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“HELP!”
Millie screamed. “This
woman needs help.” Nurses
converged on the gunshot victim just as she fell forward through their
hands, her face smacking the floor with a sickening crunch. It was then
that Millie saw the massive wound on the woman’s back and smothered
another horrified scream. “Let
me do that.” Millie took the
brush out of Kate’s hand. “Stop
crying. Your eyes will be all
red and swollen.”
“What am I going to do? I
can’t get married looking like this.”
Katie’s over-sprayed hair stood out from her head in stiff
sprigs.
Millie struggled to run the brush through the top layer of the
elaborate hairdo. “You never
go to a beauty shop except to get a trim.
Why did you go today of all days?”
“You know why.” Kate
blew her nose. “Do you think
she did it on purpose?”
“Everyone has a different idea of what’s pretty,” Millie said
soothingly. “Do you think it’s a sign?” “It’s just a little
inconvenience.” The
brush snagged, pulling Kate’s head sideways.
“This isn’t going to work, sweetie.
You have plenty of time. Why
don’t you wash it again and I’ll blow dry it for you.” A
nurse in blue scrubs pushed open the door to the private examination room
behind Millie. “Here, why don’t
you sit down? Your rape case
won’t be back from x-ray for a few minutes.” “I’m
sorry I reacted that way.” Millie
wiped her forehead on her sleeve.
“Give yourself credit for being human.”
“How do you do it?” Millie
couldn’t imagine spending all day everyday in a trauma room.
“If I don’t, who will?”
“That’s what I thought when I volunteered -- but it gets harder
and harder to come in here. The
horrible things people do to one another and to themselves!”
Millie shuddered.
“We all feel that way.” Ruby
patted Millie’s hand. “Just
hang tough and do the best you can.” Millie
nodded. “My biggest fear is that
one day I’m going to come in here and find someone I know.”
“I knew I could count on you.”
Kate left the bathroom door ajar.
Taking off her robe, she tossed it over the sink and stepped into
the shower.
Her body gleamed, Millie thought -- as though her essence lit her
skin from within. “Use lots
of crème rinse to get those rats out.”
“Okay.” Kate turned
on the water.
Kate’s dress lay across the bed.
More costume than wedding gown, it was something out of a fairy
tale. How like her, Millie
thought as she touched the pale blue silk bodice.
Ruby
tapped a clipboard lying on the counter.
“Are you ready?” “That’s
why I’m here.” Millie dug
into her purse for a notebook and pen. “Middle-aged
woman. Homeless -– unless you call
the bus stop shelter on East Ninth and Millie’s
smile twitched. “I
know, I know.” Ruby laughed.
“She says a demon raped her, beat her and stole her blankets.” “A
demon?” “She
says it about wrenched her arm off. We
are checking to see if there are any breaks now.” “It’s
ten below zero. Can you imagine
sleeping outside on a night like this?” Millie
shivered at the thought. “Sugar,
I can’t imagine sleeping outside any night.” “Rape
kit?” “Not
yet. It’s Grand Central Station
out there.” Ruby jerked a thumb
toward the triage area. “Have
the police talked to her?” “The
cops aren’t going to put themselves out for the likes of me.”
The skinny woman sitting in the wheel chair at the door was filthy.
Mud and blood and bits of paper stuck in her hair.
A long red scrape covered her left elbow and stretched down her
forearm. “If I was the major’s
wife, they’d jump through hoops if I lost a dime, but a ratty blanket
doesn’t matter to anyone but me.” “The florist sent dark red roses
instead of blood red ones.” Kate
sucked in her stomach and posed in front of the mirror -- naked except for
her wedding veil. “Do you
think he was trying to sabotage my wedding?”
Stress had boosted Kate’s
paranoia to the next level. Ben
Striker was going to have his hands full tonight -- but then Ben didn’t
know what he was getting. He
was Lottie Brown’s unwitting weapon against Millie -- devastating and
innocent at the same time. Millie
loathed him. “Your hair is
soft as a butterfly’s wing.” She
unplugged the blow dryer and wrapped the cord around the barrel.
