by Johns, S. A.
Julie jumped up, startled, her heart racing. Knock! Knock! Someone was at the door.
“Who could that be?” She said to herself. “It’s nearly 2a.m.!” She staggered to the door and peeped out the window. It was Matt! And he wasn’t alone. The state police were escorting him. She opened the door. “Can I help you, Officers?” She asked.
“We’re sorry to bother you, Ma’am, are you Julie Boyd?” The older officer asked her.
“Yes, I am. What’s going on here?” She asked.
“Well, your fiance here, was on a drinking rampage, and he tried to fight the bartender at The Stomping Ground. He was being unusually obnoxious and loud. He was rude and downright filthy. So he was asked to leave and he got violent towards the bartender and a few of the men down there tried to escort him out. When that didn’t work, they called us.” He shook his head. “So here he is...where do you want him?”
“I’m sorry officer. That is not my fiance, he is not my anything anymore. I don’t want him anywhere near here.” She looked past the other officer to Matt, he was a mess. His eye was blackened and his mouth had dried blood on it. She was disgusted by the look of him. “I’m sorry that he wasted your time by having you bring him here...we broke up about a month ago and frankly, I don’t really want anything to do with him.”
“OK, sorry to have bothered you Ma’am. We’ll take him back to the station.”
With that, they took Matt back to the police car and drove away.
Julie went back to her bedroom and lay back down. But she didn’t feel like going to sleep. She was beginning to feel bad for Matt. She couldn’t understand how he could do something like that. When they were together, she knew that he would get violent towards her, but she never noticed him trying to fight bartenders or other men.
Then she began thinking about Charity, the bartender at The Stomping Ground. She wondered if Jeff had been there with her. He probably was, he was always there with her. He was her ‘bouncer’ as well as her boyfriend.
How safe Charity must feel whenever Jeff is around. Julie imagined that Charity felt the exact same way that she herself felt when she was with Shane, whether they were out eating dinner or is she were lying in his strong arms.
As Julie had all of these thoughts running circles round her head, she finally drifted off to sleep.
She woke with a great urgency and jumped out of bed and raced to the bathroom. She had to pee so badly. When she got back into her bedroom she noticed that it was already 7am. Yet it was still too early for her to get up, so she decided to lay back down. As she lay there she began thinking about Shane. ‘I wish he would get home, I miss him so much. I don’t know how I ever got along without him in my life.’ Then she remembered he has been in her life for a long time...as her friend. Then she rephrased her thought. ‘How did I ever get along without having him in my bed.’ She drifted back to sleep.
It was 10am when Julie finally got out of bed. She went to the kitchen and got a glass of juice and sat down on the couch. She finished her orange juice and started to feel nauseous. The longer she sat there the worse the feeling became until it got so bad that she had to run to the bathroom and throw up.
“Oh great! I must be getting the flu.” She said out loud as she flushed the toilet and headed back out to the couch.
The bank would be calling within the next few weeks to tell her that the renovations were finished and she could go back to work. Shane should be home within a few days. She didn’t want to be sick for the night that her lover got home, finally.
She flipped through the channels and didn’t find much on the television set and the strangest thing happened, she found herself crying at commercials. Especially the ones where the guy tells you it’s only fifty cents a day to sponsor a child and the ones with the mothers and daughters talking about douches! It made her want to call her mother.
She went to the bedroom to get the cordless phone and dialed the number.
“Hello. You have reached the Boyd’s, we can’t come to the phone right now but if you leave your number and a brief message, we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. BEEP.”
“Mom, hi, it’s Julie. I was getting a little homesick to talk to you, so I thought I’d call. Call me back when you get a chance, I thought that maybe you could come over for lunch or something. Love ya. Bye.” Then she hung up.
A little while later there was a knock at the door and when Julie opened it she saw her mother smiling at her. “Hi, Honey! How are you?” Her mother said as she threw her arms around Julie’s neck and hugged her. “I thought that I’d stop by and see how you were doing.” She paused and looked at her daughter for the first time now, “So? How are you?” She asked.
