Michelle's breath rattled in her chest and sounded broken and shaky to her own ears, as her heart hammered against her ribcage. Fear was a tight band circling her body making it difficult to move, to see, to breathe, and to think. But the coppery sweet smell of something familiar along with a low cackle spurred her on. She flattened her body against the wall, using it as an anchor and inching along toward the inevitable.
The hallway leading to the bedroom she shared with Max was longer than she remembered and darker, so much darker. The blonde could barely see a hand in front of her face, but there was one room that had light, one room that had sound--their bedroom.
Taz's loud, painful whine, followed by a familiar laugh stopped Michelle in her tracks then galvanized her into action. Tears of fear and anger spilled down her cheeks, as she whispered, "You're here Max aren't you? You've always been here." Her shuffling feet picked up momentum, and the coppery smell became stronger, thicker the closer Michelle got.
A minute later, she stood just beside the doorway. The sounds of a metallic 'swish' along with a wet splash gave her pause. Michelle whimpered and covered her mouth with a small hand. The smell was unbearable. She knew what it was now. Blood. The blonde's whole body began to shake, and her heart flipped, crawling up to her throat, almost choking her. Overwhelming concern for the Husky and Toby mingled with the fear.
She grabbed onto the edge of the wall where the doorway began and flung herself into the room. Her blood froze and a scream clawed at her throat in reaction to the display. Taz's lifeless body laid on top of the familiar blue comforter that was now dripping with the dog's blood. Crimson fluid littered the beige lampshades that rested on the small tables by the bed. It was everywhere. Michelle's took in the dog’s dead, vacant stare.
His mouth was open; filled, and dripping with a mixture of frothy white saliva and red liquid. The beauty that was once his thick black and white coat was now a garish, ruddy pink. Standing over the limp dog was Max's tall, hulking form with a large butcher knife in his right hand. Like his hairy arms and the front of his sleeveless shirt, the knife was covered in red gore. He turned toward her, walking slowly and sporting the cruelest of smiles. "You think you can get away from me? I'm in here." He tapped his forehead with a finger. "You'll never be free no matter what you learn, who you know, or who you become. You hear me?!"
Terror ceased her, but Michelle shook her head vehemently. "No, no, no!"
"Yes!"
The sound of Toby's cry startled them both. Max spun on his heels and moved quickly toward the crib, beating the suddenly lunging Michelle to it. His grin widened became darker, more sinister and brown eyes twinkled with madness. Michelle grasped at air as he breezed by her. She looked up to see him raising the gory knife far above his head. Her shocked and frightened eyes widened.
"It all belongs to me, Michelle, and I can take it all away!"
Feeling her world tilt and stop, horror replaced the blood that pounded through the blonde's veins. She reached out and did the only thing she could, scream.
“Yeah, I’m from there.” Michelle paused. “But, I’m never going back again.”
Bobbi nodded. “Good for you.” Good for all of us. As an afterthought,
she interjected, “say, how about after breakfast we take a trip outside? Plenty
of snow out there, and there is a lot we can do with it.”
Michelle paused at the entrance to the kitchen, and murmured, “There is? Um,
like what?”
“Oh. . . like snow angels. Ever make’em?”
“No.”
“Okay, how about we leave the glass door open with the bassinet beside it. He
should be asleep by then, and Taz can watch him for a few minutes. I know you
won’t want to leave him for long after what happened, but we. . .”
Chapter 16
Kevin ejected the Marilyn Manson CD and threw it at his friend. “Man, how can
ya listen to that crap. That guy is scary!”
“He’s not! All the pins he had in his face were just a trick in the video!” Cam
answered.
“Unh-huh, you believe that then. But, I tell ya that guy is too freaky for me.
I don’t want it playin in my dad’s truck. Might curse it or somethin. Ya ever
listen to some of that music backward. Real heinous stuff!”
“Duh! You can’t listen to a CD backward a-hole. ‘Sides, he’s got a great voice.
It’s all gravely. Gives you shivers, man.”
For a minute, Kevin listened to the screech of the shovel attachment as it was
dragged over the road. After he turned the corner safely, the teen glared at
his friend then swung at the top of his head with an open hand. “Sometimes
you’re just so damned weird, Cam. I don’t know why I hang out with you.” He
paused. “So you think we’ll find anything this time?’
Cam shrugged. “Don’t know. Told ya we shoulda brought the metal detector!”
“Oh well. Hey, look we’re on Doc B’s block. Let’s stop by and see if she needs
some work done. She always pays the most.”
Cam nodded. “Yah, cool. I need some paper!”
Confused, Kevin gave his friend a look. “Whatcha talkin’ ‘bout? I borrowed
paper from you when we were in school last. You’ve got plenty!”
“Ah, geez Kev, get with the times. I meant money! Paper means money.”
“Where did ya hear that from?”
“Saw it on a rap video on MTV.”
Kevin swung at his friend’s head again. “Weirdo.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Michelle giggled as she flailed her arms and legs about in the snow. She felt
like a kid who had discovered a secret toy. It was a freeing sensation when
weeks ago she could barely stand the sight of the whiteness. They had both
bundled up tight in coats, hats, and gloves after a breakfast of cheese omelets
and hash browns. Now, they both lay in the snow, laughing like school children.
“I like this!” Michelle called out to her friend who lay a few feet away.
“I’m glad! I thought you would. I haven’t done anything like this since I was
little. Feels good, huh?!” Bobbi called back.
“Yeah, but will they really look like angels when we get through?!”
“Don’t know. We’ll just have to see when we finish in a minute. Then, we’ll
just practice until they’re perfect!”
This is what being a kid felt like? I missed so much, and I can’t begin to
thank her for showing me. “Thank you so much!” Her voice was shaky with
emotion.
“You’re very welcome, ‘Chelle! What are friends for?”
“ ‘Chelle, I like that!”
Bobbi chuckled. “Then ‘Chelle it is. You can call me B if you want!” She
laughed again as years and the weight of her burden lightened. “Hey! Let’s see
what they look like!”
They both rose slowly, knocking away snow from the backs of thick,
well-insulated coats. They turned and peered down at the misplaced snow, then
turned to each other. Bobbi raised a brow. “Um, I guess we keep practicing?”
“So they’re not ‘pose to look like that?” Michelle pointed toward the ground.
“Um, that would be no.”
Michelle laughed. “Oh.” Moving around through the thick snow, she found a clean
spot not far away. She lined herself up the way Bobbi showed her and let
herself fall backwards into the white fluffiness, trusting it not to hurt her
anymore.
Kevin pulled up in front of the doctor’s house. He glanced out the driver side
window and saw two figures, one in white the other in green, rise up out of the
snow. He turned to his friend and grabbed him by the shoulder. Cam leaned
forward and looked then snorted. “And you call me weird.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They all sat around the kitchen table as if plotting like an evil conglomerate.
All of them except, Beatrice, she leaned against the sink, staying out of the
way. She knew her husband wanted it that way. I don’t want any part in this.
Except to help her. It’s better this way.
“Bea! Get your tired butt over here and pour this woman a drink!”
Marsha watched the shaking hands from under hooded blue eyes. Maybe when
that daughter of mine gets back, she can take a few lessons from this one here
on how a woman should act. Hard for me to teach her I guess without a man
around.
Max Sr. smacked his son on the back, almost knocking him out his chair. He was
on his fifth scotch. It wouldn’t be hard. Max Jr. gulped down his sixth, and
grunted as it burned his gut. He didn’t want to be here. He didn’t want to be
anywhere, but it was what his father wanted. Max knew that this wasn’t a time
to try and defy him. He had fallen in his father’s eyes long ago, and recently,
he fell a few more steps. Michelle was the only way he could reclaim his
station. So despite the new urges of defiance, Max wiped dark curls out of his
face, sat quietly, and listened. This won’t take forever Michelle. Enjoy it
while you can. ‘Cause if I have to live like this, so do you. Jr. cleared
his throat. “So what’s the new update, dad?”
“Well, boy.” He paused to suck down a drink. “Since the cops ain’t helpin none.
Maybe it’s time we went to the media and put our own spin on things.” Looks
passed between the three of them. Beatrice’s grip on the sink became of the
white knuckled variety as she searched her brain for ideas on how to help the
young woman as much as she could.
Chapter 17Bobbi
reached for the offered hand but stared at the appendage in confusion and joy.
It was so much more than she had gotten before. There were no accusations and no
attempts to hurt. Her own pale blue peered into his, and Bobbi whispered his
name reverently, “Stevie.”
