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Library of Congress Cataloging In Publication

Revised Edition

Copyright © 2012 Patrena L. Miller

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13:978-1475021301

 ISBN-10:1475021305

“WATCH OUT!  STOP!” Bethany yelled. 

The sound of fear in the voice of Bethany sent chills through Mason’s body as he gripped the steering wheel.  Wondering what was wrong he slammed on the brakes trying not to swerve out of control; there was no time to react, no time to be defensive and no time to ask questions.  You could hear the rubber tires squealing against the pavement as smoke filled the air.  All was silent; the tension built when Bethany could not hear Mason’s voice.  She looked around the car, what was left of it searching for any signs of Mason.  Bethany attempted to get out of the car when she noticed that she was bleeding from her head.

“Shit!  Ok, ok, ok Bethany; let’s not get overwhelmed here” she said to herself trying not to get worried at the sight of blood. 

“Mason, where are you?  Mason, can you hear me?  Mason?” she cried out again. 

Not knowing what to think, Bethany quickly got to her feet.  Bethany noticed that it was dark out and she began wondering how long she was knocked unconscious.  She walked around the car yelling Mason’s name, hoping that he would answer.  The calmness of the night air made Bethany very fretful. 

“I knew I should have stayed my ass at home, why did I let him talk me into going to his house just to sit down and have a conversation.  Hell, I could have done that at home; but Mama and Chester would have over heard us and that is the last thing I need is for them to be in my business filling my head up with more worries.”

She was miles away from home and nothing was in sight for miles. 

“Where exactly am I?” 

Looking around, Bethany realized that she was not that far from Mason’s neighborhood.  It was not that close however it was all she had to go on for now.  It was getting late and the only thing that Bethany was concerned with was finding a place to lay her head and hopefully to find Mason.  Walking the dark beaten road, Bethany began to talk to herself.

“Girl, what have you gotten yourself into?  All alone walking right into a troublesome neighborhood that you are not welcomed at.  Damn, I got a major headache, a boyfriend who is not highly favored with my parents, and no money to catch a taxi or call home.” 

Bethany already bruised and banged up decided to take the shorter route to Mason’s house; she remembered a road that Mason took them down one day when he was dodging a car accident.  Talk about trifling, the people were out there fighting instead of exchanging insurance information.  Chuckling to herself, Bethany recalled sister-girl hair flying all over the place.  Her legs were getting weaker with every step and soon Bethany began to walk with a limp.

“I hope Mason is at home and I hope he is all right because when I see him, he won’t be.  How could he leave me like that, in the middle of nowhere?  He has got a lot of explaining to do when we cross paths.  I got to keep moving and I must move quickly; I do not want to be out here all alone… there is no telling what kind of ailing people come out at night.  Lord knows, I see enough nutcases during the day” she said venting with good reason. 

Bethany gotten closer into town and she saw people hanging out on the street corners; wanting to avoid any contact or attention she walked on the other side of the street. 

“Finally, I can see his house right up the street.  I am so glad that no one bothered me; if they knew I was from up town, I would probably be in worse condition than I am now.” 

The southwest part of Chicago was not as well off as the upper northeast side of Chicago.  The people there were poor; most of them were living off the system getting welfare.  Many people lived with other relatives that already had too many children.  Most of the buildings in the area were boarded up, the stores looked like a jail cell with all those bars on the windows, and the street had more trash on it than the city dump.  Making her way through the city Bethany began to reminisce on old times. 

“These people would probably kill just to have what I got.  I guess my folks were right about managing my life.” 

Bethany lived comfortably in a one-bedroom apartment; no children, a decent job, parents that love her and a best friend named Dottie that she would not trade for the world.  Dottie and Bethany have been best friends since middle school.  Dottie was thick in the back, heavy up top, and girlfriend had some serious curves.  Her parents lived on the south side but she attended school on the north side.  She stayed with her aunt so that she could get a better education and life. 

Remembering the day that they met in school; those hideous hoes in their cheerleader outfit were taunting and teasing folks as usual.  Since Bethany was attractive, slim, had fair skin, and longer hair than most of the girls; she knew that she could be a part of their squad.  When she got rejected because she never cheered before; she knew it was because of the captain of the cheerleading squad.  That chick was so jealous of Bethany; she made her run out of the room crying.  There was only one person there to help her dry those tears and that person was Dottie.   

Bethany could see lights on in the house as she walked up the road.  She had only been to Mason’s house twice and she always stood in the front room right next to the door.  She was too afraid to follow him into the next room because he always had a house full of people.  Bethany’s boyfriend live on the south side of town and he was six foot two inches.  A real thug with good taste, a person who knew how to fine tune his body so that those muscles would scale each and every part of his shirt.  He was rough but he knew how to be gentle with a woman.  Well, he did with Bethany.  Let the people on the street tell it, he is a woman beater.  Mason was infatuated with Bethany and he wouldn’t let other men get too close to her.  She wouldn’t dare look at another man while Mason was around either; the brother turn colors when he got angry.

