HAUNTED

Chapter 5 – Secrets Unraveling

When Shane walked into the Planet two hours later, it was as if nothing had happened. Alex and Angela had left for parts unknown, after Marina had graciously volunteered to clean up the mess and appease the customers. Shane smiled at the waitress that rushed past her. If only she didnt ***** where she worked and if she wasnt with Alex, Shane grinned to herself. She slipped behind the counter to grab a coffee, when she saw Marina emerging from the back room. Shane turned around when she felt Marinas hand on her shoulder.

We need to talk, Marina said very seriously. Shane looked at her starting to get worried now. Frowning she followed Marina into the office. Marina waved at a chair and leaned against the desk. Shane sat down holding her coffee in both hands savoring its warmth.

So what have they done now? Marina looked puzzled. Then suddenly it struck her. Shane thought this was about her family. She grinned.

Its not about that. Marina had never felt so relieved to say those words. Things were finally starting to look up. She didnt have any illusions about the line of work she was in. But she had managed to clean up some of the mess her siblings had made. Although the business was still involved with many illegal activities, she had been able to get rid of the worst elements. And so far her siblings were keeping quiet, which was a little disconcerting. A little like the calm before the storm.

Its about Alex. Shane sat up a little. She looked at Marina expectantly.

What about Alex? Marina sighed. She wasnt sure it was her place to tell. But someone had to tell Shane and Alex had seemed in no state to talk to anyone.

I dont quite know how to say this Alex mother showed up. Shane looked at her not understanding.

Her real mother. Shane nearly dropped her cup out of surprise. Alex mom had showed up. The one who had left her at birth. She could hardly believe it. She looked into her coffee and smiled. Maybe this would help Alex get out of that funk shed been. But when she looked up, she saw Marinas face still serious. Anxious almost.

What happened? Marina shrugged. Where most women would look awkward making such a movement, Marina made it look graceful. Maybe it was the power suit she was wearing. She was wearing them a lot lately. A new wardrobe for a new life.

Alex got very upset. She started yelling at her to get out. And she knocked over a table. Shane could hardly believe it. Alex finally got to meet her mom and this is how she reacted. She could understand Alex might have questions. Even that she might be upset. But to start yelling and get, well, violent.

Alex did that?! Why would she do something like that? Marina walked over and sat down next to Shane putting her hand on her arm.

I dont know, Shane.

*****

When Shane got to Alex place, she found her curled up on the couch smoking a cigarette. She looked distant like her mind was elsewhere. Shane wondered where she was. She walked over to the couch and sat down. Alex didnt even blink almost as if she hadnt noticed. Shane placed her hand on Alex leg and finally she looked up. Her eyes were red and she looked exhausted.

Are you ok? Alex shook her head. No, she wasnt ok. She felt ashamed now that she had lost control like that. But when she saw that woman it was like that door in her head had been opened again. Alex fought the tears that were threatening to start pouring again.

Baby, what happened? Alex leaned into Shane and sighed when she felt Shanes arms wrap around her. She didnt realize until now just how much she felt for her. It wasnt just love. She felt safe with Shane. She felt like she belonged when she was with her.

I dont know I guess I just snapped. I just felt so angry. Without noticing it her hands had knotted into fists. Shane placed her hand over Alex and she felt Alex relax under her touch.

Its ok. You can tell me.

Its hard to explain. Alex didnt quite know what to tell Shane. Sometimes she didnt quite understand either. It was almost as if shed been carrying the rage inside her for so long, she couldnt imagine it not being there anymore.

Start from the beginning Shane suggested hearing the hesitation in Alex voice. Alex turned in Shanes lap so she could see her face.

Are you sure? Shane nodded. Whatever it was, she wanted to know. She wanted to understand. She wanted to be able to help her girlfriend with whatever had been bothering her. Alex swallowed trying to work up the courage to tell all.

Well, you know the basics right? Shane nodded.

Yeah, dude. The orphanage. The streets. And then juvie, right?

Yeah. The orphanage, Alex swallowed. This was as hard as shed thought.

When my mom left me, they couldnt find anyone to adopt me so I ended up at this orphanage. It was run by this guy named Frank. Uncle Frank. Thats what he had made them call him. And he had made them pay, when they didnt.

He was how do I put this a sadistic *****. Shane felt Alex shiver slightly and she started stroking her arms.

Did he hit you? Alex laughed at this.