He stepped closer, giving the doctor an unobstructed view of his face. For the
first time there was forgiveness and absolution, and Bobbi wanted so much to
touch it, cradle it against her, and wallow in it. She stepped forward and
immediately noticed that the distance between them increased. Bobbi stretched
her arm out, feeling panic take over. She was so close, so close. The doctor
blinked, and he was gone.
Back in her own reality that consisted of a messy room with a queen size bed in
the middle, Bobbi sat up ramrod straight in the bed, shaking shaggy bangs out
of her eyes. She sucked in breath and pulled back the hand that was reaching
for air. The brunette let out a pained sigh and wiped her damp brow with a
forearm. She shook her head, displacing strands of black silk and smoothed a
hand over the pale blue t-shirt that clung to her chest. “Am I that close or
was that some cruel joke? Is it something I just wanted to see? He reached out
to me, wanted to forgive me.”
Bobbi pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes in an attempt to
recapture the dream, but it was gone. She blinked into the dimness of the room
and sighed again in exasperation. Suddenly, the hair on the back of her neck
tingled, making cautious eyes scan the room. Pale blue stopped at the two dim
figures outlined in the doorway. Bobbi was instantly alert. “Chelle? You okay?”
The figures moved forward, prompting Bobbi to reach over and snap on a bedside
lamp. She turned back to see a mixture of curiosity and worry mingling in green
eyes. Clad in her green paisley pajamas, Michelle hoisted Toby up further on
her shoulder and peered at her friend warily. “I’m fine. Um, we were watching
“The Golden Girls”, and I thought I heard you cry out. Are y-you okay?”
Bobbi’s insides warmed. Someone's
worried about me. I haven’t had that in a long, long time.
Hesitantly, she asked, “Uhm, you came in here for me?”
Michelle nodded and smiled softly, making the warmth billowing through the
brunette increase tenfold. Feeling totally unlike herself, Bobbi’s eyes fell to
hands that were fidgeting with blankets. It’s so nice to feel again, but I
still have so much to get used to.
Misunderstanding her friend’s silence, Michelle stepped in closer. It was all
the cue Taz needed. He wuffed quietly and padded over to the bed to get a
closer look. “Bobbi, are you sure you’re okay?”
She didn’t answer. The silver-blue gaze met the Husky’s darker one. Taz whined
and put his two front paws on the edge of the bed. Unable to resist, Bobbi
smiled and scratched him behind the ears. She glanced up at Michelle and
murmured, “Didn’t mean to worry you. Just had this weird dream. It wasn’t like
the others. It was almost normal.”
I don’t think I’ve ever had a normal dream. I think it would throw me off
too. “Do you want to tell me about it?”
Their gazes met, unwaveringly, but Bobbi was the first to look away. I
can't burden her with this. She said
herself that she may not be ready for this. Not knowing what else to do,
the brunette changed the subject. “How’s Peanut this morning? Still no ill
effects from last week?” Bobbi asked, finding the blanket and Taz more
interesting.
Admittedly, Michelle knew little of actual human nature, but the blonde knew
enough to recognize subterfuge. She looked down at the baby, who gnawed his
fist contentedly, then searched for the azure gaze. Michelle didn’t find it,
but she answered anyway. “He’s fine.” She paused and added softly, “Bobbi, talk
to me.” The words felt right as if she had said them a million times before. Everything
about this house and the person who lives in it is starting to feel right.
The dark head jerked up in surprise. The warmth returned. “Are you sure?”
Michelle only continued to stare as she thought silently, ’As sure as I can
be.’
Bobbi swallowed and threw the covers off her, revealing white Nike shorts. She
turned in the bed and crossed her legs Indian style. The doctor glanced at the
empty space beside her. If Michelle wasn’t the person she was, the brunette
wondered if she would pat the space on the bed, beckoning for her to come
closer. She dismissed the thought and caught the green gaze.
“I-it’s kinda hard to explain, I guess.” She stopped and looked down at her
hands that were fiddling with the drawstring of the shorts. Gathering her
thoughts, Bobbi glanced back up again. “Have you ever been so close to
something and reached out for it only to find out that you can’t quite touch
it?”
Michelle responded by canting her head to the side and displaying a soft smile.
Bobbi bit her lip and nodded. “Oh. Um, since you’ve been here, I’ve faced up to
a lot of things and asked myself a lot of questions. I don’t know, but this
morning I felt that the answers were right in front of me. Either I’m not
seeing them or I can’t grasp them as of yet. You know what I mean?” The
brunette searched jade eyes for understanding. She found it.
Michelle shifted Toby to the other shoulder and spoke without hesitation. “I do
know what you mean, but it’s all new to me. I didn’t start feeling that way
until I was getting ready to leave Max, and now, it’s become an everyday thing.
I guess it’s because I’m finding out who I am.”
Dark brows drew together in concentration. “Maybe I am too. For a long time, I
thought of myself as a failure, and everywhere I turned and everything I did
proved it. I still feel the guilt, but somehow everything isn’t as heavy as it
used to be.” Bobbi hesitated.
“Um. . .Stevie came to me this morning, and for the first time he looked like
he understood it all. He understood that I was just trying to help when he was
little, and he understood that I just couldn’t be part of any more death. I saw
it in his eyes. He reached out to me, but when I tried to meet him, he faded
away.” The brunette scratched her head. “I really don’t understand what that
means. I may have been seeing what I wanted to see.” Their gazes continued to
hold, and Bobbi hoped that hers wasn’t pleading for answers that she was unable
to find herself.
Suddenly realizing that a couple of months before she would have shied away
from her own shadow, Michelle felt strong enough, confident enough to look into
someone else’s emotions. It was a battle she had won sometime ago. I win
this round too, Max.
“Sometimes. . .” she paused and swallowed, “Sometimes, I get so angry with
myself for believing all the lies momma and Max told me. It’s hard to forgive
myself for what I am. . .was, but everyday that I’m away from them it happens a
little piece at a time. I hope someday that I’ll wake up and there’ll be
nothing more to forgive.” Suddenly shy, Michelle shrugged and looked down at
her feet. “Um, maybe you’re sort of like me. You can’t reach him because you’re
not able to forgive or look deep inside yourself yet.”
Bobbi was stunned to silence. She peered at the top of the blonde’s head then
found herself doing the same with Taz. He stared back and lolled his tongue in
a doggie smile as if to say, “I told you so.” She has so much inside her
eager to get out. I can’t wait to see it. I want to be a part of it. “You
are a very wise woman, Chelle,” Bobbi whispered.
The blonde looked up with eyes wide with surprise and disbelief. She began to
shake her head immediately. “N--no, no, I’m not--”
With a gentle smile, Bobbi nodded her head in the affirmative. “Yeah, you are.
Remember, I try not to say things that I don’t mean, and I can honesty say that
you could be right. It makes sense. A lot is starting to make sense these
days.”
A silence lapsed between them, a comfortable one. Eyes scanned the room before
they met again. Bobbi was the first to break the quiet. “What are you doing up
so early, anyway?” she asked softly.
Michelle blinked and shuffled her feed in shyness. “Um, Toby woke up hungry,
and he wouldn’t go back to sleep. We came out here for a little while. That’s
when I heard you, and um, I thought you might need someone. . .” Her sentence
broke off.
Bobbi felt a nudge on her leg. Knowing it was Taz, she ignored it and kept her
attention on the blonde. “You were right. I did. You didn’t have a . . .”
Michelle looked on in confusion before realization dawned. “Oh, I think I did
because I was sweating when I woke up. I don’t remember it though. Sometimes I
don’t and that’s a blessing I s’pose.”
“Yeah, it can be.” I don’t wanna go back to sleep, and I sure as hell don’t
want to be alone right now. “Uh, do you mind if I watch TV with you?” Bobbi
asked hopefully.
“I--I think “The Golden Girls” went off some time ago.”
Deciding to push a little, Bobbi added, “That’s okay. I’m sure we can find
something on.”
Maybe it would be nice. “Okay, we can do that.”
Elated, Bobbi hesitated a moment before rising. After adjusting her shirt and
shorts, she stood tall and waited for the petite blonde to exit before her. The
doctor felt Taz brush against her, but looked down this time. Glancing back up,
blue met green from the same spot as before.
Confusion spread across Michelle’s face. “Um, are you coming?”
Bobbi nodded and stepped forward cautiously. Nervously, she pushed hands deep
into short pockets and played with the lint there. “Uh, yeah. . .but I was just
trying to. . .um wait and give you space.” She gave the blonde a sheepish
expression from under dark lashes.
Realization dawned. I almost felt normal. For a minute, he was completely
gone. Soon, he will be. “Oh. . .um, okay.” Michelle moved away, out into
the hall and back into the living room. Bobbi smoothed a hand over
sleep-tousled hair and followed.
