by S Gonzalez
Despite her shitty personality Holly is a very attractive girl, or so I am told. She is about 2 years older then me and has always been very jealous of the fact that my daddy’s black AMEX can afford designer while she tries to keep up with the latest knockoffs. Designer tags never really impressed me until I found out that it bothered Holly I could afford it and she couldn’t.
When we were younger I would offer her anything I was no longer going to use before donating it to goodwill. She would never accept my offer
because…well, because she is a bitch and wouldn’t give me the satisfaction…but I took great pleasure in throwing designer clothes in the trash and pouring food on them so she couldn’t change her mind and pull them out later. If she wanted that stuff she would have to ask. She tortured me on a daily basis with her shit and any way I could make her feel like shit in return, I would take it. I am not usually a vindictive person but when it comes to Paul’s devil spawns, it’s game on.
Holly stands about five foot five inches tall, long, thin jet black hair with dark red highlights. Her dark brown eyes are the color of bourbon, with no soul behind them. I can see that time has not been kind to her and even though she is still very young she looks much older due to her addiction to tanning beds and her party girl lifestyle. She is neatly dressed in a pair of tight jeans that hug her hips, black halter top shirt that hangs a little too loosely off her chest that never did manage to get much bigger than exaggerated A cup, and a pair of knockoff designer heals. She always wears too much make-up and I could usually tell where she is in the room because of her cheap perfume stench. Yup, she is a loser magnet who screams ‘I’m easy’.
“Holly. So glad to see you,” I say as sweetly as I can muster.
“Emma. Nice to see you, too. It’s been a long time,” she replies as we embrace it the world’s most awkward hug. The tension between us is still there and we both feel it, even after all these years.
The patio door opens and Max comes meandering in. His eyes meet Holly’s and I can see hers alight with lust. So predictable! There is a handsome, unknown man in her presence and this is her opportunity to try and sink her teeth in him. I debate screwing with her by planting a huge kiss right on his perfectly sculpted mouth, but I figure Holly can screw this up all by herself. Max stands uncomfortably behind Wanda and me as Holly undresses him with her eyes.
“Wanda. Max. This is Holly Maser, Paul’s daughter. Holly, these are my friends Wanda and Max.”
Holly extends her hand to Max, completely ignoring Wanda. I snort under my breath not at all surprised by her response. Max stands there for a second longer than what is polite, waiting to see what Wanda is going to do since Holly completely ignored her. Right on queue Wanda grabs Holly’s hand and shakes it introducing herself.
“Holly, I am Wanda Lopez. It’s very nice to meet you. I have heard a lot about you.”
Wanda defensively moves herself in front of Max, as to protect him from the she-devil that stands before her. She releases Holly’s limp hand and turns to Max, who is frozen in his place. “Max, baby can you go pull up the car for us.”
Wanda is playing this up for my amusement. She runs her finger down the side of Max’s face and plants a soft kiss on his cheek. I am laughing inside because the look on Holly’s face is priceless. Max caught onto the game and quickly plays along. Ever the gentleman Max thanks mother and Paul for or having him before he excuses himself. After Max is out of eyeshot, Holly gives us a smile and leaves in the same direction as Max.
“Nice to see you again, Holly.” I yell down the hall. Wanda is visibly annoyed. Rightfully so. Even though her and Max were just friends, Holly didn’t know that and she just followed him out of the house after Wanda clearly marked her territory. Despite Wanda’s efforts to claim him right in front of Holly she didn’t care. I knew this was typical Holly behavior but Wanda is dumbfounded to silence. I am sure she is contemplating taking Max on the hood of my car right in front of Holly just to prove a point.
“Mom, Paul. Thank you for a lovely day. I appreciate you doing this for me. Paul you look terrific and I hope that you and mom can come out to visit Mark and I more often in the city.” Other than the two devil spawns recent appearance, all in all it was a swell day. I don’t see why we can’t have more of them if everyone is at their best.
