“I need a multi-tasker. Someone able to handle the responsibility of being cashier, cleaner, and delivery driver once in a blue moon.”
“Trust me, I can manage it. I’m a jack-of-all-trades.”
“Great, write down Cindy’s number and I’ll give her a ring now.”
“Awesome.” I jot the number on a napkin and hand it to Mary.
“Harry!” she yells. “Harry’s my son. My oldest son, Bruno, is a little under the weather, so he stayed home.”
The kitchen door opens. “Yeah, Ma?”
“Harry, this is Cocoa. She’s interested in a position here.”
“Hi.” I wave.
“Howdy.”
“Man the fort for a spell.” Mary walks off.
Harry blatantly leers at me, making me extremely uncomfortable. His gaunt appearance, yellow rotting teeth, and dull, greasy brown hair are grotesque. I wonder if he’s the reason Mary can’t keep employees. Hopefully, he won’t be an issue.
Mary returns within ten minutes. “You’re hired!”
“Thanks so much!” I squeal, jumping up and down.
“I’ll put you on the schedule for Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from six till ten and Saturdays eleven to three. That way you’ll still have a social life.”
“Sounds great.”
“I still need you to fill out an application and tax forms before you go, though.”
I complete the paperwork and head home.
Montgomery is so quiet and tame. I’m used to the fast pace of city life, so there’ll be a lengthy adjustment period. Unfortunately, I’ve noticed this community lacks diversity, and that’s not something I’m accustomed to.
Mom and Michael’s vehicles are in the driveway. I park my car and race inside to share the fantastic news. I find the pair cuddling on the sofa.
“I found a job!”
“Congratulations, honey.”
“Wow, in just three days,” Michael says. “Let’s go to dinner in Charleston to celebrate. I know a nice Italian restaurant there.”
Michael is the best stepfather I could’ve asked for.
“Sure. Thanks, Michael.”
“You deserve it, kiddo. You’ve been a trouper.”
John asked me to dinner for father-son bonding. What a joke. I would rather eat a bowl of nails, but if I occasionally concede to his requests, he stays out of my fucking way. We drove to the restaurant separately and I haven’t spoken a word to him since arriving. I slouch in the chair, cell phone in hand, watching TikTok videos. The shrimp linguine I ordered is cold and untouched.
I’m nearly identical to him, and I hate it. To the citizens of Montgomery, Judge John Carter is an outstanding pillar of the community and the perfect role model. Their perception couldn’t be further from the truth. In actuality, he’s an abuser and sexual sadist.
He exhibits the characteristics of Ted Bundy and has a soundproof room where he performs all sorts of cruelties on his girlfriend. Only a few people know the monster he really is. The bastard
beat the shit out of my mother and me almost daily.
She committed suicide to escape and left me alone to face his abuse. I dreaded going home after school every day, knowing John would be waiting to inflict more torture on me.
