Page 33 of Rock and a Hard Place

“This was the best night of my life, you know,” she said.

“Me too.” Their date far outshone any concert he had ever played. They leaned close, and he put his hand behind her neck, held her gently, and kissed her good night.

Suddenly, Libby’s door whipped open, and light flooded the Jeep. A crazed woman, who must be her aunt, glared at them. The whites of her eyes stood out next to her yellowing teeth. Libby cringed and leaned away.

“Where the hell have you been!” the woman shrieked.

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Libby looked from her aunt to Peter and back. “Out with a friend.”

“You thought I wouldn’t notice you snuck out, did you? You lied to me. I knew you would. First time I let down my guard, and you’re off screwing some boy.”

Shock didn’t begin to describe how Peter felt. This woman was an unbalanced lunatic.

Libby looked to Peter, horror on her face. “I gotta go.”

“Are you sure?” He grabbed her hand and held on tight, afraid to let her go.

She nodded. Her eyes filled with conflict as she pulled away.

“I’ll call you,” he whispered as Libby hurried out of the Jeep.

“What did he say?” her aunt badgered.

Libby closed the door, looked back at him, and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

Her aunt stalked behind her, yelling colorful phrases as Peter watched. He could tell Libby wanted the scene over with.

Aunt Marge paused her screaming long enough to glance back and see he hadn’t left the driveway. She spun toward him.

“What are you waiting for? Get the hell off my property!”

Peter threw the Jeep in reverse, pulled out, and returned the way he came. It took all the strength he had not to turn around and go get her.Damn it!He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. How could he leave Libby here? He needed to find a way to get her out and soon.

Once out of sight, he turned the headlights off and parked the car so he could watch the house from a distance. A few minutes later, he saw an upstairs light go on. He continued to watch the house, to make sure Libby’s aunt didn’t notice the Jeep and come back with a shotgun.

He pressed her name on his phone. A moment later, Libby’s sweet voice filled his ears. “Oh God, Peter, I’m so sorry.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m okay, don’t worry,” Libby whispered.

But he did worry. “Are you sure it’s safe? Do you want me to come back and get you? I hate that you have to stay with her.”

“I don’t think that would be the best way to go. Let’s plan it out, otherwise we might have the police on our tail.”

“Libby, she’s scary.” He wanted to say she was a psycho freak who shouldn’t be allowed out in public, let alone near kids, but he didn’t want to upset Libby more. She wasn’t given a choice when her dad dumped her with the woman.

“I know. Usually, she’s ultra-mellow and semi passed out. She must have been drinking all night. That’s when she gets mean.”

“God, Libby, you can’t stay there. I don’t trust her.” He pushed a hand through his hair in frustration.

“It’ll be okay. Where are you?”

“I’m pulled over about a hundred yards down the road.

I can see the light of your bedroom window.”

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