The Pink Ribbon

At 8:30 AM the next morning, Emma arrived at the *University of Virginia Children’s Hospital* in Charlottesville.

She did not seek an anonymous urgent care clinic. She met directly with Dr. Elena Vance, a renowned pediatric trauma specialist and clinical forensic examiner who had been Emma’s closest friend since their undergraduate days at Brown University.

Dr. Vance conducted a thorough, delicate physical examination of Lily in a private consultation suite.

Using high-resolution digital ultraviolet photography, Dr. Vance documented the blunt-force contusion and epidermal abrasion on Lily’s left zygomatic arch.

""The pattern is consistent with an open-hand adult strike with downward tangential force,"" Dr. Vance dictated into her clinical audio recorder. ""The epidermal laceration was caused by an adult signet ring on the perpetrator's fourth digit.""

Elena set her clipboard down, took off her glasses, and pulled Emma into a fierce, protective hug.

""Emma... why didn't you call me sooner?"" Elena whispered.

""Because I thought I could manage his anger, Elena,"" Emma wept quietly, resting her head on her friend's shoulder. ""He never hit her before yesterday. It was always slamming doors, throwing glasses, breaking my art portfolios... I thought if I stayed quiet, he would never touch Lily.""

""Abuse always escalates, Emma,"" Elena said firmly, wiping a tear from Emma’s cheek. ""You left at the exact right moment. This clinical report, along with the ultraviolet photo exhibits, is being transmitted directly to the Commonwealth Attorney’s Family Protection Division. We are filing an emergency multi-state protective order within the hour.""

Emma looked over at Lily, who was sitting on the exam table happily coloring a picture of a blue dragon with washable markers.