Pearl (23 page)

He was on top of her in an instant. His legs straddled her as his fingers ripped apart her dress. This was not part of the plan she had expected. Roy had never taken her in this much rage. She knew if he did, she would lose all courage and strength. She fought against him, wiggling from his grasp. Her gown tore away from her, glitter shimmering on the dark floor.

“What is it, Pearl?” he snarled. “Do I disgust you? Does the idea of making love to your husband repulse you?”

She wrapped her fingers together and used her entwined hands like a bat. She swung hard at his temple. It was just enough to throw him off balance. She ran to the open door, but his hand reached out to grab her ankle, causing her to crash to the floor. She kicked at his face, knocking him once hard in the nose. He cursed and roared as blood oozed down his face.
 

He kept one hand firm on her leg as the other clenched his nose. “I will rip you to shreds,” he vowed, spitting blood on the linoleum floor.

He pulled her back to him as she squirmed in his hold. Her bare legs scraped along the floor, leaving rug burns on her skin.

“Why can’t you just let me go?” she gasped. “What are you trying to prove, Roy?”

He sat back on his knees, gripping the bridge of his nose with his fingers.
 

“You don’t want me like this,” she said through ragged breath. “Why would anyone ever want a life like this?”

He dropped his hand and stared at her. His surprised expression said he finally heard what she was trying to tell him. “You really want to leave me?”

She nodded, carefully watching his reaction.
 

“What about our vows?” Roy challenged. “You just want to throw those out, too? What about the fact that I love you, that I need you?”

“You broke our vows long before I did,” she said softly. Slowly she crawled away from him, keeping the distance between them as she sat near the door. “You don’t love me, Roy. You may think you need me, but you don’t. And I don’t deserve this.”

Roy narrowed his eyes at her. “You don’t deserve a roof over your head? Money? A car? All the things I did for you to take care of you? You’re right—you don’t deserve that.”
 

She shivered in her panties and bra, feeling exposed in front of the only man who had ever seen her nude. Yet she sat tall, knowing this moment would be her last with Roy. “I deserve a man who will not hit me, who will be faithful to me, and will be tender with me, and love me and not keep me locked up like some wounded animal that only needs food and water.”

Roy huffed. “So I fucked a few girls—it’s not a new story. Name me a marriage that doesn’t have a few kinks.”

“I will, Roy,” she promised. “If you just let me go.”

The red flare in his eyes returned. “So that’s it? I’m tossed out like trash to you? You want to go? Go!” He crossed the distance between her too fast for her to move. He grabbed her by the arm and tossed her back into the living room away from the door. Her head hit the side of the couch as she tumbled back onto the floor. She waited to feel his hands on her again, but instead she heard the scuffling of feet and then silence. She waited, wondering if she should make a run for it. She looked up from the ground to see the door of the trailer ajar. It was only twenty feet away. Could she make it before Roy got to her? Damn these failed wrists! She couldn’t sit her body up fast enough before Roy returned.
 

Roy’s hands were on her chest, pushing her flat to the ground. She watched his eyes twirl with madness as the cool tip of the revolver rested on her temple. She gasped.
 

She closed her eyes, her breath short and raspy. “Please, Roy. You don’t want to do this.”

“Why don’t I? You’re going to leave me anyway. This way I know another man isn’t in bed with my wife.”

She felt the gun push against her skull and winced. “You’re a good man, Roy. You just got lost. But you’re too good for this—you don’t really want to kill me, Roy.” She opened her eyes to plead with him. “Not if you really love me like you say.”

“What difference does it make how I feel?” he spat. “You seemed to not give a shit one way or the other.”

“I loved you,” she promised. “I did. We just shouldn’t have gotten married.”

He leaned into her, his boozy breath clouding her face. “Now you wish you hadn’t ever married me? What kind of monster do you take me for?”

He cocked the gun, and Pearl whimpered, “Please, Roy. Please don’t do this.”

He nestled his cheek against her breasts, his broken nose leaving droplets of blood on her chest. “That’s it—beg, baby. I want to hear you beg for your life.”

He kissed her collarbone to her shoulder, his lips grazing up her throbbing neck to her quivering lips. He licked her open mouth and shoved his tongue down her throat. She squirmed with the knowledge that Roy could lose control at any minute, and the gun would go off.
 

