Louise helped her mother fix dinner that Saturday afternoon while Hayley showered and changed into the brand new dress Ben had bought for her “It’s good of you to help sweetie” Louise heard her mother say “It’s okay…I didn’t have much to do”
“Still
it’s nice”
Louise
went about setting the table in the small family dining room while trying
desperately to shake all thoughts of Mark Read from her head.
“Well? What do you think?” said Hayley skipping
into the room
“Wow
honey! I always knew you were beautiful
all you had to do was make a little effort” she eyed her mother “What do you
think?” Hayley eyed her Father who’d come to take a look.
“I
say it’s far too short lady!”
“Oh
Dad chill…It looks swell Hayley Ben’s just gonna be blown away” said Louise
Hayley
glanced down at the pale pink cocktail dress then sighed, she felt like a
little princess this wasn’t her usual style “Err were exactly did you get the
money for a dress that expensive?” their father asked
Hayley
frowned “I err…” she stammered
“She
put a down payment on it and has been paying it up ever since” Louise lied
“Really?”
“Yeah
dad really” said Hayley as she hugged him close
“Well
that’s okay then”
“Hayley
go and change I need you to run some errands” she glanced at her mother
“I’ll
do them if you like” suggested Louise
“No…this
is for her benefit…she’ll do the errands” said their mother firmly
“Fine
I’ll go and change”
“Oh
Hayley”
She
turned to face her father
“You
do look beautiful,” he added with a smile
Louise accompanied Hayley to the mall
that afternoon her thoughts returning once again to Mark, “Penny for them?”
asked Hayley as they took the escalator up to the top floor of the mall “What?
Oh I were just thinking” Hayley’s eyes widened “Oh about what?” Louise shrugged
as they entered the shop in question “Just stuff that’s all” Hayley sighed as
she stopped at a large counter “Mom’s going all out to impress” laughed Louise
“Yeah only the best napkins will do” said Hayley looking at all the different
napkins “I don’t know why she doesn’t use the ones she uses every thanksgiving
and Christmas” she added Louise sighed “Because they obviously ain’t good
enough for Ben” Hayley burst out laughing “Lou you’re making him sound like the
goddamn king of England”
“Haha…well
his mother is English have you met her yet?”
Hayley
frowned “No…not yet she works away a lot”
“Have
you been to his house?”
“No
not yet Why?”
“Just
wondered”
After purchasing all the things on the
list the Parker girls returned home.
~***~
Ant Costa stood on the doorstep watching
Mark clear the snow away from the large gravel pathway. His Father had put Mark to work as soon as
he arrived then left after telling him he could go when he was finished but
Costa had other ideas he had Mark exactly where he wanted him “Put your back
into it man…if you don’t get it finished today you’ll be back tomorrow” he
threatened much to the amusement of the others “Master Costa…you have a phone
call” said Ruby the maid “I’ll take it out here Brown” he spoke down to her “Oh
by the way the study needs cleaning” the girl rolled her huge brown eyes “Very
good Sir” she replied he snapped his fingers “No Wait! It’s okay…I have another idea…you can go
home Brown if you’re through here” she brightened “Are you sure Sir…it’s just I
have a date” she tried to explain “I ain’t interested in your dull little life
bitch” she recoiled backwards but said nothing she was use to his outbursts.
Mark straightened then stretched, he was
almost done just another few minutes and he would be out of the shit-hole Costa
called home “Read you’ve stopped” yelled Ant as he held the phone against his
shoulder “I’m through here Costa” he snapped Ant shook his head as he took a
few paces nearer him “Oh no you’re not buddy…you’re not through by a long chalk!”
Mark’s eyes flashed anger “Oh yes I am” he argued Costa signalled to his posse
who immediately circled round “Make sure the son of a bitch doesn’t leave I
gotta take this call”
Mark
made a sudden move but was quickly seized and pinned against the wall.
Ant stood by the large French doors
watching the scene and sneering at the sight “How much?” he snapped into the
phone “Okay okay…$8oo it is…when?” he sighed “When are you gonna do it? How soon?” he rolled his eyes “I’ll get you
the money don’t worry about that…$400 before and $400 when it’s done” he made
the deal then threw the phone onto the couch before returning outside.
