CHOICES #Wattys2016 #Hidden Gems

Chapter 6

Benny Lindstrom slammed the door behind him and threw his jacket at the hallstand, missing and letting land in a pile on the floor. He pushed on through to the kitchen, calling for his wife, and opening the fridge for a can of beer.

"Hey! Where the hell are you, I'm home?" He opened the can and let the spray soak the furniture then he swallowed half the contents, belched and wiped his face with his shirtsleeve.

Michelle came into the kitchen and immediately complained about the mess he'd made.

"I washed the floor in here today and look at it."

Benny tossed the empty can in the sink and grabbed her by the neck, shoving her down to her knees.

"You look at it, stupid." Michelle pulled away and rolled to the wall, sitting up and pulling her knees up to her chest. "I don't give a goddamn about your floor, I want my dinner 'cause I'm goin' out tonight."

"Get it yourself." She stood and started from the room but he grabbed her hair and slammed her into the wall. She screamed and cried at the split on her forehead. Blood trickled into her eye.

"After all these years maybe you still need some manners taught, eh? Get upstairs." He grabbed her again and shoved her into the front hall and onto the staircase. "C'mon, get goin'."

"Leave me alone," she cried, but he punched her side and forced her up the stairs to the second floor.

Michelle broke away again and ran to the bathroom, slamming and locking the door.

"Bitch!" Benny screamed after her. "When I get home you'll be sorry, and you better be here, you still have a lesson coming."

Michelle sat with her back to the door, sobbing and dabbing a wet cloth at her cut face. She heard the door slam again and she went to the bathroom window and watched the end of the drive until she saw Benny's car back out and tear off down the street. She rinsed her face and carefully dried it and then found some antiseptic and a Band-Aid and patched the cut. She leaned on the sink and locked eyes with her image. This was the last straw. There would be no more beatings, abuse or cheating from Benny; it would end tonight.

******

Benny rolled off the bed and turned to slap the woman on the bottom. She made a noise and turned over, smiling and gesturing provocatively.

"Nah, gotta go. Got some business needs takin' care of. Next time try and lose some of that waist, eh?" He pulled on his pants and shirt, smirking at the woman. "I don't need hand grips."

"Don't be mean, Benny." She sat up and covered her nakedness. "You never complained in school."

He mimicked her complaint and sat on the bed to put on his socks and shoes.

"You ever wonder why we only meet here?"

"'Cause you're married?" She offered.

He laughed and cursed. "Stupid broad. Do I look worried about being married? No, it's because you don't show well socially." He stood up and grabbed his jacket. "You're great in here, Ginny, but not out in public, maybe next time you should bring your daughter." He leaned down and tweaked her chin then left for home.

Michelle watched for the car and then she grabbed butcher knife from the rack and held it behind her back against the kitchen counter and waited, trembling. The door banged open and slammed again and Benny made his traditional announcement, adding the fact the he was home to begin the lesson. When she didn't answer he swore out loud and threatened the empty house that she would pay if she thought she could hide from him. He went to the kitchen and stopped, seeing her at the counter.

"Well, well. The bitch is here after all." He went to the fridge and grabbed a beer, popping the top and letting it spray on Michelle. She didn't move and he took a long swallow, stepping toward her. "Learned not to complain at least, eh?" He tipped the tin up again and Michelle drove the knife straight into his chest just below the ribs. Benny snorted beer all over both of them and then he coughed again, this time blood. He dropped the can and stared at his chest. The handle was tight against his chest and he tried without success to pull it out.

Michelle stepped closer and pushed on the handle, shoving him back against the refrigerator door. Benny gurgled in pain and grasped the handle of the fridge for support. The door opened and he spun around, slipping and falling into the opening, legs splayed and his neck resting on the bottom ledge. He stared up at her and held out a hand.

"H-l-p m-u..."

"I'll help you, you bastard." She grabbed the door and slammed it against his head over and over, screaming and crying until the effort exhausted her and she collapsed beside his still body.

******

Vincent was speechless. Michelle's husband was his old school friend Benny, and Ginny McRea was the woman he was seeing, had been seeing for twenty years, the one she killed him over. Was this the reason they were sent to this place together? Michelle was still watching the images and he saw that they had changed to him and the night he'd discovered Ginny and Benny screwing in the car. He saw the astonished expression on his face and the cruel smile on Ginny's as she urged Benny on.

Michelle stared at him. Vincent sat down hard on the grass, his eyes glued to the still surface of the pond.

"Benny Lundstrom was your husband?" He muttered.

For six years." She shook her head, looking at Vincent. "They were your friends in school?"

"I thought so. I made a fool of myself over her and she used Benny to humiliate me, as you saw. When the word got around the school what had happened, I became a laughing stock. It wasn't until Benny and I had a fight that everybody learned it had all been planned by Ginny. I broke his jaw and was suspended from school."

"What happened then?"

"She tried blaming me, telling lies and exaggerating our relationship. Benny was actually the one that corrected the facts by blaming her for his broken face and putting the word around that she was easy and available. After that, Benny was the only one who'd bother with her and he took full advantage."

Vincent realized he'd been talking about the guy Michelle had married and ultimately murdered and he made a hand gesture of apology.

"I met him after having a bad time in my life with alcohol. He seemed kind of rough and macho but he was nice to me when I need nice. We dated and he was quite the gentleman about rushing things; I didn't know then that he had this Ginny as his fallback." She laughed and her face glowed pink. "I actually thought the crook in his jaw was sexy."

"This is so bizarre," Vincent said. "I can't believe our lives were so intricately connected."

"Something you probably didn't know about your old friend and certainly a shock to me, came out at my trial. Benny had been a suspect in several rape cases, including one of a thirteen year old, and even though they didn't have enough to charge him, they knew it was him. I got charged with murder." She hesitated and then made eye contact with him. "He was also the father of Ginny's daughter."

"Benny?" Vincent sat on the grass and stared at the lush carpet with his mouth open and vacant eyes. What a rat's nest, he moaned silently. Lori was Ginny and Benny's daughter! A perfectly solid marriage and family ruined by one stupid incident from so long ago! He dropped his head to his hands and began to sob.

Michelle looked back into the pond as a new image appeared and she felt her heart harden along with a feeling of anger and loathing.