Forget About Me
By
Marion Francis (Author)
Smashwords Edition
* * * * *
Published By:
Marion Francis on Smashwords
Forget About Me
Copyright © 2011 Marion Francis
License Statement
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.
Chapter 1 – I’ve got to getaway
It started raining harder as Heather ran up the stairs leading to her dumpy one bedroom motel room. She quickly pulled at the thin curtain sheet to cover the small window. It hanged half crooked like wet newspaper against the glass as she tried to cover up every inch. She peeked outside one last time to make sure she wasn’t being followed, and then sat on the edge of the hard bed.
She stared at a damp brown crumpled paper bag that was propped up in a corner of a tattered green sofa. The cold steel of the handgun left an outline impression on the front of her stomach as she pulled it out and tossed it next to the bag.
It’s been two days and eight hundred miles ago since she fled her hometown of Southfork Alabama. It’s a small town where people are born and never leave. But she wanted more and didn’t care what it cost.
She got up from the bed then rushed to the bathroom and threw up after remembering what had happened. The bruises on her face reassured her that it was the right thing to do. She touched each swollen eye then wiped away the slow dropping tears. She could see her boyfriend’s flying fist coming at her again as she closed her eyes trying to clear every memory of him out of her mind.
“Now you won’t hurt me any more you son of a bitch.” She murmured to herself as she stared at her face in the mirror.
He had done this to her before, but she didn’t want to leave him. She felt that she brought it all on herself. Everything was her fault. Not making enough money at the Dairy Queen, refusing to have sex with him when he would come home shit face drunk or when she forgot to buy beer on the way home from work.
“I fixed your sorry ass. You won’t be doing this shit to me or anyone else again.” She cursed at the foggy memory of his face behind hers in the mirror.
She slowly walked over to the bed, pulled back the top sheet and blanket then curled up into a fetal position. “Not ever again…” she whispered, “Not every again to me or anyone else, I’ve seen to that…”
She listened to the soft patter of the rain then peacefully dozed off to sleep.
Chapter 2 ~ “But nobody knows I’m here…”
The sound of the crackly thunder and the phone ringing in the background startled her as she sat straight up in the bed looking around frantically. The room is pitch black with darkness. The phone rang two more times then stopped. A few seconds later the red message light began to flash. Someone had left a message.
“No one knows me in this town. Nobody could possibly know I’m here.” She reasoned with herself. Her eyes shifted to the handgun on the green sofa then to the brown crumpled bag as thunder crackled again with the strobe light effect of the lightening illuminating the darkness for a brief moment.
She pulled out a fresh t-shirt from her duffle bag that she used as a pillow and put it on it. Slowly she walked over to the window to peek out again. The corner street light flickered on and off as a large wet dog ran across to the other side then into the darkness. Nothing else is moving. Nothing else out there is alive.
She walked over to the nightstand and stared at the red flashing message light on the phone.
“But nobody knows I’m here.” She tries to reassure herself again. “Definitely nobody from Southfork. Nobody there knows where this town is much less ventured out this far.”
She slowly picked up the receiver. The humming tone of the phone waiting for her to press a button reminded her of the numerous times she threatened to call the cops on her boyfriend but never went through with it. Her finger hovered and trembled over the “Play Messages” button.
‘Just press it. It’s just probably the front desk calling for more money that’s all.’ Is the though that’s running through her mind.
The tip of her finger glowed red in the darkness as she pressed the message button. A man’s voice began to speak.
“Hello, this is the front desk, if you plan on staying another night, you’ll need to come down and pay. Thank you.” Beeeeep.
‘Just as I thought.’ She smiled to herself feeling safe again reaching for the brown paper bag pulling out a fifty dollar bill.
Chapter 3 ~ “What the hell happened to you?”
Sweet Home Alabama whaled in the background as Daryl limped in through the front door of the Black Dog. It’s the local bar he frequents and often gets kicked out of because of his well known temper when he gets drunk. The bar is lined with a few locals, long haul truck drivers, cute country girls, and his best friend Jake. He limps up to the bar and signals the bartender for a beer.
“Holly shit Daryl! Who the hell kicked your ass?”
“Shut the hell up Jake, it an’t none of your business what happened to me.”
“I’m just sayin’ look at you. Shit, you look like you been worked over with a baseball bat. Your left arm is in a cast. Your heads half wrapped up like you’re gonna play a part in a mummy movie or somthin’.”
“I said shut the hell up about my business Jake.”
“Okay, okay. Shit, no need to get all uppity with me. I ain’t seen Heather around in while. They say she ain’t been at work over at the Dairy Queen the past couple of days. What the hell’s going on?”
“Got damn it Jake, mind your own business. We just had a bit of a fallin’ out that’s all.”
"Did she do this to you? Damn, she must have been pissed.”
“That’s it! You want to step outside so I can give you what for?”
“Calm the hell down. Here, have one of my whiskies.”
“Shit, that bitch is gonna get what for when I find her. She’s probably stayin’ over at her sisters in Farmington.”
“Ya think?”
“Yep, and I think I’ll pay her a little visit tomorrow.”
“Good luck with that. She ain’t gonna tell you shit much less where she is or if she is even stayin’ there.”
“I’ll see about that. Will you drive me over there?”
“Heck yeah, you’re my best friend. It’s nothin’ but a word brother. Don’t worry, we’ll find her.”
“Hey Jenny, bring us another round.”
Chapter 4 ~ Time to move on
After listening to the message Heather looked at the digital clocks red numbers that displayed 6:12am. She hadn’t realized she had slept so long. But it was a much needed rest. She went to the bathroom carrying a white plastic bag filled with an assortment of makeup, deodorant, a tooth brush, a tube of Crest toothpaste, a bar of Dove soap, a Clairol hair coloring kit, and two Gillette triple blade razors.