Mark was struggling violently when he
reached him “Bring the jerk inside” he instructed and before Mark knew anything
he was being bundled inside “You can clean this room up” Mark glanced around
the room then sighed “There ain’t nothing wrong with it?” he stated as he was
set free “Isn’t there…well let’s see” Mark watched in horror as Costa begun to
slide expensive books from every shelve being helped by his friends who laughed
as they turned to documents on Antony’s Father’s desk “I ain’t cleaning this!”
yelled Mark “You’ll do as you’re told boy” Costa belittled “Now get this damn
place cleaned you goddamn jerk”
Mark
shook his head “No! Clean it up
yourself imbecile!” Costa looked puzzled “What did you call me?” Mark
maintained eye contact “What’s up too stupid to know what an imbecile is?” he
snarled and received a punch to the abdomen for his trouble, the blow had him doubled
over “I said get it cleaned” sniped Costa as he seized Mark by the hair.
Costa’s father stood in the door way
having witnessed the ugly scene “What the hell is going on here?” he demanded
“Look
what he did…I was just trying to get him to clean it up”
“You
may go Read…Get outa here”
Ant
flashed Mark a smug look
“The
rest of you get going,” he added
“But
they’re my friends” he protested
“I
saw what you did” the man spoke firmly
“But
I was just…”
“Enough
already!” the older man raised his voice
“Say
goodbye to your friends”
This
time his friends begun to file away
“I
was just trying to…”
The
man moved with accurate speed catching his son’s arm “I said I saw what you
did! I saw everything” Ant recoiled
backwards on being pushed to the floor “Now I suggest YOU get it cleaned!”
~***~
Louise glanced at the clock on the
mantle piece then looked across to where Hayley sat frowning “What time did you
tell Ben to come sweetie?” asked her mother Hayley let out a deep sigh “Eight”
she said as she glanced at the clock it was just a few minutes after eight
“Give the guy some time” her father jumped in but Hayley was worried Ben wasn’t
usually late and she was beginning to wonder where he was.
Louise suggested she call his cell phone
but Hayley shook her head “Go on…he’s probably just got held up” this time
Hayley agreed then got up from the table Louise following, there was no answer
and so Hayley called his home her heart pounding as she’d never called his
house before.
It rang a few times before someone
answered “Hello the Adams residence Dolores speaking how may I help you?”
Hayley cleared her throat as she glanced at Louise “Hello could I speak to Ben
please?” she said there was a pause “Hello” someone else spoke Hayley held her breath
she’d heard Ben speak to his mother and knew it was her on the phone now “Hello
may I speak with Ben?” she said again another pause
“Benjamin…err
just a second” Hayley felt sick “I’m afraid Benjamin is not here at the moment
may I take a message?” Hayley frowned “Just tell him Hayley called” she said
downheartedly “Hayley does he know you Hayley?
I’ve never heard him mention you before” Hayley felt hurt wasn’t she
important enough for Ben to even mention?
~***~
Paul turned round on hearing Ben enter
the large kitchen “Hey I thought you had some dinner to attend tonight?” he
said with his usual grin “I have but…hell you couldn’t lend me ten bucks could
you?” Paul nodded drying his hands on the dish cloth “Sure bud” he replied as
he dug into the pockets of his jeans “I wanna buy Hayley some flowers” Paul
grinned “Wow must be kinda full on if you’re buying a broad flowers” Ben
grinned “Yeah she is special” he muttered as he placed the money into his
pocket “Wow you look great buddy” said Chris as he came in with an armful of
crockery Ben smiled “It ain’t too dressy is it?” he inquired both Paul and
Chris gave him the once over their friend was dressed smart but casual in jeans
white shirt and pale blue jacket. The
one Hayley loved him in “You look swell buddy” Paul muttered “Err shouldn’t you
be like there by now?” Chris stated Ben glanced at his watch “Holy shit!!! Is
that the time? I gotta go I’ll catch up
with you guys tomorrow” he panicked as he headed out through the back exit.
The alleyway from Lori’s wasn’t the best place to be after dark but Ben
had parked his car in the parking lot at the end and so decided to take his
chances. The place was dark and dingy
with only the minimum of light escaping from the stores and café’s it
housed. Ben drew in a deep breath as he
glanced at his watch once again, Hayley would be wondering where he was and so
he tried to call her he was standing by one of the huge steel trash cans when
he heard something move above him, he glanced up to find a large tom cat
jumping down with a piece of fish dripping from it’s mouth “Shit…the little
sucker scared the hell outa me” he thought as he watched it scurry off with
it’s prize.