From the open blinds of the window, the flaring reds and oranges of the early
morning met them. Bobbi found a place to sit on the floor in front of the
table. Taz joined her. She turned to look behind her, waiting for the blonde to
get settled. Their eyes met, and the brunette exhibited a soft smile. “It’s a
beautiful morning. Too bad I have to work today or I would take you out in the
snow.”
Having found a comfortable space laying back against the arm of the couch with
the baby in her lap, Michelle felt her face light-up with anticipation. “Um,
can we still? When you close up?”
Bobbi nodded and smiled full out. “Sure, I’ll probably only have a few walk-ins
anyway since there’s still so much snow.” The brunette stopped and looked down
at her growling stomach. “I’m gonna go grab some cereal and feed the furry
monster here. Do you want some?”
Michelle nodded and watched them go. She peered down into blue-green eyes.
“I’ve learned and done so much already. I can’t wait to show you, to teach
you.” She brushed away dark blonde locks and leaned in to kiss Toby’s forehead.
You can never take this away from me, Max.
A minute later, Bobbi returned alone, balancing bowls of cereal in her hand.
She set one down near the blonde as she passed the table. “Some Fruity Pebbles
for you.” The brunette set her own bowl on the table and sat down facing her
friend, maneuvering long, lithe legs under the table. Bobbi picked up the spoon
and dug in. She glanced up to see Michelle doing the same.
The blonde took one bite and chewed carefully. Her nose crinkled in disgust.
Bobbi raised a brow in surprise. “What? You don’t like it?”
Michelle stuck out her tongue, making a face. “Tastes like a mouth full of
sugar.”
The doctor chuckled. “Well, that’s what it is.”
“Oh, you like this stuff?”
“On occasion. Guess there’s a kid in me somewhere. Say, next time I go grocery
shopping, if you’re not able to go, I’ll just get a variety of cereal. You can
see which one you like.”
“I don’t want to--”
Bobbi held her hand up in interruption, “And it’s not an imposition. I know
that’s what you were going to say.”
Michelle gave her companion a soft smile through the flush she could feel
shooting up her neck. “Um, okay. I’ll go ahead and finish this.”
Bobbi finished her own breakfast and reached for the remote. “I’m pretty sure I
can find something on that you’ll enjoy.” The brunette flipped to the TV guide
channel and smiled inwardly when she saw that "Facts of Life" was
on TV Land. She turned slightly toward the blonde. “Oh you’ll love this. I used
to watch it when I was a kid. It’s a funny show.”
After a few minutes of silence, they were both laughing at Tootie’s antics.
************
With hands behind her head and feet up on the receptionist’s desk, Bobbi leaned
back in the leather chair as far as it could go. She sighed in irritation and
pulled the long black ponytail out of the collar of her lab coat for the
umpteenth time. Taking a quick glance at her watch, the doctor muttered to
herself in exasperation. “One patient, and time’s ass is crawling. It’s barely
time to break for lunch.” She sat up and reached forward to rub at a black
scuffmark on the white Reeboks. They went well with the faded jeans and white
sweater that she was wearing.
Moving back to her former position, Bobbi stared indignantly at the silent
phone. Finally, she threw her hands up. “My mind isn’t into it anyway. Rather
be playing in the snow.” She stopped abruptly. Boy, that sounded weird, but
I liked it. It’s nice to relive old times again, but they aren’t really. I
guess I’m making all new memories.
“Maybe I could fix us an early lunch, and we could go outside for a while. Taz
can sit at the door and watch over Toby. I’m sure he’ll let us know if
something is wrong.” Having convinced
herself, Bobbi clapped her hands and got ready to stand up when a figure coming
up the shoveled sidewalk caught her eye. She groaned. “That would happen.”
As the figure got closer, Bobbi recognized it as a woman, a woman she knew
religiously. She groaned again. “Yeah, this would definitely happen.” As the
woman entered, Bobbi resisted the urge to display a fake smile and an even more
fake greeting. She simply looked up at the tall, svelte redhead and nodded in
recognition before muttering, “Shelia.”
Shelia smiled, transforming the peaches and cream complexion to dazzling. Bobbi
didn’t blink an eye. Propping her chin up on a raised hand, the doctor simply
said, “What’s the problem?”
The redhead’s smile turned into a smirk, “Still the same old B. So
communicative.”
Bobbi cursed inwardly, realizing what she was doing. I’m not her anymore.
Dark features lightened somewhat, and the brunette sat up straight in her
chair. “Sorry, just been a boring day so far.”
Rich brown eyes widened in surprise. “Wait a minute. Where did you go?”
Bobbi found herself chuckling warmly. “I’m still right here where you left me.”
Dark eyes narrowed but snapped jovially. “Mm, oookay. If you say so.” The smile
returned, rounding out narrow cheekbones and lifting the point of her chin.
“I say so. Tell me, what brings you here? You okay?”
Shelia frowned slightly and pulled on her ear, making the coat of her gray
pantsuit lift lightly under the white wool overcoat. “Don’t know. Was in town
visiting my aunt. Got caught in the snow, and to make it worse my ear has been
killing me for the past three days.”
Bobbi stood up and adjusted the stethoscope around her neck. “Well, let’s go
get you checked out and get you back to Minneapolis.”
Auburn brows raised. “Trying to get rid of me already? I thought we parted as
friends?”
The brunette crossed her arms over her chest and smiled ruefully. “No, we
didn’t. I didn’t have friends. You knew that.”
Shelia nodded slowly and pulled on her ear again. “Yeah, I guess I did know
that much about you.” She took a step forward. “What about now? I’m involved
with someone right now, and I’m trying to get back here regularly to visit Aunt
Fanny. It’ll be nice to have someone to hang out with.”
Momentarily, blue peered into brown before meeting the white of scattered
papers on the desk. Friends. That whole damned concept has been foreign to
me for so long, and now so much has changed. Have things changed enough for me
to let someone else in? Maybe it has. It’s worth a try. If it wasn’t for
Michelle. . . She glanced upward
meeting the other woman’s eyes again and saw only sincerity in them. In the
time that they knew each other, the redhead never lied, never manipulated. In
fact, she had been one to reach out despite knowing that the brunette couldn’t
reach back.
“I think we can do that. Come on, let’s go get you checked out for now.”
When Bobbi finished the examination, she concluded that the redhead did indeed
have an ear infection and accepted an invitation to Aunt Fanny’s for dinner in
order for them to play catch up.
Now, sitting on the vacated examination table, Bobbi blinked in utter
fascination. “My God, I really have changed. Maybe I looked inside myself a
little today.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After bathing Toby and taking a shower, Michelle, dressed in a pair of pink
sweatpants and white t-shirt. She found herself in the den, in front of the
computer. She pulled the bassinet closer and peered inside at the sleeping
baby. Feeling soft fur against her bare feet, the blonde rubbed Taz absently
with her foot, which gave her a modicum of comfort.
Michelle turned back toward the computer monitor and gripped the sides of the
desk in a white knuckled grasp. What made me do this? I wanted to know. I
wanted to know if I could really forgive myself. I want to understand why I
stayed so long, why I accepted it, and why I lived it.
With a shaky hand, she nervously
scrolled down the page. With wide eyes, Michelle read about the ongoing cycle
of abuse against women; that every minute another woman was assaulted by
someone she knew, how hundreds were murdered by their spouses, that some of the
women even ended up killing their abusers. Michelle discovered how very few
women actually ever left their abusive situations.
Small hands shook terribly, but Michelle continued to read until the end of the
page.] She sobbed and covered her face with her hands. I got out. I was one
who got out. I have to survive, learn to forgive, and break the cycle. She
wiped at her eyes. I’ve changed so much. I know it, and I can feel it. Maybe
I’ve already started to break the cycle. Her thoughts went to Bobbi. Maybe
she’s one of the reasons why.
**************
Michelle sat on the edge of the couch with remote control in hand, flipping
through channels like an expert surfer.
She took a minute and peered over at the bassinet, seeing the sleeping
child, knowing he would be up any
minute. That knowledge did not take away the feelings coursing through the
blonde. For the first time Michelle could remember, she was bursting with
anticipation because of Bobbi’s impending return.
In the In the den earlier, it all became clear to Michelle. I know now. I
finally know what good is. I’ve been dancing with the devil for so long that
I’d gotten used to it. I couldn’t see anything else. Now, I know the
difference. Bobbi helped me see that. I needed to see it just to make the
little progress that I have since being here. I need the good, and I need a
friend like Bobbi in my life. I want to make sure that she knows that.
