Sintown Chronicles I: Behind Closed Doors (94 page)

“Penny makes money growing vegetables in her greenhouse. I help her. How do you make money, Julie?"

“The police caught the jerk that ran me off the road. It turned out that he was a rich dude and a politician. The settlement was good. I don't have to work, but I would go nuts sitting in a house alone all day. I've taken a job with the Dollar Publishing Company. I'll be their girl Friday."

“I thought you said your name was Julie Cannon."

“What? Oh,” she laughed. “That's just an expression. I will be a secretary, only they call it ‘administrative assistant’ now."

Billy looked at her for a moment, obviously not understanding. “Billy will ... I will be at your new house early in the morning and help Julie ... help you move in."

“I thought you said you have to work in the greenhouses."

“I will work all night. Then I can help you move in tomorrow. I will move in too. When we get to know each other, we can have sexual intercourse. I will bring condoms with me so you won't have a baby. Penny explained that to me."

Julie caught herself just in time. She was on the verge of telling the handsome, muscular young man that he did not need condoms. Because of the internal injuries received in the wreck, a hysterectomy was necessary. “No, Billy. You can't move in with me and we will never have sex.” She didn't want to believe her own words. It had been at least two years since any man called her pretty. She felt stirrings of warmth almost forgotten. She wasn't even sure that part of her anatomy still worked, but she resolved to find out before the day was over.

“Yes we will. Please tell me what I can do to help you get well?"

“What?"

“You said you were sick,” he explained as he placed his hands on her head and ran his fingers through the silky black hair.

She closed her eyes as she leaned toward him, enjoying the magical sensation of pleasure his fingers were producing. “I meant my paralysis, Billy. I am at the clinic today to meet my new doctor and get her to send for my medical records."

“Dr. McGee is a good doctor. I like her."

“I'm sure she is, but they have assigned me to Dr. Wood. Do you know her?"

Billy shook his head. “She's new like you,” he said.

She yielded to the pressure of his hands and allowed her head to be drawn closer to him. He kissed her hair as he continued to caress it. “Your hair is so pretty and smooth. It's the color of coal but it doesn't smell like coal."

“I take that as a compliment,” she said, leaning into his right hand, “and we finally agree on something. I think my hair is pretty too."

“I have curly brown pubic hair like up here,” he said patting the top of his head. “Penny shaves her pubic hair off, but I bet it would be copper colored like the hair on her head if she would let it grow. Do you have black pubic hair, Julie?"

She adjusted her position in the wheelchair and replied wistfully, “You'll never know."

“Yes I will,” he countered innocently.

Tears were streaming down Penny's cheeks as she concluded telling the lawyer, Susan Kimel, her story. She knew the cause of her tears. She was frightened and, finally, was beginning to feel a bit of remorse. What she didn't understand was why the lawyer was crying.

“Penny,” Susan said compassionately, “I know it was difficult for you to share all of this with me. You are most fortunate to have friends like Mrs. Nickels and Sean. I'm going to do my best to get you out of the legal jungle you are in. You do, indeed, need an attorney. I wish you had not told me the names of the people you have been involved with. I beg you never to mention their names again, and it is most important that they not know that I know who they are. Tim Dollar is my biggest client. Mack McGee is my preacher and brother-in-law, for Christ's sakes. And Mary Lou is my sister."

Susan placed a box of tissues on her desk within Penny's reach and took out a handful for use on her own eyes, cheeks and nose. “If any charges are brought against you, I'll defend you. I'll also work in your behalf with the Internal Revenue Service. Right now our major concern is to protect you from your blackmail victims."

“I don't understand,” Penny said.

“If any of this ever gets out, they could sue you for defamation of character and a half dozen other things. They could also lodge formal charges of blackmail and extortion against you. I am going to provide you with a handful of blank legal waivers of liability that will protect both sides from future litigation. You fill in the name of the blackmail victim and have him or her sign the waiver. You will need to sign it too. You keep one copy and give the victim the other."

Susan turned to her computer, pulled up a file and printed it. “The copy machine is in the next room,” she explained as she stood, sniffed and walked away.

