A Life Plan Without You.

by Christine Wood

  “You, you’re a bit of a bully on the field aren’t you Missy?” I smiled.

  “Not without good cause, I have a wide advantage point and can see the players and where they need to be. I see all and know all, there’s nothing new it that either, before you say something Jimmy.” I turned to the girl. “Hello Miss, can I help you with directions, to get the hell off my field?” Her mates were egging her on to fight, as I had hurt her earlier. “Please… You really want to go there? Bring it on and whoever else wants to try, your more than welcome? You young lady were warned my fiancé is off limits.” They moved off the field, oh that was good. I didn’t need to fight.

  “Rocky strikes again.” Jimmy was laughing.

  “Give me two minutes to change, I stink will be as quick as I can, your quiet Sam?” He spoke.

  “That was the girl you gave the champagne to from the club, she’s a little bit like you, but not, hell I’m never drinking again.”

  “She looks similar to me Sam with the badly permed hair perhaps, and we’re both your college groupies.” He looked visibly shocked looking at her and then back at me. I laughed and went to shower and change. I changed into the cream dress and tights and shoes put all my dirty gym stuff and uniform in the bag and headed out.

  “You look nice Michelle.” Tasha shouted at me. Kelly P looked at the dress.

  “A little bit too froufrou for me.” I laughed at her. Bet she gets one for her party Saturday.

  “I like it and Sam loves it and they are the only two opinions, I care about too. I’d ask you if, I gave a shit what you thought Kelly.” Tasha was in hysterics as I shouted at Kelly, I was at last sticking up for myself, I waved to Tasha, and I went out to meet Sam. Since being with Sam, my confidence had grown. I was a hell of a lot more vocal when I was challenged and when the girls or lads I’d hated for so long, when they made snide comments, my smart mouth would have them looking like fools. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me, breaking free I sighed, his kisses seemed to get better and more intimate with each one. I wonder if you can die from lack of this particular drug?

  “Mine first Sam, I need to drop these off and get changed come on.” Mum was out at Pat’s she hadn’t stepped through the door since our last spat. Mum now does her lapdog impression at Pat's house. Jimmy looked around the room and smiled, I bet he’s seen this room from the other side of the window a few times?

  “Sit please, I won’t be a minute Becky, can you please make them a drink, no winding Sam up please, if you want money you can babysit for me Sunday. I will give you what Uncle Robert gives you on top.” She grinned and said she would, I changed as quickly as I could.

  “Sam, are we meeting Andy in the pub and going up to your Aunts from there?” I shouted down, he came up, as I was mid underwear change.

  “Nice view, my baby’s tits are fucking awesome. Whatever you want, you are doing tea by the way.” I finished with the bra I grabbed the yellow dress and shoes, as he shut the door.

  “We have time for that, and my tits are awesome? When did you finish pervert high school? You are uncouth erh, my fiancé is a perv.” His hands massaged them through my dress.

  “Perv? Not so much, but your boobs are nice to play with, and they are all mine, just mine baby. How’s that any better Mi cielo? I always have time for this but no this is for you.” He stopped playing with ‘the tits’ and gave me a box, with a red ribbon round it.

  “This is for what exactly?”

  “Open it and find out, please Mi cielo.” I undid the ribbon and pinned it to my poster I opened the box, nestled on the velvet cushion lay a beautiful Platinum locket, it was exquisite and the engraving was beautiful, with my initials in the centre.

  “Open it please you won’t let me buy you a ring, so this will have to do until you change your mind, Michelle I was giving you this yesterday but well things with Dad ruined the day I hope you like it, and don’t shout it was sitting there saying buy me, so I did.” The engraving is beautiful ‘I will love you, always and forever. Sam x’ I smiled as I looked at it he kissed my neck. The words were beautiful, and along with the cute photo of us at the zoo, he made me cry, again. I’d forgotten about those photo’s when did he get them done?

  “Your memory is crap Sam. This is though really pretty and I love you too...” He looked at me smiling his thumb wiped away the tear.

  “What’s wrong with my memory, I forget?”

