A Gingers Crazy Love

34: rodeo homies

*Harry Jackson pov*
I was put in prison because of those twats, Dolan, Tolop and Hellbent. I have a secret that I need to tell Sal. Melissa already knows. I get out in two months. That's too long so I'm gonna find a way to escape tonight. But later, I will ring Melissa and tell her to bring Sal in. I need to tell her the truth.

*Dolan's pov*
Sal called me. Wanna go out tonight? She asked. I hesitated. She's nice and all, but she's not supposed to drink while she's pregnant. I'm not gonna drink. I thought about it. Ya. I replied. Cool, see you later she chirps. Two minutes I get a text from her.

Sal  I know a place where they are doing a kinda rodeo night. Wanna go there?
Dolan sure. What will we wear?
Sal nothing. We'll go naked 😂😂
Dolan ...
Sal I was joking. I've got my clothes picked out. I'm wearing cowgirl boots, hat, denim skirt and jacket.
Dolan what will I wear?
Sal hang on, I'll get it

*Five minutes later*

Dolan wua
Sal I just went shopping. Wanna see what I got?
Dolan sure

She sent me a picture of a yellow jumpsuit, obviously for girls.

Sal u can wear that
Dolan no, I'm not wearing it
Sal 😂😂
Dolan what r u laughing at?
Sal it's not 4 u, dumbass
Dolan oh phew. But what will I wear?

She sent me a picture of an ape costume.

Sal u can wear that, ull rock it
Dolan I'm not wearing an animal costume
Sal I was joking, lighten up
Dolan what will I wear?

She sent me a picture of a cowboy suit. It had a check shirt, hat, denim pants with guns and boots.

Sal we're gonna be awesome
Dolan yup
Sal #gingers4life
Dolan 👍

I made myself pasta. I look at the clock. It's six o clock. I hear the door click open. Who is it? I yell. Me yells back a soft irish accent. Sal. She comes into the kitchen. Your clothes are in this bag and she thrusts her black bag at me. Where's the bread and cheese? I want grilled cheese she asks, looking into the fridge. Cheese is on the middle shelf and bread is in the cupboard next to it  I yell. She comes back in and starts cutting the cheese onto the bread. There's another knock at the door. Who is it? I yell. It's Hellbent and he comes into the kitchen. Sal puts her cheesey bread into the grill and turns around. What are you doing here? She asks. I finish my pasta and put the dirty cutlery into the dishwasher. Well, all the crew and their families meet up together somewhere on Thanksgiving he begins. Before you ask, no, I'm not going with you. Or Dolan. Or Tolop. Or anyone for that matter she snaps back. She goes to the kettle. Tea? She asks. She makes two cups because I don't like tea. She gets up and looks around. Where's the Christmas decorations? She yells, coming back in the kitchen and taking out her toasted cheese. I'll put them when I want to put them up I tell her. Hellbent finish's his tea and leaves. I'm off. Me and Sal are left. She finishes her toast. Wanna get ready? She asks as she puts her cutlery into the dishwasher. I'll go first and I get my clothes. I get dressed in my room. I look at myself in the mirror. Sal actually picked out a decent outfit. I go down to the kitchen. You can go change now I tell Sal. She goes to the bathroom and returns two minutes later. You ready? I nod. She goes out to car. I lock the door and go to the driver's seat. So where is this rodeo thing? I ask. Five shops up from the cinema next to the shopping mall she replies. We arrive there. Did you bring ID? I ask. No, but I'll be able to get in anyway she says, getting out. I lock the car and go up to the door. I show my ID and go in. Sal winks at him at moonwalks in. The sound of country music blares in my ear. Haven't been in one of these places for years I exclaim. Stayin alive, stayin alive someone sings. Sal runs towards to the mechanical cow. She hopes on it. Gimme your worst she yells. The man sets it to the highest motor. The cow starts going. She holds onto it's horns. She takes off her hat. Y'all need to be from the country to know how to handle a cow like this she yells. I go to the bar and order two fruit cocktail. Wanna make you mine, gotta get in line, five, six, seven eight I say, quoting that Steps song . The crowd cheers. Sal makes her way up to me. You've a nice girlfriend there, sir someone yells. Sal takes off her hat and bows. I offer her a cocktail. Dude, when am I doing the next video? She asks. Next Friday I reply. She nods. I'm going to the bathroom she says finishing her cocktail. I'll come too. Never know what danger lurks behind them I tell her. She nods and heads towards the bathrooms. The doors to them are like an old time salon. She puts one hand on the door. Don't tell me you can't hear that she whispers. I edge forward. She opens the door to the bathroom. I go forward. We both go in. Sal does a little scream and hides her face in my chest. I nearly throw up. A toilet flushes and someone comes out. She screams. I go forward. Get out of here and don't tell anyone what you saw, we'll deal with it. I say. She nods and leaves. That left me and Sal and the two other people. There's a teenager, who's eyes are blindfolded so they can't see what's happening. Their pants are down around their ankles. Their moans say help me. Somehow the rapist didn't notice me and Sal and the girl who ran out. Let that kid go I say, balling my hands into fists. Sal runs forward and goes into a bathroom. He stands up. Or else what will happen? Ring your friends and ask them to rescue you and your girlfriend? He sneers. I stepped forward. He's fat but he doesn't look as though he ever worked out. I'm skinny but I'm strong. It's clear to see who would win in a fight. Sal comes out. She washes her hands and goes back in to the bathroom. She climbs on the toilet and onto the top of the door. She jumps and lands on top of the rapist. His hood comes off. DIEGO! What the fuck are doing here? She asks getting up. I go to the teenager and undo the blindfold. They pick up their leggings. I look closely at them. They're a girl. Her mascara is dripping down the sides of her checks. Sal, I'll go home with- what's your name? I ask the teenager. Mikki she whispers back. Ya, go ahead. I, meanwhile will deal with this complete and utter lunatic. She yells back. I go out with Mikki. Hang on, I'll go up to security I say. She nods and hides her face with her hands. There's a rapist in the females. I tell security. They nod and start walking towards the bathrooms. I wait with Mikki in the car.