Her eyes are less noticeably puffy; the bruises are nearly cleared up. She applied the Auburn hair coloring kit, cut her hair short just above her shoulders. She smiled at her reflection as looked at her transformation into another identity. The cool refreshing sprinkles of water from the streaming shower relaxed her nerves and melted away the last of the bruises. After applying the makeup, you could hardly tell anything had happened two days ago.
She gathered up her things, put them in her duffle bag, and took one last look at the room before closing the door behind her. She squint her eyes as she came out into the daylight, then walked down the stairs towards the registration desk.
“Are you staying another day with us Miss Melinda Mellencamp?” asked the front desk clerk.
“No, I thought I would be but now that the weather has cleared up, I think it’s safe to drive on the highway.”
“Very well, I hope you come again. Have a nice day.”
“Thank you, I will.”
She walked down to the corner and across the street to a Starbucks. She ordered a Grande latte, picked up a half folded New Orleans local newspaper and sat in one of the soft large brown leather chairs near the window so she could feel the warm sun rays.
Just as she was about to take another sip of her coffee she saw what she was looking for. There it was on page B3 bottom right-hand corner. She smiled then whispered.
“They don’t have a clue.”
Chapter 5 - “Is Heather here?”
Daryl and Jake drove up the bumpy dirt driveway towards Jenny's house. They passed a half hanging No Trespassing sign as they drove through a partially opened wooden gate. Two large black pit bulls with heavy chains began barking fearlessly at them as they strained their necks against the taught chains.
“Got damn them some mean ass dogs!” shouted Jake jerking the stirring wheel.
“Shut up and keep drivin' She knows your truck.”
As they pulled up to the porch they could see Jenny standing out front with a loaded double barrel shotgun draped across her arm with a finger on the trigger.
“Shit Daryl, she got a freakin' shotgun.”
“She always has that got damn shotgun. Turn off the engine and come on.”
They slowly walked up to the porch and looked up at Jenny.
“That's far enough. What the hell do you two want.” she said through a plum of cigarette smoke squinting her eyes at them.
“Now Jenny hold on, we ain't looking for no trouble.” said Daryl leaning on his cane.
“Bullshit Daryl!”
“I'm just lookin' for Heather that's all.”
“Oh Yeah, and why do you think I would tell you shit if I did know?”
“'Cause... you're her sister, why else?”
“What the hell that's got to do with anything?” said Jenny taking another long draw on her cigarette.
“Well I figured since her and I had a fallin' out and all, she would come over here to cool off. You know we always patch things up.”
“Looks to me like you done got patched up.” she busted out laughing. “Hell, it looks like she kicked the shit out of your ass!” She busted out laughing again. Jake snickered.
“Damn it Jenny, never you mind 'bout what happened to me, is she here or not?”
A stone cold look came over Jenny's face. Her thumb cocked back the large hammers on both barrels of the shotgun. The dogs started barking again. She stared down at both of them then exhaled another large plum of smoke before speaking.
“Now look you son of a bitch. I've looked the other way when she would come runnin' over here after you beat the shit out of her and for the life of me I don't know why she went runnin' back to your sorry ass. But you two got ten seconds get your yellow coward asses off my property before I commence to blowin' you two to hell where you belong!!!!”
“Now Jenny...”
“One, two, three...”
“Shit Daryl, she ain't jackin' around, she's gonna shot us if we don't get the hell out of here!”
“Four, five, six...” said Jenny as she continued to count down.
“Jenny!” shouted Daryl
“Seven, eight, nine, I ain't bullshitin' Daryl, get the hell off my property...”
“Okay, okay. We're leavin'. Just tell her I come by and I'm sorry.”
“Ten. Start steppin' damn it!!!”
They both ran to the truck. At first the truck wouldn't start after two tries. Jenny started walking towards them pointing the shotgun at the windshield. It finally started. Jake put it into reverse, then quickly into drive and sped off nearly hitting the dogs as they approached the gate. They could hear the sound of a shotgun blast going off behind them.
“Shit, she was gonna kill us Daryl.”
“Well, we ain't dead. Let's go to the Black Dog. I need a drink.”
Chapter 6 – Shine Money
Daryl and Jake made their way back to town and headed straight for the Black Dog bar for drinks. Three men sitting in a far left dark corner of the bar watched them as they walked in.
“Is that them boss?” whispered one of the big burly men sitting to the right side of their table.
“Yep, that's them alright. Billy, you go stand over by the door and make sure they don't try and leave.”
“You got it Mister Bowman.”
“Nate, go fetch them two over here to me.”
“Yes Sir Mister Bowman.”
William P. Bowman owns the Black Dog bar and a few other businesses in town, but his real money maker is his moonshine business.
“Mister Bowman wants to see you two now, move it.” Said Nate firmly grabbing each of them by their collars.
“Shit!” grimaced Daryl.
“What the hell he wants to see us for?” asked Jake with a puzzled and terrified look across is face staring at Daryl.
“You're gonna find out in just a minute. Now keep steppin'.”
Bowman pushed out two chairs with the heel of his boot in front of his table as they approached.
“Have a seat boys and let’s have us a little talk about my money.”
“What money?” asked Jake looking at Daryl then back to Bowman.
“What money? Three days ago I gave Daryl here a case of shine for delivery to Boyd over in New Orleans. I haven't seen him until I was informed he was here yesterday. Judgin' by the way he looks, I think he got robbed or somethin'. Care to explain what the hell happened Daryl? I'm all ears.”
“Now Mister Bowman, it ain't what it look like.”
“Do tell Daryl.”
