Easter's Lilly (3 page)

“
He has some kind of problem. I’m done.” My father seemed satisfied with that answer and we went inside the house together. As I shut the front door, I noticed that there was a black sedan parked outside of the house.

Chapter 2

Addicted

When I got out of work the next day, I noticed Johnny standing outside my car. He was casually leaning on the hood with a smug smile on his face. Grateful that the parking lot was so far from the restaurant, I briskly ran to the car and scolded him. “For goodness sakes, Johnny, would you just go away.”

“
I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he answered. “Lets head back out to the crossing. I’m not expecting company today.”

“
Are you sick?” I was shocked at his shameless behavior. “I’ll never sleep with you. So, if that’s the plan, make a new one.”

“
You’d better hurry up and let me in.” He pointed to the restaurant and Pierre was watching us again.

“
Are you trying to get me fired?” I was furious.

“
He’s all talk. He won’t fire you.” He leaned in closer to me. I backed up.

“
Please Johnny.” I tried to calm my voice so he would see that I was serious. “Please stop coming here.”

“
Still watching…” He pointed to Pierre, who by this time had taken a seat and was watching us while smoking his cigarette. He was looking at us like we were today’s entertainment.

I hurried over and let him in. “Crossing?” he asked me.

“
I’m taking you home,” I answered. He was still smiling. I don’t think he quite accepted defeat yet.

“
Home?” He reached for my hand as I started the car. I looked over at him.

“
John, I can’t keep doing this.” I pulled my hand away. “I will never be what you want me to be in your life. I’m taking you home. Just leave me alone.”

I hadn’t put the car in gear yet as he leaned into me and pulled me close. I swallowed hard. He was starting to make me uncomfortable. He put his face up close to mine. His breath was warm against my ear. He touched my cheek with his. My dad was right; he was clever. I must admit the logical side of me was still standing in the parking lot outside of the car. There was something about him… I couldn’t explain it. I pushed his chest back away from me but it took all of my strength to do it.

“
Fine!” I gave in.

“
You know you’re sexy when you’re mad.” He was still pretty pleased with himself.

“
Don’t push it.” I tried not to smile back but it was hard. I could feel the sides of my mouth begin to turn up but I fought it.

I drove out there against my better judgment and we walked back to our original spot. He stopped by the rushing waters and took both my hands in his. He pulled them tightly around his waist and put his hands around the back of my chest. He pulled me close into him. I was sure he was going to kiss me. My heart was beating loud enough for him to hear it. He pulled back for a moment. “Lilly, lets go for a little hike.” I wasn’t sure if he was messing with me or looking for a place to be alone.

“
I’m in my waitress uniform,” I answered.

“
Okay, maybe next time.” He smiled as he let me go. The water was crashing in the background against the rocks. I could smell the spray as it gently touched my skin.

“
I don’t get you,” I started. “Why are you pursuing me?”

“
I like you. We don’t have to be exclusive to date.” He was pretty sure of himself.

“
We can hang out now and then,” I continued. “But we’ll never be more than friends. Not unless you clean out your bedroom.” He laughed and took my hand.

“
Can I kiss you?” He didn’t wait for a response when he began pulling me to him.

“
Can I stop you?” I braced myself for his touch. I needed to stay strong.

“
Probably not.” He stared into my eyes with excessive longing. He had me in such a lock that it frightened me. It was like a car accident you happen to see on the street. You know you shouldn’t look but you can’t keep your eyes off of it.

He placed his lips ever so gently on mine and drove himself closer and closer into my body. When he kissed me I melted like the wax of a candle under a hot flame. He stopped there this time. He didn’t lose control. He didn’t try to push. I was almost disappointed.

I drove him home and he asked me if I wanted to go inside. “I’m not that stupid,” I answered. “I’m sure that someone is in there waiting for you.”

“
You may be right,” he answered. “After all, I am the candy man.”

“
So you’re selling drugs to these girls?” I asked, almost astonished that he admitted it so freely.

“
I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He smiled mischievously. “I just mean that I’m so very sweet.”

“
Get out.” I pushed him out the door and he stumbled. “I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” He went to his front door and the blond was there waiting for him. Diana was what he said her name was. He waved to me and I drove away from the house. I could feel the tears well up in my eyes. It was clear that if I didn’t sleep with him, this kind of behavior would continue. But on the other side was always the question of whether or not he would stop even if I
did
sleep with him. Would he just add me to the list? I parked the car in my driveway and noticed the black sedan was still outside my house. I got out of the car and walked inside.

My dad was pacing back and fourth with his arms crossed. Being Irish probably accounted for his bad temper. His fair skin was red with anger. “Why Lilly? Why do you lie to me?”

“
Hi daddy.” I began to try to pass him and go to my room.

“
Get back here NOW!” He was pretty upset. He grabbed my forearm and pulled me backwards. I stopped, almost shocked at his tone. “You obviously don’t see the severity of the situation.”

“
What situation, dad?”

“
Stay away from John, Rudy and all the other delinquents that are involved with him.” He was so angry. I thought the vein in his forehead was going to burst.

“
No problem dad. But really, is having me followed necessary?”

“
I guess so,” he answered. He was still pacing.

“
So you
are
having me followed?” He stopped pacing and sighed.

