by HJ Bellus
I drop to my knees, and pray for Blanche and her family. She’s a fighter and will get through this. And this time, she has love on her side.
Clancy’s fridge is well stocked with lots of food, and fresh fruits and vegetables. I grill up some chicken, vegetables, and make a green salad. I’m not sure if either of them will want to eat, but they need to. Once everything is piping hot, I sneak down the hallway and place my ear on the door before I barge in. It’s dead silent, not even a sob or wail.
“Clancy,” I whisper.
He peeks his head up, keeping Blanche clutched to him, and gives me a nod.
“I have dinner ready.”
Clancy shushes me with his finger to his lip. Hell, I was barely whispering.
“You guys need to eat.”
He shakes his head back and forth signaling no.
“Yes, he does need to eat,” Blanche says, rolling over in Clancy’s arms.
Her voice startles me. “Jesus, you scared the shit out of me.”
Blanche lets out a pathetic chuckle and sits up in bed. “Can you bring dinner in here?”
“Sure thing, Blanchey-Boo.”
I rush back into the kitchen and grab the two plates I already prepared out of the oven. and figure the beer in the fridge is Clancy’s so I grab him two and a glass of ice water for Blanche.
“Now that’s service,” Clancy says with a smile.
He doesn’t wait for the go ahead before shoveling the food in his mouth. I nudge Blanche’s closer to her in bed.
“Where’s yours?” She asks.
“I ate too much while cooking.”
“Damn, Queenie, you’re going to make someone a fine piece of ass someday.” Clancy shovels another bite in. “You can cook.”
“I’m going to shower,” Blanche says as she gets up off the bed.
“I’ll go with you, baby.” Clancy is up and by her side.
“No, please, I just need to shower.”
“The doctor said not to leave you unattended.” The irritation grows in Clancy’s voice.
“I’ll go help her.” I stand up from the bed and guide her by the waist into the master bathroom.
“Can you get me a shirt and boxers from Clancy?”
“You, cross dresser, you!” I squeeze her cheek and shake her head a bit, which only gets a small smile. “Here, I’ll start the water and holler at Clancy.”
“Jesus, I could holler…” Blanche tries to argue.
“CLANCY, shirt and boxers, stat.”
He’s flying into the bathroom in a matter of seconds, placing the clothes by the sink and then running his hands through his hair. “Hey, I’m not trying to be an asshole here, but she’s my girl and you’re are technically a man. I’m not okay with you seeing her naked.”
Blanche and I look at each other and both share a good laugh.
“You haven’t told him, have you?”
She shakes her head no.
“Blanche made me realize just how gay I am. I tried to stick my dick in her and ran. Clancy, you have nothing to worry about.”
“Please go rest, baby, let Queenie take care of me,” Blanche wraps him up in a hug and then kisses him a bit too long for my comfort.
Clancy finally gives in and closes the door behind him. I start the water and help her sit down on a stone bench in the bathroom. The area is fit for royalty with immaculate details everywhere.
“Raise your hands, Blanche.” I pull her top off and undo her hair, letting her long locks down.
“I’m sad, Q, I’m just so damn sad.”
I kneel down so I’m face level with her. “I know, Blanchey-Boo, but try to find faith in something and hold onto it. You’re a great mother.”
“I lost a baby. How can I be a great mother?”
“Blanche, it wasn’t you. I’m going to be here every single day of your life to remind you of that.”
She buries her face in her palms and cries.
“You need to keep crying. Let it out, baby girl, and let your loved ones be here to help you.”
“I don’t know if Clancy can have babies.”
“Blanche, there’s so many other options. Heal your broken heart right now, sweetie.”
I stand her up and undress her, knowing that our conversation could go on forever and ever. I double-check the temperature of the water, knowing she loves the piping hot temperature while showering. Everyone races to the shower before Blanche uses up all of the hot water. I keep the shower door kicked open with boot and guide her under the arm holding while she steps over the ledge. I lay a quick kiss on her temple before closing the door.
