Behind the Scenes

Chapter Eight- It all comes out.

~Poppy's point of view~

It's been five years since Keith spent the night at my house. He still sends money, and if he comes close, he gets Avery. He hasn't touched me at all, and I should be thankful for that. We have moved from emails to texting. When he feels the need to remind me of what he has put me through, it is now text messages. If he wants Avery, he will call. With him knowing I live close to home, he gets him and takes him to his house.

He is divorced and remarried. I know what Samantha thought. I can't fathom what bullshit he has told his new wife. I don't sit and think about it. I try not to focus on him. I just want to move on with my life. My life away from Keith. Since he has been with the new woman, it's just been texts and phone calls. When he comes to get Avery, he barely speaks. He does watch my every move while waiting.

I won't lie and say that night didn't bring great things into my life. King has a special bond with Avery. He is home more than some of the others; he isn't on TV much anymore. He's now considered an old-timer. He doesn't mind it. He calls when he is home, and he and Avery have bonding time. I never questioned their relationship. King is a positive influence in his life, and Avery needs that.

Daniel has also been involved. I knew after that night he would be. He has been the one to be there for everything up until I walked out. We don't see him often. He is at the height of his career; he calls every day. He refuses to text; He says it's informal. Around the same time every day, he calls me. Then around the same time every evening, he calls Avery. Avery did ask me about how it all happened. I didn't lie.

It's Saturday. King is home, so he got Avery from school yesterday. He has to leave Monday, so he said he would bring him back Sunday evening. When he gets him from school on Fridays, we still have our Friday meal at Donnell's. King insisted that Avery and I keep that tradition. He just joins us now. I don't mind it; I really enjoy my time with King. He is the only man that doesn't expect anything from me.

I clean the house and shower. Since it's just me, I throw on comfortable clothes and sit on the couch with a book. When King has Avery, I just order out. Today is Chinese. I want pepper steak without the pepper. Yes, I am weird. I do it that way because they add more gravy, and I mix it with the rice. I had just got done eating and made my way to my kitchen. I had thrown my trash away and was rinsing my fork in the sink when I hear my door open.

The cold chills I get immediately know that it's Keith. He has never knocked. I have gotten used to him just walking in. He usually tells me when he is texting me that he is coming, and I keep Avery home. He didn't mention it when he texted me at all. He comes up behind me at the sink. He likes playing the "family" card. Like we are in a relationship when he is around. I know better than to fight it.

Keith: "Where's my son?"

Poppy: "You didn't tell me you were coming."

Keith: "I don't have to. You know that Poppy. Why do you consistently have to be a fucking cunt?"

I'm the cunt. He shows up unannounced, and I am the bad person. I know better than to argue. I don't want my ass beat. I also don't want him to rape me anymore. I have dealt with it for too many years now. The thing is, he knows I won't stop him. He knows he has me in a position that I can't get out of.

Poppy: "I'm not trying to be. You normally tell me you're coming. I always make sure he is here when I know. I wouldn't keep him from you. You know that."

Keith: "I do. Where is he?"

Poppy: "Spending the weekend with King. I told you he gets him when he is home. You said you didn't mind it."