Weekends

by Lindy S Hudis

  "Mom, please.” Paul pleaded with his reactionary mother. Allison bounded towards the elevator in a huff and pressed the button. “Wait until your father hears about this."

  "Jesus, Mom.” Paul tried desperately to calm her, to no avail.

  "Don't ‘Jesus Mom’ me. Your sister is no longer a part of this family. You tell that filthy little ‘carpet muncher’ that!” she stormed onto the elevator and got on, closing the door behind her.

  Paul stood dumbfounded in the lobby. Now what?

  * * * *

  Nikita and Christina managed to catch up with Lilly on Franklin Avenue. It wasn't hard. She was high, lost and bewildered, not to mention tottering around in high heels. They knew what was going on, and they knew all the good places to hide from the cops.

  "Look, let's duck down this street. There are tons of empty apartments, we can squat for a while.” Nikita informed her, knowing that Runyon Canyon Park was the first place they would look. They strolled down the hill toward Vista Street and found an apartment building. They disappeared into the underground parking garage.

  "Look, I'm going to go down to the boulevard and see if I can find out anything. I'll see if that big, black guy with your picture is still around. You guys stay here.” Christina instructed, leaving Lilly and Nikita camping out on the cold concrete floor. “I know this building, I've got a key. When I get back, we'll find us an empty place to squat,” she said.

  "Okay, I'll stay here with her.” Nikita said.

  Christina snuck up the driveway and walked down Franklin Avenue toward Hollywood Boulevard. She got one block and froze in her tracks. There he was, the man whom she hated the most. Coming up the street was Diamond, her former pimp. He was walking up Franklin Avenue with three other people. She hid behind a bush and watched as they entered the front door of the Franklin Regency Apartments, her former residence when she was working for Diamond.

  She had quit her ‘job’ and ran away less than a week ago, when he beat her black and blue and tried to take a razor blade to her clit. She managed to kick him in the balls and run away. She wanted to kill him for what he did to her and to other young girls she knew.

  She quickly turned and ran back to where Lilly and Nikita were hiding. “Oh, my God, I saw him. I saw him.” Christina said huffing.

  "Diamond?” Nikita asked. Lilly's ears perked up.

  "Where is he?” Lilly asked.

  "You worked for him too?” Christina asked her. Lilly nodded.

  "He's going to kill me.” Lilly said fearfully.

  "He's not gonna do shit. He's a pussy.” Nikita told them, lighting a cigarette.

  "Well, he was walking with three other people. A big black guy, a younger guy with an afro and a blonde girl in a yellow sundress.” she explained.

  Lilly's heartbeat hastened. A blonde girl and a guy with an afro—could it be? Could they really be here to save her? Oh, God, she hoped so. Lilly got up and walked to the gated entrance of the parking garage.

  "Where are you going?” Nikita asked her.

  "I think I know who those people are. It's okay, they are good people.” Lilly said and started out the door. What if it wasn't them? What if it was? She had no choice now. She had to take a chance, it was her only hope. She opened the gate and proceeded up the driveway.

  "I'm not letting you go there alone. Diamond is a dangerous fuck.” Christina got up and followed her.

  "Diamond is an asshole and a wimp.” Nikita told them.

  "You know what he did to Hunter and Taylor? He cut their throats and threw them in the ocean.” Christina protested.

  "No, Hunter and Taylor ran off to Mexico.” Nikita got up. “But if you insist on going over there, I'll come with you—safety in numbers."

  "I don't care. I loathe Diamond. He beat the shit out of me. It's time for some payback!” Christina charged up the driveway and onto the sidewalk, Lilly and Nikita followed.

  They went up to the Franklin Regency and entered the lobby. Suddenly Lilly halted in her tracks. What if it wasn't them? What if she was walking right into a trap? What if Diamond was going to kill her too?

  "It's okay, Lilly. Let's go.” Christina encouraged her. “Don't worry. If anything gets out of hand. I have a gun.” she lifted her shirt to reveal a thirty two Beretta Tomcat stuffed in her pants. “I never leave home without it.” she winked at Lilly.

  The three of them proceeded down the hall and arrived at Diamond's apartment. Christina knocked loudly on the door. Diamond threw it open, looked at them stunned, and then a smile spread across his face.