“Well, you see it's like this, when I got back from New Orleans I came straight here looking for you to give you the money. I had a few drinks while I was waitin'. After waitin' about a couple of hours and you hadn't come, I went home.”
“Go on, I'm still listenin'”
“Well, when I got home somebody jumped me and took the money. As you can see they roughed me up pretty bad. Hell, I had to go to the hospital emergency to get patched up.”
“I see. Well that's a real interestin' story. Now let me tell you what I think happened and do correct me if you think I'm wrong but I doubt if I am. You see, I think that girlfriend of yours finally had enough of you beatin' on her and she decided to kick your ass when you came home drunk. Am I correct so far?”
“Yes sir, yes Sir Mister Bowman.” Said Daryl lowering his head, looking down at the floor.
“And then, after she beat the ever livin' shit out of your sorry ass, she grabbed her things and the money bag. The money bag that you were supposes to bring to me, right?”
“Yes Sir Mister Bowman.”
“And now she's nowhere to be found. Most likely left your ass and got out of town, right?”
“Right.”
“Well, here's what you two are gonna do. You got one week to find her and my money and I mean all of my money. You hear me!” he said pounding his fist on the table.
“Yes Sir Mister Bowman.”
“I didn't hear you say anything Jake.” He said pointing a finger in his face.
“Yes Sir Mister Bowman. One week.”
“Good, now that we understand each other, don't make me have to come looking for you two boys. You do know what happens when people avoid me don't you.”
“Gators?”
“That's right, gators.”
Chapter 7:- Verify your identity
Heather folded the newspaper then tossed it into a tall trash can on her way out. It's a nice sunny day in New Orleans. Tourists are unloading from tour buses, street vendors are setting up their carts. The sounds of street musicians tuning their instruments began filling the air. The river walk across the street is lined with a mix of tourist, locals casting their fishing lines into the incoming tide sitting on plastic buckets, as kids with balloons in their hands walk along side their parents.
Heather unfolds a local city bus route map then studies it for a few minutes. She looks up at the street sign then loops her arms through her backpack and picks up her duffel bag. She walks two blocks to a Cricket cell phone store and purchases a disposable pay-as-you-go cell phone. She scratched off the silver security coating over the activation code and enters it into the phone. A few seconds later she hears a voice recording.
“Your phone is now activated with three-hundred minutes.”
She reached inside the left pocket of her jeans and pulls out a folded slip of paper with a hand written phone number on it. She entered the number then began walking towards the bus stop.
“Hello?” she whispered.
“Hello, please verify your identity with your given code word.” said a soft female voice.
“Zydeco?”
“Your identity has been verified. Take bus number fourteen to the corner of Canal and Royal Street. Go to the Monteleone Hotel and then to the small cafe inside and order two cups of French Chicory. Someone will meet you there.”
“I understand” she whispered back while cautiously looking around. “Thank you so much, goodbye.”
She could see bus number fourteen pulling up to the stop as she approached it. She slid the exact change into the meter and sat at the front of the bus behind the driver.
“Welcome to New Orleans ya’ll. French Quarter, Bourbon Street coming up.” said the bus driver over the intercom as they pulled away.
Chapter 8 – Welcome
The bus pulled up to the corner of Canal and Royal Street. She stepped off the bus and stood looking around. Jazz and blues music poured out from the string of bars, cafes, and night clubs that lined the street. She looked at her map then started walking towards the end of the block. She has never been to New Orleans. She only read about it and seen TV commercials about the up coming Mardi Gras and all it’s parades.
She looked both ways before crossing the street to the Monteleone Hotel. She went in and stood in the main foyer. It’s a beautiful hotel that first opened in 1886 and is part of the historic preservation district. The Le café is straight ahead and to the right.
“May I be of assistance Madame?” asked a passing porter stopping in front of her.
“The café?” she said softly
“Yes, it’s this away, please follow me. Would you like for me to check you bags at the front desk?”
“No thank you, I don’t know if I’m stayin’ or not yet.”
“But of course, please this way to the café.”
She looked all around at the rich lavish hotel as she followed the porter across the spotless marble floors. She has never stepped foot in such a fancy place filled with so many rich people and beautiful décor.
“Here we are Madame. Please enjoy your visit.”
“Thank you, O’ and here, this is for you.” She said reaching into the brown bag pulling out a five dollar bill.
“Thank you Madame, you are most kind. Please enjoy and let me know if I can be of any further assistance.”
She stood at the entrance in front of the ‘Wait to be seated’ sign.
“Table for one Madame?” asked the maître d'.
“For two, I’m expecting someone.”
“I see, and do you have a reservation code, a word perhaps?”
Heather couldn’t figure out what he meant at first. She just stared at him for a moment. Then it hit her.
She leaned in close to the maître d' and whispered “Zydeco?”
“Of course, I see we have your reservations right here and you now have been confirmed. I’ll have two cups of French Chicory brought to your table. Peter, will you please escort Miss Mellencamp to table number three? Thank you.”
The fine china, silverware, and linen table cloth is nothing like she has ever experienced in her life. For the first time in her life she felt respected. She never knew complete strangers could be so kind and caring. Peter brought over the coffee.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure, enjoy.”
She took two sips of the deep dark coffee and sat quietly taking in the beauty of the café when she heard someone say her name.
“Hello Heather, I’m Amanda. I’m glad you made it. Would you like something to eat?”
Heather looked up at Amanda. She’s a tall strikingly beautiful woman with dark brunette hair, soft green eyes, a pretty calming smile, wearing a black and white one piece Chanel, with pearl earrings and matching necklace.
