Dancing Up the Ladder

by Loy Holder

  Lucille’s eyes widened. “What? How do you mean?”

  Liz told her about the physical and sexual abuse. “He killed the love I had for him, and I’m not going to give him a chance to hurt me or the kids again.”

  “Did he ever hurt the kids?”

  “Yeah, if you count scaring the hell out of them.”

  “Did you ever talk with him about what he’d done?”

  “Hah! Yes, but all that got me was more abuse. It’s just over, Lucille. I’m done with him.”

  “You sound sure.” Lucille’s eyes narrowed. “So, can you to go somewhere with the kids Saturday morning? I’ll talk to him when he gets here. Do you have a place to go?”

  Liz rubbed her forehead. Her first choice was Kay, but then she remembered her friend had moved. “Damn, no good options. I guess I could call my folks.”

  When Liz cleared the table, she picked up the artwork the children had left behind. Ronnie had drawn a yellow cat with a long tail. Regina had finished her “tree.” She smiled and fastened them to the front of the refrigerator. “Ronnie, Regina, come in here.”

  Ronnie came in first, and Liz pointed to the refrigerator. “Oh, you liked my cat, huh, Mom?”

  “Yes, honey. It’s wonderful.”

  Then Regina came in and saw her tree picture on the refrigerator. “Mommy, did I do the leaves right?”

  “Oh sweetie, they’re just fine.” Mm, not bad for a three-year-old.

  Ronnie scratched his head. “Mom, can we go to the park again?” Ronnie and Regina followed Liz into her bedroom.

  Liz looked at the pile of laundry in the corner. “I don’t think so. I’ll bet you have dirty clothes, too. So we’ll hang around here today, and I’ll do some wash. Maybe we can swim later, OK?”

  The children went into the backyard to play, and Liz started the washing machine. She checked on the kids, grateful the pool was enclosed in a wrought-iron fence and locked gate. She went to the phone and called her parents. She was uneasy. Would they be mad at her for not calling more often?

  Blanche answered, “Hello.”

  “Hi, Mom, it’s me. How are you and Daddy doing?”

  Blanche coughed and cleared her throat. “Well, hello, dear. I thought you’d forgotten all about us. I’m still fighting the same old thing. This terrible itching will just not go away.”

  “Mom, I’m so sorry. I wish the doctor could come up with something to help. Would you like me to bring the children to visit you tomorrow?”

  “Well, of course, dear. What time will you be here?”

  “I thought we’d come in the morning, around nine, and stay for the day. We’d need to head home by four.”

  “That sounds good, dear. We’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  The rest of the day was peaceful. They ate an early dinner, and Liz went to bed after the children were asleep. The house was quiet, and as she lay in the darkness, dread washed over her like a bucket of ice water. The split lip and bruised jaw would beg an explanation. She could handle her mild-mannered father, but she’d avoided spending time with them over the years because her mother was always so critical of her. She struggled to come up with a good lie until exhaustion pulled her into a troubled sleep.

  * * *

  Chapter Seven

  The next morning at breakfast, Liz reached across the table with a napkin and wiped egg off Ronnie’s face. She squinted to make sure she got it all and put the napkin on the table. “OK, my little pumpkins. I’m gonna take you to see Grandma and Grandpa this morning. Would you like that?”

  They both shouted yes and rushed to their room to get ready. Liz lingered over her second cup of coffee, and Lucille peered over her newspaper. “You know, I just had a thought. You had better call me before you come back here today.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, what if Ron won’t talk to me or refuses to leave. What then?”

  That was a possibility, and Liz paused for a moment to consider her options. “We’ll have to play it by ear. I have no clue what he’s going to do. I know you have to be at the club by five. If he’s still hanging around, just go to work. I’ll call you before I start back. At least I’ll know what to expect.”

  “OK.” Lucille threw her hands up in frustration. “I wish you had that restraining order. If he gets testy with me, I’m going to call the cops. You need to know that.”

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you did. All right, I guess I should get dressed and get out of here.” Liz set her coffee cup on the counter and went in to check on the children. A half hour later, they were all ready to go.

  The children followed her into Lucille’s office. “Hey,” Liz said.

  Lucille looked up from the paperwork on her desk. “You ready to go?”