“
Okay Lilly, go sit down.” He had a defeated tone in his voice. I went to the couch and my dad sat beside me. “Johnny is a drug dealer who gets his supplies from a man we’re trying to find, probably in Mexico. Many women in Johnny’s life have turned up as lifeless bodies along the creek.” This startled me and I shuddered. “I know he takes you there. I’m really afraid, Lilly.”

“
How do you know he sells? I mean, are you sure?” I could feel myself beginning to panic. It was getting hard for me to breathe.

“
There’s something about that man that women find irresistible. But you’re going to have to trust me.”

“
I won’t see him anymore,” I lied.

“
He has a multitude of women that he is with constantly. Don’t embarrass yourself any further.”

“
No problem there,” I answered. Okay, now I was worried.

—

Every day after that day, Johnny met me in the parking lot and we hiked out at the crossing. I began to bring a change of clothes and hiking boots to work with me to change into before we met. It was like we had known each other forever, and I never saw Rudy at the crossing again. I knew that I could never leave him. I was addicted. I could not let go of whatever that magnetic pull was he seemed to have over me. Pierre watched us leave together every day. I knew at some point he would want to collect on the fact that he never reported me to Jim.

“
Marilyn?” Pierre asked. “Would you go to dinner with me tonight?”

“
Pierre, every day you ask me out and every day I say no. When are you going to quit doing this to yourself?” He seemed to ignore my comment.

“
This new seafood restaurant on the mountain just opened and all the chefs in the area are invited. I would like you to be my guest.” He stood before me almost demanding a “yes” from me.

“
Well…” I thought about it for a second. It could be interesting. “All right,” I decided. “But just as friends.”

“
You’ll be my date,” he insisted. “Come on, Lilly. You never go out.”

“
Sure, why not,” I answered. “Besides, you called me Lilly. You remembered my name. I guess that deserves a small reward.” I walked away trying to figure out what to do. I guess I had no choice or I would lose my job for sure. I began to think that this might not be so bad. He was handsome and rich. Johnny never took me out in public. Maybe I should consider this as an option.

When I got to my car, Johnny was waiting for me as he always did. “Sorry Johnny, not today. But I’ll drive you home.”

“
Why, what’s wrong?”

“
I have a date. Yes, out to a restaurant.” He looked stunned, as though I had just punched him in the stomach and he got the wind knocked out of him. He must have known that this day would come. “We’re not in a committed relationship,” I reminded him.

“
Who?” he asked. “You and me or you and him?”

I laughed. “Neither,” I answered. “Look, you were the one who said that you do not want to commit. So, I guess I don’t commit either.” He was still staring at me in utter surprise. “Safe is no fun.” When I said that it just fueled the fire. He began to get a little angry and I could see the blood drain from his face. He turned away from me and said, “Just take me home.”

When we got to his house he got out of the car and slammed the car door behind him. He said not one word to me as he walked straight for his front door and it appeared that there was no one there to greet him. Suddenly I felt a little empty inside. I knew his rules were simply unacceptable yet I continued to play by them. It was time for a reality check. So, I drove home and prepared for my date with Pierre.

Chapter 3

Is That a Yes?

As I was putting on my eyeliner, my dad stopped at the bathroom door. “So, Pierre now, is it?”

“
Yes, daddy,” I answered. “This should make you very happy.”

“
It does, it does.” He smiled. “He’s a good man who makes a good living.” I laughed inside. If he only knew about all the harassment I got from Pierre at work, he wouldn’t be saying that. I only accepted this date to make Johnny jealous. I knew if I became less available, Johnny would want me more.

“
Where’s he taking you?”

“
Some new restaurant called The Lobster Bisque. It’s a local chef gathering.” I answered.

He smirked. “Is Johnny going to be there? Isn’t he a chef at The Grey Willow?”

“
I’m sure if he were going he would have told me,” I answered. “Don’t worry.”

He didn’t look satisfied with my answer. “I’ll let you know when he gets here,” he said, walking towards the living room. I didn’t give any previous thought to whether or not Johnny was going to be there. I put on a form fitting red dress with a low cut neck. The dress came just below the knee and had a slit down the side. When I walked out into the living room my dad whistled. “Does John ever take you out?”

“
No, he doesn’t. But I’m going out now, okay dad?” I was a little embarrassed that Johnny never did take me anywhere. “Oh and by the way, he calls me Marilyn.” My dad laughed at that.

“
Marilyn Monroe? I see the resemblance.”

“
Not funny.”

“
It is a huge compliment, baby. She was very beautiful and most desired.”

“
I guess.” I began to adjust my dress in the mirror in the hallway. I was not used to being all dressed up anymore.

“
It’s about time you met someone who respects you.”

Just then the doorbell rang and it was Pierre. He shook my dad’s hand and they made small talk for a while. Then he put his arm out for me to take it and said, “Shall we go?” I took his arm and we walked out the door. I thought my dad was going to explode with joy.

“
Wow! You look incredible,” he said. “Johnny’s a lucky man.”

“
Thanks,” I answered. “But no more use of the
J
word. I’m all yours tonight.” He smiled at that last comment and opened the door to his Jaguar for me to get inside the passenger’s seat. I realized at this point that Johnny doesn’t even own a car. I drive him everywhere. What is my attraction to that man?