The Battered Body

by J. B. Stanley

  “Be right there.” James balled up the evidence of his frantic snacking and flushed the toilet for good measure. Francis was already gone when he emerged from the stall, shoved the cheese-puff bags in the trash can, and then hastily rinsed and dried off his hands.

  “Everything okay?” James asked as he picked up the receiver.

  “I’m sorry to bother you at work, dear. I’m just having a hard time dealing with Chase. He told me a few days ago that he didn’t care about the funeral arrangements, but now he’s criticizing all the choices I made, saying that I barely knew my own sister.” Milla sniffed. “That hurts my feelings, James. I tried so hard to keep in touch with her, to be a part of her life.”

  “I know you did,” he assured her. “And I’m confident that Chase is giving you plenty of helpful opinions without offering to write a check. Am I right?”

  “Yes.” Milla sighed. “Paulette’s already been cremated. That’s what she asked for in her will so I took care of it, but Chase wants to scatter her ashes off the mountain and I’d like to bury them in the churchyard. I know it’s selfish, James, but if she’s there I could go visit her. Talk to her.” Milla’s voice broke, but she quickly regained control and said, “Your father has been very gallant. Even though he still doesn’t like to go out in public, I had to stop him from running over to the hotel. He said he was going to teach that young man a thing or two about manners, but I’m afraid I volunteered you to state my case for me. I’m afraid Jackson’s temper might get the better of him.”

  James wished he were at home so he could wrap Milla in a comforting embrace. “I’ll speak to Chase over my lunch hour, but if that punk is rude to you again, I’m going to let Pop at him!”

  More stressed than before, James closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. He had thirty minutes until he turned the library over to the care of the Fitzgerald twins, and he knew that the fruit salad and vegetable soup he had brought for his midday meal were not going to cut it. Visions of grabbing a double cheeseburger, large fries, and a chocolate shake seemed overwhelmingly appealing.

  “You look like you’re thinking happy thoughts,” said a familiar female voice.

  “Dr. Ruth!” James opened his eyes and glanced away guiltily. “Nice to see you.”

  Gesturing at the corner of her mouth, the nutritionist grinned. “I think you have some cheese-puff residue on your chin.”

  Ripping a tissue from the plastic holder next to the barcode scanner, James swiped at his mouth and chin. “You caught me, Dr. Ruth. Not only did I eat two bags of cheese puffs while hiding out in the men’s room, but just then, when I looked happy, I was fantasizing about having Burger King for lunch.”

  “Oh?” Dr. Ruth placed a copy of Jodi Picoult’s latest release on the counter and waited for James to continue.

  “It’s stress-related, I know that.” James scanned her book and tucked the small receipt listing the due date inside the front cover. “I also know that we’re not in your office right now, but can you give me a recommendation on how to stop myself from surrendering to cravings when I get like this?”

  Dr. Ruth touched him on the sleeve. “Don’t worry, this happens to all of us. Stress eating is a big obstacle when we’re trying to maintain a balanced diet. But life throws us curves, James, and sometimes you just need a Happy Meal.”

  James felt himself relaxing in Dr. Ruth’s calm presence. “Can’t I overcome how powerful my urges are?”

  “Absolutely. First, you could come up with an alternative for dealing with stress. Exercise is a wonderful solution, a drive through the mountains, or settling down to a jigsaw puzzle or some kind of craft project.” She examined his face. “But if you get worked up here and can’t escape to a more peaceful place, then try chewing gum, or taking a quick walk outside, or calling a friend to vent. Try not to reach for food. Make that choice very deliberately.”

  “That won’t be easy,” James mumbled.

  “No, it won’t. But you’re aware of your behavior, James, and so you’ve already won half the battle.” Dr. Ruth smiled as James held out her library book. “And I’m glad we had a chance to speak because I wanted to tell you that your next appointment with me will be at no charge. A little bird told me that you had a lot to do with the number of new clients I’ve had since the holidays. I’m very grateful, Mr. Henry. Thank you.”

