I started fidgeting with my shirt, keeping my eye on the house. I shouldn’t have agreed to this. The only thing I wanted was to forget the man’s existence.
The car door opened and I looked up, relieved to see his face. Thank God.
Tyler slid in the seat and handed me the phone. “Here, it’s all taken care of.”
He turned on the ignition and did a U-turn.
“Thank you,” I said. “What happened?”
“I told him that if he ever touches you again, I’ll kill him.”
I pushed back a smile. “You didn’t have to do that for my phone.”
“It isn’t about your phone.” He glanced at me. “I can buy you a new phone. This is about you. I won’t stand for anyone hurting you. Jack knows my family. Hell, I guess everyone does. He acted more surprised that I came there for you. Who the hell does he think he is, smacking you like that?”
“Did he admit it?”
“He didn’t deny it. He sat down on the couch and started blubbering like a baby. He’s too drunk, that’s his problem. He could hardly remember.” Tyler took a deep breath. “I’m sorry you were late. I thought we got back in time.”
“I really wasn’t that late. It was only a few minutes. He’s been freaking me out lately, and I told Mom about it. It’s like he did it because he knows she’s gone.”
Tyler took my hand. “You can always press charges if you want.”
“No,” I said. Involving the police scared me. “I just want to forget about it.”
“Okay, it’s up to you. Do you feel like working?”
“I have to.”
“No, you don’t. I’ll deal with Nana. You need to go home and ice your eye.”
“Tyler, she’ll tell. Plus, it’s Friday, I get paid today. I have to get the check for Mom.”
He pulled in the driveway and parked the car outside of the garage. He turned in his seat. “Elsie... ” he pleaded.
“I have to get through it. It’s only a few hours.”
“You blow me away. You don’t know how strong you are.”
I lowered my head. “No, I’m not.”
“Bullshit. Look at me.”
I turned to him. He tilted his head as if he wanted to convince me with just a look. Then, he leaned across the seat and kissed me. I winced. I needed to feel his touch, but any pressure on my face felt like a burning match on my skin.
He smiled, gently touching my bruised cheekbone. “Sorry.”
“Thank you for getting my phone.”
“It was the least I could do. I have to go for a swim, but I won’t leave. When you’re done, text me. I’ll either be at the pool or in my room.”
“What if your grandmother sees my face? She’s going to think I’m total trash.”
“Just try to avoid her.”
“I hope she isn’t in the same mood as Smith,” I scoffed. “I gotta get inside.”
I followed him through the garage into the dimly lit mudroom. He turned around in the shadows and slid his hand through my hair, then gently gave me a kiss goodbye.
“I’ll see you when you’re done, okay?” he whispered.
“Okay.”
“I’ll come over tonight. We can spend the evening together.”
I nodded, and then he gently kissed me again.
After we parted ways, I hid in the utility room for a few minutes, pacing the small space in an attempt to gain my composure. Tyler had taken care of Mr. Smith. All I had to do was get through the day. You can do this, Elsie. Just a few more hours and you’ll be done cleaning for good.
For the next few hours, I vacuumed, dusted, scoured the bathroom and polished the glass on the upper level. Mom always cleaned when she was mad or frustrated. Now I understood why. As the day moved on, I started feeling better.
At one-thirty, I walked down the hallway toward Mrs. Vaughn’s bedroom. The passage seemed to narrow as apprehension overwhelmed me. I slowed my steps. Why did I feel like sprinting out of the house? A doorknob clicked. The hair stood up on my arms. That’s why.
Mrs. Vaughn’s bedroom door slowly opened. I stopped. She stepped out and sized me up.
“You look awful,” she stated. “What is wrong with your face, child?”
I ran my hand through my hair to cover my eye.
“It’s no big deal,” I said, nerves making my voice crack. “I just need to finish your room and I’ll be done for the day.”
“Why did I see you get out of Tyler’s car? Where did you go with him?”
