Cassie looked at Katie’s face and made a quick decision. “Fine. We’ll fake it and pretend you got hurt here.” She barked out instructions, “Lay down on the floor. Over here by the desk. I’ll throw a stack of books on the floor, and we’ll say you tripped over them.”
“No one will believe that.”
“People believe what's easiest. You tripped and fell into the chair. End of story.” Cassie pulled books out of the bookcase. “Get on the floor!” She tossed more books at Katie’s feet. “You fell into the chair, got it?”
Katie had no time to argue. With surprising strength born out of need, Cassie knocked over the desk chair with a clatter and yelled, “Look out!”
At the noise, Julie flew through Cassie’s door, shocked to find Katie on the floor and Cassie still in her chair.
“It’s my fault. I’m so sorry,” Cassie wailed. “She didn’t see the pile of books on the floor. You know how she is,” Cassie fluttered her hands, “all action and speed. She tripped over them and hit the chair. Hard.” Cassie gestured to Katie, who was holding her ribs and moaning.
“Are you okay, honey?” Julie knelt on the floor, brushing Katie’s white-blond hair from her forehead.
Katie held back tears. “I don’t think so. My ribs…”
Julie lifted Katie’s shirt. “Oh, my God! You’re already bruising. Bob!” Julie ran to the bedroom door, calling his name again. He ran from the office, expecting the worst.
“Bob, get the van, Katie’s hurt! We need to take her to the ER!” Turning back toward Katie, she asked, “Can you move?”
Katie answered by rolling to a sitting position. Bob stood in the doorway, gawking.
“Bob, hurry!” Julie’s short, round frame didn’t keep her from being formidable. Bob rushed to follow her orders.
Julie helped Katie to the side of Cassie’s bed and gathered a bag full of Cassie’s prescriptions and tubes. “Let us get Cassie in the van, and we’ll be right back for you.”
Katie sat dazed, not sure what had just happened or how the hell she was going to explain it to Jack.
Bob came back inside and helped Katie up from the bed. “Lean on me, honey. I’ll do the work.”
He buckled Katie in as though she were a small child. Being treated so carefully made Katie cry. Flustered, Bob climbed into the driver’s seat, speeding toward the hospital, careening around corners and barely stopping at signs. Julie turned around to ensure Cassie’s wheelchair was strapped in and patted Katie on the knee. “Should we call your husband?”
Katie gave a small shake of her head and took shallow breaths to keep the pressure off her ribs.
Cassie offered a plausible lie from the back of the van, “He’s in meetings all day. Let’s see what the doctor says first.”
Hours later, the ER doctor at Savannah General slapped an x-ray onto the screen and tapped it twice. “You’ve got two broken ribs. They’re not splintered, which is good. You need to take it easy and wait for them to heal.” He wound medical gauze across her torso. “Leave this in place for three weeks, even in the shower.” He scribbled out a prescription for pain meds and handed her an extra roll of gauze. “Re-wrap your chest loosely every day and make an appointment with your doctor.”
Katie was silent during the ride back to the Morrisons. She went into Cassie’s room to grab her jacket, hoping to make a speedy getaway, but Cassie was having no such thing.
Cassie shut the door and rolled around to face Katie. “What happened?” She asked it quietly, which was Katie’s undoing.
Katie lowered herself to the bed. “I didn’t have any clients yesterday and thought I’d work on the house. I was in an upstairs bedroom where we haven’t touched a thing—pockmarked floors, molded wallpaper, old lights. You get the picture. Anyway, I was stripping wallpaper, with the music blaring and never heard the phone.”
“Uh-oh. Jack called, and you didn’t answer, right?”
Katie bobbed her head once.
At Katie’s confirmation, Cassie muttered, “Asshole.”
Katie ignored the comment. “Jack drove home from work. I heard him fly up the stairs and was climbing down the ladder when he came in the room—eyes wild and screaming about how I’d better not be seeing anybody.” Katie’s voice shook, “The next thing I know, he grabbed the broom and took a swing at me. I don’t mean a little swing either. I mean a try-for-the-fences, home-run swing. You know the rest.”
