Sintown Chronicles II: Through Bedroom Windows

by David O. Dyer, Sr.

  “I think I may have found a way to employ a few more of Dot's poor."

  “How's that?"

  “I was visiting the few houses on Schoolhouse Road. I met a couple named Jan and Jake Everhart."

  “Damn, Teach. You should know them. They eat at Dot's Diner every night."

  “Somehow I've missed them. Anyway, they run what appears to be a very successful mail-order business. Their home was littered with merchandise and bags of mail. I spent three hours helping fill orders."

  “Well all right, Teach. Somebody finally took you up on your offer to help."

  She smiled. “They didn't hesitate to accept my offer. While we worked, I suggested that they build a warehouse and hire some of Dot's poor people to help them. Like me, they didn't know there were any poor people in Dot. Jake seemed excited about the idea. At least he said he would check on it first thing tomorrow."

  “It's a shame he didn't think of it before Frank bought the old warehouse across from the church."

  “Buzz, that's a great idea. Frank is just using the front of the building. He could put up a partition and rent the rest to the Everharts."

  “Whatever,” he said as he pushed his plate away.

  “I'm ready to go whenever you are,” she said.

  “You didn't eat half your dinner."

  “I haven't gained any of the weight back, either."

  He grinned. “I noticed while we were at the pool last night. Leave the waitress a ten-spot and go on home. I don't want company. I want a hot shower and a comfortable spot in front of the big TV you bought."

  “Let me go with you, Buzz. I'll massage your back with my boobs while you are in the shower. You liked that the last time we did it. And I'll give you a real massage while you're watching TV."

  “I'm not going to pleasure you, Debbie,” he said sternly.

  She lowered her eyes as she placed the folded bill under his plate. “I know."

  * * * *

  June remained in her seat when the class took its mid-session break. Jay propped on the student desk in front of her.

  “Are you okay, Computer Lady? You haven't said a word. You won't even look at me."

  She locked her eyes on his. “Did you have sex with me last night?"

  “You don't remember?"

  She shook her head. “The next thing I remember after stretching out on the sofa is waking up in your bed, naked from the waist down. Did you fuck me, Jay?"

  “What do you want the answer to be, yes or no?"

  “No,” she almost pleaded.

  “Didn't you notice I was sleeping on the sofa?"

  “That doesn't mean much."

  “You got drunk and passed out, June. I tried to wake you. You needed to go to the bathroom but didn't quite make it and soiled your panties and slacks. I put you to bed, washed and dried your clothes and left them in the bathroom where you would be sure to find them. Did you get home okay this morning?"

  She nodded. “Did you..."

  “I didn't touch you, June.”

  “I have an announcement,” Jay said at the conclusion of the Wednesday class. “Friday night you need to go directly to the computer lab. Those of you who have portables, be sure to bring them with you. Professor Mark Thornton will meet with you. The entire session will be devoted to loading the accounting software we use in this class and setting up a chart of accounts for your dummy companies. Your presence Friday night is extremely important."

  As the rest of the class moved towards the exit, June went to Jay's desk. “Why are you not teaching the class Friday night?"

  He grinned as he packed his briefcase. “My colleagues think I am attending the annual convention of the North Carolina Society of Accountants at Myrtle Beach this weekend. Actually, I am the speaker at just one of the sessions. I hope to spend the rest of my time playing in the sun."

  “I've never been to Myrtle Beach,” she said. “I've never even seen the ocean. I've heard it's beautiful."

  He looked up. “Why don't you go with me, June?"

  She laughed. “I wish."

  “I'm serious. As a speaker, they pay me by providing a suit of rooms and meals for a guest and myself. Go with me, June. It won't cost you one red cent. I plan to leave about three o'clock Friday afternoon and come back Monday."

  She laughed. “Jay, you know I can't do that. The weekend is the only time Frank and I have together and I have to work Monday. Come on, slow poke. I'm anxious to see what you've done on my computer and to start learning how to use it."

