“I let you live? What are you talking about?” I reach into my coat pocket and pull out my cell phone. I dial JC’s number to let him know about Mel. I page him her room number and a V for the hotel. Walking over to the wet bar, I start craving some Jack. The only man’s neck I’ll ever suck on.nextMelanie lied back on the bed, her legs hanging off the side. I watched her stomach move up and down with her steady breathing. Why was she so calm? “Mel, don’t die on me now.”
She let out a crude laugh. “You haven’t the slightest idea, huh?”
“Of what?!?” Getting annoyed.
“Recall our honeymoon right now, Joe. And I’ll tell you what happened.”
I bit my lip and thought long and hard about this. I didn’t remember. I couldn’t even remember how I got into this room. This was bad. “That’s easy. We were on tour in Hawaii and I asked you to marry me, even though I was with Gennie and all that. But we got married on the beach --”
“Stop.” She sat up on the bed, “How long did we know each other before marriage?”
“Three years.”
“Try three weeks.”
Oh, damn. At least I got the three right. I continued pulling the shit out of my ass, “As I was saying, we got married on the beach just as the sun was setting. It was a really private wedding with just my parents and Lance.” She hadn’t said anything so I guess I was either way off or on the dot, “Went back to the hotel room where we made love until the sun rose. When I woke up, you were gone.” I wished I could that in writing. Brilliant Joey!
Melanie sighed and checked over her shoulders where I was hiding in the corner. She knew I was making everything up. “Joe, it wasn’t Hawaii. It was Cleveland. We got drunk and went to the courthouse to get married.” She stood up from the bed and took a few steps around the bed. “We went back to the hotel where JC was in your room burning holes in your shirts. Starting to sound familiar?”
I shook my head.
“In that room, you and JC took turns raping me for a total of sixteen times. I never knew anyone could have the stamina to rape someone that much. But you and JC did. I was fucked in three places.”
Small room. Dim lights. Stale air. I need to get out of here.
“After what seemed like an eternity, JC went down on me. He ate off my clitoris. Bit it off and swallowed. You laughed. I can still hear you.”
I couldn’t take it. Tears ran from my eyes. Why can’t I remember this? “Why didn’t you scream?”
“You let JC sew my lips together.”
“I see no scars.” I never even looked up at her. I paged JC again. Where the hell was he?
“Lots of make up and a little plastic.” My mouth ran dry and I continued to swallow nothing. She sat in a chair in the far corner directly across from me, “JC broke a bottle and raped me with the glass. After he finished, he was about to slit my neck, but you told him that you would handle me. He left and you pulled me in your arms. Do you have any idea what you said?”
“I don’t know for Christ’s Sake!” I leaned on the wall, sliding down until the floor hit my butt.
“You held me and said that you love me. Shot morphine in my arm. I woke up behind a dumpster not knowing what happened.” Silence.
I couldn’t take the silence. “Is that why you hate me? Because I did what any man would do? Get you to marry me so I can fuck you.”
“I don’t hate you for that! I hate you because you let me live. Why did you make me live with scars that will never heal? I’m not asking you why you raped me or why you choose me, but I want to know why you couldn’t let JC end my life then and there.” I’m on the ground sobbing like a child not knowing what to say or what to do. I just want to go home.
The door quickly swung open as JC ran into the room. He took one look at Melanie, walked over to her. He bent down and pulled her into a hug.
There was no scream. No tears on her part. No regrets. It was fast. It was quick.
I heard the crack as JC snapped her neck.