  "Well, well, well. The gang's all here. Time for a party.” he sneered.

  * * * *

  At least his father and brother were all right. Jason felt relief when Justin explained to him that they were in Los Angeles for the day looking for the teenage girl. He didn't go into much detail, but he promised him that they would be back by that night. He sat in his room and waited for Shauna. He really was smitten with her. She was young, ingenuous, and so angelic. He mostly loved her big brown eyes. She had some self-esteem issues, though. He could help her with that. She said she would be there in a half an hour. That was over an hour ago. He was growing concerned, as she had to talk to her weird brother.

  After another hour and a half passed, Jason decided to take matters into his own hands. He got up, and walked down the hall to the room Shauna was sharing with her brother. He knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked again—still no answer. “Shauna?” he called.

  Finally the door swung open and a tempestuous looking Michael was standing there. “Yes.” he asked impatiently.

  "Is Shauna here?” Jason asked politely.

  "No.” Michael snapped shutting the door.

  Jason caught it with one hand, keeping it open. “Do you know where she is?” Jason glared.

  Michael was a good half a foot shorter than Jason, and was literally half his size. Physically, they were no match. Michael hated him. “She went swimming.” Michael answered, not looking Jason in the eye.

  Jason instantly knew something was up. Michael was sweaty, his clothes and hair were all rustled up, and he was shaking. “Funny, I don't see her out there.” Jason said, towering over him.

  "Then maybe she went to go eat some dog shit.” Michael sneered, eyed darting all around.

  Jason leaned in close, his breath in Michael's face. “I'll make a deal with you, Michael. You tell me where your sister is, and I won't beat the living shit out of you. Okay?” Jason articulated slowly.

  Michael simmered. He detested men like Jason, tall, masculine, and successful. Men like him commanded respect. Men like Jason always got the girls and were popular. Michael glared at him, loathing everting he stood for, everything he wasn't. Everything he wished he was.

  "Go fuck yourself, zebra.” Michael hissed, and raised his knee right to Jason's balls.

  Jason was too agile, and in a time-tested, karate move, had Michael by the arm and pinned to the floor on his stomach in less than a second.

  "Okay, fuckwad. Now, for the last time, where is Shauna?” Jason insisted. It was then that he heard soft whimpering coming from behind the closed bathroom door. He felt that familiar feeling knotting his stomach, that sick, awful feeling of dread. He got up off of Michael, who quickly dashed out of the room.

  He tentatively made his way over to the bathroom and knocked softly on the door. “Shauna?” he called out her name. He heard the crying get heavier and tried to open the door. It was locked. “Shauna, it's Jason. Open the door, sweetie.” He tried to force the door open with his shoulder. Finally, he gave the door a hard kick and it swung open. He tiptoed into the bathroom, hearing but not seeing her. He saw an open vial of white powder on the sink. He dipped his pinkie into it and touched it to his tongue. Class ‘A’ Narcotic, one count of possession to book him on.

  "Shauna?” he said softly. He saw a leg sticking out from behind the toilet. He made his way over and saw her, dazed and crouched in the corner. She was weeping, bruised, and blee
ding heavily from her nose and vaginal area. He knew immediately what happened and bent down to scoop her up in his arms. She collapsed into heavy sobbing. He carried her to his room, wrapped her in a blanket, and called 911. As the ambulance was on the way, he tenderly stroked her hair.

  "He's going to pay for this,” he told her. “Oh, man, is he going to pay.” And he was right.

  * * * *

  Joe and Angela had barely left the bungalow. The two of them poured champagne all over each other and licked it off, frolicked in the heart-shaped hot tub, and smoked the last of Joe's weed. They came to the realization that they were soul-mates, and nothing could change that fact. Nude, wrapped in each others arms, they kissed and caressed each other, gazing into each other's eyes.

  "You take my breath away, Joe Peterson.” Angela purred, running her hand through his golden hair.

  "Where have you been all my life?” he asked her, reaching under the covers to touch her tight stomach. Just as their lips were about to meet, the telephone rang.

  "Ignore it.” Angela told him, tonguing his ear.

  "No. The way this family reunion is going, a bomb probably went off.” he joked and reached for the phone. Angela heard the loud voice on the other end and Joe's various reactions. After a few minutes, Joe hastily hung up the phone and ran his hands through his hair.