Bethany walked up the steps and tried to look through the window.  She did not see any movements through the curtains; so she knocked on the door.  Getting no answer, she knocked again but this time a lot louder.  No one answered.  Bethany kicked at the door and finally a shadow appeared.  She sighed with relief thinking that it was Mason but to her dismay it wasn’t; before Bethany stood a lady who appeared to be about six feet, long legs, short hair, and bodacious hips. 

“Hello, is Mason home?”  she stammered  trying to regain composure.    

The woman just stared at Bethany and began drilling her with questions.

“Who are you and why do you want Mason?”

Bethany never got a chance to answer her because the chick wouldn’t shut up. 

“Wait a minute, you’re that girl that he met on the north side.  Tell me why are you down here all alone and at this time of night?  Don’t you know that people like you end up on the back of milk cartons?” 

As she laughed, Bethany turned and walked away with her head down.

“How stupid could I be?  Why is this happening to me?  What did I do to deserve this?” 

Bethany sat on the steps and leaned her head up against the railing for support.  Her eyes got heavier and heavy and the last thing she remembered was hearing laughter and voices coming up the road.  Bethany figured that she could get an early start in the morning and find someone who would let her use the telephone.  As Bethany dosed off she felt something at her feet, she was too tired and weak to move as she attempted to look up Bethany was hit with something hard in the back of her head. 

“Chester, go and call your sister and tell her meet me at your father’s shop around four.  This way I can drop off the car and she and I can do some shopping.” 

“Yes Ma’am” said a sweet small voice. 

“I have got a lot to do today so please hurry along now; I have much to do and little time to do it in.  Bethany is going to be so happy to see that I have picked out her favorite colors and made her a family photo album full of memories.  I can’t wait to see the surprise look on her face.”

“Mom, mom… she was not home.  I left her a message to go to dad’s shop at four o’clock.” 

“Thank you Chester, I must say that you are growing up to be a fine little gentleman.” 

“Aww mom; you make me feel like I am a big boy.” 

“Well, yes you are a big boy.  You are growing up and I must say that you are being very responsible.” 

“Great! I can’t wait to tell Bethany that I am a big boy now.  Mom, can I have Bethany’s old room now that I am a big boy?” 

“Chester, I am saving that room for something special.  Your dad and I are looking to rebuild some sections of the house.  Just hold on and save your energy; when we finish you can move everything all at once.”

“Okay mom, you’re the best” Chester shouted as he skipped down the hallway. 

The doorbell rang and Chester raced towards the door. 

“No you don’t little one; now you know that you are not allowed to answer the door.” 

“Aww mom, I thought that I was a big boy.” 

“Well you are; but you still can’t do certain things just yet.”

As the door opened, Mrs. Beauvais saw a familiar face. 

“Hello Mrs. Beauvais.” 

“Hello Dottie, how are you today?” 

“I am doing well and how about yourself?” she said while smacking her lips.

“I am fine; what brings you this way Dottie?” 

“I was looking for Bethany.  Have you seen her today?” 

“Not yet; but I am expecting to see her later on today. 

“Mrs. Beauvais, do you mind if I wait around here?”  she said sniffing the air.

“Not at all Dottie; come on in and make yourself comfortable.” 

“Thanks a lot Mrs. Beauvais, I appreciate it.  Wow, what are you baking?  It really smells good in here.” 

“It is Bethany and Chester favorite cake; I call it a strawberry, seven-up, upside down cake.” 

“I have never heard of that cake before Mrs. Beauvais.” 

“It is something I made up.  I decided that I was tired of eating the same ole’ type of cakes and decided to do something different.” 

“Well Mrs. Beauvais it smells really great, I can’t wait to taste it.”

“Thank you Dottie, I am sure you will enjoy it.”

As the time passed on, Bethany was nowhere to be found.  It was ten to four and Bethany had not shown up at the house. 

“Dottie can you call Bethany’s home number for me while I take out the cake?” 

“Sure thing Mrs. Beauvais.” 

“I cannot believe that Bethany is being so selfish; I wonder where she could be?  Chester called her earlier and left a message and she has not even called me today at all” Mrs. Beauvais said under her breath. 

“I am not getting any answer, do you want me to leave a message?” 

“No, I will go by there before I go to pick up my husband.  Come on Chester it is time to leave.”

“She was with you yesterday; what did you girls do?” 

Dottie began to blabber off at the mouth like she always does; giving more information than needed. 

“Bethany went to get something to drink at the bar and then I saw her talking to Mason on her way back to the table.” 

“Mason!  I told Bethany that I don’t want her hanging around that guy; he is nothing but bad news.” 

“We left out the club together but then she was talking to dude outside; I got in my car and left.” 

“Wait until I see her; I am not thrilled with her actions.”

Departing ways with Dottie, she got into her car and drove to Bethany’s house.  It was a good thing that it was along the way to the shop; because the cakes weren’t the only things fogging up the windows.

Stepping out of the car Mrs. Beauvais crossed the street and knocked on her door.

“Bethany, young lady open this door.  Bethany!  I don’t know where she can be but I am very disappointed in her.  Wait until I inform her father, I can’t believe she is going out with that brute again; after all that he has done in the past to break her down and destroy everything that she has worked for.”