I met a young man Daniel almost three years ago. He told me a story I found hard to believe. He assured me it was true. Since then I know it to be. I have met almost his entire family. Daniel put me in touch with others he learned of over the years. I don't know how, I asked, he didn't say.
I am not a writer, far from it. Except for the names and places, the stories you read are true for the most part. Still they are not biographies. Artistic license has been taken to enhance or in some cases minimize the events described. All sexual situations were between consensual adults within the framework of their story.
The stories are somewhat long. Most of these stories cover several years. I will try to keep the chapters short. I suggest you save one for reference. None of the stories are mine, any personal friend, or relative.
This story is about a brother's sense of duty to his sister and her family. Buck struggles to help his sister fight against her demons. The first chapters can be a tough read. It was even more difficult for Buck and Rey Ann to tell it.
This is the third chapter in the series. This may be the most important chapter in the series. It is a turning point of sorts. If you made it through the first two I think you will understand. Not only do their lives change but you may notice Rey Ann becomes more of the narrator.
*****
It was the week before Rey's sixteenth birthday. I went to pick Karen up from the soup kitchen. She was not there. I asked around but no one knew anything. Disappointed again I picked up the kids and headed home. The next day was Friday with no sign of Karen we left for school. The day was like any other except Luis was going to ride the bus to an away basketball game. Rey and I had a quiet dinner. Around ten I left to pick up Luis at school.
I had just started to lose sight of the house when headlights faintly reflected in my rear view mirror. I had an uneasy feeling, I continued in the direction of the school. I knew every inch of that road, slowing down I kept heading away on the long straight part of the road. I should see the lights any time now. I reached the turn that we flipped the bus in and still no lights. My stomach tightened.
I stopped the truck and waited, then turned the truck around. My phone rang, it was Rey.
"He is here!" She whispered.
"I know, I am coming!" I said calmly." Use your key and go to my room and lock the door, it will be the last place they will look."
"Ok Buck. I can do that!"
"Open the window and crawl out into the sun porch. I will leave the keys in the truck. You come around front and drive away, and don't look back. Can you do that?"
"I think so, I am not good at backing up!" She explained.
"I will leave the truck so you can just go forward, don't worry about the lawn."
I looked down I was doing almost eighty, I rounded that curve the house was in sight. A large black sedan was in the drive. They must have seen how fast I was coming and knew it was me. I was calling the sheriff, Don answered.
"He is at the house, Rey is alone." I said as I sped ever closer.
"I am on the way!" Don replied.
It was probably only minutes since I started back but it seemed like hours. The sedan was trying to leave when I slowed to a crawl on the road. My headlights illuminated the interior, all I saw were two young girls in the front, the driver looked terrified. Bobby was inside the house I thought. The car made it out of the drive, and started pulling away. I pulled in quietly out at the road so Rey could get out. I made my way to the front door it was locked. The entry door to the garage was ajar, broken into. There was loud talking inside. I opened the door slowly.
"For the last time where is she bitch!" Bobby had Karen on her knees. "Tell me and I will give this to you!"
I guessed they had not heard the car leave or me come in. Bobby was holding up a syringe. Karen was back on the juice, two fucking days, I thought.
"I need it Bobby, you know I do!" Karen begged. "I'd do anything for you please just give it to me!"
"Where is she Karen, she is my daughter too!" He yelled. I stayed just outside the door waiting to see what he would do.
"Why do you want her?" Karen pleaded her eyes focused on the fix.
"She is fresh pussy, I bet I can get five grand for her first fuck!" Bobby yelled.
"Take me Bobby I will do anything just take me. Give it to me Bobby, I promise I will do anything you ask!" Karen begged.
"Bitch you cost me more in drugs than that pussy brings in." He stuck the needle in her arm. "I know she's in here, he left alone, now just tell me what room is hers!"
"The one on the left, now please give it to me Bobby!" Karen sobbed. He pulled the needle out and put it in his pocket. "No you promised!" She screamed.