Once she’s in the shower, I open the door to ease Clancy’s concern. He walks back into the room with another full plate, and I nod to him letting him know everything is okay.
I sit and listen to Blanche while she showers. Several times, I want to open the shower door to make sure she’s still standing, but I give her the time she needs. Once she’s out, I let her dry off and help her as much as I can, but there’s a point I have to leave because she refuses to let me see her still lightly bleeding.
It takes her several more moments to finish up before she pulls open the cracked door. Her wet and matted hair falls in chunks over her shoulders, her eyes swollen and red, and her spirit still crushed.
“Now eat, woman.” I usher her to the bed and force her to sit.
Blanche picks up her fork and begins stirring around the food, barely nibbling at it. I do my best trying to comb out her hair, but finally go and get a dab of conditioner to glide through it. Goes against all my beliefs, but it’s better than ripping it from her scalp. My fingers can’t help but to french braid her hair into one bulky braid, and then the three of us settle into bed.
“Who would’ve ever thought that I’d be sandwiched in bed with Clancy Bogart and Queenie. I’m one damn lucky girl.”
Chapter 8
Drama Llama No More
I’ve been waiting for Blanche to crack, but she’s shocked the shit out of me. Her and Clancy have been hooked at the hips and when he’s at work, it’s Luna or myself hovering over her.
“Shit.” Blanche throws her arms up after setting up her chair at the game. “I forgot fucking snacks.”
“Language,” Luna warns with her baby on nipple. “I figured you would, so I sent Brady to the farmer’s market.”
“Thanks, Luna.” Blanche plops down in her chair and begins chugging from my insulated mug.
“Slow down, pony, that’s the straight whiskey one.”
“Shit is stout.”
I shake my head at her and pull out another thermal mug, filling it half with soda and then the rest whiskey. She remains quiet, sipping her drink while the game begins. Blanche waves to Sadie on the field every once in awhile, but for the most part she zones out.
She doesn’t constantly check out Clancy’s ass or make a mean comment when Moira joins the group. Luna reaches over and clutches her hand when a very pregnant woman waddles past us. It’s been nearly two weeks and the pain of loss is still very fresh.
Brady places his hands on her shoulders and gives her a gentle squeeze. I’d love to see someone fuck with Blanche right now; Hulk on Brady would be downright sexy and fucking wet dream worthy.
“The league officials are here today. You need to be on your best behavior.” Douchey Doug does a hip pop that’s gag worthy in front of us.
“No worries, sweet cheeks,” Moira stands twirling her hair.
“Yeah, no worries, Dougie.” Blanche pops up to her feet, shimmying her titties nearly free out of her V-neck. “We’ve got your back in more than one way.”
“Fuck me,” Brady mutters.
And so it seems, the fighting Blanche has come out to play—no doubt fueled by the whiskey.
“Queenie, keep these girls under control.” Doug sends me a wink before jogging back on to the field.
Moira and Blanche turn their death stares on me instead of each other. Brady must sense my pain as he steps up to me.
The two vicious hound dogs don’t relent with their evil stares. I only shrug which causes them to close in on me. Their teeth are bared and ready to pounce, until the scream of a child draws their attention from me.
We all zone in on the area where the cries come from and exhale when we notice it’s on the other team. It’s still not a great feeling, but at least it’s not my Annie. Miles and Clancy have all the kids down on one knee and silent, while the other player is lifted to his feet and finally helped off the field.
When you can’t beat them then join the assholes. My fingertips curl around my very own ice-cold metal tumbler. The liquid goes down easily, leaving a burn down the back of my throat. I keep an eye on Blanche, shit; I sit right next to her and pay close attention to the game, coaches, and the fucking awkward ref. The game floats by, and I don’t miss the nip slips and crotch shots from Moira and Blanche, I can’t control them so I sip again on my drink and give Doug the same thing. My nuts, cock, and nips slip just like the girls next to me. This amount of alcohol, soccer, and us should never be mixed.
Mrs. Morningwood finally steps in and ushers all the young ones from the huddle. They won four to zero. I’m thinking she may have got one too many nip, and or nut slips, and I feel like a jackwagon, but the alcohol streaming through my bloodstream overwhelms everything else.
