guy who was currently indisposed caught the bat to his rib cage, the ribs on his right side crushed. The force of the blow rolled him off the girl and left him in a wreck on the ground.

Daniel surveyed the three. None were making any move to get up, and looked to the girl on the ground. Her skirt had been ripped up the front almost to her belt and her panties and panty hose ripped up. She has high heel boots on and her blouse and bra ripped open. Daniel not knowing what to do reached a hand out to her to help her up. The girl, a high school sophomore, in shock seeing a guy reaching for her raised one of her booted feet and kicked him sharply with the spiked heel of her boot in his crotch three or four times. Daniel collapsed on the ground blinding flashes of pain racked his body and he passed out.

Debbie comforted her unconscious brother as she talked to the 911 operator and Shelley ran to comfort the girl. It was not long before police and ambulances started arriving. When one started to cuff her brother Debbie tried to explain what had happened to no avail. She called her mom and tried to explain what had happened. They would not even let her ride with her brother to the hospital. She explained over and over what had happened till one had actually listened to her and called in to the police riding to the hospital. The detective’s initial assessment matched the stories of the two girls. Barbra Crane Daniel’s mom reached the scene of the crime and picked her daughter and Shelley up and raced to the hospital.

Barbra parked across two parking spaces at an angle and raced to the ER, doors open engine running, Debbie close behind. Shelley re-parked the car, took the keys, Barbra’s purse and locked the doors. They all three met up at the nurse’s station in the ER. Barbra was demanding to see her son. After several minutes of ranting and raising hell she was finally led to her son. Debbie and Shelley had to wait in the waiting room for the time being, where Detectives found them to take formal statements. It was up to Shelley to give the clearest statements at that time, because Debbie was so hysterical that nurses received permission from her Mom and the Admitting Physician to give her a tranquilizer.

Barbra made her way to where her son lay in ER he had two bags of a clear liquid hooked into one arm and one unit of blood in the other. His crotch was a bloody mess. His pants and underwear were cut off. Doctors were busily working in the area sewing up bleeders. Of the five in the ER he had come closest to dying from loss of blood. A cop was stationed near her son but he was no longer cuffed. Three other boys were not so lucky. The doctor gave her a quick assessment of his condition and had her sign a surgical consent form.

Barbra collected her daughter, and headed up to the surgical waiting room. Shelley with her parents Ken and Nina Brooks followed. They were all nervous wrecks as they waited for news about Daniel. Shortly they were approached by another lady.

“Hello are you the parents of that boy who helped the girl that was being raped?”

“I am, who are you?!?”

“My name is Terri Anderson; it was my daughter Gina that was being raped. I am so sorry about what happened to your son.”

“Get out of here! I don’t want to talk to you right now! My son came close to dying because of your daughter. Go!”

“I am so sorry, she didn’t mean to hurt him,” Terri cried as she staggered down the hall.

Ken Brooks headed off down the hall after Terri as his wife Nina comforted Barbra.

“Barbra it wasn’t Gina’s fault that this happened, and surely you can’t blame Terri. You know she had to be in shock from the rape and seeing another guy coming after her she just lashed out. It could happen to any girl. You know that don’t you?”

“I know Nina, but why did it have to happen to my Danny? He is such a good kid. He didn’t deserve this.”

“Neither did Gina, but we have to live with it. We will give you all the support we can, dear.”

Ken came back and said that Terri would be ok and she understood Barbra’s grief.

A doctor and nurse in surgical scrubs came into the surgical waiting room.

"Mrs. Crane?"

"Yes Doctor, I am Daniel's mother."

"What I have to tell you is strictly for immediate family only. Could I recommend the others stay here or go out for coffee?"

"Doctor, I need my friend Nina with me is that all right?"

“Ok would you come with me?”

We followed the doctor to a private office and sat at a table.

"Alright Mrs. Crane; Your son Daniel is in serious condition. He is stable for now; he has received four units of whole blood due to his massive blood loss. We are giving him antibiotics and fluids intravenously. We have given him medication to help ease the pain and have him on oxygen since he had been anesthetized for the emergency surgical procedures. In surgery we found that he had suffered four deep puncture wounds made from a round flat tipped object. This not only penetrated the skin, but also caused deep crushing damage. Both of his testes were damaged beyond repair and had to be removed. His penis suffered two penetration wounds; one at the base near the scrotum and the other, two inches higher. His urethra and many of the smaller vessels were damaged, also beyond repair. Luckily, the major vessel providing blood flow was not severed or crushed. What remains of his penis is receiving adequate blood flow to keep the remaining tissues and nerves alive for now. Now, Mrs. Crane, I need to inform you that your son Daniel needs more surgery and very soon. As soon as later today or at the latest tomorrow morning…

Our first recommendation is for Sexual Reassignment Surgery or SRS. We would take what is left of his penis and form a vagina, his scrotum would form a vulva, and the formation of a responsive clitoris in a procedure known as vaginoplasty. We would then suggest that he start on female hormones and he would develop secondary female characteristics. He will never be able to be a parent. At a minimum I would recommend SRS, it would be his only option if he wanted to engage in sex. Decisions about hormones can be made at a later date. I know that there is a lot on your plate Mrs. Crane but this is something better done earlier rather than later. I strongly recommend against doing nothing.