Michelle glanced down at the Husky near her feet. Taz looked up as if he could
hear her thoughts. “How do I let her know, Boy?”
”Wuff!”
She gave him a grin of gratitude. “Maybe I should just play it by ear.”
Giddy with this new feeling, Michelle stared at the TV screen without actually
seeing it. Stocking feet tapped nervously, and she switched the remote from one
sweaty hand to the other . A small, unfamiliar smile played at the corner of
her lips, making her nose crinkle, and she blew at blonde bangs, causing them
to flutter. It all felt very new, but good. It was as though she had acquired
something that no one could take away. It was a heady feeling. I survived it
all to get to this. Thank goodness I got this far. The sound of a door
closing in the kitchen made the blonde sit up a little straighter.
Sans lab coat, Bobbi made her way into the kitchen. She stopped at the
refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of Poland Springs water. She unscrewed the
cap and took a swig. Stopping in the middle of the kitchen, the doctor took a
deep breath. I have to admit that I’ve been looking forward to this all day.
She makes me feel like a kid again. I get to experience life for a second time.
With a soft smile on her face, Bobbi made her way into the living room.
Michelle heard the soft footfalls. At first, she craned her neck. Finding it
uncomfortable, the blonde turned to the side as the brunette made her entrance.
Their gazes met, and pale blue widened in surprise upon seeing the undisguised
warmth displayed by the smile and glow of forest green. Something’s changed.
“H--Hi. Did you close the office already?”
“Yeah, it was pretty slow. Only had two patients, and I didn’t want to sit
there all day twiddling my thumbs.” Thrusting her hands into her jean pockets,
Bobbi moved a step closer. “Um, you okay? You seem. . .I don’t know...”
“Just been doing some thinking is all.”
Dark brows drew together in worry, causing a wrinkle in her forehead. “Oh, hope
it wasn’t anything bad.”
Michelle shook her head, unsettling blonde strands. “No, not all of it. I just
wanted to say . . . thank you.” Despite feeling the blush of embarrassment and
shyness, the blonde was determined to hold the pale gaze.
Bobbi felt her hands nervously clench into fists. “For what?” She asked with a
voice laced with confusion.
The blonde searched her mind for the proper words and only came up with one.
“For everything.” She paused. “Especially your friendship. I think I just
realized how much it means to me and how much it has changed me. I’ve learned
so much.”
Floored and flooded with warmth by the admission, Bobbi replied with the
ever ungraceful, “Oh.” The temptation
to look down at her white Reeboks was too great, and Bobbi peered down at her
shuffling feet. A spark of happiness bubbled up inside. It was the affirmation
she had been waiting for. The doctor glanced back up to meet unwavering green.
“Um, so I’m doing it right?” Bobbi chuckled at the perplexed look on the
blonde’s face.
“There’s a right or wrong way?”
The brunette bit her lip but continued to smile slightly. “Don’t know. S’pose
you don’t either?”
“No, I don’t.” Michelle shrugged and switched the remote to the other hand for
the umpteenth time.
“Guess we’re learning together then, huh?” Bobbi took her hands from her
pockets and rubbed them on the top of her thighs. I can’t wait to see what’s
next.
“I guess so.”
The sudden sound of a low growl made them both look down. Bobbi raised her hand
sheepishly, while rubbing her stomach with the other. "Um, that was mine.
Lunch?”
Smiling slightly, Michelle nodded and murmured, “Sandwiches?”
A sable brow raised. “Hey! How did--“ She’s getting to know me. “Mustard
instead of mayo, the last Dr. Pepper and chips, right?”
The blonde nodded with the smile getting a little bigger.
”Good. It’ll be quick and we can get out there and get back in before the
little guy wakes up.” Bobbi turned to go, but a nudge against her leg stopped
her. She glanced down to see dark blue eyes peering up at her. Damn, almost
forgot you were here. With a look of chagrin, the doctor mumbled. “Oh,
sorry, Boy. Forgot about you. Let’s get you some lunch too.”
Taz licked his chops and wuffed quietly, as he followed the brunette into the
kitchen.
A few minutes later, in what had become a ritual for them during most meals,
they sat watching TV in the living room --one on the couch and the other on the
floor a few feet away.
Once outside, Michelle pulled the scarf up to her face to ward off the chilly
air. Trudging and crunching through the snow in the yard, she spied the snow
angels they had made a few days before. The sight brought a smile to her face.
Michelle looked out at the cleared roads and sidewalks, along with the other
houses that still had snow caked to the windows as well as their yards.
Everything seemed so simple, and the past seemed so far away, blighted by the
pleasantries of the present. There’s some places where even your poison
won't touch, Momma, and even you can't spoil this, Max. Not right now, not
today. I’m a survivor. That knowledge alone made her feel a little more
free.
The blonde watched as the doctor sloshed her way to the middle of the yard with
her back to her. For the first time, Michelle felt a mischievous presence
settle itself around her before landing squarely on her shoulders. With
childlike wonder, she allowed the feeling to blossom. Giggles bubbled up from
somewhere deep inside and threatened to spill out. Her heart soared with a
different type of freedom-- that of a child. A playful thought formed in the
blonde’s head as she looked from her gloved hands down to the snow. Bending down quietly, she gathered a handful
of snow and packed it like she had seen other kids do so long ago.
Letting her scarf stay around her neck, Bobbi leaned her head back and took in
a lung full of the frigid air. It was clean, crisp, and shot renewed life
through her body. This is what I need. Everything seems so new to me now.
All I needed was a fresh perspective on things, on life, and now that I have
it, I’ll be damned if I squander it. We’ll both get to experience what we
missed. Coming out of her reverie, Bobbi clapped her hands together in
anticipation as she turned around. “How about doing something diffe--“
A wet, cold, and rather crunchy snowball hit her squarely in the face, and the
sound of lilting laughter greeted her ears. Stunned and blinking the snow out
of her eyes, Bobbi stared into jade green that twinkled with merriment and
wonder. She did not just do what I think she did! Looks like she enjoyed it
too. The doctor spit out a bit of leaf and completed her sentence. “rent.”
Pale blue eyes darkened with challenge and her blood fired with the prospect of
fun and competition. She gave the blonde a slow, feral grin. “I’ll take that as
a challenge.”
Michelle pulled the scarf away from her face and gave the brunette a genuine
smile. Her face was awash with the cold and excitement. This is what you
took away from me, Momma. I'm taking it back piece by piece. She didn’t
know what had possessed her but it flooded her system now. “Um, yeah, I guess
it is,” Michelle responded happily.
Bobbi pursed her lips in thought. “First one to take the other down, wins.”
Almost bursting with newfound joy, Michelle resisted the urge to clap and
prance. “Deal,” she murmured.
Moving as quickly as possible, Bobbi squatted and prepared to make her own
snowballs. Her hands had barely dug in the snow before another one nicked her
right shoulder. The doctor glanced up to see the blonde covering her mouth with
gloved hands in an attempt to stop the squeals of laughter. I’ve never seen
her like this before, but it’s so refreshing. Something really has changed.
The blonde’s excitement suffused Bobbi. A syrupy warmth invaded, leaving her
giddy and pumped with adrenaline. “You’d better run now!” She called out as she
launched her first counterattack. Quick on her feet despite the snow, Michelle
zigzagged around some of the doctor’s best tosses, while her own seemed to
connect time after time. The front yard was alive with the sound of laughter
and squeals, causing some to peek out their windows and doors. They were
ignored. by the two playful women.
Out of breath from laughing, and freezing from the neck up, Bobbi’s last toss
brought her to her knees. She let out a final chuckle as Michelle’s snowball
got[caught OR hit]the side of her head, filtering snow in her ear despite her
hood. Totally breathless and flushed with happiness, the doctor fell backward
into the snow. She let out a contented breath and peered up into the blue sky,
riddled with puffy gray and white clouds. A smile split her cheeks. Her
thoughts and her attention turned inward. Ugh, beaten by a novice. You would
love her Stevie. She’s so full of spirit despite it all, and she’s giving me
mine back. I’ll be able to face you and let you and mom go soon.
Michelle waited patiently for the doctor’s lanky form to pop back up. When she
didn’t, the blonde took a step forward and called out, “B?” There was no
answer. “Bobbi?” The blonde called out the doctor’s name a couple more times
before concern grasped her. I didn’t hit her that hard, did I? Maybe the
cold got to her.
