Under the Oak Tree

by Victoria Ashlee

  Clay laughed from annoyance; his patience was already wearing thin. “We can have the conversation here in front of your,” Clay glanced at the men, “…friends. Or, we can take a walk outside. I have no problem bringing up Saturday nights events. Do you?”

  Jason glared at Clay, and then looked at his friends, “This will only take a moment. He’ll be back to his side of the tracks very soon.” Jason stood, while his friends laughed, and continued drinking.

  “Walk.” Clay gestured to the door.

  Jason listened, buttoning his suit. “You know you can’t touch me. I’ll have your whole life ruined.”

  “Just shut the fuck up, and walk outside.”

  Jason stopped, and turned to face him, “Actually, I don’t think I will. What do you want, Clay? We’re far away enough from the table that they can’t hear whatever lie that’s about to come out of your mouth.”

  “Lie?” Clay narrowed his eyes at him. “I saw her, you piece of shit. It’s not the first time you’ve done this either, although I suspect it’s the worst that you’ve done.”

  “I did nothing.” Jason growled. “Do you understand me? Not a damn thing.”

  “Have you even seen what she looks like?”

  “I saw her on Sunday.” Jason said firmly. “I don’t have time for this.” He started to walk back to the table.

  Clay grabbed him by the shirt, “We’re not finished.”

  Jason looked Clay in the eyes, “Remove your hand from me.”

  Clay released his shirt, “Her face is black and blue because of you. Does it make you feel superior to inflict pain on her?”

  Jason didn’t respond for a moment, Clay thought he saw a glimpse of remorse, but it quickly disappeared. Jason finally spoke, “I said I did nothing, and maybe she deserved it? She’s been running around on me with you for who knows how long. She’s nothing, but a whore nowadays.”

  That’s when Clay’s patience was gone; all Clay saw was red when he said that Claire deserved it. His fist connected with Jason’s face faster than lightning would strike the ground. Jason fought back, but not successfully. His fist connected with Clay’s face, but Clay had him shoved up against a wall, knocking a chair out of the way. People were yelling for them to stop, but it was as if something had come over him; a rage that had been buried deep inside for a long time.

  Finally Logan and Brett were able to pull Clay away from Jason. Clay’s fists were still clenched, and then he got a good look at Jason’s face. His nose was bleeding; one of his friends handed him a paper towel.

  Jason’s other friend looked at Clay, “What the fuck is wrong with you? Call the fucking cops.” He wasn’t speaking to Clay, but Logan.

  “No,” Jason said through his bloody towel, “No fucking cops.” Jason’s eyes connected with Clay’s. “He’ll pay for this another way. You’ll regret ever thinking that you could get away with something like this.”

  “Get out of this bar.” Logan demanded.

  Jason looked at Logan then back to Clay, “Who do you think Mr. Cunningham is going to believe? I could never do the things that you accuse me of, but a low life like you? Well, that’s just your nature.” He held up the bloody towel. “I’m not paying my tab.” Jason snapped at Logan, and turned to walk out.

  Jason’s friends lingered for a few seconds, confused on what Jason just said, but then followed after him.

  Clay was fuming. This did not go as planned at all. In all honesty he hadn’t really planned much of anything walking into Tenpenny’s. He just wanted to make Jason feel how he made Claire feel. It was anger that was spilling out of Clay.

  “What the hell just happened?” Logan said to Clay, snapping him from his thoughts.

  Clay looked at Logan, “Jason is a piece of shit. That’s what happened.”

  “Does she really look how Brett said?”

  Clay nodded.

  “Her father doesn’t know?”

  “Not that he doesn’t know, more like her parents live in denial. They can’t see Jason for what he is, they’ve known him too long.”

  Brett returned with a bag of ice for Clay’s hand, “Well, from what Jason just said, you need to talk to Kevin Cunningham first thing tomorrow morning. He’s going to spin the story on you.”

  “He’ll try.” Clay put the bag of ice on his right hand. “Claire will tell them the truth.”

