[ - ]
Table of Contents [Report This]
Printer Chapter or Story Microsoft Word Chapter or Story
- Text Size +
Chapter 9: Back To Ordinary

Leighanne and I parted ways when we reached the hospital and I knew that my fairy tale day had come to an end. I could hear the screaming all the way down the hall the minute I stepped foot on my mother’s floor. I was not looking forward to driving her home. The only things she hates worse than me are hospitals and being sober. So unless she talked someone into pumping vodka straight through her IV, which I seriously doubt, chances were she was going to be a raging bitch when I found her.

Raging bitch turned out to be pretty accurate, maybe even a bit of an understatement. The hospital figured my mother’s wounds were abuse related… (No shit.) Anyway they called the police and mom spent the entire morning covering for that no good bastard. They, of coarse, saw through the bullshit and tried to convince her that she should get counseling. As if she wasn’t bitchy enough! God! What were they trying to do, make my life a living hell?

Well their plan worked because she bitched at me all the way home. Mostly about the hospital and their incompetent staff and the stale food and the weird smell. Then about the idiot police and their bad attitudes and the nerve that they suggested she needs therapy. Shit! That woman needs a lot more than therapy! When she didn’t have anything else to complain about on those subjects she simply moved on to me. Not an uncommon practice in our house. I’m usually first on her list of things to bitch about and today there was plenty. Apparently Leighanne had turned me into a whore, or at least that’s what my mother thought. That of coarse brought up my lifestyle in general. My mom was sure I was fucking everyone in town and she hated my two “idiot” best friends. Personally I think she’s jealous of them. It’s no secret that I love them more than her, but honestly, can you blame me?

By the time I got her home I was already late for work. When I came to get her the cops made me give a statement. A lot of fucking good that did! I was more than happy to rat out my fucking father. The bastard deserves to rot in hell. But, you gotta love the police! Since I wasn’t actually there when it happened and my mother wouldn’t cooperate, they couldn’t do a damn thing.

And the bastard gets away with it again.

I helped my mom to the couch and handed her the remote pretty sure that she would only stay there long enough for me to walk out the door before finding the nearest bottle of whatever. I used to not keep it in the house and dump it when I found her stash, but there’s no fucking point. It just gets more expensive that way because she buys more the minute she runs out. After all these years I’ve just come to accept my life for what it is.

I was half way to work before I realized that I hadn’t changed my clothes. I didn’t have time to go back but I figured what the hell. I decided that I liked it and I was kind of curious to see how all the guys would react. It was kind of fun to see the looks on the city boys’ faces and they’re still strangers. I’ve known everyone in this town my whole life and I’m pretty sure they’re all gonna fucking die when I show up in a fucking skirt. Hal heard me come through the back door. “Hey kid! Is that you? Where the hell you been?” he called.

“Sorry Hal! Momma spent the night in the hospital and the police took their sweet-ass time taking our statements before she could be released.”

I know I may have said that statement casually as if it were something that happened every day, but shit, it didn’t surprise me and it shouldn’t have surprised him. “Jesus honey, is she all right?” Hal asked heading for the shotgun he kept in the back.

“Relax Hal.” I said taking the gun from him. “She’ll get over it.”

Hal took a breath and then noticed me for the first time. He stared at me with this look on his face that I couldn’t figure out in the least. His mouth fell open but no sound escaped from it. He stood there for so long barely able to blink that I thought the man was having a fucking heart attack. I shrugged and then tugged at my outfit. “What do ya think?” I asked nervously.

“My God Cindy, I didn’t know you had it in ya.”

“You’re not the only one.” I smirked. “Surprised the hell out of me too.”

Hal continued to stare at me. It’s like he was paralyzed. He looked me up and down and then down and up. Finally, when I wasn’t sure I could take it anymore, his mouth curved into a tiny smile. Seeing his approval I was able to relax. “I kind of like it.” I admitted. “You think Danny and John will like it too?”

“Shit honey! There’s not a goddamned guy in the world that wouldn’t like it.”

