by Lauren Wood
“I know mom. Hey I’m going to go out and shop a bit. I have some extra money since I didn’t stay in Paris long. Oh I’m also going to give you and dad the money back, well most of it. I’ll pay the rest back as I get paid from work.” Sally stated.
“Oh honey you don’t have too.” Her mom commented.
“I want too though.” Sally said. “I’ll be back in a little bit.” She said and headed out to go to the mall.
At the mall she ran into a few people she knew who were shocked to see her back.
“Hey Sally, I thought you want to Paris?” Tom asked he had been a friend in high school.
“I came back early, it just wasn’t what I expected it to be.” Sally told him and the other friend who was with him.
“Oh hey did you hear about your neighbor?” Tom questioned.
Sally decided to play dumb and see what they would say. “No, what about him?”
“He is a psycho, they say he raped 10 girls, one of them was Mary. He beat up old man Denton, and a few other guys at the Southside bar. I don’t know he used to seem pretty normal in school. But that’s what they say about the quiet one’s they are the ones you watch out for.” Tom shook his head as he talked. His mind had obviously been made up about Johnny’s guilt already.
“I don’t know about that, he isn’t the type of guy who would do those things. I’ve known him far too long, I don’t believe it.” Sally commented.
“Yeah that’s just because the guy always had the hots for you.” The other guy who was standing with Tom commented. Sally couldn’t even remember his name, but she looked at him with a glare that shut him up quickly.
“No I’m not saying it because of that.” Sally stated. “I just don’t think he would be capable of those things.”
“Well you were gone, so you didn’t see it all happen. It would have been different if you were here. Then you wouldn’t be so quick to defend him. Jack Denton is my cousin and I saw his dad after Johnny beat him. He had to be in the hospital for almost a month because of it.” The other boy said to her.
“I don’t know, I guess it’s possible.” Sally gave up trying to convince them that Johnny was innocent. Honestly, she did know he had beaten old man Denton, Johnny admitted that, but he hadn’t said how badly.
She had to wonder again about how honest Johnny was being with her. He seemed to be hiding some things from her, but it could just be the doubt that other people were putting in her mind too. She wanted to believe in him. But what could you believe about someone who you seemed to know so little?
“No I don’t think he did those things. I know he beat up his old boss. But really, how bad was it? Are you sure you aren’t exaggerating those injuries just to make it sound worse?” Sally looked at the boy intently.
He looked down as she continued to stare at him. “No he was bad.” The boy said, but not very loudly.
“Did he actually go to the hospital and stay in for that long?” Sally continued to question. She was searching for the truth, she had a feeling this boy was adding some falsities into the real story.
“He got checked out at the hospital.” The boy said.
“So did they keep him?” She pushed.
“Well for a couple of hours.” The boy finally admitted.
“So you were lying? I thought so, and you don’t wonder what those girls might be lying about?” She commented.
“I don’t know Mary was your friend. Are you saying she lied about it?” Tom asked her.
“I don’t know honestly. But I’m telling you I don’t believe the story.” Sally stated.
The boys left her standing there; they seemed to actually be wondering about the story now. Sally knew that wouldn’t get him out of the charges. After all, these two wouldn’t be on a jury, if they even had one. She wasn’t sure how big of a trial it would be, or even if Johnny had decided to do the plea bargain.
She hated the fact that he might have to do that; it would be like admitting you were guilty. Sally hoped that somehow she could get Mary to change her story.
Sally called Johnny and asked him if he would meet her for lunch.
“At the mall? I don’t think that’s a good idea really. People will all know you are with the town rapist, as they are now calling me.” Johnny said.
“I don’t care what they think Johnny. Come meet me please?” She asked.
“Fine, but if it backfires on you I don’t want to hear it.” He said and hung up.
She shopped for a bit and bought a few things. Her phone buzzed and she looked at it.
I’m here.
The text message was from Johnny. She headed over to the restaurant area and looked for him. He was standing by one of the doors. She noticed several people looking at him and whispering. Sally fought the urge to say something to them all. Instead she walked up to him and kissed him.
“Hey how are you?” She asked.
He pulled away from her. “You really don’t care. I don’t know if that’s so smart.” Johnny commented.
“Let’s eat, screw these people. They’ll know the truth one day.” Sally stated.
“I don’t know about that. If I plea bargain they’ll all think I’m guilty. If I go to trial my attorney says I don’t have much of a chance either.” Johnny commented.
“I was thinking of talking to Mary.” Sally told him.
“For what? You think you can get her to recant her story? No chance, she loves the publicity.” He stated.
“I don’t know I’ll appeal to her as her best friend for years now.” Sally stated.
“I doubt it will work, but if you want to try it, good luck.” He finally gave in.
“Yeah maybe after I go talk to Mr. Samuels. I got one of my old jobs back!” Sally told him.
“That’s great! Congratulations.” Johnny said.
They ate most of the rest of the meal in silence. Sally looked around and saw people talking about the two of them. She shrugged her shoulders and turned back to Johnny. “So what are you doing after you leave here?” She asked him.
