by Mia Moore
She passed a crew of town road workers, fixing a fire hydrant. Her back straightened and she held her head high. She may be a small town girl but she’d seen a bit of life, been to Park Avenue. Her mouth twitched in a small smile at the cat calls and wolf whistles that followed her. That was something new for her here in Munsford!
After five minutes of walking she saw the sign of the grocery store where she’d spent so many months. Maybe, Mr. Albers would be there. He’d always liked her and if there was work, at least she had experience. She took a deep breath, her steps getting faster. It wasn’t a teaching job-what a pipe dream that had been--but it was work.
She pulled the heavy glass door open and stepped inside. The cool air was a mix of spices, meat and the faintest trace of fresh bread. An older iron haired woman at the first cashier glanced over at her and smiled.
“Hi Mavis. Is Mr. Albers around?” She drifted over to the matronly woman and stood waiting.
“Brie! Where the heck you bin and look at you! Don’t you look smart!”
Brie’s face became warm and she straightened the shoulder of her blouse. “Thanks. How’ve you been?” Her voice was chirpy, ignoring the woman’s question. Mavis was nice but she was also a gossip.
“Same old, same old. Feet are killin’ me.”
“Are there any openings? Think I can get my old job back?” Brie smiled, nipping the barrage of Mavis’s complaints in the bud. There were a few other stores to try before noon and Mavis could go on for hours if she let her.
The woman’s lips pursed and she blew out a mighty gust of air. “Not sure. Business has been slow. The new supermarket opened two weeks ago.”
She knew the one. They’d been working on it when she left town. That might be another place to try of this didn’t pan out. “I’ll talk to you later. I’m just going to pop in and see Mr. Albers.” Her mouth pulled to the side as she walked away. Mavis had a daughter in high school who’d be looking for a job in a few weeks. Maybe she’d been trying to herd her off, trying to get any vacancy for her daughter.
“Brie!”
She looked up into the glinting round glasses of Mr. Albers. A wide grin split his long horsey face and he stopped mid stride, hands on non-existent hips. he actually seemed pleased to see her, despite the fact she’d left with no notice. “Mr. Albers. Hi!”
“You’ve lost weight! Where’ve you been?”
For the first time since arriving in Munsford, she felt light and breezy. At least one person seemed glad to see her! “Why thanks! I was in New York City. Something came up and I had to leave. I’m sorry about leaving with no notice or anything.”
He stepped forward and placed a large bony hand on her shoulder. “That’s okay. I figured as much. You were always right as rain coming to work every day. I worried but when I didn’t hear, I figured no news is good news. You’re back to stay?”
She stifled the sigh and forced a warm smile. “You bet! I was wondering if I could get my old job back?”
The smile vanished from his face, leaving rivers of deep wrinkles on his forehead. He looked down at the floor for a moment. “I’d like nothing better but...It’s that new store out there on 98. They’re skimming the business.” He sighed and looked her straight in the eye. “I could give you maybe three shifts a week. It isn’t much?”
Her eyebrows rose and she looked away briefly before answering. The thought of staying one more night at her parents was depressing. “I’ll take it. I’ll try to find another part time job to work around it.” She smiled at him. “When can I start?”
“Tomorrow soon enough?” He laughed and patted her shoulder. “You were always a good worker.” He started to walk to the front of the store, pulling her along, his hand still on her shoulder. Suddenly he stopped and leaned closer. “It’s none of my business but...”
Her breath caught in her throat and she turned to look up into his eyes. “What?”
He shook his head and a scowl twisted his features. “That guy you were married to. He came nosing around a few days after you left. He was looking for...” His head fell back to gaze at the ceiling, surprise in his eyes. “THAT reminds me. I still have your last pay! It’s not much, only a few hundred dollars but better YOU have it than him. He threatened to go to a lawyer to get me to give it to him. Jackass.” He patted her once more on the shoulder. “Wait here.”