He side stepped the garbage which was
lying around the slush covered ground as he held the phone to his ear which was
really a pretty silly thing to do given his location but he had to let Hayley
know he was on his way “Oh come on Halyz…babe get off the goddamn phone” he
cursed aloud.
A shadowy figure appeared in the bleak
alleyway and stopped just in front of the exit “Oh shit” thought Ben as he
switched his cell phone off and pushed it into the pocket of his jeans “Okay I
can’t get out that way” his thoughts raced on, slowly he turned around only to
be confronted by a few more figures. It
was too dark to see their faces but they seem to know him “Ben Adams?” one of
them called in a low gruff tone, he looked at him with growing alarm “What?” he
barely managed to speak “You’re Ben Adams right?” there was just a hint of
irritation in the punks tone now “Yeah that’s Ben Adams I’d know the asshole
anywhere!” another voice echoed all around
“You
sure little buddy?”
“Yeah
he’s made my life at Brandon hell for months!”
Ben
tried to figure out just who the little guy was but the name just escaped him
“Okay”
“What
the hell do you want?” hissed Ben panic washing over him
The
gang closed in “You!” said the leader his tone venomous
Ben
drew in a deep breath, this was going to hurt and he could do nothing about it.
In a flash he was thrown to the wet ground next to the garbage.
All around him he could see feet, some sneakered some booted but all with one
aim to attack. He drew in a deep breath
then raised his arms to shield his head and waited for the beating to begin,
the first kick took his breath away “You’re history buddy…lets nail this
sucker” he heard a voice above, with that the attack began and all he could do
was lay there and take it. At first the
kicks were random with no real aim or power in them but as these punks got more
and more into it they became frequent and vicious their blows landing all over
their victim’s body a kick to the abdomen then one to the middle of his back
then his legs his arms his head his face everywhere! Each one was stronger than the last until they stopped.
Ben lay there bruised and bloodied
unable to think straight, he wanted so much to sit up but was just too weak
something scurried around the garbage.
A rat! Christ he was lying alone
in an alleyway with the rats “Ben…Ben is that you?” he heard a soft voice call
like an angel from above he closed his eyes then nodded as the pretty face
neared “Ben Jesus Chris what the hell happened?” it was Tara tears begun to
well up in Ben’s eyes “Hey come on it’s okay…come on let’s get you outa the
cold” she instructed as she took hold of his right arm “Ahhhhh” he cried out
painfully “Here put your arm around my shoulder” she added and he obeyed
allowing himself to be helped to his feet.
He felt sick and dizzy “It’s gonna be okay” Tara whispered as she
motioned him towards Lori’s “Guys…Paul Chris quick I need your help!” she
shrieked as she neared the door, they were both there in a flash Paul holding a
meat clever Chris a butcher knife “What’s going on?” yelled Paul “Ohhhhh Shit
man what the hell happened?” he added as he handed the weapon to Chris then
went to help Tara “Come on Buddy let’s get you inside…who the hell did this?”
Ben shook his head “I don’t know” he said weakly “James call 911” Chris
instructed, the younger man stared guiltily to where Ben now sat “No don’t…I’ll
be okay” he refused “Ben you’ve taken quite a beaten buddy” Paul said
anxiously, Ben sat watching the blood trickle down onto his white shirt “Here
let’s get you cleaned up ok” Tara told him worriedly he nodded painfully then
winced when Tara began.
~***~
Hayley glanced at her watch then let out
a deep sigh he was now very late, her mother dabbed the corners of her mouth
with the napkin then stood up “Well…Ben sure missed a great meal…that was fab
darling” Louise glanced across to where her father sat “Maybe something
happened Hayley” she suggested but Hayley was too hurt to think straight “Just
leave her sweetie…come give me a hand with the dishes hon” whispered her
mother.
Hayley hurried upstairs and into her
bedroom her face in a frown how could Ben do such a thin? If he’s no intention in coming to dinner he
should have just said so! The sound of a car pull up outside her home made her
go to the window “Mark?” she muttered as she hurried downstairs to investigate.
