Southern Romance (2 page)

    
“He told me he could tell that I had drank too much and that he was a cop and if I wanted he would take me home.  We went to the table and told my friends our plans then I said goodnight.  We got into his truck and my eyes were very heavy, everything was spinning.  I felt nauseous.  I gave him the directions and just relaxed. 

    
“When I felt the truck stop and heard him shut off the engine, I never even opened my eyes.  I just opened the truck and got out.  I stood there for a minute and I could smell water.  I opened my eyes, and we were parked.  We were out in the country by what looked like a creek.  I asked him where we were but he didn't say anything. 

    
“He came towards me and started kissing me.  I told him to stop but he wouldn't.  He put his hands up my shirt and starting feeling my breast.  I begged him to stop."  Sara was crying, shaking, and gasping for air and fighting to say the words.

    
"I know this is hard for you.  But we need you to tell the court exactly what happened.  Please, can you continue?"  The prosecutor handed Sara a glass of water.  Marie looked and watched as her daughter did the bravest and hardest thing she had ever seen in her life. 

    
"He just kept touching me.  I kept telling him no,,, that I didn't want this.   I even apologized for even possibly leading him on by dancing with him but he wouldn't stop.  He had a hold of my shoulders.  When he loosened his grip, I took off running but he caught me and shoved me down.  The ground was covered in gravel and I could feel pieces of gravel embedded in my hands and knees. 

    
“He turned me over, and I started fighting.  I slapped him on the face and he hit me and then hit me again.  He leaned down and put his mouth next to my ear and told me if I didn't hold still he would kill me.  He told me that he had his gun with him and he would shoot me so many times that nobody would be able to recognize my dismembered body. 

    
“I was terrified, I just laid there, he kept trying to kiss me, but I couldn't so I turned my head and he said fine, if you won't take it easy, then you can have it hard.  I tried to fight him again but he hit me again.  He tore off my shirt, and took a knife and cut my bra open.

    
“He started kissing my breast and I slapped him again, this made him really mad but he didn't hit me.  He raised up and told me that he could tell I liked it rough from the start and then he bit at me, he bit my breast, I screamed, it hurt so bad.  He ripped my skirt off me and tore my panties. 

    
“I started fighting, I told him that I had never been with a man before and this must of excited him because then he started laughing and started touching me and telling me how much I was going to enjoy this.  Then I began to vomit, I couldn't help it.  I puked on him."  Sara was uncontrollably crying at this point. 

    
"Ms. Stevens, you’re doing the right thing here.  I can't even beginto fathom how hard this must be but we need you to continue."

    
"I just need a minute."

    
"Of course take your time." 

    
Sara sat there pulling herself together.  Trying to calm her breathing and the uncontrollable hiccups that had come from crying so hard. 

    
"He started yelling at me.  And then he was hitting me, and kicking me, and telling me I was a tramp and I wasn't worth his time and that he could have better.  But I didn't have anything to worry about.  I wouldn't live to see another day.  He went to his truck and I tried to get up but I couldn't.  I could see blood coming from my breast where he had bit me.  I was bruised.  It hurt to breath, and when he returned he said look at me!  When I did, he had his gun pointed at me."

    
"What happened next Sara?"

    
"I don't know.  When I woke up I was in the hospital."

    
"Is the man that did that to you here in the court room today?"

    
"Yes."  Sara pointed to the officer.

    
"Let the record show that Ms. Stevens has pointed to the defendant.  No further questions your              

Ho
nor."

    
"Your witness defense."

    
"Ms. Stevens, I have no doubt that you have not suffered tremendously.  I applaud you for your strength and will to live.  You are a true inspiration to women just like yourself."             

    
"Thank You."

    
"Ms. Stevens, so you openly testify that you and Officer Davis were at a bar and that you had been drinking.  You also testified that you could tell yourself that you had too much to drink, so you were intoxicated."

    
"Yes."

    
"Isn't it possible that Officer Davis did take you home just like he testified, and that after he left you went for a walk?   Maybe to get that fresh air that you testified you needed."

    
"NO!  That’s not what happened."

    
"Really?  You testified that you were so intoxicated that you couldn't even open your eyes when the truck stopped.  Isn't it possible in your drunken state you walked away from the home that Officer Davis had taken you to?  Isn't it possible that your assault that nobody here doubts happened, couldn't it of happened by somebody else."

    
"NO, NO, NO!  He did it, he did it!  I was drunk!  I admit it!  But drunk or not I know who assaulted me."

     “
Ms. Stevens, you said in your statement to the police that he had used his hand gun.  That it was black and looked like what most cops use.  His gun was tested and did not match the bullet that was pulled out of you.  There is no way that he could have done this.”

