TWO
Eden
I was looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror in front of me, adjusting my slightly too tight work uniform. I pulled the hem of my shirt down over my hips, and wriggled my butt in my pants, glad that they were at least a little stretchy. I adjusted my boobs in my bra which was a little too tight, promising myself to buy some new clothes soon.
Maybe some sexy underwear. Not that I have anyone to show it to…
Happy that I’d managed to squeeze into my uniform, I headed downstairs for a quick breakfast before I’d need to head for work.
I clicked the small TV on that I had in my kitchen before lighting the stove and grabbing a pan. I half listened to the news anchor as I prepared some eggs and bacon.
“...has resurfaced in the town. Although the O’Rourkes are currently behind bars, we have an exclusive report that meth of a very similar quality is starting to appear again. Over to Vicky outside Freddie’s Biker Bar for more.”
“Thanks, John. Yes, we have had an exclusive report that O’Rourke-quality meth is starting to reappear on the streets, corroborated from a number of sources, who wish to remain anonymous.
I’m here outside Freddie’s where the now-famous shootout took place a few years back, leading to the deaths or arrests of the O’Rourke biker gang. How this meth has resurfaced is currently a mystery, but a number of theories have…”
I clicked the TV off, gritting my teeth as I felt a cold cramp of fear in my gut. I breathed in and out deeply as I poked at my bacon shakily.
You don’t need it anymore, Eden. Those times are behind you. Conall isn’t here to force you to do things you would never have dreamed of doing otherwise.
I’d been clean from meth for a number of years, since my ex-boyfriend Conall O’Rourke had disappeared, following his release from custody due to lack of evidence.
I hadn’t been a prolific user or hopeless addict, hell I didn’t even smoke it. Just a few lines when Conall and his biker mates wanted to drink and get high. Which was quite often, it turned out.
Since stopping the meth and with the violent and unpredictable Conall out of my life, I’d become a new person. Confident, witty and hardworking. I had worked two, sometimes three, jobs to save up a deposit for a place of my own after moving back with my parents for a while.
After getting my own place and everything I needed, I was now working two jobs; my day job at the most popular diner in town, and an occasional evening at a local bar.
The pay wasn’t too great, but the tips from both jobs boosted my income nicely and I was able to put away a fair amount of money each month. I was saving for a vacation, which I hadn’t had in god-knows how long. And I was considering a college course in accounting, so I could get a decent, well-paid 9 to 5.
Then I just have to meet a nice man to look after me, maybe have a few kids…
I sighed wistfully as I plated my bacon and eggs, adding a slice of slightly burnt toast to the side. I didn’t like to admit it to myself, but I was lonely. Working hard went some way to help me forget, but it didn’t give me any time to actually meet someone. The only men I usually met were the perverts who came in to ogle me at the bar.
I smiled to myself. Since I’d filled out and started to wear tighter clothes to show off my curves, I’d noticed my tips increased considerably, and I didn’t go a night without getting a drink or two bought for me.
Men. Just like animals sometimes. Why am I cursed to only meet violent thugs or old perverts?
My house phone rang as I took my first bite of breakfast.
Typical.
I sprang up and half jogged to the phone.
“Hey, Eden here.”
It was my manager from the bar. I wasn’t due to work this evening, but apparently the usual waitress had come down sick earlier. I was his first call to find a replacement. Said the locals liked me, drank more when I was working, apparently.
“Sure thing, Bill. I’ll be in at eight. I’m not gonna turn down work. You know me.”
I went back to my breakfast, gobbling the eggs and bacon down hungrily. I’d half-finished my breakfast when there was a loud knock at the door. A loud, slow, ominous sound… knock… knock… knock.
It can’t be. No, it’s gotta be someone else. Has to be.
I froze at the sound of Conall’s signature knock at my front door. It would be just like him to turn up unannounced, march in like he owned the place. Start trying to manipulate me. Again.
I picked myself up, raising my chin confidently as I headed for the door.
If it is him, I’ll show him I’m not a scared little girl anymore. Show him he can’t control me. And there’s no way in hell I’m having him back.
I took a deep breath before opening the door.
Conall stood there, hands in pockets. He was wearing a black leather biker jacket, accentuating his huge frame. A cigarette hung from his mouth as he grinned at me. He stared down at me with bloodshot eyes. I could smell alcohol on him, even from a few feet away. He had put on a little weight around his waist, but was otherwise just as beefy as ever.
I frowned at him.
“Long time no see, babe. How you been?”
That’s it? That’s all you got after abandoning me?
“You look like shit, Conall. Rough night? Again?”
“Ain’t no such thing as a rough night for me. You know I’m no lightweight.,” he snarled.
“I was expecting a warmer reception after everything I done for you. Lemme see your new place.” He pushed past me into my house, whistling as he looked around. The smoke from his cigarette stung my eyes.
Anger welled inside me.
