When the office phone kept ringing right after Trish’s cell phone had rung, she looked at Roger across the room.
“People are already looking for us, Roger. You’d better leave while you can.”
Roger had dragged both women into Trish’s office after he’d turned out the lights in the front. “Shut up, bitch. It’s all your fault that my wife left me.”
“Really, Roger? Because I kind of thought it had something to do with how you kept beating the hell out of her.”
“You want some more of me, lady? Maybe I’ll show you some of what I’ve been showing Diana.”
“Roger, please, let’s just go.” Diana continued to cry in the corner of the room.
“Shut up, Diana! I came here tonight to bring you home where you belong. Then, this fucking bitch had to butt her nose into our business. If we leave now, she’ll turn around and call the cops. I need time to explain things to you, Diana. I need to tell you that I love you. I want you back, baby. It’ll be different this time, I swear.”
Trying to hold a cold compress to Trish’s cheek, Diana answered, “You always say that, Roger. Look what you’ve done to Trish. She’s my boss and my friend. I’m supposed to think you’ve changed?”
“That uppity bitch had it coming to her. She has no right messing around in my business. I don’t want you seeing her anymore, do you hear me? Things were better before you made these new friends of yours. First, it was that Mexican whore and her friend talking to you about how to write a resume and how to fix yourself up with that makeup shit. You don’t need them, Diana. You’ve got me. From now on, it’s just me and you. You need to stay away from them. You don’t need to work. I make enough money. Your job is in our home taking care of your husband and your house. And that’s the way it’s going to be from now on.”
“Fine, Roger, fine. Let’s just go then. Trish, thanks for everything, but I have to go now. Roger needs me.”
Trish looked frantically for something she could use as a weapon. She caught a glimpse of something long and shiny under a stack of mail and recognized it as the silver letter opener her parents had given her as part of a desk set when they’d opened the Lit Center. She leaned over the desk and looked right into Roger’s wild eyes.
“Get. Out. You’re already in over your head. You’re in violation of a restraining order, you’re trespassing, and now you’re guilty of assault. You’re going to jail. Do yourself a favor and leave. Then, hide. Hide very well, because when my boyfriend sees my face, he’s going to want to meet you. He’s going to want to have a little … talk … with you. If you’re lucky, the cops will find you first. You’re a real big man when it comes to hitting women. Let’s see how you like it on the receiving end, you son of a bitch.”
As Trish’s hand wrapped around the letter opener, Roger started towards her, his face mottled with fury. The cords in his neck were standing out, and he turned so red, she thought for a minute he might have a heart attack and save them all some trouble. Unfortunately, he kept coming.
Diana rushed towards Roger and tried to intercept him before he reached Trish, but he swatted her aside like he would a fly. He grabbed Trish by her hair and slapped her hard. Just as he pulled back to take another swing at her, she pulled her arm back and then forward, stabbing Roger in the side which made him throw Trish against the wall. He grabbed his side and saw blood oozing from the slit the letter opener had made.
Trish grabbed Diana, pulling her up off the floor and shoved her out the door. She had every intention of following her, but just as she began to exit her office, Roger tackled her from behind. Diana turned around to try to help her, but Trish pushed her away when she reached down.
“Run, Diana, run! Go get help!” Unsure what to do, Diana finally raced for the front door.