“Hello Miss Amanda. I, I’m at a lost for words. I can’t believe I made it. I can’t believe I’m here. Really I can’t” she said through the warm tears that started streaming down her face.
“Now, now, what’s important is that you’re here honey and you’re safe now.”
“But he’ll find me, I just know he will, and when he does he’ll…”
“Trust me, he won’t.” She said with a scowled look on her face. “He’ll never lay another hand on you again, ever.”
Chapter 9 – “Yeah, I saw her.”
It’s the afternoon of day three as Daryl and Jake pull into the parking lot of the Black Dog bar. They have spent two days driving from small town to small town trying to find Heather.
“Where in the hell could she be hidin’ Daryl? We’re almost out of time. Shit.” Said Jake in disgust.
“The hell if I know. She ain’t never been gone this long before. I’ve had enough for the day, let’s go inside and have a few drinks.”
They pushed open the door and walked up to the bar and began looking around for Mister Bowman.
“Thank God he ain’t here.” Said Daryl.
“Hey you two, what can I get ya?” asked Shelly the bartender.
“Heather.” Said Jake shaking his head. “Two Bubs’ and Whiskey.”
“What about her?”
“We’re just looking for her that’s all.”
“Two Bud’s and two Whiskies, I’ll be right back.”
She returns with their drinks and looks intently at Daryl.
“So, ya’ll lookin’ for Heather? I remember seeing her about five days ago.”
“What!” they both shouted out at the same time in disbelief.
“Yeah, five days ago at the Trailways bus terminal. I was there picking up my sister-in-law around 11:30 that night. She was sittin’ by herself in a corner with a red Bama hoody pullover with the hood pulled low over her head wearin’ shades. I almost didn’t recognize her at first. Did you beat on her again Daryl, cause she didn’t look so good.”
“Never you mind about my business, do you know where she was goin’?”
“I don’t really know. My sister-in-law showed up just as I was about to go over and talk to her. But I did see that she got on bus number eleven. That’s the number I saw on the back of the bus.”
“Damn it girl, never mind about the damn number, what city, what city was she goin’ to?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t see the front of the bus, just the number on the back. But I bet if you go down to the terminal and look up that number you might be able to find out what city it goes to.”
“Got damn girl, you’re a freakin’ genius, come on Jake.”
They both took off running to the truck then sped off heading for the bus terminal. Shelly kept looking at the parking lot until she was certain they had left, then walked over to a table in the far back corner of the bar. She could see a match light up and then a plum of white smoke as she got closer.
“How did I do Mister Bowman?”
“Just fine darlin’, just fine. Now fetch me two shots of shine would you please?”
“Yes Sir Mister Bowman, right away.”
“Nate, Billy, you two head on down to New Orleans and keep an eye on those two and come back with my money.”
“Yes Sir Mister Bowman.”
Chapter 10 – “You’re with us now.”
“Where are we?” asked Heather looking around the room of the lobby. She could see other women there of all ages all around. Some talking with one another at a posh bar, others are just sitting and reading books. She could see a restaurant down one corridor to her left and could hear music coming from a blues bar to her right down another corridor.
“Welcome to The Court Of Four Sisters, Amanda. Here, you are safe. You will never have to go back and more importantly, he’ll never find you.”
“Thank you, thank you so much.”
“You have what we call Guardians watching over you that made it possible.”
“Guardians?”
“Yes, Guardians that made a special request for you be sent here to us. Most of the women you see here have Guardian wishes that have been granted.”
“But who are they?”
“We can never reveal that to you. Only that you are free to leave whenever you want but never return.”
“I would never leave here, that is, if I could stay. I’m a hard worker, I won’t cause any trouble, I promise. I got money, lots of it, see.” She said holding out the brown bag filled with cash.
“That won’t be necessary. We have plenty of money. All of it is donated by the Angel foundation. All of this was started by the late great Miss Barbara Jean Thibodeau. This is her portrait.”
Heather looked up at the huge painting resting in a golden gilded frame.
“She was once in a relationship like you and all the others you see here. Pushed to the edge, she left her husband and everything behind except her pride and dignity. Over the years prior to leaving him, she stashed away a great deal of money. She also had very powerful women friends that were in her same position but couldn’t or wouldn’t leave, but vowed their solemn support.
She and three others left together and came to New Orleans and bought this mansion. They decided to name it The Court of Four Sisters. We now have mansions all over the world supported by very wealthy woman and believe it or not some men. Come; let me introduce you to some of the others.”
Chapter 11 – The Purple Alligator
Daryl and Jake arrived in New Orleans the next morning after driving all night. They checked in at a Motel Six then headed to Bourbon Street to search the bars and clubs for Heather.
“I’m figurin’ a bar would be the only job she could get here, don’t you Jake?”
“Hell yeah, she ain’t got no skills for anything else.”
“Let’s go over to Boyd’s bar first and see if he can give us some places to check first. It’s just a few blocks that away.”
The Purple Alligator is filled with tourist and locals when they arrived. It’s one of the most popular bars in the French Quarter. It boasts a live band stage, three bars, and a large outdoor patio in the back.
“Damn, will you look at the size of this place? Shit you could put three Black Dog bars in here.” Said Jake as they weaved their way to the center bar.
“Yep, it’s pretty damn big. I see Boyd over there in the corner. Come on.”
“Well, look what the cat drug in, howdy boys.” Said Boyd looking up at Daryl then shifting his gaze to Jake.
“Howdy Mister Boyd.”
“You brought more shine Daryl?”
“No sir. We was wonderin’ if you can help us find somebody.”
“Who might that be?”
“It’s my girlfriend Heather. She’s about 5’8”, slender, blondish hair, and green eyes.”
“Hell son, you’re describin’ nearly half the women in my place right now and in New Orleans, why you looking for her?”
