Black Rose (6 page)

Melanie

Tommy’s screams wake me up and my head feels like it’s in a vice grip. I can’t even remember how I made it home last night. This isn’t like me at all and though I’m not exactly sure what took place last night, I’m one hundred percent certain it was against my will.

A surge of panic races through me when I consider the possibility that I may have been sexually assaulted. I jump up and fight off a wave of nausea accompanied with dizziness as I slide my fingers into my underwear. Thank God there are no signs of recent intercourse. There is no soreness and, more importantly, no wetness… Ugh.

My cell phone rings and I only pick it up because it’s the sitter. I don’t have many minutes on it so I get straight to the point.

“What happened last night?”

“I’m guessing, but I think someone at your job may have roofied you.”

“How did I get home?”

“I can only assume a Good Samaritan dropped you off. Someone knocked on the door and when I opened it, you were slumped against the wall with no one else in sight.”

Fear clutches at my heart as the thought of her reporting the incident brings a whole new set of worries to my life. I make my way over to Tommy and begin cleaning him up as I talk on the phone.

“Please don’t tell anyone. You know me better than this; I don’t do drugs.”

“I would never tell anyone. Now go get in the shower and wash that caked-in mud out of your hair. I would have bathed you but it was all I could do to drag your ass into bed.”

“Alright… and thanks for being a friend.”

I make my way into the kitchen with a cleaned up Tommy in tow and grab a bottle out of the refrigerator to heat in the microwave. After it’s done, I give it to him to drink and place him on a clean blanket with some toys. He is in sight where I can see him as I shower.

It feels good to let the water splash over me, washing away the caked on mud and debris from my hair. I’m extremely relieved that I wasn’t sexually assaulted last night yet, at the same time, I’m feeling very unsettled about it. Why in the world would anyone drug a woman just to leave her safely on her doorstep? It makes no sense to me and, eventually, I have to stop straining my brain trying to figure it out. Thank God Tommy and I are safe. That’s all that matters at this point. I’m certain it will come back to me over time. Maybe I’m better off not knowing, though I do wish I could thank the Good Samaritan.

A feeling of dread washes over me as I think about the fact I will have to go to the laundromat now to wash my bedding. What is a simple chore for others is a pain in the ass for me. People don’t realize how much they take things for granted. I would love to have a washer and dryer. Oh well…I choose to focus on the positive. I’m so grateful I wasn’t raped or, worse yet, killed.

I dry off and run a brush through my long, dark hair. I put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and start planning the day. First and foremost, I need coffee. I’m standing in the kitchen, lost in my head and impatiently waiting for the coffee to finish brewing, when a knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. I look out and view what I perceive to be a chauffeur or a delivery man with an envelope in his hand. I haven’t ordered anything and I’m curious if the poor guy has the wrong door. Rather than see him lost in a neighborhood like this, I open it.

“Yes, how can I help you?”

“I was instructed to give you this.”

“Are you certain you don’t have me mixed up with someone else?”

He chuckles, “No, Ma’am. I’m certain you are the woman whom I was instructed to give this.”

I take the envelope but when I attempt to shut the door, he speaks again.

“Ma’am, I was directed to await you reading that note.”

“Okay, let’s see what we have here.” I turn, placing Tommy on the blanket with his toys and bottle, and open the envelope.

Ms. Melanie Edwards,

It is going to take a certain amount of trust for you to do what I am asking of you—just think of me as a Robin Hood of sorts.

I believe we can help one another out and I know you and your son will benefit from my offer.

You see… my aunt is up in years and I would like to offer you an apartment, furnished of course, and an income for caring for her. There really isn’t much to do as she is in good health. Your biggest job would be as a companion and helping to take her to the grocery store and run errands and such. Of course, a car will be provided for you to do so.

If you would be so kind as to accompany my driver, he will take you to meet her and see the residence. I know this will be beneficial for you in the sense of not having to remain at your late night job and it will also enable you to move out of the neighborhood you have been subjected to.

Please be rest assured I am safe and I expect nothing in return—nothing but the peace of mind knowing my elderly aunt is being cared for by someone as kind hearted as yourself.

Sincerely, A Robin Hood of sorts.

I look up to see the driver smiling and holding out his arm as if there is no doubt that I will be accompanying him for the job.

As if reading my mind, he speaks, “Ms. Melanie, there is a car seat in the car and coffee at the drive-thru on the way. I can smell yours brewing so I know you haven’t had yours yet this morning,” he states when I eye him like he’s crazy.

“Because you have the appearance of a professional driver and because I would do just about anything to get my son out of this neighborhood, I am going to accompany you to meet this this mysterious aunt.”

