She felt a stab of pain in her chest.
Her friends approached the car. She couldn’t park quickly enough. She practically fell into their outstretched arms. She leaned heavily on Carter, sobbing, while her friend gently guided her into the house. Casey retrieved her small suitcase from the back seat and followed them inside.
Chapter Thirty-Two
1979
“Kit, Axel just pulled up. Are you ready?” Grizz called from the living room.
“Just a sec,” she called back.
She never did convince Grizz to take her dancing for her birthday a couple of months ago. She knew asking him was a stretch, but she figured she’d give it a shot. She was still happy she was getting to go to a dance club. She loved to dance and Axel was only too happy to oblige. Of course, he’d told Grizz if he was coming to the motel to pick up Kit, he didn’t want to get hassled by the others. Grizz understood and they put on a pretense in front of some of the regulars. Grizz “ordered” Axel to take Kit dancing, and Axel pretended to stomp off, mad. Kit was actually surprised that Grizz had agreed to play along.
Grizz watched from the window as Axel talked to some of the guys in the pit. He could tell by his body language that Axel was “complaining” about why he was there. Grizz actually smiled.
Then his smile faded as he thought about Kit’s rape last year. He still hadn’t caught the guy, but he knew he was getting close. And if he was going to be honest with himself, he didn’t like her going out dancing.
But he knew he had to let her. She tried to put on a brave face, but he would watch her sometimes, could tell when she was sinking into the horrible memory of that night. He had to let her have some freedom, some kind of recreation that didn’t involve him or the motel.
“All ready!” She said from behind him.
Grizz turned around to see his wife standing there, a vision. His mouth actually hung open. He stared at her slowly as his gaze made its way down from the top of her head to her pretty pink toes.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, looking down at her dress. Then she brought her hands to her face, patting her cheekbones. “What? Is my makeup smudged or something?”
“You look beautiful,” Grizz told her.
“Oh, thank you!” She did a quick twirl, relief evident in her voice. “I bought the dress last week. I love it! I think I’ll look great on the dance floor. Don’t you?”
“No. Take it off. You’re not wearing that dress out.”
“What? What do you mean take it off? I’m not taking it off. I love it, and it’s perfect for dancing.”
He pointed. “Your nipples are showing.”
She looked down. “My nipples aren’t showing.”
“I can see your nipples. You’re not wearing that dress out, Kit.”
“You can’t see my nipples, Grizz. This dress isn’t see-through. They’re hard because it’s freezing in here. You keep the temperature as low as possible.”
“Then put on a bra.”
“I don’t have a bra that I can wear with this dress and you know it! Look how the straps are.”
“Then put on a sweater.”
“No, I’m not wearing a sweater to a discotheque! No way. You’re being ridiculous.”
He marched past her and headed for their bedroom. She could hear him rummaging around. If he thought he was bringing back a sweater for her to wear he was crazy.
He walked back into the small living room. “Here, these’ll work. I’ll help you put them on,” he said, handing her two bandages.
“You want me to put Band Aids on my nipples? You are just too over-the-top! No way, Grizz!” She crossed her arms, refusing to take them. “You have topless women running all over your bars and you don’t care who sees their nipples!”
“None of them are my wife!” he growled. “I’m telling you now, Kit. You are not leaving here in that dress.”
He glanced out the window. Axel was walking toward number four.
He leveled a look at her. “Change or I’ll tell Axel you’re not going.”
She stomped off to their bedroom. She came back out less than five minutes later, this time dressed in a more conservative black number. Axel was inside now, talking to Grizz.
“Better?” she asked Grizz with a hint of an attitude. She stood there stiffly. “Any other rules I need to know about?”
“No. Axel knows what time I want you home.”
Axel looked from one to the other. Something was wrong, but he didn’t know what it was. He could sense the tension in the room. He decided to lighten the mood. “Is that your new dress, Kit? It’s really nice.”
“No, it’s not my new dress,” she answered him, her chin raised just a little too high.
“I thought you told me you bought a new dress just for tonight,” he said quietly. Maybe he was getting into something he shouldn’t. He looked from Kit to Grizz and back to Kit again.
“I did buy a new dress, but I’m not allowed to wear it.” She clutched her oversized purse to her chest and approached the front door. As she swung it open, she called out over her shoulder. “Apparently, if I want to wear my new dress tonight, I need to leave my nipples here with Grizz, and since I can’t do that, I changed my dress.”
Axel looked at Grizz with an expression of bewilderment.
Grizz just laughed. “Keep an eye on her. Get her home safely.”
He stood in the open doorway and watched as Axel escorted her to his car and held the door open as she climbed in.
He smiled to himself. Did she really think he wouldn’t notice her bulging purse? He knew he had to let some things go. He knew he had to let her occasionally think she’d won. He would allow her this small victory, but he didn’t have to like it. He closed the door and went to make a phone call.
They were about fifteen minutes into their drive when Kit said to Axel, “Do you mind stopping before we get there? I really need to use the bathroom.”
“Yeah, sure no problem, Kit,” he said and pulled into a fast food restaurant. “Is this okay?”
