THE CRUEL SEVEN

by Terence Mitford

  Before Lisa could answer, Erica’s voice rang out as she crossed the room. “Luke, what’s going on?”

  Lisa sighed with relief. Another timely intervention.

  Luke pointed to Lisa. “I just want to see her body, Ma, that’s all.”

  Erica glanced from Luke to Lisa. “I told you he has the hots for you. Do me a favor and stand up.”

  Confused by Erica’s request, Lisa held the blanket up over her chest as she got to her feet.

  Erica smiled. “Now, Sweetie, just lower the blanket for a few seconds.”

  Lisa gasped. “Are you crazy? You’re his mother. I thought you were going to back me up and tell him to leave me alone.”

  “If I do, he’ll continue to pester you until you give him what he wants.”

  “And what does he want?”

  “Right now? Just to look at your body, that’s all. He hasn’t seen many girls naked before.”

  Lisa shook her head and clutched the blanket closer.

  Erica straightened her face. “After everything we have done for you, can you not show a little gratitude? What harm would it do?”

  “What good would it do?”

  “It would prove that you appreciate the help we have given you and Mike and show us it’s worth us continuing to support you both.”

  Lisa glanced from Erica to Luke. They were watching her expectantly. She felt pressured, vulnerable, and alone, and resented the fact that she was so dependent on this family. But dependent she was. Because she and Mike still needed their help.

  They were staring. Waiting.

  Erica’s voice hit a tone Lisa had not heard before. Smooth. Hypnotic even. “You need to do this for us, Lisa. Do it now.”

  Her resistance was draining away as she wrestled with her dilemma. Was she losing her mind? Had the trauma of the last couple of days stripped her of rational decision making? Was she actually thinking about complying? Or had she simply lost the ability to resist?

  She let go of the blanket.

  Luke grinned as he studied her.

  Erica smiled. A triumphant smile. Her will had been stronger than Lisa’s, again. Luke was right. She does seem to make others do what she wants them to do.

  Erica nodded. “Good girl.”

  Her mind frozen, Lisa almost forgot she was standing in front of this young man and his mother, who were little more than strangers, in nothing but a skimpy pair of panties.

  Erica turned to her son. “Now, Luke, show Lisa you can keep your word and go back to bed.”

  Luke eventually dragged his eyes away from Lisa’s body and headed for the ladder.

  Erica strolled over and kissed Lisa’s cheek. “I knew I’d judged you right. You are a sweet girl.” Then she returned to her bedroom.

  Lisa remained rooted to the spot, dazed and wondering what the hell had just happened. She had been so determined not to give in to Luke’s demands, yet her resistance had evaporated with just a little persuasion from Erica.

  She snapped out of her trance and grabbed the blanket from the floor. As she lay back on the couch, Luke’s words replayed in her head. Ma is always right. If she says something will happen, it will happen. Ma can get anyone to do anything.

  19

  LISA

  The second she opened her eyes, her heart leaped. She sat up on the couch with a knot tightening in her stomach. For a moment, she questioned her ability to distinguish between dreams and reality. Please let it be a dream. Surely, I didn’t really show Luke my body. She lifted the blanket, glanced down, and sighed with relief. She was still wearing her panties.

  Luke was first down the ladder, and the grin he gave her confirmed her fears. It had happened. It was real. She had displayed herself to Luke in front of Erica. But why had she buckled so easily under pressure?

  Luke greeted her with a “Good morning.”

  She answered him with a shrug of her shoulders. “Is it?”

  “I think so. The sun is shining. I had a great night’s sleep, and I have the image of a beautiful, sexy, half-naked, girl in my mind. So the morning couldn’t be better.”

  Lisa held the blanket tight. She was regretting the previous night already. Luke was not going to let her forget what she did. “Please, could you not talk about it? Someone might hear.”

  Luke laughed. “Don’t worry. The family expects us to be together. And we share everything.”

  Her heart skipped at that thought. But for now, she resisted asking him to explain.

  Next down the ladder was Summer. She nodded to Lisa and began setting out plates and cutlery for breakfast.

  Even though there had been no skin to skin contact with Luke or Ed last night, just having their eyes all over her made her feel in need of a shower. So, with the blanket wrapped around her, she picked up her dress and headed to the bathroom.

  As she stared at her reflection in the mirror, she wondered why her life had turned upside down. Only a few short weeks ago, she was a happily married woman with a loving husband and a wonderful stress free life. Now she had a rat for a husband. Her only possession in this world away from civilization was a torn dress, and her ability to say no was in serious danger of deserting her altogether, leaving her at the mercy of a family of seven.

  After drying herself, she pulled on her dress and returned to the main room with the blanket wrapped tightly around her body. She grabbed the survival bag, sat on a couch, and began to repair a couple of small rips in her dress. If only she had managed to free her suitcase from the wreckage, she could have worn something more appropriate for deflecting the boys’ interest.

  She considered asking Summer for some clothes, but quickly dismissed that idea. The girl seemed to be lacking in the wardrobe department herself. Summer was wearing the same just-above-the-knee, dark blue cotton dress she had worn for the last three days at least.