“Well, I, I’d rather not say if you don’t mind sir.”
“I don’t mind. Whatever it is, you’ll have your hands full looking for a pretty girl like that around here. You got a picture?”
“Yes sir, right here. You can keep it. I’ll check back with you later on tonight.”
“Sure, sure, no problem, I’ll pass it around to my waitresses. Why don’t you boys go have a few drinks and a meal on the house on me before you head out.”
“Thank you kindly. We sure do appreciate it.”
Chapter 12 – Three Forks
“How did you like your room?”
“Miss Amanda it’s beautiful. I ain’t never slept in such a comfortable bed before and had such good tastin’ food.”
“Well I’m glad you like it and please, call me Amanda.”
“I’ll try; it’s just the Southerness in me that just keeps comin’ out.”
They walked over to the bar on the north side of the mansion which faces out toward Bourbon Street. It’s called Three Forks. It has a main bar, a café bar, and a coffee bar.
“Well, being that you have had retail experience, which one of the bars would you like to work in?”
“O’, I don’t know Miss Aman… I mean Amanda. I only ever worked at the Dairy Queen.”
“Well, that’s retail. You know how to meet people, serve food and drinks, make change, and look at that smile.”
“Do you really think I would be good at workin’ in one of these fancy bars?”
“Of course I do. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Lola over at the main bar. She’ll tutor you. Just follow her lead and you’ll do just fine. Lola honey, this Heather our newest arrival.”
“Hi Heather, I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Me too.”
“Well, I’m going to leave her in your very capable hands Lola, and Heather don’t hesitate to ask for me if you need anything okay?”
“I will Amanda.”
Chapter 13 – “I’m somebody you don’t ever want to meet twice.”
It’s 9pm and the main bar (Madame Thibodeau’s) is packed. Patrons are waiting in a long line halfway down the side of the building along Bourbon Street. The DJ is playing the latest mix of dance music, the dance floor is packed, and the bar is stacked two people deep wanting for drinks
“This is wild; I’ve never seen anything like this.” Heather shouted out at Lola as they handed out drink after drink to waiting hands.
“It’s like this every night. Our shift will be over shortly, you want to hang out together afterward?”
“Sure! I can’t wait!”
The bouncers at the door are checking ID’s and turning away people too drunk to party any more.
“You and you can come in. You, come back later when you sober up.” Said one of the enormous bouncers checking ID’s. A drunken business man keeps trying to get in.
“I said when you sober up, now get out of my line now. Don’t let me have to tell you again. Trust me, I’m somebody you don’t ever want to meet twice, you hear me!”
He repeated himself posturing like a silver back gorilla stepping into the drunken man’s face. The man quietly staggered out of the line then faded into the street crowd. “Punk ass, next!”
Lola and Heather went up to their rooms, quickly changed and met back downstairs in the lobby.
“You ready?” asked Lola touching up her makeup one last time then closes her compact.
“Ready.” Beamed Heather. “How do I look?”
“Look at you; you got it goin’ on girl. Now let’s go work it Miss thang.”
“You are too funny Lola. I think we’re gonna have us a good time.”
“You know it!”
They entered the bar, got themselves drinks then went out to the dance floor. They danced together like two teenage girls at a sock hop. Just as they were leaving the dance floor a tall guy with a baseball cap turned backward, skinny leg jeans, wearing a black ‘Tap Out’ T-shirt, tapped Heather on the shoulder and asked her to dance.
“Hey, come dance with me.” He said looking her up and down.
“No thank you, I’m out with my friend.”
“Come on, one dance. I’ll buy you a drink afterward.”
“No, no thank you.” Panic began to wash over her as she watches Lola fade away from her sight on the dance floor.
“Come on, just one little dance.” He asked again now pulling on her arm.
“I said no! Let me go!” she said jerking her arm away from his grip
“I won’t bite, just one dance cutie.”
Just as she was about to scream a large shadow from the overhead lights loomed over both of them, then a huge muscular arm reached pass her and grabbed the guy by his arm and jerked him backwards.
“Step the fuck back now before I rip off your arm!”
The bouncer yanked the guy so hard his drink fell out of his hand.
“Hey my drink!”
“That’s the least of your problems. You’re coming with me.” He said as he dragged him through the crowd like kid with a rag doll towards the front door.
“Now get out and stay out of my club. Don’t let me have to tell you again.” He said tossing the guy out into the street. The huge bouncer went back into the club and over to Heater and Lola.
“You okay miss?” he asked in a deep gentle voice.
“Yeah, he just scared me a little. I’m okay, really, I’m okay. Thank you.”
“My pleasure, trust me he bother you again.”
“Thank you, you are so kind. What’s your name?”
“I’m Brady R. Johnson, but everyone around here calls me Bubba. I prefer Bubba.”
“Thank you Bubba. You’re my knight in shinning armor.”
“Heck, it wasn’t nothin’. I throw out that kind of trash all the time.” He said with a blushing smile feeling protective of her. “Ain’t no one ever called me a knight before.”
“Well Bubba, you’re my knight, my knight in shinning armor.”
“Really it was no big deal Miss?”
“I’m Heather and this is Lola. I’m new here. I’m glad to meet you Bubba.” She said holding out her slender hand. He smiled and grasped her little hand between his thumb and fingers. Her hand looked like an infant’s in his.
“Well, you two go on and enjoy yourselves and don’t worry about anymore trouble tonight. I’ll keep an eye on ya.”
“Thank you Bubba.”
He walked back to the front door, put back in his security earpiece and slipped on his dark shades.
“Next, ID’s please.”
Chapter 14 – “You’re looking in the wrong place.”
