Stagecoach Road

by Daniel Kamen

  There was a five second pause.

  “You could have been killed,” Marsha said, acting like she was genuinely concerned. “Our kids could have lost their father.”

  “And what of it?” Benny replied, not wanting to endure any niceties from his unfaithful wife. “I’m insured for over two million. You could have had your pick.”

  “I guess there isn’t anything left to say,” Marsha said, sensing the edge in his voice.

  “Yes there is,” Benny countered. “I’m keeping the six grand I won last night. Living expenses. Our lawyers will work out the maintenance and child support. It’s over.”

  Benny hung up and called Tracey.

  “Just don’t let anyone in until I get there,” Dr. Weinstein said to his trustworthy employee.

  “But what if I can’t?” Tracey asked. “How can I keep them out?”

  “Just do the best you can. I’ll be there in a half hour. Later.”

  Then he called Rings.

  “Yo, Sox! I heard,” Rings exclaimed. “Man, I’m glad you’re alive. Where the fuck are you?”

  Benny transferred the phone to his other ear, getting a better grip on his newspaper.

  “Where am I?” Benny jokingly said. “I’m in Havana Cuba. They’re after me!”

  Two second silence.

  “For real?” Rings asked in disbelief.

  “No, not for real!” Benny said, shaking his head at the young man’s gullibility. “I’m outside a donut shop in East Chicago. I see you already know.”

  “Yeah, man,” Rings said. “You could have been laid out with a tag on your toe. You’re one lucky dude.”

  “I know. Listen, there’s a lot of people hanging around outside my office. I’ll chase them away once I get there. But I was thinking, this would be a good time for me to see your mother. Ask her if she wants me to look at her back.”

  “I already did, Sox. She can’t wait--all excited about it, you know. No one’s been able to help her. You gotta have good insurance to get good help.”

  “Well you tell your mother the price is right at my office--free. I already told you that. Can you stop by at three?”

  “Three? Yeah, I think so. We’ll see you then,” Rings confirmed. “Oh, and momma loves her new wheelchair. I got eighty bucks to spare after paying for it!”

  “Maybe she won’t need that chair after I’m through with her.”

  “You think so? You can cure momma?”

  “I don’t know. Just talking. But I’ll try. See you at three.”

  Benny hung up the phone and drove to his office. All of the parking spots were taken by curiosity seekers and news trucks, so he had to park across the street. He saw his first patient waiting outside amongst the onlookers--it was Carla. Tracey arrived at the same time, holding on to Mitzie for dear life. That poor frightened Beagle had her tail, not tucked, but strapped underneath her belly--the hairy tip wiggling on her chest. Both Tracey and Dr. Weinstein pushed their way through the crush of humanity as they made their way to the door. Everyone was shouting questions, or shouting obscenities, maybe hoping to get on TV. Benny pulled out his key to open his door.

  “HOLD IT. HOLD IT EVERYONE,” Dr. Weinstein shouted, addressing the hoard like a politician. “I’M NOT ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS NOW OR ANY OTHER TIME. GO HOME.”

  Dr. Weinstein hurriedly pushed his key in the door, while shielding Tracey and Mitzie from the mass of flesh. They made it in alone, and Dr. Weinstein quickly locked the door.

  “Wait, Carla’s still outside,” Tracey said. “Don’t you want to see her?

  Dr. Weinstein considered that for moment.

  “Oh…..oh…all right…all right,” Dr. Weinstein hesitantly decided. “I suppose if I can survive a shotgun to my head, I can survive Carla, too. YOU let her in!”

  Tracey knocked on the glass door and mouthed, “I’m letting you in,” to Carla. Tracey unlocked the door and Carla jumped into the office. Tracey quickly locked the door behind her. The crowd was still there.

  “Just my neck today,” Carla said matter-of-factly as if the whole scene didn’t bother her.

  “That’s it?” Dr. Weinstein said in amazement. “You plowed your way through for a little neck adjustment?”

  “Noooo!” Carla said devilishly. “And for this!” she said, holding out a brown paper bag.

  “What is it?” Dr. Weinstein asked. “Not another cake!”