  Brett sat down in a chair, “This is a fucked up mess.”

  *

  The next morning Clay woke up early like he always did, but this morning he wasn’t going to work. He was going straight to Kevin Cunningham’s office. Clay parked his truck outside of the grey building that looked more like a dreary jail cell than a law office. He stared up at the sign that had Matthews & Cunningham plastered on it. Kevin Cunningham was loyal to his partner, which entailed his degenerate son too. But, he had a remaining sliver of hope that he would put his daughter first, instead of his pride.

  Kevin’s blacked out Mercedes pulled into a front parking spot at 7:55. Clay clenched his jaw as he hopped out of his truck, and strode toward the car. Kevin was looking down at his keys, carrying his briefcase. His car beeped twice when he locked it.

  “Mr. Cunningham,” Clay called out.

  Kevin’s attention shot up, a scowl quickly formed on his face, “What are you doing here? I should have you arrested.”

  “For what?” Clay said, keeping his voice calm. He didn’t want to rile up Kevin more than he clearly already was.

  Kevin stormed up to him, “You damn well know what, for the bruises on my daughter’s face.” He set his briefcase down, pulling out his phone, “Actually, I think I will call the authorities…”

  “Stop.” Clay snapped. “You don’t have the real story.”

  “He said you would say that.” Kevin glared at him.

  “I assumed he might get to you before I did, I mean he does live next door to you.” Clay paused trying to gather his thoughts. “Jason is the one who hurt Claire, not me. He’s been doing it for a while, you have just been too blind to see it.”

  “Are you accusing me of ignoring my daughter?”

  “No, but when I stopped by your house, she broke down in the foyer into a million pieces because no one will believe her. I’d say you have your blinders on when it comes to Jason.”

  “How dare you step foot in my house without my knowledge!” Kevin snapped. “And, come near my daughter after I have told you multiple times to stay away from her.”

  Clay narrowed his eyes at Kevin, “Did you not hear anything I just said?”

  “I heard you were trespassing on my property, kind of like you’re doing right now.”

  Clay was losing his calm demeanor, he knew Kevin was a smart man, but he felt like he was talking to a wall. “Just talk to her, let her tell you the story, and this time listen.”

  “Don’t tell me how to handle my daughter.”

  Clay stared into Kevin’s eyes, “You will lose your daughter if you don’t stop, and pay attention.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  Clay laughed, “Hardly. It’s a fact. I won’t be the one taking her. You will lose her all on your own.” He took a breath. “Claire is smart, kind, and full of life. You are slowly allowing your selfish wants, and a boy who doesn't love her, put out the light inside of her. I won’t let you do it, I care about her too much.”

  “My daughter is fine. She needs to stay away from you, is what she needs.”

  Clay stepped forward, making himself toe to toe with Kevin, “I promise you, if something happens to her, it will be your fault; no one else's.”

  Kevin stared back at Clay not responding. He picked up his briefcase, “You have five minutes until Jason’s father shows up. I’ll listen, but that is all the time I will give you. Tell me your version of the story.”

  Clay was shocked, he was still worried he wouldn’t believe him, but he started to tell Kevin what Claire had tearfully shared with him. He didn’t know specifics, but he knew enough. As he spoke, he s
aw her father’s eyes were searching him, or maybe trying to invision his daughter in pure fear. The more into the story Clay went the softer Kevin’s face became.

  “She thought it was her fault. She blamed herself.” Clay ran his hand over his mouth. “I told her that it wasn’t.”

  “You’re right, it’s your fault.” Kevin said firmly.

  Clay’s eyebrows furrowed, “How?”

  “I don’t know what to believe. Jason said you showed up in a rage that night, because she ended things with you by my order. Then you showed up at Tenpenny’s, leaving Jason with a bloody nose. What I see is facts. If Jason were hurting her like you claim, she would have come to me.”

  Clay felt defeated, “She didn’t think she could come to you. Call someone a liar enough times, eventually they’ll stop crying out for help.”