It’s nearly midnight and after searching bar after bar, Daryl and Jake went back to The Purple Alligator. Boyd sees them come in and waves them over.
“Well now, judgin’ by your faces, it doesn’t look like you found what you were looking for.” he said handing each one of them a beer.
“Much obliged for the beer. No sir, we didn’t find her anywhere.”
“Well, I did do some checkin’ around and if your girl ran away or something like that, there may be one place you could check.”
“Where Mister Boyd?”
“Well this is second hand information mind you, but try The Court of Four Sisters.”
“Court of Fours Sisters? We didn’t see any place like that.”
“Well then maybe you boys have been looking in the wrong place.”
“It sounds like a real fancy place. She ain’t no fancy girl. She’s country.” Said Daryl after taking another long draw on his beer.
“Yeah, country as cornbread.” added Jake.
“I’m just sayin’ it might be a place you want to check out. You haven’t had any luck looking in the places you have been. But, suit yourself.”
“Now hold on Mister Boyd, we’ll take your advice. Where is this place at?”
Boyd reached into his top pocket and pulled out a slip of paper.
“Here you go. Now, you didn’t get that from me, you hear me?” he said cutting his eyes to each of them.
“No sir, we didn’t get this from you.” Daryl said while reading the address.
“How do we get there from here?”
Boyd turned the paper over and drew out a small map to its location then gave detail instructions.
“Much obliged Mister Boyd; we’ll head over there right now!”
“Well, good luck to you both. Be sure to let me know how things turn out.”
They finished off their beers then left immediately. Boyd pulled out his cell phone and presses a speed dial number.
“They’re on their way over there now.”
Chapter 15 – “This is the place!”
Heather and Lola went back to the bar and ordered drinks.
“Well, looks like you have a new friend.” Said Lola looking over at Bubba then back at Heather.
“I’m thankful he came over and saved me from that idiot.”
“Bubba has been here a long time. He’s was an orphan you know?”
“Really?”
“Yeah, his mother was a crack head. When she died of an overdose Amanda took him in and raised him like her own. He’s fearlessly loyal to her and everyone here. I’ve seen him in action and let me tell you, you don’t want to be on the losing team.”
“I know what you mean. I thought he was going to crush that guy like beer can.”
“That’s nothing compared to what he’s like when he’s really pissed. This is New Orleans, and when people come here, they get drunk and do things they wouldn’t normally do anywhere else.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. Kind of reminds me of the bars back where I came from.”
“Speaking of which, what’s your story?”
“I’d really rather not talk about it if you don’t mind.”
“Nah, it’s all good, just askin’ that’s all. Shit, my man use to beat on me all the time. I don’t know why for the life of me I put up with his sorry no good ass.”
“You too?”
“Yep, son of a bitch would come home drunk and get pissed at the least thing and then let lose on me. I’ve tried to kick is ass, but it only made him more pissed.”
“The same thing happened to me too.”
“Well, that’s all behind us now. Here’s to a newer and better life.”
“Hell yeah, to a better life!”
* * * *
“Hey Daryl, is that the place over yonder?” asked Jake pointing to the far end of the corner across the street.
“Shit yeah, that’s it! Come on!”
They went over and stood in the long line. They are fifty people back but could see the entrance.
“Damn, this place is packed Jake. It’s gonna take us forever to get in there.”
“Never mind about how long, just as long as we get in.”
Thirty minutes had passed. They are now three people back and can hear the music and the crowd inside.
“Hell, he’s a big son of a bitch.” Said Jake looking at Bubba checking IDs.
“He must be an Alabama boy.”
They looked like the Tin man and the Cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz as they approached and looked up Bubba.
“IDs please.” He said holding out his hand.
They both fumbled around in their pockets.
“IDs please or get out of my line.” Repeated Bubba.
“Here, you go. You must be from Alabama huh?” asked Jake trying to make small talk.
“Don’t act like you know me and for your information, hell no I an’t from Alabama. Step inside or get out of line, next, IDs please.”
They stepped inside and began scanning the dance floor and bar.
“Do you see her yet?” asked Jake.
“Hell no, there’s too many people in this place. Just keep lookin’”.
* * * *
“Hey Lola, I’m a go freshen up, watch my drink for me.” Said Heather picking up her purse.
“Okay, I’ll be right here. Take your time.”
Heather went to the restroom. Daryl and Jake continued to walk among the thick crowd of people.
“Hey Daryl, let’s get a beer and hang out at the bar, maybe she’ll show up there.”
“Okay. Which one? There’s three of ‘em.”
“I don’t know, the one in the middle one I guess.”
“Okay.”
They made their way to the middle bar and ordered a couple of beers and shots of Jack Daniels.
“Watch my shit, I gotta go take a leak, I’ll be right back.” Said Daryl
“Okay.”
Daryl made his way to the far back section of the bar. Both the male and female bathrooms doors are next to each other separated by only a few feet with posted signs. Just as Daryl is pushing open the bathroom door, Heather came out and walked right passed him. He didn’t recognize her at all and continued in to the restroom.
“Thanks Lola.”
“No problem. My turn, I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
Just as Daryl comes out of the restroom he passes by Lola and continues towards the bar. Heather is leaning on the bar tapping her foot to the music and humming along as Daryl walks past her and back to the center bar.
“Hey Jake, they got fancy faucets and shit in the bathroom and even a guy in there that will shine your shoes.”
“You’re shittin’ me?”
“No lie. Hell, they even got mouthwash, cologne, gum; it’s like a palace in there. Go look for yourself.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
As Jake passes Heather he turns his head to stare at her for a split second feeling like he recognizes her but keeps walking to the restroom.
“I’m back, let’s go dance, I like this song.” Said Lola after returning.