“I’m a butterfly!”
Kate spun around, her arms wide and her eyes closed. “Shush, sweetie.
Your mama’s gonna hear you and come up here and kick me out.” “Madame Butterfly.
Butterfinger pie. Peanut
butter -- die, die, die.” Kate reminded Millie of a picture
she once saw of Sally Rand fluttering around the stage behind a couple of
big feathery fans -- ethereal but goofy.
“Did you take your pills?”
Kate tripped and Millie caught
her. “Pills?
No pills today. I’m
going straight today.” She
giggled, putting her arms around Millie’s neck and kissing her lips --
soft at first, then deeper. “This is the last time,
Papillion.” Millie closed
her eyes and accepted Kate’s tongue, pushing the veil away to keep from
crushing it. “Mama will never know the
difference.” Kate
murmured between kisses as she pushed Millie back onto the bed. “I doubt Ben will want me around
either.” “Your lips remind me of red gum
drops, Millie. Did I ever tell
you that?” “Listen to me.”
Millie put both hands on Kate’s face.
“Once you get married, it won’t be like this ever again.” “Maybe bubble-butt Ben won’t
care when he sees how much I need you.”
Kate’s delicate fingers unbuttoned Millie’s blouse.
“That’s not fair to him or
me.” Millie caught Kate’s
hands. “You are going to be
too hyped up to deal with your wedding.
Won’t you please take your pill?” “I’m not crazy.”
Kate rolled off Millie onto her back, the veil coming loose from
her hair and falling on the floor.
“They keep you calm, sweetie.”
Millie sat up, catching her breath.
“Will you do it for me?” “I hate how they make me
feel.” Millie went into the bathroom,
returning with a glass of water and Kate’s pill. “Let’s
get you ready for the ceremony.” “I’m
from the “I
know where you’re from.” Catty
clutched the back of her hospital gown as Millie helped her onto the
examination table. “They told me
you were coming.” “It
might be awhile before the doctor can break free.
Try not to get too impatient.” Millie
tucked a pillow under Catty’s head and covered her with a sheet. “Are
you kidding? It’s freezing out
there. Tell the doc to take his
time.” Catty pulled the sheet up
under her chin and rolled over on her side. “Aren’t you coming?”
Kate stood at the head of the staircase, the top button on the back
of her dress undone. “I’m persona non grata.
Why start another fight?” “They are making me do this,
Millie.” Millie fastened Kate’s dress.
“You do have some say.” “Not when you are Lottie
Brown’s daughter.” “What do you expect me to do?”
Millie’s composure finally broke.
“Steal you away?” Kate started down the stairs.
“Take care of me -- just like always.” “What would I be?”
Millie leaned over the banister.
“ Mrs. Danvers to your Rebecca?”
“You read too much, Millie.”
Kate slammed the front door behind her. “Go
away.” “I’m
supposed to stay with you until the doctor comes.”
Millie sat down. “I’m
supposed to talk to you. Find out if
you need anything.” “I
didn’t know it would be you.” Catty
kept her eyes closed. “I
don’t expect you did.” “I
needed you.” “I
know.” Millie touched Catty’s
shoulder. Catty’s
lower lip quivered. “I haven’t
done so well.” “So
I see.” “They
won’t let me take a shower or brush my teeth.
I can’t even have a drink of water.”
“I’ll
get you something to drink as soon as the doctor says it’s okay.” Catty
opened her eyes. “I love the shower. Virgin’s bower. Mama’s power.
Hubby’s dower.” Millie
chuckled. “I’ll make sure you
get a shower too.” “That’s
why I come here, you know -- for the shower.” Millie
was surprised. “You’ve been here
before?” “Whenever
it gets cold and I can’t find a place to stay.”
Catty propped herself up on her elbows. “You
won’t tell Nurse Ratchet will you?”