Worry spurred the petite woman into action, she took several more steps
forward. As Michelle got closer, panic set in. She began to wring gloved hands
as her heart beat loud and hard against her ribcage. Breath, harsh and raspy,
whistled in her ears and chest, and the blonde could feel drops of sweat both
on her upper lip and down her back, despite the cold. With growing trepidation,
she took another step forward anyway, putting her less than two feet away from
the brunette. It was the closest she had been to another adult human being in
months and that fact alone left her trembling with fear of the unknown. It’s
just Bobbi. I know now that she would never hurt me. I can do this. She may
need me.
Giving one last ditch effort, Michelle opened her mouth to call out the
doctor’s name one last time--only a shaky croak came out. She gritted her teeth
in disappointment. Green eyes closed, and Michelle called up the image in the
mirror. She reached for it, drawing strength and confidence from deep within.
Her eyes opened slowly and cautiously but without hesitation, the blonde
squatted near her friend’s prone form. With a single gloved hand, she reached
out and touched a thigh, at the same time whispering the brunette’s name.
The heat from the doctor’s body suffused her hand even through the glove,
making her want to snatch it away, but Michelle held fast. Her over active
senses calmed, and forest green eyes traveled up the taller woman’s body until
she connected with surprised azure.
Startled, Bobbi jerked up quickly. She peered from the small hand on her body
to the scared but resigned eyes staring back at her. Her mouth opened and
closed several times before a dumbfounded, “huh” left her lips. It only took a
second to compose herself, but Bobbi continued to stare at the hand, knowing
what it meant, knowing that some obstacle had been hurdled; and, she was in the
middle of it all. Reading the fear in the blonde’s eyes before, the doctor
wanted to engulf the appendage in her own until the look went away but thought
better of it. One wall at a time. “Um, ‘Chelle? Are you okay?”
Michelle blinked and croaked out in a harsh whisper, “Was worried. I--I called
you, but you didn’t answer.”
Bobbi dug a gloved hand into the snow. She was worried about me."Sorry. I was in my own little world." The brunette swallowed and decided to push
things out into the open. “You’re touching me.”
Michelle glanced down at her hand. Insecurity assailed her. “I--is that okay?”
She asked shyly.
Bobbi nodded, “If it is with you. Don’t be scared. It’s okay,” she added
softly. The brunette tried to reassure her with pale eyes and a warbling smile.
It didn’t feel like it was enough, so the doctor decided then and there to push
the envelope, hoping it wouldn’t burn up in her hands. “Um, can I try to touch
you?” Her voice, just on the other side of velvet was gentle, soothing as if
trying to calm a jittery or frightened child. Eyes on the verge of panic stared
back at her. “Shh, it’s okay. I won’t hurt you. You know that, right?”
Michelle swallowed hard and nodded. “I k--know, but it’s just that they were
always hitting me. I don’t remember anyone just touching me before. It’s scary.
Um, friend’s touch each other though, right?”
Holding the green gaze, with a soft smile, Bobbi answered, “Yeah, they do,
and we are.”
“It’s okay then?” The blonde’s voice shook with nervousness and leftover fear.
“Yeah, everything is okay now.”
“I--I guess I can try.” Her eyes pleaded for gentleness.
Bobbi gave it to her. With gloved encased fingertips, she traced the back of
Michelle’s hand. Their eyes locked and she noticed the blonde’s body tensing,
as if getting ready to bolt. “It’s okay, ‘Chelle. It’s me. It’s just me.”
Michelle cringed inside in anticipation. She waited for the fire of fear and
pain to come. Splitting her attention between the gloved hand and blue eyes,
the blonde whispered silently to herself to ward off impending doom, “She won’t
hurt me. She’s Bobbi.”
The feelings never came. A solid warmth took their place. She whimpered in
surprise and met silver-blue eyes with wonder. Seeing the feelings chase
themselves across the blonde’s face and knowing they were good, Bobbi engulfed
the hand with hers. Even though she had never been a touchy feely person, this
felt as natural as breathing. The look of wonderment on the blonde’s face made
the doctor smile in response.
Michelle waited another beat. The world didn’t end, and the pain still didn’t
come. Realization hit hard, reaffirming what she had learned about the brunette
so far. “You won’t hurt me,” she said with conviction and confidence.
Bobbi’s smile widened, and she squeezed the hand under hers. She knows now.
She really knows. “No. Never.”
Relief flooded her being and added to the freedom that she had already
attained. For the first time, Michelle knew what truth looked like. It was
shining in pale blue. “I believe you.” She felt like she was soaring. The
blonde threw her head back and laughed, enjoying the freedom of it. “I
believe!” She shouted.
Bobbi watched in amazement. “I believe too,” she whispered. The brunette let
the laughter and heat surround her. She reveled in it, letting it lift her and
feeling her spirit become stronger because of it.
The cold dampness of the snow began to seep in. Bobbi ignored it for as long as
she could, but the clammy feeling on the backs of her thighs was more than she
could stand. The laughter stopped, but the contentment was still there in the
form of a full smile that wrinkled the blonde’s nose and crinkled the skin
around her eyes. The brunette had no choice; she smiled back. Their gazes locked,
and the growing bonds of friendship solidified just a little bit more.
Bobbi squeezed the hand under hers in apology as she murmured, “I don’t know
about you, but I’m getting soaked.” With a grunt, she pushed herself up,
bringing Michelle with her. “Come on, we can talk more inside.” She glanced
toward the house, seeing a set of ears and eyes through the glass door. “Plus,
Taz is looking kind of pitiful or he’s trying to tell us something.”
Michelle chuckled lightly and took her hand away to dust the snow away from her
knees. The weight against the appendage was instantly missed, but she was
hesitant about asking for its return. She didn’t know how yet. Instead, the
blonde followed closely behind the doctor as she headed back toward the front
door. She glanced back at the snow. For years, the whiteness meant terror, but
piece by piece it began to foster her salvation. I’m winning myself back.
Deep down, I knew I could, but it became more of a reality today. I believe
that too.
They trudged into the house after stomping snow from their boots on the welcome
mat outside. Taz pranced around them excitedly. Bobbi snickered. “Yeah, I think
that he was trying to tell us something. He probably needs to go out.”
Michelle peered lovingly into the nearby crib, seeing groggy blue-green eyes
staring back at her. “He was trying to tell us that Toby was waking up too.”
Bobbi glanced down into the crib with a smile. “Hey, Peanut.” The little boy
gurgled and blew a spit bubble before chewing on his fist. “Mmm, my guess is
the little guy needs changing and food.” Shrugging out of her coat and other
things, she turned back to look at the blonde still encased in the green coat
and all the accessories. “I’ll change him, and you can take Mr. Dance Fever
out. Okay?”
Without hesitation, Michelle murmured, “Okay.” She gave a short whistle and Taz
followed her back out the door.
Bobbi threw her coat and all on the nearby couch. She went back toward the
bassinet and happily scooped Toby up. She grabbed one of the diapers from the nearby bag and sauntered back
over to the couch. Lying him down, she put a pillow beside him for his own
protection. Bobbi unsnapped the Onesie with infinite skill. “Hey, Peanut. I
know you probably know this already, but you’ve got one hell of a mom. I think
that she’s gonna raise one hell of a man. Your mom has come a long way, and
watching her has helped me a lot. I hope she knows that.” The doctor cleaned
his bottom with the help of a wipe.
“We need to do right by her. She deserves it.” She powdered him and pinned the
new diaper in place. Bobbi leaned down and kissed a raised foot. “I’m getting
hooked on you guys. You know that, right?” Bobbi looked down into the cherub
like face. “I really am, and if your mom trusts me with you then I know that I’m
doing something right.” The brunette rubbed a flailing fist until it opened and
closed around her finger. “She crossed a big bridge today. You shoulda seen
her. It was contagious. It was like some weight had been lifted. She’s learning
that it’s okay to be happy.”
Michelle watched from the door. She couldn’t hear, but she saw the little
kisses as well as the brunette’s lips moving. The same warmth that she felt
when she and Bobbi held hands engulfed her. It was a feeling so new that it
equally frightened her as well as entranced her. I’ve never seen anybody
else be that way with him. Someone cares for us. Please, God, don’t take it
away. She wanted to cry with joy, but decided that any large outburst of
emotion would jinx everything. Inside, she celebrated.
The soft wuff and the push against her calf brought her back. She glanced down
at the Husky. “I told her, Boy.”
”Wuff!”
Michelle smiled. “Yeah, you’re right a lot.” She paused. “Come on, let’s go
inside.”
The blonde entered to find Bobbi cradling Toby to her chest. “Hey,” Michelle
said softly as she leaned against the couch arm.
Bobbi looked up with a smile. “Hi. He’s all dry, if you want to go ahead and
take him.”
Michelle bit her lip and nodded toward the display. “He looks pretty
comfortable where he is.”