“So do I, let’s go.”
As Jake walks back to Daryl he slows down to look back over where he though he might have seen Heather. He scans the bar twice then continues on.
“You were right Daryl. Hell, that bathroom is nearly as big as my mobile trailer. Have you seen Heather yet?”
“Hell no, there’s so many damn people in here.”
“I thought I saw her when I went to the bathroom just now, but whoever it was isn’t there any more. I mean it kinda looked like her, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t.”
“What do you mean kinda look like her? Are you for sure it wasn’t her or not?”
“Positive. Besides, like I said, whoever it was ain’t there no more.”
Chapter 16 – “Jake! I see her!!!”
After a couple more beers, Daryl and Jake headed off to the bathroom together. Lola and Heather left the dance floor and went back to the bar.
“Whew, I feel like I’ve been in a jazzercise class.” Said Heather reaching for her drink.
“Lord have mercy, me to, my legs feel Jello.”
They laughed and continued to drink and talk. Daryl and Jake came out of the bathroom and began scanning the bar again.
“Hell, Daryl, I don’t think she’s here.”
“Me to—“ Daryl stopped suddenly then looked straight ahead at the bar.
“What D?”
“I think that might be her over there.”
“Where?” asked Jake as he looked in the same direction.
“There, next to that black girl.” He said pointing a finger. “See? Right there.”
“Are you sure? That’s not her hair color and she sure as hell don’t wear fancy clothes like that.”
“Well, I’m gonna go find out and if it’s her I’m gonna give her what for! Come on!”
They started walking quickly towards her and Lola pushing threw the crowd. Heather doesn’t see them approaching her.
“Damn it Jake, it is her. I recognize that scare on her forehead. She dyed her hair. Come on; move faster before she sees us!”
Just as Heather looks up at the mirror behind the bar she catches what looks like Daryl’s favorite Alabama Crimson Tide baseball cap moving through the crowd towards her like a shark fin breaking through the surface before attacking its prey. Terror washes over her face as their eyes lock gazes on each other. Daryl begins to walk faster as he points at her.
“Heather, stay right there got damn it, you hear me!!!” he shouts at her then starts to push his way through the row of people lined up at the bar. “Stay right there, don’t you move!”
Heather let’s out a blood curdling scream.
“Lola, O’ My God, It’s him, Daryl!” she cries out as she points at him then urges Lola to run. “We’ve got to get out of here now!”
“What?” asked Lola confused by what she was saying, “Him, who? Calm down.”
“It’s him, O’ my God he found me Lola, he found me, run!”
“Got damn it Heather, don’t you run away from me, you hear me! Stay right there or I swear…!”
“Bubba! Bubba! Help me! Bubba!!!” she screamed as she started off towards the front door pushing through the crowd then onto the dance floor. Bubba is focused on a fight that broke out in the waiting line and starts to go investigate.
“Heather, stop, stop right now, you hear me?!”
Lola sees Daryl and Jake pushing through the crowd furiously trying to catch up to her.
“Keep running Heather, I’ll get help.” Shouts Lola turning towards bar security.
“Bubba! Bubba, O’ please Bubba help me.”
Daryl and Jake are only a few people behind her.
“Got damn it Heather, stop runnin’ now! Jake, go that way and head her off!”
“Okay!” Jake breaks away from Daryl and began pushing his way to the left of Heather to block her escape.
“Bubba! Bubba! Help me, please help me!” she cried out as she tried to run at full speed through the thick crowd towards the front door looking frantically for Bubba. Bubba stops and turns his head towards the dance floor and hears Heathers calling his name. He shoved three people at once to clear his way.
“Heather, where are you! I’m coming!” said Bubba charging at full force through the crowd.
“Bubba!!! Bubba please help me, he’s gonna kill me, he’s here!”
“Heather, I see you keep running towards me and don’t stop!”
Bubba threw off his shades and began pushing and shoving people out of his way. Their bodies fell back and to the side like uprooted trees in an oncoming tornado. When he sees whose following her he increases his speed.
“O’ hell no mother fucker, not in my house!” he yelled, “You done fucked up!”
“Bubba, please, please, help me!”
Jake came from her left side and grabbed her by the waist and held her as she thrashed and kicked trying to get free of his grip. Daryl soon caught up with them within a couple of steps.
“Now, now, you didn’t think I’d find your little country ass in this fancy city did ya?” said Daryl. His eyes are wide opened and filled with rage as he grabbed a hand full of her hair from behind jerking her head back.
“Now you are comin’ with us and you’re gonna tell me where the hell the money you took from me is or I swear I’ll beat it out of you, you hear me you fucking bitch!”
Just at Daryl started pulling her off the dance floor Bubba reached out throw the crowd that surrounded them and grabbed Daryl by the wrist.
“Let her go now!” he shouted in a voice that sent chills through everyone standing around. His fingers began to coil around his wrist like a boa constrictor strangling its prey. He punched Jake so hard with his other free hand that he fell back end over end through the crowd.
“What the fuck?” cried out Daryl.
Before he could say another word Bubba began squeezing his wrist even tighter.
“I said let go now!” The sound of Daryl’s wrist bones cracking under Bubba’s increasing grip could be heard.
“O’ shit, let go of me. It hurts. Let go, please let go!”
“You let go of her first and then pain will stop.”
“Okay, okay. Shit, just let go.” Daryl crouched down on the floor holding his limp wrist then looked up at Bubba. “I think you broke my wrist.”
“Stay down and I won’t break anything else. You hear me?” he scowled at him.
“Bubba, thank you so much.” whispered Heather.
“Don’t worry, you and Lola go up to your room now, I’ll deal with them and come check up on you later. You’re safe now. Go on, I’ll take care of these two.”