Cassie blew out a breath. “What’s going to happen when you get home tonight?”
“I have no idea.”
“I’m taking pictures.” Cassie rummaged through her bag to find her phone.
“Thanks for trying to help me, but,”
Cassie shot her left hand in the air, cutting of Katie’s sentence. “Stop. We have to document this.” Cassie aimed the phone at Katie. “Can you lift your shirt?”
Katie followed instructions while Cassie took close-up shots of the bandage and the bruises. She lowered the phone. “Why do you stay with him?”
“We have good days, too, Cass,” Katie defended herself, needing her one and only friend to understand.
“This isn’t some random argument, Katie. It’ll get worse, and then what?”
Katie scrubbed at her face. “I don’t know.”
Cassie persisted, “You’re smart. You’ve got a job. Get the hell out.”
Katie looked at her watch and cringed. “I’ve got to go.”
Katie kissed the top of Cassie’s head and scooted out of the room. Seeing Bob and Julie at the kitchen table, Katie veered in that direction. “Thanks for your help today. I’m sorry for any trouble I caused.”
“Don’t be silly,” Julie chided.
“No big deal,” Bob added. “You just take care of yourself.”
Katie sobbed all the way home. She cried for herself, maybe for the first time. She cried for Cassie. She cried because Bob and Julie were the first real parents she’d experienced, and her relationship with them was fleeting too.
Pulling into a gas station, she fixed her makeup and tried to figure out what she was going to say to Jack. Truth? Lie? They all seemed the same, anymore.
She was at the stove when Jack walked in and gave her a hard squeeze, signaling he’d forgiven her for the day before. Flinching, Katie blurted, “I ended up in the ER today.”
“What?” His face contorted. “Why?”
She recalled all the times Jack had convinced himself her bruises had come from somewhere else or simply didn’t exist. If he didn’t acknowledge them, they weren’t real. Banking on that history, Katie told him the false story of tripping over Cassie’s books. She showed Jack the bandages. “Can you believe it? Cassie’s in a wheelchair, and I end up in the ER.”
Jack raised his eyebrows. “You’re lucky the Morrisons were home. We owe them dinner or something.” His voice never wavered. His face never gave away any indication of the lie. As expected, the story was convenient and, therefore, true.
For the first time, Katie was genuinely afraid for herself. Whether it was Cassie’s earlier comments or Jack’s reaction didn’t matter. I’m in trouble.
Chapter 14
The next morning Katie eased out of bed, grimacing with the effort. She dry-swallowed two Tylenol and unwrapped the bandage. Standing in front of the mirror, Katie turned sideways. A large, red mass smeared down from her underarm to her waist, with a tangled set of yellow and green blotches extending toward her stomach. More prominent than the day before was a vivid line matching the shape of the broom handle.
Jack followed her to the bathroom and stood behind her, taking in the damage. “Damn. That looks awful. Let me help you re-wrap your ribs.”
Katie watched him in the mirror. How can you act like you weren’t involved?
“It wouldn’t be a problem if you took off today,” Jack said as he tucked in the end of the ace bandage. “It’ll be a little snug without today’s hours, but we’ll be all right.”
She shook her head as much in reaction to Jack�
��s incredible performance as in answer to his comment. “I’m scheduled with Mr. Parker today. He doesn’t require much—a little straightening and spending time with him. If it were Gertie, that would be a different scenario. I’d be cleaning, running errands, and grocery shopping. Mr. Parker is more like babysitting.”
Jack nodded and helped Katie into a blouse. He toyed with the buttons, taking extra time at her breasts, oblivious to her broken ribs.
Katie’s phone beeped, and she gladly turned away from Jack.
How ya doing? Everything alright?
“Who’s that from?” Jack asked, peering over Katie’s shoulder.
“Cassie--wanting to know if I’m okay after yesterday.” Katie clicked on a happy face and sent a cryptic reply. ‘Thanx 4 ALL ur help yesterday. I’m sore but good. CU Monday!’
Katie looked at the clock. “Oh, man. I’m running late.” She exited before Jack could ask any more questions and painstakingly maneuvered down the stairs to the den. She shoved open the pocket doors and headed towards a bureau she’d lovingly restored.