“I’m good. Did you get my message?”
“No, what message?” She asked, her eyes widening.
“Oh, it wasn’t anything bad. I just called you a little while ago and left you a message. I thought that we could get together for lunch or something.”
“That was a nice thought. I was thinking about you all morning so I just thought I’d drop in and surprise you.”
“Well, Mom, it is a nice surprise. Thanks.” Julie walked into the living room and sat down with her mom following right behind her.
“So, have you talked to Matt lately?” Her mother asked.
“I saw him last night, but I didn’t talk to him.” She answered, remembering the events that happened the previous night.
“How did he look? Did he look good?”
“Mom, why are you asking me about Matt, we broke up, remember?” She said disgustedly.
“Yes, Julie, I know that you broke up with him. That doesn’t mean that you can’t get back together. You know, before your father and I were married we broke up a few times, but we always got back together. And look at us now...we are happily married.”
“I know all about you and dad, you don’t have to tell me all the time. But this is different. And I didn’t just up and leave him. I caught him in bed with another woman! Do you remember that part, Mom?”
“Can’t you forgive him and get on with it, Dear?”
“No. No, I can’t. He was always accusing me of cheating on him when I never even gave him any reason to doubt me whatsoever. And then I find him in the act, Mom. I actually walked right into his bedroom and pulled this fat bitch off of his naked ass! Do you understand? They...were...having...sexual...intercourse...Mom. SEX!!”
“There is no need for you to talk to me like a baby, I am your mother! Show me some respect.”
“I’m not trying to be disrespectful. Really. I’m not. It just seems like you don’t understand what I’m telling you. You don’t seem to understand that I can’t go back to him after I saw him...with my own eyes having unprotected sex with Chelsea. That’s all. And besides, I’m with Shane now. Remember?”
“Oh, yeah, Shawn.”
“No, Mom, his name is Shane. Shane not Shawn.”
“Yes, that guy that was always hanging around and trying to hit on you in front of your fiance. I remember the home wrecker.”
“Stop it, please. I am with Shane now, and I love him. A lot! I used to love Matt, and in some ways I probably always will. But I can’t get the image of him and Chelsea out of my head. It haunts my dreams and it still really pisses me off! If he loved me so much, why would he cheat on me? Huh, Mom, why?”
“All I know is that he loved you and at one time you loved him. And your dad and I both liked him. You are engaged to be married.”
“Let me just stop you right there! We are NOT getting married. Mom, you have to face it, and accept it. I am not with Matt. I am with Shane. And I’m happy.”
“You were happy with Matt.”
“I was never this happy with Matt. With Shane it is different. He is so sweet and generous. he loves me for me and not for whom he wants me to be. He loves me so much and he would do anything in the world for me. Anything. All I’d have to do is ask. No, no, I wouldn’t even have to ask, all I’d have to do would
be to hint at it, and he’s do it for me or get it for me. Anything. Can’t you see how happy I am? Doesn’t my happiness matter to you?”
“Of course your happiness matters to me. I didn’t mean to insinuate anything. Honey, I love you and if you are happy, that is wonderful. I’m just still a little sad that this marriage to Matt isn’t going to happen.” She paused, “Are you absolutely sure that you are happier with Shane than you ever were with Matt? Are you sure that there is no way for you to forget and forgive and get back together with Matt?”
“Yes! Yes. For the one-millionth time, yes! I am sure that there is no way I’m getting back with Matt. Even if Shane called right now and broke up with me, I’d still not go back to Matt. And yes, I am sure that I am happy. This is the happiest I think I’ve ever been in a relationship.” She looked at her mom, “Why can’t you just be happy for me?”
“I guess I still don’t get it. Matt cheated on you one time. One time, that’s all. You two got along so well together. I just can’t see you not with him.”