“I think I’ll go work out at the gym. It’s usually not too busy during this part of the day and people leave me alone, the few that are there anyway.” Johnny commented.
“Do people often say things to you?” She asked.
He looked up and she turned to see what he was looking at. There was a lady of about 30 standing there. “You should be ashamed of yourself. How could you rape those girls? I hope they throw the book at you.” She spat at him. “Don’t you know what he is? He’s a rapist; you really shouldn’t be with him. You might get hurt like one of those girls did.” The lady said to Sally.
“You do realize that there are two sides to every story and that what you’ve heard may not be the truth right?” Sally begun. “Remember you aren’t supposed to judge other people either. Let thee who is without sin cast the first stone.” Sally stated.
The lady turned red and made a noise and walked away.
“I hate people like that.” Sally commented.
“Wow that was amazing, you handled her very well.” Johnny had to laugh. “Can we please go now? If one person comes up they usually start coming up more and more to me. It’s just the way it goes. One person breaches the gap and they all jump in. Even with what you said, I’m not sure we will be safe from another visit.” Johnny explained.
“Sure let’s get out of here. I have a little time before I have to go see Mr. Samuels, would you like to go back to your place?” Sally asked.
“Sure, let’s go.” Johnny smiled knowing what they would be doing when they got back to his place.
He took his Harley and she drove her car, the trip seemed to take forever for her. But soon they were back at his place and inside. She smiled at him and closed the gap quickly. Sally kissed him deeply and he undressed her quickly.
Johnny looked down at her and smiled. He lowered his head between her legs and lapped at her pussy opening. She arched into him and moaned loudly as her juices flowed quickly
. He bit her clit and she climaxed and yelled loudly.
He moved up and pushed his cock into her with one quick thrust. He slowly thrust into her and pinched her nipples as she arched her back to meet him. She rang her fingers down his back and scratched him.
Sally screamed out as she felt his orgasm coat her walls with his sperm. Her pussy started to quiver as another orgasm hit her body hard.
They fell together sweet pouring down their bodies. He kissed her and pulled her closely to him. “I hope you never leave me again.” He said to her.
“I won’t Johnny, I promise. I’ll be beside you the rest of our lives if you want me.” Sally stated.
“We’ll see this may be a tough few months or years, depending on what happens.” Johnny said.
“After I’m done at Mr. Samuels I’ll go talk to Mary and see what I can do, she’ll be reasonable I’m sure of it.” Sally said.
“Like I said, I don’t think she’ll change his story.” Johnny stated.
“We’ll see.” She replied.
She didn’t see any reason why Mary wouldn’t listen to reason, and she had known Mary for so long. They had been best friends since they were 4 years old and first met in nursery school. She smiled remembering the good times she had with Mary through the years. However, she knew that Johnny thought Mary wouldn’t budge, Sally had more faith though.
Sally looked at the time and said, “I have to go and get a quick shower before I leave.” She kissed him. “I’ll see you later Johnny, I love you.”
“See you later honey, love you too.” Johnny said as he kissed her.
She ran next door and got her and shower and got dressed. As she drove off she smiled thinking about Johnny. She was positive she would be able to talk Mary into changing her mind and recanting her story. If she did, perhaps the other girls would follow along.
“Hi Mr. Samuels how are you?” She said as she walked into her old work.
He smiled at her. “Come back her Sally.” He led the way to his office. “I just need to talk to you about a few things.”
“Sure no problem.” She answered.
“Tell me how was Paris, I see you didn’t stay long. You know they say a Nebraska girl will always come home, it’s in their blood!” He laughed.
“Yes I’ve heard that too. I guess that’s what happened. Paris was okay, but I really missed everyone so much.” Sally said.
Mr. Samuels rubbed his chin for a second. “I have some bad news though Sally. I think I spoke too quickly in offering you the position. They hired another girl just yesterday for it; I really can’t take you back on.” He explained.
Sally had known him for years and could tell when he was lying. “Is that the real reason?” She asked. “I mean if it was for something else you could ask me about it, you know I’ve always been honest with you.” She told him.
“Well I know that Sally and honestly I wish I didn’t have to even ask you about this, but I should. You know we have a reputation we like to keep, as far as the type of people we hire. That can even go for the people that our employees are associated with, if you can understand. But I’ve heard rumors that you and the Young boy are hanging out, actually very close. Is that true?” He asked.
“Well yes, it is true, but what does that have to do with me? He hasn’t even had a trial yet, and he’s innocent.” Sally stated.
“Sally, I hate to tell you this, but he’s guilty. Everyone knows this, and we can’t have you as the face of our store and be associated with him. It just doesn’t send the right message to our clientele. We’ll surely lose a lot of business, and it would break us. I can offer you the job but only if you aren’t with him. I know you are neighbors and you’ll see one another, but I’m talking about the type of relationship I’ve heard it was. You know people talk in town, and well this isn’t a good business decision for us.” He explained.
She sighed heavily. “I understand, but I don’t agree with this decision. When everyone finds out the truth and learn he’s not guilty, they’ll change how they are talking. I can’t believe so many people are judging him without the full story.” She said.