The doctor chuckled, “Well, me and the Peanut have an understanding. We’ve
talked a few times since you guys have been here.” Bobbi paused and swallowed.
It was a big step, but it felt right. “I think we’d enjoy talking a little
more. Um, I could help out with him if you let me. Watch him while you’re on
the computer, reading, sleep or something.” Her voice trailed off softly.
Silence lapsed between them, and Bobbi peered into green in hopes of reading
them. They sparkled with something new and unfamiliar. “Uhm, it was just a
thought. You don’t have to...”
“Yes,” she murmured so low Bobbi couldn’t be sure she heard it.
“Yeah?” The blonde smiled slightly and her head nodded. “Oh. Uhm, okay.”
Michelle glanced down at her feet, then back up again. “Uh, can I tell you
something?”
The seriousness in the green gaze got Bobbi’s attention. “Sure. Go ahead.”
“I, uh, was standing at the door, and I saw you holding him and talking to
him.” Her voice was thick with emotion. “No one. . .” She felt the tears coming
even though she promised herself not to get overly emotional. “Uh, no one’s
ever. . .treated him like that, not his father or his grandparents. It was like
he was some kind of property to them, you know? Something to be owned." The tears came freely now. “T--Thank you for
this.” Ashamed, she wiped at the tears with the back of her hand.
Feeling that she was finally free to do so, Bobbi reached out. With only a
fraction of hesitation, the small, damp hand was captured by her larger one.
“Oh, Chelle. He’s a special little guy. All of you, uhm, it means a lot. .
.that you’re here.” She squeezed the hand in hers for emphasis.
Again, Michelle saw the truth staring her in the face. “Thank you so much.”
“No problem. I mean that.”
The blonde smiled through her drying tears. “I know you do.”
“Good.” She lifted Toby away from her chest. “I should really give him to you
so you can go feed him.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I can just go warm him a bottle. I expressed some milk earlier.
I can sit here and feed him.”
“Okay. Well, I’ll keep him till then.”
Alone with the only males in her house, Bobbi glanced down at Taz, who lay near
her feet. “You know, it’s been a long time since I was attached to males of any
species. How did you two get in? You didn’t play fair did you?”
“Wuff!”
“Smart ass!”
Bobbi kept one eye and ear on the TV and the other on Michelle, who sat a few
feet away. She watched as the blonde disappeared into a world that only
contained mother and son, and listened to the soft melody that the petite woman
hummed all the while. I didn’t know it would feel like this to know someone
trusted me again. She’s getting comfortable with me, and it makes me feel
almost ten feet tall. It’s like I could conquer it all, and that’s a heady
feeling to have. I don’t want it to stop.
After a while, the hum faded into a soft whisper. Looking with both eyes, she
saw that Toby had again lapsed into sleep. The green gaze caught hers, and
Bobbi looked away hurriedly, suddenly embarrassed.
Even though she was confused by her friend’s actions, Michelle let it pass.
“Um, it’s my turn to fix dinner tonight. I was thinking about pork chops. . .
Bobbi groaned inwardly. She had forgotten about dinner with Shelia. Playing
catch- up didn’t seem so exciting anymore, but dinner was dinner. “Uhm, I sorta
already have plans. An old acquaintance came by. She’s visiting a relative, and
it’s been years since I’ve seen her. I was gonna go over there, and--”
“Oh,” Michelle whispered. She glanced down at the top of her son’s head then up
again. The feelings of disappointment flummoxed her, and it showed on her face.
I guess that I’m so used to her being here all the time. I just didn’t
think. . . “Um, okay. That’s fine.”
Feeling instantly like a heel, Bobbi strongly considered going with the urge to
cancel, but a little voice nagged her that ‘maybe it’s good to make other
friends, maybe it’s good to put into practice what you’ve learned.’ Maybe.
“Will you be okay here by yourself?”
The question irritated the blonde, and she searched for the reasons why. A
frown tugged on her lips, creating a crease in her forehead. It’s almost
like she’s talking to a child. I’m not one. I know when I first got here there
was so much I didn’t know, but I’m not a child. Determination and bravado
rose inside her, pushing her chin and chest out. “We’ll be fine. It’s not like
we haven’t been alone before,” Michelle answered crisply.
A dark brow raised at the frostiness in the blonde’s voice. Whoa, all that
assertion. Glad it’s coming out, but not at me. “I didn’t mean it like
that, but okay. Um, will it be okay if I give you a call just for my piece of
mind?”
Michelle deflated a little, but not much. “Yeah, I guess.”
Bobbi glanced at her watch. “Well, I’m gonna try to get a quick nap in before I
go. Come on in if you need anything, okay?”
Feeling slightly ashamed, Michelle only nodded her acquiescence.
Chapter 18
Freshly showered, the brunette decided on a spray of Casmir instead of the
usual Tommy Girl. After redressing her shoulder, Bobbi pulled on the pair of
chinos and struggled to get into the print sweater without mussing her hair
that she decided to let hang loose. Despite her pains to get ready for her
dinner with Shelia, the brunette’s heart wasn’t in it. She listened to the blonde’s laughter at something
on TV. I’d much rather be doing that, but I think I need this dry run with
Shelia to see if I can be open and all that stuff. With a sigh, she sat
down on the bed and put on ankle length, black leather boots. Not even gazing
at her appearance in the mirror, Bobbi grabbed her beeper and cell phone.
Throwing one in her pocket and clipping the other to her waist, she made her
way into the living room.
Michelle looked away from the episode of “Family Matters” and glanced at the
brunette. “Um, I guess it’s that time, huh?”
Bobbi shrugged then nodded. “Yeah. I’ll only be gone for a couple of hours.”
“It’s okay.” Michelle looked down at her hands as they wrung in her lap. “Uh,
listen, I’m sorry about the way I acted earlier--”
Bobbi held up a hand. “It’s okay. I think I understand. I need to remind myself
that you’re not the same person who walked in here a couple months ago. I think
you called me out rather well.” The brunette grinned, hoping to get a ghost of
a smile. She got one.
Bobbi walked to the end table that held the phone. She picked up a pen and
scribbled on a blank portion of a menu. “This is my pager and cell numbers, and
the third number is the number here. If you page me just follow the voice
instructions, okay? But, I will call you as soon as I can. I’ll let it ring
twice then call again, so you’ll know that it’s me.”
“You don’t have to do all that.”
“Yeah, I do, just to be on the safe side.” Bobbi grabbed her still-damp coat
from off the end of the couch, where she left it. “Okay, I’m off. I’ll be back
before you know it.”
“Okay.” Not knowing what else to do, Michelle raised her hand and gave a little
wave as the doctor made her way to the door. After the door closed, the blonde
peered at her still raised hand. She cringed. “Even I know that was really
geeky.”
Taz stood up, placing his paws on her thigh. “Wuff!”
Green eyes turned to slits as her gaze met the Husky’s. “What did you say?”
***
A few blocks away, Bobbi let herself out of the Cherokee and looked at the
number on the plain white house, surrounded by a garden that had frozen over
long ago. I didn’t even know she had an aunt around here. Guess I didn’t
care to.
The doctor sauntered up the walkway and rang the doorbell without hesitation.
After a few seconds, sporting a friendly smile and the same kind of attire,
Shelia opened the door.
“Hey, come on in.” She moved back and to the side to admit the brunette.
The smell of mothballs and pot roast assaulted her senses, making her nose
twitch. Strange combination. I don’t want to smell it again anytime soon.
Bobbi glanced around the living room to see the furniture covered in plastic,
including the coffee table. She chanced a look at the redhead.
Shelia chuckled, “She’s a little strange, but harmless. I would love for you to
meet her, but she’s napping right now. Although she might wake-up before you
leave.”
“That’s not a threat is it?” Bobbi asked with a raised brow.
The redhead laughed outright. “No, no wait until you taste my pot roast. That’s
the threat.”
The doctor displayed a mock shiver. “See, now you’re scaring me.”
Shelia swatted her shoulder. “Go sit down, you. Dinner is almost ready. I just
have to set the table.”
Bobbi made her way to the couch. The plastic protested loudly, as she tried to
make herself comfortable. She cringed, but called out to the other woman’s
retreating back. “You need some help?”
"No, almost done!” There was a pause. “You know, I sort of expected you to cancel on me. You would
have in the past. Isn’t this a bit too intimate for you?”
Feeling no need to lie, the brunette responded honestly. “I almost did, but it
didn’t have anything to do with that!” Bobbi’s ears perked-up at the sound of
muffled footsteps.
Shelia peeked out the doorway “Oh”? You really have changed. I didn’t
expect honesty.”
