Broken Butterflies (12 page)

“I believe it’s called love.”

She smiled for a second, and then took the pan from his hand. Setting it down on the counter, she put her hands in the middle of his chest and pushed him into the counter. She tied her hair in a knot and undid his pants. When the two of them hit the floor she went down on her knees. Ilisha gave one last mischievous smile before taking his manhood into her mouth. She looked up under her lashes to see him grab onto drawer handle. As she continued, he screamed and ripped the drawer front completely off. The experience lasted only seconds.

She heard the lump in his throat go down hard when he swallowed. “I’m sorry,” he said, holding up the facing by the handle.

Ilisha lips pursed. “I take it you liked that.”

“Are you trying to make me lose my mind?” he asked.

Smiling at her accomplishment she got up and retrieved the pan and placed it on the stove. It took Bram a few more seconds before he could move, but he was eventually able to grab some eggs from the fridge. He was quiet as he cracked eggs into a bowl and began to mix.

“Please say something.”

“Since falling I’ve wanted you, but my wildest imagination couldn’t have prepared me for reality,” he replied unevenly.

“Prepared? Does that mean it was bad?” His reaction said otherwise, but she felt insecure for a second.

“Why are you asking me this?”

She shrugged. “Maybe I went too far.”

“How could us making love ever be too far?”

“I don’t know. I just feel like maybe I went a little crazy.”

“It may have been a little crazy, but too far, no. I’m the one experiencing this for the first time and I feel inept.”

“This probably makes no sense, but you turn me on more than any experienced guy ever could.”

“So what happens when I’m experienced?”

“Then it’s all the more fun. It’s not just that you were a virgin. I’ve never loved like this or felt loved like this. Quite frankly, I didn’t think it was possible.”

“You’re beautiful.” Bram kissed her and ran his fingers over her breasts. “How anyone could be around you and not love you is a mystery to me.”

The rest of the day was long and filled with unpacking. Ilisha ordered pizza for dinner, and Bram ran upstairs to shower. A half hour later there was a knock on the door and she opened it to see a pimple-faced kid holding a pizza box.

“Let me get you some money.” She turned to grab her purse.

“I can set this on your table if you like,” the teenager offered.

She smiled and opened the door a little more with her foot, when a soaking wet Bram, in sweats, jumped the entire set of stairs, slamming the door shut.

“What was that about?” she asked, confused going for the doorknob again.

Bram grabbed her hand. “That’s not the pizza guy.”

“Wha—” Ilisha was startled when a fist came through the glass, causing her to jump back and scream.

Shoving her out of the way, Bram flung the door open and grabbed the kid around the neck. Ilisha stood stunned and confused as to what was happening. The adolescent morphed into Damon, and she stumbled back, falling on her butt.

“Come on, let’s finish this. Stop disappearing.” Bram snarled.

“You won’t always be here,” Damon replied in broken speech as Bram choked him.

Bram’s lip curled and hatred filled his eyes as he drew back his fist. Just as it would have made contact with Damon’s face, he disappeared. Ilisha got off the floor clutching her chest. Her breathing was hard and wheeze-filled from the panic she felt. It took her several seconds to calm down. Bram remained at the door, almost panting, fists clinched. Ilisha came up behind him and wrapped her arms tight around his chest. His body relaxed under her touch, and she kissed his neck.

Bram closed the door and turned to her. “I don’t mean to sound forward here, but I think I need to move in.”

“You know you’re welcome.” She kissed him briefly.

Bram nodded and wiped his hand across his face.

After searching through what little tools Ilisha had, he found a hammer, piece of plywood, and some nails to fix the door. As he hammered in the last nail, the real pizza delivery guy knocked. Ilisha paid him, and brought Bram a few slices on a plate.

“Best pizza place in town,” she said smiling to lighting the mood.”

“Mmmm, thanks.”

After dinner they lay in the back yard on an old quilt, wrapped in each others arms, looking up at the stars.

“I never thought I’d think this about anyone, but you can’t leave me. I don’t think I could make it without you,” Ilisha said, stroking his cheek.

“I don’t plan on it.” He kissed her deeply, wrapping his body around her tiny frame.

Ilisha’s cell rang inside of the house. It was the ring tone she had set for her mother. “It’s late for her to be calling,” she said, jumping up.

Before she could say hello, Dena was on the other end crying. “Mom? What is it?”

“Lish, I had a nasty fall. I’m in so much pain.”

“Oh my gosh! I’ll be right over.”

Grabbing her keys, she and Bram drove the few minutes across town. Ilisha raced through the door yelling, “Mom!”

“Upstairs, honey,” Dena yelled through tears.

Ilisha ran upstairs, tripping once on the stairs. She opened the door to her mother’s room and saw her lying on the bathroom floor naked, face down, and whimpering. All the beauty items from the counter were scattered around the room. Dena’s cell phone was clutched in her hand. Ilisha always teased her about making sure she was never without her cell, but now she was grateful.

Ilisha motioned for Bram to stay back, knowing Dena would be humiliated to have him see her naked. Ilisha sat down on the floor. “What happened?” she asked, checking Dena over.

“I got out of the tub and slipped on the floor.”

“Where do you hurt?”

“My leg, I think it may be broken.”

Ilisha ran her hand down one leg and no signed of pain came from her. When she felt the shin of the other Dena cried out. A bump had emerged atop the skin.