  “Uh, not tonight, June. I, uh, have some other things I need to do. I'll see you tomorrow about seven-thirty."

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “Did you finish setting the place up, Buzz?"

  “Nah,” he said as he cut into the generous slice of roast pork. “They were suppose to deliver the coolers today, but there was a mix-up. They promised to deliver them tomorrow."

  “You still planning to open Saturday?"

  He nodded as he chewed. “You sure that salad is all you want tonight, Debbie?"

  “My stomach has been tied in knots all day."

  He grinned. “Anticipating tonight's fun?"

  She did not answer.

  “I bought a Polaroid camera today at the discount house. I can hardly wait."

  She shuddered and he saw moisture building in her eyes.

  “Quit worrying. I won't let them do any more than paw you a little. Hey, who knows? Teenage pricks might turn you on. If that happens, Debbie, go for it. I'd love to have some pictures of you entertaining a room full of boys."

  Deborah wiped her eyes with a napkin. “You're wrong, Buzz. I haven't made a secret out of wanting you, but I'm not interested in anyone else."

  “That's the story of my life. Always wanting what I can't have and never satisfied with what I do have."

  “What is it you want Buzz, that you don't have?"

  He glared at her. “Where have you been, bitch? I want a career in the NFL."

  “Is it too late?"

  “Hello Partner. Howdy Buzz,” Billy Frank interrupted.

  Deborah's face flushed and she quickly said, “I can't believe you've deserted your mother's diner."

  “She closes at seven,” he explained, recognizing the look in her eyes.

  “What's this partner, shit?” Buzz asked, his eyes blazing.

  “Uh, just an expression, Buzz,” Billy replied unconvincingly. “Look, I just came over to tell you the cooler people called a few minutes ago. They say they'll be here at seven in the morning. You think you can make it that early?"

  “I'll be there."

  They watched Billy sit at the counter to order his dinner.

  “You fucking slut!” Buzz said. “I hope the kids ruin you for life tonight. No holds barred, bitch. Hell, I may let them use the probe on you."

  “Buzz, I..."

  “Shut up, bitch. It was you that bought George Bennett's interest in the service stations. You forced Billy to give me the high paying job. How could I have been so blind?"

  They ate in silence for several minutes.

  “Buzz, I painted the porch and mowed the grass today."

  “I told you to go to your office and continue your visitation, you deceiving cunt."

  “I did that too,” she said. “I think I found additional jobs for people in Dot when I went to Penny Taylor's house."

  He would not look at her.

  “I know Sean, of course, but this was the first time I've met his wife. Anyway, Penny has a dozen greenhouses in which she grows produce during the winter."

  “She inherited that from her uncle, Amos Stone,” he mumbled.

  “She says there is a terrific demand for homegrown vegetables during the off season. She and Tim Dollar have a produce business and she goes around the south selling franchises. They sell prefabricated greenhouses, an instruction book and then buy the vegetables from their franchisees."

  “So?"

  “So I asked why they didn't provide local fa
rmers with the greenhouses. She said the locals can't afford the franchise fee and Tim is not willing to finance the franchises."

  “So you're going to loan the local farmers the necessary money and right all the wrongs of the world."

  “Why not? Penny said they would buy all the produce these people can harvest. There is a big demand from the fancy restaurants. I have my money invested in companies I never heard of. Why not invest it in the future of Dot?"

  “Little Miss Goodie Two Shoes—take your panties off."

  “Buzz."

  “Do it!"

  “May I go to the restroom?"

  “Do it right here, bitch."

  She struggled and hoped no one noticed.

  He picked up a bread stick and stroked it before handing it to her. “You know where I want you to put this."

  Deborah trembled as she obeyed.

  * * * *

  “I am very proud of you,” Jay said as he massaged June's shoulders.

  June pressed the return key and smiled as another expense item was successfully entered into the computer.

  “You've been at it for less than two hours and, by God, I think you've got it."

