Thank you so much for your patience. The chapter that I'm working on is coming along okay but I think it can be better. Unfortunately it is going slower because I've been ill and I have to now catch up on my work. Submissions will be slow. Thanks for your comments and I hope you enjoy this latest installment. Have a great week everyone. :)
~!~
Sally was at work laughing with her co-workers when Rhonda came bounding up the stairs.
"Hey girl. Hey everybody, what's going on?" Rhonda asked.
Some replied, others gave her a look of disapproval especially Nancy, Jack's wife.
"Rhonda, where have you been? I haven't seen or heard from you in weeks. I've been worried."
"I'm fine. I have a surprise for you," Rhonda said happily as she bumped Sally on the shoulder.
"Oh God, please don't tell me you're pregnant. Please don't."
Rhonda laughed, "You're funny sometimes. You know I don't want to get no kid. That's not it."
"You went back to school?" Sally asked optimistically.
"That's hard work Sally and we all know Rhonda doesn't believe in doing an honest days' work, isn't that right Rhonda?" Nancy directed with false sweetness.
"Go to hell Nancy. I wasn't talking with you. I work hard for your information."
"The only hard work you know is leeching."
"Nancy, it's okay," Sally said trying to prevent an explosion between the two. Nancy walked but Sally saw the flicker of pain that flashed across Rhonda's face. "What did you want to show me?"
"Just forget it," Rhonda said feeling rebuffed. She looked at Nancy. "She's such a bitch. I haven't done anything to that bitch to have her hate me."
"She doesn't hate you. She actually wants the best for you."
"No she doesn't Sally. She hates me, always have. I'm not a school person...whatever."
"Tell me what you wanted to show me."
"I got a new car."
"You got a new car? How? Where'd you get the money?"
"I'm doing this new gig with Katie..."
"Oh God this is worse than I thought. Please tell me no...Rhonda how can you have anything to do with her again?"
"She's changed this time. I swear...she's not into that shit any..."
"That's bullshit and you know it. Katie doesn't know what a hard day's work is and she's doing is using you like her pawn. What's the gig this time?"
"It's cool and the money is easy..."
"No good money is easy Rhonda. Why can't you learn your lesson about this girl and move on from her."
"I'm not working with just her. She hooked me up with this guy..."
"NO! The last guy she hooked you up with put you in the hospital for a week. You can't trust anyone that she knows."
"That's not gonna happen to me again Sally. This guy is different."
"Rhonda you know better than that. The guy..."
"Sally the same thing can happen to you. Any guy you go out with can hit you the same way..."
"No, they won't...I won't," Storm said. He had been standing by the stairs listening to most of the conversation. When Jack was about to make everyone aware of his presence, he had motioned to him not to. He wanted to hear but couldn't stay quiet after he saw the terrified look that came over Sally's face. Looking at Sally, he emphasized, "I have never hit a woman and I never will either. I would hurt any man who puts a hand on my sister."
"What do you mean you won't?" Rhonda asked Storm before looking at Sally.
"Rhond..." Sally began.
"Wait you're seeing him? You said you didn't like him. Wow! And you talk about the guys I go out with. You think because he has money he won't hit you?"
"Money doesn't determine if a guy is going to be abusive. I have never been abusive to a woman and..."
"All men hit. You may not have started on her yet..."
"Rhonda not every guy is like that but the guys that Katie knows are only using you..."
"And he's not using you? How do you know he's really interested in you and not trying to get back at some Barbie Doll he really wants? You think he's really interested in slumming it with the help?" Rhonda asked.
"Rhonda, I get that you've had some bad experiences but don't imply that's what's happening between Sally and I. I don't go out of my way to many anyone jealous and I've never slummed with anyone. Sally is the only woman I'm dating or interested in dating." Storm sighed trying to keep his cool. "Rhonda, Sally cares about you...there are people who care about you. I'm here is you need help all you have to do is ask..."
"Gosh, I wish everyone would just leave me alone. I can make my own decision. I'm not an idiot you know. I'm fuckin' gone," Rhonda yelled and turned to leave.
"No wait!" Sally yelled and reached for her.
"No Sal. I came here to share my news with you and all I get is attacked. I'm gone."
"No Rhonda, please don't go. Tell me what you want to tell me..."
"You know Sal sometimes I think you don't want me to do anything for myself. You want everyone to keep praising you and when it comes to me you want me to always be asking you for shit. It's the same thing Katie was say..."
"Go to hell Rhonda. I've always supported you. I've always been there for you and wanted the best for you but I'm not going to kiss Katie's ass for you and when she gets you into trouble again, don't call me to bail you out. You're nothing more than Katie's pawn and you won't see that she'll sell you out the first chance she gets."
"Yeah...whatever...she's a real friend because at least she's happy for me."
"Find Rhonda she's your friend..."
"Yeah she is," Rhonda said as she turned to walk away.
"Rhonda, Sally really does care about you..." Storm said.
Rhonda rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah whatever," and turned and left.
"Well it's about time you began seeing her for who she really is..."
"Nancy she's not a bad person..."
"One day you're going to have to let her go but I hope and pray it won't be at the cost of your life."
"Nancy you're never nice to her..."
"Sal, nice can't help her, the truth will. She had a perfectly good job here and she refused to show up to work. You go to school and show up every time you're scheduled. Do you know the only time you've have missed work was the time you had strep? You know the reason why we put up with her and not call the cops? You! Jack and I and everyone here is proud of you but she...all she wants to is to leech off you and she's not going to stop until you stop her or she sucks you dry. Storm it was nice meeting you. I've heard a lot about you from my husband."
Storm reached over and shook Nancy's hand. "The pleasure was all mine."
"Don't hurt her," Nancy whispered.
"No ma'am, I'll do my best not to."
~!~
The rest of the night was silent, at least the only things said by anyone was about what needed to be done next. Storm helped Sally clean off some of the tables while keeping an eye on her also. Her mood was sad and she glanced at the stairs often. He knew she was hoping Rhonda would return but she wouldn't. It would seem that many people had given up on Rhonda, everyone except Sally. Sally was still holding on to the friendship and he wondered if it was loyalty or obligation. It was time for them to leave and Storm walked her downstairs.
"Good night. Thanks for stopping by," Sally said as she turned away from Storm.
"Spend the night with me," Storm said as he turned her around to face him.
"I can't."
