Chapter One, Second Installment -

“Ready?” Travis piped. For a moment Deborah thought of running back inside, but she turned and locked the door instead. Facing Travis again, she approached the steps of her cheery little home. As Deborah passed him, Travis took her coat from her.
“Allow me.” He offered and readied it for her to slip on. When she did, he let his hands slide down to her hips. “Glad to see that child birth didn’t effect your little waist.” He spun her around and allowed his gaze to linger on her chest. “And I love the effect it had on your breasts.”
Deborah pulled away from him in a jerk. “You know, I really don’t need a ride Travis. So why don’t you feed this crap to some of your flunkies down at Tiny’s Bar?” Spite filled her words.
“Like I said, I want to talk about Parker’s daddy.” He retorted, knowing it would intimidate her. Deborah lowered her head. “Shall we?” he smirked as he tucked his thumb into the waist of her jeans. When they reached his oversized truck, he abused the opportunity to allow his hand to rest on her rear while helping her in.When Travis rounded the truck, Deborah closed her green eyes to hold back the tears. She refused to cry, especially in front of him.
As they drove away from her safe haven, her thoughts lingered on her son’s well being. Travis turned the radio on full volume and headed across town. It was late and quite cold, so the streets were all but empty. She didn’t bother making up some phony location for him to take her to. She knew where they were headed, and there was no way to avoid it. If not tonight, then some other, he would taker her there, just as he had done so many years ago. “But this time will be different.” Deborah vowed deep in her heart.
Travis drove to the edge of town, turning onto the old highway. He drove at top speed until the large oak marking the entrance of a long dirt road appeared. He slowed just enough to make the turn, and then gunned it again, racing towards the river. He left several cars parked at the make out spot covered in dust and gravel as he blazed by. He continued until he reached his “special spot” as described to many of the girls he took there.
He backed into the nook she remembered all too well. Travis waited for his song to finish before he turned the engine off. While waiting for him to make the next move, Deborah wiped her damp hands on her black jeans. With each moment she gathered the courage she needed to face him. After what seemed like hours, she turned and confronted him. “What the hell do you want Travis?”
“A lush, a slut, and a potty mouth!” he chuckled. She turned away in frustration. Her green eyes were not filled with tears, but fear and confusion. “Let’s go for a walk baby girl.” He demanded rather than suggested.
“Damn him!” Deborah thought as he jumped out. She used the opportunity to slip the purses’ only content into the right pocket of her jacket. One way or another she was leaving here secure in the knowledge that Parker’s father would not invade his life. She slid out of the truck, and with great resentment, allowed Travis to guide her along the narrow path to the river’s edge.
He already had her six miles from town, a total of nine from her home and son. She tried not to linger on the question as to why. Instead she focused on her footing. It was very dark, and the area was damp and over grown with vegetation. Deborah could hear small animals scurry due to their intrusion.
Suddenly, Travis stopped, turned around, and kissed her, hard. Deborah just as swiftly slapped him, hard.
“You’ve gotten feisty with age! I kind of like that.” He barely acknowledged the sting she left on his face.
“Damn it Travis, what do you want? And what do you know of Parker’s father?”
“Well, just suppose I know who his daddy is and think it is about time to reunite boy and dear old dad? Being as how he and I are sooo close and all.” He sounded like a seedy mobster.
Deborah’s head was spinning. “Bull.” She tried to call his bluff. “You don’t know who his father is.”
“Oh yes I do baby, and I think it is about time he gets to know his kid.” Travis stated smugly.
“I won’t allow it. Ever. No visitation, no letters, no phone calls, nothing.” Deborah looked him square in the eyes to make herself perfectly clear.
“Not just visitation Debbie, custody.” He returned her stare.
Deborah felt as if the wind was knocked out of her. She began to feel slightly dizzy as she tried to process what he was saying. Then, suddenly, she realized where this was going. “What’s your price Travis?”
“Who says there is one?” He almost appeared to be dancing with excitement as he realized his game was coming to climax.
“There always is with you, so name it.” She said with a face of stone.
He looked at her with hunger in his eyes. “You.”
Deborah was not expecting that response and froze in shock. He read that as a signature on the dotted line, and lunged. Instincts grabbed Deborah before Travis did. She fought him off with a few quick blows she learned at the community center eight years ago. The night grew darker around them. The anger in Travis’ eyes was pure evil, and Deborah turned equally cold.
“It’s you or the boy.” he snorted.
Deborah reached into her pocket and placed her hand around the handle of a small gun. All she could think of was her son’s sweet face and his future. “Over...” she began.
“What? Over your dead body?” He flashed his sly grin one too many times.
“No Travis,” she pulled the gun from her pocket and held it at arm’s length, ”over yours.”
Shock and disbelief distorted his tan face.
“I will not allow you to destroy the life I have struggled for. And there is no way that I will let you destroy the life of my son. So you have two choices …”
“You bitch!” and again he lunged. Deborah stumbled back and lost her footing on the mossy rocks. All she could see was Travis’ large frame and cruel eyes following her to the ground. But the chaos filled her ears. The weeds and twigs breaking, thunder rolling in from the distance, rocks and gravel giving way under them, and Travis growling.
Deborah pulled the trigger and everything went black.
- posted by Cindy @ 8:56 AM |