"After we get that fucking pussy." Bobby kicked Karen in the gut she doubled over in pain. "Shut up and stay here bitch, I will handle this.
He started in the direction of the kitchen door. In the distance I could hear faint sounds as the sirens roll across the empty fields as they approached. I could have waited but I had a score to settle.
"Get the fuck out of my house!" I was on him in seconds.
I grabbed his coat and swung him around. Bobby is tall and slender but he is from the streets and is a formidable opponent. I know from experience. He lashed out and hit me squarely. I swung him around and slammed him into the Mustang. His right arm smashed the driver's window. He tried to escape but my size and weight trapped his arm inside the car.
"Get the fuck off of me!" He spat.
"Or what?" I spat back.
He smiled that same smile he gave me years ago. He reached back with his left hand and pulled his pistol, just like he did that day years ago.
"I'll fucking shoot you like I did the last time you tried to fuck with me! He boasted pulling the gun from his waist.
The pain in my leg was intense, all those days I did not take those pills reminded me of my past failure. All the hostile missions I went on behind enemy lines, being shot at by trained military. Taking shrapnel from IED's, wading through shit and eating sand. I pulled out bloodied and disfigured bodies of my comrades, at times zipping up body bags. All of that I did with honor and pride. Getting shot in the leg by some two bit street punk was the most embarrassing point in my life, even if it was to try and protect my whore of a sister.
I was faster this time I knew what he would do. I grabbed his wrist and swung it wide the first shot went into the rear tire. The air hissed out as I swung the gun in a counter clockwise rotation. He was strong I was stronger. He tried to work his right hand free but I had him pinned. The second shot, went through the roof. I could hear the sirens approaching closer. I punched his gut with my left, my right hand aimed the gun to his head when he buckled.
"You will never lay a hand on Rey in your life!" I screamed over the blare outside.
"Fuck you asshole!" Bobby cursed.
He heard the click of the blade as it locked in place. I did not stick him deep, just enough to make him flinch. The next shot fired and the splatter stung as it hit my face. His body went limp.
"No, fuck you asshole!" I looked up and in the corner between the boards I saw her eyes glimmer from the light. I looked down and Karen was still doubled over, vomit dripping from her lips.
"Drop the gun!" A deputy called out.
I held Bobby's arm never releasing my grip. He took the weapon from the lifeless hand as I held Bobby against the car. Don came over and put his hand on my back.
"You can let him go now Buck." I backed away and his body slumped to the ground, my knife still in my hand. I handed it to Don.
I had killed several men in my life, I took pride I defending my country but never enjoyed taking another's life. It was a duty I was sworn to uphold, and always in defense of myself or others. That changed somewhat tonight, although I did not enjoy this, I did feel a sense of relief, justified or not I knew the world would be a better place without him.
"Buck you will need to come down to the station." Don explained.
"I need a beer." I said. "Where is Rey? She can't stay here alone!"
"I'll see she is looked after." Don said.
"Have her call Joy, she will take her in." I replied. "Luis is at the school, Archie can take him home."
"Ok, we can arrange that." Don acknowledged. "For now you will need to come with us, Karen too."
The hot water felt good as it cascaded over my body. I watched as the scarlet droplets washed down the drain. My leg hurt like hell, but there was a sense of pleasure in it too. If not for that I might be dead.
That morning I picked up the kids from their hosts and brought them home. The garage was sealed off for now, the remains of the event grossly intact. Luis never could stand Bobby and knowing he would no longer be around was of little consequence. He was more concerned with Rey and Karen than what had happened.
Leaving Rey with Joy was a good decision but the moment she saw me she ran into my arms and refused to let go. She was clingy all day never leaving me out of her sight.
That night as they were getting ready for bed Rey waited for Luis to turn in. I had just put the dishes away from the dishwasher and headed to the living room. I picked up a book and lounged on the couch starting to read. Rey came out dressed in her pajamas and stood at the one end of the couch.
