"Pretty much.” he said.
"Joe, you know I'm in a complicated situation. I'm very attracted to you.” she began.
"Likewise.” he said, caressing her breasts. “Angela, I think you are very special."
"You too, Joe.” she said, enjoying the sensation of his hands exploring her sensitive parts.
"What are we going to do about this?” he asked, running his lips across her neck.
"I don't know.” she spoke softly, feeling her nipples getting hard from Joe's touch.
They kissed passionately and began to make love again. What ever her situation with Beverly was, it rapidly eluded her thoughts at the moment.
* * * *
The three of them hastily entered the dark, dingy apartment. Diamond switched on the lava lamp, creating an eerie purplish glow. They had met a skittish-looking man at the corner of Hollywood and Las Palmas Avenue, whose teeth matched his wrinkled brown suit. He introduced himself to Lilly as Johnny Big Dick. Diamond put his arm around the man and told him that Lilly was a virgin, but he could do the honors of changing that for a mere three hundred dollars. The man said he didn't have that kind of money, and would settle for an ‘erotic massage’ instead.
They took his beat up Ford Escort to Diamond's place to do the deed. Diamond led the man to his bedroom, to his unmade bed with stained purple sheets. He proceeded to light up some scented candles and offered to take the man's jacket. Lilly remained silent as the men discussed price, and that was when Diamond noticed that the man was wearing a gold Rolex.
"Hey, that some nice watch you got there.” Diamond grinned.
"Umm, thank you. It was a g ... gi ... jpgt,” the man uneasily stammered, staring down at his dirt-encrusted fingernails.
Diamond chuckled to himself, and reached for the man's wrist. “Well, why don't you take it off and put it right here on the night table. Miss. Lilly is going to need you completely naked to make you feel good all over.” Diamond cooed. Johnny hesitated, understandably reluctant to take the watch off. “It's all right, ain't nobody here but Lilly and me. Miss Lilly is gonna touch your whole body, and she wants to take you all in."
Ummm, well okay, okay.” The man grudgingly let Diamond remove the watch and put it on the nightstand. Then he took off his clothes, threw them on the floor, and lay down naked face up on the bed. He started to fondle himself, causing the beginning of an erection.
"You two have fun.” Diamond turned off the light and closed the door. Lilly froze, unsure of what an ‘exotic massage’ was.
The man glared at her, agitated. “So, are you going to jerk me off, or what?” he sneered.
Lilly sat down next to him and began to run her fingers lightly over his fat, hairy thighs. The man was repugnant, reeking of body odor and booze. He grabbed Lilly's hand and plunked it down on his small erect penis. He ran her hand up and down the length of his shaft while making animal noises and baring his rotten teeth.
Lilly diligently did as she was told, even though it took every ounce of strength she had not to puke all over this disgusting person. She wanted so badly to dash out the door, but the image of Jordan and D.J.'s scarred and bruised bodies kept running through her mind. Her thoughts drifted to her father, and the things he made her do. She ran away to seek a better life, not a more sordid one. She had no choice now; she was trapped.
Finally, the ugly man climaxed with a twitching motion and a loud ape-like moan. Semen ran down her fingers and onto Diamond's sheets. The smell revolted her, and she felt bile rise in her throat. She wiped her hands on the bedclothes and felt a little relief that she did not have to sleep with him. Without saying a word, the man got up and began to get dressed. Lilly glared forlornly out the window at Franklin Avenue. A sad-looking, dark-haired girl in a tight red dress and red high heels strode by, flagging down cars. Where were the nice people? Where were people who were kind, generous, and loving? Why did God take her mother away, leaving her with her father?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud shriek coming from Johnny Big Dick. Lilly jumped to attention. “My watch is gone! My watch!” The man looked frantically around, checking the bed sheets.
Diamond suddenly bounded into the room. “What's wrong?” he asked.
"My watch. It's gone. It was right here on the table.” The man pointed.
"It's here, man. I saw it myself.” Diamond began searching the floor.
"What happened to it?” The man glared at Diamond
"I'll find it.” Diamond told him.
