Mercy's Angels: Elizabeth

by Barbi Barnard

  I get up and refill our mugs with coffee. I pull out the fixings for sandwiches and get the plates and utensils. I find the fruit tray I made and place it all on the table between us.

  “I'm hungry. Help yourself. You mentioned Greg went on a bender. What do you mean?”

  We both fix our plates and I wait for him to explain. I, of course, think the very worst what it could mean.

  “It took Greg a few moments to get your words to sink in and register. You knocked him to his knees. By the time he went to look for you, you were gone. We found your car at the bus station and he called in friends to stop every bus that left within a two-hour period. Let me assure you that there are a few little old ladies with soiled depends in Atlanta right now.” I can't help but smile at the pictures in my head.

  “When you weren't on any of the buses he went nuts. He kept saying he lost you. Said it was his fault that Jenni would come home to no mom. He apologized to Tiffi over and over. When we got him to calm down he wanted to ride and clear his head. We sent him off with Gravel and Trash. He went to the old Club House and drank himself stupid. I got a couple of the boys from other clubs watching him. Nick is watching the business and I offered to watch the Pen. I tracked you here by your call with Tiffi. I just wanted to see if you needed anything. If I could do anything for you.”

  I feel honored to be looked for. It shows me that even scarred up, I can have a friend. I don't know how much I can trust him yet, but it feels nice. “I'm not sure how to feel about being tracked.” I give a small smirk so he doesn't think I'm pissed.

  “Sorry doll. Part of my job is finding people. You're an adult. You want to hide out I am the last to tell you not to. Your past is just that. Yours… and also in the past. You walked away and took that club for everything that mattered to them. It impresses the hell out of me. I checked into you. You set up accounts for the girls that were air tight. They are set for life. You give more money away than most folks make in a year. You don't owe anyone anything. Let the past go and be happy. If you need us to leave, then say the word and I will make it happen. But don’t ever say you’re not good enough for anyone. I see who you are.”

  “No. Please, no. I don't need anyone to leave. This is just me letting my past slap me in the face. Jenni accused me of hiding. She was right. I have built up all these walls to keep the girls safe and to keep myself isolated. I have no close friends.” I see his eyebrows raise as I say this. “Oh I know hundreds of people. But to be honest. If I broke down in the middle of the night, I would have to call Jenni or Tiffi. That's kind of sad.”

  “Give me your phone.” I walk to the coffee table and pick it up to hand it over. I watch as he pushes buttons. When he gives it back he's smiling. “Now you have a number for the late night break downs.”

  I laugh and he points at me. “That right there is a beautiful sound. Need to do it more. I'm going to go back to work. You do what you need to. Call if you need something.”

  “Thanks Kenneth. I'll be back soon.”

  Chapter Five

  Hearing the door open startles me awake. I see five men walk into the room. The look on their faces is scary. I've seen this look on Dennis and I know what it means. I wish I could just blink and disappear.

  “Well, man, you weren't lying. She's a pretty young thing. Problem is, young is jail time.”

  “Please, just let me go. I don't live at home. I have no one to tell. Just let me go.”

  “Well sweets, it isn't that simple. You see we can't take that chance but we could work out a trade. See, if you stay here for say, six months or so, then it doesn’t blow back on us. You could clean up and stuff. You know be a service for the guys.”

  The snickers from the others don't make me feel good. I want out of here now.

  “We are going to let you choose. You either stay here for a while and help out the guys. Or we have to kill you.” Is he kidding? I don't see a grin or a smirk on his face. The others aren't laughing or sneering either. His tone leaves no room for hope. Do I want to die? Am I willing to be a maid for these guys?

  “All I gotta do is clean up and stuff?” I hope I sound whiny. Maybe it will help if they think I'm just a kid.

  “Yeah, sweets, just clean up and stuff. What's your choice? I gotta hear it out loud. Use words.” I guess I have no choice. I don't want to die.

  “OH....Okay. I guess I will be a maid. I really don't want to die.” I try to sound like it's a joke. They aren't laughing. I watch as they all pass looks between themselves. Some smirk others grin.