“It’s fine. I’ll just be a minute.”
Less than five minutes later Kit walked out of the restaurant and headed for the car. She was wearing a different dress.
“Don’t say it, Axel,” she said as she slid into the passenger seat. “Don’t say a word. I’ll change back before you bring me home. I could’ve worn a stupid sweater and taken it off, but it’s the principle of the thing. He always has to win. Well, not this time.” Then she tossed her large purse and the dress she’d been wearing, along with her bra, in the back of the car. “He can’t always get his way, you know. Sometimes he can be such a bully.”
“Sometimes?”
Then he smiled and put the car in reverse. Truth was he really liked her. She was a sweet girl. Probably too sweet for Grizz. But he could understand where she was coming from. Grizz was a bully, and even though Axel would never be disloyal to him, he was willing to let some things slide. This would be one of them. He knew that she was still a little upset so he decided to let her know, in his own way, he was okay with the wardrobe change.
Without taking his eyes off the road, he extended his right hand toward her.
“I’m not really into the whole nickname thing. I’m Greg. It’s nice to meet you.” He glanced over at her with a kind smile.
She smiled back and extended her own hand, then hesitated. Should she? Could she? Then she grabbed his hand, gave it a shake.
“I’m—I’m Ginny. Nice to meet you, Greg.”
They talked the rest of the way about anything and everything not related to the motel. Even with the dancing in number four, they’d never really been out together, and they were both glad there seemed to be a real friendship that went beyond the motel and their dance lessons. They both agreed that even though Saturday Night Fever was already two years old, disco would always be around and John Travolta was dreamy.
When they arrived at the club, there was a long line out the door. Axel walked her past th
e line and, nodding at the bouncer who opened the rope gate, escorted her inside.
It was loud and crowded inside. The dance floor was packed as the crowd swayed and gyrated to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
Axel scanned the room. When he saw who he was looking for, he nodded and smiled. Kit noticed the exchange but couldn’t see who he was looking at.
He walked her down the hallway toward the restrooms. It was still loud, but here he wouldn’t have to yell.
“Kit, there’s been a small change of plans. I hope you don’t mind.” He looked at the ground shyly.
This was new. Axel almost appeared to be blushing. He looked over her shoulder and smiled at someone. She turned around and gave a quick glance. That’s when she saw him. He was a short redhead with a boyish grin and freckles. She looked back up at Axel.
“He’s cute. Who is he?” She grinned.
“His name is Jonah,” and after a pause, “He’s younger than me. No gang connections. A really good guy.”
He looked at the ground again.
“It’s okay, Axel. I understand. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re blushing,” she teased.
“It’s the real thing, Kit. I think I’m in love.”
“Go. Go be with Jonah. Have a special night. Just be back here thirty minutes before you told Grizz you’d have me home.”
He looked at her then and broke into a wide grin. “You didn’t think I’d leave you here all alone, did you?”
Before she could answer, she felt a breath on her ear and heard a voice ask, “Do you think I’ll be a decent substitute for the Saturday Night Fever king?”
She turned and smiled. “Grunt!”
They talked a few more minutes. Axel explained it was a last minute thing. He didn’t mean to be deceptive. He had an opportunity to attend some benefit with Jonah. He didn’t go into details, but said that it was a rare chance to actually be somewhere with a man he loved. A place where he wouldn’t be judged. Kit didn’t ask for information. She knew he was loyal to Grizz, and she also knew she didn’t want to deprive him of a special night with his new beau.
She looked at them thoughtfully as they made their way down the hallway and out the door. Then she looked up at Grunt, who was smiling down at her. She hadn’t seen him since he’d returned from his business trip to Vancouver over a month ago. She realized how much she’d missed him.
“I’m not the best dancer, but I don’t think I’ll embarrass you,” he told her.
She hugged him. When she pulled away from him, he looked down at her, his expression serious.
“You really look beautiful tonight, Kit,” he said. And before she could thank him for the compliment, he added, “I can’t believe Grizz let you out the door in that dress. Your nipples are showing.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
1950’s, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Pop had been dead for about a month. Ralph had settled into a routine at the motel and was easily able to keep up the charade of having a sick elderly grandfather who spent his days in bed. He explained to the few guests that he was there for the summer helping his grandpa out. He handled the guests with a maturity and expertise that didn’t make them question his story.
He’d bum an occasional ride from a guest who was leaving and make his way into the city to handle necessary business, but it wasn’t much. He’d check the post office for mail and get some groceries. He couldn’t buy beer, but he didn’t drink beer anyway, and there was a lot of it left over from Pop’s last grocery run. He didn’t have to pay the utility bills because he’d been with Pop the day he paid them up for the next year. He did have to pay the phone company, though, but he did that by mail. He forged Pop’s signature on any checks that he wrote. After getting a bank statement in the mail and seeing Pop’s balance, he knew he didn’t need to worry about money. It wasn’t a lot, but it was more than he’d ever known in his life. More than once he considered trying to withdraw it all and leave, but why would he? He had nowhere to go and he felt safe here.
