A night to remember

I was bored for some excitement in my life. Phoning a friend  that I had know from grade school to ask if she would join me at a club we went to occasionally to see what men were available to dance and have a few drinks and good conversation then seeing what the evening would bring.

Dressing down as this place was not fancy but the music filled the air with some blues that you only could hear in Orleans. These musicians had all played there at some time in their careers and had finally come home to roost.

Parking, we could hear the music vibrating a block away as we sauntered down the street to the beat. The place was crowded as usual with mostly men a few women scattered throughout looking for some action just like us. You had to find your own seating in this dark and melodious dive. The interior painted black with splashes of bright colors on the stage where five older men sat playing and swaying with the beat. They must have all been in their seventies but one listening from outside would never have guessed. They knew how to play trumpets, saxophones and the piano player fingers glided across the keys as if he was in another universe.

Finding a seat in an alcove near the back, we settled, ordering wine from a waiter whose age matched the musicians.  We were happy that the men who sat around listening to the music were much younger. Jay was flirting with a fellow from across the room, a big man as usual she liked her men on the hefty side she said it made her feel smaller and thinner. Jay was carrying a bit of extra weight.

I got up to go the washroom, when I returned her friend was sitting with his arm draped around the back of her chair. His curved smile made his face look iniquitous the dark eyes piercing through me. I took a dislike to him instantly; he spoke with such arrogance I thought for sure Jay would ask him to leave. Pulling her up to dance the surprise showed on my face when she went happily onto the dance floor. His comment under his breath was alarming. He would be taking this broad home and she would never be the same again. I should just leave now.

Looking around I did not see a soul that interested me so any excitement for tonight was not going to happen. I waited for the return of the dancers  telling Jay I was ready to leave. He spoke for her saying they were going to dance some more and he would see Jay home. Again, she surprised me by agreeing with him. I was not her keeper but getting up I bent over whispered to her to watch out for this man. Telling me she would call me later, I left feeling ominous about this situation.

Still feeling portentous when arriving home, I called Jay’s cell three times with no answer. Trying to shake off the feeling I ran a bath filled it with my favorite oils and tried to relax. Dozing and half-dreaming the phone started ringing in the living room.  Quickly jumping out I retrieved it on the fourth ring. I could hardly hear her voice as she was sobbing and incoherent, she wanted me to come over. Arriving I was shocked when she opened the door her face swollen, one eye closed and many bruises were evident , her beautiful long blond hair covered in blood. Her robe fell open and all I could see was a gash with blood oozing down her stomach. I phoned for an ambulance.

The police were at the hospital when we arrived.  The doctor took Jay away for a rape kit and stitches. All she knew was his name was George.

The police asked me, but all I could do was give them a description of this monster.

Asking Jay about what happened she told them he had offered to drive her home from the club, he had taken her to a large parking lot locked the car doors, had a knife threatening her while he raped and beat her. She had escaped as he had gotten out of the car to relieve himself. She had run screaming towards a gas station and he had driven off. The gas attendant had called her a taxi. He wanted to phone the police but she said no.

They wanted to keep her overnight for observation as the wound was deep and still had blood coming from it. I told her I would pick her up the next morning.

I stopped at home picking up my glock, changing into my long blond wig and different cloths, headed back to the club, and sure enough, George was sitting drinking a beer, his face showing surprise as his smiled disappeared as he recognized me heading his way. Then his arrogance took over, I could see in his eyes he thought I was there for him, the first thing out of his mouth was, want to dance? He pulled me onto the dance floor holding me tightly, I could smell the beer from his breath. I whispered was my friend not enough for you, he laughed  saying could I handle him, holding my hair close to his nose, blond hair was obviously his turn on. The music stopped and the band started to pack it in for the night. 

Sitting down I told him, I had just left my friend at the hospital. Shock showed on his face as I slowly put my gun on his crotch and told him to finish his beer as we were leaving.  .

Outside I told him to walk towards the alley, he tried to make small talk saying things just got out of hand with my friend she wanted it ruff. He moved quickly for a large man and kicked at my knee missing. I was faster as I swept his legs from under him as he crashed beside a garbage bin banging his head blood spurting out, now he was the scared one. He started to crawl down the alley to get away from me. I let him get deeper into the dead end alleyway, as he tried to get up I stomped him with the heel of my boot into his groin hard. His curved smile was long gone.

Now he was pleading the same, as I am sure Jay had done a few hours ago. Fury took over as I pulled out my gun. He yelled that I could not shoot him, as it would be murder. No, was my reply self defense for you following me and trying to rape me..