She pulled out children’s books and puzzles and shoved them in her oversized tote. Mr. Parker didn’t always recognize Katie, but it didn’t prevent her from finding ways to activate his old memories.
“You’re gonna be late,” Jack yelled from the kitchen.
“I’ll make it!” Katie yelled back as she slung her bag over her uninjured shoulder. She hopped toward the door, trying to get her second shoe in place.
Jack shook his head at her hurried exit. “We’ll go out to dinner tonight. No sense in you cooking with those ribs hurting.”
Katie blinked once. She didn’t want to go to dinner but wanted an argument even less. “Fine. I’ll be home around four-thirty.”
Katie pulled into Mr. Parker’s single driveway, taking in the compact neighborhood. His tiny ranch home bumped up next to similar houses and owners-- all older and in need of some assistance.
Mr. Parker's niece, Nina, had moved in a few years prior. With her children grown and her husband off with another woman, it had been a good pairing of resources. It had been Nina who’d called Comfort Keepers asking for help on her two longest workdays.
Walking toward the house, Katie saw a post-it-note stuck to the front door. ‘He’s having a tough morning! Call me when you get here! ~Nina.’
Katie squared her shoulders and knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” Mr. Parker yelled from the other side.
Surprised he’d come to the door, Katie answered, “It’s Katie, Mr. Parker.”
“I don’t know nobody named Katie.”
“Yes, you do. I’m here two times a week, remember?”
At the silence, Katie tried a different tactic, “I’m a friend of Nina’s.”
“Nina’s not here.”
Jiggling the doorknob, Katie found it locked and fished in her tote for the extra key Nina had given her. Still talking through the closed door, Katie tried bribing Mr. Parker, “I brought you some puzzles and was planning on making soup.”
Food got his attention, and Katie heard the lock click. She pushed her way inside before he changed his mind. “Good morning!” She took in his appearance. His gray hair stood at strange angles, unsure of which direction it wanted to go. His skinny frame barely held his sweatpants in place, and his t-shirt was on backward.
“Let’s get you dressed and see about some breakfast.”
His wary eyes told her he wasn’t sure who she was yet, but he gave her a sweet smile, indicating he liked her well enough. “You’re gonna make soup?”
Katie patted his arm and led him toward his bedroom. “I sure am!”
She pulled out her phone to text Nina and noticed she’d missed a call from her earlier. It explained the note. Katie sent a quick message: I’m here. Everything’s fine.
Katie and Mr. Parker--she couldn’t bring herself to call him Reginald--spent the day reading books and working jigsaw puzzles. When he zoned out from time to time, Katie straightened up the kitchen and did a load of laundry. She wasn’t as fast as usual but managed.
When he seemed too quiet in the afternoon, Katie booted up a Motown station on Spotify. Mr. Parker perked up and clapped his hands to the beat. When the Temptations came on, he got up and shuffled his feet, swaying side to side, and copying the group’s syncopated moves.
Katie laughed, soaking in a rare moment of joy.
Mr. Parker eventually wore down, and Katie settled him in his chair, knowing he’d nap for hours. She tiptoed out of the house, locking the door behind her.
Pulling into her own driveway, her heart sank. Jack was home early and waiting by the door. His beer bottle glinted in the late afternoon sun, and Katie groaned. Jack waved to several neighbors, making a show of welcoming Katie home.
Jack leaned in for a kiss. “I can’t wait to take you out tonight. You’re so beautiful.” He turned her towards him, making intense eye-contact.
Katie fought the temptation to swat at the pheromones in the air. “Sounds good.”
“You’ll want to clean up first, of course.”
When Jack opened the shower door, Katie closed her eyes. He eventually moved toward the sink, and Katie headed for the closet, anxious to hide her body.
Jack commented on her outfit immediately, “You should wear something sexier.”
Katie touched her blouse. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
"I thought you’d wear a dress tonight.” He headed to their closet and emerged with a black mini-skirt, and a hot pink shirt.
“That’s too tight with the bandages.”