“How
did you hurt your arm?” “The
iceman cometh to “You
fell on the ice?” “The
banshee wanted me to fall.” “You
want to tell me what happened?” “What
the hell does it look like?” Millie
sighed and tried again. “Where’s
Ben?” “Old
bubble-butt took off years ago.” Big
surprise. Ben didn’t strike Millie
as a man who could deal with Kate’s problems.
“And your mother?” “I’d
rather you ask about the rape.”
“I
thought you said there wasn’t one.”
Another
giggle. “Not tonight.”
Kate was fragile even before her
mother walked in on her making love to Millie. Once
she became hysterical when she thought the thirteen-year-old paperboy was
a pooka. Believing that she
was an old soul, she remembered being guillotined during the French
Revolution and lynched in Millie hurried down the back
stairs and across the Brown patio. Peering
around the corner of the house, she watched as Lottie Brown spoke to the
photographer. Kate and Ben allowed
themselves to be arranged under the big oak tree in the front yard like
stiff-limbed rubber gumbies.
Neither of them smiled -- nor did they look at each other.
The chauffeur opened the back door of the limousine.
Kate’s mother herded the glum couple into the backseat and
crawled in after them. Millie sobbed as they drove away.
She wasn’t a fool -- she knew that the affair couldn’t go on
forever, but she figured the love would.
Besides rescuing Kate from little catastrophes had occupied most of
her teenage years. What would
she do now? Letting go would
be easier if it didn’t mean leaving Kate in the hands of her mother.
Catty jerked and
moaned in her sleep. Millie wondered
how long she had been on the street.How many times had she been
victimized? Beaten?
Raped? She was lovely as a
girl, but years of hard living had chipped her teeth and loosened her
skin. She was almost unrecognizable
now. Everyone had let her down.
Even Millie. Especially Millie. Depressed,
she tiptoed out the door. Ruby
sat at the central desk working on a chart.
“Catty’s going to be fine. No
broken bones,” she said without looking up. “How’s
the other one -- the one with the gunshot in the chest?” Ruby
shrugged. “Oh
no!” Millie hugged herself. “Who
was she, Ruby?” “Maybe
a prostitute. There was no I.D.” “What
happened to her?” “Who
knows? The vulnerable ones don’t
last very long.” Millie
thought of Catty. “Maybe that’s
a blessing.” From her third story bedroom,
Millie watched the Brown’s big Victorian house.
Within twenty minutes, they returned from the church.
The limousine driver let them out in the driveway.
Ben helped Mrs. Brown and Kate out of the backseat.
Heads lowered, they trooped up the sidewalk single file.
Two steps from the front porch, Kate paused and looked up.
Millie waved. Kate glanced at
her mother before smiling and wiggling her fingers.
Ben squinted against the afternoon sun, scanning the windows until
his eyes locked on Millie. Millie backed away from the
window. The house next door was dark
and sad. Weddings were supposed to
be fun. There should be bridesmaids
and ring bearers and a multi-tiered cake. People
brought presents. Girlfriends caught
bouquets. Bachelors got drunk and
put garters on their heads.
Not Kate’s wedding.
Hers was nothing but grief and a blue silk dress. Millie
sank down in a chair beside Ruby’s desk.
“How long before the doctor can do Catty’s rape kit?” “Another
half hour tops.” “I’m
going to find a place for her to stay.”
Ruby
took off her glasses. “It won’t
be easy.” “I
don’t want her sleeping in the cold anymore.”
Millie felt she had to explain. “You
better be careful. What if she’s a
con artist? What if she tries
to rob you?” Millie
took a deep breath. “I know her --
or at least I did thirty years ago.” “Oh?”
Ruby’s eyebrows rose. “Can
you delay the doctor a little longer?” “We’re
going to need that exam room if we get another rape, but I’ll do the
best I can.” Ruby squeezed her
hand. Millie opened the door to find Ben
on her front porch. “Can I
help you?” “You stay away from my wife.”
He snarled. “It didn’t take Lottie long to
tell you, did it?” “It wasn’t Mrs. Brown.
Kate told me.” “I see.” He pressed his forehead against
the screen door, his great round cheeks flushed and sweaty.