“Perhaps my dear it’s you that hasn’t heard the full story yet. But I’m not the one to tell you. I know you were good friends with Mary Sims; you may want to talk to her about it. When you find out the truth and have left him, then perhaps I can hire you again.” He apologized.
Sally shook her head. “Really I thought people were better than this.” She walked out of his office, upset and angry.
“That’s it I’m going to visit Mary now.” Sally said to herself. “This is going to end now. I’m tired of people lying about him.” She smacked her teeth in anger.
By the time she had reached Mary’s house her anger was boiling over. She knocked on the door and it opened.
“Oh hi, it’s you.” Mary said. “I heard you were back in town. So did you see Johnny yet? Oh don’t worry I’ve heard all about you and him at the mall. I know why you’re here.” She added.
“So will you tell the truth?” Sally asked. “I mean as my best friend why would you lie about the man I love?” Sally added.
“The man you love? Since when? All those years he looked at you with his little puppy dog eyes and you couldn’t give him the time of day. You really are something else, you know that Sally.” Mary shouted at her.
“I think I’ve known it for some time actually, but I realized it once I was gone.” Sally admitted.
“Is that right, isn’t that nice.” Mary looked at her with eyes that could kill.
“Look Mary I didn’t come here to fight with you. I just want you to tell the truth and have those charges dropped against Johnny.” Sally explained.
“You don’t want to know the truth; you want me to tell you he’s innocent. But he’s far from innocent. He broke my trust more than one time and that night was the final night he did it.” Mary stated.
“How in the world would he break your trust? You set up the party right? He performed for you and your friends, what happened that made you mad?” Sally questioned.
“Oh so he told you I set it up. I was wondering just how much he would actually tell you of the truth.” Mary laughed.
“Remember Mary I’ve known you since you were a little girl, I can tell when you lie.” Sally reminded her.
Mary’s face turned red. “You think you know me so well do you. Well do you know that the whole time I was with Johnny he always talked about you? No you didn’t. I can tell by the look on your face. I bet you didn’t know that he often screamed out your name in his sleep too. I know you two had sex before you left too. He didn’t want to tell me, but he talks in his sleep sometimes.” She stopped to try and regain some of her composure.
“So you lie on him because he loved me? How does that make any sense?” Sally asked.
“I’m not done telling you everything. He told me he hated you many times when I talked to him about calling your name out while sleeping. He said he would never go back with you. But I could tell he was seeing you, not me when we had sex.” Mary stated. “That’s what ruined it with us, you and your memory. He called me that last night right in the middle of his orgasm. He yelled out I love you Sally. Can you even imagine what that’s like?” Mary began crying.
“I’m sorry Mary, I really am.” Sally hugged her friend.
Mary fell into Sally’s arms and sobbed. “I really thought he loved me and hated you. He had me convinced of it. But then that happened, and all the other girls heard it. Everyone looked at me; I had tried to ignore it. However, someone else asked him what he had said. He didn’t even know he had shouted out your name either. He tried to apologize, said he was under so much stress and all this, all lies. He lied to me the whole time, why shouldn’t I lie now?” Mary stated.
“Because you’ll ruin his life, his reputation. I couldn’t even get my old job back because of your lies. Why did the other girls go along with you?” Sally asked.
“I asked them too. Some of them m
ight have backed down during the trial, but just a couple of us would have to keep up the lie. Sally I want to hurt him, it’s not right he lied to me.” Mary said.
Sally sighed. “I know he hurt you, but really when it comes down to it, I’m just as much to blame as him. But so are you, you knew how he felt about me for all those years. You used to yell at him and tell him to leave me alone. So why would you think it all changed?” Sally asked.
“I wanted to believe it. He’s really good in bed, and I was all alone. David had broken up with me to move to Colorado. I didn’t have anyone, and Johnny was looking really nice. That Harley of his only adds to his sex appeal. He’d been working out in the gym and well he told me he hated you. I really thought he was being truthful with me.” Mary said again.
“Mary why can’t you forgive him then? We always wanted the best for each other. I think he’s the best for me. I really never doubt that he will protect me and keep me safe. He makes me happy, and well he’s really a good person.” Sally said.
“I don’t know Sally, it really hurt to hear him say those words that night. But I guess I could forgive him. I don’t know what the other girls will do. I can talk to them. I’m sorry Sally; I was mean to you when you were in Paris too. But I felt like you were trying to take Johnny, the sad thing is I never even had him even when I thought I did.” Mary cried.
“Mary, I’m sure you’ll find someone. Heck maybe David will come back home. Look how quickly I made my way back. Maybe it is true what they say about Nebraska people, both girls and guys. We always want to come home, it’s in our blood.” Sally tried to cheer her up.
“I did love him so much. It was a hard breakup, he didn’t want to go. But he couldn’t find any work here.” Mary said.
“Why didn’t you go with him?” Sally asked out of curiosity.
“He didn’t ask me. He just said that it would be far too tough for both of us.” Mary explained.
“Maybe you should call him and talk to him, have you tried?” Sally asked.