  “You're a good teacher,” she said.

  “Always have been,” he agreed without a trace of conceit in his voice. “Let's see if you remember how to save your work and get out of the program."

  “But Jay,” she protested, “there are at least a hundred more items to enter."

  “Come on, Computer Lady, don't argue with the professor."

  She clicked the floppy disk icon and waited for the blinking cursor. She clicked “File” and then “Close."

  “You really want me to shut off the computer?"

  He nodded. “I have a ton of things to do tonight, getting ready for my trip to the beach tomorrow. I'm going to have to shoo you out, now."

  “Go ahead,” she pleaded. “Do whatever you need to. I won't bother you."

  He cocked his head to one side. “Don't argue with the professor, June."

  She clicked the “Start” button, clicked on “shut down,” clicked “shut down computer,” and watched Windows 98 dance through it's closing sequence.

  Jay pushed down the lid and unplugged the power cord. “I wish you would change you mind, June. There is no need for you to attend the class tomorrow. The software is already on the computer and you are now far beyond your classmates. Go with me to Myrtle Beach."

  “You know I can't do that, Jay."

  “The meeting would be very helpful to you. You would gain a great deal of valuable information."

  “Like what?"

  “Like how much to charge your customers, other services you can offer, and pitfalls you need to avoid."

  “I can't do that to Frank—to Dottie. It would be fun, though."

  “Dottie?"

  “Dottie Frank—she owns the restaurant I work for."

  “Didn't you tell me she practically fired you?"

  “No, Jay. It wasn't like that. Besides, I don't want to piss her off. I'm counting on having her as a client."

  Instead of proceeding through the intersection on the way home, she turned left onto Highway 13 and headed for Maggie Skinner's house. She knew Maggie was now living with George Bennett. Frank would be in the house alone. She need not tell Frank she was wearing the diaphragm in case she decided to have sex with Jay Foster. What he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

  As she eased up the graveled driveway, she shut off her lights. She felt wicked as she parked next to his truck and looked at the house. Except for a dim glow coming from Maggie's bedroom, all the lights are out. I guess Frank moved into the master bedroom, she thought. Poor guy. He works so hard he's always exhausted. Looks like he's gone to bed early tonight.

  She unbuttoned her blouse and pulled it off. She wiggled out of her slacks and reached for the hook of her bra. No, she thought. That would be too much of a surprise. She eased out of the car as quietly as possible and headed for the front porch.

  The image of Frank opening the door and seeing her nearly nude body kept her from noticing the golf cart parked behind Frank's truck. She reached for the doorbell and hesitated. She tried the doorknob and grinned when the door swung open.

  She tiptoed across the living room and listened at the closed bedroom door. He has his radio tuned to a station playing soft, romantic music, she thought. This is perfect. She dropped her bra on the floor, pushed down her panties and threw open the door.

  “Surprise!” she shouted and then she screamed.

  Forgetting her lingerie she raced across the living room, down the porch steps and slammed into her car. She struggled into her blouse, cranked the engine and backed up.

  “June, wait!"

  Frank was waving frantically at her, standing on his porch. She could see his erection in the moonlight.

  She shifted into drive, rolled down her window and shouted, “Finish what you started you son-of-a-bitch."

  Her rear tires threw gravel and the car fishtailed as she raced down the driveway. Her tires squealed as she turned onto Old Charlotte Road, running a red light. She screeched to a stop in the parking lot beside the Dollar Building and struggled into her slacks. She could not stem the flow of tears as the elevator slowly rose to the third floor.

  June bolted her apartment door behind her and flung herself on the sofa, sobbing tears of utter devastation.

  There was a knock on the door. “Lovely Lady—June—please, let me in."

  “Go to hell, Frank Skinner!” she screamed.

  She knew he had a key and she heard him insert it into the lock. He can't get through the bolt, she thought.

  “June, please,” he begged when he realized the bolt was in place.

  She raced to the door and shouted at it. “Go fuck your flat-chested mistress."

