Second Street // Part Six

A Story by David

Second Street

Part Six

Danny and Sonny George were on a roll at their game, lots of hooting and hollering while Charlie and Andy stayed in the kitchen and continued talking. She poured them each another glass of wine. Charlie asked how long they had been married? Twelve years was the answer. Danny seems like a good guy, he said to her. Well if your someone other than me, he may be came the reply. Charlie tilted his head and looked at her quizzically. She looked at him for a moment and was silent a few seconds before saying, you really don’t want to know. Charlie stared back at her for a moment and could see the hurt in her eyes. You know your’re about the only normal one around here. If you ever want someone to talk to, I am a good listener and never reveal secrets. She studied his face for a minute and put her hand to his cheek.

You know I had a stroke a while back. Instead of taking me directly to the hospital, Danny had to make several stops, taking more than an hour before finally getting me there. The doctors said I was lucky. Charlie settled back against the counter and listened intently. He took a sip of wine and did not say a word, he did not want to disrupt her thoughts. She could see he was listening intently and went on. Ever since the day we married it has just gotten worse. On my wedding night he got so drunk and just fell asleep. He tends to attract a lot of losers and doesn’t see them for what they are. I was apprehensive of you coming over thinking probably just another loser but you seem to have a decent heart. She could see that she had all his attention and proceeded.

About six months after we were married, Danny brought some of his low life friends over for drinks expecting me to wait on them hand and foot. His brother Sonny included. It wasn’t long before Sonny, who is a real pig by the way, made some remark about me getting fat. God, I was only one hundred twenty pounds at the time. Danny was half drunk and chimed in . Yeah sure looks like it, doesn’t it? He got up and went and got a tape measure, came back and was measuring my thighs in front of all these bums. Making fun of me. Even worse , Sonny hates women and thinks they should only marry for procreation. Fact is he’s queer and likes to diddle little boys. He’s married twice now but still has sex with boys. Christ he even molested Danny when they were kids. He’s always preaching about women and how evil they are, can’t trust them. I was just so hurt told him I was leaving. He said good. Then he tried to talk one of these guys into taking me home! Take her and just do what you want. I had no place to go but had to get the hell out of there so I went with him. He turned out to be fairly kind and never bothered me. I was scared shitless. Charlie shook his head in deep regret but still said nothing. He poured more wine in her glass. Andy, get in here and bring some beers was the order shouted from the other room. She grabbed a six pack and brought it to them, thinking with a six pack she would be left alone a bit longer. It actually was giving her some relief talking with Charlie. She returned to the kitchen. Everything ok, Charlie asked? Yeah, they’ll be at those damned games a good long time. They don’t even remember you’re here. I really don’t know how you put up with this he said.

It gets worse all the time but I have nowhere to go. He never gives me any money and If I really need something I have to beg him endlessly until he either gets sick of listening and gives in or threatens to give me a good slap. He’ll go and help that drug dealer next door or the meth head w***e out back but if I need something too bad.

Hell, there was a time he took us fishing. We went to a fishing hole he has used for a long time. I was tired and tried to take a rest. He found a couple snakes somewhere and spent the next twenty minutes putting those slimy things all over me. He knew I was petrified of snakes but just would not stop. Even holding me down and dangling the damned thing in my face! Right about then this guy came out of the woods. His name was Ken and was after his dog. That animal was beautiful and was called Whistle. This guy was tall and scary looking. You could smell that chemical smell from meth all over him. It was overpowering! Well Danny as usual was drinking heavy and invited this guy to the house. This guy followed me around a lot. It made me really nervous, I was never happy to see him coming, just in fear. There was one day Danny insisted the three of us go to a nearby dam. The path we were on was very narrow and difficult to negotiate. Danny got pretty far ahead almost out of sight, never looking back. I tried to keep up as best I could. Suddenly I was just swept up and Ken held me very tightly. I thought he was going to drag me into the woods and rape me. Danny would never know. Fortunately he took me to Danny.

There was one time Danny and I were laying on the sofa. He was asleep. I was on the outside of the couch. I heard the door open and pretended to be asleep. I knew it was Ken because of the nasty smell of glue he had been huffing. He sat in the chair next to me and the next thing I knew he had his nasty hands all over my breasts, feeling me up. This guy was so mean and nasty I pretended to stay asleep not knowing what might happen. I couldn’t believe the balls on this guy! Knowing Danny , he probably would have just given me to him and said it was my fault. This disgusting ape had done real prison time but I never knew why. All I know is that I was death fully afraid anytime he came around and wanted him to go away, disappear or even get arrested just to keep him away.

Charlie could see the tears welling up in her eyes as she spoke. He moved forward and put his arms around her neck and gave her a comforting hug. I’m so sorry he said. He could feel her body shaking from the relating of these horrific stories. He imagined he was the first person she had been able to speak to in a very long, long time. She did not pull away, feeling a human touch for the first time in twelve years. Her words had come as a once in a lifetime flood. Unstoppable and a torrent to wash away all in its way. She pulled away and leaned against the counter. She grabbed the wine and poured more for each of them. Charlie felt like crying for her but knew that would just make things worse for her. I am so sorry that I troubled you with all this. It has just become my life and there is just no way out of it for me. Once in awhile I get in a lick, like dinner tonight but I’ll end up paying for that. Charlie could hear the jovial mood from the living room. He was amazed that his host never realized he was still here and probably didn’t care. The game too overpowering for the thoughts of a Trogladite. He was having a hard time reconciling the temporary joy in the living room with the everlasting pain in the kitchen. He told her , Andy, if you ever need someone to talk to or even have a drink or cup of coffee, please feel free, in fact I insist, you knock on my door, or call me. There was a kind of relief on her face and he saw it. He was glad she opened up and felt he may have helped in some small way. I should go he said. I have school early and have not been getting there in time. If I don’t watch it I’ll get canned. She was small and had to get on her tip toes to give him a peck on the cheek. Thank you so much, she said. I feel so much better! Good night and tell Danny thanks for dinner, even though it was all you. I actually thought it was pretty funny once I knew what was going on. Yeah it was huh? She wished him good night and walked him to the door. Remember! Call or come over any time, I will be there. She nodded and he slipped from the house. As he walked the short walk to his door he could hear the prolific, profane rants coming from the trailer. He opened the door went in and turned on the radio. He turned it up a bit to compensate for the howling from the back yard. He poured himself a large Jack sitting at the table and found his journal. He started writing and as he did was simply baffled by the inhumanity all around him, even when some seemed initially normal. The pain caused and never a single thought given, just selfish thoughts and feelings. The baseless ownership of a marriage managed and controlled through money and mental manipulation. He was disgusted! He put his journal away, poured one more Jack and found his way to his plastic bubble. His sleep was fitful.