“On my wedding night, I find out my wife is a pervert.” “Do you love her?” He slammed his fist against the
doorjamb. “You don’t have
any right asking a question like that.” Millie pushed the screen door into
his face. “Answer me.”
He backed away, eyes wide as she
advanced on him. “Answer me,” she insisted. He slid down the steps, landing on
his butt in the grass. “Stay
away from us or I’ll tell everyone in town that you are bull dyke.”
He got up, brushing off the seat of his trousers.
“I’m warning you.” “Take care of her then.”
Millie screamed after him. “All
the shelters are full.” Millie
carried a large paper bag full of clothes and toiletries.
“I couldn’t find a minister willing to let anyone sleep in his
church either.” “I
could have told you that.” Ruby
shook her head. “They are
afraid the homeless will stink up the vestibule.” “I
got hold of her mother. The old hag
hung up on me.” “So
what are you going to do?” “Hotel.”
Millie sighed. “I made
reservations and paid for room service to bring her something to eat.
That’ll do for a couple of days. Then
I’ll figure out something else.”
“There’s a special place in heaven for you, Millie.”
Ruby patted her back. Millie
slammed the door behind Ben. He
wasn’t the brightest man in town, letting Lottie Brown con him into
marrying her emotionally fragile daughter without asking why. The
Brown money made him eager, of course -- but then, no one told him it was
about getting Kate away from an inappropriate lover until after the
ceremony. Millie had no doubt that Ben
Striker would spread nasty rumors about her -- rumors the lower class men
in town would enjoy. Lottie would
take care of the middle class. The
bitch didn’t care if she hurt Millie’s parents. She didn’t care if
she hurt Kate for that matter. The
woman would do anything to pry the two girls apart.
Not because she had a moral objection, but because Kate belonged to
her -- body and soul. Millie couldn’t bear watching
them destroy Kate. She packed a
bag, left a note for her parents and tucked her savings account passbook
into her purse. She was nineteen
years old when she left home the day after Kate’s wedding and she
thought her life was over. That
was before Millie met her husband, before she had children. She
believed in second chances now -- and love that unlocked any door.
Whistling, she headed back toward Catty’s room.
“You can take your shower now.” She
froze, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Use
plenty of crème rinse to get the rats out of your hair.” Catty
was gone. “Where
is she?” Millie set the bag of
goodies on Ruby’s desk. “Cleaning
up?” Ruby sealed the rape kit and
labeled it. “She
knew I was coming back with clothes -- that I had a place for her to
go.” Millie scratched her head.
“I can’t believe she’d just leave.” “Maybe
she went to pee and got lost.” Ruby
locked the rape kit in a cabinet and put the key in her pocket. “Ruby!”
Millie’s voice echoed down the hallway.
“She’s been in here.” She
pointed to the supply closet. “Everything’s
a mess.” Ruby
consulted the inventory chart. “Looks
like she grabbed a handful of things. Probably to sell.” Millie’s
heart pounded with inexplicable fear. “She
came for a shower, Ruby.” Ruby’s
eyes changed. “Upstairs.” The
two of them ran up the steps rather than wait for the elevator. A
small circle of nurses and orderlies stood in the hallway.
“What
is it?” Millie tapped a young man
on the shoulder. “Some
crazy old broad shot up air in the shower.”
He shrugged.
Millie pushed her way through the small crowd.
Catty sprawled on her face, her scrawny butt showing through the
back of her hospital gown -- a fat syringe near her right hand.
“Kate!” Millie rolled
Catty over and put her arms around her. “Come
on, sweetie. You can make it.”
Ruby crouched beside them. “She’s
gone.”
“Why?” Millie was
dazed. “She knew I was going to
take care of her.”
Ruby pried Catty out of Millie’s arms and covered her body with a
blanket. “This was Catty’s
choice -- not yours.”
Millie caressed Catty’s thin leg trying to remember Kate’s firm
thighs. “I was going to fix things -- take care of her.” “Maybe Catty thought that door was closed a long time ago.” |
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