Pale blue met brown. “I never lied to you.
“You never told me anything either.”
Azure eyes turned sad. “I know, and I’m sorry about that.”
Brown eyes widened in surprise. “What’s happened to you?” She asked softly.
Bobbi let out a deep breath and bark of laughter as she swept her bangs back
with an errant hand. “Let’s just say my life sorta changed overnight.”
Shelia smiled softly. “For the better I’d say.”
“Me too.” Pale eyes stared far and away, then looked down at her hands.
Crossing her arms over her chest, Shelia leaned against the wall. Curiosity got
the better of her. “Seeing someone?”
The doctor snickered. “No. I just, uh, opened myself to new friendships.”
The redhead pushed away from the wall. “Good for me. It’s about time.” After a
few seconds, light brown eyes darkened with sadness. “I heard about your dad.
I’m sorry, Bobbi.”
The brunette swallowed and clamped down on the unexpected surge of regret. “Uh,
yeah thanks. There’s a lot of water left under that bridge, you know?”
Shelia’s expression remained sad. “No, I don’t. Maybe you’ll tell me about it
someday?”
Lashes blinked rapidly in order to clear leftover emotion from pale blue.
“Yeah, maybe I will.”
The redhead waved her toward the dining room. “Come on. Soup’s on.”
Despite the overdone pot roast, Bobbi found herself laughing about the plastic
tablecloth, among other things, and having an enjoyable time, but her eyes were
drawn to her watch every few minutes. She glanced at it again, but continued
talking to play it off. “So how’s the computer business-- and tell me about
this new woman in your life.”
Shelia wound her hand in a nonchalant gesture. “You know it’s same-old, same-
old. Reggie livens it up though.”
Bobbi stabbed at a potato. “Oh, how so?”
Shelia leaned in as if she were about to divulge a deep, dark secret. “Well,
don’t you dare laugh at the cliché, but she’s my new admin assistant.” Her face
flushed, and she rubbed her cheeks in embarrassment. “I don’t know, B. She just
swept me off my feet, and that’s not an easy thing to do by any means.”
“I bet.” Again, her eyes found her watch. I
wonder what she’s doing? Probably laughing at some show. God, I’ll never forget
the first morning I heard her laugh. It was nice to have it in the house again.
Disturbed by the far-away look in the brunette’s eyes, and her lack of
attentiveness, Shelia asked quietly, “Bobbi? Where are you?”
Surprised by the question, the doctor met her friend’s eyes. “Huh, what do you
mean?”
The redhead squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. “I mean, that I
admire your ability to split your attention between two things, but you’re
obviously not where you want to be. And, if you stare at your watch one more
time, I’m gonna stab you with my fork!”
Bobbi chuckled ruefully. “I’m sorry. Its just that. . .ah, can I use your
phone?”
Shelia waited a beat for more information. When she saw that none was
forthcoming, she pointed back toward the living room.
Bobbi wiped her mouth with a napkin and muttered a ‘thanks’. She went into the
living room and sat on the crunchy love seat as she called home. I hope
she’s okay.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After having a long talk with her son, Michelle fed him and put him down for
another nap. Now, Toby knew what his mother had accomplished today. With
excited utterances, Michelle shared each and every detail as if it happened
only a minute ago instead of several hours. She told him of her newfound sense
of hope, freedom, and understanding, and the blonde explained how she was going
to try to pass it on to him. Michelle informed Toby of the good she found in
Bobbi; of the things she learned from the brunette; and of the things she hoped
to learn in the future.
Toby seemed to hold her eyes the whole time and even responded with subtle coos
around the fist in his mouth. Smiling at his gurgling, grinning form, she
finally fed and sang to him, leaving her and Taz alone with just the murmur of
the TV. The house felt empty somehow. Michelle was used to having the Bobbi
nearby, and the doctor’s presence lingered with her tonight. The feeling was
there with her now, but fainter, weaker. Things didn’t feel the same. I
guess that I’ve gotten so used to having her around. I think I miss her.
Michelle peered down at the Husky, whose head found a home on one of her bare
feet. “Do you, Taz? Miss her?”
He glanced upward and wuffed gently.
“Yeah, everything does seem different.”
She let out a breath and picked up the remote. She should have been reading,
but the urge just wasn’t there at the moment. Instead, the blonde flipped
through the channels in hopes of finding something interesting. She finally
settled on the movie The Howling that was already half way
through, according to the information blinking on the TV screen.
Folding her legs up under her, Michelle jumped and cringed during the scary
parts. Learning fast, she picked up a pillow to cover her face during the next
gory scene. The blonde growled and squealed in outrage when the main male
character cheated on his wife with a she-wolf then smirked in satisfaction as
he realized what he was becoming. Later on, the petite woman stood up and
exclaimed, “Dammit!” when she realized the main character was bitten by her
‘dead’ husband.
By the time the female newscaster was on the air, revealing that she was a
werewolf, Michelle was in tears, especially when the woman’s friend shot her to
put her out of her misery. The credits were rolling, and Michelle was still
dabbing at her eyes. The shrill ring of the phone startled her, and she picked
it up without thinking. Sniffing through her tears, she murmured, “H--Hello?”
“You didn’t wait for my special rings,” Bobbi
responded briskly.
The blonde sniffed again. “S--sorry.”
Sable brows raised as she realized her friend was crying. Her heart picked up
in alarm. “Chelle, you okay? Are you crying?"
"It was sad”, was Michelle’s only reply.
“Talk to me. What’s sad? Is Toby okay?"
“She died!”
The doctor’s voice rose an octave in distress, “Who died! I’m coming home!” Her
grip on the phone turned white-knuckled, and she jumped up and scanned the
living room for her coat.
“That son-of-a bitch cheated on her, then bit her!” She sobbed. The blonde
reached down to hug Taz, who had nearly jumped up on the couch to see to his
mistress.
Bobbi sat back down with a crunchy thump as confusion assailed her. Her brow wrinkled heavily in response and she
rubbed her forehead to ease her apprehension. “Chelle? What are you talking
about?”
"And then her friend had to shoot her because
she turned into a werewolf on TV.”
“Michelle, calm down and talk to me. What’s
going on over there?”
The blonde hiccupped, “The movie. I told you it was sad.”
Bobbi sighed with relief and held back a stress-relieving chuckle. Such a
big heart that even things on TV affect her. “Chelle, it’s okay,” the
brunette added softly. “It’s just a movie. How about I rent something funny,
and buy some more popcorn and Dr. Pepper before I come home. I’ll have you
laughing in no time.”
“R--really?” Michelle wiped at her leaking nose and felt her mood start to
lighten.
“Yeah, really. I’ll be home in about thirty minutes, okay.” Her whole body
sagged as she let out a long sigh.
“I’m taking you away from your dinner. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to.”
Bobbi smiled into the phone. “It’s okay. I’d rather. . .I’ll be home in a
little while.” Sensing eyes on her, the doctor glanced upward to see the
redhead standing in the doorway. Pale eyes gleamed with apology.
“O--okay. I guess I’ll see you in a little bit.” Her mood lightened a little
more.
The brunette whispered, ‘bye’ and hung up the phone. She met Shelia’s eyes.
“I’m sorry. I was having a nice time."
Shelia shook her head in interruption. “Is that…that the new friendship you
were speaking of?” She asked with a smirk.
“Yeah. She’s
staying with me.”
“She?” Brown eyes bucked.
“No, it’s not like that,” Bobbi denied vehemently.
Shelia held up her hands. “It’s okay. You don’t have to explain. I was having a
good time too. I would really like to get to know the new you. She really seems
like someone I’d want to befriend.”
The brunette flushed with the compliment. “You think so?”
“Yeah. You used to have this coldness about you B. It’s not there anymore.”
Bobbi gave her a genuine smile. “Thanks. I think I really needed to hear that.”
The redhead’s face screwed in mock disgust. “Look at you getting all mushy.
You’d better hurry up and get outta here.”
The doctor chuckled. “I’m going. I’m going.”
Shelia escorted her friend to the door. “Maybe next time, B. I’ll get to know
the new you a little better.”
Bobbi turned as she began to shrug on her coat. She offered her hand but
decided on a hug instead. “I think I’d like that.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bobbi got out of the jeep, pulling the bags containing, There’s Something
About Mary, microwave popcorn, and a six pack of Dr. Pepper. She smiled
and found that she was looking forward to the next few hours of quiet time in
her own house with a friend. The brunette chuckled. I bet she’s gonna be
embarrassed as hell when I walk in there. Poor thing. The situation would be
almost funny if she hadn’t scared me half to death. Her thoughts turned to
Shelia. But the earlier part of the night was worth it. I’m really not who I
used to be and that’s good to know.
