Laid Out

by Sidney Halston

  Though she had always wanted to work in health care, she had changed majors in college three times before finally deciding on nursing after Jeremy’s death. Jeremy had always discouraged her from becoming a nurse. He would tell her she wasn’t cut out to be a nurse, to deal with blood, guts, and vomit. That she should be in an office, heading some sort of company, wearing a business suit. So her first major had been business administration. Jeremy had thought it was the perfect major for her.

  During one of their trips to town on leave, she and Jeremy had gone to Cain’s parents’ house for dinner, and while Jeremy had been busy chatting with Cain’s dad, Cain and Violet slipped out to the porch to drink coffee.

  “How’s school?” Cain had asked.

  “Great,” she’d chirped.

  “Jer said you decided on business?”

  “Yes. My professors are real nice. I’m not so good with numbers but I hired a tutor for the macroeconomics.”

  “Macroeconomics? I tutored you all the time for math in high school. You barely passed algebra. Why would you study business? You’re going to fail and waste a lot of time and money.”

  “Thank for the vote of confidence, jerk,” she’d huffed.

  “I’m only being honest.”

  The truth was, Cain might have been rough around the edges and possibly tactless, but at the end of the day, he’d always been looking out for her. He’d said what she didn’t want to hear but needed to know. And in turn, she’d never been afraid to call him a jerk or argue with him. In fact, he was the only one she ever really argued with.

  “I missed your face,” he’d told her that night on the porch.

  “I missed your face too, Cain. It felt longer this time around.”

  “It was longer. We’ve been gone over six months.”

  Violet was dragged back to the present by the sound of the front door closing. “Hey, chick,” came JL’s voice. “Whatcha doing sitting there in the dark?” She turned on the lights.

  “Oh, shit. What happened?” JL said, alarmed, when she took in Violet’s red puffy tear stricken face.

  “Shit. Shit. Shit,” squawked Bird.

  “That parrot has a sixth sense when it comes to curse words.” JL placed a blanket over the cage to quiet the bird and then came over to sit next to Violet.

  “I have to move. I think.” Violet rested her head on the palms of her hands and squeezed her eyes shut.

  “Why? What’s going on? Vi, you’re scaring me.”

  Violet recounted the conversation with Cain. Well, it hadn’t been so much a conversation as Cain throwing out all sort of things at her he’d been harboring for years, and then walking out. Which had upset her. She had things to say too, but it was if he just threw a live grenade at her and left her sitting on the pile of rubble.

  “I don’t know what to do now,” Violet admitted. “And I’m pissed off he left. He always leaves.”

  “Well, what exactly do you want to say to him? Why didn’t you tell him you loved him?”

  “I thought that it was obvious!” she said exasperatedly. “Besides, how can I say those words now, when I’ve just barely come to terms with having real feelings for him? This started off with me wanting sex, and now I’m in love with him? Everything’s just so screwed up.”

  “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one remembers to turn on the light.”

  “Whoa! I know that’s not you.”

  “Thanks a lot. It could’ve totally come from my brilliant mind,” JL said, crossing her arms in mock exasperation. Only a few seconds later she let out her breath in a big puff. “It’s Professor Dumbledore from the Harry Potter books—a much smarter man than I.” She winked. “You told me once that Cain joined the military because his dad made him. Because he was always in fights. The Cain I’ve come to know is actually quite levelheaded and calm, except when it comes to you. It’s hard to see him as a bad kid.”

  “I know what you mean, but it’s true. He was always getting in a fight. The first time I remember him kicking the crap out of someone was when I was around nine years old. I went inside my house for a minute, and when I came out, my new bike was gone. We looked for it everywhere—even Cain’s and Jer’s parents joined the search. It was an army base, a safe community, and everyone just thought I’d misplaced it. I remember being so upset that no one believed that I’d parked it right by our porch. The next day, Joey Wells and his brother Donny were in their garage taking it apart as Cain, Jer, and I walked down the street to school. Cain went nuts and beat both brothers up. He got suspended for a week and grounded for a month. Then, this other time when I was about twelve, I was—”

  “Let me guess: some boy pulled your pigtail and Cain kicked the boy’s ass. I bet if you think about it, all his fights go back to someone doing you a wrong.”

