Under the surface

by Jaye Cox

  The shop has been fairly busy today and I’m a little worried about Joe; he hasn’t shown up at the shop and Lizzy hasn’t seen him either. Thinking he must be with some other friends, I don’t worry too much. If he hasn’t shown up by the time I finish work, I will go to his house and see is he is there; but I just can’t imagine him being there when he hates being around his parents. At five thirty I start to close down the shop and pack up for the day when I hear a screech out front, then Joe comes running into the shop. He has a black eye and blood covering his shirt. I can hear him mumbling something to himself, I rush over to him and place my hands on his shoulders, I have never seen Joe angry and the look in his eyes scares me.

  “What happened?” I ask, concerned he’s really hurt.

  “The fucker punched me, I shouldn’t have come here. I’m sorry, I needed to make sure you were okay, the things he said, I just thought, it doesn’t matter.”

  He is making no sense and is rambling, I am beyond worried about him and what has happened. I squeeze his shoulder to offer him some sort of comfort.

  “Come, let me clean you up.” I say, leading him to the piercing room. Wiping the blood from his face, he is silent, I see the tears in his eyes as I clean him up. Joe has quickly become an important part of my life, and seeing him hurting makes me hurt. Once he is cleaned up, he stands and the look in his eyes scares me.

  “I’m going to kill them, I’m so stupid.” He says, not making eye contact.

  “Kill who?”

  “Them, they… AGH just let me go, I have to do this.” He starts back out the door. I don’t have time to tell anyone I’m leaving, I just chase behind Joe. He gets into the driver’s seat of a car, he only has his learners and shouldn’t be driving by himself, I jump in the passenger seat as he’s taking off and the door slams behind me.

  “Ruby, you shouldn’t be in here.” He says.

  “I’m not letting you go anywhere by yourself. You’re my family now, and family sticks together.”

  “No! You don’t understand, I’m going to kill them, they’re sick bastards.”

  “At least slow down, before you kill us both.”

  That at least makes him slow down at little. After a few minutes I know where we are headed, and I’m hoping he calms down before we get there.

  “Come on Joe, they’re not worth it. Let’s just get your stuff and you can come live with me and Jash, then you never have to go back.”

  He doesn’t answer, he pulls onto his street. I take a deep breath and hope his parents are out, because I’m sure this is not going to end well. Joe flies up the driveway and skids across the front lawn pulling on the handbrake as he gets to the front door, he jumps out of the car with an iron bar, he turns back to me and says, “Please stay in the car, I need you to stay; you shouldn’t be here for this.”

  The shock wears off and I get out of the car, I can hear yelling and I walk cautiously into the house, it’s gone quiet as I round the corner into the lounge room, I see a man has Joe by the throat.

  “You’re an ungrateful little shit, always thinking about yourself,” the man says, who I’m presuming is his dad. His back is to me and I see Joe pleading with his eyes for me to leave.

  I don’t know why, but I pick up an empty bourbon bottle and race over and hit the man across the head with it, I expect it to knock him out but all it does is makes him let go of Joe and turn on me. Immediately I see his fist fly towards my face before I hear the crack as it connects and I fall to the floor. Joe jumps on his back and has a firm grip around his neck.

  Getting back up onto my feet, I look around the room for another weapon and that’s when I see David walk through the front door, he looks at me and smiles; my head is spinning, why is he here? How does he know Joe?

  I can hear the whooshing of my heart in my ears, and my knees feel like they’re going to give out. Joe gets free and runs for David, but he is no match for David’s size and in a split second David has Joe pinned to the ground. That’s enough for my fear to kick into over drive; it’s one thing David hurting me, but not Joe. In what feels like two seconds, I’m pinned to the ground in front of Joe and we are looking at each other, we mouth I’m sorry and I see tears in his eyes.