  Tracey stayed to watch the unveiling. Carla pulled what looked like a heavy object from the bag. It was wrapped in newspaper. She handed it to Dr. Weinstein.

  “Here, take it,” Carla said as Dr. Weinstein reached for the present. “You can use it.”

  Dr. Weinstein lifted the package up as if to weigh it.

  “Oh, no!” Dr. Weinstein lamented. “It’s not what I think it is?” he asked, motioning for Tracey and Carla to move out of sight into the hallway.

  “But it is!” said Carla. “Alex phoned me this morning from Canada and asked me to give it to you. He read about the trouble you had last night in an Ontario paper. Take it. It’s one of his old ones. He has plenty more.”

  Benny tore the paper from Carla’s gift. It was exactly what he thought it was--a gun!

  “Ooo, a gun!” Tracey said, surprised by the sight of it. “I think I’ll transcribe some patient notes. Come on, Mitzie,” she said while running to her office.

  “Thanks,” Dr. Weinstein said. “But I really don’t need this. I can’t have something like this in my office.”

  “It’s a gift,” said Carla. “An antique. Alex and I both want you to have it. It’ll make you feel safer. I’m pretty sure you can still buy bullets for it.”

  Dr. Weinstein capitulated. “Okay, thanks. I’ll put it in my car after the melee is over.”

  Benny finished up with Cara and asked Tracey to reschedule all of his appointments to the next day and Saturday. He saw just two more patients that morning--a couple of injury cases who were already on their way. He used the rest of the morning to call his lawyer and look for an apartment.

  “I’ll be back at three,” Dr. Weinstein told Tracey. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off--on me!”

  Only a few stragglers were left by eleven o’clock. Dr. Weinstein walked past them, hiding his new gun under his bomber which he was carrying on that warm spring day. He walked to his car and put his jacket with the gun in his trunk. He didn’t go straight to lunch. He drove to the Walgreens across the street to use their payphone. He had to call a realtor.

  “Hello, Laura? Benny Weinstein! Your daughter said I could reach you at this number. Yes, I know we have plans for tomorrow. But I’d like to see a condo now if you have time. Great! Yes, I have the address: 1114 South Calumet Avenue, number 24. Right, I know, second floor. I can be there in fifteen minutes.”

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Benny was all nervous when he got back in his car and headed towards South Calumet Avenue in Munster to see Laura again--the first time in nineteen years. All of this time she was that close to his neighborhood, five miles away and he didn’t know it. He didn’t know her married name, if in fact she was married. Gail never said whether she was or wasn’t. It didn’t matter. He wanted to see her. What did she look like? Could she have changed all that much? He was expecting the worst. At least it wasn’t a date. He was meeting her as a professional. He needed to get a condo.

  It was 12:45 p.m. when Benny pulled up to the complex. Most of the tenants were at work and the parking lot was nearly empty. He cruised down the row of buildings and spotted 1114. He was a few minutes early so he waited in his car. He reached for a half smoked cigar in his ashtray but decided not to light it. I don’t think she ever smoked, he thought. He looked in his side view mirror and saw a cream colored late model Cadillac approaching. That’s probably her, he thought, adjusting his tie. The car pulled up next to him. Inside was a lady, about his age, very plump with died black hair. “Oh, no,” he said to himself. “If that’s her….. He got out of the car and was about to sa
y “Laura” when someone from behind covered his eyes. Her fingers smelled great, like lilac perfume. Then he heard a familiar voice.

  “Guess whoooooooo?” the melodic female sound of his youth rang out.

  Benny opened his eyes. Her hands light on his face. He saw her perfectly manicured nails adorned with the prettiest shade of pink polish. Benny reached for her left hand and caressed one of her fingers. He turned around to take a look. It was Laura. And she looked stunning!

  “Benny! Benny! Benny!” Laura exclaimed. “Is that you? You…you…my God…you look GREAT!”

  Benny blinked his eyes four times fast. “I look great? Me? Look at you! You look sensational!”

  They quickly embraced, holding each other for a good ten seconds. In fact, Laura did look sensational. Her face still pretty, a little more mature, but a great smile, and long hair pulled up in an attractive bun pinned up with an ivory stick. She had a gorgeous figure, nice butt, great boobs, and sexy legs. She wore the most beautiful pink lipstick and exquisite diamond earrings. She was conservatively dressed in a beige, knee length business skirt, and gray form fitting sweater.