  “Yes. I’ll call you around four, when I leave my folks’ house.”

  “OK, but keep your eyes open, and stay safe.” Liz loaded the children into her car and drove away.

  As usual, they fell asleep when the car began moving. It was quiet, and her mind drifted to the visit with her parents. Any lie she told would involve the kids lying, too. Just before she arrived at her parents’ home, she decided to tell the truth and deal with the consequences.

  The car was barely parked before Ronnie and Regina got out and ran to their grandparents’ front door. They knocked, and Roger Peyton, Liz’s father, answered. He was a tall, thin man with twinkling blue eyes and curly gray hair. Blanche Peyton was standing behind him, smiling. She was tall, too, and even though she was sixty-one, her face was smooth and wrinkle-free. Her dark hair framed her face.

  Blanche and Roger held out their arms, hugged the children, and led them into the living room. Liz closed the door behind her and looked around. The familiar walls held memories of her life there, some happy, some not.

  When she walked into the living room, Ronnie pointed directly at her. “Look at what Dad did to Mom.”

  Blanche stared. “Oh my Lord, Liz, what happened?”

  “God, Liz.” Roger stood, and pulled her to him for a closer look. “Those stiches look fresh.”

  “Yes. They’re fresh, Dad.” Uncomfortable in her father’s tight grip, she stepped back. “It’s quite a story. Do you still have Frankie?”

  “Yes.” Roger dropped his hands and pointed. “He’s out back, taking a nap in his kennel. “

  “Kids, why don’t you two go play with Frankie for a while so I can talk to Grandma and Grandpa.”

  They were both sitting on an ottoman near Blanche. Ronnie stood. “Are you gonna tell them about Daddy?”

  “Yes, sweetheart. You aren’t going to miss anything because you know all about it.”

  “But I don’t want to see Frankie.” Regina rubbed her eyes. “He’s too big. Can we stay here?”

  Liz watched as Blanche walked into the kitchen and found some things she’d kept for Ronnie and Regina in a cupboard. She held the items up. “Hey, you two, remember these?”

  “Yea.” Ronnie recognized the puzzle and blocks and clapped his hands. He ran into the kitchen and Regina followed. When they were settled at the table engrossed in their play, Blanche returned to the living room and sat beside Roger on the couch.

  Liz sat in a chair across the coffee table from her parents and told them about everything but the sexual abuse. As she talked, she watched their facial expressions change. Her father’s jaw went tight; his face grew crimson. “Where’s Ron?” he demanded. “I need to talk to him and tell him a real man doesn’t hit a woman or endanger his children.” Roger’s lower lip was a grim, thin line.

  “Daddy, I don’t want you to do that. He’s dangerous. Look at what he did to me. I don’t want you getting hurt. Mom needs you, and besides, he’s drunk most of the time. He wouldn’t remember a thing you said.”

  Roger seemed to crumble at the truth in Liz’s words. Oh God, he looks devastated. “Daddy.” Liz kneeled in front of her father and took his hand. “Don’t worry. I’m going to get a restraining order against him, and we’ll be fine. I promi
se.”

  Blanche stood and wagged a finger at Liz. “How can you possibly be, as you put it, ‘fine’? You can’t live with your friend indefinitely, and how are you going to feed yourself and the children? You should have listened to me before you married that awful man.”

  Liz knew Blanche was mad because that vein in her left temple was bulging. “Mother, please! Calm down. Why are you angry at me?”

  “Because from the time you were a teenager, you’ve fought me on everything. You quit college to marry Ron when I told you not to. Your obstinacy is the reason you’re in this mess, and now your father and I have to worry ourselves sick. At our age, we should be enjoying our last years, not dealing with your problems. Don’t even think about asking for a loan or to move in here. I have doctor bills to pay, and I need rest and quiet.”

  “Blanche, dear,” Roger interrupted, looking another ten years older. “It’s too late for regrets now. Come and sit down so Liz can tell us what she plans to do.”

  “Mother, I don’t need your money, and I don’t want to live here.” Blanche did her indignant sniff and returned to sit beside her husband. Liz was infuriated and wanted to scream. Instead, she took a deep breath, and counted to ten. “I can stay at Lucille’s as long as necessary. She has plenty of room for the kids and me. I’m going to work in her club, make good money, and save for a place of my own. I’m seeing an attorney next Thursday about a restraining order. I promise you, we’ll be all right.”