  “Good choice. The boys here will explain how the service works.” His laugh, as he walked out the door was the craziest laugh I ever heard. I just sit in the chair as they talk in hushed tones. I can't hear them. I guess they are deciding whose room I will clean first. It really does need a cleaning. If I can get Swift to find Lauren, she can get the rest of my stuff I have stashed at the bus depot. Living inside for six months could be a good thing.

  “Come on girlie. Let’s see what you got.” I am grabbed by my arms and pulled up from the chair. The four men that are still here surround me. When I feel the first hand on my breast, I start fighting.

  “You said I just had to clean. Stop. Let me go!”

  “Oh you’re going to clean girlie. You’re going to clean my dick.”

  “Yeah and mine too.”

  I scream. I continue to scream till I feel a pain on the side of my head. I can't see straight. It all goes black.

  I awake to pain. My whole body aches and my head is killing me. I hear a snore and attempt to move. It's so painful. As I go to stand I see the handcuffs. Someone put it on my ankle and the bed post. I have no clothes on. I scoot to the end of the bed and find I can't open them. They are locked tight. I don't see a key anywhere. I hear more snoring and turn to look. There is a man sleeping in the bed. He's naked. Oh, someone please help me. What the hell did they do to me? Why would Greg tell me I would be safe? Why did I trust him?

  ***

  I wake covered in sweat. Now I am living the nightmares in my sleep as well as the days. I don't like going over this all the time. I have to find a way to get it out of my head so it doesn't keep me in the past. I just don't know how. Maybe a hot shower would help? Wish I could just wash the past out of me like the shampoo from my hair.

  With a hot shower I feel so much better. I dress in jeans and a tee. Throw on some shoes and get to the kitchen for coffee. It's Sunday so I am free to wander outside without interruptions. I locate my comb and fill a thermos to take with me. It's time to find my calm in the pond water. I don't understand how it works, but the water has always brought feelings of calm to me. I can let things go and feel peace. I just need to find a way to keep that feeling with me when I leave the pond.

  I stop by the shed and get a large pail of grain for the fish and fowl. Feeding them will keep the ripples in the water that I like to watch. As I get to the pond and the bench that Wayne made for me, I set down the thermos and comb. I walk to the feeders and refill for the swans and ducks. I leave about a third for the fish. I see the ducks making their way across and smile. I know it won’t be long till the swans notice and come to visit.

  As I sit and pour my coffee I just watch. Ducks are fun to watch. They never really swim in a straight line. They laze around and dunk themselves. They circle and go back. I have often wondered if there are things they avoid under the water. Is that why they don't just go from point A to point B? Either way, I enjoy the show they put on. I see Joe and Joyce with the babies along the south side. They will notice soon and come to visit when it calms down a bit. I think the swans are beautiful and graceful to watch. The fact that they have babies brings a smile to my face.

  The warm sunrise and slight breeze gives me an edge on combing out my hair. It's down to my thighs when it's wet. As it dries, the curls will bounce it up a little so I don't sit on it. I thought about cutting it but just can't bring myself to do it. I'm not vain but I do think it is one of my best features. Being short I
think I need all the help I can get. Just a pound or two gives me more thighs than I like. I refuse to look at the backside. Sitting a lot makes me think I have a boat bottom butt. I finish the combing and pour more coffee. This is nice.

  I've sat here a couple hours when I hear a bike start up in the distance. Someone at the Pen is up early. I listen to hear which way they go. If they go north, they will go into town. If they go south, they could be going to check on Greg. I feel a little guilty that I chased him away from Tiffi. The roar of the engine and pipes is coming closer and I don't have time to hide. I hope these panties have a good elastic, ‘cause it’s time to jerk 'em up and deal.

  I let out the breath I was holding, when I notice it’s Kenneth. I feel okay around him. Not nervous at all, but not quite comfortable. He's grinning as he parks his bike and gets off. I watch him get a box and cup out of his side bag. He has a smooth walk. Makes him sexy as hell.