Hal and I looked at each other and then I laughed a little as I hugged the man. The hug surprised him as much as the new look but he didn’t protest. He returned the hug as if he’d been waiting his whole fucking life for it. He pulled away from me and rested his hands on my shoulders. I could tell he was truly concerned as he stared me down. “Are you sure everything’s all right?”

I knew he was talking about more than just mamma, I know I’ve been acting crazy lately. I thought about today before answering him. Sure momma ended it on quite a pleasant note, but before that, everything I’d done with Leighanne? God, today had been unusual, but it had also been relaxing and fun and fucking enlightening. I thought of Howie and the smile on his face when he saw me today and I couldn’t help the smile on my own face. “You know Hal?” I said, “I really think I’m gonna be ok.”

That was the honest to God’s truth. I was in the middle of some crazy identity crises, but after today I saw light at the end of the tunnel. Things were looking up for me. Leighanne and Brian were going to be great friends and maybe, just maybe I had a shot with Howie. If I manage not to screw it up, I couldn’t help but hope that I might find love after all.

I’d never seen Hal smile at me like that before. He was so proud, like I was his own fucking daughter. I didn’t mind though. It felt kind of good to know that someone cared a little how I turned out. I smiled back but then realized what a fucking awkward moment it was. “Sorry I was late.” I said and then hurried out of the room before things could get any weirder.

Other than Hal and I there were only 4 people in the bar, all regulars. Chuck was perched on a stool chowin’ on peanuts and enjoying a drink after a long day. Then Rick and Steve, a couple of younger guys, farm hands, they were playin a game of pool while Guss starred mindlessly at the TV. It was on some random NFL game but Guss didn’t really care. He was out of work at the moment and trapped in a shitty marriage so he spent most of his time at Hal’s, whether he was drinking or not. I went around the corner bracing myself for the comments I knew were coming my way. I stepped behind the bar and Chuck choked on his whisky the instant he saw me. “God damn Cindy!”

“Nice to see you too Chuck.” I laughed.

Our conversation caught the attention of Rick just as he was about to take his shot. One look at me and he missed sending the 8 ball into the corner pocket. Steve laughed pocketing the 20 bucks they had riding on their game. “Nice shot dumbass.” He laughed but Rick didn’t respond. He was still in shock. Steve followed his gaze and his jaw hit the floor. “Holy shit!” he yelled, “When the hell’d you get so fine?” he said climbing up onto the stool next to Chuck.

Steve’s kind of hot and despite the fact that he’s only 22, he could have his pick of most of the women in this town. I felt kind of special earning his attention. I smirked, enjoying the moment a little and then took a spin. “So you approve?” I asked playfully.

“Hell ya we approve.” Rick said finally joining us at the bar.

“Good, but put your tongue back in your mouth. I may be wearing a skirt but I still won’t hesitate to kick your ass.”

“Who’s wearing a skirt?” Guss asked looking up from his game.

He looked at me and smiled. That poor guy really is a sweet man. I don’t know how he ended with that crazy bitch of a wife. Pickins are slim in this town I guess. “Well, well, well, Miss Cindy. You’re looking mighty perdy this evening.”

Guss took a seat and suddenly I had four men watching me curiously and waiting to hear the explanation. I looked into their expectant faces and smiled. “Can I get ya’ll something to drink?”

“Come on Cindy.” Steve said and the others shook their heads along with him, “What’s with the… change?”

“What? It’s still me.”

“Except you’re dressed like a girl.” Rick argued.

“And your hair’s down.” Chuck added.

“And is that lipstick?” Steve asked.

“It’s lip gloss.” I corrected with a laugh remembering the lecture I received this afternoon from Leighanne on the importance of shiny lips.

“Now, see, that’s what we’re talking about.” Steve said eying me skeptically, “Our Cindy doesn’t know the difference between lipstick and lip gloss.”

“Can’t a girl learn a thing or two?”

“We’re not complaining. You’re business is gonna double you keep coming to work looking like that.”

These guys were cracking me up and I was kind of having fun keeping them in the dark a little. To be honest though, I didn’t know how to explain myself. “You know what I think.” Chuck said finally voicing his opinion on the matter. All of us turned his direction half expecting something totally profound to come out of his mouth. “I think it’s them city boys.” He said with a smirk, “Cindy’s always had a weak spot for city boys.”

