This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise showed, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this story are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Part 7: Tattoos and Shopping are Fun
I attended classes and had a test in chemistry that I forgot to study for. It's not like I've had a lot of time to study. It occurred to me I had my chemistry tutor, and I would use her for some help; I just hope I didn't fail it. I ran into Julie at lunch, and when she saw me coming, she jumped up and give me a big hug and kiss. This drew some eyes our way, but considering it was High School and you see guys and girls kissing all the time, the attention was short-lived. I let it go. I didn't see the need to contain her excitement for me, and I loved it. It was ok if it didn't draw too much attention.
"Rich, I'm glad to see you." Julie said as she sat down. "I missed you so much. All I could think about was seeing you at lunch. I could barely concentrate on my classes. Did you miss me? What did you think about this morning?"
I had to stop her there. I explained to her in a low voice that we could not discuss any business in public. She looked embarrassed and apologized immediately. I told her it was ok.
"I missed you too, Julie." I replied, "I'm also distracted, so much so that I forgot to study for a test. I have been thinking about you a lot. I had a great time last night, and you were my highlight."
I was being vague in case anyone overhead us, but Julie knew what I was saying. She smiled big and said, "You damn right, mister! You're lucky to have me. Just make sure you keep me. You never know when someone may come along and want a piece!"
"Julie, you don't have to worry about that!" I answered playfully. "I'm holding on to you with everything that I have!"
I had not seen this side of her before. She was always nice, and we had a good time, but this Julie was confident and playful; I loved it. I loved to see her cheerful, and it was like I lifted an enormous weight from her. It's funny to think that being put under the control of another person and owned by a motorcycle club would elicit this response. I knew she loved me, and part of her happiness was surely that, but I don't think it accounted for all of it. There was something else there.
The rest of the day seemed longer than the 2 hours it took. When I finally heard the bell for dismissal, I hurried out to the car where Julie was already standing. We kissed, climbed in the car, and drove over to pick up her mother.
"Julie, you were downright ecstatic at lunch." I mentioned. "I've never seen you that confident except last night. I guess you're ok with all the changes."
"Oh my gosh Rich, am I ever." She replied. "You helped us get from under that asshole, so I never have to see him again. You don't know what damage he caused to us. Mom was the one getting abused from the beginning, but I knew what was happening. I was almost 15 when it started. I didn't catch on at first, thinking Mom just had a boyfriend. Then I started noticing him over a lot, then with some of his friends. They never purposely did anything in front of me, but they would make comments like, "I can't wait until you're 18," and "You're going to make a beautiful woman." You know, things like that. They would always stare at me when I was in the room. It just made me feel uncomfortable. That's when I started wearing baggy clothes and becoming withdrawn. I didn't want to be around any boys. Then the girls stopped hanging out with me because I was dressing like that. I just withdrew and spent years by myself."
Julie continued, "After a while, I noticed my mother dress differently, and she was gone a lot more. She started wearing slutty clothes, and when she came home, she would be disheveled and sometimes crying. She would never tell me what happened, but I knew something was wrong. One time I spied on them when they were in my Mom's room and saw them having sex with her. She had a vacant look in her eyes, like she was a million miles away. They caught me and made me watch. My mother was crying, begging them to get me out, but they just laughed. After that they didn't hide it, often abusing my mother right out in the open. I would always run to my room, but sometimes they made me stay. They never touched me, but I still felt dirty."
"My mother became a shell of the woman she was." Julie explained, looking sad, "Her confidence was gone, her self-esteem shattered, and she was despondent all the time. She still did her best to take care of me, making sure I had everything I needed, but I didn't have the one thing I wanted: my Mom. I felt I was all alone. Nicole was there, but my mother wasn't. She was just going through the motions. She just had little left to give me."
"Then I turned 18 and my life became a living hell." Julie was becoming angry as she continued. "Bob, her boss; I hate that name! Bob, he came over and they threw me an 18
th
birthday party. They had cake and presents, like, what the hell. They made Mom serve us in a French maid's outfit with nothing underneath, and it showed everything she had. They made me open my presents, which comprised many sex toys and restraints. I didn't know what half the stuff was. Then Bob announced he was going to unwrap his present; me."