"It's not here, it's just not here,” the man said.
"It's gotta be here somewhere, man, calm down.” Diamond put a reassuring hand on the man's shoulder, which he quickly brushed away.
"You took it. You stole it, you fucking nigger shit,” the man screamed.
"Man, calm down.” Diamond held his hands up.
The man reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a switchblade. He lunged at Diamond with it, the sharp metal blade shining in the glow of the candles. “You fucker, give me back my watch, or I'll cut your black balls off.” the man threatened, making Diamond cringe.
He looked over at Lilly, and she stared at the floor. “I bet I know what happened to it.” Diamond nodded smugly.
"What?"
"She took it.” Diamond pointed to Lilly, whose jaw dropped. She didn't say a word.
"Yeah! Yeah, she did—that little slut.” the man agreed.
"She was in the room with you, she insisted that you take it off. It was her, the lying, stealing bitch.” Diamond growled.
Both turned to her, eyes blazing. Lilly backed away slowly, mute.
"Give him back the watch you stole, whore.” Diamond clenched his fist and approached her.
"Yeah, cunt!” The man followed Diamond's lead, with the menacing switchblade in hand. Her stomach stiffened. She knew she was in big trouble, and there was no escape.
CHAPTER 11
Andrew had made about a thousand phone calls, and sent even more e-mails. He had put out and A.P.B. and an Amber Alert to find Lilly McCoy. Shelly had given him a picture of the two of them that she kept in her purse, he scanned it into the computer and posted it on the FBI website. He was working like a beaver and had managed to calm Shelly down enough so that the girl could eat. He ordered her a room service dinner, and kept the television on so she could keep her mind off things. She had told him everything, spilled her guts. Andrew knew everything there was to know about the horrible child abuse and violence that went on in that family. How this man had never been arrested for this was a miracle, but they did live in rural Mississippi.
Being a native Philadelphian, he had never been to the Deep South, but had heard some pretty strange things—like there were still some women and children who were treated like second class citizens. And if there was any domestic maltreatment of any sort, it usually went unnoticed. ‘Old enough to bleed, old enough to breed.’ an appalling man from Tennessee once told him and then went on to brag that he had taken his niece's virginity on his birthday, leaving the child bleeding, confused, and scarred for life.
Then again, Linda was from Mississippi, and Andrew remembered that she was a wonderful, caring, strong woman. Maybe Donnie was the black sheep.
He shuddered at the notion and got back to the business at hand. He had to find poor little Lilly. Somebody in the hotel had to have seen something. He decided to take a trek down to the lobby. Maybe one of the front desk personnel saw her. As he got up to leave, Shelly turned to him with enquiring dark eyes.
"Shelly, I'll be right back. You just stay here and make yourself at home. If you want to order anymore food, you just put it on my tab, okay?” he said gently.
"Thank you, but if Donnie finds out I'm here, he'll...” she started.
"Sweetie, Donnie is never, ever going to lay a finger on you ever again. You are safe here.” He smiled at her, and walked out the door.
Shelly turned to the television and watched the evening news. A pretty anchorwoman was talking about a dead
stripper that had been found in a parking lot the night before. Donnie never allowed her to watch T.V. This man Andrew was so nice; she just hoped he was right. She thought about Lilly, and said a little prayer. She asked God to make sure that Lilly, wherever she was, was all right.
Once in the lobby, Andrew began showing Lilly's picture around to the hotel staff. The front desk employees had not seen her, but suggested he ask the valets out front. He walked out of the grand front entrance and approached the neatly dressed valets. They smiled broadly at the large, intimidating man. He showed them the picture of her that Shelly had given him.
One of the valets put his finger to his forehead. “I think I remember her. Yeah, last night. She asked me to call her a taxi,” the valet told him.
"Do you remember where she was going?” Andrew asked.
"She wanted to know if she could get a Greyhound bus. I got a cab to take her to the terminal."
"Are you sure it was her?” Andrew inquired.