Bubba grabbed Jake up off the floor and dragged them both back behind the bar and out through a side door then down a long hallway. He opened a large door with the number five on it and tossed them both in then locked it. Bubba reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his Blackberry.
“Hello, this is Bubba. I’ve got that packaged you asked for. It’s in store room number five.”
Chapter 17 – Time to collect
The store room is pitch black and quiet. Jake reached into his pocket and pulled a Bic lighter. Both of their faces illuminated.
“Where the hell are we Daryl?”
“Hell if I know. See if you can find a light switch on the wall.”
“Okay.”
Jake crawled along the floor until he could feel the wall then stood up. He followed the feeling of the brick pattern until he felt the edge of the light switch plate.
“I found it.”
“Well turn it on then, shit!”
They both looked around.
“It’s just an empty room, why did that guy put us in an empty room?”
“I don’t know. Shush, be quiet, I think I hear somebody comin’”
They both could hear the sound of two footsteps coming down the hall towards the door.
“Hello? Is anybody out there? We’re in here, lets us out!”
The footsteps stopped in font of the door.
“Hey, let us out! We won’t cause any more trouble.”
The door knob turned slowly after the sound of a key being inserted stopped. They shielded their eyes from the bright florescent light as it poured in on them.
“Times up, where’s Mister Bowman’s money?” asked Nate.
“Nate, Billy, how’d ya’ll find us?” asked Jake
“Never mind that, where’s the money?”
“Well, we ain’t got it yet, but we did find Heather.”
“Heather is your business; we’re here for the money.”
“We’re gonna get it, I promise. Just give us a couple more days.”
“That’s not for us to decide. Let’s go, you can ask Mister Bowman yourself.”
Nate and Billy put zip cuffs on their wrist and led them out the back of the building and shoved them in the back of black Suburban and drove off into the night. An hour later they pulled up to an old wooden shack in the middle of a swampy moss. The sound of frogs and crickets filled the air around them. The ground is muddy and soggy.
“Is Mister Bowman out here?” asked Daryl.
“He’s coming later, now get out.”
They stepped out onto the soft wet soggy ground. Their boots sank nearly a half an inch as they stood up. They could barely walk straight as they strained to put one foot in front of the other. The finally made it to the front of the shack. There were no lights on and it appears that nobody was inside as Jake peered through the front window.
“Keep movin’, head towards the back.”
“You’re not gonna kill us are you?” asked Jake nervously walking slowly behind Daryl.
“Shut up and keep movin’” said Nate pushing him from behind. “
They could see an old uneven planked peer with a swamp buggy tied to one of the crooked post.
“That’s far enough. Now get in that swamp buggy and keep quiet.”
Nate and Billy sat behind them on a bench seat. A large propeller behind them began to slowly turn as Nate pressed the ignition button. After a few seconds a steady flow of howling wind pushed the swamp buggy away from the small pier. Only a large bright spotlight shined along the murky water path they were taking. Spray from the front of the bobbing buggy washed over Daryl and Jake as they leaned back from the thrust of the forward momentum.
The swamp buggy soon slowed to a crawl towards a small mound peering above the water line. It was just enough for two people to stand on. Nate stopped the engine after beaching the front of the buggy up to the edge of the mound.
“Okay, get out, turn around and stick out your hands.” Said Billy holding a razor sharp knife in his left hand. He cut away the zip straps then sat back down.
“Now, in about an hour, the sun is gonna rise. Until then I wouldn’t make any sudden moves if I were you.” Said Nate pointing a finger at them.
Daryl and Jake could see several pairs of white glowing eyes opening and closing wherever Billy shined the spot light on the swamp surface.
“Them’s gators, now they’ll leave you alone as long as you don’t move from this spot because they done been fed. Now come sunrise, that’s a different story. So I suggest as soon as you see the sunrise over yonder, you boys better get movin’ to that tree line over there and I mean fast. If ya’ll make it, then your debt is cleared. Remember, as soon as you see the sunrise, start movin’.”
Chapter 18 – Forget About Me
“Heather, there’s a call for you on line three honey.”
“Okay, I’ll be right there.” Said Heather wiping her wet hands on a bar towel. She picks up the receiver and presses the blinking light next to line one.
“Hello, this is Heather?”
“Hello Heather, I just wanted to call and let you know that little problem you had, it’s been taken care of. You won’t have to look over your shoulders any more.”
“Thank you; thank you so much for everything you done for me.”
“Don’t think anything of it. Now I can tolerate a lot things darlin’, but beatin’ on a woman ain’t one of them. I just won’t stand for it. Now you go on and have yourself a good life down there, you here?”
“I will, and thank you again for everything you done for me.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Bye.”
“Goodbye darlin’.”
“How’s she doin’ Mister Bowman?” asked the waitress standing at the table with a large tray of food.
“Just fine, she’s doin’ just fine now.”
“Good, good.” She unfolded a stand for the tray and started handing out the plates of food. “Here you go Mister Bowman, deep fried Cajon spice gator with a side of red beans and rice and two shots of shine for each of ya.”
“Thank you darlin’, this sure looks mighty good, don’t it boys? Hey Boyd, pass me the Tabasco sauce would ya please?”
“I got it Mister Boyd, here you go Mister Bowman.”
“Why thank you Bubba. Now let’s all dig in!”
Bowman, Boyd, Nate, Billy, and Bubba all ate and drank the night away, celebrating freeing another girl brutality. For you see, in a span of seven days they had come up with a plan to rescue a girl that had lost hope of ever escaping.
They are part of a secret society sworn to give safe passage to anyone in need. They are The Guardians of The Court of Four Sisters.
The End