“Very well, Ms. Melanie.”

I turn off the coffee, grab my purse, and pick up Tommy before I change my mind. Answering a cryptic request is totally out of character for me. I know even though I can’t remember details from last night, it did shake me up. If something would have happened to me, my son would be an orphan. I owe him more than that. I need to at least check this elderly woman out. If she needs someone and she can provide a decent place for my son and me to live, I am going to take her up on her offer. I’m desperate for a way out of my terrible living situation, and I’m even more desperate to get Tommy out of the neighborhood we live in before he is old enough to be thrown into the drug culture. I have seen too many kids peddling dope just to fit in, or just to help their families out financially.

The driver’s voice cuts through my thoughts as he asks what kind of coffee I prefer. I can’t help but take note of how educated this man sounds. It is evident my
Robin Hood
is very wealthy—another reason I feel safe about going to meet his aunt. People who have a lot to lose don’t throw it away for some nobody like me. I order a latte and I’m embarrassed I don’t have the money to pay for it. I can’t remember the last time I had good coffee and I nurse it, savoring the aroma as well as the flavor.

“There are teething cookies located in the diaper bag which has been prepared for you, Ma’am. Giving him one will keep him from eyeing that coffee you have.” I look over and see a designer diaper bag I hadn’t even noticed. I look up to see a twinkle in the driver’s eye as he speaks. “Go ahead; it’s your bag now. The boss had that, as well as other items, purchased for you.”

As if reading my thoughts, he continues talking. “I know this probably seems very odd to you, but my boss is big into philanthropy and he just wants to help you.”

“I’m not a charity case,” I bark out before taking time to think.

“He doesn’t perceive you as such. He does view hiring you as beneficial to everyone involved and he is a very skilled businessman like that. It’s just how his mind works. Thinking that way has worked very well for not only him, but his employees in the past. When my boss envisions a project, or a prospective job, it usually means more than just one person will benefit. Such will be the case of you caring for Ms. Jones.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bite your head off.”

We pull into a driveway connected to a home which looks like it came out of a suburban sitcom. Everything is pristine, right down to the landscaping.

“Come,” the driver speaks as he opens the door for my son and me to easily exit the luxury Cadillac.

“We will look at the apartment first and see if it is to your liking.”

To my liking? Normally no one gives a shit about what I like or don’t like.

Tommy bounces in my arms, still gleefully sucking on the teething cookie the driver provided. We make our way to the back of the house and I already know I’m going to love it here. The apartment looks like something from a fairytale and it only gets better when he unlocks the door.

We walk in and there is a dining area and kitchen to the right. A living room sits off to the left. Someone has taken great care to furnish this place and it is beautiful.  It has a contemporary country look and feel to it which makes it immediately feel very homey. It’s just the kind of place I would love to see my son grow up in.

I make my way through the apartment and back into the master bedroom with an adjoining full bathroom. Everything is perfect. The huge antique poster bed with a flowered duvet and plush pillows is the central piece of furniture. The room also houses a dresser, a chest of drawers, a vanity—complete with high end cosmetics and beauty supplies—and a wardrobe, not to mention the huge flat screen TV on the wall. I make my way around the room touching things, as if it will solidify the reality of it all. A walk-in closet catches my eye and I carefully make my way into it, pulling Tommy’s saliva filled, cookie stained hands back from the designer clothing. Curiosity causes me to look at the tags but, instinctively, I already know they are my size. Now I’m a little freaked out. This mysterious man is proving to be very precise in matters that pertain to my son and me. Who is this guy?

I look up to see the driver holding an expensive cell phone out for me to take. “It’s the boss. He is certain you have questions.”

My hand trembles as I take the phone and try to juggle my son in my other arm.

“May I?” The driver asks, offering to hold him.

I hand Tommy to him and speak into the phone, “Hello?”

The rich baritone voice on the other end of the line makes me wonder what the man behind that sexy ass voice looks like.

“I’m certain you have questions, Melanie. I want you to stay at the apartment. Everything you and Tommy need has been adequately provided for you. If you have need of anything else, you may call me on this cell phone you are presently using. This is your cell phone and it has my number already programmed into it. You have also been provided with a top of the line laptop which is located in your office.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“I don’t like being questioned Melanie, but I will allow it due to the circumstances. I have already informed you through my driver, my aunt is in need of a caretaker of sorts. She adores children and she will adore you, just as I already do. Now be a good girl and go meet her and get settled into your new home.”

“Wait a minute, what is your name?”

“You may address me as
Sir
… and Melanie, I will be very displeased if you go back to that dump of an apartment you used to live in. Is that understood?”

Not completely understanding why, I answer. “Yes, Sir…”