I imagine the last real hurdle will be when I get around to putting a child in her belly. Births, christenings. Those are the life events you want your parents to share. I hate that thoughts of him will steal joy from those precious moments-to-come, but we’ll get through it. George is far tougher than she looks.
Speaking of knowing where people are, there’s a fellow up in Auckland who’s currently standing by, under intensive supervision. A graduation present for my special girl. An opportunity to put some nasty memories to bed.
I’ll ask her when we’re at home tonight. Ask her if she wants him to be hurt, to be killed, or to just be scared witless before being let go. Ask if she wants to be the one to do the beating or to sit back quietly and enjoy the show.
The show.
That triggers another possibility. A little performance where I strip George naked in front of him and demonstrate how easy it is to make her orgasm… you know. Just in case he’s having trouble connecting the dots.
I like that one. I like it alot.
“We should probably get you a nice dress,” I say, watching the first tender stains of an oncoming blush-fest light up the base of George’s neck. “Tandi would love to see you again, I’m sure.”
George snorts. “Yeah. She can’t get enough of me.”
“This time, I’m definitely buying you a bag to go with your outfit and it’s a graduation present, so you don’t get to refuse.”
“Such a bully.”
“And Dad also gave me a present that you might be keen to share.”
Her eyes light up and I fetch the half bottle of whiskey from the back of my car, waggling it until I see the recognition in her eye before locking it safely in the boot again.
“An eighty-thousand-dollar bottle of whiskey?” George plants a kiss smack on my lips as I return to her side. “Sounds far too expensive to me, but all right.”
“Oh, you’ll let yourself be persuaded, will you?”
“For sure.”
“Got a confession.” I bend and put my lips to her ear, resting there for a second while I inhale her perfume, floral tones intermixed with exotic spice. “It’s only worth forty thousand.”
“Hm. Would that be because somebody drank half of it already?”
“It might.” She settles within my arms, her body becoming boneless for the long moments while we kiss. “Should I pour you a finger now? It might help with those public speaking nerves.”
“I think the only thing that’ll help is if the head changes her mind but why not give it a go.” She winks at me. “After all, I’m worth it.”
GEORGE
Later that day, I’m cruising through an easy shift at the club. Billy has a new client he’s keen to gossip about while he loses a small fortune at cards. The two ladies he’s playing with are such lightweights they only need a drink each and they’re done for the night.
My mind is still worrying at the prospect of standing in front of the assembly hall at school. I’m trying to give it enoughfreedom to let out its fears without dwelling so long that it turns into free-floating anxiety.
Even while I’m changing, ready to go home, my brain is still pick, pick, picking at the idea, flushing me with colour even though the embarrassment is invented.
I’ve just pulled on my jeans when a man strolls into the space, making me glance over my shoulder. It took far less time than I thought to get used to the unisex room, but it still hits odd on occasion.
Not that anyone in the club would ever look. I’m fairly sure Lachlan would be happy to “do a Keanen” on anyone who makes me uncomfortable.
The glance tells me he’s not a regular staff member and the way he apologises and immediately shuffles out raises my eyebrows more than him staying would. It’s only as I slam my locker shut that my brain connects a few dots and I realise I’ve seen him before.
I stand for a moment, hand still pressed against the cold metal door, letting my mind sift through its folder of casual acquaintances. A chill at the base of my spine tells me the circumstances weren’t pleasant, but it’s still a shock when I find the right image in my memory and scrutinise it.
The collector.
He’s the debt collector who beat the shit out of my father with a bat.
My face goes numb, my jaw aching because my teeth clench so hard. A piercing arrow of fear travels through me, its barbs catching in my flesh.