  “What? No. I remember—” Damn, she couldn’t think of a time it hadn’t had something to do with her. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “You two idiots are in love with each other.”

  “But…it feels so different than it did with Jeremy.” Violet stood there silently with tears in her eyes.

  “Of course it does, honey. You were practically a kid back then. You loved Jeremy, I don’t doubt it. But it was a first love. The woman you’ve turned into—would that woman chose Jeremy or Cain? That’s the question you have to ask yourself.”

  JL drew Violet into a tight hug that lasted long enough for her words to really sink in. When she’d fallen in love with Jeremy, Violet realized, she’d been an overweight, self-conscious, giggly girl. Jeremy had been sweet, he’d liked her, and he’d seen the real Violet when no one else did. But she wasn’t that person anymore. The woman she was now wasn’t self-conscious about her body—not really, anyway. She knew what she wanted, and she didn’t want someone who coddled her. She wanted Cain. He supported her, gave her confidence, but also gave her the space to make her own decisions.

  “I think you know the answer to this, babe.” JL kissed her cheek and left her to ponder. Suddenly Violet was even more pissed off that Cain had walked out on her, because there were a few things she needed to say to him.

  Chapter 16

  Violet was up, showered, and dressed by nine the next morning. She hadn’t slept so well the previous night, but she felt a sense of relief at having finally come to terms with her own feelings. She was about to head to Cain’s house when her phone rang.

  “You’re back? Please tell me you’re back,” Chrissy said into the phone.

  “Yeah, I’m here. What’s up? Everything okay?”

  “I’m not feeling well. I think I’m coming down with the flu or something. I need you to go into the clinic for me today. You think you can?”

  She didn’t want to upset her friend and boss, but of all days…“Yeah, sure. No problem.”

  “Thank you so much,” Chrissy said.

  It looked like the long-overdue conversation with Cain would have to wait a little longer. Violet changed into scrubs and headed to the clinic.

  Around midday, Travis came in holding a red-stained napkin around his finger.

  “That’s a lot of blood, Texas,” Violet said as she ushered him to the back. “You guys need a new sport. One you’re good at. All these injuries can’t be normal.”

  “I was trying to prove a point to Cain.” He removed the napkin.

  “Sheesh, you’re going to need a stitch or two,” she said as she cleaned the gash by his knuckles. “What was the point, exactly?”

  “The point was that fighting without wrapping your hands or using gloves can be dangerous.” He held up his hand and pointed to his knuckle. “And this was just from missing Cain and hitting the fence.”

  “Well, duh! Who would fight without gloves?”

  “Your boyfriend. He has a vale tudo fight, and I’m trying to get him not to go.”

  “Vale what?”

  “It’s a form of fighting where anything goes and they don’t even bother to wrap up. H
e’s going to get himself killed.”

  “Don’t move,” she said as she pulled over a suture tray. “How is Slade okay with this? Or Frances, for that matter?”

  “He’s not. Not at all. And I’m not sure whether Frances knows…ow!”

  “Stay still. This will numb the area.”

  “That’s a big fucking needle, darlin’.”

  “Says the man who just punched a steel fence.” She leaned in and began to work on his hand. “So, where’s this fight and how dangerous is it?”

  “It’s tomorrow night.”

  “Where? What time?”

  “At the ol—Oh, no. No, no, no. I ain’t telling you that. You go and he’ll kick my ass. That shit’s dangerous. Stay away from that, darlin’. Maybe call him and try to talk him out of it, but you can’t go to that place.”

  She continued to work methodically on his hand even as the anxiety began to build. “Travis. It’s not safe. You said so yourself. Tell me where it is.” She finished the last stitch.