“When can I see my son?”

“He is in recovery now. In an hour or two we will be moving him to his room. You can see him then. He is really lucky to be alive. If the EMT’s had not come as fast as they had he might not have made it.”

“Barbra let’s go back to ER waiting room it is more comfortable, till he gets a room.” Nina said.

Barbra and Nina joined the others and the five of them, headed back to the ER waiting room. As they turned the corner the waiting room was full. The whole baseball team and their families had shown up with lots of other well wishers.

“Go take her back up there Ken I will go talk to them and tell them the news. Don’t worry, I will be discrete Barbra.”

Ken whisked Barbra and the kids away and Nina headed to the crowd. She recognized the coach John Conrad and got him to calm the crowd down, so she could talk to them.

“Daniel is in serious condition but is expected to recover. He received his injuries while attempting to rescue a girl who was being raped. He is a hero folks. He single handedly took out three older boys who were raping a girl. He is in recovery right now and it is unknown how long it will be before he can receive visitors. That is all I can say right now as soon as we know more I will notify the principal and coach. Thank you for coming, but please go home for now.”

Questions poured out from the group but the coach took charge, thanking Nina and shepherding the team and other well wishers out the door.

Nina saw Carol another neighbor in the crowd. She waved at her and said, “Carol can I talk to you a second?”

“Sure Nina, what do you need?”

“I need to stay here with Barbra can Debbie and Shelley spend the night with you?”

“Of course Nina they can stay with me.”

“Just ask your daughter not to pump Debbie to much, she had to be sedated.”

“Oh of course. I will make sure Arlene knows not to ask too much.”

Nina, Carol and Arlene headed to where the others were. Debbie and Shelley didn’t want to go. Barbra agreed that they didn’t need to be here right now, and that they could see Daniel tomorrow.

A nurse found them and told them that Daniel was being taken to a room. The three of them followed the nurse to Daniel’s room. On the way they saw Terri also being taken to a room.

“Terri please forgive my rudeness earlier, I was so worried about Daniel that I lashed out at you. I know it wasn’t your daughter’s fault that caused this to happen. How is she now?”

“She is heavily sedated and recovering from shock and you know what else. It is going to take a while but hopefully she can put this behind her and go on. Your son is a brave boy I want to thank him when he feels up to it.”

“I am not sure when, but I will be by.”

They were led to rooms that were across from each other. The two women hugged each other and went into their respective rooms.

Daniel was asleep in his bed. Barbra looked at her son laying there. Besides the bruises at the wrists and arms it was hard to tell that he nearly died and how much his life had changed in a split second.

On down the hall at the opposite end of the corridor three other boys were in their rooms. One crippled for life as his knee was destroyed and the bones were pinned together hopefully to save his leg. One was emasculated, forever to be a eunuch with a fractured pelvis, and lastly an athlete who will never be a runner anymore after his ribcage was pulverized on his right side. All three closely watched.

Across the hall Gina Anderson lay heavily sedated since she arrived at the hospital and thankfully unconscious when she suffered the indignity of a rape kit processing.

Around one a.m. Barbra fell asleep in the chair by her son’s bed. She had dream of Daniel, as her son and her daughter. It was not an easy sleep she struggled internally with her demons. At one point she felt that she was bound and could not move her arms. She sat up with start and noticed that she was covered with a blanket. It was six in the morning. Daniel was still asleep. Nina was asleep in another chair.

She got up and put a hand on Nina’s shoulder. She woke and looked up at me. We got up and moved farther from Daniel, and in a whisper, I asked her, “What do you think Nina.”

“I don’t see as you have much choice, Barbra but like the Doctor said the surgery should be done.”

“I know you’re right but I have got to tell him.”

A nurse came in and tried to wake Daniel up. I went to be by his side so he would see me when he opened his eyes. It took a couple of minutes, he was very groggy but he finally opened his eyes.

“Hi Mom, where am I?”

Barbra sat on the edge of the bed and held her son’s hand and stroked his hair softly.

“You’re in a hospital dear. Do you remember what happened?”

“Kinda I think. There were some guys attacking a girl and I fought em off. I turned to help the girl up and the lights went out. She ok?”

“She is just across the hall dear. Honey I have to talk to you now. You know you were injured right?”

“You aint kidding I hurt all over.”

“Well you had surgery to repair some of the damage last night to save your life. You’re going to have more surgery soon dear. Do you know where you were hurt?”

“Between my legs is where I hurt the worse.”

“Well honey, your genitals were damaged very badly. Parts were damaged so badly they had to remove them. I don’t know how to say this, but you will never be a dad, but you are lucky to be alive and I love you.”

Daniel looked crest fallen and tears started falling from his eyes but he put on his best face and asked, “What else Mom?”

“Well, your penis was damaged too and there is this surgery they want to perform. It is called Sexual Reassignment Surgery. They want to create a vagina with what is left of your penis, use your scrotum to create a vulva and create a sensitive clitoris. Do you understand?”