Blood pumped around my bruise. Mr. Smith’s face flashed in my mind. Oh, hell no. I wasn’t doing this again, especially with her.
Standing straighter, I said, “I apologize for leaving earlier, but I’d like to finish my work, now. Then, I’ll be gone for good.”
She stepped closer to me. Too close. “You’re just a troublemaker.”
I stepped backward to get away from her mothball breath.
“Are you seriously going to add insult to injury?” I said. “I’ve already had a really bad day.”
“You have no business with Tyler,” she said through clenched teeth. “I saw you kiss him in his car. You’re nothing but a little whore!”
“Are you serious? You can clean your own fucking house!” I shouted and threw my dust rag at her overpriced heels. “My mom might put up with your bullshit, but I won’t.”
I spun around. Tyler stood at the top of the stairs, wearing only his black warm-ups and his hair wet from his swim. He walked barefooted toward us, staring down his grandmother.
“Elsie, why don’t you go on ahead,” he said, eyes still locked on Mrs. Vaughn. “I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”
I hurried past him and started down the staircase. Halfway down, I heard her shrill voice.
“You deserve better than that!”
I ran.
Chapter 22
I ran inside my house, ripped off my work clothes, and pulled on a T-shirt and shorts. No hiding. I can jog, but I can’t run. I grabbed my iPod and headed back to the front door.
Mark sat on the couch, watching TV. “Where are you going?”
“Running.”
“You’d better mean for exercise. I’m not chasing you—”
I let the door slam. Pushing in my ear buds, I jogged to the road and stopped. The old house. I could hide there for hours. No one would find me. Tyler. No. Don’t do it. I turned away and started running in the opposite direction toward the rolling hills.
I bombed it. I failed Mom. She would totally lose her job. Two jobs. I imagined the disappointment in her eyes. She had trusted me. But would she want to go back? What if she didn’t stand up for me? What if she thought I’d instigated it? Oh God, that would kill me.
Enduring each hill as if I deserved the punishment, I could still hear Mrs. Vaughn’s sharp words. You deserve better than that... you’re nothing but a little whore...
I’m a freaking virgin!
Anger boiled inside of me as I fought the momentum pushing me down the hill. I’d show that woman. Fuck her. Nothing would keep me from Tyler. I’d take her abuse until she couldn’t fight anymore. I pushed up the incline, calves burning along with my rage. She thought she could break me? Never.
I hit flat ground, adrenaline pushing me on for the next two miles. Thirty minutes later, I jogged around the curve toward home. The truck was gone. Great, I’m stuck. Mark had better be doing something productive.
I opened the front door. The place was empty, save for the beer bottles and trash. Maybe he’d taken a load of peppers to the processing plant. I looked out the dining room window. The tractor sat at the edge of the field with an empty scoop. I sighed in relief, turned around, and scanned the house. Trash everywhere. Thanks, Mark.
As I grabbed a bottle of water, my cell phone rang. Oh crap. I didn’t check if I’d missed any calls. Hurrying to my room, I grabbed it out of my work pants.
“Hello?”
“Where have you been?” Mom shouted.
“I jus
t got back from jogging.”
“I’ve been trying to call you since yesterday. I’m worried sick here.”
“Sorry, I lost my phone. I just got it back.”
“Where’s Mark? I’ve been calling the house, too.”
We’d planned to surprise her with the money from the harvest, so I didn’t want to say.
“He left in the truck,” I said, hoping she’d accept my vague answer.
I listened to her long sigh on the other end. Her tension gnawed my nerves.
“Your dad and I are coming home tomorrow. We should be there by four. I need you to do a few things for me.”
I slumped on my bed. “Okay.”
Could the day get any worse?
“Strip the sheets off my bed and clear anything blocking the way for the paramedics to bring him back to our room. Hospice should be there around noon to move out the old bed and bring in a hospital bed. You need to be there to let them in. Please, don’t forget.”
“Mm, hmm.”
“How did work go today?”
