Violence Begets... by Pt Denys, Myra Shelley Page A

she seemed to like. I pulled up short when a random thought about confiding
this moment to Jason crowded into my mind, but Jessica started on my pants, and
as soon as her hands found me, I was lost in her touch.

Chapter 9
    Rick
    My phone lit up with a text message. Happy 4 th of fucking July. I’m waiting out front.
    I groaned. I’d told them all I wasn’t
feeling well. I stared at my bedroom door, wondering what would happen if I threw
my phone at it. I imagined my cell exploding with the force of impact, spraying
dozens of pieces around my room. I could tell Kevin I hadn’t seen his text, but
that daydream lasted about a second; he’d know I was lying.
    Now! My phone lit up again. Barefooted, wearing only boxers and a t-shirt, I yanked open
my door and went out front where Kevin was waiting in his dad’s car. He was alone.
I leaned down, resting my elbows on the passenger-side door.
    “Get in.”
    “I’m sick.”
    He tapped his fingers on the steering
wheel impatiently. “The hell you are. Go get your fucking shoes.”
    “Kevin.”
    “Not taking no.”
    “Really?” I said irritably.
    “Your dad’s on one. I could tell when
I was over the other day. You gotta get outta there. And aren’t Sylvia and Emma
at her mom’s? You shouldn’t be alone with him.”
    “Seriously, today’s not good.”
    He looked out the driver’s window. I
noticed that his fingers had stopped tapping and now his knuckles were turning white
as he wrapped them around the steering wheel. He wasn’t taking no for an answer.
I stood up and looked up to the sky. Maybe he could help me. If I went with him,
I wouldn’t be alone and that had its advantages. But I didn’t know if I could really
pull things off. I leaned back down.
    “Fine! But no questions.”
    He stared at me for several seconds
before nodding. I ran back to the house and got dressed, not bothering to let my
dad know I was leaving. He wasn’t around, and I doubted he’d show his face on this
of all days. I wasn’t surprised that his levels of avoidance had been increasing
for the last few weeks.
    “You now have plans for tonight,” Kevin
said as I got into the car.
    “Fine. Whatever it is, we’re getting
messed up.”
    “Really?” he smiled. “I had a friend
text me the other day and I may just be able to get what you need.”
    “Yeah, and what’s that?” I asked, still
pissed he’d made me come along.
    “It’s a surprise. All I’ll say is that
you’ll be one happy motherfucker if things work out.” He pushed a speed-dial number
on his phone and brought it to his ear. I listened to his side of the conversation,
trying to figure out what he had in mind. “It’s me. Yeah, about that text the other
day…enough for two will do. Okay, when? See you then.” He hung up the call. “Looks
like you’re in luck.”
    “What’re you getting?”
    “I told you, it’s a surprise.”
    “Whatever.”
    “Anxious much?” he asked, glancing at
me as he sped through a yellow light.
    “No questions.”
    He shook his head. “Fine.”
    About twenty minutes later, we arrived
at an apartment complex. He turned in and wound his way through the cramped streets,
backing his car into a spot.
    “Wait here.”
    “Why?”
    “Don’t have to tell ya, do I?” He hated
questions as much as I did. “The guy’s paranoid. So stay,” he offered.
    “Just don’t take forever,” I said, not
wanting to be left alone with my thoughts for long.
    “So, what if I do?” he said, slamming
the door shut without waiting for my reply. I wouldn’t put it past him to take longer
just to piss me off.
    I was immediately overcome with thoughts
of Jason again. I couldn’t believe it had already been two years! Knock it off, I told myself. Just get whatever Kevin brings back and forget about things. I opened
the car door and stepped outside to smoke, telling myself to hold it together.
    I watched the clock impatiently, walking
in circles around the car, checking the clock at each