Louise was already there speaking to
Mark “What’s going on? Lou?” Louise
spun round an anxious look on her face as she pushed her sister towards the
back of the car “Get in” she instructed Hayley obeyed “Mark what’s going on?”
she said as she watched Louise get in next to Mark “Someone tell me!”
“Hayley
Ben got beaten up tonight,” Mark said at last
“What?”
“He
was jumped in the alley behind Lori’s”
“By
who?”
“I’m
not sure…just some punks I guess”
Hayley
felt tears well up in her eyes “He’s okay ain’t he?”
“Yeah
he’s okay or so I believe”
Louise
glanced at him “Don’t you know?”
“I
only got a call to come get Hayley and then head down to Lori’s”
“Oh”
As soon as Mark pulled into the parking
lot Hayley indicated for Louise to get out “Hayley…Hayley wait” but she had
gone fleeing inside the diner “Beeeeeeeen!” she shrieked as she bolted behind
the counter and into the kitchen.
Louise entered the diner with Mark both
heading to the kitchen “Wow Ben buddy…are you okay?” Mark inquired
“He’ll
be fine but he doesn’t wanna go home” Paul informed
“Oh”
“Yeah…Chris
has suggested he stay over at his house”
“Okay”
Mark said in a low tone
“Yeah
that’s where you come in Buddy…we need someone to take him there” Chris said matter
of fact
“Sure
no problem” Mark agreed
Chris’s home was in darkness when Mark
arrived and opened the door with the key Chris had given him “Chris is that
you?” he heard one of the twins call tiredly from the bedroom “Err no it’s me
Mark…go back to sleep honey” he called to her before indicating for Louise And
Hayley to help Ben inside.
Louise hurried to the kitchen to fetch
Ben something to drink leaving her sister to talk “He took quite a beating
didn’t he?” Mark glanced back to where Ben now lay “Yeah…I wish he’d go to the
hospital” he muttered Louise sighed “Yeah I know but he’s quite stubborn Tara
said they wanted him to get the police but he wouldn’t do that either” Mark
shook his head “Has he told his parents?” Louise placed some ice cubes onto a
hand towel then carried them through to Hayley “I don’t think he has” she said
on returning Mark went to Ben to try to talk to him.
That evening Chris brought Ben’s car to
his home then went to shower, Ben had now fallen asleep on his couch “Well I
best be off…I’ll talk to you guys later” Mark said as he stood up the girls had
called home to say they were staying over at Chris’s and although their parents
weren’t too keen they gave their blessing “I’ll call you tomorrow Hayley to
find out how he is okay?” Hayley nodded in mark’s direction “Chris buddy can I
have a word?” Chris who’d just entered the den dressed in a white bathrobe spun
round then followed Mark to the door “What’s up?” he inquired, “I think you
know!” Chris recoiled backwards “Know what?”
“Chris
you’re little sisters were home alone tonight”
Chris
grew angry “Oh well pardon me if I can’t possibly be in two goddamn places at
one time”
“Chris
they’re four years old…anything could happen to them”
“Mark
please don’t take the moral high ground with me…not when you don’t know the
whole facts”
“Fine
but just for the record…I ain’t happy with that situation!”
“Fine!”
yelled Chris as he slammed the door.
As soon as he returned to the den Louise
eyed him anxiously “You okay?” she asked he nodded as he flopped onto the
armchair “You two take my mom’s room” he said “Ben can have mine and I’ll take
the couch” both girls nodded gratefully.
Louise followed Chris upstairs and into
the master bedroom “You need any help?” she asked he spun round “I’m just
putting fresh sheets on the bed” she smiled then caught the white cotton sheet
“It’s good of you to let Ben stay” Chris focussed on her “Yeah well he has his
reasons for not wanting his rents to know he got beat I suppose” Louise tucked
the sheet in “I guess…Chris?” he knew what her next question was “Please
Lou…don’t ask okay?” she pouted “Okay” she accepted his plea “There fit enough
for a princess” he laughed Louise smiled at him “Hayley best sleep on the chair
then” he gasped “Wow I think I’ll just go and tell her” he teased “Don’t you
dare!” she shrieked as she caught hold of his arm and he caught her around the
waist both landing on the large double bed both staring “Wow…sorry” he said
suddenly as he sat up “It’s okay” said Louise placing a hand on his back “You
know Chris…you can talk to me you know” he nodded “Yeah…I know” he said as he
stood up Louise watching him walk from the room.