Chet

Some things in the world are relative, subject to change with the times. Other things though, they are timeless, like universal truths in and of themselves. My head hasn’t quite made sense of it, but seeing a man put his hands on a woman in anger, that is definitely one of those things.

Mark turns his attention to me as I approach. “You stay the fuck out of this, old man.”

“I’d be happy to son—soon as you take your hands off her and apologize.” I cross in front of the truck, closing the distance between us.

“Chet, don’t,” Christy pleads.

“You’d be smart to listen to her. What is she to you, anyway? Another whore to notch into your bed post?” Mark grimaces.

“You know, my daddy used to say it’s better to keep your mouth shut and let folks think you’re a fool, than to open your mouth and prove it. Guess your daddy never said that to you.” I look at Christy. “You probably ought to go on inside. Mark and I need to talk. Man to man.”

“Don’t you fucking talk to her!” Mark releases her shoulders and turns to face me. “Don’t you even fucking look at her, you son of a bitch.”

And with that, the time for talking is over. My right hand squeezes into a fist before contacting Mark’s jaw. He staggers back trying to regain his balance. “I don’t know what they taught you back east, but it seems to me you could stand a refresher on manners. “One”—a hard left jab smashes his eye—“you don’t refer to a man’s mother as a bitch.” I grab the collar of his shirt to hold him while I hit him again. “Two”—an uppercut strikes his ribs—“you don’t show a woman you care about her by hurting her … physically or verbally. And … three—you disregard either of those rules, you ought to know there’ll be a price to pay. Now ... Have you had enough?” Rage still boils in my chest when I release his collar, but it’s clear he’s had his fill when he falls to the ground in a ball and covers his face with his hands.

I take a step back to survey the situation. His lip is bleeding and he’ll have a decent black eye when the swelling goes down, but other than his pride, nothing too serious. Christy, on the other hand, appears shell shocked. Her hand is over her mouth, her eyes are wild, and she’s looking at us both in disbelief.

I reach down to pick my hat up and dust it off against my leg before placing it back on my head. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

I extend a hand to Mark as he struggles to his feet. He scoffs at the gesture and mumbles something under his breath. At least this time he thought well enough to keep it to himself.

“I don’t need to take this shit from anyone. You want her? We’ll just see about that.” Mark wobbles back into the house, leaving Christy and me alone in the driveway.

I dig at a rock with my boot before looking her in the eyes. “What happens now?”

“From the sound of things, he’s either packing his stuff, or tearing the place apart. Either way, experience tells me to let him be.” Her voice trembles.

Before long, Mark barrels back through the door with a suitcase in each hand. He glares at us as he hobbles to his car, tossing the bags into the back of his convertible before he climbs into the driver’s seat. “This isn’t over,” he yells back as he races down the drive.

When the dust settles, we are left standing in the dusk of evening and I feel more drawn to her than ever. I was attracted to her the moment I laid eyes on her, but now, after seeing her mistreated, after seeing someone take advantage of her kindness, my instinct is to protect her. As if she is already mine.

Christy turns to me, her eyes wild. She starts to speak several times before she manages to get any words out at all. “I’m so sorry,” she finally murmurs. “Please, come inside and let me get you cleaned up.”

I nod in agreement and put my arm around her shoulder as we head inside. I wouldn’t have been comfortable leaving her alone right now, anyway. Not without knowing she’s safe, and until that go kart crosses state lines, she won’t be. If it means parking my truck at the edge of her place to be sure, then by God, I’d do it. It’s about time this woman saw what it’s like to be taken care of by a man, instead of being taken for granted by one.