Stone Sour
Chapter Two
Cassa
I stood at my chipped and ugly green counter and opened the liquor cabinet. A drink was fitting for the emotions, but also offensive considering the bottle killed Jerry. Most people would find it disturbing to honor a drunk’s ‘death by bottle’ with a bottle of liquor. Jerry would see it as a compliment even if it felt horribly wrong. I wasn’t used to drinking unless it was wine. I used to be a beer girl, I had been able to slam a shot of Whiskey and not blanch at the burn. That was BCN; Before Corey Noxx. Corey wanted a wife who was class not crass so wine had become my drink of choice. I fucking hated wine.
I threw the bottle against the wall in the kitchen, watching as the red wine dripped onto the floor. I stared unable to care enough to clean the mess. I hated what I have become. I hated the echo of Corey in my mind. I hated the memory of Shames breath on my skin. I hated watching Jerry die last night. I hated everything in that moment.
“Come on Cass. Let’s get you in a bath yeah?” This was Candey that was now pulling me to my small bathroom where Carrie was running the tub and the smell of honey suckle was thick in the room.
“Where did Roni go?” I ask in a daze and slip into the hot water, feeling relief as the suds engulf me. What is it about a bath that helps clear the mind?
“She left a few minutes ago. Noelle is tired and hungry and Roni knew you needed mebabycakesso I get the night off.” Carrie winked at me before handing me a loofah and my body scrub.
Carrie was sweet for pretending but I knew these girls. I was one of them. They had every intention of making me look like a model tonight. I saw the evidence of my teeny tiny closet spread out through my room.
Candey God bless her, rounded the corner with a squat glass of whiskey in her hand. “For me?” I ask perking up.
“Obviously baby.” She says and hands me the glass.
“So I know what you guys are doing seeing as the evidence of this little makeover is scattered across my room. But why?”
They both started laughing and Carrie stood to gather my straightener and other hair supplies.“No straightener tonight.”
They both look at me and Carrie giggles knowing damn well why I would wear my thick curly hair all natural tonight.“Good point. Shame always loved your hair when it was wild and curly.”
Carrie was talented in making a confession look like an idea. I loved her for many reasons but that one was a big one. She knew all my secrets and I knew hers, a night spent in the hospital when my truth was obvious to everyone. Carrie took my abuse and told me about her own. She referred me to her therapist and has never forced me to talk. Carrie’s secrets could rival anyone’s and she always understood the value of trust and secrecy being hand in hand.
“What time is the open house thing anyway?” I ask Candey who is now handing me shaving cream and razor in her other hand.
“I love you Sass but those legs are like a cactus.”
She didn’t stop once she caught her error in calling me Sass, knowing I hated that fucking name. I shrug and act like I didn’t notice either.
“No one to feel em, why risk another scar?” The bathroom had been filled with laughter even through sadness, until like usual my dark side pops up and ruins it.
“Jesus Cass!” That was Carrie and of course I knew how bad that sounded and so quickly I fix my error in words.
“Calm down Beckett.” I smirk.
She pokes her tongue out and flashes her beautiful ring, a single karat solitaire with tiny diamonds around the band. Chad had proposed with his grandmothers ring and asked that she say yes with that ring and marry him with it. This ring is the every day ring because the other is an antique and too special. I know this because I got the play by play from Carrie over a year ago.
I extend my unshaven leg from the bath and blow a raspberry when she see’s the serious nicks all over my legs that are now healing. I shrug, “dull razor.”
“Been there.” She and Candey both say but are quickly back to my beauty regiment. I knew they weren't buying my cover, they knew damn well what I meant but like true girlfriends they pretend with me for the moment and accept my lame excuse.
“Seriously though what time is this thing?”
“Seven but we aren’t going until it’s at full swing because that would be awkward.” This is Carrie and she is sorting my make-up and setting her choice items aside.
“That’s why I love you.” I say and start shaving my cactus legs much to Candey’s delight.
“Chad will text me when the place is crowded and we are gonna go in stealth.”
“Not me. I’m heading over early with Noah. He is talking to the press at Jerry’s at five so I said I would come and get the place clean.” Candey is blotting her perfect pink lips with come-fuck-me-red.
“No I cleaned it last night while he was asleep.” I said remembering seeing him lying there weak and pissed I wouldn’t feed him a glass of whiskey.