  He stood and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry about it, Vi. Me and the guys will take care of it. Anyway, I think I convinced him with all the blood I left in the cage.” He winked at her and left.

  Violet paced around the clinic gnawing on her lip. She texted JL, who showed up at the clinic ten minutes later, Frances in tow.

  “Brought reinforcements,” JL said, nodding at Frances.

  Violet explained the conversation with Travis. “So, I’m thinking Cain’s going to get himself killed,” she concluded. “And honestly, I think it’s my fault. We left things on bad terms…what if something happens? We have to find out where that fight is.”

  “What is going on with you and Cain, anyway?” Frances asked.

  Violet groaned and dropped her head against the counter.

  Frances’s eyes widened. “Oh, my! You’re in love with him,” she yelped.

  “Thanks, Mrs. Obvious,” JL teased. “Of course she is. She has been for, like, forever.”

  “Yeah, I guess I did see that shit coming. Tony and I made a bet about it months ago.”

  “Hello!” Violet waved her arms. “I’m right here, guys.”

  “Okay, so what’s the plan?” asked JL.

  “The plan is that one of you gets me that freakin’ address so that I can go talk him out of it. He’s not answering my calls and doesn’t seem to be home.”

  “And he already left the Academy,” Francesca added. “I can’t believe that little asshole is fighting. If the boxing commission finds out, they’ll pull our license. Why couldn’t he just wait for the next fight like everyone else?”

  JL snorted. “Because these two idiots are playing all sorts of dangerous games with each other, and he probably needed to blow off steam now rather than next year at the fight.”

  “I’m not playing games,” Violet protested hotly. “I didn’t really understand—couldn’t really say—what I was feeling. I do now. I’m ready to tell him.”

  “Fine,” Frances decided. “I’ll get you the address, but I’m going with you. It’s not safe and I’m only doing it because you’re going to come clean and tell him once and for all about your feelings. No fucking around.”

  Francesca was by far the strongest woman Violet knew, and quite frankly she kind of scared Violet. Violet stood straight and saluted her. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “How are you going to get Tony to give you that information?” JL wondered.

  “Oh, honey…I got ways,” Francesca said with a wink.

  As soon as Violet was done with her shift, she went straight over to Cain’s house in hopes he’d be there. She wanted to tell him how she felt and beg him not to fight. But he wasn’t there, and he hadn’t answered any of her calls all day.

  That night as she was getting ready for bed she received a text from Francesca: Got the info. You owe me big-time. My jaw will be hurting for weeks. And forgive me if I’m walking funny tomorrow.

  TMI! Violet texted back with a giggle.

  —

  “I swear, that vein on Slade’s neck is going to pop when he finds out I came here,” Jessica said the following evening as they all climbed out of Jessica’s car.

  “I probably won’t understand half the shit that Tony’s going to say,” Francesca added.

  “Jack’ll probably arrest us and keep us locked up all night until he’s calmed down.”

  “Y’all are making me feel bad. I could’ve come here alone,” Violet said, and then turned to Chrissy. “I thought you were sick.”

  “Sick or not, I wasn’t going to miss this.”

  “No way were you going to come here alone,” Francesca said. “Plus I need to know if Cain’s being an idiot. I need to see it with my own two eyes.”

  As they got closer to the old, dilapidated building, Violet’s heart began to race. “There’s so many people,” she said, indicating a group of men standing by their car smoking.

  “Tony said this was a huge fight. The big one. Like the championship of vale tudo.”

  “I’m invoking the buddy system,” Chrissy ordered. “Pair up and hold hands. Make sure you stay close.”

  “We’re going to stick out like a sore thumb,” Violet said.

  “Ya think?” Jessica said. “Your cowboy boots have flowers on them, Chrissy!”

  “I didn’t think heels were appropriate!”

  “Neither are frilly shoes! You shoulda brought sneakers!”

  “Stop arguing. Let’s go find a seat as far away from the cage as possible. I don’t want Cain to see us.”