  “WOW!” Benny howled. “I can’t get over how you haven’t changed. Just like the day I last saw you… just like…” Benny suddenly had a flashback to that night. That awful night. And Laura knew it.

  “Come on, Benjamin,” Laura said, turning on her professional persona and picking up her briefcase. She knew what Benny was thinking.

  Benny followed Laura into the complex. It was a modern building with all the amenities: pool, sauna, gym, a kids’ playground, clubhouse, pond, everything.

  “There’s no elevator,” Laura said. “But it’s just up one flight of stairs. You look like you can handle it!” paying her old beau a compliment.

  They reached the second floor and walked down the hallway.

  “Gail tells me you’re getting divorced,” Laura said delicately. “I think that’s so sad. I know you have kids.”

  “Yeah, well, what can you do,” Benny replied. “It happened so fast.”

  “It’s not that terrible, though,” Laura offered. “I got divorced three years ago,” she said handing Benny her business card as she stopped in front of the door. “Here it is--number 24.”

  Laura unlocked the door with her master key. Benny glanced at the business card as they both walked in. Laura closed the door from behind.

  “I see you kept your maiden name, Burns.”

  “Yeah, I did,” said Laura. “It was Pearson. My ex’s name was Warren Pearson. He owns a plumbing company in Merrillville. Maybe you’ve heard of it, Pearson Plumbing. They have a corny slogan: Our Prices Won’t Drain You.’”

  “No,” Benny said, “can’t say I’ve heard of them. I kinda like that slogan! But I don’t think it’s original.”

  “Probably not,” said Laura, completely agreeing. “There wasn’t much original about him--including his girlfriend.”

  “Oh, sorry,” said Benny.

  “That’s okay. I’m seeing someone now--a big shot tax attorney from Chicago--Ned.”

  “Who?” Benny asked.

  “Oh, it’s not important. Let me show you around.”

  Benny was somewhat disheartened to learn she had a boyfriend. Though it really didn’t make much difference. He wasn’t looking for a new relationship this soon, anyway.

  “There’s furniture in here!” Benny said, like he discovered a new thing.

  “Oh, I didn’t tell you. These condos come fully furnished. But you don’t have to buy it furnished. You can if you like.”

  “No, it’s fine,” Benny said. “It looks better than what I would have picked out.”

  Laura escorted Benny to the kitchen.

  “This has everything you need,” Laura said, taking out a brochure from her folder. “Microwave, ice maker, electric stove, coffee maker, dishwasher, disposal--everything. And it’s in your price range.”

  “Nice,” Benny said. “What about the bedroom?”

  “This way,” Laura said, clutching her pen between her pearly white teeth. “There are two bedrooms. I’ll show you the master first.”

  Benny followed Laura into the master bedroom.

  “It’s so big! And I like the windows,” Benny said, admiring the view.

  Laura stood next to Benny, both looking out the window.

  “Yes, it is nice,” Laura said. “It’s a great view of the pond.”

  Benny looked directly at Laura’s beautiful dark eyes. “And it’s a nice view here, too,” he said, putting his hand on her waist. Laura, momentarily forgetting her professional manner, put her hand on Benny’s thigh. Benny raised his hands, gently cradling Laura’s gorgeous face. She gazed back at him. Benny pulled the pen out of her mouth and tossed it on the nightstand. He put his hand on the back of her neck and slowly pulled her face close to his and kissed her, smudging her pink lipstick on the side of her mouth.

  “Oh don’t, don’t,” Laura pleaded as Benny planted his mouth on hers again and closed the blinds. “I’m seeing Ned. Oh, don’t, don’t.”

  Benny reached under her skirt, softly caressing her panties near her moist slit. Laura dropped her notebook on the floor and rubbed Benny under his sac through his pants. Benny passionately kissed her, reaching his other hand up her back and unsnapping her bra.

  “No, we better not. We better not,” cried Laura. “I’m supposed to be working.”

  Benny had his mouth firmly covering hers while he pulled her bra out from under her tight sweater, letting it fall to the floor.