*Sals pov*
Dolan and Mikki left. Me and Harry were left alone. What do you want with us? I spit at him. Sal, it's vital you know this.  He says putting his hands on my shoulder and pushing me against the sinks. Why? I reply. Sal...I am your father. Melissa is your non identical younger twin. You're the oldest by two hours When both of you were born, me and your now dead mom stayed together until both of you were three. We divorced and I was left with Melissa until she was old enough to find work herself. Then when you came here, I knew that our family would be nine out of ten complete. Look at you now. All grown up, with your own kids growing in your stomach. Look, we have the same nose and face shape. He smiles. Explain the raping and trying to fuck me I ask. Sal, you have a perfect body he says, rubbing my hips. I look him in his brown eyes that are full with hatred and crime. I jerk out of his grasp. I hate him more than anything else in the world at that moment. You will never be a father to me I shout. He stops. He looks so upset. You are not my daughter. I dis own you. Be more like Melissa he shouts back. I storm out. Security comes in and put the handcuffs on him. I go out to the car. Drive me home I smile at Dolan. He starts driving. Hey Mikki. How's it going? I ask. She doesn't answer. I turn on the radio. I go to channel four. They are playing really old and cheesey songs. But like I say, oldie but goodie make them golden oldies. They are playing Billy Joel, uptown girl. Uptown girl, you Know I can't afford to buy her pearls I sing. Dolan smiles at me. Are you Dolan going out? Asks Mikki. No, I'm bearing someone else's kids I laugh. Dolan arrives at the apartment complex. I take my bag and leave. Bye, thanks for the ride I chirp and go in. I go up to my apartment. Tolop is in there. He's drinking in the kitchen. I get in my pajamas and go to him. Hi. How was your night? I ask me. No answer. He gets another bottle. Hang on I grab the bottle. Red wine. Do not drink more than five glasses I read out loud. I look at Tolop. How many of these did you have? I ask. Twenty he mumbles. I take the other two bottles. I look at his eyes. They are bloodshot. He suddenly punches me in the face. I fall to the floor. He gets up and kicks me. You little bitchy slut and he goes away. I go to the corner and put my head into my knees. I clutch my stomach and sleep there til 2am.