Page 1 of Goose

Prologue

Sixteen years ago

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BAMBI RAN BEHIND THEstores on Main Street, hiding behind dumpsters. She slouched down behind the old diner to catch her breath. Only three miles left until she was home and could lock herself away from the bullies.

Unfortunately, there was more than just a bully waiting for her back home. There was pure evil in the form of her father. Abuse beyond anybody’s wildest nightmares awaited her in that rundown trailer.

Nowhere was safe since her Mama died. There was no escape. She just wanted her life to go back to normal; no more bullies at school, her father to go back to working away from home, and her beautiful mother to be alive again.

Laughter echoed in the alley and Bambi took a deep breath, getting ready to run again. She popped out from behind the dumpster and bolted out. A pair of hands grabbed her ponytail and pulled her to the ground.

“You stupid bitch. Thought you could run from us? Guess we’ll have to teach your trailer trash ass a lesson.”

One of Bambi’s bullies stood over her with a slimy smile on his face.

She scowled up at him. “Fuck off, Dale. Just let me go home. I don’t have any money, you know that.”

Dale laughed. “It ain’t about money no more. Your mama is gone and your daddy is just an old lonely drunk now. No money to take from you. Nobody to protect you. Just my fists to make you do what I want.”

Bambi spit at his feet. “Does it make you feel big and strong to pick on a girl? You can’t fight the Crawford’s so you would rather pick on me?”

Dale kicked Bambi in the leg. “Shut up, trailer trash! You’ll be dancing for me soon enough at the dirty strip club. That’s all you’ll ever be worth. I bet you’ll fuck the Crawford’s and their buddy Levi too.”

Tears formed in Bambi’s eyes, and she wiped them away. Dale and his buddy laughed as she sniffled.

“Just leave me alone!”

“I bet you’ll end up a club bunny just like your mama. She just couldn’t keep her legs closed. Your poor daddy had no clue and if he did, well, he’s a sucker just like the rest of you hillbillies.”

Bambi stood up and pushed Dale backward. “Don’t talk about my Mama like that! She wasn’t a club bunny! At least she isn’t fucking my daddy’s business partner behind his back like your mama.”

Dale’s eyes went dark, and he went to throw a punch when he was suddenly thrown back. Bambi looked around to see Sawyer Crawford on top of Dale, fists flying.

Dale’s friend looked at Bambi and went to grab her. She ducked and kicked him right in the crotch. He went down with a groan and rolled away.

Sawyer got up and spit on Dale’s face. “You should be ashamed of yourself beating on a girl like that! What the fuck is wrong with you? You have five seconds to get the fuck away before I beat your ass again.”

Dale and his buddy got up and ran out of the alley. Sawyer wiped a small drip of blood from his mouth and walked toward Bambi.

He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. “Are you okay, Bambi? Did they hurt you?”

Bambi shook her head. “Just a few scrapes and bruises. Nothing serious, Sawyer. I’ll be okay once I get home.”

Sawyer nodded and picked up her backpack, throwing it over his shoulder. “Alright then. Let’s get you home safe.”

He held out his hand, and Bambi cautiously took it. They walked toward the old dirt road and chatted about school.

As they reached the old run-down trailer, Bambi’s dad came stumbling out. “What the fuck is going on here, Bambi?”

She shrugged her shoulders and grabbed her bag from Sawyer. “Nothing, Daddy. Sawyer walked me home, that’s all.”

Her father roughly grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. “Already fucking around with the Crawford’s, huh? Just like your whore of a mother.”

Sawyer’s hands closed in a fist, and he took a step forward. “My Pop is a good man and never stepped out on my Mama. You best watch your mouth, Earl.”

Bambi shook her head. “Come on, Daddy. Let’s get you into the house. I’ll cook some dinner.”

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