Episode 10: From Recovery to History…
I eased off Chuck and stood up, my back to my car. I took a quick look at Sally’s house. It was still dark. No sign we had disturbed them. I was glad for that. I watched Chuck get into his car and drive away. Stupid. The whole thing was utterly stupid and I wish I hadn’t got mixed up in it; but, I did and I wasn’t quitting. What I had told Chuck was the way it would be. Sally would decide.
I knew I couldn’t go to church even though I couldn’t see my face. My hands hurt from the pavement and I detected a knot on my jaw. I’m sure it was swelling up while I stood there. I sat down in the car seat and tilted the rear-view mirror for a look at my face. Sally would have to wait until Tuesday.
I spent Sunday in my room except for meals. I mainly dismissed the cuts and bruises to my fellow boarders’ questions. I doctored the scratches and conscripted some ice from the kitchen to do some off and ons, much like sports in high school. The bruise turned ugly and I was glad I had the day off from Albertson’s. I took two showers and the hot water helped the soreness a lot.
Monday went by without too much attention. Several of the guys whistled when they saw the bruise and a few offered comments. I didn’t see Chuck and I was glad of that. By the time I left work Monday afternoon I had mostly forgotten the altercation with Chuck other than the lingering pain and the obvious visual effects. My mind had turned to Sally and what I would say to her the next day. I planned on having lunch at Ray’s in the hope she would sit with me again. I wanted to get the ‘spark’ thing settled. I think it scared her more than anything, especially after her encounters with Chuck.
I wasn’t like Chuck and I wanted to make sure she knew that. I dated a lot in high school but I never felt the emotional up-charge I experienced with Sally. I didn’t really know what love was, but I knew something out of the ordinary was going on with me. I also felt pretty sure she felt the same way I did. I wanted to know one way or another.
Tuesday came, of course, and I pushed through my Tuesday morning route as fast as I could. I even helped the dock workers load and unload which I wasn’t supposed to do. I made it to Ray’s restaurant at 12:15 and found a place to park the truck across from the hotel parking lot. There was not a ‘no parking’ sign anywhere to be seen, so I locked it up and headed down the street to the diner.
As soon as I stepped in the door my eyes swept the room looking for Sally. She was near the rear of the seating area talking to a young couple at a booth. I looked for an empty chair. There wasn’t one so I just moved near the register and tried to look patient. It was several minutes before she noticed me. Her face briefly showed surprise but then broke into a smile, just like before. Goose bumps went down both arms and heat moved up the back of my neck. How could a smile do that to a guy?
Sally moved quickly through the tables until she stood in front of me. Her eyes focused on the rather large discoloration on my cheek. They also took in the scratches on my neck. I was glad I had my coat on, the ones on my left arm were still raw and ugly.
“Chuck!”
“Yes. It’s okay, it’s settled.”
“Is he still alive?”
“Of course, just roughed up a little and maybe embarrassed a lot.”
“That’s why you didn’t come to take me to church, isn’t it? I knew something was wrong. Then it’s not settled. I know him, Jack. I will personally claw his eyes out if he tries one more thing. Wait. Let me clear table number five for us. I’ll tell dad I’m off for a while. We need to talk.”
Before I could answer she grabbed a cloth and a spray bottle and headed to a now vacant table against the wall. I waited a bit and then headed over to the table. She took her cleaning materials and went through the kitchen door. I expected opposition from her dad but none came. She returned and sat down opposite me and another waitress, somewhat older, walked up with an ordering pad.
“The burgers are good, but the pot roast special is the best deal,” Sally said.
I ordered the special and a cherry-coke, she ordered fries and a cherry-coke. The lady left and we looked at each other.
“Before we discuss Chuck, I want to clear up Saturday night,” Sally said.
I nodded. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what had happened actually. To her, I mean. I knew full well what happened to me. I liked it and I wanted more of it. I couldn’t imagine not having it as a matter of fact. I waited. She seemed to be collecting her thoughts, or maybe wondering if her rehearsed lines were appropriate. I mustered a small smile which I thought would be encouraging. Something told me it was a good time to remain silent, like the lawyers advise.
She looked me in the eyes and small tears formed in her own. Her voice was subdued, which was of course not normal for her. I understood that she was struggling to talk to me and that it was costing her. I wondered what in the world was this all about. She spoke softly, obviously not wanting others to hear her words.
“I had a very traumatic experience with Chuck before you came to Boise, as I have tried to tell you. He expressed deep love for me and I thought I loved him as well. It was wonderful for a year and then he became a little demanding and then abusive. I knew that wasn’t love and I began to doubt my own feelings for him. One night at the beginning of our senior year we went to a movie and then parking. We had done that before and nothing much happened, but on this night he pushed me to have sex with him. I said no and pushed his hands away. He got physical and started trying to pull my top down.
“I slapped him, but he just laughed and used his weight to pin me against the door of the car. Somehow I got hold of the door handle and opened it. I fell right out onto the ground and rolled over into some weeds. He got out and started around the car. I don’t know what would have happened next, but thank God another car pulled into the parking area. Its lights lit the area up like a ball field. Chuck stopped dead in his tracks.
“‘Are you alright?’ he asked me.
“‘No, I’m not.’ I answered, surprised that he asked, but relieved he also had stopped his advances.
“He said, ‘I’m sorry, Sally; please get back in the car and I’ll take you home.’
“I didn’t recognize the new car but it was obvious that he did. Turned out he knew the girl in the other car would talk if he tried anything more. So, I got back in his car and sat as close to the door as possible. I was so scared, Jack, but I knew he was too. His reputation at school couldn’t stand a scandal. I got out at my house and ran to the door. I had brushed myself off so I looked presentable. I opened the door and went in. I told my mom what happened and she told my dad and he threatened to have Chuck arrested. I begged him not too as I didn’t want what happened made public.
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