by Bijou Hunter
“She’s a victim. They can’t shake it off. It’s why the kids push her around. Matilda learned to be weak by watching her grandma and Otto learned to push people around by watching his mom. They thought they had to choose between being a victim or an abuser. Hopefully, they’ll learn how most people fall in between those two extremes.”
I lean back in the chair and smile at her. My gaze studies the curve of her frowning lips. I notice a hint of freckles under her makeup. Her eyes are green today. When I pulled her over, they were blue. I wonder what they’ll be after we get sweaty in my bed.
“Do you like going to the movies?” I ask.
“No.”
“What else do people do on dates?”
“I don’t know.”
“A douche in my department took a date on a hike. Want to walk around the woods and point at leaves?”
Journey fights a smile. She so desperately wants to remain pissed, but I know she smiles easily. I remember how she was with her sisters and mother at the fair. They laughed over the dumbest shit, and I’d envied their relationship.
“I don’t think we should go on another date,” Journey lies.
“But if we don’t, you’ll miss me. Soon, you’ll break traffic laws, just hoping I’ll pull you over.”
A grinning Journey shakes her head. “I’ll survive somehow.”
“What are you so scared of?”
“The same thing you are.”
Nodding, I throw cash down on the table for the bill and tip.
“Let’s head out so you can get your leftovers in the fridge.”
Journey stands up, looking uncertain again. She’s in a hurry to end the date while also wanting to stick close to me. I gesture for her to take the lead.
We walk outside to the quiet parking lot. Once Journey sets the boxed pizza into the passenger seat of her SUV, she turns to me and frowns.
“Thanks for dinner. Sorry, it wasn’t a love match.”
“Uh-huh,” I murmur, reaching out to caress her soft lips.
Call it my cop instincts, but I know she’s about to move before she moves a muscle. Lacking finesse, Journey lunges for me. Cupping my face, she plants a powerful kiss on my lips. I never hesitate, unsure how long her passion will last.
My hands grip her hips, snuggling her closer. She tastes like pizza sauce with a hint of peppermint gum. My tongue slides against her, slowing her hungry response.
Journey suddenly steps away and frowns at me. “This isn’t happening. You’re awful, and I kinda hate you.”
“Yeah,” I say, snagging her shirt and tugging her against me.
Moaning as her lips open for me, Journey wraps her arms around my waist and grabs my ass cheeks with both hands. I hadn’t been hungry in the restaurant, but I’m starving now. Journey tastes better than anything I’ve had in my thirty-three years.
Journey disengages our lips and mumbles, “No.”
“Okay,” I whisper, kissing her neck.
Cupping my face again, she guides my lips back to hers. She kisses me hard, pushing me against her car. I swear she’s ready to tear off my clothes and have her way with me right here. The thought of such a thing makes me smile.
Nearly jumping backward, Journey shakes her head. “Stay away from me.”
“Whatever you say.”
“I’m not impressed.”
“Come on, Journey,” I say, shoving my hands into my pockets and bumping my raging hard-on. “You’re a little impressed.”
Closing her eyes, she exhales slowly. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“You’re having fun. Why make a big deal out of it?”
Journey opens her eyes and glares at me. “It’s all just a lark for you, isn’t it?”
“What’s a lark mean?”
“It means you don’t give a shit.”
“If I was only looking for fun and games, I could find several much more agreeable women to play with. You’re a handful but certainly worth it.
Journey looks at her hands before glancing around as if remembering we’re in public.
“You’re thinking about how my ass felt, aren’t you?” I tease while fishing out my car keys. “Next time, I’ll grab your ass so we’ll be even.”
“There’ll be no next time.”
“Of course, there will be. I’ll pick you up at your place on Saturday afternoon, and we’ll do that hiking thing.”
“I don’t want to hike,” she mutters and then adds more strongly, “Or spend time with you.”
“I’m thinking around two,” I say, stepping back toward my Jeep. “I’ll say hi to your sisters and let them torment me. I’ll say hi to Otto and let him know I’m not a bad guy stealing away his new mommy. It’ll be damn heartwarming.”
“If you show up, I won’t answer the door.”
“We’ll see,” I say, wanting a kiss before we go our separate ways. Though I sense Journey wants one too, she’s just as likely to take a swipe at me if I make a move. “Drive safe, Journey.”
A frowning Journey watches me climb into my Jeep and drive away. I know she’s confused as hell about our first date. I’m a little uncertain too, but we both know damn well that she’ll answer the door when I come over on Saturday.
8 Snake Charmers
Journey
I arrive home in a state of melancholy. Who am I to be in the dumps over a man? I’m not an emotional type of woman. I don’t cry at sad movies. When a neighbor's dog mauled our old cat, I was the one to take Scully to get put down. Even our mother, the actual veterinarian, couldn’t bear to watch the cat die. I, on the other, held her and gave the signal for death shot.
I do the dirty work because I’m never a sentimental softie. Except now I have all of these stupid feelings and no coping mechanisms. I consider heading straight to my gym and working on the heavy bag until my fists hurt.