She let herself in and found the blonde on the couch, basically where she’d
been when she left. Green eyes glanced
up, then skittered away, back to the cooing baby in her arms. Taz greeted the
doctor with a nudge. Bobbi patted his head affectionately as she made her way
over to the couch. She peered down at the top of the blonde woman’s head until
embarrassed jade eyes met pale ones. The gaze only stayed for a second before
scattering again.
“Um, Toby woke up a few minutes ago. I guess all the crying...” Michelle glanced up again as if testing
the waters and found amused azure staring back. “Um, sorry?” She added
sheepishly.
With a smirk firmly in place, Bobbi added, “No more werewolves?”
Feeling relieved, Michelle exhibited a small smile of her own. “Uh, no they’re
all gone.” I can’t believe that I acted like that. No more horror movies for
me, but it feels good to know that she
was so concerned.
The brunette grinned full out. “Okay, then. Let me go change into my comfy
clothes, and we can get the movie started. I think you’ll like it.” She made
her way around the table toward her bedroom. “Oh I got you some things as
promised. Why don’t you do the popcorn and drinks. I’ll be right back.”
A few minutes later, clad in familiar black Nike shorts and a white t-shirt,
Bobbi stared at the big bowl of popcorn and the bottle of Amstel Light that sit
not far from the Dr. Pepper in front of the couch on the table. “Are you sure?
I don’t want to crowd you or anything,” she asked gently. Touching her and
invading her space can be two different things. I hope I don’t scare her away.
Michelle nodded. “It’s okay. I think. There’s plenty of room for the both of
us.” I have to see if I can really do this. For the first time, when someone
reached out to me, I didn’t see Max’s face snarling back at me. I need to see
if this is for real.
Tentative, aware of the blonde not far from her, Bobbi sat on the edge of the
couch cushion. She glanced at Michelle with a question in her eyes. “Okay?”
She waited for the flash of fear, but
like earlier-- outside, it didn’t happen. All the pain took another step back, and with open arms, she welcome the
growing promise of today. The petite blonde nodded nervously. “Okay.” She
paused. “Um, I already put the DVD in, so all you have to do is push play.”
“It’s okay. You can do the honors.”
Bobbi took a swig of her beer and scooted back a little. As she suspected, the
blonde howled with laughter from the beginning to the outtakes at the end,
making Taz slink into one of the bedrooms in search of silence. Not wanting the
night to end, Bobbi put in another movie only to look over half way through it
to see Michelle sleeping with Toby, lying on her chest, and doing the same. The
display warmed her heart but Michelle’s position, with her neck arched against
the couch arm looked uncomfortable. Getting up, careful to not make a sound,
the doctor leaned over the duo. She called the blonde’s name softly several
times, but it did not work. Having no other recourse, the brunette reached out
a hand and shook the smaller woman gently.
Michelle sucked in a deep breath and bolted upright in fright. Instinct made
her clasp her hands to her chest, protecting Toby from a fall.
Bobbi raised her hands in peace and moved back a step. “It’s just me. Why don’t
you go get in bed.”
Groggy, the blonde rubbed at her eyes with a free hand. “Sorry,” she said
hoarsely. “Just not used to this yet.”
”It’s okay. Off to bed with you two.”
”But, I’ll miss the movie,” she almost whined.
”It’s okay. Another time.”
“’Kay.” Still gangly with sleep, Michelle struggled to get up with the precious
package on her chest.
“Here, I’ll get him and follow you.”
“Kay.” Lying still, Michelle watch through hooded eyes as the brunette scooped
her son up in her arms.
Huddling her quarry to her chest, Bobbi reached out the other hand to help the
blonde up. With only slight hesitation, Michelle took it. Quietly, with the
sleeping baby in her arms and pulling the crib behind her, Bobbi followed the
other woman.
Michelle mumbled to Taz, who moved off the bed as the blonde pulled the covers
back. With sweat pants and all, she climbed in, barely acknowledging it when
the Husky jumped back into the bed.
Bobbi laid the slumbering child into the bassinet and pushed it close to the
bed. “No pj’s?”
Michelle looked up at the brunette through crossed eyes. “Mmm, too tired.”
The taller woman snickered lightly. “Okay, see you in the morning.” She was met
with silence. She peered at the now sleeping woman and whispered, “Sweet
dreams, Chelle.” Bobbi exited and decided to head for her own bed. It had been
a day of discovery, and this explorer, like the other one, was dead tired.
**********
Leaning back in the receptionist’s chair once again, Bobbi found herself in the
same predicament, clockwatching and bored. “Ugh, I’ve got to get out of here
for a while. I wonder if Michelle will want to go.” Holding on to the idea, the
doctor jumped up and closed the office quickly in order to beat possible
interruptions.
She found the blonde in the den on the computer.
”Hey, you three up for a little adventure?”
Michelle tore her eyes away from the computer screen to glance at the brunette.
“Don’t know; depend on what it is.”
“Well how about I
show you the neighborhood along with where the stores and stuff are for when
you start driving the jeep on a regular basis.”
Part of her wanted to jump at the chance, but the other part, “I don’t know.
What if…”
“We’ll stay in the jeep. No one will see you unless you want them to.”
“Um, okay. I think I can do that.”
Bobbi clapped her hands in delight. “Great, let’s get you both bundled up and
ready to cruise.”
It was another day and time for new discoveries.
*************
Beatrice woke that morning having made a decision. It seemed to be the only
way. My grandson will be not raised as a monster. A news-- broadcast would
pretty much ensure that. I’d rather not see him again. She passed by her
son’s room and heard him moving around. Her eyes closed. “I’m so sorry Max, so
sorry. If I could make it all right, I would.” She walked on, heading toward
the kitchen with full knowledge of the danger she faced and its possible
consequences.
Tying the ratty half-apron around her customary skirt and tucked-in blouse,
Beatrice started breakfast. Her husband would be down soon.
Max Sr. grumbled as he sat at the table. He hated waiting. Making him wait
carried a penalty. He sipped his orange juice as his mind wondered. “Shit!” The
juice was ice cold, making his teeth and gums sting. She knew that he liked his
orange juice lukewarm. That mistake was punishable too. Max Sr. glared at his
wife with dark eyes as she made her way toward him carrying a plate of eggs.
Beatrice took each step slowly. She prayed to a god she hadn’t talked to in
years for the welfare of her grandson, and she asked for forgiveness for all
the wrongs she had perpetuated against her own son knowingly and otherwise. I
have to do this. I don’t matter anymore. I have to protect what I can, who I
can. She stopped in front of her husband. He grabbed her wrist in a bruising
grip, but she pushed on. Without hesitation, she dumped the plate of hot eggs
in his lap.
The first smack was so hard that her teeth rattled, and the pain was just as
intense. In his rage, Max Sr. forgot himself and went for her face. Somewhere
deep inside, the real Beatrice folded in on herself into a little ball. There,
she felt nothing as punch after punch pummeled her. With learned patience, she
waited, knowing he would leave afterward, and she could put her plan into
action.
Still groggy from sleep, Max Jr. heard the blows, but they didn’t register
until he saw it with his own eyes. He stood in the kitchen doorway and watched
as his mother took blow after blow. Blood leaked from her busted lip and nose,
but still she made no sound. That fact alone enraged him. He wanted to grab
her, shake her, and scream, “Do something! Why didn’t you ever do something!”
Max’s body shook with anger, and he swallowed the bile that burned its way up
his throat. Eyes so like his own met
him. He saw the same anger there, but something was different about it. His
father’s eyes seemed to scream. “You’re nothing! Nothing!” The anger died as quickly as it came, and
without a word, Max Jr. left through the front door.
Beatrice dragged herself up from the floor. Her whole body screamed in pain,
but she was alone. She held the apron up to her dripping lip, and eyed the
phone. It seemed so far away, but she started the long trek toward it, limping
all the way. Finally, she reached the phone and tiredly punched in three numbers.
“H--hello? I would like to file a compliant. M--my husband hit me.” A few
minutes later, she made her way back to the table and sat down in the chair her
husband had abandoned. With a mighty groan of pain, she rested her body and
waited.
The knock at the kitchen door came only fifteen minutes later, but her heart
dropped when she saw who it was. Inside, she sobbed. Clemy, and old friend of
Max’s stared back at her through the glass. Inside, the rest of her died, as he
pleaded with her not to file the report, not to press charges. When that didn’t
work, he flat out refused. Long minutes later, he left her there; broken,
battered, and without hope.
Thanks for reading let me know what you thought. Drop me some lines at Minerva
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