Chapter 18
Eighteen
September 7
“Thanks, Isa. Business sure has picked up since you started here.” The register rings as Jeff closes out the cash drawer. “Let me walk you out to your car.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m a big girl.” Even though Jeff wasn’t as much of a creep today as he was yesterday, I don’t want to be alone with him.
“I’d feel better if I made sure you got to your car okay. I don’t want any of your new fans lurking around, wanting autographs or anything. I want to make sure you come back to work tomorrow; you’re good for business.”
Wanting an autograph? My stomach clenches at thoughts of raving fans calling for Jack’s attention. This final tour of his will be unlike any other.
“I’m a bartender; no one wants a bartender’s autograph, just their alcohol. But if it makes you feel better…” I pull on my rain jacket and give in to Jeff. I’ll get out of here and home sooner if we don’t argue. Besides I’m already alone with him, so if he were to try anything, it would be inside where no one can see, not out in a parking lot.
Jeff walks with me to my car through the nearly empty lot. I recognize his trusty old beater, and there’s an unfamiliar pickup parked in the corner. Jeff opens the door for me. “See you tomorrow?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. Thanks, Jeff.” He nods and shuts my door. I chalk up his chivalry to his wanting to protect his new moneymaker.
As I’m pulling out, I look in my rearview mirror. He’s standing, watching as I turn onto the road. Thank you, Jeff, for not trying to molest me tonight.
It’s about a fifteen-minute ride out to Prouts Neck. There aren’t many streetlights, and as I get closer to Henry and Suzanne’s carriage house, the rain relentlessly drums on the roof of my car, the only sound on this desolate, pitch-black road. Each raindrop adds to the growing tension holding my chest in a vice as I grip the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. I can barely see the headlights of the car far behind me. I’m glad they’re keeping their distance.
When I come up to the turn on Prouts Neck, I almost miss it and make the turn without using my signal. I let out a big sigh and loosen my grip on the wheel a little, knowing I am almost home.
Just as I let my guard down, the car is slammed into from behind. The impact is like a thunderclap on this stormy night. My body’s thrown violently forward, abruptly stopped by the seat belt, and then tossed back. The crunch of metal fills the air, mixing with the sounds of the rain and my own labored breathing.
The other driver must not have seen me take the turn. Stupid, foolish Isa. Too lazy to use your signal. Ben’s voice is suddenly loud in my head. I thought I’d silenced the vile beast, but the crash must’ve shaken it loose. I answer back just as loudly, my voice harsh in the crumpled car.
“Well, Ben, guess what? You’re the lazy one, who couldn’t keep a job, who couldn’t take care of yourself, let alone your family. And you know what? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you use a signal whenever I was in a car with you.”
I hope no one in the other car is hurt. I should get out and check on them, but I’m still too stunned to move enough to get out or find my phone. Instead, I rub my belly and whisper calming words even as I try to calm myself.
“Breathe, Isa. Take deep breaths,” I say aloud. My baby hiccups, and I wonder whether they’re trying to take deep breaths too. I grin. I can’t wait to greet this little person, even though they’ll always remind me of Ben. I won’t allow him to ruin our mother-child relationship, however. I’m going to do things differen?—
An ear-splitting crash sends me lurching forward, then snapping back against the seat. The jolt is like a physical punch to the gut, and I gasp for breath.
Raindrops blur the view through the windshield, and the inside of my car fills with the smell of burning rubber and gasoline. There’s an odd shuddering, as if it were in the throes of some mechanical agony, and then it dies.
“What the…? Oh my god!” I exclaim, my voice trembling with fear and disbelief.
The second hit is enough to push me into action. My hands shake as I fumble for my phone, then struggle to dial 911.
“Cumberland County dispatch, what's your emergency?” The voice on the other end is in and out because of the poor cell service in this area, but it’s still a lifeline in the darkness. I start to explain my situation, and I’m stunned by the chilling realization that someone intentionally crashed into me on this dark, rain-soaked road.
As I try to convey where I’m located, the car's interior lights flicker and my car door opens. Terror washes over me. A shadow, a man. He lunges toward me, his hand snatching my phone. Creep-O Jeff has finally snapped and come after me, and I burst into tears.
But it isn’t Jeff. It’s worse.
“Ben!” Fear clenches my throat. A litany of thoughts scream through my mind. How did he find me? Why did he come after me? Is he going to kill me?!