She didn’t hesitate from giving orders to wanting updates. I couldn’t go there yet.
“Mm, okay.”
“Are you all right?”
I took a deep breath. She asked...
“No. Not exactly,” I said. “You chew me out for not being at your beck and call. Then you start barking orders to clean your room. You have no idea how crappy this week has been. You don’t even ask unless it’s about your jobs. I don’t want Dad to come home like this. It sucks! Why are they sending him home to die? I wan—”
“Enough!” she said. “Watch your tone, little girl. Your dad is coming home because it’s where he belongs, and you’re going to suck it up and do as I ask. This is our only option. You have no idea what I’m going through, and I don’t ever want you to know how this feels.”
Her voice quivered. Oh no. I’d just kicked a wounded woman. Of all people, Mom. Tears filled my eyes.
“He’s dying, Elsie,” she exhaled. “They can’t do any more for him. The hospital’s been fantastic, but we have no idea how long he’ll live. He needs to be at home, where he belongs.”
I wiped the tears off my cheek. “Oh, Mom... ”
“I love you. I know this is hard, but it’s the way it is right now.” She took a deep breath. “This too shall pass, right?”
Her motto would have helped if “this too” wasn’t my dad.
“Right,” I said, gently. “I’ll see you when you get here.”
“Okay. Thank you for your help.”
“Yeah. Love you,” I said, then flipped the phone shut.
Being called a whore with a black eye was pleasurable compared to watching Dad die. I stared into space, paralyzed with fear. Everything would change when they came home. My time to accept it had run out.
The phone rang. I glanced at the screen. Tyler.
“Hello?”
“Hey, can I come over?”
“Please.”
“Are you all right?”
“No. I just talked to Mom.”
“I’m already on the road. I’ll be there in a few.”
“Okay.”
Another surge of adrenaline hit me. I took a three-minute shower, dressed in cut-off shorts and a fresh T-shirt, then brushed my hair. Hurrying around, I gathered all the trash from the party. After hearing Tyler’s voice, all I wanted was to fall into his embrace.
As I shoved the last blanket in the closet, I heard a knock at the door. Expecting his usual bright smile when I pulled it open, I instantly deflated. He hesitated like he didn’t know if he should come in or not. I stepped aside. He looked angry. Would he really take her side?
Without a word, he walked to the center of the living room, then held out a folded check.
What the hell was that for? Oh. Payment.
“I wanted to make sure you got that,” he said.
“Thank you.” I took the piece of paper. “I’d forgotten all about it.”
Tyler stepped back. I glanced down at the check. Mom needed the cash, but I felt like he’d come over to pay me off. Cold and reserved, I couldn’t read him. He still looked pissed.
“I’m really sorry for throwing an F-bomb at her,” I said.
Tyler crossed his arms. “Elsie, how much more can you take?”
I shrugged. “Hell if I know.”
I flopped down on the couch, leaned forward, and set my head in my hands. His detachment. Why? I wanted to scream, what the hell happened?
“Tyler, what’s going on?” I asked. “You’re not telling me something.”
He shifted his stance and ran his fingers through his hair.
“I don’t know what she’s gonna do when Claire gets back,” he said. “I tried like hell to talk her out of anything irrational. But, she’s pissed we’re together.”
His words wracked me with regret. I’d run my mouth, lost my cool, lied to Mom. A gnawing headache pulsed behind my eye. I rubbed my forehead, pushing out the tension.
“I’ve screwed everything up. She’s gonna fire Mom.”
He sat down next to me. Silence. He didn’t reach out or console me. Hell, he wouldn’t even look at me. I felt nauseous. Did he come over to dump me?
I cradled my head in my hand, trying to cover my ugly eye. “Can I ask you something?”
He gave me a nod, still staring forward.
“Did she change your mind?”
He looked at me like I’d gone crazy. “About what?”
“Us.”