  As Dr. Ruth walked away, James realized that he no longer craved a Burger King lunch. “I can face Chase Martin without a double cheeseburger!” he pronounced, and then marched into the break room to retrieve his low-calorie lunch.

  Chase was seated in the hotel lobby with all the bored and haughty authority of a monarch awaiting a gesture of supplication from one of his subjects. Clenching his fists, James recalled Milla’s wounded voice on the phone and felt a strong desire to slap Paulette’s son on both cheeks until his demeanor was a bit more humble.

  “I know why you’re here,” Chase said without preamble. “But my mother was not a religious person and she’d find it hypocritical to be buried in the churchyard.”

  “I understand,” James answered, and he took a seat next to the irksome lawyer. “However, your mother is gone and Milla is here. It would be a comfort to her to visit Paulette’s gravesite. I’m asking you to find some compassion for your mother’s sister and grant her this request.” He spoke as pleasantly as possible, which was very difficult since he really wanted to grab Chase’s coffee cup and hurl its scalding contents into the man’s smug face.

  Chase eased deeper into the chair and placed his right ankle on his left knee. Licking his finger, he rubbed at a faint scuff in the walnut-colored leather of his costly loafer. “Even Chloe agrees with my decision to release Mother at some pretty place. ’Course, my little sis wouldn’t care if I scattered the ashes in a landfill, but with the right incentive, she’ll back me on this issue.”

  James couldn’t keep his feelings of distaste inside. “Did you bribe your aunt too?”

  “No need,” Chase replied with a satisfied smirk. “She only came back to this hick town because Milla paid for the plane ticket. I suppose she’ll do her best to leech off your folks until she’s too infirm to go back to Natchez.”

  How could I have ever believed this man had a single decent bone in his body? James thought back to their family dinner at Mamma Mia’s and how, when Chase was in a state of inebriation, he seemed almost likable.

  “I’m sure the two sisters merely wish to spend time with each other. Aren’t you in a hurry to return to your own family?”

  Chase snorted. “I can expect a big, fat check once my mother’s estate is settled, so I can now afford to pay the ridiculous alimony my wife’s demanding. The only thing I’m in a rush to do is divorce her, visit my spoiled, bratty daughters as little as possible, and spend a month in the Bahamas with that cute stewardess I met flying down here in December.”

  James stood. “I can see there’s no reasoning with someone without a shred of empathy. Would you condescend to telling me where and when you plan on scattering the ashes? I’d like to accompany Milla to the … event.”

  “Tomorrow morning. Early.” Chase inspected his fingernails. “After all, I’ve got places to be and things to buy. I found a nice little scenic spot in one of the hotel’s brochures on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bluff Mountain Overlook. Eight a.m. You bring your gal and I’ll bring my charming relatives. You can inform that Willow creature about our little soirée as well. No one’s speaking. There’ll be no music. I’m walking to the edge of the cliff, opening the cardboard box that Mother’s in, and tossing her out to the four winds. After that, you’ll be rid of me for good.”

  “I can hardly wait,” James muttered crossly.

  Chase rose, clapped him roughly on the shoulder, and then strutted through the lobby and disappeared down a hallway leading to the guest rooms. James’s lunch hour was running out, so he moved toward the display of wooden shelves containing dozens of area attractions and searched for the brochure on the Blue Ridge Parkway. H
e needed to determine the milepost marking their meeting place. He scanned the upper rows and, only seeing pamphlets highlighting the area’s caves and caverns, squatted down to look at the lowest shelf. Just as he was reaching out to grab the brochure showing a photograph of a two-lane road winding through the Shenandoah Valley’s beautiful, blue-hued mountains, he heard the murmur of familiar voices.

  “She’s always found us both wanting.” James recognized Chloe’s customary whine. “Why shouldn’t we be compensated after living a life filled with suffering? You lost the man you loved, and I feel more comfortable with sea mammals than I do with people. Mom ruined us both.”

  “You’re young, dear. Plenty of time left for a sunny day,” Wheezie replied in a childish singsong, which James could only assume was simply an odd character trait. “Anyhow, I got what I wanted. Al and I are spendin’ nearly every minute together. I wanna catch up with Milla and then go back home and try to be happy. You should try that too.” She began to hum.