  Lisa finished the repairs, then held up her yellow cotton dress and decided it was probably better than anything she could borrow from the family. The only thing it needed was a spare button. So using the couch to shield her, she dropped the towel and pulled on her dress.

  Then she joined the family at the table, but with two missing. Billy had not yet returned from his trip to town, and Summer was nowhere in sight.

  Erica must have noticed Lisa scanning the room for her. “Summer has taken Mike some breakfast,” she said.

  Lisa nodded. “I’ll go and see how he is.”

  “Not now. Sit down and eat first.”

  “But—”

  “He’s in good hands, and don’t worry about Summer. What could Mike do in his condition?”

  Lisa sat at the table and began eating from the plate of eggs and toast that was waiting for her.

  Erica tipped her head at the food. “Summer had to prepare it all on her own. You need to help her in future.”

  Lisa nodded. “Of course. I’m sorry, but I took a shower.”

  “You need to know, we have rules, and there are consequences for breaking them.”

  Lisa kept her head down. She didn’t want to know what they were. “It won’t happen again.”

  ‘Good. When you finish eating, you can clear away and wash the dishes.’

  Lisa glanced up at Erica.

  The woman stared back. “Is that a problem?”

  Lisa shook her head. “No, of course not.”

  “Right. After you finish your chores, you can go and see your husband.”

  Lisa nodded. “Thank you.”

  As usual, Lisa was the last to finish eating, and the others had already left the table when she began clearing away. Luke and the twins had gone out to gather wood, Erica had retreated to the bathroom, and Ed had disappeared into his bedroom.

  Just as she finished drying and putting away the plates, Summer returned. Lisa waited to see if the girl was going to update her, but when she remained quiet, Lisa had to ask, “How is he today?”

  Summer shrugged. “He’s fine.”

  “Any problems?”

  Summer sm
irked. “If you mean, did he show me his thingy again, no, he didn’t. Not even when I washed him.”

  “You washed him?”

  “Of course. The twins helped him to the bathroom and then I washed him.”

  Lisa accepted Mike needed help, and as Summer seemed happy with the responsibility, she decided not to interfere. The girl’s involvement would help Lisa keep a certain amount of distance, which was just what she needed: space to work out her feelings. And although Erica may be right about her marriage being over, Lisa was still unsure about her future. She smirked to herself as she repeated the thought, Erica is always right.

  But there was one thing for sure. She needed to find her willpower again and her ability to say no.

  20

  MIKE

  A few minutes earlier…

  Mike opened his eyes at the sound of footsteps approaching the cabin. He was looking forward to seeing Lisa and hoping he could show her the tiniest movement in the toes of his left foot. But instead of his wife, Summer burst in, smiling and greeting him with a good morning.

  He had managed to push himself up a little way in the bed, and with Summer’s help, completed the maneuver. “Good morning, Summer. I’m sorry if I offended you yesterday.”

  The girl grinned. “You didn’t offend me. I was flattered that you think I could cause someone to kill themselves. It makes me feel powerful.”

  Mike chuckled and waited for Summer to laugh, but she handed him his breakfast tray with a straight face. She wasn’t joking.

  “The twins will be here in a minute and they’ll carry you in there.” She pointed to the bathroom. “Then I’ll wash you.”

  Mike raised an eyebrow. “I think Lisa should help with that, don’t you?”

  Summer stared at him. “Why?”

  “Because she’s my wife.”

  “I don’t think she likes you too much at the moment. Better let me do it and give her time.”

  “I wanted to show her something.”

  Summer glanced down to the area of the blanket covering his groin. “Really?”

  Mike sighed. “Not that. My toes. I managed to move a toe yesterday and even my foot a bit this morning.”

  Summer’s face dropped. “Oh, just toes and a foot, nothing else.”

  “Just toes and a foot.”

  “I’ll tell her.”

  “I wanted to tell her myself.”

  “Okay. If she’s not too busy with Luke, I’ll ask her to come and see you.”

  “What do you mean, busy with Luke?”

  “Oh, nothing. It’s just they seem to be getting on well together, that’s all.”

  “How well?”

  “Well enough for them to be up late together last night.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I woke up and saw that Luke was not in his bed. I put my ear to the floor and heard them talking.”

  “What about?”

  “I couldn’t make it out. But Luke had a big grin on his face when he came back to bed.”

  Two things worried Mike. Lisa’s newfound friendship with Luke and Summer’s willingness to update him. He would have preferred her to show some disapproval at a married woman getting close to her brother. But she seemed okay with it, and even delighted in telling him. It surprised him that such a young woman could have such a cruel streak. But at least he could expect a running commentary on any developments between Lisa and Luke.

  Summer had been gone for a few minutes when Lisa came to see him. He was pleased to see her and didn’t want to cause an argument by accusing her of anything without more to go on. He could just imagine her response. How dare you question me after what you did with our neighbor? So he kept his concerns to himself.

  “Sorry, Lisa, I think I fell asleep on you last night.”

  “It’s okay. You need plenty of rest.”

  “Any sign of Billy yet?”

  “Ed said he should be back sometime tomorrow.”