“Thank you, Emma. We hope you come around more often, as well,” said Paul with a warm smile and a slight hug.
“Oh, Emma, please do visit more often. I love when the whole family can be together. Perhaps we can have a family dinner soon?” My mother fusses with a tear in her eye. She looks happy. I have not seen my mother this happy in, well forever. She was relaxed and calm which is something I don’t ever remember. It was touching that after all this time she could truly have the life she wanted.
While in the driveway , I thanked everyone again for a lovely day. Mrs. Cross sends us home with plenty of leftovers and tells us all to come back soon for lunch. I hug them all and we climb into my car and head back to the city. On the way home I can see Max is deep in thought but I can’t question him with Mark in the car. We make eye contact a few times through the rearview mirror and he gives me a slight smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
When we arrive back home I ask Max to come back to the car with me for a second to help me with the leftovers Mrs. Cross gave us. The atmosphere between us is weird. I can tell something is bothering him.
“What did you and Glen discuss when I was gone?” I asked him casually while leaning against the car trunk.
“Nothing really. I told him I knew what a sick fuck he is and if he goes anywhere near you he will have to answer to me.
“You told him you knew? Jesus, Max. What did he say?”
“He told me to mind my own business…and, he said there is stuff that you left out.”
“What kind of stuff?” I look at him through narrow eyes. “How could he possibly defend rape?”
“Emm, don’t worry about it. It’s…nothing.”
Max looked down and kicked the curb with his shoe while shifting nervously. What the fuck did Glen say to him? What is he not saying to me?
“Max, he said something to you that bothered you. I can tell.”
“Emma it’s nothing really. He was just spewing some nonsense.”
“What kind of nonsense?” I see that Max is hesitant to tell me. I am not sure what Glen could have possibly said to him to make him act so weird.
“Emm…” He pauses; I can see he is worried to tell me.
“Max, spit it out. I have dealt with his crap for years. I doubt there is anything that can shock me now.”
“He said that it was you who pursued him. He said that you came to the playground looking for him that night when he was drunk. He said that once you turned 16 you were a wild teenager and you would seek him out. He said that you begged him to have sex with you the first time and you would put yourself in harms way on purpose to get his attention because you liked it and couldn’t get enough of him.” Well shock me he did. Mission accomplished. What the fuck is he kidding me?
“He. Said. What?” My eyes wide with anger brewing behind them, my hands clenched in tight fists, I want to hit something. I wanted to scream. Glen Maser is one sick son-of-a-bitch but delusional is a whole different ball game.
“He also said that you are a very troubled girl looking for attention and that’s why you are making up lies. He said that you always felt as though you were better then him and his sister and you would do and say anything to get attention from Paul and your mom.” I am seething mad. That piece of garbage tormented me and destroyed me for almost two years and now he is making it seem like I am not only a liar but a willing participant. No way. No more. He is going to get what is coming to him come hell or high water.
“And what do you think?” It is very important I know where he stands. If Glen can convince Max this was my doing then anyone else would be easy. Max knows me and he knows I am not lying. Hopefully.
�
�I know you wouldn’t lie about something like that. I know when you told me and Wanda what happened to you that night, you were telling us the truth.” Max looked down at the ground. There is more he is not saying.
“Do you? It looks as though you have something else you want to say to me.” He believes him; I can see it in his face.
“No, Emma…I don’t believe him. I just think that maybe there are two sides to every story. Maybe he thought you were playing hard to get or something.” Did he just say that to me? Playing hard to get. Running away in fear is as hard to get, as I know.
“Seriously. Max. Playing hard to get and holding someone down so they can’t move as you rape them, on more then one occasion, are not the same thing. Whose side are you on anyway? Is there some guy code that makes sense to other guys when they are trying to rationalize raping young girls.”