  “I want you to watch what happens when you don’t do as you’re told,” the man who is holding me down, says to Joe. That’s when I feel him let me go for long enough for him to stand, I try to fight my way up onto my knees and the first blow to my ribs hits me, I drop to my stomach. He viciously kicks out and they strike my ribs and head before my vision goes black and I hear Joe’s screams. I’m not sure how long I was out, but when I come to I can feel my body being dragged.

  “Shh, I will get you to hospital,” is all I hear from Joe, then I’m out again from the pain.

  Everything is fuzzy and the pain is unbearable, I try opening my eyes, but my left eye is swollen shut. I run my fingers across it as memories of what has happened come flooding back; Joe where is Joe, I try to move but the pain on my right side makes me almost vomit.

  “She is awake,” a familiar voice says, it’s Oliver, “you’re in the hospital, I will get Ty and the doctor.”

  The doctor comes in first and is quickly followed by Ty. The doctor explains I have a couple of fractured ribs, my left eye is swollen and the right side of my face has some swelling also. They will need to do an X-ray on my ankle shortly because it might also be fractured. After the doctor leaves, Ty sits on the chair next to the bed.

  “Where is Joe?” I ask. My voice is raspy and my throat feels like it has been used as a punching bag.

  “He is fine, he is talking to the police. What the hell happened?” he asks.

  I explain about Joe and how he came into the shop and what I remember from when we got to the house, Jash comes running into the room.

  “Oh thank fuck, I thought you were dead.” He says short of breath.

  “Can’t get rid of me that easy,” I say, winching from the pain smiling has caused. The police stop by and take my statement and tell me they will be in touch. David and Joe’s dad were arrested. Joe walks in the room wearily.

  “I’m so sorry Ruby, I didn’t know about David, I promise.”

  “How do you know him?” I ask.

  He bought drugs from my dad. One day he told me about a job opening at Big Moe’s, he seemed like a cool guy but he started asking about you. I didn’t think anything of it at first and then I heard him talking to my dad about you; the things he was saying were vile and I snapped, my dad hit me and I stole his car and well, you know the rest.”

  “It’s not your fault.” I say. “Promise me you will stay at my place so you can have a place to call home.”

  “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Don’t worry about me, Jash has it covered,” Joe says, before the nurse comes in and tells everyone they need to leave, it’s time for me to rest. They all say they will be back in tomorrow.

  Oliver is the first to come back. I tell him I’m thinking about going to stay with my friend Taylor for a few weeks because I’m afraid David might come for me again. He offers for me to stay with him, he says he has the room and I don’t need to tell anyone where I am, so David can’t find out. I ask the doctors how long I’m stuck here for and he says only a day or two, but I will have to take it easy until my ribs heal, which could take about six weeks. Over the day everyone comes and fusses over me, even Big Moe, he tells me to take as much time as I need. The only person that hasn’t come to see me is Dex. I know we had a fight, but I thought we could move past it, especially after he finished my tattoo. Maybe I was wrong and the tattoo wasn’t his way of saying sorry, maybe it was his way of letting me go and saying goodbye in a sense. I would be lying if I said it didn’t hurt.

  I finally get to leave the hospital, two days here is enough. Ty wanted me to stay with him, but I told him there was no way I was staying in a house with a baby, then he offered to stay with me. I told him I was fine but he won’t listen, so I discharged myself early and se
nt Ty a text telling him I was staying with Taylor for a few weeks, even though I’m staying at Oliver’s.

  “Okay, everything’s packed; I snuck over to your place and got the list of stuff you gave me.”

  “Then let’s get out of here.” I say. The nurse helps get me into the wheelchair, hospital policy is I have to be wheeled out, Oliver runs ahead and brings his car to the hospital doors. I tell the nurse I can walk from here with Oliver’s help. My ankle wasn’t broken, thank god, only sprained. I must look like a right mess, I put my arm around Oliver’s neck and he takes my weight. I lean my body against the car as he opens the passenger door.

  “Thanks for taking care of me.” I say.

  “I would do anything for you,” he says, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. I look into his eyes, they’re a crystal blue and a girl could get lost in them. We have a moment, but I look away first.