“Mom, I’m getting tired of repeating myself. We didn’t get along that well. He used to go out drinking all the time and then come home and fight with me. He would slam me up against the wall and squeeze my arms until he left bruises. He would throw things at me, Mom, heavy things that would have hurt me really bad had I not ducked out of the way of it. I will give him this much...he never hit me in the face. Other places...but not the face. I think that subconsciously he knew that bruises on the face would be hard to explain and to cover up. I suppose you believed me every time I said I fell on something, or tripped over something,or even fell out of bed, right?”
Julie was pacing the room while she spoke and she finally stopped and looked at her mom who was sitting on the edge of the couch, her eyes were wet with tears.
“Oh, Honey.” Her mom started as she stood up, “I’m so sorry, I never knew.” She began crying. “You should have told me.” She sobbed, “You should have told me.”
“Mom, it’s OK. I’m fine now. I’m with someone who loves me and who is kind and caring and above all, gentle. Even if I would have told you, there was nothing you could do about it. I wasn’t ready to leave then. I kept telling myself that it was the alcohol and that things would get better if I just stood by him and tried to help him.” She hugged her mom. “It just didn’t work. I still loved him with all my heart and I wanted things to work out. That’s why I couldn’t leave him, even after all of the physical pain he cause me. Then when I caught him cheating on me, it was the last straw. I knew right then that he didn’t love me. I had always thought that we would be married, but I guess that plan just wasn’t in the stars.”
“I’m sorry for not seeing the signs. I should have seen that my daughter wasn’t happy. I should have done something.”
“Mom! Stop it.” She turned and started pacing again. “There was nothing you could do. Nothing. I was the only one who knew what was going on in my relationship. I didn’t even tell Jen. I was the only one who cold have done anything, and I chose not too.”
“Julie. Why didn’t you tell me about the abuse?” Her mother started, then the phone began to ring.
RING! RING!
“Hold on Mom, I have to get that.” She picked up the phone and answered, “Hello?”
“Hey, Sweetie, how are you?”
Julie’s whole face lit up as she realized it was Shane. “Hi, Honey. I’m all right. How are you? Where are you? Is everything OK?” She bombarded him with questions.
“I’m good. Everything is great! That is now that I’ve got you on the line.”
“Thanks. So do you have any news for me yet? Are you coming home?”
“Julie, do you want me to go?” Her mom asked.
“No, Mom. It’s Shane, it shouldn’t take too long. Just wait a few minutes, OK?” She said and her mom nodded in agreement.
Back to the receiver she said, “Sorry, Hon, my mom is here. So...where were we?”
“I was just about to tell you some wonderful news.” He started.
“Let me guess...you’re almost home?” She asked hopeful.
“Well, I guess maybe it’s not that wonderful after all. I am going to be away a while longer.” Julie’s heart sunk as each word fell upon her ear. “But, the good news is they want to pay for you to come with me, that way we can be together.”
“That if pretty interesting. When do I get to see you?” She asked.
“Well, if all goes as planned, you should be seeing me by tomorrow evening!”
“YAH!!!” Julie squealed with delight.
“Wow! If you’re that happy to hear that you’ll see me, I can’t wait to see what you do when you actually see me!” He teased.
“Well, I can’t tell you what I’d like to do...my mom’s still here, remember?” She said, whispering the last part.
“I can’t wait to see you either, Julie, to take you in my arms and gaze into your eyes and to kiss you. And believe me, that’s what I’m going to do! Over and over and over.”
Julie laughed. The first time she laughed all day. It felt good to laugh. “I hope that you do. I can’t wait either. I miss you so much.”
“Me too, Baby.” He said, “I love you.”
“I love you more.” She teased.
“Doubtful.” Was all he had to reply, and she knew that he meant it even though he laughed.
“We’ll just have to see about that.” She laughed back.
“Well Baby, since your mom is there I’ll let you go and that way I can get started so that I can see you tomorrow.”