  “…she’s wearing wedges,” Chrissy continued to whine, pointing to Francesca’s footwear. “I don’t see what’s wrong with my boots.”

  “Shut it, chick,” JL said. “We need to at least try to blend in.”

  “There’s not one woman in this entire place. There’s no way in fuck we’re going to fit in. What we need to do is not draw any more attention to ourselves. So hush up,” Francesca scolded.

  The women found a door that was only loosely secured with a chain. Francesca pushed the chain up a little higher so that the women could squeeze through the opening.

  Violet took a look and muttered, “Guys, I don’t think my ass will fit through that tiny space.”

  Francesca rolled her eyes and motioned for her to go. Violet contorted her body and tried to squeeze in. “Hold your boobs up and shimmy through,” Jessica instructed from inside.

  “Shit! I think I saw Cain!” Francesca said, and gave Violet a shove, pushing her through.

  “Ouch! I think I left a boob over by the door,” Violet groaned, holding an arm over her breasts.

  “Suck it up, chick,” JL said as Francesca hurried in. They hid in a dark corner as Cain walked in and went to the opposite side. He looked focused and, as usual, stoic.

  “Wasn’t the point to see him?” Chrissy whispered.

  “Not before the fight. If he sees me now, he’ll worry the entire time he’s fighting, and either he’ll get himself killed or he’ll have us kicked out. Either way he’ll still fight. I just want to make sure he’s safe.”

  “I’m starting to think this was a fool’s mission. And totally pointless,” JL said.

  “Whatever. Come on,” Violet said as they made their way to the open area where the crowd was already cheering at something.

  They walked along the back wall and stood in a corner far from the ominous cage in the middle of the room. “They have quite the setup,” JL commented.

  “Yeah, I thought it would be seedier,” Chrissy said.

  “Seedier?” Violet looked around at the men smoking and drinking, the hanging lights that glowed eerily in the darkened room. “What the hell did you expect? Human sacrifice? It looks horrible to me.”

  “No. But they have a cage and everything,” Chrissy said.

  Then the first fight began, and all the women—except Francesca, who was cheering and hollering with the crowd—covered their eyes as blood flew everywhere. Violet was happy they were standing far
away.

  “Ay, Dios mío. Darme paciencia. No lo puedo creer.” A very livid Tony suddenly appeared in front of the group.

  “Oh, hi, honey.” Francesca pasted a huge fake smile on her face, stood on the tips of her toes, and kissed the corner of his mouth. “So, funny story—”

  Violet felt terrible for dragging her friends to the fight, so she sidestepped Francesca and stood in front of Tony. “It’s my fault. I made her come with me.”

  “Made her?” Tony huffed. “Have you met my wife? I can’t make her do anything. She does whatever the hell she wants. Obviously. Otherwise she wouldn’t be here right now.” He took out his phone and texted something. “And you two”—he pointed to Chrissy and Jessica—“I’ve got a surprise for you as well.” Taking Francesca’s hand, he said to the group, “Follow me. Keep your heads down and do not say a word to anyone. Cariño, you better cover your tits or I swear to God…” Francesca, who had on a boat-neck top that was really not showing much, rolled her eyes.

  Chrissy grabbed Jessica with one hand and Violet with the other. JL ran to Tony and took his other hand. Francesca scowled, but it was playful in spirit. “You said we had to stick to the buddy system. I pick him.” JL shrugged and stuck her tongue out at Francesca, who laughed.

  As they rounded the bleachers, Violet saw a group of very angry, very large men with their arms crossed, staring at the group.

  “Fuck,” Chrissy said when she saw Jack.

  “Oh, man. You see that vein pulsing on Slade’s neck?” Jessica said, inching closer as if Violet could protect her.

  “We’ll talk when we get home,” Slade said to Jessica. “Do not step an inch away from me.” He pulled her to his front, and even though he looked absolutely furious, he wrapped his arm around Jessica’s waist, pulled her against him and kissed her forehead.