When she was out of the room, Leora squeezed Penny's hand. “I'm proud of you, Penny."

“That was tough."

“I know, but I think this lawyer is going to be a valuable asset. However, if I knew she was so closely connected to those involved I might have suggested we find a lawyer in Charlotte."

“She acts like she's on my side, Mrs. Nickels, but why is she crying?"

“I don't know honey,” Leora replied. “I think maybe your story touched a private nerve that Susan doesn't wish to share with us."

They lapsed into silence waiting for the attorney to return with the waiver copies. Private nerve indeed, Leora thought. The tears started when Penny said that Mack was vulnerable because his wife refused to have sex with him. I wonder...

“What do you want now?” Mary Lou asked coldly. “I've given you what you asked for."

“Dr. McGee,” Penny said, her hands trembling. “I'm so sorry. I've made a mess out of my life and I almost did the same to you.” She dug into her purse. “Here's your check back, and the tape. As far as I know, it's the only copy."

Mary Lou's eyebrows arched involuntarily. “Why are you doing this?"

“Dr. McGee,” Penny replied, her voice wavering, “I remember reading one of Mack's sermons when I was his secretary. In it, he said there are no bad people—just people who sometimes make bad choices. I made some bad choices. I hope I've reversed myself in time. I'm now trying to make good choices."

Mary Lou turned the tape over in her hand and looked at it for a few minutes. “I've made some bad choices, too, as you know having watched this tape."

“I've hired Susan Kimel as my lawyer. There are more people and things involved in my bad choices than you know. I may have criminal charges brought against me and I will surely have problems with the IRS.” For a moment, Penny thought Mary Lou's heart might have stopped beating. “Susan thinks it's best that I not reveal anyone's names since Dot is such a closely knit community. She provided me with some blank waivers of liability to have everybody sign. I filled in your name on these two copies. One is for you to keep and the other is for me."

“Does Susan know about me?"

“She does, but she didn't want me to let you know. Please pretend that I didn't tell you."

“She knows what is on the tape?"

“Oh, no. She knows that the tapes are sexually oriented and that you and the others were victims, but I didn't describe any of the tapes to her."

Mary Lou took her time in reading the document Penny handed her. After a second reading she signed both copies and slid one across the desk to Penny. “I wish you well, Penny,” she said.

“Will you continue to be my doctor?"

“Of course."

“I've changed my mind about something else."

“Oh?"

“I'm going to keep my baby."

“Are you sure, Penny? Jo will be so disappointed."

“She already knows. You see, I've met somebody. For the first time in my life I'm in love."

“May I ask who the lucky man is?"

“Maybe not so lucky,” Penny sighed. “It's Sean Taylor.” Seeing the look on Mary Lou's face, Penny continued, “I know everybody thinks he is gay—but he isn't. At least, that's what he says. I hope one day he will marry me. I've asked him but so far, he has avoided a direct answer. He did tell me he wants us to keep the baby."

“Penny. Have you been fucking my husband? Is he the father of your baby?"

Penny was near the door. She hesitated before turning around and facing Mary Lou, who stood behind her desk chair with her fingernails digging into the back of the chair so hard her knuckles turned white.

“My lawyer has told me not to reveal names."

“A simple yes or no is all I ask."

“My uncle did terrible things to you. He could very well be the father of my child and you know it. Leave it at that."

“Have you been fucking my husband?"

“Dr. McGee, if Mack has been having sex with someone other than you, its your fault."

“My fault?"

“To use your terminology, have you been fucking Mack every chance you get? A good man who gets what he needs at home won't go looking for it somewhere else. If you want to make sure he never strays, go home tonight and show him what a hell of a woman you are.” Penny quietly closed the office door behind her.

“What are you doing here? I told you before—it's over between us,” Mack said when he opened his study door.

“I didn't come to screw you, Mack. May I come in?"

“Do I have a choice?” he asked as he stepped aside.

“How's the new secretary working out?"

“She's okay. I learned my lesson with you. I stay as far away from her as possible."

“I'm sorry, Mack."

