Through The Pieces

by Bobbi Jo Bentz

  After Jenny left, Scott found the photo he had discarded earlier and stared at Claire's beautiful face. She’d made this hard on herself. She would come back willingly or she would pay. Anger and rage consumed him. It was her fault for not giving him another chance. God, he just wanted her back. He couldn't understand why she wouldn't give a little. He set the picture down and decided it was time for a few drinks.

  Chapter 24

  Claire

  It had been a few days since I’d reconciled with Buck. I kept hoping the sick feeling would go away, but it didn't. I was beginning to think it was from the stress of seeing the photos and knowing that Scott had been spying on us. Buck had spent every night since at my house or we went to his. His presence should have alleviated some of my anxiety, but I still had this constant feeling of being watched. My nerves were on overdrive. On the days Buck worked and I was off, I went to Annie's. With Maggie in school, I needed something to do with my time.

  I drove over to Annie's after dropping Maggie off at school that morning. Annie was in the kitchen, fixing up a plate of scrambled eggs. The smell sent my already nauseous stomach into cartwheels.

  "You look green. Are you okay?"

  "I just have an upset stomach." I sat down and Annie scraped the eggs back in the pan.

  She came over with the coffee pot and two mugs. "No problem, how about some coffee?" She looked at me with a raised eyebrow when I declined. "Since when do you say no to coffee?"

  Not sure myself, I shrugged. Since when did I ever say no to the dark liquid from the Gods?

  "Now don't get mad, but can I ask you something?"

  I nodded.

  "Have you and Buck been safe? Like does he use protection when you have sex?"

  OH SHIT! Did we? No, we did not! "No! Oh, Annie, I could be pregnant!" It was beginning to make sense, everything but the coffee.

  "Yes, and there is one sure way to find out. I happen to have an unopened test kit. Matt and I have been trying again. No luck yet, but we certainly don’t mind all the practice."

  "Okay, can you get it for me? I am about to start panicking. What if I am? What if Buck gets mad? What if he doesn't want a baby? What do I tell Maggie? "

  "Easy now. First take the test, then we’ll come up with a plan." She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "Breathe Claire, just breathe."

  I took the test in the bathroom, Annie following me for fear I would pass out. We put the test on the sink and sat nervously waiting for the results. As we waited, I envisioned carrying Buck's child. He would be the most amazing father. I bet if I had a craving in the middle of the night, he would go to the store for me, no complaints. Did I want a baby with Buck? Yes! It was too soon in our relationship, but I loved Buck. Wait, did I just admit to myself that I loved him? I love Buck! I love William Buckingham!

  "Okay, it's done. Do you want to look or should I look? Or we could look at the same time."

  "I will." I took the tiny plastic pee stick and glanced at Annie. She was just as nervous as I was. I peered apprehensively at the indicator. Wait, what the hell did it mean? I looked at Annie in confusion.

  "What does it say?" Annie demanded to know.

  "I don't know. Shouldn't it say yes or no?"

  "No, let me look." She grabbed it from me.

  "Annie, any day now."

  She giggled and her arms shot around me. "You are having a little Buck!"

  "Really? Oh God! I’m having another baby! Annie, I’m having a baby!"

  "Yes! Yes you are. Now, when are you going to tell Buck?"

  "I don't know. I need to go to the doctor and make sure. Let me do that, and I will tell him afterward, okay?"

  "All right, go now! Well? What are you waiting for? Go!"

  Annie shooed me out of her house and I giggled at her eagerness. I went to my doctor and had blood drawn. They said they would know shortly, and if I was, I needed to get a prescription for prenatal vitamins. I decided to go to the boutique next door while I waited. I looked through the racks of clothes and found an adorable dress for Maggie. I was going to purchase it, but after checking the price tag, discovered that it was way too much. I reluctantly put the dress back on the rack and turned to leave when my phone buzzed in my purse.

  "Hello?"

  "Claire, this is Nancy, the nurse. Your test came back positive. Congratulations! Now, I will leave your prescription at the front desk. You will need to make an appointment with an OBGYN."