  “That you’re too generous for your own good and you spent money too freely and too often, buying me things that you don't need to, but it’s very pretty thank you. Can you put it on for me please? Thank you it’s really nice, but it's the last thing you get me. Come on those two will be listening for noises.” I grabbed a tee shirt and shirt for Jimmy one’s that Sam had left. I opened the door laughing at Sam faking bed movements and went down.

  “Put these on Jimmy please, and pass me your grubby top, what do you do in college to get this dirty?” He did and wow, he looked more like Sam than I had noticed before. I put his things in my bag.

  “I had an arsehole messing around in my mechanics class, and he threw some sump oil and I was in the firing range, stop mothering me Mum does enough of that, and now I have Aunty too. I love it though they are spoiling me between them.” He’s laughing loudly and smiling, such a change.

  “Becky tell Mum I’m out tonight and back early tomorrow, I have another exam.” Sam was coming down the stairs, laughing. He’s easily pleased my damn fool fiancé. We made our way to the pub, I loved the change in Jimmy he is so different but Sam is still a work in progress. I took my shoes off and ran across the field, they followed, Sam laughing because Jimmy couldn't catch me, putting back on my shoes they caught up, I laughed as Jimmy watched Sam spin me around and give me a kiss.

  “For God sake do you to ever stop?” We were in unison as we said, no, and we never will. We arrived at The Frog where we met Andy I sat down and I smiled because Jimmy looked like the nervous one now.

  “Have you never been in here, with the drunken two?” He shook his head.

  “No, they don’t bring me out with them, ever.”

  “Well, and only If you want? We can go to Heaven on Friday, after class and I could invite Ellie if you want?” He went a glorious shade of pink.

  “You’d do that after all I did?” I smiled

  “I would, if you hadn’t fallen out of a tree we’d all still be plodding along going nowhere, thanks.” I kissed his cheek and went to the loo. When I got back, Sam whispered in my ear.

  “I saw that kiss.” I looked at him, smiling.

  “Really, what did you see a peck on the cheek, a thank you for falling out of a tree? We owe him more than a peck on the cheek angel, way more, I love you stop sulking.” He was smiling as his eyebrows rose umm he’s damn sexy.

  “So you’re taking my brother out on Friday then, it's not an intimate meal for two I hope?” I grinned.

  “Umm, I think it might be, his brother is getting old, and I need a younger model, one who puts out angel.” I whispered that bit in his ear. “The other really old one is taking his girlfriend somewhere nice and is dancing with her all night long isn’t that so Andrew.” He choked on his pint.

  “News to me? Well if she wants to, I’m game. We had a good night when you two buggered off.” I smiled.

  “Umm who’d have thought it, me buggering off and then you get a relaxed Zoë?” My thigh is getting tingly it was being massaged. Andy just laughed. “Just one in here, I have to cook the Todd-King clan gathering their tea.” My dress slowly lifted, and one look at his face told me he wasn’t stopping.

  “I’m putting out Friday, and you will know about it too, especially in here.” I laughed, as his finger skimmed my sex.

  “No, this is neither, the time nor the place Samuel, look forward to the putting out old man.” I whispered in his ear. He stopped what he was doing, with a sigh. He handed me my envelope full of cash and coins. Andy looked at the exchange. I counted it and gave Sam the money back
again he had slipped the money I gave him, back in the wage packet! He just smiled again and shrugged his shoulders.

  “My wages. I was let go today for being ill and Sam was holding them whilst I played hockey.” He had stopped playing with my leg and whispered in my ear.

  “The things I want to do with you tonight, Michelle.” Oh nice that made me smile. I wanted this to be the night then again I wanted the same thing every night.

  “The things I’ll let you do to me, too.” We got in a taxi to Aunties house.

  “We have arrived back, as requested Aunty, and we bring the serving wench, who’s cooking for us…” Andy screamed through the door, we opened the door to well… Their Father, he was sat there in their aunt’s lounge and looking smug and nasty. I went through to the kitchen they were both locked in there and the boys were still afraid of him, why? Hell I'd had it with him now, not here and never again.

  “Are you all right, let me in?” They didn’t speak but the door was unbolted, and the table dragged from the door. “Please tell me what does he want?” Aunty Allison spoke.