  Blanche frowned. “Who’s going to watch the children while you’re working?”

  “Lucille.” Liz felt the muscles in her neck tighten as she met her mother’s gaze. Here we go with the questions.

  Blanche wrinkled her nose. “How long have you known that woman?”

  “Oh, about six months.” Liz’s smile faded. Where is this headed?

  “Just what kind of work are you doing in that club?” Blanche smoothed her hair, poised like a cat waiting for the mouse to come out of its hole.

  Liz didn’t like her mother’s questions or tone. Blanche had a way of always making her feel like a bug under a microscope. She could lie and say she cooked pizzas and served beer. That would be half true. Nah, I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m gonna tell her the truth. “I’m dancing on a stage and serving beer. I wear a skimpy, two-piece costume, and the customers love me. Lucille thinks I’m a good dancer.”

  The room went quiet. Roger’s face was ashen, and he sat staring at his hands. Roger always got quiet when Liz and her mother argued. Blanche cleared her throat, and her face was crimson as she stood. “Let me summarize your situation as I see it.” Her voice sounded cold and strained, and she gestured with her hand as though she were making a presentation. “Let’s see, you are virtually homeless, beat up by a drunken, abusive husband, dancing in a bar practically naked, and leaving your children with a stranger. Isn’t that right?”

  Liz was flushed with anger. She stood and glared at Blanche. “What would you have me do, Mother?”

  Blanche folded her arms. “You could get an office job, finish your education, and be home with your children at night where you belong.”

  “It’s not that simple, Mother. Office wages are low, and who’s gonna pay for my college?” Liz began to shake, and her voice rose an octave. “You wanted me to enroll in premed, but I’m never going to be that person you wanted me to be. I believe you and Daddy love me, but you don’t like the person I am.” Liz wanted to cry, but she was too angry. “I’m OK with that now. You and Daddy will have to let me get my life together, my way, and I will.”

  Liz yelled to her children, “Come on, kids; it’s time to go.”

  As she walked into the kitchen, her father grabbed her arm and said, “Slow down, honey. We can finish this discussion a little later. Stay and have some lunch.”

  “No, Daddy.” Liz pulled her arm from her father’s grip. “Mother has made it clear how she feels about me, and it really hurts. I want to leave.”

  Liz helped the kids put away the blocks and puzzle, and told them to kiss Grandma and Grandpa good-bye. Ronnie frowned. “But Mom, we just got here. I’m hungry.”

  Regina stomped her foot. “No, Mommy. I’m staying here.”

  Thinking fast, Liz hugged each child. “How about we go to the zoo, and we can get a hot dog there. What do you think?”

  The children’s frowns changed to smiles. The zoo was a special treat. Liz’s hand was shaking as she grabbed her purse. She stifled a sob and avoided her mother’s harsh glare as she murmured, “I’ll call later. Have a little faith in me.”

  Her parents stood on the front porch as she was getting the children settled in the back seat. She heard her father call out, “Don’t forget we love you, Elizabeth.”

  * * *

  Chapter eight

  Liz choked on unshed tears as she headed south toward the Land Park Zoo. Her mother’s words vibrated like cymbals in her ears. “She spoke the ugly truth,” Liz murmured, and at last the tears flowed, their saltiness stinging her lip. When the tears subsided, she muttered, “Oh well, nowhere to go but up.”

  She’d forgotten how crowded Land Park could be on a Saturday. She found a parking place near the playground and took some tissue from her purse to the wipe the mascara from her tear-streaked face. Then she shook her sleeping children. “Hey, guys. Wake up. We’re here.”

  “Mom, I’m hungry.” Ronnie tugged on her arm as she paid the admission to the zoo.

  Just inside the entrance, Regina pointed. “Mommy, hotdogs.”

  The long line at the concession stand went fast, and unoccupied tables were scarce. Liz found one a little sticky from the previous customers, but at least they could sit while they ate. Ronnie grinned as he bit into his bun. “This is the best one I ever ate.” Liz finished Regina’s leftover hot dog, and then they were off to see the animals.