I’m tired, though, and don’t feel like working out. My plan is to slip into the house without bothering anyone. After a shower, I can crawl into bed and sleep off my funk.
This plan flops when I open the front door to find pajama-clad Christine, Justice, and Poppy waiting for me.
“How did it go?” Justice asks, tilting her head. “Do you love him now?”
Poppy hugs me. “I’m sorry he doesn’t love you back.”
Christine rolls her eyes. “You two are brats. Let your sister breathe.”
With her head against my chest, Poppy looks at our mother. “She’s breathing just fine. Heartbeat is steady too. Don’t know about her blood pressure. Do you have one of those cuff things?”
“Sit down and ignore them,” Christine says, taking my arm and maneuvering me around my sisters. “Did you have a nice dinner?”
“It was all right.”
“Did you lose your virginity in his car?” Poppy asks.
“What makes you think I’m a virgin?”
“Was it against a dumpster? Will I see pictures of it online?”
“Knock it off,” Christine admonishes Poppy who never looks at all scolded.
“We ate pizza and talked about our pets and work. It was boring.”
“Then why do you love him already?” Justice asks, resting her head on my lap and staring up at me. “Is it his eyes? He has such beautiful eyes.”
“I’m standing right here,” Court grumbles from the kitchen where he puts my leftovers in the fridge.
“I’ll make it up to you later, baby. Wink, wink.”
“Who’s home with your kids?” I ask Justice.
“She has a point. Bye, Court,” Poppy says, waving at him from her spot on the floor. “We need to talk about vagina issues. Get gone, penis bearer.”
Court wants to say something, but he’s learned the hard way how engaging Poppy when she’s in a mouthy mood rarely ends well. Leaving the house, he walks down the path to his place.
“He doesn’t want butt action,” Justice tells me. “I misread his signals.”
“What does he want?”
“A ba
by.”
Sighing, I flick her nose. “I can see how you might get those two things confused.”
“I don’t want a kid yet.”
Poppy crawls over to us. “I could super glue your thighs closed if you think that would help.”
I reach out and pat her head. “I bet it’s difficult to see your sisters all grown up when you’re such a baby, isn’t it?”
“You’re the one getting nailed against a dumpster.”
“We kissed good night. That’s it,” I lie.
“You humped him a little, didn’t you?” Justice asks, smiling knowingly. “It’s okay. We won’t judge you.”
My sisters share judgmental smiles while I notice Christine studying us.
“What?”
“I hadn’t expected to lose you girls so soon.”
“Are you frigging nuts?” I grumble, keeping my voice down to avoid waking Otto. “I went on one date with a guy I’m not even interested in. Would you all stop talking about insane crud like love?”
“I think the whore doth protest too much,” Poppy says, patting my hand.
The look I give Poppy sends her into giggles, but she also moves away. We both know I’m ready to tackle and tickle her. The kid’s big mouth regularly gets her into trouble. I worry about the day when no one is around to save her ass from the consequences.
“Is Donovan a good kisser?” Justice asks. “Did he tell you to call him Don or Van?”
“Yes and no.”
“I think I’ll call him Van. He looks like the kind of guy Mom would have climbed into the back of a van with when she was a teenager.”
“Your father was my first ‘If it’s a rocking, don’t come a knocking’ experience. There was no van.”
“Only because your parents are scary,” Poppy says, curling up with the cat in the corner. “If you had normal parents, you’d have nailed half of the town.”
Christine flops into her chair. “Thanks for your high opinion of me.”
“Don’t pout. This town is boring, and you’re hot. What else were you going to do with your time?”
“The same thing you do with your time.”
“Play Xbox?”
“Nerd,” Christine says, grinning. “I think it’s great everyone is dating.”
Justice and I share a knowing glance. Our mother fears an empty house. If she loses us to men, her life will become very tedious very quickly. Of course, she could always find a guy with a van and do some of that rocking.
9 Snake Charmers
Donovan
Kitty hears me arrive home and sits patiently at the back door until I let him inside. Then as if he’s got a rocket up his ass, the Basset Hound runs from room to room, making sure no other animal scented his territory. I stand in the kitchen and listen to him bouncing around the house.
I dump my keys, phone, and wallet at the front door before retiring to my room for a shower. I know I’ll need to rub one out if I ever plan to sleep tonight. Journey Sheerer’s passionate kisses left me hot and bothered. I suspect they did the same to her.
A year ago, I renovated the master bathroom, and it still smells like fresh paint. I ignore the annoying odor once the hot water hits me. Instead, I close my eyes and recall Journey’s sweet scent.
Like so many nights, I stroke myself to satisfaction with thoughts of a stranger. Even tonight, after talking for an hour, I know nothing concrete about her. Journey treated our dinner like an interrogation, and I kept expecting her to ask for her lawyer.
Her kisses told me more than her words, and I know she wants me to keep chasing. Journey isn’t a tease. She’s like a wild horse aching to be broken. I don’t know if I’ve got it in me to tame her, but I certainly have no plans to walk away.
