A Simple Life: Chapter 142 (Patreon)

I roll up to Jack’s duplex ready for the worst but hoping for the best. If I could catch him at home with Lauren I had a pretty good chance of being able to talk to him like a reasonable person. Around Lauren or the family Jack was generally on his best behavior. It was when he had an audience of other men or, worse, if we were completely alone that things weren’t so good. To be at least a little bit fair to him, it really had been awhile since he struck me like he had that day which was part of why it had taken me so off guard. I hoped it was an anomaly and not a return to old ways.

But whether he was alone or not I was going to say my piece. I was done with black eyes and living in fear of my big brother. Correction, half brother. We were only half related, by blood at least. I don’t know why but that fact gave me courage. After today I considered Joshua my brother by choice and not obligation. If Jack wanted to continue to disrespect me, so be it. If I needed to I would cut him from my life like Dad had cut us from his. I was tired of my blood acting as chains binding me to people who dragged me down instead of lifting me up. Mom I wouldn’t abandon easily, but Jack? Jack I could live without. He’d been nothing but a malignant bully my whole life. Even in his occasional acts of kindness there was an unspoken understanding that they were transactional, a bit of niceness to erase or smooth over any rough feelings until the next time, which made the nice times nearly as unpalatable as the mean ones. I was so done with all of that. I wanted family in my life that treated me like Amos treated Winona, with genuine care and respect. I wanted it and I deserved it!

On my bike I sit a moment to bolster myself for what was to come before getting off. Keeping my helmet held tight to my chest on the off chance I needed to use it as a shield I walk up the cracked sidewalk to the front door. Just before ringing the bell I remind myself that no matter what happened here I was not alone and that I would never be alone again. I press the doorbell.

Predictably the moment I ring the bell the loud barking of Jack’s Rottweiler can be heard booming through the house. Just as predictably comes Lauren’s raised voice trying to shush it.

“Pepper! Quiet!” A moment later the door swings open to reveal Lauren in jeans and a pink long sleeve button down. All my steely determination is distracted when I see that shirt. Oooo! Pretty. That would look great on baby girl. Chastising myself I focus back on the task at hand. I was so bad at this confrontation stuff. When Lauren sees me I catch her eyes widen just a little then a very quick glance past me to the left and right to scan the street behind me. It lasts only a second, but I catch it. “Avery!” She says, her voice upbeat.

“Hey L-Lauren.” I say. A blunt nose nudges my hand and despite myself I laugh. Kneeling down I set my helmet on the ground so I could rustle my hands around the rambunctious rottie’s big head. She looked like a killer but anybody who knew her knew she was just a cuddly teddy bear. “And hello Pepper! Long t-time no see.” In her glory Pepper takes my pets and gives my mouth and nose a big, wet, slobbery slurp. “Ahhh!”

“Pepper!” Lauren chuckles.

“It’s okay.” I hug the happy dog and kiss her soft jowl. Standing up I continue to pet the dog as it presses against my leg. “Hey, um, is J-J-Jack here?”

“I’m sorry, no.” She says. “Playing pool with the boys. Again!”

“Oh.” All of the energy I’d mustered leading up to this moment escapes me like an untied balloon. Damn it! This was the time. I wasn’t sure when I was going to feel this bold and confident again. I may have built up my courage but nothing was going to get me into a bar with Jack while he was drinking and around his boys. Bravery was one thing but that was just suicide. “Darn.”

Her face and tone softening she asks. “Is it about your grandpa?”

“No.”

Reaching out she squeezes my hand. “I was sorry to hear the news.”

“Yeah. M-Me t-too.”

“You okay?”

“I’m c-c-coping.” I sigh. “I’m going to s-see him after this actually.”

“Oh, that’s nice. Send him my love.”

“I w-will.”

Once more I notice Lauren’s eyes glance past me. And unlike every other time I’d ever been here she hadn’t yet invited me inside. She stood at the threshold of her home in a subtle yet unmistakable posture that signaled that I would not be allowed in. It didn’t take much thinking to know why. Jack had beat me up because he got the ridiculous idea in his head that Lauren was cheating on him with me. It was so crazy! I’d been with Lauren, she was my first lover, but that was a whole other lifetime ago. When he was threatening me I got the sense that he hadn’t yet brought the accusation up to his wife. Judging by her body language now I think the topic had been broached and she did not want any neighbors or passers by to spot me entering their house. Just by being here I was making her uncomfortable. I was going to offer to walk Pepper but instead I would try to make this visit as brief as possible.

“And how’s it going with Winona?” She says with a little grin.

“Sooooo good.” I say. “W-We’re officially b-boyfriend and g-girlfriend. We’re in love! AHHH!”

She chuckles, happy for my joy. “That’s amazing, Avery. She’s a lucky woman.”

“I’m the l-lucky one.” I say truthfully. “Hey, s-s-sorry to chat and run but Grandpa…”

“Oh no.” She says, relief in her voice. “I understand. I’m sorry you missed Jack.”

“I’ll…c-catch up with him l-later.” I say. “Hey, b-before I go. Is that c-cashmere? I was…?” Reaching out I feel the material at the arm of Lauren’s pretty sweater, as I do so she winces and pulls away. I freeze. Slowly I pan up to look into her eyes. The moment our eyes meet she lowers hers. No! Gently taking her fingers in one hand I pull her sleeve up with the other…to reveal an nasty, ugly, deep purple bruise on her forearm. “Lauren?”

Pulling away from me she tugs her sleeve back down. “I think you should go, Avery.”

“D-D-Did J-Jack do that?”

She glares at me for the indelicate question. Angry because it was a question that we both already knew the answer to. I was reeling and on my heels. As far as I knew Jack had never hurt a woman before. And Lauren!? He loved her! She was carrying his baby! NO!

“He’s never done it before.” She says, her voice low and clipped. “And he won’t do it again. I shouldn’t have…talked back. I should have let him cool off. Ever since the news of the pregnancy he’s been…stressed. Fatherhood is a big change, Avery. With the news of his grandpa and stuff happening at his work, he’s under a lot of pressure right now.”

Oh my God! Excuses! She sounded like me! She sounded just like I did!

“Lauren. D-D-Do you n-n-need help?” I ask, though I really didn’t know what to do. I’d never been on the other side of this before. In an instant I understood that frustrating feeling of helplessness that got Winona so upset. I felt that instinct to protect. While Winona’s personality drove her to want to hunt down the source of the hurt all I wanted to do is give Lauren a hug and take away to somewhere safe. “If you n-n-need help I c-c-can…”

“No, Avery.” She smiles sadly. “I’m okay. We’re okay. I don’t need your help.” Taking a step back she pats her leg. “Come on, Pepper.” Blissfully oblivious to the grim mood happening above her Pepper slurps my hand then trots into the house. “I’d appreciate your discretion. It’s nobody’s business, Avery. Yours least of all.”

“B-But…”

“Thanks for stopping by.” She says. “Good night.”

She leaves me on the step staring at her closed door.

Chapter 143