     “
That bullet might not have matched, and I don’t know a lot about guns.  But I know who did this to me.” She forced the words from between her teeth.

    
"Hm-mm, no further questions your honor."

    
"We will take a recess and adjourn in one hour."

    
Sara stepped off the stand and her knees were so weak that she couldn't hold her own weight and tumbled to the floor.  Her mother rushed to her side and helped her outside.

    
"You did good baby you did it.  It’s over, now they will put that SOB where he belongs.  Behind bars."  The hour didn't last nearly long enough.  About the time Sara was getting calmed down the prosecutor was telling them it was time to go back.

    
"Has the jury reached a verdict in this matter?" The judge asked.

    
A man stood and said "Yes."  He handed a piece of the paper to an officer and he took it to the judge to read.  When the judge was finished reading it silently, he read it out loud.  Time stood still; there wasn't a sound in the court room. 

    
"In the matter of the State of Texas vs. Officer Corey Davis, the jury has found you not guilty in the matter of attempted rape in the first degree, not guilty in the matter of attempted murder, and not guilty in the charge of assault with a deadly weapon.  Officer Davis, you are hereby free to go." 

    
The court room erupted in joyous applauds and laughter.  Sara watched in devastation.  His fellow officers hugging and shaking his hand.  He stood to leave the court room but before he did, he stopped next to Sara and let an evil grin brush his lips.  "I'm terribly sorry that happened to you Ms. Stevens."  It was as he was mocking her.  He had told her this would happen.  He told her he would never be found guilty of this.  He was right. 

    
Sara wanted to curl up and die.  She wished that bullet would have just been a little to the left and it would of hit her heart instead of her lung and it would of been over with.  Marie grabbed Sara's elbow and held it tight while walking out of the court room.  The prosecutor had their car pulled around to the back of the court house so that they would be able to leave without further trauma from the press occurring and they left.  Neither Sara nor Marie spoke on the way home.  It was the longest drive home they had ever made.

Chapter Two

    
Months had gone by and Sara still had not left her bedroom.  She stayed buried away trying to just hide from the world.  A world that was no longer full of promises and beauty.  Only pain and suffering for her.  A world that failed her.  A world she could no longer look at as a great and wonderful place to be.

    
Marie couldn't take it anymore.  Rick was home and he was beginning to become angrier than ever.  He couldn't handle his little girl being like this.  This was supposed to be over.  Marie was supposed to have her little girl back.  Things were supposed to be just like before or at least returning to the way they were.

    
"It’s not over, I will get him." 

    
"Rick!  Don't you go making things worse than what they are.  You hear me!  It is bad enough that I fear we have lost our daughter to depression and sadness.  I can't lose you to."  Marie couldn't hide the tears that were pouring down her cheeks as she begged him.  Rick knew she was right.  He could only comfort his wife the best way he knew how, with a gentle embrace.

    
They heard a knock on the door and as bad as he hated it, he turned loose of his wife to answer it.  "Marie come here, you’re not gonna believe this.  I don't and I'm seeing it with my own eyes."  When Marie turned the corner and looked out, there of all people, she didn't believe it. 

    
"Emmy Jean!"  Marie yelled out and ran to her hugging her.  Rick and George shook hands and spoke of how good it was to see each other. 

    
Rick and George carried in their bags while the wives went off to the kitchen.  "Do you want some coffee?  I just put on a fresh pot."

    
"I would love some.  I forgot how much I hated riding with George in the city.  I don’t know what's worse, watching everyone else flip him off, or watching him flip them off and hearing what he has to say about it.  Road rage, it doesn't get any better with time."  They belted into laughter.

    
"How is she Marie?"

    
"She's not good; she hasn't left her room since,,,, well since court."  Marie dropped her head and sighed in disappointment.

    
"My God Marie!  It’s been almost four months.  You can't let that poor child stay up there."

             
"Don't you think I have tried to get her out of there?  Don't you think that I have begged and

pleaded with her to come out?"

     "Of course you have.  I know that.  I didn't mean it that way.  I am sorry Marie."

    
They sat there drinking their coffee and catching up on old times.  Marie hadn't laughed that hard in a long time and she needed it.  Ricks face had softened back into the man she had fallen in love with 24years ago. 

    
The ladies began supper and the men went into the study to leave the ladies to cook a wonderful feast.  A feast is what it would be.  Both of them could cook better food than anyone around.  Put their cooking talents together and wa-la, you have a feast.

    
Emmy Jean set the table for five people.  Marie simply set the food on the table and picked up one of the plates and began fixing it.  Emmy Jean didn't know what she was doing.  The last time they had shared a meal they all sat down together.  And then it dawned on her, how she could be so stupid to forget that Sara wouldn't leave her room?  Marie finished setting up a tray and went to carry it upstairs.  "Marie, please let me."  Marie didn't know if it was a good idea or not but allowed Emmy Jean to take it. 

