“Thank you, David.” Karen smiled.
“Yes, thank you, David.” Holly parroted.
I grabbed my bag and brought it to the bathroom where I enjoyed a long hot shower. As I felt the sting of the steaming water rush over my flesh I recounted the events of the last ten hours, of the last seventy-two, of the last eighteen years.
I spent the most of my childhood as the punching bag of abusive foster parents. It had toughened me up in ways a child shouldn’t have to be toughened. Perhaps that’s how people like Miguel and Dante became who they were, perhaps I was well on my way to becoming just like them if it were not for Melanie saving me from that kind of life. Still though, as the water rushed over me, I couldn’t help but consider that maybe the damage was already done, psychologically. I took that man’s life and I felt no regret for it. In fact, I felt elated and justified for having done it. I beat Dante down without giving it a second thought and I went after those four drunks at the motel. When she watched me beat down the drunks, Melanie said she felt like I was asserting my territory and it turned her on to watch me do what I did, but what if she was wrong? What if I wasn’t asserting my territory, but rather choosing violence to solve problems because of it’s simplicity, because deep down, that’s what I was programmed to do? Was I a bad man? Would I become one? The lack of remorse terrified me…
*****
My sleep schedule was way off track by now when I finally awoke around three that afternoon. I climbed out of the bed and made my way to the living room where Karen and Holly were watching tv. Their faces lit up when the saw me shambling down the hallway and asked how I was doing.
“Fine, thanks. Was there anything on the news about…?” I asked.
“No, nothing yet.” Karen answered. “I guess missing gang members are not really news worthy.”
Karen offered me a spot next to her on the sofa, which I accepted.
“Dinner will be ready in a couple hours, but did you want something to tide you over until then?” She asked.
“No, thank you, but I could use something to drink, please?” I asked.
“You bet!” She smiled and disappeared into the kitchen.
Holly got up from the recliner to sit on the other side of me. “Did you sleep well?” She asked.
“I feel like I could sleep for a day, but I want to get back on a regular cycle.” I told her.
“I’m sure you’ll have no problems falling asleep tonight.” She smiled, tucking her leg up under her to face me.
“Yeah, provided we’re clear of Miguel and his crew.” I mentioned.
“Well, that was part of the deal wasn’t it? That he couldn’t tell anyone he was coming over here?” She asked.
I gave her a sarcastic look, “Do you think he would keep something like banging you two to himself?”
“But…” She started.
“Look, I have no doubt he told his friends he was coming here. The reason I told your mother to make that deal was to ensure he would come alone. Trust me, as long as they don’t find out that I was here, they won’t even begin to think you two had anything to do with his disappearance.” I patted her leg, reassuringly.
“Oh…” She replied, thoughtfully.
“Are you sure you’re only eighteen?” Karen said, entering the living room with glass full of ice and a soda.
“Last time I checked.” I took the items from her so she could sit, “Thanks.”
“Because I still can’t get over how you pulled all this off.” Karen said in amazement.
“I pay attention to people.” I said, filling my glass.
“You’ve never met Miguel. How does paying attention factor in?” Holly asked.
“No, but I know his type.” I told her.
“So you don’t think they will come here looking for him?” Karen asked.
“No. I think you guys are probably in the clear.” I said.
“So you’ll be leaving us then, back to Illinoise?” Holly questioned.
“Illinois. The ‘s’ is silent.” I chuckled.
“Whatever, you’re going to leave us?” She frowned.
“I told Mel and Aud I’d spend some time here with them, but we can do that at the motel.” I sipped from my glass.
“Are you leaving tonight?” Karen wondered.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to stay one more night, just in case I was wrong about Miguel’s friends.” I said.
“Mind? I’d like to keep you around if only so we can sleep safely at night.” She winked.
“I have to agree with mom. In spite of why you were here, it was really nice having you around.” Holly said, giving me a hug. “And I know how much Audrey and Melanie want you here.”
“Yeah, and I’d love to stay, but I have a family back home that I need to care for as well.” I told her.
“I wish my husband had half your character, David.” Karen praised. “We wouldn’t have ended up in this situation.”
“But then we never would’ve met David or Mel and Audrey, either.” Holly reminded her mother.
*****
Karen outdid herself when it came to preparing dinner, sort of a ‘thank you’ for services rendered, if you will. I almost felt like I was at home as the girls waited on me hand-and-foot, making sure my plate had food and my glass never empty. It was nice to be able to forget about the tragic events of the past couple days as we enjoyed one another’s company. Perhaps the food was too good because soon after we were finished, I was ready to go to bed. The girls told me to go ahead and shower up and they’d take care of getting the bed ready and cleaning up from dinner. I thanked Karen and Holly for the great meal and took my bag into the bathroom to wash and change into my nightwear. I probably shouldn’t have spent so much time in the shower, using so much hot water that the girls would need, but it was nice to stand there and soak.
I turned off the light and exited the bathroom when I heard Karen call to me from her room.
“David, can you come here please?” She asked.
“Sure.” I called back and walked the few feet toward her door.
As I opened the door, my sense of smell was assaulted by the most delicious array of flowery fragrances and a dim room lit by candles. I dropped my bag to the floor when the door opened enough to see mother and daughter sitting on the edge of Karen’s bed dressed the same lingerie they wore to lure Miguel to his doom.
Karen was dressed in matching black lace bra, thong, garter-belt and stockings. Next to her was Holly donning a pink see-through babydoll and lacy pink panties. Her dark nipples and areola had pushed the thin material out by nearly two inches. They were sitting next to each other, mirroring one another with their legs crossed. They were indeed cleaning up after dinner, but not in the way I would’ve imagined.
“What’s this?” I asked, shocked.
“Please, sit down, David.” Karen said, as she and Holly reached out, taking my hand and leading me to sit on the bed between them.
“David, I don’t know exactly where to start.” Karen continued, tracing her painted nails up and down my thigh.
“We did some thinking and talking last night, David.” Holly interrupted, taking my left hand in hers.
“You see, David.” Karen jumped back in, “We were ready to go through with your plan and sleep with Miguel if it meant getting rid of him.”
“But what you did.” Holly said, kissing my shoulder.