  “Damn, I’m going to need new panties.” I see his head snap up and look me in the eye. I see surprise in his eyes and a smirk on his face. It’s like he heard me.

  “Good morning, angel. Sleep well?”

  “Well enough. You're up and out early. Have things to do today?”

  “Nope, no plans. Thought I would share with you what you've been missing and since you have a thermos we can share your coffee.” His smirk gives him a very sexy look on his face.

  “Fair enough. I'll share. I think I drank all the coffee I brought, but it won't take long to make more. What is it that I have missed?” I stand and toss the grain into the water for the fish.

  “I think you have a baker that wants a job. So far as your kitchen goes, it has a heavenly smell that attracts everyone. There are fresh rolls and bread daily and cookies and cakes all the time. We need a gym for the guys with all the sweets that are available.”

  I didn't hire a baker and if he was talking about Mooki, I think he would have said.

  “I didn't hire a baker. I'm not sure what you mean”

  “Come on and make some coffee and you'll see what's going on.” We walk to the house and I start the coffee. I watch as he opens the box. Heavenly sweet smells drift to me. Apple and cinnamon along with apple-butter infuse the room quickly. I grab the plates and napkins while the coffee drips.

  “Where on earth did you get these so early? They smell heavenly.” His grin is killing me.

  “Out of your kitchen at the Pen.”

  “Mooki made these?”

  “Nope. That's what I mean about someone wanting a job. All day there are baked goods in the kitchen. If you don't hire her, I might have to force one of the guys to marry her to keep her around.”

  “I haven't a clue who you're talking about. If Mooki didn't make these then we have a baker burglar. Which is the total opposite of what a burglar does. Did that make sense?” Kenneth is laughing as I pour us both fresh coffee.

  “Yes, I understood. Just try one.” Oh these are wonderful. Light and fluffy. I love bear-claws. And apple is a favorite. The icing isn't too sweet. Just enough to take the tart from the apples. I want more, but don't want to look like a pig. I sit back and use the napkin to wipe my hands and mouth. “Thank you Kenneth that was great. Now tell me who burglarized into the kitchen to cook.”

  “I'm not positive mind you. She won't talk and you hardly ever see her. Reminds me of those elves that made shoes for the cobbler in the middle of the night. I think she is Mooki's mom. The car has been at the Pen since Mooki showed up to move in. It hasn't moved at all. It's registered to Mooki, but he drives a truck. I've seen her go quickly into Mooki's room with the little girl.”

  I try to picture the woman I met in my head. “Is she tiny? Just about maybe five feet tall? Light skin?” I try to describe her for him.

  “Yep, that's her. I think she is responsible for the dining room and the kitchen shining like a new penny. If I could get her to stop and talk to me. I would ask her what she charges for cleaning. I hate to clean and would love to hire her.”

  Well what do you know? I wonder if she is staying in the room with Mooki. It doesn't matter to me what he does in his room. If she helps him with child care that's his business. If she likes to cook and we are benefiting from it, then I need to compensate her. “Sounds like the woman I met. Is she causing any trouble? Is that why you mentioned it?”

  “No. No there's no trouble. She doesn't have an access card, so I didn't know who she was or if you knew. I just like her food and cleaning habits. I used Mrs. Betty at the club house for the cleaning and laundry. Tell you the truth, I miss that woman.” I see his grin. He is serious and playful at the same time. Wonder if he knows that Nick likes to steam his shirts now. Won't wear one with a wrinkle anymore.

  “I guess I need to stop hiding out here and find out what's going on at my Pen. It's Sunday dinner today. If I don't show, I'll have to tan my own hide.”

  “You still have hours before dinner. Why don't you do me a favor?” I see a sly look in his eyes.

  “What kind of favor?” I 'm almost afraid of what it could be.

  “Will you show me around?”

  “You want me to show you around?”

  “Yeah, show me around. This is as far as I have gone alone since we moved here. I usually stay in the office while the guys are out on a job. We have nothing to do today.