Annie kisses me on the cheek with her toothy grin and the morsels of granola from her chocolate chip bar hanging between her teeth. “Love you, Q. You’re the best.”
My hand is numb, but I pat her back, and feel all emotions stream through me from her love and acceptance. It may be difficult or near fucking impossible being me here in the butt crack of Iowa, but when Annie smiles and loves like there’s no tomorrow, then I know my job is fucking easy.
“Love you, Sissy.” I hug her tighter feeling genuine love course through me. “Annie…”
“I know, Q, I can be whoever I want to be.”
I give her one last squeeze, wondering where in the hell the time has gone, from the time I came home to my brother’s funeral watching the weeping child by his casket. I’ll never forget when a lawyer told me she was mine. I flipped and drank a bottle of Vodka. My brother had just died. He was the idol. The perfect child, quarterback, hometown hero, the pride of our father, and ultimately the best father and solider, and now gone forever.
And even though with all of the liquid courage flowing through my bloodstream…I’m a complete failure. The child whose parents would never accept him. There was no adoption or forced parenthood with my mom and dad. Nope, I was born of their genetics and they fucking hate me, but ironically enough my perfect older brother, Mr. All-American, left his daughter to me.
I’ve read the damn blogs and even the fucking what to expecting when you’re expecting when waiting for the next client…and I know all too well how you can truly fuck up being a parent. I have a penis; but can do hair like a fucking magician stuck in butt crack fucking Iowa raising a little girl.
I’d do anything for that girl. Sink my ding-dong into any sinkhole or rat old ladies’ hair until arthritis attacks each of my knuckles.
“Claaaaa…I mean Quinnncyyy…” Blanche drawls out, and I’m not sure if it’s her Iowa drawl or L.A. whatever. I have to stop and pay very close attention, but when Moira slips a nip in front of Blanche my nuts fucking quiver in fear. The men have left the field.
Clancy and Brady left a while ago, after checking there were no weapons around any of us. I didn’t miss the look both of them shot me before leaving. It was “you better watch Blanche or else”.
Death By Nipple
Even the few hairs I missed on my ass cheeks while shaving this morning, oh yes, they cringe. The fucking hairs on my ass curl watching Moira talk into a microphone via Blanche’s nipple. I relax, then Doug’s dick and nuts and his lips wrapped around my dick invade! His liquid popped Blanche’s cherry and fertilized Moira the Whoira’s eggs.
I gasp, but it doesn’t seem to stop Moira from screaming into Blanche’s tit. My knuckles, then palms, then knuckles again, scrub my eyeballs. When my pupils focus back in, it’s Moira’s belting the words to “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey around Blanche’s areola, that lets me know we are all fucked. There is no way in hell this night could turn out okay.
When Blanche and Moira stand together signing in their fake water bottles, I finally relax and smile back at them. Thinking maybe the world will go on without fucking world war whatever. Then they sync into air guitars, while nailing each word like they’re a regular cover band.
The carefree vibe running through all of us spirals me right back to our high school days. The only thing different is that Luna isn’t wrapped up in Brady and the other girls don’t have men by their sides. Glimpses of time pass, as the sun sets over Beaver Falls, where I see opportunities to bring up the shit between Moira and Blanche, but I fear ruining the moment of joy between all of us.
Luna nudges my shoulder while sipping on a beer. “Look at those two.”
“I know I was just thinking the same thing.” I glance back to Moira and Blanche continuing to sing the next song. “Should you be drinking?”
Luna shrugs while wrinkling her nose. “Brady’s been telling me to quit nursing and one beer won’t hurt.”
With each sip of beer she takes, I see her relax into the chair. Blanche stumbles and falls to the ground in a heap of sobs when “November Rain” by Guns and Roses begins to play.
“What’s wrong?” Moira slurs and falls next to her.
Luna and I are both up on our feet and over to them, until we all sit in a circle around Blanche. Blanche’s tears stream down her face and Moira begins to sing the song in Spanish. Is this really happening, right now?