“You may have snapped your bone, but it didn’t break through the skin. I know you’re not going to like this, but I have Bram with me, and I can’t get you off this floor by myself.”

“A guy? Oh no,” Dena shook her head mortified.

“Mom, it’s me and him or the paramedics. What’s it going to be?”

Dana nodded her consent. Ilisha grabbed a towel and laid it across her backside and called for Bram.

When he entered Ilisha said, “I need you to help me get her off the floor. Her right leg is broken so don’t let it touch anything.”

He nodded and stood over Dena’s back, placing his arms under hers. Dena clutched the bathroom rug which was under her. As Bram lifted her up she brought the rug with her, holding it up to her chest. Once she was vertical Ilisha grabbed her left leg and supported the other. They carried her to her bed and laid her down.

Still clutching the rug, Dena put her hand on her head closing her eyes. “This is so embarrassing.”

“Mom, nobody cares. Every other person in the world has boobs.”

“That doesn’t help, honey.”

Ilisha rolled her eyes and dug through the closet looking for something she could slide on easily. Grabbing a track suit she went back to the bed.

“Help her sit up,” Ilisha said.

Bram got behind Dena and supported her. Ilisha handed her a t-shirt and jacket. With Bram’s support Dena was able to slide them on over her head, while Ilisha worked on the pants. They snapped up the legs, which made it easier.

Keeping the rug in place, Ilisha put the loose pants on the bad leg first causing Dena to whimper, then the other leg. Ilisha rolled her mom onto the good leg, exposing her butt. Dena let out a horror filled gasp. Quickly, Ilisha pulled the pants up and told her to lay still. Dena’s face was bright red.

“There. Nothing major was seen.” Ilisha said, looking her mother in the eyes.

Bram scooped Dena up and carried her to the car. Ilisha climbed in the back, and Bram drove to the hospital where forty-five minutes later Dena emerged with a cast and crutches.

Once they had Dena back home, Bram went to the kitchen to get her a glass of juice so she could take her prescribed pain medication. As soon as he was beyond the door, Dena turned to Ilisha,

“Who’s that?”

“My boyfriend,” Ilisha replied.

Dena’s head crinkled. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. Why haven’t I met him?”

“It’s a long story.”

Dena smiled.

“I take it you approve?”

Dena nodded. “He seems like a really nice man.”

“He is,” Ilisha replied knowingly

Ilisha got a TV tray out and piled all the things Dena might need on it. She propped her leg up and covered her in blankets. “I’ll be back to check on you later.” Ilisha kissed her mother’s forehead before leaving.

“You did good back there,” Bram said.

“Nothing I haven’t done before.”

“No, I mean it. You knew just how to handle her to keep her calm.”

“Yeah, that’s called getting her some clothes.” Ilisha chuckled.

“You doubt yourself too much.” Bram kissed her hand and opened the door.

Ilisha woke to vibrations. Bram’s body moved as he slept. She placed her hand on his chest and shook to wake him, but he didn’t stir. Just as she was about to pull her hand away she caught a glimpse into his dream. She inhaled in shock and continued to watch.

Damon was paying another visit to Bram through his dreams.

“Wakey, wakey,” he said, causing Bram to focus instantly.

Damon was dressed to the nines in a black suit, red shirt, and black tie. He stood out in the bright white that surrounded them.

“What do you want now?” Bram asked angry.

“Give her up. You’ll lose.”

“You know that’s not going to happen.”

“Then you’re a fool, and she’ll die.” Damon laughed a throaty chuckle. “You’re so weak, like a little dog that fell for its master.”

Bram strolled, glaring, across the white floor. When he got within arm’s length his fist shot out and made contact with Damon’s jaw. Black blood stained his teeth, and he spit. The wound, of course, healed quickly. A laugh echoed across the expanse of nothingness as Damon looked at Bram.

“Don’t you find it funny you only have the guts to face me in a dream?” Bram snarled.

“I’m a survivor, nothing wrong with that,” Damon replied, smiling.

Fast as lighting, Bram kicked Damon in the gut. The space they occupied took on a different look, powered by Bram’s subconscious. Wood planked walls appeared just as Damon’s head hit. A crack splintered down the thick oak boundary, leaving a stain where he hit. Ilisha wasn’t sure why Bram would cause the environment to change. Maybe to give Damon something to smash into.

Growling, Damon turned sharply, flinging blood drops across the space. In two leaps he reached Bram, who flipped through the air, avoiding his grasp. The space transferred into a large room with many beams made of thick logs. Bram landed as lightly as a fly on an overhead beam and smiled.

Damon propelled himself easily though the air, and was able to wrap his arm around Bram. They fell from the ceiling to the floor where the black and white powder from their expanding wings mingled with the dust.

Blow after blow, Damon pounded into Bram’s torso and head. Ilisha tried once again to wake him, but he was unresponsive.

As Bram lunged, his head met Damon’s jaw causing a loud crack to ring out across the room. Damon grasped his lower jaw, which hung lopsided. Bram gave a swift kick to finish taking the jaw off. Damon’s lower face morphed into something resembling the elephant man as his jaw realigned. Screaming, Damon was able to get off a heavy punch into Bram’s face causing his nose to slide sideways and blood to fill his mouth.

Ilisha watched in horror as blood trickled from his mouth in real life.