by Roslyn Bane
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was nice to be home again.”
Chapter Forty-eight
KRIS OPENED THE SHOWER door and poked her head in. “Sam, dinner will be ready in ten minutes. Do you want wine?”
“Sweet tea. I’ll be out in a few minutes.” Sam flicked a few drops of water at Kris. “Close the door, you’re letting cold air in.” Kris closed the bathroom door and went back down the hall. She stopped in surprise when the front door opened and Shelly walked in. Kris’ stomach sank, and her heart raced.
“Hey, sweetheart, what are you doing? Are you just going to stand there with your mouth hanging open or come over here and greet me?”
Cold settled into her core. “Wha…what are you doing here?” Kris stuttered.
“I came to visit you. You’ve been ignoring my calls.”
“How did you—?”
“Get in? I still have my key. Obviously. You never asked for it back.” Shelly grinned at her.
Kris glanced down the hallway. How long would Sam be? “I don’t want you here.”
Shelly scowled, “Now that’s not nice. I came all the way over here with all that traffic to see you, and you won’t even talk to me.”
“You cheated, you lied. There is nothing for us to say to each other.” Kris took a step away from her.
Shelly advanced further inside, glancing into the dining room. “Table set for two? My, my, do you have a date tonight?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. And I want you to leave.” Kris gritted her teeth as heat started to rise from deep within.
“Well, I think I’ll stay until your friend gets here.” She stepped closer.
“What do you want, Shelly?” Kris watched Shelly carefully, noticing the slight hitch in her step and realized she had been drinking. She remembered how argumentative Shelly could become after a few drinks and the more recent descent into rage-induced violence. It suddenly stuck Kris that most of the problems they’d had in their relationship somehow had alcohol tossed into the mix. It wasn’t just jealousy. It wasn’t only Shelly’s infidelity. Those things were part of it, but underlying it was her now obvious abuse of alcohol which shortened her temper. She was certain that Shelly would fly into a rage when she saw Sam. I’ve got to get her out.
“I told you I wanted to see how you’re doing.” Shelly rearranged some candles on an end table. “I think I was a little hasty moving out before. I should have given you more time to get things fixed.”
“Fixed? Get what fixed?”
“Don’t be stupid.” Shelly pointed to Kris’ left breast. “To get your tit fixed. I know we can get things back on track again.”
Heat rushed through Kris, racing out and across her flesh. Her body tensed, and her heart pounded. “How dare you come in here, uninvited, and demand that I let you back into my life, but only if I have myself fixed. Why on earth would I want you back? Get out! And give me the key.” She thrust her hand out for the key and shrieked in surprise when Shelly grabbed her and jerked her forward.
“I didn’t ask to come back into your life. I am back in your life. We were good together. You’ve forgotten that because your head is all messed up.”
Kris backed up and struggled to pull her arm free. “Let me go. Get out.”
“I’ll go when I’m ready. What are you going to do? Kick me out? That’s not going to happen again. Remember I know what you like. I know what makes you tick.” She yanked Kris toward her, spun her around, and placed her in a choke hold, with the other hand she reached up and clawed at Kris’ chest, squeezing hard. “Shit! You still haven’t gotten that fixed?”
Kris gasped from the pain, felt herself going lightheaded. Not again. “Let me go.” She brought her elbow back hard into Shelly’s side, and stomped down on her instep. Shelly loosened her grip momentarily, and Kris jumped away. Kris turned and faced her, “Get out!”
“Make me.” Shelly bluffed to the right, and when Kris tried to run by her, she reached out and pulled her hair jerking her closer. She punched Kris in the chest, and drove her hard into the wall, knocking pictures down.
Kris screamed. She landed a weak blow to the side of Shelly’s head. “Let me go.”
“I will when I’m ready,” Shelly hissed.
“No! You will let her go now!” Sam growled.
Shelly spun around and stepped back. She looked at Sam, back to Kris, and returned again to Sam. Her gaze swept along Sam’s body. “You think you can make me?”
“God, Shelly just leave.” Kris groaned her arms clutched across her chest trying to soothe her damaged breast.