  "Thank you, Nancy." I was really pregnant. I felt light-headed and wasn't sure if it was from excitement or the fact that I hadn’t eaten anything. I was about to leave the store, when I spotted baby clothes. I walked over and found a yellow onesie with a fawn on it. Buck is having a fawn. I giggled and walked up to the register. When I left the store I immediately called Annie.

  "Hello?"

  "I am officially pregnant."

  "Oh wow! I have the perfect plan to tell Buck. I will make a big dinner. When you ask Buck to pass the salt, you can then say, ‘By the way, I am having your baby.’"

  "Umm, I think I will tell him myself, but thanks."

  "But I have to be there!"

  "No, you just want to be. Now how about I pick up the girls from school. We can still have supper with you. Then I will tell Buck. Alone."

  "Fine, you know you sucked the fun right out from under me, don't you?" she huffed.

  "I’m kind of almost sorry. I have to go pick up my prenatal vitamins. I’ll see you tonight."

  "Fine."

  "Aw, come on, Annie. How about I let you tell Matt afterward?"

  "That might help soothe the pain you have inflicted. Fine, it's a deal. See you about five."

  I laughed and hung up. After getting the prescription filled at the pharmacy, I sent a text to Buck.

  Me: Dinner at Annie's 5pm

  Buck: I never turn down good food. Want me to pick you and Maggie up?

  Me: No, we’ll meet you there

  Buck: okay:( I miss my Lotus

  Me: I miss you Buck

  Smiling to myself, I got in my car and took the onesie out. I just hoped Buck would be as happy as I was. Wrapping the onesie up, I stuffed it in my purse along with the prenatal vitamins. Now to pick up the girls.

  Chapter 25

  Claire

  I parked my car in an empty spot at the school and entered the building, smiling at the excited chatter from the children. Maggie and Rose weren’t in the designated pickup area, so I went to find the teacher. "Excuse me, Miss Turner, I was sure I was picking up the girls today."

  "Let me check. I was taking a phone call in the office. The teacher's aide was here." She went over to a girl who looked to be no older than sixteen. Returning to me, she said, "Claire, she said an uncle came and got the girls."

  Relief washed over me. "Thank you, Miss Turner." I went to my car and fished for my phone. There was a missed call from home. Odd, no one should be at my house. I called home quickly, wondering what was going on. I wasn't sure why Matt would go to my house. We were having supper at his and Annie’s tonight. The phone rang a few times and then someone picked up.

  "Mommy?"

  "Maggie? Why are you home? We are supposed to have supper at Annie's. Can I talk to Matt, honey?"

  "Matt isn't here, Mommy."

  "Maggie what is going on? Miss Turner said you went home with an uncle." Confusion swirled through me. "Maggie?" There was a pause and some noise coming from the phone. I pulled it away from my face to make sure I was still connected.

  "Claire, it's me." Scott cooed into the phone.

  My heart began to beat frantically.

  "Scott? What is going on? Why do you have the girls?"

  "Shut up, Claire! I will do the talking. You will listen! Do you understand?"

  "Yes." I choked out a sob and my hands began to shake.

  "Now I need you to come to your place, and do not get any ideas of calling the police or anyone else for that matter. Then you and Maggie are going to your real home wher
e you belong--with me." The phone line went dead. Fumbling, I attempted to insert the keys in the ignition. They dropped to the floor. Trembling, I snatched them off the floorboard, jammed them in the switch, and started the car. Distracted, I pulled out of the parking lot and into the path of an oncoming car, which served to avoid me at the last moment, horn blaring.

  When I stepped out of the car, my legs were wobbly. I took the stairs two at a time, tripping on the last stair. I hit the floor hard, sending shooting pain up my wrists. The door swung open. I craned my head and saw Scott staring down at me. With frantic eyes, I searched the room and found the girls huddled together on the couch. My eyes teared when I saw the frightened looks on their faces.

  Scott bent down and yanked me up by my jacket, my purse flopping around, pulling me into the apartment. I thought he was going to let me fall forward, but instead he pulled me close and nuzzled my hair.I glanced desperately around the room but couldn't see anything within reach to use as a weapon. His hand came around and gripped my throat. Maggie and Rose let out a whimper.