  The first stop was the bear exhibit. The bears were enjoying a soak in their murky pool. The youngsters enjoyed the bears, elephants, and tigers, and they wanted to linger at each exhibit to watch their antics. Ronnie pointed at the baboons. “Mom, what happened to the monkey’s bottom?”

  “He’s OK, honey.” Liz ruffled Ronnie’s hair. “That’s just how God made him.”

  They’d visited most of the animals when Regina rubbed her eyes. “Mommy, I’m tired.” Liz remembered a bench and a pay phone near the entrance. She bought the children a soda and some popcorn and settled them on the seat. “OK, babies.” She pointed. “I’ll be right over there at that phone. I need to call Lucille. You stay here and rest, OK?” They nodded yes and munched on the popcorn.

  Before she dialed Lucille’s number, she glanced at her watch. It was a little after noon. She was early and hoped Lucille would answer. On the fourth ring, a man answered, “Frantz residence; Jack speaking.”

  “Uh, I’m Liz Harmon. Who are you?” Does Lucille have a boyfriend?

  “Hi, Liz.” The man seemed out of breath. “Lucille told me about you. I’m her brother, Jack.”

  “Is everything OK?”

  “Well, it is now. Hold on a second. I’ll get Lucille.”

  While Liz waited for Lucille, she called to the children. “How’re you guys doing?”

  Ronnie and Regina ran over to her and Ronnie was scratching his ear. “Mom, can we go now?”

  “Not yet. Stand right here until I get off the phone.” Liz pulled the children close to her.

  Ronnie wriggled away from her and pointed toward a nearby exhibit. “Can we just go over there and watch the monkeys?”

  “OK, but don’t wander off. I’ll only be a minute…and take your sister’s hand.”

  Liz wistfully watched Ronnie when he grabbed Regina’s hand and led her toward the monkeys. He seemed so old just then. God, I hope this mess we’re in doesn’t make him grow up too fast.

  Finally, Lucille answered. “Liz?”

  “Yeah, it’s me. What happened?”

  “Well, Ron showed up drunk, and I told him to leave. Instead, he went back to his t
ruck and sat there with the window down, drinking beer and throwing empty cans into the street. I called Jack, and he came over. He went out to talk to Ron and found him passed out in the driver’s seat. He told me to call the cops, so I did, and they just drove off a few minutes ago.

  “Oh my God! Are you OK? I’m sorry. I should have been there.”

  “Don’t be sorry. I’m fine. The good news is, you can come back anytime. The bad news is, he’s gonna be mad as hell when he wakes up in jail.”

  Liz’s heartbeat spiked. “The thought of that scares the crap out of me. I’ll come home right now.”

  “OK. See ya when you get here. No rush.”

  She hung up the phone and saw her children chasing a peacock nearby. She walked toward them. “Come on kids. Let’s go home.”

  The children fell asleep on the way, and Liz’s imagination went into overdrive. What if Ron comes back…No! I’ve got to keep it together, or he wins. When she parked in front of the house, she wondered where Ron’s truck was. Hmm, probably got towed. She carried the children to their beds so they could finish their naps. Then she spotted Lucille on the patio and slid open the screen. “I’m back.”

  “Wow.” Lucille grinned. “You must have driven a hundred miles an hour. Where’s the kids?”

  “Asleep. Listen, I feel bad about your ordeal today. I won’t put you in that position again.”

  “Ah, forget it. It wasn’t that bad. You look like you could use a beer. Get one, and join me.”

  A beer sounded good. “OK, I’ll be right back.” Liz grabbed a can of Bud from the refrigerator and sat across from Lucille at the patio table. She eyed Lucille, drank some of the ice cold beer, and sighed. “That’s good. I feel better already. So was the truck towed?”

  “Yep,” Lucille said with a chuckle. “They had to stuff him into the squad car.”

  Liz took another sip of beer and frowned. “How long do you think he’ll be in jail?”

  “I’m not sure.” Lucille shrugged. “Probably until he sleeps it off.”

  “I know what Ron’s capable of, and my stomach’s in a knot thinking about him coming here.” Liz rubbed her forehead at a twinge of pain. “Now he’s giving me a headache as well.”