  “What about you, Willow?” Chloe demanded petulantly. “How are you going to start over again without any money? Chase owes you too!”

  “That’s true. I’m still owed my salary for the month of December. Your brother promised to pay me and give me an extra month as a bonus for being so devoted Paulette, but now it seems as though he’s forgotten how to sign a check,” Willow remarked sourly.

  Her voice was so close that James realized the three women had settled into the cluster of lobby chairs he and Chase had previously occupied. How am I going to get out of here? he thought as he glanced at his watch.

  “We can’t let him treat us like this!” Chloe hissed. “He doesn’t deserve to be rewarded. He’s a greedy, lying, cheating son of a bitch. I’ve lost my husband, my house, and any hope of security. If I had half of what Chase had, I could start the marine life tour business I’ve been dreaming about and pay off my bills.”

  “Everything’s going to be just fine,” Willow assured her coolly. “I’m going to get my money and you can look to your future without so much anxiety. Trust me. If I could handle Paulette Martine, I can handle her son.”

  James listened as the women moved away. As he drove back to the library, he couldn’t quell a feeling of uneasiness. How did Willow plan to get the better of Chase Martin?

  It’s just Murphy’s book that’s bothering me, he told himself. The supper club will get through this uncomfortable experience just like I’ll get through this last family get-together tomorrow morning. After that, I can finally expect some peace in my life.

  The firehouse looked the same on the outside, but by the time James and a troop of other volunteers were done, the garage looked like a scene from a high school prom. Colorful streamers and glitter-encrusted gold and silver stars hung from the ceiling. Bunches of festive balloons were tied to the backs of folding chairs positioned around the room’s perimeter and a huge banner reading Congratulations Bennett hung above a wooden podium.

  “Luis had the risers and the podium brought over from school,” Lindy proudly informed James. “He’s also got the drama teacher rigging the sound system. We’re going to have a dance after the mayor’s speech. Look! They’re putting up the disco ball!”

  “And here comes the food!” Lucy announced as she carried in a commercial baking tray filled with cookies. “Aren’t these awesome?”

  James waited until she set down the tray and then moved alongside her. Confused, he asked, “Why are the cookies shaped like keys?”

  “Because the mayor’s giving Bennett the Key to Quincy’s Gap,” Lucy answered happily. “These are snickerdoodle cookies covered with golden icing. Megan and Amelia Flowers have made hundreds of them. I had to quit the decorating committee just to help ice them.”

  “I didn’t realize our town had an official key,” James said, reaching out to take a cookie.

  Lucy slapped his hand away. “We didn’t, but the mayor came up with one to present to Bennett as a prize.”

  “Did you bake cookies in your uniform?” Lindy teased.

  “No. And I just put the frosting on, though I stopped to lick my fingers at least twenty times.” Lucy smiled. “Well, I’ve got to run. I’m part of the escort bringing Bennett back here. If I was in a cruiser without being in uniform, Bennett would be suspicious. See you soon!”

  James straightened a wrinkle in the tablecloth as Lindy placed two flower arrangements in the centers of the longest buffet tables.

  “Any word from Gillian?” he asked her.

  “Just an e-mail. I’ve been calling her all day, but I guess she didn’t feel like talking. She wrote back that she needed to take her time getting ready but that she’d be here tonight and we shouldn’t be worried.”

  The two friends continued their preparations. By the time they were done decorating, dozens of women had arrived bearing dishes of food. There were side salads of every variety including green salad, Waldorf salad, ambrosia salad, three-bean salad, and three kinds of potato salad. There were huge aluminum trays filled with fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, lasagna, tuna casserole, baked beans, collard greens, and mini corn cobs. There were baskets of bread including French baguettes, Italian bread, garlic bread, onion rolls, pumpernickel rolls, and buttered white rolls.

  The dessert table was so full of pies, cakes, cupcakes, and cookies that the yellow tablecloth was barely visible. James strolled along the table, examining the homemade treats with a lecherous eye. He wasn’t alone. Most of the men in the room were discussing which sweets they’d be choosing once the women allowed them access to the food.