Just then the front door crashed open. Roy’s head flew back, the gun that was pressed against Pearl’s head now aiming at the intruder.
 

“Put the gun down, Roy.”

Pearl looked up to see Vernie standing in the entrance, a shotgun over her plump shoulders. Darren stepped in beside her, his own gun tight in his hand, resting on his thigh.

“What the hell are you doing, Vernie?” Roy cried.
 

“Don’t think I won’t do it, Roy,” Vernie said steadily. “I love you. But I won’t see this poor girl killed over your bad temper. Too much blood has been spilled on this land.”

Roy’s hand began to shake as understanding crept over his face. Pearl lay stiff, still uncertain whether she had been saved. Until the gun was out of Roy’s reach, she couldn’t breathe.
 

Roy’s shoulders slouched as he closed his eyes, his arms dropping in surrender. The gun rested on Pearl’s stomach. She trembled at the feel of the cool metal, his hands wet with sweat on her bare skin.
 

“Give me the gun, Roy,” Darren said sternly.

Roy tossed the revolver on the ground. Darren aimed his gun as he walked slowly in Roy’s direction. Once the weapon was in Darren’s possession, Pearl let out a deep breath and began to cry. She slid her body away from a shaky Roy and curled into a ball and sobbed.
 

Vernie handed Darren her gun and raced to Pearl’s side. She wrapped her up in a blanket and held her there, tears streaming from her eyes.
 

“I got you, now,” Vernie soothed. “You’re safe, precious Pearl.”

Roy dropped his head in his hands, mumbling, “I never meant to go this far.”
 

Vernie lifted Pearl from the floor and steadily walked her to the door.
 

“You keep an eye on him,” Vernie said to Darren. “I’m taking Pearl home. Best if you come by later and help keep guard with me.”

Darren nodded.
 

Pearl faltered as she stepped though the door, her eyes adjusting to the light of the moon.
 

“Pearl!” Roy cried out.
 

She turned her gaze to him. He was on his knees, his hair falling in his eyes as dried blood crusted his cheeks. He looked more pathetic, and less like a man, than Pearl could ever imagine.
 

“Please, don’t leave me. I’ll change. I swear,” he begged. “I’ll do right by you this time, you’ll see.”

Pearl gave him a hard stare that softened the more she watched his sad, weak face crumble. She let all her hatred go, having nothing but pity left for Roy. She didn’t say a word; the damage had been done, and there was nothing left to say. She dropped her gaze and turned to walk out of the trailer, knowing that would be the last time she would see Roy Blackwood.

CHAPTER 21

Vernie wrapped her arms around Pearl’s shoulders as she guided her down the wobbly steps. She could hear the low voices of Darren and Roy but couldn’t make out what they were saying. The night was black; only a touch of the moon’s light guided their way. She stumbled on her feet, shaking and fearful as she moved farther from the trailer.
 

“How did you know?” she asked Vernie, her voice soft and frail.

Vernie lifted Pearl into the car, tucking her legs in, keeping the blanket tight around her.
 

“I’d know screams like that anywhere,” Vernie replied. She pulled a knife from the front console and reached for Pearl’s hands beneath the blanket.
 

“I bet they could be heard in town,” Vernie said.

Pearl moaned as Vernie tugged on the tight twine on her wrists, looking for a place to safely cut.
 

“Monster,” Vernie swore.
 

Tears sprang as the blade cut through, releasing Pearl’s flaming hands. She took turns with her fingers rubbing the wounds.
 

 
The sound of an engine caught her attention, and she looked up to see headlights heading their way.
 

“What the devil?” Vernie frowned.
 

Ben jumped out of the truck, wild and frenzied as he raced toward the house.
 

Vernie looked to Ben, confused. She caught Pearl’s deep inhalation as they watched him run. Vernie sighed in understanding.
 

 
“If you’re looking for Pearl, she ain’t in there,” Vernie called out.
 

Ben stopped on his heels and spun around. His eyes first caught a tart Vernie before landing on Pearl. Pearl smiled hesitantly. She was thrilled to see that Ben was okay, and yet terrified of how Roy would react if he knew he was there.
 