“Aw, come on now Chuck! Play nice.”

“No, no.” Steve said pondering the possibility, “I think he’s on to something.”

“Yeah after the other night? Shit!”

“Now that’s not fair! It was my birthday. You know as well as I do that I don’t remember what happened the other night!”

“You were all over them boys like flies on shit, that’s what happened.”

The room practically shook, those men were laughing so hard. God I wish I knew what happened that night. I wasn’t amused at all but I guess the fact that I was annoyed was amusing in itself because those motherfuckers couldn’t stop laughing. “The flirting was shameless Cindy.” Rick laughed shaking his head.

“And the dancing!” Steve said making Rick nearly fall from his stool. “I never thought I would see the day.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Dancing? What the fuck are you talking about, dancing?”

The guys just laughed harder. That was it! I had to know what the hell happened that night. I pounded my fist down on the bar. “Free shot to the first one who tells me what the hell happened the other night!” I said.

Immediately all four men began spouting crazy stories. They were all talking at once and it was giving me a fucking headache. “You can’t trust a damn one of them.” Hal laughed joining the party. “They were all wasted after that game. Not a one of them probably really remembers much more than you.”

“So how about it Hal? Since you were probably the only sober man in the house the other night, care to shed some light on the subject?”

“Not much too it Honey. You were plastered like every year. Ya’ll talked with them city folk for a while. Then you danced with one of ‘em. You and Danny got into it.”

“What do you mean we got into it? About what?” I didn’t remember fighting with Danny? Then again, I haven’t actually talked to him or John since that night. I think that’s a record for us.

“Hell if I know kid.” Hal continued, “You know how you two get anytime you’re both drunk.” I shrugged. The man had a point. Danny and I both have pretty short tempers. I swear if John weren’t always there to step in, we’d have killed each other ages ago.

“Well you too were definitely heated over something and he stormed out. That’s when you got really drunk. You and that tall kid ended up in some kind of drinking contest.”

“That blond fuck?” I practically shouted becoming instantly angry as I remembered our last encounter. That guy is such an ass hole. Hal nodded. “At least tell me I drunk him under the table.”

“I don’t know Cindy, that boy could really hold his liquor.”

“You mean he out-drank me!” That motherfucker!

“Actually nobody won.”

I felt relieved but then confused. I’ve never not finished a challenge. I never lose either. “What happened?”

“Eddie showed up.”

“Deputy Dumbass? What’d he want?”

He came to tell you that they had to release Hank on some technicality. Apparently he’s not enough of a threat to keep locked up yet Eddie felt the need to warn you not to cross his path for a few days.”

“God damnit those idiots! I swear!”

“Calm down kiddo. No use stressing about it now. Anyway, after that you were pretty pissed and you and John and those two city boys all left. End of story.”

Damn. That still didn’t explain how I ended up in Nick’s bed the next morning. On the bright side it looks like nobody knew that fact. That is, if Howie really didn’t tell anybody. “Well that doesn’t sound so bad.” I said ignoring the whole dancing thing. (I really don’t dance.) But I was curious as to which one I did dance with. “A lot less eventful than last year if you ask me.”

“Last year you came back to work wearing stitches, not a skirt.” Chuck argued.

“The skirt looks better on ya though.” Rick said.

The guys all toasted my new skirt and then became quiet for a minute sipping down whatever miscellaneous drink I had set in front of them. After that Steve looked at me with a wicked grin, “So how bout it Cindy? Since you’re a girl and all now, you gonna dance with me like you did that city boy the other night?”

“Hal!” I yelled, “I think this boy needs to be cut off! He’s talking crazy shit now.”

The guys all had a good laugh but then went back to their various activities. After a while it got really quiet. After all the excitement I’d had the last couple of days I was kind of glad for it but at the same time I couldn’t help feeling that things were back to ordinary now. (Aside from the skirt of coarse.) And after everything that happened it made me a little said, I think the last couple of days had changed me and I wasn’t sure if I could go back to my same old shity life now. Not now that I know it could be better. I was desperate for a change. I needed something drastic to happen, and I needed it fast.