She took a deep breath watching his long legs flying to the back of the store where the office was. This was great. Add a few hundred dollars to what she had and she would take a chance on getting a place. Even a room in a rooming house would be better. A sigh left her chest. Imagine. Living among strangers topped living with her parents.
Chapter 4
“Your father told me you’ve got some fancy duds and your hair is different and now I see for myself. So you think you’re some big city woman now.” Her mother drew a deep drag from her cigarette and her eyes narrowed exhaling a blue cloud.
Brie’s chest tightened seeing her mother perched at the kitchen table. Thank God she’d found a room that afternoon. Only back there to pick up her suitcase, she’d hoped that her mother would still be at work. No such luck.
“Hi Mom. I don’t consider myself some ‘big city woman’. I came back didn’t I?” She walked across the kitchen and stood at the sink, pouring a glass of water. The drone of the TV set in the other room was only broken by the snorting snore of her father, passed out there.
“Came crawling back is more like it. What happened? Run out of money when your pimp cut you lose. Couldn’t even get the world’s oldest profession right.” Her mother’s words were punctuated by a self satisfied humph.
“For God’s sake. Will you listen to yourself? You and Dad actually think I’d DO something like that? Not everyone is as cynical as you guys. There ARE some nice people out there.” She slammed the empty glass onto the counter and spun around to face her mother.
She was still in the hotel uniform, with her feet propped up on an empty chair. The tip of her big toe had burst forth from the nylon stocking, the nail thick and yellow. Her face was a sallow scowl above thick shoulders and arms. There was a hollow gap in the buttons of her dress where the fabric was stretched tight over a surplus of chest.
“Sure there are. And I’m Tinkerbell. Keep telling yourself that and you’re bound to be somebody’s patsy.” She crushed the cigarette in the ashtray beside her, watching the tiny embers disappear. “Have you talked to Rob yet?”
Brie’s fists clenched tight at her side. “No! Dad told me he came around spreading lies. Maybe the bitch he was fooling around with dumped him. You DO know, that’s why I left, right?”
Her mother looked up and rolled her eyes. “Yeah. But you can’t throw everything away just because he made a mistake. That’s the way men are, Brie. If I’d thrown your father out every time he strayed, YOU wouldn’t be here.”
For a moment her mother was silent, her eyes vacant looking inward. Sure. She was having second thoughts about THAT decision wasn’t she.
Brie shook her head to clear it. “Look, I got my old job back. Not as many hours but enough. I rented a room on Forsythe Street. I just came back to get my things.” She leaned her butt against the edge of the counter waiting for her mother to reply.
“What? You’re honestly not going to talk to Rob? It’s not too late. You’d rather waste your money, giving it to some shyster landlord, than trying to make your marriage work. I’d count myself lucky if he took you back after leaving him high and dry for four months.” She got up and took a few steps to the sink, nudging Brie aside. As she filled a glass with water, she muttered. “I paid him a couple hundred dollars against the credit card debt. Think I couldn’t use that money?”
Brie stood beside her mother watching her drink the water in large gulps. “You shouldn’t have given him anything. But if it’ll make you happy, I’ll pay you back every cent of it. But you’ll have to wait. I’m trying to get another part time job.”
Her shoulders fell forward as
she stood watching her mother. Not one word that she was happy to see her. Just the slur of how she’d gotten by in New York. As far as her mother was concerned, Brie would never get anything right.
“I knew you wouldn’t call Rob. You’ve got a stubborn streak just like your father.” Her mother turned and the ghost of a smile flashed on her thin lips. “I called him. He should be here any minute.”
“You WHAT?” Brie’s head fell back and she stared at the ceiling with a gaping mouth for a moment. “Shit Mom! He’s the last person I want to see right now.” She walked to the doorway leading to the basement. If she was quick, she could pack and be out of there before he arrived.
Her hands flew throwing the nightgown and slippers into the suitcase. She grabbed the silk robe from the bed, crammed it in and flipped the top down. With a heave and a sigh, she hoisted the bag and started for the stairs. Oh God. She was too late. Rob’s deep voice drifted down from the kitchen.