  "Now, let's go to our home, Claire."

  I pulled at his hands, trying to ease the pressure on my throat. "Scott,” I pleaded, “please leave the kids, or let's take them to Annie's."

  "You think I am stupid?"

  "I just thought we could have a few days together, then we could come back for Maggie." I could tell he was thinking this through. His grip loosened on my throat, and he spun me around roughly so that I was facing him. He looked down at me, desperation in his eyes. If I couldn't convince him to take only me, I was afraid the girls would suffer the same fate. He continued to stare at me, as if convincing himself that I would do what he wanted. Something caught his attention and his eyes narrowed. He pushed me aside and stalked down the hall. Pippi came waltzing down the hall her tail held high as if she were determined to make friends with him.

  "What the FUCK is this thing doing here?" he bellowed.

  Maggie jumped off the couch and ran to her beloved kitten. "Don't hurt her Daddy!" She shielded Pippi with her body. As if in slow motion, his hand raised high in the air and came down swiftly, connecting with Maggie's face. The slap reverberated through the room. Something broke inside of me. I was unable to protect my daughter. Maggie flew backward and the kitten hissed up at Scott. I saw his foot drawback, and I knew Pippi was his target. I flew toward Scott, body slamming him, knocking him off balance. His foot barely missed the kitten. I stumbled and dropped my purse, the contents spilling across the floor. The bottle containing my prenatal vitamins rolled toward him, coming to a stop at the tip of his boot. He picked it up and read the label. His eyes cut to me, cold and accusing.

  "You're pregnant?" His disgust was palpable. He flung the bottle across the room. I watched as his eyes turned from anger to something else. I had never seen them look so hauntingly. I could see the veins in his neck bulge. Maggie watched him fearfully, the mark on her face an angry red. I needed to think. I needed a plan.

  Scott glanced at me, betrayal in his eyes. He wore a look of surrender, of acceptance. A glimmer of hope swirled in me. Maybe he finally understood. He made his way to the couch and sat down bring his hands to his face.

  "Maggie, get Pippi, then you and Rose go into your room. Do not come out unless I tell you to. Is that clear?"

  Both girls nodded, Maggie scooped Pippi up, and they dashed down the hall. Maggie stopped at her door and turned to me. I nodded for her to go in and gave her a weak smile. Scott was now on his feet, moving toward me.

  "Get up, Claire." He held out his hand out to me and helped me off the floor. When he had me standing, he forced me against the wall, his mouth crashing down on mine as if to punish me. Bile rose in my throat. He broke the kiss and pulled me with him to the door.

  "Where are we going, Scott?"

  "It's time to tie up loose ends."

  "But what about the girls?"

  "You don't need to worry about anyone anymore, Claire Blair."

  Chapter 26

  Claire

  Scott guided me down the stairs. Feelings of dread swirled around in my head. I was uncertain where he was taking me. Would Maggie and Rose be alright alone? No, of course not! Realization crashed down around me. Would I see Maggie ever again? Scott looked so calm. He never looked this calm. Tightness in my chest made it hard for me to breathe. When we got to the bottom of the steps, he held the door open, but I was frozen in place. I glanced up the stairs, tears sliding down my cheeks.

  "They will be fine." Scott’s voice crashed into my thoughts. His hand latched onto my arm, pulling me to a beat up truck and shoving me in.

  Trying to devise a plan, my mind came up blank. I had to do something. Maggie needed me and the baby inside me needed protection, too. Scott tied my hands up with some plastic ties. He pulled on it hard, making sure it was tight enough, causing me to wince in pain. He got into the truck on his side and cranked it, heading out of town.

  I looked at the dash. The clock read five pm. Buck would be at Annie's and Matt’s now or very soon. They would hopefully come over if I didn't answer, and the girls could tell them what happened. Okay, not the best plan, but it was all I could come up with. Knowing that at least Maggie would be safe right now was worth doing what he wanted. He continued down the highway, and I knew he was taking me to the house that we had once shared. Nausea began to consume my thoughts. I tried to calm my breathing. My hands went to my stomach, and I rubbed it, in a vain attempt to convey a message to my baby that I would do whatever I had to do to keep us safe.

