On August 14, 1999, I was assaulted by a man in a Chuck E Cheese costume. Despite my pleas, he continued to violate me, eventually mangling my vagina beyond all recognition. I was found by a functional heroin addict named Zeke and rushed to the hospital. Thus began the slow and painful healing process.

I had four reconstructive surgeries. Every time a Chuck E Cheese commercial came on (which was about twice every three minutes), I had horrible flashbacks. I held a lot of anger and resentment in my heart. Why me? Why now? Why Chuck E Cheese?

But it was there that I met a wonderful nurse named Susan. She let me cry on her shoulder. She held my hand through my darkest hours. She taught me to let go of the hatred and to forgive. Though my body was broken, my heart became pure and strong.

I was a new woman when I walked out of Mercy General. I had grown in ways I did not think possible. I had a message. I wanted to show the world how much I had been through, somehow. It was then that I remembered my favorite meal at the hospital, and I realized that through the power of cooking, I could share my story.

**Mercy General Ice Water**

Ingredients:

– 8 oz clean water

– ice (optional)

Instructions:

– pour the water into a glass of your choosing.

– add ice (optional).

Now you have a cool, refreshing beverage for any occasion. This recipe is my story. The sound of water being swallowed is my song.

Enjoy!