“I am on your side. Always your side. I didn’t say I believe him I just…look, it was the same story you told only his version was more of the flirty stuff you and I do. You know I try to bed you and you run away from me and tell me there is no way in hell. Stuff like that.”
“Us messing around isn’t anything like what that sick bastard did to me. If you believe him or any version of his sick and twisted justifications then you can just go to hell. I don’t need friends like you when I have good ol’ Glen to pal around with.” I storm off toward my apartment and Max catches my wrist to pull me back. Tears flood my eyes but I won’t let him see me cry. No one sees me cry.
How could he believe him? He is my best friend. He saw the way I reacted the night at the club when some random guy was trying to push me against the wall and grope me. I freaked out and damn near fainted before Max and Wanda found me. It was that night I knew I had to tell them what happened to me. It felt so good to tell someone else other then my rape counselor. Having friends support me and understand me is far better than a random stranger.
“Emma, stop, wait. Don’t be like that. Look, I am sorry.” I don’t turn around or say a word. I shake him off then flip him the middle finger as I ascend the front steps. My anger and frustration are getting the better of me and my eyes are welling up with tears. Wanda is in the kitchen and she sees that I am clearly upset and Max is not with me.
“Emma, what’s wrong?”
“Where is Mark?” I ask her, ignoring her question.
“He’s in your shower. What’s the matter?” Knowing I am not going to get out of this without an explanation as to why I am upset, I tell Wanda what Glen told Max and the argument that I just had with him.
“So Max believes Glen? I’ll kill that little pendejo. What is he thinking? He knows better than that.” Wanda is mad, but this is my fight. I don’t want to come between them. My feelings are hurt but this has to be between Max and me.
“Look I get you are trying to protect me but I have to deal with Glen and Max on my own. Glen is my cross to bear. I just don’t want my brother involved in this mess.” I give Wanda a big hug and Mark enters the room wearing a white, fluffy towel.
“Oh God, are you two lesbians? I am not judging, I just need to know so I know what I am going to walk in on.”
Wanda and I laugh and pull apart. Mark is a standing in the kitchen in nothing but a towel. His hair is still dripping wet and Wanda’s eyes are following the water droplets drip from his hair down his torso. Mark is a good looking kid, I guess. He has never had issues with girls and Wanda is always telling me how handsome he is. I couldn’t say. He is my brother and the thought of him…ewww.
“Honey, I am all woman. And, I like men. If you ever want me to prove it, I could teach you a thing or two. On second thought, I don’t think you can handle all this.” Wanda scoffs as she runs her hands down the sides of her body around to her behind and slaps it.
Mark holds onto his towel a bit tighter and I don’t even want to think about why. He swallows hard and watches Wanda’s exaggerated swing of her hips as she walks past him and out of the kitchen.
“Oh, man. Wanda come help me get the leftovers out of the car before you seduce my little brother into being your sex slave.” I laugh and Mark looks at Wanda in disbelief. He has only ever seen her on her best behavior. He has never seen the Wanda I know and love.
CHAPTER 4 Over the next few days Mark and I do every touristy thing there is to do in New York. We took a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty; we visit the 911 Memorial site; even take in a Broadway show. Unfortunately, my father and Mia are on vacation and so we can’t spend time with them while we take in the sites. Today we are going out to Staten Island to watch Max play ball. Max plays minor league baseball and now that he is out of college his managers have been talking about sending him up to the majors. Max has played ball for a few years now for the Staten Island Yankees. He was scouted in high school and offered to play out west for the Texas Rangers but Wanda’s parents insisted he finish college first and get a degree. Max didn’t resist too much. He knew what his odds were in becoming a major leaguer and what it takes to maintain such an unstable career. He isn’t dumb to the fact that he is always one injury away from it all being over in a flash. Even though I think he is a total ass at the moment he is brilliant and sensible beyond his years. Now that he has waited patiently, it is his turn for something great to happen.