  "That was my Uncle Patrick, there has been another incident. A family member has been taken away in an ambulance again.” he said exasperated.

  "No offense, but what is the deal with your family?” Angela teased. Joe didn't laugh.

  "It was Shauna. She'd been raped,” he told her softly.

  "Oh, Jesus!” Angela exclaimed. “What happened? Was it a hotel employee? I've heard of that happening. I saw this documentary one time about this bellboy who would follow women...."

  Joe cut her off. “I don't know. But I intend to find out what happened to my cousin. There is something else.” he told her seriously.

  "What?” she asked.

  Joe took a deep breath. “Aunt Allison is furious and wants to talk to you immediately. Apparently Paul let it slip about you and Beverly. She's livid, swearing never to speak to Beverly again."

  "Shit!” Angela fell back and stared at the ceiling, running her hands through her long hair. “What else is going to happen this weekend?"

  "We better get up there. All hell is about to break loose.” Joe told her, getting out of bed and putting on his jeans.

  "Christ, I don't want to face Allison. No disrespect to your aunt or anything.” she said, throwing off the covers and reaching for her t-shirt.

  "I totally understand how she is.” Joe replied, pulling a yellow polo over his head.

  "Totally? God you are so L.A.” she laughed, wrapping her arms around his waist and kissing him.

  "I know. So, are you ready to jump into the lion's den?” he asked her.

  "Ready as I'll ever be.” she stated, and the two of them walked arm-in-arm out the door, heading for the main building.

  Once there, they spied Jason in the lobby, pacing back and forth and talking on his cell phone. He held up is index finger at Joe, and then clicked off. “They only let immediate family into the rape crisis center, ironic, huh?” Jason quipped.

  "What do you mean?” Joe asked.

  "I mean I'm going to kill her asshole brother,” he told him.

  "Michael? What did he do?” Joe inquired, stomach in knots. He had the feeling he was not going to like what he was about to hear.

  "What did he do? He raped his sister, that's what he did.” Jason expressed. Both Joe and Angela's jaws hit the floor.

  "Are you sure?” Joe asked, narrowing his eyes.

  "I was there, pal. As soon as I kicked in the door, he bolted. I also found cocaine in his room.” Jason explained, checking his pager.

  "Fuck!” Angela uttered. “Is she going to be okay?” her stomach turning flip-flops. Jason nodded.

  "Are you going to arrest him?” Joe asked.

  "As soon as I find the bastard. I already put out an APB on him, but I want to do the honors myself. He couldn't have gotten far.” Jason vented.

  "One crisis after another.” Joe said to himself, shaking his head.

  "Jason, I don't mean to change the subject, but is Beverly with your brother by any chance?” Angela asked nervously, her palms sweating.

  Jason nodded. “Yeah, they're down in L.A.” he told her.

  "L.A.? Why? How long?” she asked him, floored. Did she run away with Justin?

  "They are looking for Lilly.” Jason explained.

  Angela took a deep breath. It was of utmost importance she speak with Beverly about her mother, about Justin., and most of all, about her and Joe. “Jason, will you please do me a favor and tell Justin to give Beverly a message for me.” she asked him.

  "Sure."

  "Please tell him to tell her to call me. I have to tell her something very, very important,” she explained.

  "Take this and call him yourself.” Jason handed her his cell phone. “His number is programmed in, just hit 3 and hold it."

  "Thanks.” she began to dial.

  Just then, the elevator doors opened and John, Joyce, Patrick, and Allison all rushed out, heading right in their direction. Angela felt her stomach tighten even more.

  "Like I said, the shit is about to hit the fan.” Joe murmured.

  "And the fan is on high.” Angela nodded.

  * * * *

  The four of them collapsed into the plush seats of the north bound Greyhound bus. They had gotten there by the skin of their teeth. The events of the past hour would forever be embedded in their memory. It had all happened so fast. As soon as Diamond opened the door, Christina pulled out her handgun. She menaced him with it, raging like a madwoman. Nikita and Lilly froze in shock.

  "It's time for you to eat lead, sucker.” she had squalled and fired the gun at his feet, making him jump. “Yeah, I wanna see you dance.” she cackled like a witch gone crazy.