Jack turned and pulled out a low-cut dress.
Katie sighed. If she resisted, dinner would be miserable. Jack’s disapproval would hang in the air like smoke, tainting the food and conversation.
Once they were seated, Jack scanned the patrons, hoping to see someone he recognized. Katie perused the menu for the least expensive entrée.
When the nearby tables were crowded, Jack presented Katie with a gold necklace. A single diamond was suspended in the middle. “For my beautiful wife,” Jack said loudly.
Katie stared at the necklace. Oh God. Not again.
The neighboring customers beamed, and a few even applauded lightly. Jack basked in the attention, and Katie adjusted her face, pretending to be pleased.
The new necklace was obviously expensive. Katie decided it was in direct proportion to the broken ribs but couldn’t imagine where Jack had come up with the money.
Jack helped her with the clasp, and she smiled all while cringing inside. Accepting the gift meant she condoned the behavior. If she refused, she invited his anger.
Jack watched for it the next morning. “Why aren’t you wearing your necklace?”
“It’s Saturday. I’m cleaning for God’s sake. Hardly the place for fine jewelry, Jack.”
“You don’t like it, do you? And, after all the trouble I took to find you something special.” He pouted, a little boy whose feelings were hurt.
“Of course, I like it,” Katie lied. “It’s beautiful. I don’t want to catch it on something.”
Jack barely nodded. “I can take it back to the jeweler.”
A brave woman would have shouted, “Yes! Take the damn thing back!” Katie has long ago traded in bravery for self-preservation. “Don’t do that. I love it,” She said, instead.
As predicted, Jack’s mood improved immediately. The chain glittered around her neck all weekend. She wore it to Cassie’s on Monday as the damn thing was now required.
Chapter 15
Cassie spied the necklace immediately. “Is that a diamond?”
Fingering it, Katie blurted out, “Do you want it? It’s yours.”
“What?”
“Sorry. Nothing.” Katie was sore and irritable. Jack had sensed her odd mood and been overly sexual the entire weekend—his way of assuring himself all was right in his world. Cassie didn’t need to know those things.
“It is a diamond, right?”
Cassie wheeled herself closer to see it better.
“Yeah.” Katie pulled lotions out of her tote. “Let’s get you oiled and massaged.”
“Not so fast,” Cassie said. “What did Jack say when you got home Thursday?”
“He was willing to believe I hurt myself here.”
Cassie’s mouth dropped open. “Really?”
“Sure. It got him off the hook.”
Cassie continued her questions, “What’d he say? You’re killing me, Katie!”
Katie pointed to the necklace. “He made up for it, of course.”
“I don’t get it.”
“When Jack acts badly, I get presents.” Katie listed examples, “Earrings after he literally ripped my clothes off a few months ago, a bracelet following a kick to the shin, and enough flowers over the years to open a florist shop.”
Cassie shook her head. “Wow. This is how you live?”
“Yeah, Cassie, it is. You have no idea.” Katie lifted the necklace away from her neck. “Getting a necklace? That’s nothing, trust me.”
Cassie raised her eyebrows. “Katie you’ve got to--”
Katie interrupted, “I don’t want to talk about it, all right?” She moved across the room, away from Cassie’s questions.
“We have to talk about it, Katie. You need to get out of there.”
Running frustrated hands through her hair, Katie spun around to face her friend. “I don’t know how, okay?” Her voice rose. “I don’t have enough money. I’ve got no place to go. Do you get what I’m saying?”
“Yeah, I get what you’re saying, or at least I’m trying to, so stop yelling at me!” Cassie turned stormy eyes toward Katie, “I didn’t do this to you. Jack did. Yell at him.”
Katie sagged on the bed. “I’m sorry. You, of all people. I didn’t mean to shout at you.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, quit apologizing! I’m fine. I’m glad to see you’ve got a spine under all that perfection. You should try it on, Asshole Jack. Maybe he’d leave you the hell alone.”
Cassie's face was flushed, and for some inconceivable reason, it made Katie laugh. “God, Cass. Why don’t you tell me how you really feel.”
There Was a Crooked Man: A Psychological Thriller Page 7