I wasn’t sure at first if going was such a good idea, but Wanda and Mark insisted. As we stood at the box office to get our tickets my nerves were getting the best of me. Just as I was ready to ditch them at the gate Wanda gets a text from Max asking if we are there yet. She responds that we are at the gate. A few seconds later she gets a second text from him. She showed me her phone that read:
Is Emma with you? I nodded and she knew it was ok to respond. She showed me what she typed and I feel saddened by the wedge between Max and I. Max is my best friend. I don’t want to argue with him but I just don’t understand that one conversation with Glen, a man he has never met before, could have him doubting what I told him was the truth.
Yes she is, but she is still pissed at you and so am I. But good luck. Don’t worry about it now. We will see you after the game.
Glen’s lies having the slightest ring of truth is sick beyond imagination. I don’t know how I can get Max to believe me. Wanda believes me and I know she chewed his ass out over this mess. I hear her phone go off again. She smiles and shows me the screen.
Thank you Wanda ; ) I know you made her come and I appreciate it. C U guys later. I smile and we walk into the stadium to take our seats. The stadium is packed. It is a warm summer night and the field is quite a site to see. The sun is setting over the city skyline beyond the outfield making the sky look like a beautiful painting of pink and blue brush strokes. The smell of food and the sound of roaring fans is exciting. We all take our seats and grab some food from the passing vendors before the game starts. As the players enter the field I can see Max scouring our section looking for us. Wanda is the first one out of her seat waving at him like a fool. Mark and I are laughing while Wanda hoots and hollers when they announce Max’s name. She is very proud of him, we all are. Wanda shows her enthusiasm by yelling out, “That’s my brother. Whoo Hoo Maxie.” I am not sure if he hears her or just sees her but to say he is embarrassed is an
understatement.
“Emm, why are you and Max not speaking,” Mark asks me quietly so Wanda can’t hear him. “We just had a difference of opinion on something. I am sure we will be fine,” I lie. Needing to change the subject so he wont’ ask too many questions I ask, “I need you to figure out what you are going to do with the apartment. What room you will want and whatnot. I am going to leave all the furniture because the apartment in Hill Tower is fully furnished.”
I need him to understand that just because he is out on his own he has to be responsible. “Max will be there to look out for you but you need to make good life choices Mark. No wild parties and if you have guests,” I say guest with a raised brow, “please be careful. College life can get wild sometimes. If there is anything y
ou need I am a cab ride away. I may even let you keep my car for a while. I will be so close to work I can walk or hitch a ride in with dad sometimes if I need to. We’ll see.”
“Emma, mom already gave me the safe sex speech and Glen told me everything I need to know about women so I think I’m set.” Oh God. What did Glen tell him? What would a rapist know about consensual sex with a woman?
“What exactly did Glen tell you?” I try and say as calmly and nonchalantly as possible. I really shouldn’t have stayed away so long. Glen’s influence on Mark has probably done untold damage to his dating life.
“He told me about how to treat a woman to get them coming back for more.” Mark jokes but I’m not laughing. I don’t even think I’m breathing. “Glen is a real ladies man, Emm. He has them knocking down his door two at a time. I know you don’t like him but he really isn’t a bad guy. Once you moved out we started hanging out more and it was nice to have an older brother around. I know it wasn’t always easy to live there but the past few years everyone really started to chill out. Glen took over the shop and Paul stopped drinking. Mom is happy and Holly is working at her dream job in a full service spa. All the tanning she can handle.” He snorts.
“Just be courteous and treat woman with respect. If a woman says no, that means no. Convincing her otherwise is wrong. Do you understand that? I don’t’ know what Glen told you but-“
“Jesus, Emma! He didn’t tell me to force myself on my dates if they won’t put out,” Mark says with a look of disgust on his face.
“I am sure he didn’t, in so many words I am just saying that you need to understand that no means no, and…well…this is New York, some of these girls are different. Just be careful is all. You come from a wealthy family and some woman will see you with dollar signs hanging above your head.”