  “June, let me explain."

  “How the hell are you going to explain that, Frank? You were eating her pussy while she sucked your dick. You won't do that to me or let me do that to you."

  “June,” he begged.

  “Go hump Sandy Dollar, damn it. Don't screw that up too. You sure as hell will never have me again."

  She listened. She could hear him breathing.

  “June, I'm sorry—so very, very sorry."

  She heard him slowly walking away. She tore open the bolt, threw open the door, and pulled the ring from her finger. “Catch, Bastard!” she shouted.

  She slammed and bolted the door and sat on the sofa, her head buried in her hands. Even the blazing anger could not stem the flow of tears, but thoughts of revenge did.

  “Dottie, this is June,” she said into the telephone. “I hope I didn't wake you."

  “I am in bed, June, but not asleep yet. What's up?"

  “Something has come up. I need a few days off."

  “June, you sound terrible. Do you have a cold?"

  “I suppose I do have the sniffles,” she said, “but that's not it. I broke up with Frank tonight."

  “Oh, June. I'm so sorry."

  “Yeah, well, as you know, these things happen sometimes."

  “June, give me twenty minutes. I'll come right over."

  “I'm okay, Dottie. Really. I just need a few days to myself. I ... I'm going out of town. I'll see you Tuesday morning."

  “June, this is awfully short notice."

  “You didn't give me much of a notice when you yanked my job out from under me,” June shouted into the telephone.

  “June! That's not true. I gave you a month's notice. You know Maggie will give you a job at the Korner Kafe. Besides, I'm counting on you to keep my books."

  “I'm sorry, Dottie. I'm upset. I'm going to Myrtle Beach for a few days. I'm leaving as soon as I can pack. I prefer to drive at night. I'll see you Tuesday morning.” She hung up before Dottie could say anything more.

  She dumped her purse on the kitchen table, found Jay's card and dialed the number.

  He answered on the fourth ring. “What is it?” he said gruffl
y.

  “Jay, it's me—June. I changed my mind. I will go to the beach with you."

  “Wonderful,” he replied.

  “It'll take me an hour to pack and another thirty minutes to get to your place. Keep the lights on. I'm going to suck your dick and screw the daylights out of you. I want to feel your tongue lapping at my clit, your cock in my asshole and squirting cum deep inside my pussy. I can hardly wait."

  She heard a voice in the background—a female voice. “Jay, come back to bed."

  “You Bastard!” she shouted. “You've got a woman there."

  “Call me in the morning, June."

  “In your dreams, asshole."

  “Call me promptly at seven in the morning or I will wipe your hard drive."

  She heard a click followed by a dial tone.

  Hard drive, she thought. That's part of a computer. Damn. I walked off and left my computer on his kitchen table.

  She opened the refrigerator door and counted. Six beers left, but there won't be any when the sun comes up.

  She twisted the cap off a brown bottle and guzzled half its content before collapsing at the kitchen table. The tears returned and she sobbed herself to sleep with the bottle half full.

  * * * *

  Deborah sat on the edge of the chaise lounge, water dripping from her body and the skimpy bathing suit she wore. Buzz turned over on his stomach.

  She rubbed his back. “I did it for you, Buzz."

  “I told you I don't want your damned money."

  “I didn't mean for you to ever find out."

  “Well, I found out, bitch. I told you once I'm not a gigolo."

  “There are no strings attached, Buzz. I simply wanted to please you."

  “Well, you fucked up, Teach."

  She used both hands on his lower back. “I'll go to Susan Kimel tomorrow and sign over my interest to you. You told me once you would like to be your own boss."

  “I also told you I don't want your damn money."

  “Yes, you did, but you can change your mind. I seem to recall you saying you would not punish me with sexual abuse."

  “Where are those damn kids? Wait ’til they get through with you. You'll wish you were dead."

  She took a deep breath. “They're not coming."

  He rolled to his side and looked at her. “What makes you so sure?"