"Oh yeah, I'm sure. She looked dirty and lost. Poor girl, I felt a little sorry for her,” the valet stated, shaking his head.
"Where is the Greyhound bus terminal?” Andrew asked urgently. This was the only lead he had.
* * * *
It was now dusk, the hazy glow of sunset turned the ocean into a dark purplish color. The moon was almost visible as it made its ascent into the dark pink sky. Justin and Beverly walked hand in hand up through the pathway that led to the hotel. They stopped at the entrance and embraced.
"This is the best weekend of my life,” Justin told her.
"Why?” Beverly asked coyly. The gentle ocean breeze was flowing through their hair.
"Because I met you.” he kissed her forehead. She had enjoyed every minute of their lovemaking in the sand. Could she really be falling in love with a man? A man she had known not even two days? Sure, she thought, why not? This certainly was turning out to be a magical weekend. She looked up at him to gaze lovingly into his eyes when she noticed that he was staring off in the direction of the driveway entrance of the hotel.
"What are you looking at?” she asked.
"Hey, what the hell?” Justin murmured. They looked up just in time to see his father jump in a cab and speed away.
"He sure was in a hurry.” Beverly observed.
"Let's go find out were he is in a hurry to go.” Justin nodded in the direction of the valets. The two of them trotted over, the taxi zoomed out of the driveway just as they got there.
"Where was he going?” Justin asked the uniformed parking staff.
"Who wants to know?” one of them smugly asked.
"I'm his son. We are looking for a lost little girl. Where was he going?” Justin asked seriously.
"He was going to the Greyhound bus terminal,” the valet told them.
"The Greyhound bus terminal?” Beverly asked, wide eyed.
"Yeah, that lost little girl? She took a taxi there last night. I put her in it.” he told her.
"You put her in a taxi to the Greyhound bus terminal? Do you have any idea that she was an underage runaway? That was a very stupid thing to do!” Beverly told him harshly.
"I didn't know, I'm sorry.” The valet shrugged.
"Beverly, please. What's done is done.” Justin reassured her. “Would you mind calling us a taxi, please?” he politely asked the valets.
"No problem,” the valet said, and within seconds a yellow taxi appeared. Justin and Beverly clamored inside, and quickly headed to the Greyhound bus station. Once there, they immediately spied Andrew and ran over to him.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here?” Andrew looked surprised.
"We followed you. The valets told us where you were heading. We want to help you find her.” Justin told him.
"Good, I need all the help I can get.” Andrew said, and the three of them made their way over to the ticket counter. Fortunately, the place was empty, with the exception of a bearded man asleep on a plastic chair. They approached a young, male ticket agent, and Andrew pulled out Lilly's picture. The ticket agent scowled at Andrew.
"Excuse me, but did this young girl buy a bus ticket here last night?” he asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we are not allowed to give out that information.” the ticket agent retorted. Andrew pulled out his old police badge, and suddenly everybody was very attentive and eager to help. All the agents crowded around and scrutinized the picture of Lilly.
"I remember her very clearly,” a female ticket agent told them. “She looked very shy and grimy, like she hadn't had a bath in weeks.” she said.
"Do you remember where she was going?” Beverly asked.
"She bought a ticket to Los Angeles.” the agent informed them.
"Los Angeles?” Justin asked, floored.
"Are you sure?” Andrew demanded.
"Positive. I was the one who sold her the ticket. I even made a joke about her going to Hollywood to become an actress. She didn't laugh,” the agent said.
"What the hell is she doing there?” Justin asked his father.
"Hollywood Boulevard! It's runaway central—draws kids like a magnet, they can hide. I figure we have about a week to find her, then...” Andrew trailed off. Justin swore loudly and ran his hands through his hair, making his curls spring up and down. Hollywood was a bozo no-no, even he knew that.
"Then what?” Beverly asked pressingly, her voice trembling.
"Then it's too late.” Andrew told them. Beverly's eyes brimmed with tears, and Justin held her tightly. Jason was injured, so he was of no use. Stephen had to deal with his own problems, and Shelly was too terrified to leave the hotel room. The three of them looked over at the ticket counter and sighed. There was only one thing they could do to save Lilly.