“No. I’ve known all along she’d freak out. It’s not about who you are; it’s about who she expects me to be with. That’s why I took you to Memphis. I wanted you to see what my life’s really like. I come to Savannah because it’s expected of me, but I wouldn’t change anything about the past month.” His eyes softened with the gentleness I craved. “Except your black eye. Or sneaking around so your mom doesn’t find out. And definitely what’s happening to your dad.”
He stood up and walked across the room like he’d been hit with a burst of energy.
“All of this is driving me crazy!” Tyler flipped his hands in the air in frustration. “I want to tell the world how I feel about you. That’s the problem, not my grandmother. I told her to get over it. This is my life. She calls you a whore and expects me to kiss her ass? I heard what she said to you.” He cocked his head to the side with a slight glare in his eyes. “But what about you? Where are you at? You seriously think I’m going to change how I feel because my grandmother doesn’t like it? When Claire finds out, will you change your mind? Is it that simple?”
“Damn it, Tyler. What do you want from me?” I snapped. “The woman’s determined to convince you that I’m not good enough.”
“No one will ever convince me of that.”
I stood to my feet ready to duke this one out.
“I don’t know how I’m going to tell Mom, but I promise, I’m not ashamed of how I feel about you. Everything’s going to change tomorrow. And when you leave. And when Dad dies. It’s inevitable. All I can do is brace myself for the blows. It’s going to hurt like hell.” I stopped to take a breath and calm down. Tyler didn’t respond, letting me continue. “What I do know, is every time I’m with you, for just a little while... I feel safe. That’s what I can’t handle. Doing this without you. I need you, and I’m scared of my life after you leave.”
His intense stare took my breath away. Holding... waiting... I broke eye contact and looked at the floor.
“You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”
Two steps and he was right beside me, running his hands into my hair as he pressed his lips hard against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and relief flooded my body. He lifted me off the floor, kissing me deeper.
“God, I want you so much,” he said against my mouth.
I ran my hands through his hair, returning his deep kiss. He gently laid me down on the couch. Bodies pressed together, he pushed up to look in my eyes.
“I�
�m sorry I scared you when I got here,” he said. “I’m mad at her. Not you.”
He swept his lips over mine, kissing me so tenderly, so gently, a tear rolled down my cheek. He slowly pulled away, and then he wiped the tear with the back of his fingers.
“I am unconditionally in love with you, Elsie.”
As he kissed me again, I replayed the moment in my mind. I wanted to say it, too. But his conviction didn’t require my courtesy – just my acceptance. He pulled away and shifted beside me and I relaxed in his warm embrace.
“What did your mom say?” he asked.
“They’re coming home tomorrow. It scares the shit out of me, and I keep pissing her off.”
He laughed. “You’re batting a thousand today.”
His phone vibrated against the couch. He shifted and pulled it out of his back pocket. I saw “Nana” at the top of the screen. Ignoring the call, he set the phone on the coffee table. A twinge of guilt stabbed me.
“I’m sorry I said that to your grandmother. I’m so embarrassed.”
“Stop,” he said. “Nana deserved it. When will they be home?”
“Around four.” Tears stung my eyes at the thought. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
“Would be my pleasure.”
All worn out, we settled into each other’s arms and slept for over an hour. We woke up starving and made our way to the kitchen, giggling and flirting as we fried two hamburgers on the stove. I made sweet tea, nuked two potatoes, and then we ate, enjoying our freedom together.
Afterward, we washed the dishes, then he started reciting facts about how many men died at Normandy. He concluded his point and sat down. Within seconds, he stood back up and started pacing. I watched him for a moment. He needed a run or he’d go nuts all night.
“Should we go for a jog?” I asked.
He smiled. “Hell, yes.”
“You have a change of clothes?”
“No, I didn’t think about it when I left.”
“Well, you can’t run in designer jeans,” I said. “Let me see what I can find in Mark’s room. What about your shoes?”
“I always have my wheels.”
Life Happens on the Stairs Page 18