  Bit by bit, the large garage filled up with revelers. Bottles of cold beer were handed out, glasses of cheap white wine were distributed, and the noise rose exponentially as more and more townsfolk arrived.

  James surveyed the faces of his fellow community members. He said hello to teachers and beauticians, Mr. Goodbee the pharmacist, Doc Spratt, the Fitzgerald twins, the employees from the liquor and grocery stores, Sam and the other bartenders from Wilson’s Tavern, the wait staff from Dolly’s Diner, the excited postal workers, Dr. Ruth and her sons, Custard Cottage’s Willy Kendrick, and even Joan, his ambitious real estate agent.

  “The sheriff just called!” someone yelled. “Bennett’s five minutes away!”

  As James turned to identify the exuberant messenger, he was flabbergasted to see the last person he’d ever expected to find inside the Quincy’s Gap firehouse. It was Jane, his ex-wife.

  Blinking to clear his eyes of what clearly was a hallucination, James looked again. Without doubt, it was Jane. There was no way he wouldn’t recognize her wavy brown hair, which she had cut short into a carefree bob, her angular jaw, or her luminous skin. Her figure had grown fuller since he’d seen her last, but the extra weight had made her softer. The areas of her body that had once been tight and sinewy with muscle were now curvy and alluringly feminine. The Jane he had known for over four years had always dressed to the nines in form-fitting skirts and glitzy accessories, but the woman smiling at him from the other side of the room wore jeans, a white blouse, and cowboy boots.

  “She’s beautiful,” James spoke aloud and began to weave his way toward her.

  When he finally stood in front of her, he didn’t know what to do, but Jane took charge as she always had. She reached up, embraced him warmly, and said, “Sorry to give you such a shock.”

  “These days my life is full of them,” James replied as he continued to stare at her. In the few years they had been apart, fine lines had sprung around the corners of Jane’s eyes and around her mouth, but she was still one of the loveliest women in the room. “But it’s good to see you, even though I can’t begin to imagine how you ended up here.”

  Jane laughed. “It’s good to see you too. And you’re as handsome as ever. I thought I’d pick a public place to make my appearance. I wanted to make certain there’d to be a defibrillator around in case you needed a hasty revival.”

  “That’s very considerate of you.” James couldn’t h
elp but grin. Jane and he had always shared a similar sense of humor. “And are you here with someone?” he couldn’t help but ask, with a trace of unkindness, for his wife had left him for a hotshot trial lawyer. And having seen the disagreeable Chase Martin Esquire only hours before, James wasn’t particularly fond of those working in that profession.

  “I’m alone. Kenneth is out of the picture,” Jane replied flatly. “He has been for a while now.” She shrugged and looked away. “I left a decent and devoted husband for a cruel playboy. I was afraid of becoming predictable and I longed for excitement and well, I got it.”

  The pain and fear in her voice stirred protective feelings in James. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

  She shook her head, her eyes blazing in anger. “No. Not me.”

  James was just about to ask what she meant by that remark when the sound of a bugle call caused him to whip his head around so that he faced the door. The startling noise was immediately followed by unified cheering from the townsfolk as Bennett was led into the room.

  It was obvious that Bennett had not expected such a reception. His eyes darted wildly about the dozens and dozens of shouting, clapping figures, a smile frozen on his face.

  “I’ll be back!” James yelled to Jane over the roar of the crowd. “I think he could use a friend to lean on right about now.”

  Jane patted him on the back. “You always excelled at that,” she said loudly. “I’ve never met a more loyal man than you. Go on! I’ll catch up with you later.”

  For once, James was glad to possess some bulk, for his height and solid physique enabled him to barrel forcefully through tight clusters of well-wishers until he reached Bennett’s side.

  “I can’t believe this.” Bennett was clearly dumbfounded. “Can we escape out the back door?” He asked weakly, but the tide of townsfolk closed in behind them and the two men were gently prodded forward toward the temporary stage.

  “It’ll be over in a minute,” James assured his friend and pushed him up the last step leading to the dais.