“I don’t think so.” She turned back to Sam, “Nice shorts, you really know how to dress.” Shelly snickered. “Are you really her date?”
“Yes.” Sam silently moved closer and now had Shelly within reach. “I believe Kris has told you to leave and to give her the key.”
“I don’t think I’m the one who is going to leave. So why don’t you take yourself and that fake leg and get the hell out of here. Before I hurt you.”
“Oh God!” Kris started to step forward, but Sam glared at her and shook her head subtly, effectively stopping her movement.
“Oh, you’re warning her away.” Shelly laughed. “That’s rich.” She stared at Sam, glanced over at Kris, and turned back suddenly with her arm swinging. Sam ducked, and when the punch flew by her right shoulder, she pivoted, grabbed Shelly by her arm and used momentum to throw her to the floor.
Kris stood and watched in disbelief as the two women eyed each other. Shelly was somehow back on her feet and charged. Time slowed as Sam ducked and Shelly’s momentum carried her forward. Sam stood back up neatly flipping Shelly over and onto her back. This time Sam dropped down onto her, sitting across her chest and squeezing her with strong thighs. Sam took a hard punch to her jaw, and Kris cried out when Sam’s head snapped back. Sam let out a groan when Shelly hit her in the chest. The sound of Sam’s gasp for breath broke Kris’ spell and she grabbed the phone, dialing nine-one-one. Sam wrapped her arms around Shelly and rolled with her to the side. They banged into furniture sending it toppling.
Shelly broke free and sprang to a crouch and started a kick aiming for Sam’s midsection. Sam’s arm shot out blocking the kick. She grabbed Shelly’s leg and jerked it upwards, holding on while Shelly crashed unprotected to the floor. The sickening sounds of body, and head smacking into the floor filled the air. Sam was on her in a second, driving a knee into her stomach and forcing the air out. She landed a quick backhand and two hard punches to Shelly’s ribs. Kris saw Sam pull her arm back to swing again screamed out, “Sam stop, stop. It’s over. She’s done.” She placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder.
Sam flinched with the touch, turning her head to look for the next threat. She glanced up and saw the fear on Kris’ face. She looked down at Shelly and saw the glazed look in her eyes and realized Shelly was no longer capable of fighting. Sam straddled Shelly’s chest and pinned her hands to the floor. She squeezed with her knees preventing Shelly from taking a deep breath. Staring at Shelly, she spoke to Kris, “Come get your key.”
Sam kept the pressure on Shelly’s hands and chest while Kris reached into Shelly’s pocket and drew out the key. Her heart pounded, and her muscles remained tense as Kris removed a key from the ring, and she slid the remaining keys back into Shelly’s pocket. Shelly suddenly kicked out and almost hit Kris in the head, and Sam drove her knee into Shelly’s stomach forcing the air out. Kris scrambled away while Sam shifted her weight so that she kneeled on Shelly’s forearms. She put one hand on Shelly’s forehead and her other gently across her throat. “Give me one reason to squeeze. Just one more reason.”
“Let me up, you stupid bitch,” Shelly spat.
Sam pressed her hand to Shelly’s throat until her eyes widened and her muscles started to slacken. Removing her hand, Sam leaned forward and whispered in Shelly’s ear, “I can hurt you in ways you can’t imagine. Come near Kris again, and I will hunt you down and make you pay.”
&nbs
p; Sam kept her eyes locked on Shelly and called out to Kris, “Did you call the police?”
“I did.” Even as she spoke the sound of sirens could be heard. Kris walked to the door and opened it. “She’s in here.” They entered and quickly assessed the scene. They took control of Shelly as Sam got up. As they handcuffed Shelly she screamed at them, a stream of obscenities spewed from her mouth. “I’ll get you both. I’ll kill you both.”
“You will be pressing charges, ma’am?” The officer looked at both of them.
“Yes,” they said simultaneously.
“You bitch. Fuck you. What the hell did I ever see in you? You two deserve each other. You bunch of freaks.”
“Hey, that’s enough, Miss.” The officer jerked Shelly forward and out the door.