He woke up that morning and got himself fed and dressed. He took Ruthie and Razor’s picture off the dresser and tucked it in his back pocket. He had a habit of keeping it with him. He felt better having them close, even if it was just a picture. It was starting to get worn-looking and he wondered what he could cover it with to protect it.
He was skimming leaves out of the pool when he heard a rumbling. Looking up, he saw three motorcycles pull into the motel. He wondered if they were lost or would be looking for rooms. He hadn’t had a guest in about six days.
He laid down the skimming net and watched as they made their way around the pool and playground area, parking their bikes in front of the motel. All three got off and started walking toward him.
They looked like trouble. They looked like serious trouble.
He didn’t say anything. He would let them talk first. The one who appeared to be the leader spoke first.
“You work here?” he asked the boy.
“Yes, sir. I help my grandpa out. He’s the owner.”
All three stopped in front of him. The leader spoke again. “Doesn’t look like you get much business out here, do you?”
Ralph started to get nervous. Why would the guy want to know how much business they got? He felt uncomfortable. With a calmness he wasn’t sure he felt, he answered, “Not much.”
He met the man’s gaze. Ralph was big for his age and hoped he gave the impression of being a little older than he actually was.
The leader nodded his head, slowly looking around. The two guys behind him were doing the same thing.
Before the guy could say anything else, Ralph asked, “You guys looking for a room?”
There was a round of laughter. “Nah, don’t think we’ll need a room. Just looking for a place to rest our asses for the day. You got anything to drink?”
“What do you want? Got water, soda pop, maybe some iced tea.”
“How about a beer? Does your grandpa drink beer by any chance?”
“Yeah, I think I can give you some of his beer.”
“Is he here?” the leader asked. “Should I ask him for permission?”
Another round of laughter. Ralph knew they were playing with him, but he didn’t know why or to what end.
This could turn out bad.
“You can meet him if you want. I’ll have to take you into our room, though.” He nodded at number four. “He’s real sick. Doesn’t get out of the bed except to use the bathroom. Has a hard time breathing. I help him out.”
He knew he could get caught in this lie, but he was counting on the fact that they really didn’t care. They were just feeling him out. He was right.
“Nah, don’t need to meet him as long as he’s willing to share his beer.”
Ralph brought them their beer and watched them from the corner of his eye as he continued with his chores. They grabbed some chairs from the pool area and set themselves up between the playground equipment and the pool. He noticed when they were finished with their beers so he made a few more deliveries without being asked. They seemed to like that.
They only bothered him once when it started to get dark. He’d made them some sandwiches and was bringing them out when he stopped short. There was a blazing fire going and they were sitting around it. They’d made a fire right between the pool and playground. What the hell! He’d been taking care of the grass and now there would be a gigantic burn mark right in the center of it.
He slowly approached them, and when the leader saw him he stood up.
“Hope your grandpa don’t mind. We won’t be needing any rooms, but we’ve decided we’re going to stay and maybe have a little campout right here.”
“Hope he didn’t need that picnic table,” one of the other guys said.
This brought some chuckles. They’d used one of the tables to make their fire. His first reaction was to get angry, but then he realized he really didn’t care about a picnic table.
“He won’t care.
Here’s your sandwiches and more beer. It’s the last of it, though.” It was true and he looked the leader straight in the eye as he said it.
“Thanks, kid. What’s your name?”
“Ralph.”
“Well, Ralph, I’m Red and this is Chops and Dusty.”
The boy nodded and walked the food over to the two men. He had the beers tucked into his pants and there was another round of laughter when he pulled them out.
He handed Red his beer and sandwich. Red set them on the chair he’d been sitting in and, draping his arm around Ralph’s shoulder, slowly walked him toward number four. When he was out of earshot of Chops and Dusty, he asked the boy, “How long you been here with your grandpa?”
Ralph didn’t expect the question and couldn’t think straight to tell the truth. “Since I was little,” he answered.
Red seemed to like this answer. He nodded. “You take care of all the business? All the guests?”
“Yes, sir. I have to take care of them.”
“Your grandpa ever help out?”
“Pops doesn’t get out of bed barely at all. Just to use the bathroom, like I said before. So, no, he can’t help out.”
“Good. Good. Do you remember a guy who might have stopped here three, maybe four months back? Nice-looking guy. Clean cut. Probably wearing a suit and driving a nice car. He was an insurance salesman. You remember anybody like that?”
Ralph could answer honestly. “No. Nobody like that comes to mind. I’d remember. We don’t get many people here.”
“Thanks, kid. I appreciate the hospitality.” He reached into his pants and pulled out a wad of cash. He took some money out and handed it to Ralph. “Tell your grandpa to let you keep some of this. I watched you working around here all day. You earned it.”
Ralph just stared at the money. He couldn’t remember anybody ever paying him for anything. Pop had never paid him. He gave him food and shelter, but nothing else. Before he could say anything, Red told him, “Go to bed. You worked hard today.”
He slapped Ralph on the back and turned around, heading back to his friends and the fire. Ralph let himself into number four and locked the door behind him.