Page 30 of On the Rocks
She shuts the door behind her. The dresses draped over her arm flutter from her quick steps to stand behind me, studying me intently.
Just like Trish.
My body jerks from the searing spasm in my head. Gone in an instant with the thought that floated by too fast for me to latch onto.
“Did he do that to you?”
She points backward over her shoulder. Where he sits outside waiting for me to model my new clothes for him. Whispering as if she fears him as much as I do. The same terror keeping me from admitting the truth. “I’m fine. It was an accident.”
Her lips purse together as she shakes her tilting head. Not believing me with the reality so glaringly obvious staring back at us. “Girl, you’ve got to get away from him. You don’t deserve that shit.”
My earlier optimism floundering after seeing myself so battered. With the diamond band on my finger mocking me. Not at all a symbol of love or trust or commitment. Even that sales clerk questioning my discolored face and quivering hand. Michael answering for me by caressing over my backside. Reminding me of his punishment if I create any more problems.
I know if I describe what I’ve gone through, she probably won’t believe me either. The story too ridiculous to accept. So I lie to her too. “I know. I’ll try.”
“Good.” Doubt pervades her tone. Both of us aware I’m not going anywhere but back to hell. After dumping the clothes on the bench, she sorts the pieces by outfit and shakes her head. “Hold on. I’ve got another one for you.”
While I'm waiting, I grab a pair of panties from the pile and slip them on. No real barrier to him if he wants me again. But I don’t care. At least I’m covered in this moment. Protected from his repulsive touch for a little longer.
Tired of being exposed, I pull on my dress too. Hiding some of his abuse. From myself and everyone else.
I smooth down the wrinkled fabric to the pocket that won’t lay flat. Bunched up with something crinkling inside. I dip in my fingers, brushing against paper, and pull the bundle out.
Not paper.
Money.
Hundred dollar bills.
Shock explodes with exhilaration in my heart. Almost crying from the discovery. An option. Finally a way to escape.
“Cat? Let me see you.”
I shove the cash down into my pocket. Scared of getting caught. Of him taking my only hope. Trying to keep my voice normal, I call back to him. “Not yet. She’s bringing in more.”
“I’m here. I’m here.”
The young woman pushes open the door with her hip. A flowery peach tunic and white capris hang from one hand with a pair of silver heels dangling from the other. Confusion narrows her brow as she studies me. “Why are wearing that?”
I tap my finger to my lips. “I need to go. Without him. Will you help me? Please?”
“Fuck yeah I will.”
I sob from her whisper mimicking mine. The fire in her eyes from our scheming. This is real. I’m really going to do this. Or give it all I have trying.
“I have an idea.” She flips up her palm and nods before stepping back into the hallway. “Sir, we’re also going to need some lingerie. Would you like to help me pick out what you think will look beautiful on her?”
I peek out. He’s gone. His footsteps tap on the tile closer to the racks by the front. Please just a few more feet.
She races toward me, grabbing my wrist and pulling me along as we head to the back. “You’ve got about ten seconds before he figures it out.”
We run past the two other dressing room doors and into the stock room. Streaks of sunlight cross the dark carpet from her opening the door. I glance back. He’s walking toward us with his head down. Scanning the tag attached to a red teddy. My last chance.
So I do the only thing I can. I finally listen to the voice. I run.
Racing past women gabbing on cell phones and pushing strollers. Beyond the whirl of the snow cone machine crushing ice at the snack cart, and the orderly line wrapped around the corner of the movie theater. Pumping my legs as hard as they’ll go, cutting through a breezeway between a hair salon and perfume boutique to reach the parking lot.
A lime green trolley meanders through the last row. Seventy feet from the turn to take the shuttle out of the shopping plaza and onto the beach front road. I sprint along the line of cars to catch up. Filled with adrenaline, I jump and grab the black bar separating the riders from the steps. Laughing and crying at the same time when my hand curls around the scorching metal. One last look back and I don’t see him anywhere.