  “Oh, Benny, Benny. I have other appointments,” Laura sighed. “Later. Not now. Later.”

  Benny reached up her sweater and put his palm on her huge firm melons, softly feeling each erect nipple with his fingers. He lifted up her sweater and kissed each of her perfectly formed white mounds. Then he raised her sweater off around her head, exposing her succulent tits. He pulled the ivory stick out of her bun, letting her long brown hair drape down to her shoulders. He worked his finger up her hot moist pussy, squishing inside, while she reached down his Khakis and grabbed his rock hard cock. Benny reached up and pulled Laura’s panties all the way down, past her thighs and knees, to her ankles. She stepped out of them while she unbuckled Benny’s pants and pulled them down. All that remained was her beige skirt which Benny didn’t remove as he lifted it up while she parted her sexy thighs revealing her sizzling twat. Benny lifted her up, placing her firm white buns on the side of the bed. She grabbed his throbbing organ and placed the head next to her steamy snatch. Benny had both hands on her tits as he kissed her and slowly worked all eight inches of himself into her horny box.

  “Oh, Benny! Benny! Benny!” Laura moaned, hyperventilating while climaxing after a dozen pumps. “You’re so stiff. Owww, OH, OH, Oh, oh, oh,” she continued to moan, her head moving from side to side. “Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me!” she screamed.

  Benny slid in and out of Laura’s scorching snatch. She put both her hands around his face and lovingly kissed him while she grabbed the back of his head, pushing his mouth harder into hers. She then reached under his enormous dick and loved up is nuts, fingering his balls, her French manicured nails caressing his sac. Benny was never so horny as he kept squishing in and out of his high school sweetheart. He took his mouth off of Laura’s and kissed her neck, down to her nipples, putting each one in his mouth.

  “Don’t cum in me!” Laura begged. Don’t cum in me! Don’t cum in me! OH, OH,” Laura loudly moaned, Benny plunging deeper into her pussy without pulling out. He couldn’t hold it any longer and sprayed a geyser of hot cream deep inside her yielding burning twat. Laura softly kissed him as he laid her down on the bed. Both exhausted.

  “Oh, God,” Laura said. “That was great!” She caught her breath for another ten seconds. “It should have been you.”

  “What?” Benny asked while blissfully recovering.

  “It should have been you that night at the graduation party. Maybe that terrible thing wouldn’t have happened to you
. How was I to know? I was only seventeen.”

  Benny got up and covered his naked body with his pants.

  “I guess we all live and learn,” he said, realizing Laura knew about the beating. Things would have been different for a lot of people,” Benny said, secretly referring to the bullies he just killed. And I totally agree. It really should have been me. I wanted you. We should have been married.”

  Laura’s eyes lit up when she heard that.

  “You know, it’s never too late,” she said. “We’re both free now--kind of!” she blushed.

  Benny really wasn’t in the mood to start a serious relationship. But the old feelings were still there, and strong. He thought he’d better change the subject.

  “Where’s the shower?”

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Laura and Benny left the complex at 2:30 p.m. Laura was busy combing her hair out as she walked to her lavender Mercedes.

  “Gee! Look at that!” Benny said. “Looks like you’re doing better than me!”

  Laura smiled. “I’m doing quite well, but that’s a company car. My boss likes to impress.”

  “Well you tell your boss, whoever it is, that I was thoroughly impressed! I’ll take it.”

  “I’ll tell her,” Laura said. “Gail and I are picking you up at your office tomorrow night at seven, right?”

  “I was just thinking about that,” Benny said. “Why don’t I just meet you at the Brass Bomber at eight. That way we’ll have two cars in case Gail needs to leave early or something. I’ll be staying in Miller with my folks until I move into the condo.”

  “Oh yeah, your folks,” Laura said, fondly recollecting the days she spent with Benny at his old house. “They’re great people. How are they?”

  “They’re fine,” Benny said. “A little upset about me getting divorced, but they’re fine. Dad sold the store a few years ago and he’s retired. Mom likes being a bubby. She’s keeping busy.”

  “Maybe I’ll stop by and say hello,” Laura said, looking for an invite. “I wonder if they’ll remember me.”