  "Were you ever happy with me, Claire?"

  "Yes, but that was a long time ago."

  "Do you love him?"

  I stared at him. Did I tell him the truth or did I stroke his ego and tell him I didn’t.

  "Yes." I went for the truth.

  He gripped the steering wheel tightly. Maybe I should have said no, but I didn't. Scott slammed on the brakes and swerved the truck towards the ditch. My head slammed into the dashboard. In my confusion I turned to Scott just as his fist connected with the side of my face. The pain radiated through my head, my vision blurred, and I blinked a few times. When I was able to focus, Scott drove back onto the highway, as if nothing had happened. My face throbbed.

  We rode in silence, Scott focusing ahead on the road. I could see the muscle twitching in his jaw, and he was grinding his teeth. My nose tingled with the tears I kept at bay.

  When we pulled up to the house he and I had once shared, I looked over at Sandy's house. It was dark. She was my last shred of hope. I had been praying she would see me with Scott, know something was not right, and call the police.

  He got out of the truck and opened my door, refusing to look at me. He grabbed the plastic binding my hands and pulled. I stumbled from the truck, and he pushed me up the steps and through the front door.

  He shut the door behind us, sealing my fate inside and any hope outside. I didn't cry, I wouldn't cry. He would not take anything else from me.

  He dragged me through the hall, and into the living room, where he turned on a light and pushed me to the couch. I landed with a hard thump. He began to pace back and forth the length of the couch, becoming more agitated each minute. I knew my time was limited, and if I wanted to survive, I needed to wait for the perfect moment to make my escape.

  His eyes cut in my direction, and he came over to where I was sitting, falling to his knees in front of me. He brought a hand up, and I flinched. His eyes hardened at my reaction, but his hand continued its journey to my face. He brushed his fingers over the spot where he’d hit me. I wanted to pull away, but knew that would only make him angry, so I remained still. Then he leaned in, and I pulled back instinctively. I would not let him kiss me.

  Anger flashed in his eyes, and he reached out, grasping the back of my neck and pulling me forward. He pressed his lips against mine, but I remained unresponsive. He pulled away from me and his hand shot forward. Smack! "You bitch!"

  The impact snapped my head savagely
to the right, stars blurring my vision. A warm, metallic taste flooded my mouth. I leapt to my feet and darted towards the hall. I had just reached the back door when fingers bit into my shoulders, pulling me back. I felt myself falling. I hit the floor with such force, I immediately scrambled away trying to put distance between us. He grabbed my leg and dragged me back towards the couch, I tried kicking at him.

  "Don't you fucking move, Claire!"

  He opened the end table drawer and turned towards me. In that moment, I knew it was all over. My time was officially up.

  "We said ‘til death do us part," Scott said as he pointed a gun at me.

  Chapter 27

  Buck

  Buck pulled up to Annie's and Matt's house, a bit surprised Claire wasn't there yet. He got out of his car and stretched his arms above his head, exhausted after the night he and Claire had shared. The thought brought a smile to his face. He was addicted to her, body and soul, even though they had only been together for a short while. He’d thought of nothing but her since he first laid eyes on her in a photo Annie kept in the living room. He wanted to know everything about her and gaze in those beautiful green eyes for hours. When he’d heard she was in an abusive relationship, he’d wanted nothing more than to rescue her and her daughter.

  Matt walked out of the house and leaned against the rail. He and Matt had met in college and had been best friends ever since. Matt understood his past, accepted Buck’s fucked up childhood, and didn't feel sorry for him. "Hey, where are Claire and the girls?"

  "She said she was meeting me here."

  "Well, Annie is not happy. Apparently she’s been calling and Claire isn't answering. I told Annie you were probably with her."

  Annie pushed through the front door, looking frantic "She's not with you?"

  An uneasy feeling coiled in his gut. "I’ll go over to her place now." He turned to leave, Annie and Matt close on his heels.

  "We are coming, too. Have you tried to call her?" Annie asked, her voice trembling.

  "Not since before she picked up the girls." Shit. If this had anything to do with Scott, things could get ugly real quick.