  “How was last night with the family?”

  “Fine.”

  He cursed under his breath. Although he couldn’t directly accuse her of anything, he just had to probe. “I hear you are getting on well with Luke.”

  Lisa laughed. “If you only knew.”

  “What does that mean?”

  She looked at him. “Oh, don’t worry. Nothing’s going on. But what do you expect? A young man living out here, miles from anywhere, and a woman in a ripped summer dress walks out from the trees. She’s going to be the center of attention no matter who she is.”

  “As long as that’s all it is.”

  “Are you jealous?”

  He shrugged. “Who wouldn’t be, laying in this bed, paralyzed, while his pretty wife is spending the night in a house full of men.”

  “I’ve never seen you jealous before.”

  “I haven’t had a reason before. I’ve always been secure in our relationship.”

  “But not now?”

  Mike raised an eyebrow. “Not until and unless you forgive me for what I did.”

  “You know, Mike, I think I have forgiven you.”

  “Really?”

  “Erica told me all men are unfaithful or fantasize about being unfaithful. So maybe you couldn’t help yourself. You were just a victim of your gender.”

  Mike’s smile was cut short by her next statement.

  “So it’s not about forgiveness, it’s about whether I can forget what you did or at least learn to live with it, and if I’m honest, I’m not sure I can.”

  Lisa looked so vulnerable as she paced the floor. He wanted her back, but only if that’s what she wanted. He couldn’t confine her to a relationship she didn’t want, because he hated to see her unhappy.

  “I’ll give you time,” he said. “And if my condition doesn’t improve, maybe you will be well rid of me.”

  She stopped pacing and stared at him. “I hope you know me well enough to know my feelings have nothing to do with your injury. I married you for better or for worse. That means I’d accept anything that came along.”

  “Anything?”

  “Well, anything but cheating. I can’t be in a relationship without trust.”

  Mike nodded. “I just hope we can get out of here so I can prove to you how much I love you.”

  Lisa smiled at him. But it wasn’t her usual warm smile that told him she loved him. It was a smile that said I’m still working things out and I’m not ready to play the happily married couple again just yet.

  Mike didn’t mention the slight movement he had managed in his toes and one of his feet. It just didn’t seem important right then. But he did want to find out what she knew about back injuries. “Has your father ever mentioned anything about any of his patients who were paralyzed?”

  Lisa seemed to think for a moment. “He told me about a young girl who broke her back in a motorcycle accident. She was on her boyfriend’s bike when they collided with a car and was paralyzed from the waist down. She underwent several operations without success. Then my father operated. He came home excited, because a few days after the operation, the girl had regained some feeling and movement. I remember he opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate with me and Mom because he was so proud. The girl went on to make a full recovery.”

  Although this success story was encouraging, Mike still had a sinking feeling inside.

  “What’s wrong?” Lisa asked. “I thought the story about the girl would give you hope.”

  “It tells me this is not always permanent, but if your father celebrated with champaign, it also tells me that successful outcomes are quite rare.”

  “Well, just focus on being one of the lucky ones. Picture yourself walking again. My father used to tell me that belief is vital in any healing. He uses surgery and traditional medicine but strongly believes in the role the subconscious mind can play. He has the best record in the state for successful operations because he encourages his patients to visualize themselves healthy again and believe they can be healed.”

 
Mike nodded. She was right. He needed to be more positive and determined.

  21

  LISA

  When Lisa returned to the front of the main house, Erica was waiting with a backpack full of clothes. “I have some washing for you to take to the lake. You’ll find some soap in the bag.”

  Lisa stared into the backpack, then glanced around. There was no sign of Luke waiting by the track, so she took the bag and headed off without a hint of dissent. She retraced the fifteen minute route they had taken the day before, grateful for the opportunity to spend some time alone. No uninvited attention from Luke, Ed, or the twins would give her time to think.

  When she reached the spot by the lake where Luke had launched the small boat, she stopped to take in the peaceful tranquility of the water glistening under a clear blue sky, and for the first time, she began to see the attraction of living so far from the rest of the population. From the hustle and bustle of life, as people rushed around with so much to do and not enough time to do it. From the chatter of conversations, often on smart phones, and the blasts of car horns as impatient drivers competed for their stretch of blacktop.

  But none of that was here, and there was nothing to even indicate which century she was in. It fascinated her to think that someone standing on this spot a hundred years ago would have viewed the same scene she was enjoying right then. The same soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze, the occasional birdsong and the flap of wings as they took off from their resting place. Maybe Erica, Ed, and the family weren’t so odd after all. No doubt they had discovered what she was experiencing and had decided it was right for them. And maybe, just maybe, it could be right for her, too.

  She sat on a large rock, closed her eyes, and basked in the warmth from the sun. Then she stood up and scanned the surrounding landscape. Satisfied she was alone, she slipped out of her dress, kicked off her canvas shoes, and paddled out up to her knees. The water was chilly, but not as cold as the well water from the shower head. So she waded a little further out and slid into the lake up to her neck. She swam a few feet from the shore and felt for the lakebed beneath her, then stood for a moment with just her head and shoulders above the surface.