Sam and Kris stood in the doorway and watched as they put Shelly in the back of one of the cruisers. Sam’s feelings were mixed, embarrassment for Kris, as her neighbors watched the unfolding drama; and although she would never admit it to anyone else, she was pleased that she had been able to defend Kris and kick Shelly’s ass. Hitting her had felt good. Damn good. They listened to her continued shouts of profanity and watched as Shelly kicked the back of the patrol car’s seat. Sam reached for Kris’ hand and held it firmly when it quivered. They ignored the neighbors who had gathered on their porches. As a cruiser pulled away, Kris followed the female police officer inside, and Sam rubbed at her jaw where she had taken a hard punch. She wriggled it side to side and took several deep breaths before following Kris in.
They spent the next twenty minutes with the female officer giving a report and explaining what had happened. After the officer left Sam locked the door and leaned her forehead against it for a moment. She turned and saw Kris walking toward the windows and draw the blinds closed. She noticed Kris’ slumped shoulders, and downcast eyes. “Kris, are you okay? How bad did she hurt you?”
“It’s just words.” Kris’ voice was flat and trembled. She straightened the coffee table and replaced the lamp on an end table.
“No, she grabbed you. I heard you scream.”
“I’m okay.”
“Look at me. Tell me what you’re thinking.” Kris made eye contact and held it for several seconds before her face flushed, and she looked away, biting her lip.
Sam hurried over to her, when she touched Kris on the arm she felt her flinch. “What are you thinking? You look—”
“Embarrassed? I am.” Kris’ lips flattened, and a wrinkle appeared between her brows. She unclenched her fist to rub at the furrow. “She came into my home, and I couldn’t get her out. I wouldn’t have been able to make her leave. She hurt me and I wasn’t able to keep her away.”
“She surprised you.”
“It’s more than that.”
Sam reached for Kris’ hand and held it gently between hers. “Did she hurt you? Before?”
Kris’ voice hitched and tears formed, “Sometimes she…she would get a little too rough especially if she’d been drinking.” She tugged at the hem of her shirt and looked at the floor. “She was drinking tonight I could smell it. Her favorite is vodka because it doesn’t smell as much. But it doesn’t matter. If it’s alcohol, she’ll drink it.”
“She hurt you…during sex?” Sam pressed a hand against the sick feeling in her stomach.
Kris shrugged and tucked some hair behind her ear. “A few times. I don’t want to talk about this.”
Sam ground her teeth together. “Did she…force you?”
“Does it matter?” Kris walked to the window, pushed the curtains back and peeked outside. Thank God the neighbors had gone back inside. Kris sighed. She considered not telling Sam, but since she was now caught up in this to, she needed to know the extent of it. She turned around. “Yes. Yes, she did.” Kris’ face was bright red, and she wouldn’t keep eye contact.
“You never said anything about her being violent.”
“She wasn’t usually violent.” Kris moved the hair from behind her ear and immediately tucked it back again. She shifted the candles back into the position she’d had them in before Shelly had moved them. She brushed her hands over the hem of her shirt before making quick eye contact with Sam. “Occasionally she would get pushy. But after I got back this time she was different. She was mean and hurtful. And yes the sex became rough. The intimacy was gone.”
Sam held her tight, and wouldn’t let her go when Kris tried to back away, “Why didn’t you tell me?” Kris shook her head but said nothing. “I’m sorry you went through that.” Sam hugged her close and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here faster. I had to get my leg on. I tried to hurry.”
“It’s not your fault. It was a lesson learned the hard way. Can we talk about something else? Please? Let’s not let her ruin our evening any more than she already has,” Kris pleaded with her voice and eyes.
The pain in Kris’ eyes had Sam relenting. They would return to this topic when Kris looked more sure of herself. “Okay. We’ll talk tomorrow. I won’t push. I want to say one more thing though.”
Kris sighed. “Go ahead.”
“I’m changing your locks tomorrow. She might have another key.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
***
As Kris showered, she couldn’t stop thinking of Shelly’s intrusion back into her life and how fast Sam had been able to subdue her. The quick, violent blows that had rendered Shelly defenseless had erupted and ended quickly revealing how strong Sam was. Sam’s anger had vibrated through the air more dangerous in its intensity than Shelly’s had ever been.