  “Let’s get out of here.” I say, feeling helpless. I can’t move myself that well and the drive to Oliver’s is slow. Once he pulls up at the hotel, I’m relieved I can recover in peace and not worry. I know Jash will take good care of Joe. The ladies at the reception all look me over as we walk through the foyer, then say hello to Oliver. The last time I was here, I don’t recall seeing anyone when we came in. We make our way to the top floor and his penthouse is amazing. I’m still in awe even having been here before, it’s amazing what coming from money looks like. He shows me to my room and it’s huge, the bed is at least twice the size of mine.

  “This place is pretty cool.” I admit.

  “It’s okay.” he says.

  He sets out all my pills and sets me up with a huge TV that just magically appears from the roof; a girl could get use to this kind of treatment. I take my pain killers and find a movie to watch, Oliver asks if I mind if he watches it with me and we both get comfy, or he gets comfy and I try find a way to lay that doesn’t hurt so much. Once the pain killers set in, my mind starts to drift off and I start thinking about Dex. Why I have not heard anything from him? It’s been a few days and I miss him a lot, I didn’t think I fell for him the way I have. But I need to forget it, because it seems he has forgotten about me.

  To say I’m bored out of my mind is an understatement; I have watched so many movies, I lost count a week ago. It’s been four weeks of rest now, my ribs are still tender, but I can walk around and do everything for myself. Oliver has been the perfect host and I think he would almost make a better roommate then Jash. He’s a clean freak - I swear he walks around behind me with a dust buster; but he has been cooking me breakfast and dinner every night. My face is almost back to normal, but there is still slight bruising, nothing visible with make up on.

  Sam has stayed in touch over the case and to fill me in on what’s happening with David and Joe’s dad. They are hoping to get a court date soon. Oliver has organised a solicitor for Joe, and even though I told him I couldn’t afford to pay someone that much, he insisted I not worry about it. Everything has been sorted and Joe is now officially living at Jash’s and my house; since he turned sixteen already, he is old enough to move out of home anyway, and certainly a lot better off there than with that druggy.

  I talk to Jash every few days; he won’t admit it, but I think he misses me. We have had a long talk about Joe’s situation and I offered to move out and find a place for Joe and I, if it cramped his style living with a teenage boy, he told me not to be stupid. He also volunteered to not charge Joe rent or food as long as he put money away in savings every week and maybe considered going back to school, or even Tafe. I’m not sure where mature Jash came from, but it’s nice to know he loves Joe as much as I do. Joe knows I’m here with Oliver, but he is sworn to secrecy. If anyone else knew I was here they would all fuss over me or feel sorry for me, and that’s not what I wanted, I wanted some quiet time and it’s been great; – boring, but great.

  Oliver has been the recipient of my continual niggling as I have been bugging him for days about the Christmas present he gave me. The meet and greet with Black Diamond is coming up in about a week, and I want to go so badly. His overprotectiveness has kicked in and he is insisting I am better not going. However, the doctor who makes regular visits has said I’m fine now, and I can’t take being cooped up any longer. With Oliver at work, I have decided I’m going to buy supplies and cook him a pretty please let me go to the concert dinner. My car isn’t here, so I have to call a cab. I’m lucky Oliver lives in the city, no one will spot me here. With no idea what I want to cook, I look around the supermarket and decide on bacon and mushroom pasta; I know I can cook that, and it’s idiot proof. After getting everything I need I head over to the frozen food section, I will cheat on desert and buy a frozen apple pie.

  “What are you doing back?” Comes a voice from behind me. In shock, I turn around and see Romeo standing behind me. Geez that guy is ridiculously tall, and beautiful.

  “Shit Romeo, I almost pissed my pants. You’re scared the bejesus out of me.”

  “I didn’t mean to scare you,” he says, flashing a mouth full of really white teeth, and I could see many a panty melting with that smile. “Have you spoken to Dex since you’ve been back?”