“Right."

“No, I mean it.” Penny dug into her purse. “Here's your check back."

He took the envelope and stared at it incredulously. “What's going on? Get cold feet?"

“I made a mistake, Mack. I came to live with Uncle Amos determined to turn my life around. I screwed up, but it's not too late. You're off the hook and I swear nobody will ever know. I need your signature on this,” she said as she handed him two waiver copies.

“My God,” he exclaimed. “You've brought Susan into this?"

“She says its best that as few people as possible know who all is involved. That's why I filled in your name by hand rather than having her type it in on her computer."

“Does she know I'm involved?"

“Mack, I'm sorry. I had to tell her."

“Then by the time I get home Mary Lou will know."

“Maybe Mary Lou will be more understanding than you think."

“You don't know her like I do. I may as well go on home and pack my bags right now,” he said. “Serves me right. I knew better.” He hastily signed both copies and stuck them in a desk drawer.

“One of the copies is for me,” she said.

He took the copies back out of the drawer and read the waiver for the first time. “It looks okay,” he said, handing her a copy.

“Mack, I'm really sorry,” she said. “I've met a nice guy, Sean Taylor. I'm hoping he will marry me. If he does, will you perform the ceremony?"

“Slut. I don't ever want to see you again."

She nodded and turned to leave.

“Penny,” he said cautiously. “Am I the father?"

“Do you want to be, Mack?"

“Hell, no."

“Then you can rest easy,” she said as she opened his study door.

“Penny?"

“Yes."

“Good luck."

“Thank you, Mack.” She turned to leave.

“Penny?"

“Yes,” she said without turning to face him.

“I'm sorry too."

“I know."

“Penny?"

She turned. “Are you ever going to let me go?"

“I'll perform the ceremony."

“Honey, are you all right?” Vic Kimel shouted with concern as he came through the front door.

“Of course,” Susan shouted back from the bedroom.

“I nearly had a stroke when I saw your car in the driveway. It's only six o'clock. You never get home this early.” He glanced at the mail on the coffee table and headed for the bedroom.

“Well, I came home early tonight because it's a very special day."

“Uh oh,” he said as he approached their bedroom door. “Did I forget an anniver ... oh, my God,” he gasped.

She was standing beside the bed, barefoot and wearing a light blue fuzzy bathrobe. She untied the sash and let the robe drop to the floor, revealing a very skimpy, red teddy.

“Oh my God,” he said again as she wrapped her arms around him. He greedily sucked her tongue into his mouth and placed his hands on her tiny waist.

She laughed. “You can put your hands on my bottom if you like. You can put your hands and lips anywhere you like. I not only give you permission, I beg you to make love to me like you've always wanted."

“Who is this inside my wife's body?” he asked as he ran his hand under the teddy and gently fingered her buttocks.

“Its me, Vic. I've been away a long time, but I'm back to stay now. I promise,” she said, rubbing her firm breasts into his chest. “I hope you are in good health, because I am going to screw you all night long."

About four in the morning, their sweaty, naked, bodies lay side by side. “Vic,” she began, “I want to tell you something."

“Let her rip,” he replied sleepily.

“Until tonight, I haven't let you touch me since our wedding night. I'm so sorry."

He tried to respond but she shushed him.

“I know how important sex is to you,” she continued. “I don't blame you for all the women you've slept with these past few months. It was my fault. But that's all over now, because I am going to keep you so drained you won't be able to get it up for anyone else."

“Susan, I..."

“Hush. I'm not through yet. I know you wanted the baby. We'll have our own child. I just couldn't raise a baby who's father brutally raped me."

“Susan, honey..."

“Be quiet.” She got on her knees and changed position. “I'm going to give you a mind blowing experience that you'll chuckle about in your old age as you sway back an forth in your rocking chair at the old folks home."

“Susan. No. Honey. You hate that. Susan, don't ... oh God, Susan baby. Honey,” he gasped. “There hasn't been anyone else. Oh, mercy.” He wrapped his fingers in her hair. “Baby, sex is important to me but only with you. Oh, God, how I love you."