  Kevin glanced at the car pulling in the parking lot, “Your time is up. Alan is here. You need to leave.” He started to walk toward the front door.

  “So, that’s it? You’ll live in denial while your daughter needs you?”

  Kevin shot Clay a look, “The next time you show up on my property I will have you arrested.” With his last words he walked into the office.

  Clay’s hands clenched into fists, “Asshole.” He turned, glancing at Jason’s father while he walked back to his truck. Alan Williams was probably where Jason learned to control women he thought, and he didn’t like him one bit. He felt like he had failed Claire. It seemed as if she had no one in her corner, but himself.

  Chapter Thirty Three

  Claire

  Claire had received a call from Clay after he spoke with her father this morning. She was disheartened when he informed her of how it went. But, this time Clay was done, he wanted her next to him every night. He was no longer going to tiptoe around her parents feelings or reputation. So, she spent the afternoon packing a bag. Her parents were heading to a dinner at a friend’s house. Since they wouldn’t be home, it made the perfect time to leave.

  “What if they show up at your house?” Claire asked Clay over the phone, while she put a few shirts into her bag.

  “They’ll have to break my door down. I’m not having you live next to him. It’s not safe, and if they’re not going to do anything about it, I will.”

  She sat down on her bed, “My life is so messed up.”

  “Life is messy, Babe. You can’t always control it. It’s what you do with the mess is what’s important.”

  “What will I do about school? My father won’t pay for it after this. There are so many things to think about.”

  “You get a job. You figure it out. When life gets hard you get tougher. I’ll help you too.”

  She smiled to herself, “You think so clearly in stressful situations.”

  He laughed, “I don’t know if punching Jason in the face is considered thinking clearly.”

  “I wish I could have been there.” She laid back on her bed. “To see the look on his face, for him to feel how he made me feel. But, I don’t think anyone could ever make him feel that way, he tore me down one word at a time, until words weren’t enough anymore.”

  Eerie silence hung in the air, and then Clay spoke, “I wish I could take all the memories away for you.”

  “I don’t.” She said confidently. “As much as he hurt me, it made me realize that I was on the wrong path; that I deserved more out of life.”

  “You deserve the stars, my beautiful girl. Now hurry up, and finish packing, so I can see you.”

  *

  It was dark out when she finally put her bag in her SUV. She did one last check for anything necessary, and grabbed her phone charger. She turned the light off in her room, and walked down the stairs. Her stomach was dancing with nerves. She wasn’t truly leaving how she told Clay she wanted to, but she was removing herself from the situation that wasn’t what she wanted.

  She stepped onto her porch, turning to lock the house up. Her heart lingered, staring at the front door of her home. She loved her parents fiercely, but as much as she tried, they refused to see what she truly wanted out of life. To be happy.

  Her eyes went wide when she turned to walk down the steps. Jason was leaning on her car with his arms crossed on his chest. “Going somewhere?” He said dryly.

  She walked toward her car, trying to reach for the driver side door handle, “It’s none of your business.” He grabbed her hand, stopping her from opening it.

  He shook his head, “Claire, Claire, Claire...you’re wrong; just like you’re always wrong.”

  She stepped back, creating distance between them, “I’m not wrong. I’m no longer your concern. How many times do I have to say it?”

  “Say it again.” He challenged.

  “I-am-not-your-concern.” She snapped.

  Jason smirked, “I just like watching you squirm when you’re trying to be tough.”

  “You’re a dick.” She reached for the car again.

  He stepped in front of her, blocking the door, “You’re not going anywhere.”

  “Have you been drinking again?” Her voice was calm, but she could smell it on him. “You always get like this when you drink.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” He stepped forward, making her walk backwards, “Why do you have a bag packed? Where are you going?”

  Claire bit her bottom lip, not responding. Her heart was racing.

  “You’re going to him aren’t you?” Jason reached up touching her bruised face, she winced turning her face away from him. He dropped his hand, “Did you send your little boy toy to teach me a lesson?”