The dispatcher's voice crackles and distorts and fades into the background, replaced by the sickening realization that I’m utterly defenseless. Ben stomps on my phone, and the crunch echoes in the rainy night as the screen, the last flicker of connection to the outside world, shatters under his heel.
The car's interior, once a sanctuary, now feels like a trap. Ben’s eyes bore into mine, and in this moment, I’m acutely aware of my vulnerability.
“Get out of the car.” I recognize his tone and know what comes next. “Get out of the fucking car!”
I struggle to unbuckle my seat belt. My shoulder’s hurt, and I’m unable to obey.
“I can’t,” I say meekly.
He leans in to roughly unbuckle me, maneuvering around my protruding belly. “Always were a fat fuck,” he says with a curse.
Once I’m free, Ben grabs my ponytail and yanks me out of the car and into the rain. The familiar smell of Black Velvet is on his breath. My stomach lurches, and bile fills my throat. Even the baby thinks Black Velvet is vile .
“You ruined my fucking life, you fucking piece of shit!” Spittle flies as he shouts at me. I listen, paralyzed with fear. He knots his hand in my hair. My head is now under his control, forced to follow his every movement.
“I’ve lost everything because of you!” His grip tightens and pulls downward, forcing my face up toward his. “You called the state on me? They’re taking the boys!” Suddenly, he gets quiet and looks at my chest where I’m worrying with the starfish. “What’s this? You’ve never worn jewelry. Where’d you get it? Did you buy it with my money?” His voice rises with each question.
“Someone gave it to me,” I manage to say before I’m shaken so hard my jaws are forced together, catching my tongue between my teeth. The pain is like none I’ve ever felt. Even the urchin’s sting wasn’t this bad. Oh, to be back in St. John and away from this misery!
“It was a man, wasn’t it?” Ben asks in a lethally quiet voice. My silence must be answer enough because he rips the starfish necklace from me and throws it into a puddle. “Whore. You’ll spread your legs for anyone.”
He punches my head, and I sag. My knees have given out, and Ben is keeping me upright with only his hold on my hair. I want to sleep so when I wake up, this nightmare will be over.
Headlights pull in behind our cars, and he wrenches my head up as he turns to face the new arrival.
A car door slams, and footsteps splash toward us.
“Isa! Isa!” I can’t see the man’s face, but I recognize the voice, the shape of his body. I’m so relieved, my tears start all over again.
Ben leans over and shoves his filthy tongue into my bloody mouth, then pulls away. “Hey, buddy, we’re kinda busy right now!” he shouts at the newcomer.
“No, you aren’t,” Jack says and punches Ben in the face, driving him to the ground and me with him. I land hard, but on my backside. My baby is still safe. My tongue is still bleeding.
The pressure of Ben’s hold relaxes slightly, and I take my chance to pull away. But as I stand up, so does Ben, his hand still caught in my hair. “Nobody punches me and gets away with it,” he growls out and takes a step toward Jack.
I can’t let him get away with this!
I clear my throat and gather all the blood in my mouth, then spit it at Ben. I watch in horror as the mess of blood and mucus slides down the side of his face.
Now I’ve done it.
Ben’s wrath is back on me, and his eyes are wide, the bloodshot sclera looking red in the rain-dimmed headlights. I brace myself for impact, but the next hit doesn’t come. Instead, Ben’s eyes roll back and he falls to the ground.
He doesn’t move.
“Ben?” I croak.
Nothing.
I toe his body, but he lies still.
Is he dead? Did Jack and I somehow kill him? I crouch and put my hand under Ben’s nose. He’s breathing. If I could feel anything, it would be relief.
“Darlin’ girl! Let me help ya up.” Jack bends down and, gently gripping my elbows, guides me to my feet. I sway when he releases me. “Hey, now,” he says, appearing in front of me. “You’re okay. You’re okay.” He wipes my hair back from my face and runs a hand over my forehead. “I’m real proud of ya. Real proud.”
My stomach lurches, and I retch. Jack quickly steers me away from Ben, and once again my hair is held by a man. But this one holds it with tenderness as I fold practically in half and lose my dinner onto the shoulder of the road.
“…not that he wouldn’t deserve it,” Jack says, and I realize he’s been talking quietly the whole time I’ve been puking up my guts. “But even I draw the line at vomiting on an unconscious guy.”
“Now come on, darlin’. You’re clammy and breathin’ hard. Think you’re going into shock. Come lay down in the back seat, out of the rain. Let’s get you warmed up.”