“It was that bad?”

“Yes Honey, it was that bad. I nearly lost you but now you are back.”

“Am I going to become a girl?” Danny sobbed.

“Only if you want to. You’ll be able to take hormones but that we can talk about later. We will be with you no matter what. Is that enough for you?”

“Is there a choice?”

“Yes, but it is not a good one. You are disfigured down there, but you are alive my.”

“I don’t like it but I guess we can’t have everything. I trust you Mom. Do what you think best. I don’t think I am thinking so clear right now.”

Daniel did not receive a plate for breakfast so Barbra was not surprised when the doctors showed up early. There were three this time a plastic surgeon, urologist and a psychiatrist. They chatted with us for about an hour telling Daniel about all that happened and about what they would like to do. He listened closely to what they had to say. They covered what they called ‘informed consent’ legalities. Daniel agreed to the procedures and I as his guardian singed the surgical consent forms. Daniel would be prepped for surgery in a little over an hour.

The psychiatrist stayed and talked about what happened. Daniel didn’t recall how he had gotten hurt and he showed concern about the girl he helped rescue. She questioned him about all sort of things, school, his friends, Daniel talked freely with her. She even asked how he felt about the surgery, what he understood and about how he is managing with what had happened.

The psychiatrist left and a nurse came in and gave Daniel a shot. Barbra gave him a kiss on his cheek as he was becoming very drowsy and his lights went out. Debbie arrived shortly before Daniel was wheeled away.

Barbra took Debbie for a walk to the cafeteria; this was as good a time to talk to her.

“Debbie, Daniel is alright but he is going back to surgery. He was hurt very severely in his genitals Debbie. He lost both of his testes and his penis was rendered useless. Do you understand Hun?”

“You mean the things that make him a guy are useless or gone?” Debbie asked tears forming in her eyes, her face full of emotion.

“Yes Debbie the surgery he is going to now will finish the job, he was badly deformed. They are doing a vaginoplasty on him now, or giving him a vagina and vulva.”

“Is he becoming a girl?”

“Only if he wants to, but he will have the outward appearance down there of a girl. He is going to go through some major changes none the less dear, and he will need us to protect his secret till he is ready to choose his course. He can either take hormones after he makes his decision. He had very little choice about the surgery due to the severity and location of the damage he had. He will never parent a child and never be fully a male or female. Don’t discuss his surgery with anyone. At least we still have him, he nearly died last night. He will need our support whatever he chooses, but it may be easier if he chooses to be a girl. He is going to need your help also to keep up in school he will not be feeling up to it for a month or two dear. I will need to talk to his school.”

They headed back to the room, flowers, cards and balloons had started to arrive. Barbra and Debbie crossed the hall to Gina’s room, Terri saw her and a smile formed on her face. Gina was lying in bed silently.

“How are you Barbra?”

“I am doing Ok Terri. This is my daughter Debbie she was there also last night. Debbie this is Terri Anderson it was her daughter you three saved last night. How are you doing?”

“Hello Debbie I want to thank you three for what you did for my daughter. How are Daniel and you two doing?”

“We are doing well as can be expected. Daniel had to go back into surgery but he is doing fair. How is Gina?”

“Physically she is doing well emotionally she could be doing better. She will probably be leaving tomorrow. The psychiatrist wants to keep her for another day. How long will Daniel be here?”

“At least another week He is back in surgery, to repair the damage. He almost died. His first concern on waking was how your daughter was. He doesn’t remember how he was injured. That is best for now. He doesn’t need to know, at least until he is better.”

“The police are to interview my daughter today and then the psychiatrist wants to talk to her later. She is awake but tranquilized right now. I think she was more traumatized when she realized she hurt the boy who helped her, than she was by the rape itself.”

“Let her know that Daniel doesn’t blame her. It is not much but it may help her. The police will have to wait two or three days to interview Daniel he won’t be up to it for a while.”

Barbra, Debbie and Terri chatted for a while longer and then returned to Danny’s room to wait.

For Barbra it was a long grueling wait. She was glad for Debbie’s company. She was very nervous but a little afraid to show it. She wondered what Daniel understood about the operation. She knew he heard the doctors, but with his pain meds and such she wondered if he really understood things. Close friends came and went, more flowers and such arrived. Daniel’s room took on the appearance of a flower shop. Detectives dropped by but were unable to see Daniel and said that they would be back in a few days, after assuring Barbra that they were not looking into charging Daniel with anything. Late that afternoon she received word that Daniel was in recovery again and would be back to his room in an hour or so. At eight that evening Daniel was wheeled back into his room.

He looked so pitiful laying there but Barbra was assured by his breathing and the monitors that were hooked up to him. The surgeon assured everyone that Daniel was fine. He came through surgery well, and that the surgery was flawless, scarring would be minimal. He would sleep the night through they were told.

Nina showed up and volunteered to spend the night with Daniel, almost pushing Barbra out to go home. She did look rather haggard she noticed looking in a mirror. So she and Debbie headed on home.

to be continued,