  “Well, that’s the thing, I was never gone. I just needed everyone to think I was away. Ty and Jash would have suffocated me so, I have been staying with Oliver. Please don’t tell anyone, I’m not ready to go home yet.”

  I don’t tell him I’m also afraid David would have tried something stupid, or even putting any of them at risk for protecting me and getting hurt. It’s bad enough Joe was used to get to me, and hurt in the process.

  “He misses you.” He says.

  “I doubt that, he has made it very clear where we stand.” I say.

  “Dex isn’t one to make grand gestures, or to declare his love.”

  “He didn’t come see me in the hospital, and I know Jash told him about what happened, so that tells me there isn’t any love to declare. It’s becoming more obvious friendship isn’t even on the cards.” I snarl back.

  “All I know is what I’ve seen Ruby; but I have to run now, I have a meeting soon and just needed to stop off to get a few things for my date tonight.”

  “Looks like we had similar ideas. Except mines not a date, it’s a please take me to the concert, suck up dinner.”

  After saying goodbye we both go in separate directions. Is it wrong that I got a little giddy when Romeo said Dex misses me? Because I miss him like crazy. I could even go for ‘asshole Dex’ that liked shit-stirring me, maybe I should just call him. I get in a taxi and fiddle with my phone; I stare at his name, but can’t bring myself to hit the call button. If he wanted to be friends, he would have made the effort to see or call me while I was in hospital, I would have even accepted a get well card.

  Discontented, I throw my phone in my hand bag as the cab pulls up at Oliver’s. I pay the man and head back upstairs. The lady at the front desk gives me a dirty look and Matty gives me a wave. I secretly think Oliver asked him to check up on me during the day, he has been bringing up the mail and I’m sure it’s not his job as a receptionist to bring up the mail. For the last week I have made my way to him enjoying the short walk and the company.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Ruby.” Matty says.

  “Any mail today?” I chirp back.

  “Just this,” he says, handing me a small box.

  “What’s with her, this is the second time she has been on and she looks like she wants to kill me?” I say leaning over the desk.

  “Oh, she had a thing with Mr Oliver.”

  “When you say thing you mean a one night stand, that’s his style.” I say.

  “Yes, and Mr Oliver is not one to make friends with the staff, so we always only see him come and go with different woman. But you have been here a month and she thinks you’re his girlfriend. I haven’t told her it’s not true because it’s funny, she even thought she would be the one to tame him.” He smirks.

  “You’re nasty, I should put the poor girl out o
f her misery, but it would hurt worse if she knew he probably doesn’t even remember her name.”

  We chat for another few minutes and I head to the elevator. Miss Snotty Nose enters the same car as me and I can feel her eyes watching me.

  “For Pete’s sake, will you stop staring at me like I’m some animal attraction at the zoo?” I snap at her, utterly frustrated.

  “I just don’t know what he sees in you.” She snaps back.

  “Wow, professional much? I’m sure Oliver, I mean Mr Fontaine to you, would love to know what you think.” She doesn’t say anything else and when we stop at the floor she needs to get off on, I can’t help myself. “You really want to know what he sees in me; I fuck hard, and dirty.”

  The look on her face is priceless, I can’t believe she had the nerve to say anything to me.

  Dinner is almost cooked and I have even chilled a bottle of wine for him. Since I have been here, he has been drinking beer with me. I’m setting the table just as he walks through the door. He sets his brief case and jacket down at the door along with his shoes. Loosening his tie he walks over to me he doesn’t say anything, he just cocks an eyebrow.

  “I’m making you dinner.” I announce, because the silence is weird.

  “I can see that, but why? The only thing you make is coffee.”

  He doesn’t believe me when I say I’m just being nice and thought he would like me to cook for a change. We chat during dinner and I don’t mention the concert yet, I want to butter him up first. I know I could just go to the concert without him since I have the tickets, but I need him to meet that band, and I am so in love with the drummer of the band. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m obsessed with this band just a little, and would sell my left kidney to meet them.