  “He’s come to take Jimmy home the boys aren’t welcome at the house anymore. We were phoning the police but he said go on, he had rights and the police were on his side, he has that dratted court order. Michelle, he is very drunk be careful, please.” I went back into the lounge. The boys, all three were terrified of him. I dialled the number. Dennis shuffled in his seat and stared at me. Right, as if I was frightened of him.

  “Can you go next door please Aunty Liz, and fetch Dad to the phone and quickly as you can, please.” He looked at me.

  “Right, what’s he going to do bitch?” He got up and came towards me I used the receiver from the phone as a makeshift weapon.

  “Oh I don’t think so Dennis back off and get out of here, because I’m not afraid to hit you with this and Dad will kill you. You’ve already smacked me and didn’t I warn you never to mess with me again? You though were perhaps too drunk to remember the last time you hit me? Hell, my Dad is going to kill you, that’s what he will do. Paybacks a bitch, not me. I hadn’t told him what you did, because you’re Sam’s father. I was giving you the benefit of the doubt of getting your act together? Seems I was wrong, you are incapable of any reasonable logic, a mistake on my part that’s not ever happening again, you get everything you deserve from now on.

  As to Jimmy? He’s going nowhere with you now or any time soon. He’s eighteen and has left college, so the terms of their enforced imprisonment ended two days ago, when he did his last exam. Stop your mind games with your wife and sons Mr Todd. Your meal tickets, left the day you hit me. That though should have stopped when you first hit your children and your wife. She should have reported you to the police way back, the boys should do it now, you should be in prison for what you’ve done, and believe me when Dad gets here, and you will wish that’s where you were.

  I warned you what did you think I’m just a slip of a girl with a gob? Well big mistake Dennis, I have a Daddy who will kill to keep me safe and shit safe I will be, as are these wonderful people, they are my family now. You, you son of a bitch are going to regret coming here today and forcing your way into my Aunties house. All the things I said that day, I meant. I swear you had your last warning, you need to be taught a lesson and the way you dish out your punishments too, but by my father’s fists will be dishing those punches. Mine aren’t strong enough to kill you unfortunately, but his are.” He sneered, he thinks I’m joking more fool him.

  “No more, I’m taking Jimmy crap. It stops too it won’t do you any good. Today Emma has been to see a solicitor, a proper one, not a barroom legal expert. She can provide more than adequate funds to look after him and in a safe home can you do that? Dennis can you provide him with anything he needs? Food, heat, shelter, love, money, can you do anything like that for him? Do any one, or better still all of those things? No, don't be stupid you never did, you can’t provide any to yourself, let alone Jimmy, and you never gave money you just took it and without the boy’s money, you have fuck all.

  So yes, perhaps I do ring the police instead, because, as of noon today this place and coming anywhere near Emma, Andy, Sam, or Jimmy is off limits to you, by court order Mr Todd. So you should thank yourself lucky, I wasn’t here when you came to the door. I would have had you arrested for breaking the restraining order, but I have something better than being locked away, something much more effective at keeping you away. Wanna guess what? I will give you a clue, he has a great left hook, but the right one can take a big arsed man down, you, it will be like blowing a feather away.

  My dad is a better person to deal with the crap you dish out, Daddy hates wife beaters and God help you, when he finds out you hit me and tortured them, you pathetic piece of shit. I think I told you that Sam has nothing to be worried about from Mick? They really are very close Dennis, and he considers him his Son, in fact, Sam calls him Dad. So you hurt him, you hurt me and so you see you now have a big problem. You better run and fast. Legally the house is Emma’s not yours, so get another of your tarts to put you up. That won’t be as easy without your son’s wages keeping them in that God awful cheap perfume they wear.” He looked at me with such hate in his eyes I’d pushed him too far. I will kill to keep this lot safe and lord help him I’m so pumped upon adrenalin or something I feel no fear from this drunken man however, his sons are paralysed in fear. He is getting up, quick back to the phone.

  “Yes sorry Dad, yes Dad I was shouting at someone, I’m having a bit of bother with Sam’s Dad he just turned up and won’t leave. Yes, yes, I know, yes, where you dropped us off at the weekend. Oh and bring Shane please, it may take two of you to sort him out properly, he’s there with you and his brother, good yeah more the merrier. Dad he really hurt me, he hit me so hard and knocked me over, he hurt me Dad he says he’s going to do it again. I’m a bitch and I am going to suffer. No calm down Dad, I know, but calm down, yes, I want him sorted out properly. Yes, you will have to he doesn’t take no for an answer. See you in five minutes.” He looked worried he looked at Sam who looked scared. He got up and was leaving.