“OK. I can’t wait. Be careful! I love you.”
“I love you, too and I’ll be extra careful. Oh and think about what I said, don’t answer me now, you can tell me later. Do you want to come along with me on the road? Just think about it, OK?”
“OK, I will.”
“Good. Bye.”
“Bye.” She said and then hung up the phone.
“So? That was the infamous Shane, I presume?” Asked her mom.
“Yeah, that was him.” She said dreamily.
“I can see that you really do love him, don’t you?”
“Finally! That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all day.” She told her mom.
“Yes, I know that’s what you’ve been telling me...I just now saw it when you were talking to him. Your whole face lit up and I could see that you were happy. And that makes me happy too.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” She said. “I’ll try to bring him over to see you when he gets home over the next couple of days.”
“Where is he?”
“He drives truck across the country and he had truck trouble and got held up a few days longer then expected. He should be here tomorrow evening.” She explained.
“Oh, I see. Well, it’s been nice visiting, but I just noticed the time. I have to get home and make dinner for your dad. You know how he gets when his dinner isn’t on the table at 4:30.” She laughed.
“Yeah, I remember.” She walked her mom to the door and then she hugged her. “Bye.” She watched her mom get in her car and leave.
PART 5
SHANE’S RETURN
Julie spent the rest of the night thinking about Shane coming home the next evening. And she kept thinking about what he had asked her. Her heart was telling her to go. Telling her that this is what she had been hoping for. To get away from the rest of the world with the one man that she loved with all her heart and more. But her head was saying different things to her. Did she really want to travel with him? She did, but could she really do it? How long would she be gone? What would happen to her job at the bank if they called her back while she was away? She had so many questions that needed to be answered before she could decide to go with Shane. Just thinking about it all made her head ache.
After thinking so long and hard about it, she decided to just wait for Shane to return and talk it all over with him.
The rest of the night felt like the longest nig
ht ever to Julie. The anticipation of seeing Shane again was driving her crazy. She missed him so much, she couldn’t wait to be in his arms and to hold him in hers. She didn’t do much the rest of the evening and thought that it would be a good idea if she went to bed early. Then when she would get up it would be morning and it would be a lot closer till the time that her sweetheart got home.
The next morning when Julie got up she was filled to the brim with excitement and anticipation for the night to come. And she hoped with all her heart that nothing would be stopping Shane from getting to her this time. She started to look around the house to make sure it looked nice and clean. She decided it looked good. She thought that she should go to the store and buy groceries to make dinner for Shane as a surprise for when he got there. She left her mind wonder and began to daydream.
The lights in the house are all off. There are candles glowing all over the place casting their shadows on the ceiling and walls. There is a bottle of wine chilling on the table in an ice bucket beside a dozen red roses. In the bedroom the bed is covered with thousands of rose petals. There is romantic music playing in the background.
There was a knock on the door and she opened it wearing nothing but a black crotch-less Floral Lace Teddy with thong back and matching thigh highs and a pair of black strappy shoes with a 4-inch heel and a really big smile!
“Hi Baby.” She says seductively.
Shane looks at her and is speechless, his mouth drops open and nothing comes out. Julie grabs him and kisses him full on the mouth and he responds just as she hoped he would. he stops kissing her and says, “Hi.” He finally gets to look around and sees all the candles and the wine and roses. “I got you these, too.” He said handing Julie a dozen long stem red roses to match the ones on the table. “They are almost as beautiful as you.” He smiled and kissed her again.
“Care for some wine?” Julie asked as she reached for two wine glasses from the cupboard.
“Sure.”
She poured two glasses and handed him one. She lifted the glass to her lips and he stopped her. “I’d like to propose a toast.” He lifted his glass, “To the most beautiful woman in the world. The woman who stole my heart from the very first moment I laid my eyes on her. To you, Julie. I love you more than you can imagine.”