She inhaled deeply, clenching her teeth and squaring her shoulders. Thank God, her father was passed out. Two against one was bad enough odds, let alone adding a drunk to the mix. Her footsteps clattered on the wooden steps.
When she got to the kitchen, he was standing next to her mother.
“Hey Brie.” His voice was as soft as the sad look on his face. He’d put on at least thirty pounds in the last four months, looking more like the man she’d married. He took a step towards her, his hand reaching for her suitcase, a small smile twitching in his fleshy lips. He’d even shaved and his hair was cut and combed.
Was that for her benefit or her parent’s?
“I have nothing to say to you.” She pulled the suitcase tighter to her body.
He glanced at her mother, looking for support. It didn’t take long for the older woman to chime in.
“Brie, don’t be an ass. Rob is here to take you home. If you had a lick of sense you’d beg his forgiveness and be grateful he’s here.” Her mother’s chin jutted forward and her hands perched high on ample hips.
“I missed you honey.” He stepped forward and grabbed the bag from her hands. “It doesn’t matter that you left for a while. The important thing is you’re back. Let’s go home.” He turned and walked across the kitchen, heading for the front door.
“Give me my bag. I’m not going anywhere with you.” She scampered after him, her hands clawing for the handle of the suitcase.
In the background her mother called after. “Brie! stop your foolishness. He’s your husband, for God’s sake.
The noise was enough to break through her father’s stupor. “Hey! Whasgoanon?”
Rob stepped through the door and raced down the front steps. Brie chased after him but even though the heels of her shoes weren’t that high, they slowed her down. No match for the worn running shoes that Rob wore.
He tossed her suitcase into the back seat, slammed the door and stood waiting with the front passenger door open. There was a taunting grin on his face, while his eyes were narrow and bright. “If you want to see your clothes again, you’ll get in the car and we can talk.”
She reached for the door handle to the rear seat but he stepped to the side, blocking her.
Her eyes were hard slits when she hissed, “Give me my fucking bag, Rob.”
“Get in the car Brie. Then you can have your bag. Honestly, I just want to talk to you.” He looked past her, at her mother standing on the porch, yelling at Brie to stop and listen to him, give him a chance and other bullshit. His voice lowered and he gazed into her eyes. “It’s over with Janice. I want us to try again.”
Her heart pounded in her chest and a sneer graced her lips. “You’ve GOT to be kidding! There’s no way--”
His hand rose in front of her face. “Just talk. That’s all I want. It’s a start. You don’t have to come home with me. I’ll drive you wherever you want to go, but hear me out. Please.” His eyes were wide, pleading with her.
“I’m not going back to the apartment.” Her jaw was set, staring at him.
“I know. We need time. Anywhere you want to go. No strings attached except to talk to you.”
Her eyes flitted to the backseat where her suitcase lay. There was no way he’d let her have that unless she went with him. “Promise?”
With hand on his, “Cross my heart. Just hear me out.”
She shook her head and rolled her eyes puffing out an exasperated sigh. Much as she hated to do it, she’d HAVE to go with him if she ever wanted her suitcase back. She would listen to his bullshit story but he would be dropping her off on Forsythe street. “Okay.”
A wide grin spread on his face as he stepped away and held the door for her. She glanced at her mother who flashed her first smile since she’d been back. It was a fucking conspiracy nightmare but what could she do? She settled into the front passenger seat.
Chapter 5
He smiled at her before he steered the car away from the curb. “Thanks Brie. I just wanted a chance to say how sorry I was about...you know...the Janice thing. I don’t know what came over me. She was a tramp. Nothing like you.”
Brie sniffed and stared straight out the front windshield. He thought an APOLOGY would do it? He had to be doing drugs.
“You look real nice. You’ve lost weight and that hairstyle is pretty.” He reached for her hand.
