It's not his fault, it's me. That's what ran in my head. Ted was driving his car. I hadn't let him touch me since the night after the club. He hadn't used his motorcycle after I'd told him that I didn't like what he did that night. He was so sorry and apologetic, that I was sure he meant it. I didn't tell him that he'd taken my virginity.
My cellphone brick rang. It was my father. I chirped into the phone, "We'll pick you up at the airport in fifteen minutes."
He was on a business trip, but thought that he'd visit me on the way to his final destination.
Ted was staring at the traffic. His teeth were clenched betneath his snarl. I touched his arm. "Calm down."
"Fine, I'll see you then," Father said.
Just then Ted swerved the wheel across three lanes of cars.
"Fucking bastard."
"Calm down," I screamed.
The accelerator hit the floor. I screamed again, this time without words. I screamed so loud that he stopped.
"Sorry, Bets, but he was riding me like there was no tomorrow. We could get into an accident if there is sudden traffic."
I was too shocked and afraid to say much. This had become a chronic problem. I was becoming more and more worried that the police would come knocking on my door saying that he was dead. Or worse discover him on the four o'clock news when I got home from my day job.
I cried at him upset. At first he laughed. He thought it was funny that he'd end up in a body bag. He said, "I have relatives that can identify me, you wouldn't have to do it, Bets." But he saw me crying. "I'm sorry--I didn't mean it. I didn't, but he was riding me hard..."
I was worried about him. When we arrived at the airport he kissed my tears. "I'm sorry." After I'd calmed down he said, "Why am I the one that's always apologizing?"
It took longer than fifteen minutes for me to recover a smile on my face. I hid my red eyes from my father. I didn't think he would care that much anyway.
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No Strings
RomansaBess's life never went right. Her mother always called Bess her sad little accident. Her boyfriends demeaned her, killed her pets, and threatened violence on her. And becoming an Advertising Designer seemed always a little out of reach. So she thoug...