  “No need to bother them, I’m going. You haven’t heard the last from me, girlie.” I looked at him and he grabbed my arm. Big mistake, I hit him with one forceful right hook and straight at his nose. I drew blood, but he didn’t stop coming… So I smacked him over the head with the phone and I think I may have broken the phone. He will definitely have a headache later. He glared at me, as if I was frightened of a drunken bully.

  “Run Dennis, that’s just cost you, as to your threats towards me? Bring it on you didn’t put up much of a fight to someone who’s not frightened to death of you, not forgetting my dad’s gunning for you more than anything now, I have fresh bruises to show him. Pick which pub you want to die in because it’s coming sooner than you think. Now don’t let the door hit you’re not drunk enough, poor arse on its way out.”

  He went slamming the door behind him the room went hot and then dark. I woke up with a wet tea towel on my head, shoes off, and my feet in Emma’s lap and an awful smelly thing being pushed up my nose by Aunty and my head in Sam’s lap.

  “Erg that stinks, Aunty Allison please tell me he’s gone? The speaking clock isn’t going to rescue you.”

  “So, all that was for show?” I smiled and Aunty was grinning.

  “Sorry yes I didn’t want Dad involved yet, but after today I really don’t think he’s going to take no for an answer and certainly not off little old gobby me, but tomorrow you do everything I said. He’s been getting bar room legal advice from been there, had it done to me fellas. Most of which is true he only wants Jimmy, to get you all to go back with him because Jimmy is his meal ticket.

  Which you’re not doing because it will be worse than before a lot worse, thanks to me. Don’t get me wrong D++6+66++66666666666666666666666+66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666ad will sort it if it comes to it. I have had enough of him. Tomorrow you need to apply for and get a restraining order, a
nd you don’t let him near you ever again. Then start divorce proceedings, please Emma as soon as you can. I’m sure the boys will sort the finances out?” I got up to make our tea.

  “Right dinner let me do something I know I’m good at.” I stumbled as I rose and Sam held me tightly. I gave him a hug back and kissed his cheek. I left them to their talking and Aunty came in to help me.

  “How did you get so wise on law matters? Darling girl, are you not frightened of him? You were very feisty and your courage was unbelievable.” I looked at her. She looked so worried bless her.

  “I'm not courageous, I just know I have a Dad who loves me enough to kill for me, and he will. Dennis messed with the wrong person, bad luck for him. I think the legal stuff stuck in my mind because Mum and Dad went through the same thing a while back. Becky and I went with Dad to stop with Gramps we thought it was just a jolly holiday at Gramps and it was he was great there. After a week, Nana Dunn got a solicitor to get us back home with Mum, because she needed to keep us with her for the finances and stuff.

  I’m not an expert I listen and remember things and they either come back and bite my bum or they help someone. So sorry about the phone thing? I figured when my dad had him the other night and he went, he would do the same again but adding Shane to it made Sam look more worried, when his dad looked at Sam’s face, he knew I was serious.” She hugged me and went to calm the others down. Sam came looking sick and so worried.

  “I didn’t keep you safe. I couldn’t move baby and he could have killed you I’m so sorry, please forgive me Mi cielo and don’t leave me please.” He fell at my knees crying and begging me not to leave just holding my legs I just cradled his head in my hands, tears flowing down my cheeks. He sobbed into my legs, clinging on for dear life.

  “Upstairs please Sam now, I’ll be up in a minute. Please, for me please?” He got up, kissed me with salty tears in the mix, then he did as I asked. I went in to see the others.

  “He’s in a state again you all need to be seeing someone, who can help you handle all this stuff. Can we order food in? I promise to cook for you all again.” Aunty nodded and shooed me to see Sam. I went to the bedroom and he wasn’t a mess he was wrecked. I held him close as he sobbed he really cried, belly cries. I didn’t know what to do, so I just waited for him to talk to me. Eventually he did, I had thought his dad had sexually abused him, so I was ready for the worst-case scenario.