Luna covers Blanche’s hand and gently squeezes it. Moira doesn’t seem to be concerned with the current situation as she continues singing a bit louder. Her high pitch squeals begin to grate my nerves.
“Moira, go suck Doug’s dick and shut-up.” I finally spit out and flop back on the grass. The night sky is pitch black speckled with a few stars.
She promptly shuts up and sticks out her bottom lip. “I need a dick. Hell, I’d even take Doug’s dick.”
Blanche’s tears dry up quickly and her typical anger towards Moira rears its ugly head. “You’re a dirty slut, Moira.”
“I think we’ve all heard that before.” Moira rolls her eyes.
“Oh shit,” Luna mumbles and then chugs down her beer.
The two women are drunk as fuck and ready to spar.
“Just get it out, you two, and get the hell over it.” I throw my hands up in the air while still lying on my back.
“Queenie, don’t antagonize them,” Luna warns.
“Fuck it. They need to work this shit out,” I growl expecting the war to bust out.
“You sucked Doug’s dick first,” Moira lashes out.
I hear Blanche moving, but don’t even try to look up. “Yeah, no shit. He was my love, my boyfriend, and I caught you two fucking in a locker room.”
Luna tries to get between the two women and that’s when I finally sit up, spinning from the effects of the alcohol. Blanche nearly has Moira by the throat while still yelling.
“You dumb bitch, you always wanted what was mine, and never stopped until you had it all. Head cheerleader and fucking Doug’s dick.”
“You only fucking hate me, Blanche, because I’ve been the only person in the tiny town to let you know that you’re not all that. You don’t run this town and I can fuck whoever I want.”
“No shit, you’ve made that clear as day,” Blanche lunges the rest of the way forward, successfully clutching the front of her throat. “You better stay away from Clancy or I’ll kill you.”
“Enough.” Luna dives between them.
I let out a hearty laugh watching the wrestling match in front of me. It’s not funny, but I’m sick of these two fighting. Blanche needs to get her anger out and get the hell over it.
“He told me I was a better fuck t
han you.” Moira fights to get out.
“Stay away from Clancy.”
“You afraid he’ll like me more than you.” Moira’s voice is barely audible from Blanche’s hand wrapped around her neck and Luna’s flailing body trying to break them up.
“Fuck off, Whoira.”
“Doug said everything about me was better than you.”
“Jesus.” I jump up to my feet, swaying from side to side. “Enough. Enough. I sucked Doug’s dick in high school, and he sucked me off the other night.”
The attention of all three girls is now focused on me. I wait for Blanche’s anger to boil up in her, but it never comes. Moira looks completely shocked and Luna mumbles something about needing more alcohol.
I ignore them and only focus on Blanche, knowing that I probably just ruined a friendship with my best friend. She sits still, her complexion ghost white, with trickles of tears streaming down her face.
“Blanche,” I whisper.
“I don’t hate you, Moira.” She finally speaks, but it’s low. It takes several more moments before the other two pay attention to Blanche. “I don’t hate you or hate Beaver Falls. I’m scared and it’s easy to hate what’s easy. I’m scared and just lost the life I knew in L.A. with Sadie, then I just lost a baby, and I’m halfway living life happily and I don’t want to lose all of it.”
I sink down to my knees and pull my sobbing best friend into a long hug, just holding her. Luna reaches over and clutches to Blanche’s hand, while Moira does the same thing clutching her other hand. The four of us sit in silence letting Blanche cry away her fears.
“You deserve happiness, Blanche.” I mumble into the top of her head. “Don’t let fear or anger ruin it.”
Luna begins to speak. “Fresh start for all of us from here on out. We’re a group of soccer moms reunited to stand together for their kids.”
“Yes,” Moira adds.
“I’m afraid to love you guys because it seems something will go wrong.” Blanche never looks up.
“We’re soccer moms who’ve all shared Doug’s dick, except for me,” Luna holds up both hands. “…if we can get through that then we can get through anything.”