  It's a great day to look around. So, will you show me around?”

  I laugh. It feels good to just laugh. I can't answer because I can't breathe. He's watching me with a grin on his face. “I'm sorry. The idea of you being locked in the office with a ball and chain just went through my brain. What do you want to see?”

  “Anything you want to show me.”

  Those words sober me up quick. Lots of thoughts go through my mind. Picturing him naked with me is a new kind of thought. Something I haven’t done in a long time. I haven’t willingly been with a man in my life, but I can picture it with him. He could be trouble with a capital “T”. “Yep these panties are toast.”

  I see his head snap up and realize I said that out loud; I'm mortified. Slapping my hand over my mouth, I feel the blush rushing to my face. I watch as he bends over and is shaking. It looks like he's choking. His head is almost under the table. I don’t know what to do. His leg is jumping and he is slapping his knee.

  “Are you okay? Do you need water?” I watch him shake his head in a “no” motion and I hear him take big breaths. If he can do that then he isn’t dying. I start to worry as he almost falls out of the chair. I stand and pace. I don’t know what to do. Who do I call? How do I help him?

  He starts to rise and I see his face. It’s red. It’s almost purple. He’s laughing. He’s laughing at me. Well that just pisses me off. I stamp my foot and grind my teeth. “It wasn’t funny. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. Now he will think I’m a pervert or something.” His head snaps up and he is holding his jaw tight. Damn, I said that out loud too. Can I get a hole here, please? Just swallow me up.

  The twinkle in his eyes is shining. Did he laugh so hard he cried? Watching as he brings himself under control gives me time to compose myself. I can get through this. I’ll blame it on, um, something. “Are you through?” I can’t really blame him. It’s embarrassing, but I did cause it. If someone else had done it, I would laugh also.

  “Yes, yes I am. I apologize. I am not laughing at you, just the situation. I love the way you just blurt out the thoughts in your head. It lets me know you're honest and real. In my life that is rare. You are a beautiful and special woman Elizabeth. Don’t ever change.”

  Well, if that doesn’t leave a girl speechless nothing will. I have no words so I just nod my head.

  To hide my embarrassment, I clean up the bit of mess made by our breakfast. His eyes following me are like a hawks. I don’t need to see them to know they are there. I hear the chair scrape and see him bring his cup to the sink. “Will you still show me around? I promise I will do my best not to laugh at you or anything you do.”

  He looks so ea
rnest I can’t say no. I nod my head and see a smile brighten his face. “Go get ready and I'll finish cleaning up.”

  A quick brush to my hair and I am back to meet him at the door. I see him grab the door knob and twist the lock. Walking out, I see the start of a beautiful day. I turn to the left to take the trail but I’m stopped by a hand on my arm. I turn and see confusion on his face. “Where you going? The bike is the other way.”

  Oh geesh. I didn’t think we were going for a ride. This is going to be awkward.

  Chapter Six

  Men ride motorcycles for many reasons. The wind in their face as they wind through the roads. The feeling of being free, nothing holding them back. The rush of adrenaline coursing through their veins as they race the white lines on the roads. There are so many reasons. Women are different. They only have a few. Once in a while just to feel that feeling of being free also. To hold the man driving. To get from point A to point B. But the reason I like to ride is the most embarrassing one. That small little seat. Sometimes known as a ‘bitch pad’. Barely four inches wide and seven inches long, it contours to fit your crotch. You just know a man took extreme care when designing that seat. He listened to a woman to make it the best he could for her. I pray he lived a long and happy life. I just hope I don’t embarrass myself.

  I love riding. Didn’t always like who I rode with, but the feel of a bike rumbling is awesome. I trusted Kenneth to be safe and to drive with care. He wants to look around so a ride here is perfect. If we take the turn north, we go through town and he can see what there is here. If we go south, it will take us past the farming area with curvy roads and hills.

  “What do you want to see? Town and attractions or just the scenery?”

  “We have time for both. You decide and direct me where to go.”