She snatched her hand away and turned her head to watch out the side window.
“Look, I know you’re pissed. I don’t blame you. It will never happen again.”
Her head whipped around to sneer at him. “Damned right it won’t! If you think for one minute I’m ever getting back with you, you’re stupider than I thought.”
His face changed, his jaw muscle clenching tight. “I’m not stupid.” He glanced over at her, that familiar sneer that she’d come to hate in the last year of their marriage, on his face. “You were stupid, thinking you could run away and make some kind of a life for yourself in the big city. THAT was stupid.”
A long sigh gushed from her lips. Nothing had changed. “Take me to 98 Forsythe. You said you’d take me where I wanted to go. I’ve got a room there.”
He reached over and patted her thigh, leaving his hand on her leg. Ugh. It was hot and sweaty on her flesh. She brushed him away and slid closer to the door.
“I also said that we need to talk. You’re not going anywhere until you’ve heard me out.” Once more he reached for her leg.
“Look Rob, I’ve heard enough. I don’t believe you and I don’t want to be with you.” She raised her hand watching the street where he should be turning come closer. “There. Turn right at the next street. Forsythe runs off of it, as you should know.”
He chuckled and sped up. “Oh no. We’re not going to Forsythe street. We’re going back to the apartment. You’re going to come upstairs and we’re going to have a little discussion.” He squeezed the soft flesh of her inner thigh.
She grabbed his hand and flung it away. “Fuck you. I’m getting out. Stop the car.” Her eyes were wide staring at him. “NOW!”
He shook his head and a small laugh erupted from his throat. “Fuck me, huh? Now that sounds like a plan. What every good wife should do to her husband. It’s been a while. I bet you’re needing some of the Rob machine.” He glanced over at her with narrow eyes. “Or did you get some dick in New York? Probably some big black dick, right? You whore. How else would you get the money for your fancy clothes?”
“Stop the car! You’re crazy. I wouldn’t have anything to do with you if you were the last man on earth!” Her heart was in overdrive watching the streets zip by. He was going too fast to jump out. Their old apartment building was on the next block. She’d call a cab or walk if she had to.
“We’ll see about that, won’t we?” He pulled around the block, entering the parking lot of the building.
The car had hardly stopped when her hand was on the handle to open the door. He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him, pawing at her breasts. She tried to get away but his fingers were like a vise around her wr
ist. His other hand was on his crotch of his jeans, fumbling at the zipper.
“Maybe I can’t wait till we get upstairs. There’s no one around. How ‘bout you suck my dick, bitch?”
Her free hand shot out, catching him in the jaw with the heel of her palm. His jaw snapped shut with a loud crack, his head snapping back. He stared at the roof of the car, dazed.
Now was her chance! She bustled out of the car, her hand reaching for the lock in the back seat door, fingers scraping the hard plastic. Once she had her suitcase, she’d get out of there. What the hell was wrong with him? They weren’t together anymore. What he wanted would be rape.
The lock slipped open and her eyes flashed to him. Fuck. He was getting out of the car! She pulled the rear door open and reached in for the bag, yanking it off the back seat.
He clutched her other arm and spun her back, his fingers digging in.
His eyes shifted along the parking lot. “Screw the blowjob. I’m gonna fuck you right here standing up!”
“FUCK YOU!” She curled her fingers into a tight fist and jabbed his windpipe. Hard. As hard as she could. His hands clutched at his throat and he bent over, gasping. He blindly grasped at her with one hand, grabbing at her blouse, jerking her towards him.
The ripping sound of her blouse was like thunder in her ears. Every slight, every insult, every hurt ever cast at her all her life crashed in her mind. Mom. Dad. Martha. Claire. All those hurts, and more and more and more going back as far as memory were each one a stepping stone bringing her to this moment, bringing her here.
To be raped.
Red and orange fury boiled over her. The absolute yawning rage she had kept inside all her life billowed up and out, blackened smoke and billowing flame.