Ben rushed to her side, giving Vernie a short nod of acknowledgment. His eyes were ablaze with rage and fear. He caught his breath when he saw Pearl tattered and unclothed, wrapped up in only a blanket.

He knelt beside her in the open frame of the car. His fingers gently brushed her cheek as he checked her over.
 

“Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”

Pearl nodded lightly. “I’m all right, safe now.” She bit her lip and then smiled. “I got him back pretty good.”

“I hope you did.”

Ben reached for her hand, scowling at the deep cut mark on her wrist.
 

“I’ll kill him myself,” he vowed.

“No, Ben. It’s over. Done. Just let it be.”
 

He lifted his raging eyes to her, and she reached out and caressed his face, soothing his fury with her touch. “I don’t ever want to see him again. Please. No more.”

Vernie coughed lightly. “I don’t mean to break up this love fest I knew nothing about, but I think it’s safe to say you’d best not be here.” She crossed her arms over her chest, staring down at Ben. “I’m not saying I don’t agree with this, just that if Roy catches you, there will be a hell of a lot more fightin’ going on, and I think we’ve seen enough for one day.”

Ben looked straight at Pearl. “I’m not leaving you.”

She rested her hand on his shoulder. “No, Vernie’s right. You should go. I’ll be fine. Things just need to calm down here. I’ll be at Vernie’s tonight.”

“Pearl,” Ben argued. “What if he comes back? I can’t take the risk of knowing I wasn’t here to protect you.”

“Vernie and Darren will be with me,” she assured. “And believe me, you don’t want to mess with them. Roy knows that. I’ll be all right.”

Ben eyed her warily before turning a serious look on Vernie. “She’ll be safe?”

Vernie rolled her eyes. “Of course. Now, I can see you’re a sweet boy, so I say this kindly, but I mean business. Get off this land before you get yourself killed.”

Ben sighed, giving in to the knowledge that his being there could do more harm than good.
 

He bent and kissed Pearl lightly on the cheek. She leaned into his embrace. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she promised.
 

“I’ll be here tomorrow,” he said. “Roy around or not, I won’t stand by anymore.”
 

“Okay.” She smiled.
 

Vernie eyed Pearl as she watched Ben walk away. She uncrossed her arms and softened her stance. “The happy place you think about?”

Pearl nodded, embarrassed that Vernie had caught her in her betrayal. “I should have waited ’til things were finished with Roy, but I just got lost in it.”

“Oh, honey,” Vernie said, slipping into the driver’s seat. “Things with Roy finished a long time ago.”
 

They reached Vernie’s cottage, Pearl taking one slow step at a time with Vernie a pillar of strength by her side. Vernie disappeared into her room and returned with a T-shirt that Pearl slipped on. It fit her like a dress, hanging over her knees.
 

“I’d get you some pants, but I don’t think they’d work as well,” Vernie said.
 

“This is perfect for now. Thank you, Vernie,” Pearl said. “I can go up and get my things tomorrow.”

Vernie served up hot chamomile tea as Pearl curled up on the couch.
 

“You should really take my bed,” Vernie said, handing Pearl the steaming mug. Pearl inhaled the warmth as it instantly calmed her nerves.
 

“No, I’m good right here. I can’t imagine I’ll sleep anyway.”

Vernie poured herself a glass of moonshine. “Want a splash for the aches?”

Pearl smiled. “The tea is just right. Thank you, Vernie.” She looked at her friend with the deepest of gratitude. “Thank you for being there tonight. I don’t know what would have happened…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.
 

Vernie took a sip, setting her glass down to put a record on. The soft melody was unfamiliar but soothing.
 

“Fortunately, we don’t have to think about it.” She lit a Virginia as she fell onto the love seat near Pearl’s feet. She shook her head and sighed. “My brother really screwed that boy up. He was a sweet boy at one time. Always a little jagged, but tender. Most sensitive little bug.” Vernie smiled sadly at the memory. “I don’t know if there is any turning around for Roy. I pray every night. I give it to God and ask him to help that poor fool. But I just don’t see any changes. He’s fallen down the rabbit hole and can’t seem to crawl his way back up.”