Premeditated yes, but could or would  they prove it no.

Stalker,

It was dark as I entered my apartment, switching on the hall light I knew someone had been here. I always left some mail at the door it had been rearranged. I had been getting weird calls late at night with heavy breathing, not a word spoken. I stopped answering those two weeks ago. Yet they continued. I would be sitting having a coffee with a friend and could feel penetrating eyes on my back turn to find a shadow moving quickly away. This was happening more often at different times and places. My girlfriend mentioned while we were shopping that a man had taken our picture, but she could not see his face only his huge frame.

Walking, slowly into my kitchen, I picked up a knife as I passed the counter, checking each room carefully, as I went through. Reaching my bedroom a shape of a body was indented on my bed, whoever it was wanted me to know he had lain on my bed. Opening my side drawer beside the bed, my Glock was gone.

Now I had proof someone was stalking me and had been inside my apartment. I phoned the detective who I had previously told of my suspicions of someone stalking me. Mike Harman told me to stay in my apartment and lock the doors until he arrived. I heard the siren and then a loud knock, him identifying himself. It had only taken him ten minutes to arrive. Probably because I mentioned my gun had disappeared.

I repeated to Mike what had happen tonight, he went into the bedroom took my bedspread asking for a plastic bag. He made a call asking a forensic team to come and dust for prints.

He was now taking this seriously. Could I stay with a friend until they found out whom this was?  My close girlfriend lived a few blocks away so I phoned her and she said to pack and get over there. Mike drove me asking if he could keep a key to my place.

The next few days I knew that I was being tailed and happy it was the good guys. Sally and Mike made me promise not to go back to my place unless she or the police were with me. This went on for two weeks nothing happened, not wanting to impose on Sally any longer, I returned to my place and started to clean right through every room. That night the phone calls started up again, he knew I was back so he was still following me.

Telling Mike, he had my phone bugged to try to get a number and area from where the calls originated. Mike said they had found DNA and fingerprints but no matches so far. He wanted me back at Sally’s but I refused. I was not going to let this person upset my life. I replaced my gun, hiding it in my bathroom cabinet. I had the locks changed putting in an alarm system and that was as far as I would go.

Three weeks went past without any calls, he must know that my phone was tapped. I was sure, when I left the gym, I had someone behind me, but could never see anyone. When I went grocery shopping my hair would stand up and my body would get a shiver right up my spine. He was still out there, I was sure of it. Mike was kind always checking up and had a police cruiser drive past a few times a night, never the same time or schedule.

Christmas was only two weeks away, I had made plans to visit my family and was going to drive down next week, the last of my shopping I would do tomorrow after work. Meeting Sally we stopped for a hamburger at the mall then separated to shop. We planned to meet again at closing for a quick drink.

I loved this time of year, and always looked forward to seeing my siblings and their children. Moms, homemade goodies always a special treat. I was happy with my choices for the family showing my purchases to Sally over our drink. Promising to see her before, I left the following week. Heading home with Christmas carols on the radio. I certainly felt the spirit of Christmas.

Arriving home to find a gift box wrapped beautifully with a large red bow with a card inside my door, my intruder was back and had been inside again, my alarm had been cut,  running to the bathroom relief swept over me he had not found my gun. Calling Mike, it went to messages saying he would get back as soon as possible.

I unlocked the safety on my gun and went from room to room, checking closets under and behind furniture until I was sure, he was not here. On the kitchen counter were two wine glasses with an open bottle one glass already had had wine in it. A note to say he wanted to wish me a Merry Christmas. Then the phone rang, a deep voice telling me he loved my new hair cut, I had only had it done that day. He asked if I had opened my gift yet and he was sure that I would look fantastic in it.

I told him, to come over and see what, I looked like in whatever it was, I would wait and open it when he arrived and we could finish the bottle of wine together. His deep laugh vibrated through the phone, then he hung up.

A light knock came as I hung up, was it him, and was he that close. Slowly I peered out the curtain and a silhouette of man stood looking in at me. Calling  just a minute retrieving my gun from the table.

Opening the door I stepped back pointed the gun telling him to come in. His deep voice sounded surprised and sad as he told me I did not want to hurt him, he was the one to do the hurting.

I aimed fired three time and watched him slump to the floor inside my door.

I was not planning on waiting for a court day and him being released to start this all over again.

I dialed Mike’s number leaving another message.