Do you know what my very first memory is? Im lying in bed and Im crying because I just wet the bed. Suddenly the door opens and there he is standing in the doorway. He starts walking towards me as he unbuckles his belt. I can hear him pulling it out. For a moment I stopped crying when I saw him standing over me. Then he pulled up my shirt and he hit me over and over again. I can still smell it.

Smell what?

The blood mixed with the urine. Alex closed her eyes trying to push back the memory. Shane felt Alex grip on her tightening and she tried to hold her as close as possible. The pain in Alex face was killing her. She almost wished she hadnt asked. Maybe sometimes it was better to ignore than try and deal. But Alex had started to talk and maybe it was time she told someone the whole story.

Is that how you got the scars on your back? Alex nodded.

Did this happen often? she asked softly. Alex laughed again but it wasnt a happy laugh.

The belt. Sometimes. The beatings. Almost every day. Sometimes he used his fists. Or whatever else was lying around. This one time he hit one of us with a bat. And when we were exceptionally bad hed lock us in the basement. Sometimes when he was drunk hed forget hed put us there and wed be in there for who knows how long.

Why didnt anyone do anything about it? Alex shrugged. Why did people choose to ignore the things going around them? The guy next door beating up his wife. Kids dealing drugs. Young teenage girls working the streets.

Shane, this was twenty years ago. And this guy spent his life raising a dozen unmanageable juvenile delinquent kids. People didnt want to know what was going on, because then theyd have to do something about it. Theyd have to take some responsibility.

Is that why you hate social services? Alex nodded. She remembered the day theyd shown up as if it was yesterday.

There was this kid. His name was Tommy. He was like our big brother. He used to try and look out for us. This one night, Frank was exceptionally drunk, he was hitting this new kid and Tommy stepped in. They had this fight and Frank pushed him down the stairs. He was lying there at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes bulging out of his head. Blood trickling down his mouth. Alex paused. Social services showed up. I tried telling them, but they called me a liar and they left.

The *****, Shane whispered softly. Gently she stroked Alex hair.

Its over now. He cant hurt you anymore. She placed a soft kiss on Alex forehead.

You dont understand. Every time he beat me, I used to fantasize that she would walk through that door. That she would tell me that she made a mistake. And that she loved me. And that she was going to take me home. But every time she didnt show up, I hated her a little bit more. Until thats all there was. Shane was still gently stroking her hair.

Its like its always there. No matter how good things are going, its always there. In the back of my head just waiting to get out. And I just keep waiting till things are going to get fucked up. Alex felt the tears coming again. Only this time she didnt hold them in. Shane let Alex get it all out. She just held her tight giving her exactly what she needed.

*****

When Alex got out of the shower, Shane was sitting on the bed looking ahead of her. Alex smiled. Maybe Marianne had been right all along. Maybe if she had talked to someone before, it would have helped. Shane looked up and smiled when she saw Alex. She looked better already.

Hey come here. Alex walked towards Shane and let Shane hug her. She cupped her face in her hands.

Thank you.

For what? Shane asked.

For listening. And for not looking at me like that.

Like what?

Like you felt sorry for me, Alex whispered. Shane felt her breath caress her ear and she sighed. Alex pulled back and looked Shane in the eyes. Her fingers trailed her neck till they found that sweet spot right above the shoulder. Softly she kissed Shane licking a little. Shane moaned. She wrapped her arms around Alex. She turned around pushing her on the bed. Slowly she pulled away the towel. The sight of Alex still took her breath away.

*****

I had a really good time. Nicky smiled at the beautiful redhead sitting so very close to her. Shed been all prepared to make her pitch to steal her away, but it hadnt been a very hard pitch. Nicky chuckled.

So did I she said softly feeling sorry the evening was almost over. She hadnt had a great date like this for a long time, even if it wasnt really a date but more a business meeting. Nicky sighed mentally. It was ok when Alex was still playing the field, but now she was in a relationship. And Angela had Marina. And even playboy Steve had been seeing the same girl for almost a month. It was like living in Coupleville and she missed not being part of a couple. Going to the movies together. Cuddling on the couch. But she had refused to get involved just for the ***** of getting involved, but she was really starting to like this woman. And if she wasnt reading the signals wrong, the feeling was mutual. Nicky sighed again in her head. Too bad she didnt ***** where she worked. She cursed her rotten luck.

Im so excited. I cant believe I get to make the menus, Lara was practically beaming. With you of course, she quickly added apologetically. This was the chance of a life time. If she played this right they could make this the hottest restaurant in LA. Nicky raised her glass.

To The Green Tree. The two clinked their glasses together and were both filled with exciting new thoughts and ideas.