* * * *
Stephen stomped into the bar and spotted his children sitting with Jason Bell. He plopped himself down on a stool next to Michael and abruptly ordered a scotch. He needed a drink more than anything in the world. Jesus, this was why he was invited to come here—to find out about a family tragedy? Then being accused of being a gold digger? Then there was the Donnie McCoy bullshit. This was some weekend.
"Jason.” Stephen called.
"Yes?"
"Where is your father?” he asked him. Jason shrugged with the ‘I don't know’ gesture, and went back to chatting with Shauna. Michael just stared glassy-eyed at the T.V. He gulped his drink and then turned to face his son.
"Michael, I have some bad news. Your Uncle John has cancer.” Stephen said gently.
"Bummer.” Michael tossed off the last of his beer, and then got up to leave.
"Michael, did you hear what I just said about your uncle?” Stephen asked.
"Guess what, I don't fucking care.” Michael snapped.
"Where do you think your going?” Stephen grabbed his arm.
"Up to the room. I'm tired.” Michael yanked his arm away and sauntered out of the room. Who the fuck cares about some rich asshole? Why doesn't he pay some fancy doctor to find a miracle cure? He made his way out to the lobby and headed toward the elevator.
Jason had overheard the whole exchange. He and Shauna slid over to sit next to Stephen.
"Sorry about your bro', man. I'd be devastated if that happened to me.” Jason took a swig of his beer. Shauna slowly nursed her first one.
"Now I'm concerned about Michael.” Stephen sighed wearily, and ordered another scotch.
"I'd be, too.” Jason said.
Stephen chugged down his second drink. “Look, I don't mean to be rude guys, but I have some thinking to do and I need to be alone right now.” he told them.
"Dad, it's cool. I'm kind of hungry anyway.” Shauna got up from her seat. Jason followed her lead. She kissed her dad on the cheek. The two of them left the bar and walked out into the lobby. Stephen stared into his glass, and wondered what the hell was wrong with his nutty insensitive son. He swallowed the last of his booze and ordered another, staring blankly at the T.V.
It was now dark outside, the moon loomed down
over the ocean. Jason and Shauna wandered out onto the pool deck. The night air was crisp and cool, but not cold.
"So, kiddo, where do you want me to take you for dinner?” Jason asked her.
"Let's walk down to the marina; I think there is a lobster place down there.” Shauna pointed out the window. The two of them walked down the narrow stairway that led to the beach. The sound of the breaking waves had a calming effect on both of them.
"Lobster? Expensive taste.” He kidded her.
"I've never had it. I want to experience it.” She told him, giddily. Both were a little drunk as they stumbled their way across the damp sand.
"Oh yeah, what else do you want to experience this weekend?” he playfully asked.
"Everything! I want to experience it all,” she sang as she bounded down the beach, her arms spread wide, her hair flying. He chased her, and she tried to run away from him. They giggled and sprinted down the beach, until the hotel was just a flicker of lights in the distance.
"Hey, I'm a trained professional. Don't try to outrun me.” he caught up with her. He grabbed her around the waist and they tumbled into the sand in a fit of laughter.
"I bet I can pin you down,” he said, holding her arms firmly in place by her wrists.
"Oh, no, you can't.” She squirmed, trying to struggle free. They playfully wrestled in the sand, Shauna powerless to fight off his strong arms. He sat astride her, not letting her up.
"Give up?” he asked.
"Okay, you win. I am pinned.” she laughed and gazed into his dark eyes.
"So.” Jason looked down at her.
"So what?” she asked.
"Sew buttons on your underwear.” He teased.
"You geek.” she snickered. Her thighs were pressing up against his, and her breasts were touching his chest.
"Oh, I'm a geek now? Great!” He ribbed. The two of them laughed uneasily for a moment, and then became silent. He ran his hands through he silky dark hair. Her heart raced, and she felt light-headed.
"I meant what I said back there.” He told her.
"What?” she asked
"About you being a lady.” He replied.
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