Chapter 4: You Can Trust Me

Olivia felt like utter crap and she groaned when she heard knocking on her door. She kicked the covers off and threw on her robe before going to answer it. She peeked in the peep hole and saw a woman she had never seen before.

"Who is it?" She asked.

"Detective Benson, my name is Terry Edwards, I'm Genesis's social worker."

Olivia looked at herself in the mirror hanging in the small nook next to the door and ran her fingers through her hair. Once she figured she looked decent enough, she opened the door.

"I'm so sorry, I had a long night." Olivia said.

"Genesis is a child who is very difficult to place." Ms. Edwards said.

"Actually, she hasn't been any trouble. She had a nightmare, I tried to comfort her and she kept me at a distance." Olivia said.

"If she's too much for you to handle, I can take her to a group home until I can find another foster home." Ms. Edwards said.

"I can handle her just fine Ms. Edwards." Olivia said. She was starting to get annoyed with how easily the social worker could shuffle the girl around.

"What that girl needs is a firm hand. Once you show her you're in charge she will respect you." Ms. Edwards said.

"Ms. Edwards, I don't know you and you don't know me, but I will tell you one thing, Genesis is not a problem to be quote on quote handled. That child needs stability, love and to be shown that she is worth the fight. And you can be damn sure I will be that person." Olivia all but growled at the woman.

Ms. Edwards stood there with her mouth hung open. "I'm sorry Detective Benson, I have gotten so used to immediate complaints when it comes to Genesis, I am just used to preparing to move her to a group home." She said quietly.

"As I said, she's no trouble and I'd like it if she stayed." Olivia said.

"Ok, that's fine Detective. If you have any problems or questions call me." Ms. Edwards said pulling out a card and holding it out to Olivia.

Olivia took the card and slipped it in her robe pocket. "Thank you Ms. Edwards." She said as she showed the woman out.

Genesis had heard it all. She didn't know how to feel. She was sure by the time her social worker bothered to show up, Olivia would beg the woman to take her. But, instead she wanted her to stay.

Olivia knocked on the door before she pushed it open. "Hey, do you want to go for breakfast?" She asked.

If Genesis was to be completely honest with herself, she was starving. But she couldn't let herself wasn't food. She had to remain strong. "I'm not hungry." She said as respectfully as possible.

"You gotta eat something honey. You didn't eat dinner last night." Olivia said. She started to get the feeling Genesis didn't eat much. She could look at the girl and see she needed to eat.

Genesis opened her mouth to argue and then thought better of it. "Ok, where are we going?" She asked.

"IHOP?" Olivia suggested. "It's right around the corner."

"Sounds great." Genesis said with a forced smile. 'I'll just eat as little as possible and get rid of it.' She thought.

"Ok, get ready and we'll go." Olivia said.

Genesis nodded and stood from the bed, heading for her bags to find something to wear by the time Olivia closed the door. "How the hell am I gonna pull this off?" She muttered to herself. While she got dressed she thought of how she could get away with eating so little. She had a feeling Olivia was onto her and would be watching her like a hawk.

Olivia and Genesis had been walking in a non-uncomfortable silence.

Olivia was trying to figure out how she could get the girl to trust her.

Genesis was hoping she didn't get caught. The cutting and the eating disorder were hers and she didn't want them taken away from her.

"When's your birthday?" Olivia asked.

"July 18th." Genesis said.

"What's your favorite color?" Olivia asked as she opened the door to the restaurant.

"Um...purple." Genesis said.

After Olivia and Genesis were seated and had given their orders, Olivia continued with the ice breakers.

"Do you have any hobbies?" She asked.

Genesis looked at Olivia, confused by what she meant.

"Hobbies are things you like to do when you're alone." Olivia explained.

"Whenever Mr. Lambert was done messing with me...oops I mean I love listening to music." Genesis was internally smacking herself. She couldn't believe she let that slip out. She knew she wasn't supposed to tell anyone.

"Wait a minute. Did you just say Mr. Lambert was messing with you?" Olivia said.

"No..." Genesis lied. She bit her bottom lip and fiddled with the paper placemat.

"Hey, you can trust me." Olivia said. She knew Genesis had been sexually abused before, Judge Marsden had told her that. But if something had just happened she wanted to get a jump on it.

"I-I don't know." Genesis said quietly.

"Don't know what sweetheart?" Olivia asked.

"If I can trust you!" Genesis blurted out.

"That's ok honey, but I need you to tell me what happened." Olivia said in a compassionate tone of voice.

"Nothing!" Genesis snapped.

The waitress came back with their food and set it up in front of them. "Will you be needing anything else?" She asked.

"Actually, would you mind packing this up for us?" Olivia asked.

"Sure. No problem." The waitress replied, picking up the plates and taking them away.

Olivia paid the check and rushed Genesis back to the apartment. After dropping the food and keys on the table, she lead Genesis to the living room.

"Honey, I can help you. I want to help you but I can't if you don't tell me." Olivia said softly. She was sitting on the coffee table in front of Genesis, looking into her eyes.

"I can't! I just can't!" Genesis cried.

"He can't hurt you anymore." Olivia said.

"Yes he can! He'll kill me if I tell!" Genesis cried. Tears began to fall.

Olivia wanted to push her. She really did but she could see the girl was close to breaking.

"What will happen if I tell?" Genesis whispered.

'I'll kill him!' Olivia thought. "If you tell me what happened and I mean everything, I'll call my team and have him arrested." She said.

"I can't tell you but I can show you." Genesis said. She stood up and unzipped her hoodie then she paused.

"What's the matter baby girl?" Olivia asked.

"On my body...I have...scars..." Genesis said. She was ashamed and embarrassed. She didn't want Olivia to see her cuts and make her stop. Somehow, by the grace of God she was starting to trust Olivia.

"It's ok sweetheart. You can trust me. Everything will be ok." Olivia said soothingly.

Genesis gulped nervously and continued to peel off her clothes until she stood in front of Olivia, clad only in a cami and a pair of sleep shorts.

Olivia gaped and covered her mouth.

Bruises. Black, blue, purple even yellow marred the girls body. Her upper arms and thighs were fresh.

Olivia wanted to cry.

"Did he rape you?" She asked.

God, she hated asking that question.

Genesis nodded and wrapped her arms around herself. She stared at the carpet and wished it would open and swallow her.

"The cuts?" Olivia asked.

"I did it to myself!" Genesis cried. She broke down and hit the floor.

Olivia moved to the floor beside Genesis and pulled her into a hug. "Shh...it's ok honey, it's gonna be ok." She said rocking the girl in her arms.