Kris had been shocked by the sense of fear she’d felt when she’d seen Shelly, and the feeling had only intensified as Sam and Shelly fought. Sam had subdued Shelly quickly, and Sam’s confidence had surged. Kris had seen it. There’d been a subtle change in how she held herself. Her pride had been restored. And deep down that frightened Kris. Despite the fact that Sam had protected her, despite the fact that Sam had calmed quickly after the altercation, she was frightened.
Shelly had become abusive, and she wasn’t anywhere near as strong as Sam. If the anger that had ignited in Sam tonight was ever directed toward her, it could be deadly. Kris started to shake as she remembered Shelly throwing her against the wall, and yanking on her injured arm before dragging her into the bedroom. She remembered the violent words and the vicious bite on her shoulder. The rough sex, no it hadn’t been sex, it had been rape. Shelly had hurt her, several times. As easily as Sam had been able to hurt Shelly, Sam would easily be able to destroy her.
No, no, no. Sam was kind and caring. Sam had never been aggressive toward her. Calm down, just calm the hell down. You’re upset because Shelly was here. She scared you. That’s all. Don’t get them confused. They’re nothing alike.
Kris stepped from the shower and toweled off. With a sigh she looked at her chest, a bruise was forming where Shelly had grabbed her. Kris ran her hands over the damaged flesh and grimaced. She would have it fixed when the muscle and skin grafts were mature enough to handle the procedure. They had said one year, and that was her plan. Sam wasn’t repulsed the way Shelly had been, and that was a miracle. Kris felt the tender areas, and after a few seconds turned her attention to her other breast and examined it.
***
Sam watched as Kris ran her finger along the scars across her shoulder and what was left of her breast. She saw Kris grimace and noticed the quick look of sadness that crossed her face. Kris placed her hand on her other breast, gently stroking it. It took Sam a few seconds to realize she was performing a breast exam. Kris turned slightly and saw Sam watching her and quickly pulled up a towel to cover herself.
“I…I was doing a breast exam.”
“I know. I didn’t mean to interrupt. Why did you frown when you were looking at yourself?” Damn you, Shelly. You not only hurt her. You made her feel ugly. You made her feel weak. Sam knew she had to get Kris to remember how strong she was, how far she had come.
Kris pulled on her r
obe and tied the belt. “Did I?”
“You did.” Sam stepped fully into the doorway and put her arms on the frame, completely blocking the opening. Kris looked at her, and their eyes met and held. Kris’ pupils had dilated so large the brilliant blue was barely visible, and her face was unusually pale. Sam wondered what else had happened between Kris and Shelly that would leave her so shaken. She needed Kris to tell her, as much as Kris needed to let go of whatever she was bottling up inside.
“Excuse me, I want to get by.” Kris’ voice cracked, and she flinched when Sam reached out suddenly and cupped her cheek. Kris’ confidence had been shattered. She cursed Shelly and considered what she would like to do if she ran into her again. A sniffle from Kris refocused her attention.
“Why are you upset?”
“Sam, please let me pass.”
“No. Take your robe off,” Sam spoke softly.
“Sam—”
“I mean it. Take it off.”
“I don’t want to.” Kris backed away.
“Don’t back away from me….take your robe off.” Kris didn’t move. “Please.”
Kris hesitated, and looked at the floor, before she placed her hands on the knotted belt.
“Look at me,” Sam demanded.
As Kris’ fingers twitched on the knot, Sam watched her carefully. Her face was blank, but her mouth and hands trembled slightly. Kris blinked rapidly several times and lowered her head. She held back a whimper when Sam tugged her close by the belt.
“Why are you shaking? What are you afraid of?” Sam rubbed at her temple realizing she was not handling this well either. Her stomach clenched when she saw the tears, “Why are you crying?”
“I don’t want to do this. Not tonight,” Kris whimpered.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Her voice was sharp and loud, and she watched stunned as Kris recoiled.
“Don’t hurt me. I’ll do it,” she whispered, barely audible. Kris dropped the robe to the floor as tears ran down her face and dropped onto her chest.