“After everything you done for me? Conall, you really are a piece of work. You disappeared without a trace, didn’t leave me any money, no place to stay, no car.”
I crossed my arms. He was looking at me, eyebrows raised. I was expecting an angry backlash, but he was just staring at me.
“I got this place from working my ass off, three jobs just to save for the deposit.” I tried to stop my anger from rising out of control. I knew I’d be in trouble if I took things too far.
“I protected you! Didn’t say a word to the cops, like we agreed! They tried everything in the book to make me talk. I was scared, Conall. And you just ran off into the sunset!”
Conall turned away from me, snorting. He walked into the kitchen and threw his cigarette into the sink. He picked up a piece of bacon from my plate, chewing it absently.
“You think I wanted to leave you high and dry, babe? I didn’t have a choice. I had to get out of here. I was this close to getting locked up. I was in fucking trouble, you understand?”
His voice got louder as he spoke, and he started to sound pissed off. I guessed what he’d just said was his way of saying sorry.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a wad of cash and a big bag of meth.
“Look, I brought you these. I know it ain’t enough for what I done. But it’s all I got.”
His visage softened somewhat as he looked at me.
“I miss you, babe. There’s more of this, money and crystal. If you’ll forgive me.”
He was holding the money and the drugs up, staring into my eyes. He scared the shit out of me. I knew he was a psycho and I wanted him out of my house.
“Conall. I’m a different person. I’ve changed so much since you left. Changed for the better. I can’t take you back. I need you out of my life… that’s all I need from you.”
I took a step back, edging closer to the front door.
His eyes hardened. He took a step towards me, his hands shaking with anger.
“I come back here, heart in hand, apologizing to you. And all you do is tell me to fuck off?” His face contorted with rage.
“No ‘Thanks Conall, thanks for all the meth and all the money I gave you before which I spent!’ No ‘Thanks for trying to make things right, for taking the time to come and see me and offer me some help!’”
I flinched as he threw the meth and money at me. A second later he was bearing down on me, his huge chest inches from mine. He grabbed me roughly by my hair.
I struggled as his hand brushed my cheek.
“Shame you won’t see the truth, girl. But I’ve had you. You’re used up. You’re useless to me.” He was speaking quietly and menacingly, his face inches from mine.
“But the fucking deal still stands. If you say a word, I’ll hurt you. Bad. I’m back in town now, taking back what’s mine. I’ll have some of my boys watching you. You so much as think about going to the cops, I’ll know!”
I winced as he slapped me hard across the face with the back of his rough hand. I didn’t give him the satisfaction of screaming. My eyes watered tears of pain. I grimaced at him in defiance.
“I haven’t been to the cops since you left. I promise. And I’m not gonna suddenly become a snitch. I just want peace and quiet, a simple life.” I paused. “You’re hurting me, Conall.”
He shook my head, still gripping my hair.
“Good! Maybe you’ll learn not be such a stuck-up bitch!”
His grip on my hair softened. “I mean it. Say a word and you won’t be able to work. You won’t be able to leave the house. You’ll be eating through a damn straw.”
He let go of my hair and poked me hard in the ribs. “You change your mind right, come to your senses? Come see me. I'll be able to help you out… if you help me out first, that is…” He was looking me up and down, his eyes taking in every curve. Disgusting.
He pushed me away and walked out the door, slamming it behind him. My eyes watered with tears of anger, frustration and fear.
I collapsed to my knees, holding my head in my hands.
Shit. I thought… no hoped, that he’d died. What sort of life will I have with Conall back here in town? He’ll be watching my every move.
I briefly considered fleeing town, but I didn’t have enough money saved to make a good go of it. I could go to the police, but all the info I had on Conall was old. The case was probably closed a long time ago. I doubt they even knew Conall was back in town yet.
Just gotta stay strong, Eden. Don’t let him get to you.
I picked myself up, straightening my clothes out. I wiped the tears from my face as my expression hardened. I wasn’t going to let Conall O’Rourke ruin my day.
Without thinking I picked up the bag of meth and headed for the bathroom. I flushed the bag down the toilet, turning my anger and fear into strength as I watched it disappear.
The roll of bills Conall had was still in the hall. I picked it up.
A few hundred dollars. Maybe a thousand. For all the shit you’ve put me through, for the years of abandonment without a cent, without a phone call. Screw you, Conall.
I quickly brushed my hair back and applied some makeup to hide the bruise that was forming on my cheek.
I tucked the dollar bills into my purse as I left the house. Conall didn’t know it, but he was soon to make a generous and sizeable donation to the Wounded Warriors Project. Money that would go to heroes; veterans and their families. Not the scum that heConall dealt with.
I haven't needed anything from himConall since he left. And I’m not going to start taking his drug money now.
I walked down the street, head held high. Thinking of a way to get Conall locked up or killed.
I didn’t formulate anything feasible, but it made me feel better anyway.