  Andrew looked over at Justin and Beverly and shushed them with his eyes. Andrew had seen episodes like this many times before, and he was waiting for the right moment.

  "Baby, you don't want to do this.” Diamond pleaded.

  "Fuck you!” she yelled. “You tried to kill me. You killed Taylor.” she squalled and fired the gun, missing him and shattering the purple lava lamp. The blast made Lilly jump.

  "No, baby. I didn't. Put the gun down,” he said. Andrew noticed that as Diamond was slowly backing away, he was reaching for a shiny silver object on the cluttered coffee table.

  Lilly and Beverly made eye contact, and Beverly slowly put her index finger to her lips. Justin and Andrew slowly inched their way toward the door.

  "Shit, Christina! Put the fucking gun down.” Nikita demanded.

  It was then that Diamond suddenly grabbed an open switchblade knife, and charged at Christina with it. “You want some bitch? Come get it.” he sneered, waving the sharp knife at her.

  "Shut the fuck up!” she yelled and fired the gun again, this time catching Diamond in the shoulder. Blood poured out, staining his while t-shirt.

  "Oh, shit, the bitch shot me,” he screamed in despair.

  "Fuck!” Nikita shouted, and ran over to Diamond.

  "Call 911, baby. Call 911 for old Diamond.” he demanded of Nikita, who was holding the wound with her fingers, blood seeping out between them.

  At that moment, Andrew took the cue. “Run!” he said, grabbing Lilly by the shoulder. They darted down the hall, Justin and Beverly following in hot pursuit. They sprinted out the door and down Franklin Avenue to the Holiday Inn. Lilly had removed her high heels and ran barefoot. Once there, they high-tailed it to their rooms, where Andrew inspected Lilly.

  "Did he hurt you?” he asked her gently. She shook her head. “What did he make you do?” he inquired. She remained quiet and stared at the floor.

  "Don't ask her that.” Justin voiced, and gently wiped her face with a damp cloth. He gave her an extra t-shirt he
had in his Knapp sack. Andrew took the fragile girl in his powerful arms.

  "You're safe now, Lilly. The nightmare is over,” he said, lightly rocking her. She whimpered softly.

  "I say we get the hell out of here.” Beverly stated.

  "I second the motion.” Justin replied.

  They checked out of the Holiday Inn, grabbed a cab to the bus terminal, and were now heading back up north to Linda Bella. Lilly sat next to Andrew, Justin next to Beverly. Lilly said a quiet prayer, thanking God for her miracle. As she wept softly, Andrew handed her a tissue.

  "Thank you, sir.” she said softly.

  "Hey, sweetie, don't thank me. I was just doing my job,” he said proudly.

  "Sir?” she asked.

  "Andrew, call me Andrew.” he smiled nicely.

  "Andrew, please don't make me go back to my father. Please.” her eyes filled with tears, and she was trembling. “He ... he makes me...” she buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

  "There ain't no way you are going back. I personally will see to that,” he told her confidently. He put his arms around her, comforting her. She rested her head on his big shoulder and fell into a much-needed sleep.

  Justin's cell phone rang with a familiar Mozart tune. He was quick to grab it. “Hello? Yup, she sure is. Here, why don't you tell her.” he handed the phone to Beverly. “It's for you."

  "Me?” she took the phone. “Hello?"

  "It's me, Beverly.” Angela said.

  "Angela?"

  "Beverly, I have to talk to you."

  "Angela, I know. We have to talk.” Beverly stammered. Justin looked up at her, interested.

  "Yeah, I know. Shit is going down here, I mean really going down,” she told her.

  "What do you mean?” Beverly asked, concerned.

  "Look, I don't care about what is going on with you and Justin.” Angela informed her.

  "Angela, I...” she began.

  "Listen!” Angela cut her off. “I can't talk long because I'm on Jason's cell phone, but I have a message for you from your mother."

  "What?"

  CHAPTER 15

  Jason reclined on a lounge chair out by the sparkling pool, furiously typing away on his laptop. There was a huge scene going on in the lobby with Joe, Angela, and the gang. He wanted no part of it and decided to make a quick exit but before he could leave, John Peterson introduced himself and thanked him profusely for saving his niece.