Resting in bed later, I consider if Journey’s a virgin. I know her twenty-sixth birthday passed over the summer. In this area, women view losing their cherries as badges of honor. A woman in her mid-twenties and still a virgin is considered odd and a spinster. Journey, though, wouldn’t sleep with a guy to make people happy.
At dinner, she pretended to pay attention to everyone except me. I knew she was full of crap. Her mind was on only me. Having Journey want me is the sexiest shit I’ve ever known.
Sleep doesn’t come easily, but I finally doze off and dream of Journey shopping for flip flops. Despite the stupidity of the dream, I’m relieved to spend time with her. Saturday can’t come soon enough.
10 Snake Charmers
Journey
On Friday, I leave work early to run a few errands. Driving along the quiet roads calms me, so I take the scenic route home while listening to music on full blast. My thoughts manage to avoid Donovan for a short bit, and I need the break from my constant lust.
A mile before reaching home, I get a call from a panicked Justice.
“You have to leave work and come to the store and save me.”
Deciding not to share my location with her, I ask, “What now?”
“A crazy old homeless man came into the store, and said he’s my grandpa. What should I do?”
“Hug him and invite him to dinner.”
“I think he has bugs in his hair. Would it be rude to spray him with insect repellent first?”
“That isn’t a real question, so I’m not answering it.”
Justice lowers her voice and says, “I’m so scared.”
“Are you doing your impression of the chick from The Blair Witch Project?”
“No, I’m actually scared.”
“Sure.”
“He looks hungry. What if he tries to eat me? I’m not really all that good at fighting.”
“If he’s our grandfather and needs to eat you, I figure you ought to offer up a chunk of your body that Court won't miss.”
“He loves every inch of me.”
“Can you find a way to cut off your big mouth and give that to Grandpa? I think Court would approve. I know I would.”
“Okay, well, then fudge you up the bum too, queef lover.”
Justice hangs up, waits a few minutes, and then calls me back.
“Mom didn’t answer,” she says. “Her assistant claims there's an emergency. I think she’s just dodging my call.”
“Why ever would she do that?” I ask, wishing I'd avoided it too.
“Are you coming to save me?”
“From what?”
“The old man eyeballing me.”
“Can’t you call Court? He’s close by, and it’s not like he has anything to do during the day when the kids are at school and daycare.”
“He has a job, you know?”
“A cover job so his parole officer won’t know he’s working for the club.”
“Shhh, the po-po could be listening.”
“Yeah, but they aren’t. Call your man.”
“I tried, but he didn’t answer. I think he’s avoiding me since I said no to the butt thing.”
“You mean the baby thing?”
“Whatever. He says we’d make a great kid. While I agree my offspring would be frigging fantastic, I’m already exhausted from taking care of two kids and satisfying Court’s unquenchable sexual desires.”
“He says you’re the one always begging for sex.”
“Yeah, well, it feels good.”
Parking my SUV, I sigh. “I want you to accept how I’ll never leave work to help you with a stupid problem. Do you understand that?”
“No. What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying don’t let this go to your head.”
“What?”
I enter the convenience store to find Justice huddled behind the counter. A man I assume is my reclusive grandfather stands near the rotating hot dogs. He glances at me before returning his gaze to Justice.
My sister runs around the counter and hugs me to her.
“I knew you’d drop everything to save me.”
“I was nearby. I dropped nothing. You’d be smart to keep in mind how I’m still willing to ditch you.”
“I understand. You need to pretend you don’t worship me. It’s fine. I won’t rub it in your face,” she says, glancing at Zeb Earlham. “I will rub it in Poppy’s face later, though.”
“Hello,” I say, shrugging off my sister. “Are you Zeb?”
“Who’s asking?”
“I’m Journey. Christine’s older and better daughter.”
“Arrogant,” Justice mumbles.
Zeb looks me over and then looks at Justice. “She looks more like Christine.”
“I look like Jared.”
“Poor child,” he says, shaking his head. “Life is a trial for you, ain’t it?”
Though I assume Zeb’s kidding, he doesn’t smile. I study the old man wearing tattered clothes and a hat made out of newspaper.
“Christine was looking for you when we got to town,” I explain, “but you were hiding. I don’t know if she cares to find you now.”
“My girl was always finicky.”
“Why are you here?”
“I came into town for supplies, and Mary May Johnson said I had a granddaughter at this store.”
“That’s a beautiful story,” Justice says from behind me. “Do you need me to loan you money for a brush?”
I can’t help laughing at Justice’s sincere tone. She’s so full of crap most days, but sometimes her turd level hits epic proportions.
“Did you want something besides saying hello?” I ask Zeb.
“No, I guess not,” he mutters. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s stupid.”
Justice smacks my ass and walks away. “Thanks for the help, Groucho. You can return to work now.”
“Would you like to come to our house for dinner some night?” I ask Zeb.
“I can come tonight.”
“Our house is being fumigated,” Justice announces from behind the front counter. “Sorry, Grampa.”
Zeb looks at me. “You have your dad’s eyebrows.”
“I know.”
“Did you know he stole your mother’s virginity?”
“Did she file a police report?” Justice asks and then laughs at her own joke.