  Claire looked back at him with a glare, “No.”

  “Your father believes he’s the one who hurt your pretty little face.”

  “Well, we both know my father is sorely mistaken.” Claire crossed her arms.

  “I didn’t touch you.” Jason’s face was a convincing shock.

  Claire studied his face, “You’ve been telling lies for so long, you’re starting to believe them yourself.”

  “No, no,” He laughed. “It’s called playing the right game.”

  “My life isn’t a game.”

  His calm demeanor fell, as he stepped close enough that she could feel his breath, “It is when you made the first move. You fucked everything up.”

  She kept her eyes on his, they were far enough away from the car that this was her chance. She clenched her small fists, and kneed him in the balls fast enough that he didn’t see what was coming.

  He doubled over, still standing, “You bitch!”

  She ran to her car, and hopped into the driver seat so fast, locking the door behind her. He was at the window just as quick as she closed the door. He banged his fist on the window, “Open the damn door, Claire.”

  With her eyes on his, she turned the car on, “Leave me alone!” She screamed, and put the car in reverse. She felt sick as she pulled away from her house. For a moment she thought she was safe, she pulled onto the main road, leaving her neighborhood.

  That’s when the headlights appeared behind her. Her phone kept vibrating in her lap with Jason’s name appearing on the screen. He was flashing his headlights at her, speeding up. The closer he got, the harder she pressed down on the accelerator. She didn’t realize she was crying until a tear fell down onto her phone screen when it lit up once again with Jason’s name.

  She thought maybe when they got to town that she could lose him. One of the main lights turned red, she pressed down harder on the accelerator, bracing herself. Her car flew through the red light, she heard someone blare on their horn. She exhaled that she made it through, glancing up at her rearview mirror. Her heart sank further; Jason had also made it through.

  The town lights flew by like a blur. She was heading in the direction of Clay’s house. When the night time took over her surroundings, a feeling of fear crept up into her. Jason kept trying to drive around her; if he spun her out, no one was out here to see anything.

  Her phone finally stopped vibrating, but he was hot on he
r tail. She found Clay’s name with her shaking hand, and pressed call, putting it on speaker.

  “Hey, are you on your way?” He answered, calmly.

  “Jason is chasing me.” She cried out. “I don’t know what to do.” Her eyes kept glancing in the rearview mirror.

  “What the hell?! Where are you?” Clay’s voice got deep.

  “I’m on the main road, about ten minutes from your house.”

  “Just stay calm.” He said calmly. “Drive here. I’ll be waiting.”

  “I’m scared, Clay. He’s acting irrational.”

  “Baby, you have to stay calm.”

  Claire nodded to herself, “Ok.” She set the phone in the passenger seat. “Stay on the phone with me.”

  “I will.”

  “I’m about to pass the road, just before your house. I can see the street sign ahead.”

  “I’m on the porch.” He assured her.

  With a turn of her steering wheel, Claire screamed. Jason had come around the side of her car, veering her off the side of the road. She was forced to turn down the road that led to Sanderson Field.

  “Claire, what happened?!” Clay said into the phone.

  She didn’t know where her phone was so she spoke loud enough for Clay to hear, “He tried to hit me, I drove into the ditch, and ended up turning down the street. I think he spun out. What do I do?”

  “Just keep driving.” Clay demanded.

  “I’m scared. I’m alone. If he makes me crash, I could die.” She paused realizing where she was. “I’m leaving my car.”

  “Claire, do not get out of the car!” Clay yelled.

  She had already stopped her car, “I have to! He’s going to run me off the road.” She hopped out searching for her phone. “I’m near Sanderson Field. I don’t know my way through the trees to your house in the dark. Please, come get me.”

  “I don’t know where you’re at, Baby. Just get back in the car, and drive.”

  Headlights appeared in the distance, “He’s coming. I have to leave my car. I can’t find my phone. I’m going to the oak tree.”

  “I’m already in my truck. I’m coming.”