Sunday night.
-
"Jeff is out of control," Kate loudly told her maid.
Jeff was her ex-boyfriend and former owner, and now her brother in law. Disgusted by him, Kate stood frustrated in the kitchenette of the downtown apartment she shared with her husband, Jeff's brother, Ray.
Kate hated her new small quarters. Realistically, the place was perfect for the two of them, but she was used to more than this. Jeff had always given her the best when they were together. But they were no longer, and she was his brother's keeper.
"Small quarters for a small man," Jeff had whispered to Kate when she expressed her need for a more spacious place.
Since Kate knew less about housekeeping than spending the Anderson family's money, she also pleaded with his maid, Marla, to accompany them to Texas. She expected a no and was surprised when the older woman agreed to come.
Marla cooked and cleaned as she always had. She always filled the house with fresh flowers and a homely aura. The downside of her being there came from her orders for Kate to destroy Jeff's marriage.
"See if you can talk to him this week. Maybe you two can hang out while Ray's at work."
"He won't answer any of my calls," Kate mumbled in annoyance.
"You two used to be attached at the hip," Marla commented, stirring a cup of tea, "Try that Email thing. Or um," she snapped her finger, "Text. Text him."
Kate took the cup and held it to her lips, "I can't do this, Marla," she sipped.
"You need him back, honey. If you two were together, he wouldn't have you living like this, remember?"
Kate frowned as images of Ray's bloody nose flashed in her mind, "I don't think I want him back after what he's done."
Marla frowned, deepening the wrinkles in her worried eyes, "I sure hope Anna is okay."
Kate rolled her eyes.
Marla loved Jeff like a son, but he was too old and far gone to raise. He was a broken man, kind-hearted when need be. She didn't, however, care for his love to corrupt young girls. She had never cared about his sexual exploits before. But he had crossed the line now, having sunk his sadistic claws into the sweet spirit that his new wife, Anna, possessed.
"Anna needs to get out of there before it's too late." Marla noted, remembering his past violent streaks.
"Trust me Anna isn't miserable. She likes it when he freaks out," Kate announced, "She is so disrespectful to him. She talks to him, like..."
"Like she should," she pointed, "I agree. She's got a mouth on her. But she puts him in his place."
"I think she's the problem. I could have sworn I saw her smile when he hit Ray. She's not as dumb as she lets on."
Marla snapped, "There is nothing Dumb about her. Poor girl is probably scared to death. She's too young to be with him, and you know that. She could do a whole lot better than a forty year old alcoholic."
"He's a nice looking man, Marla. Anna isn't up for beauty Queen."
Marla glared as Kate plopped on the cheap kitchen chair and then stood disgusted by the wobble.
"God I hate this place,' she mumbled, cringing on her walk to the living room.
The Anderson family owned multiple furniture stores, but Kate couldn't furnish her home with the basics. She would wait for her luxury shipment from New York to spruce up the place.
"Give him a call in the morning. Tell him you agree with whatever it was had him all riled up," Marla coached her
Kate loudly moaned and plopped on the couch as Marla continued talking. She didn't care about Jeff anymore. Without his money, he was becoming a burden in her life. She now hated sucking him off for what little he gave her. Last time, it was forty dollars. And she damn sure didn't care about Anna or her safety.
Kate huffed as Marla continued to explain her concerns. Her eyes scanned over to the small hallway, but there was nowhere to hide from her daily Jeff rant.
Kate was miserable. Why was she here? Where was her mansion, her beach house? Her office was now the couch, and she sulked back, finding no peace in her living room.
"You can leave early tonight, Marla," she sighed.
Marla snapped her fingers, "I ain't done talking to you yet!"
"Marla, I don't want him back." Kate loudly sounded, "You... you just don't understand."
"You understand that a young girl is in jeopardy. He's manipulated her into god knows what. You've gotta know somebody that can stir up something. Something to show her he is a degrading, unfaithful Rascal..." Marla took a deep breath, unsure where her anger had come from.
Kate rarely saw her this heated, especially at Jeff, and sat up to think, "I can call around. Jeff has never been good with giving women closure," she replied, distracted by her own problems.
"Good. Cause Anna needs to get away from him," Marla held her heart, "Where's Ray?"
"He went to see Jeff."
"But, I thought you said Jeff punched him in the face?"
"They are brothers, Marla," Kate rolled her eyes at their toxic relationship, "They won't stop fighting until one of them dies."
-
Monday night
-
Anna lingered outside his bedroom door before knocking on the wooden grain.
"Yeah?" Jeff shouted.
She opened the door, finding his shirtless hard frame, deliciously laid out on his King bed. Wearing one of his old shirts, she folded her arms across her chest.
"It's cold in my room," she whined.
"Go sleep on the couch."
"It's cold in there too."
"What the hell do you want me to do, Anna?"
"Can I cut the heat on?"
"Hell no. I am not sweating all goddamn night. Go put some damn clothes on."
"I have clothes on!"
"Watch it."
Making a sour face, Anna leaned against his door, before boldly walking to his large bed and climbing up on the far side.
"Hell, no. I am not about to cuddle you, little brat. After what you said. You need to show me some respect and maybe I-"
"Shut up. I don't want to cuddle you." Anna huffed, shoving the covers over her shoulder.
Jeff waved off her attitude and ignored her small lump beside him to watch the Monday night football game. He had two bets going for the 49ers destruction and awaited his fate with a smile until things turned ugly around halftime.
"Ugh! COME ON!" He blared at the television, "Get the damn ball!"
Anna rose from her sleeping pose to frown, disoriented from the abrupt sound.
"GODDAMNIT!" Jeff kicked his foot.
Stunned by his outburst, she turned to face him while her frown deepened and exhaustion tired her doe eyes.
"What happened?"
"Their defense is killing me. They need to-"
"Seriously?" Anna scrunched her nose, annoyed by his flimsy excuse, "Turn it down, and don't yell at the TV."