    
Emmy Jean stood outside the door hoping she had the strength to hold it together.  Marie had told her about the scar on Sara's face but she hadn't seen her.  When she opened the door, Sara was sleeping.  She walked in sat the tray down and brushed the hair that fallen onto Sara's face away.  She gasped in horror and had to pull herself together quickly when Sara opened her eyes. 

    
Tears flooded her eyes immediately at the site of Emmy Jean.  She sprung up and wrapped her arms around her and began crying hysterically.  "Now, now, it’s ok, it’s over now, nobody is going to hurt you."  Emmy Jean just held her.

    
Meanwhile, Rick, George and Marie sat at the table waiting for Emmy Jean to come back.  They were beginning to wonder when to their astonishment both Emmy Jean and Sara came to sat at the table.  Marie had to fight the urge to cry.  Instead she simply started passing about food and making plates.

    
They sat there laughing and enjoying themselves.  Who would have thought just a visit from their closest friend would allow laughter to echo in the house again?  Afterwards, Sara excused herself to her room, the men retired to the study for Brandy, and the women cleaned up the kitchen. 

    
Night came quickly and they could all feel themselves fighting off the exhaustion not trying to be rude but it simply couldn't wait.  All of them desperately needed some rest.

    
The next morning Emmy Jean and Marie came down together and froze dead in their steps.  Sara was up, she had showered, dressed, done her hair and make-up and even made breakfast.  Sara caught them staring at her and knew Marie needed an explanation of why now, what had changed. 

    
"Good morning Momma, I just want to forget it happened.  I know it’s gonna take time.  I have made an appointment with a counselor this morning after breakfast and I want to take myself."

    
"What changed your mind?"

             
"Well let's just say your friend had some convincing words of wisdom."  Marie looked at Emmy Jean.  Emmy Jean shrugged her shoulders and just smiled.  After breakfast Sara took herself and left for the appointment.  When she returned she checked the mail and went inside.  She went through the house looking for everyone and found a letter. 

             
Sara,

             
It’s been a long time since Emmy Jean and George have been here.  We took them out on the town, trying to show them there is more out there than just ranch life.  You know how they are.  Be home later.

             
                                                                      Momma

     Sara smiled knowing how they all are.  There was no doubt in her mind what was really happening was the men walking behind the women carrying multiple bags.  She picked up the mail and began shuffling through it.  There was an envelope that on had her name on it.  No postage mark, no return address, just simply Sara.  She opened it and read it dropping to her knees, she began crying and panicking.  She heard the door open, she backed into the corner, knees drawn up to her chest, pale as a ghost, and she placed her hand over her mouth to keep quiet as she heard footsteps near. 

    
"Sara, what is it?"  Marie was down on the floor next to her. "RICK, RICK, RICK!” Marie was panicking.  Rick, George and Emmy Jean came rushing in the door.  Rick seen the piece of paper and picked it up.

             
YOU STUPID LITTLE BITCH DID YOU REALLY THINK I WAS GOING TO LET YOU GO.  YOU WILL BE MINE.  I WILL HAVE YOU.  YOUR SWEET LITTLE VIRGINITY WILL BE MINE and MINE ALONE.  I WANT TO TASTE YOU AGAIN.  I WANT TO FEEL THE INSIDE OF YOU.  I WANT TO HEAR YOU SCREAM FOR HELP WHILE I SQUEEZE MY HARD DICK INTO THAT TIGHT LITTLE PUSSY OF YOURS AND YOU SCREAM  IN AGONY.  OH IT WON'T BE EASY, OH NO, I WILL MAKE IT ROUGH,   YOU LIKE IT ROUGH YOU LITTLE BITCH.  I CAN SEE WHERE YOU GOT YOUR GOOD LOOKS FROM.  YOUR MOTHER IS HOT.  THE THOUGHT OF TASTING YOU BOTH AT THE SAME TIME IS OVER WHELMING.  I THINK I MIGHT HAVE TO TRY OUT THAT TIGHT ASS OF YOURS.  I'M COMING FOR YOU.  TELL YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR GUEST THEY ARE NEXT.

     George immediately picked up the phone and called the police.  Emmy Jean and Marie took Sara upstairs and both held her until she was fast asleep.  "Poor thing, just as it appeared to be getting better."  They gently and quietly left the room. 

    
"What did the police say Rick?"  Marie walked up beside him and took his hand giving him the support that she had seen he needed.  That she needed.  They everyone involved needed. 

    
"They said that he was probably watching her, and that most times as crazy as it sounds, the person doing this will accomplish his threats.  They are going to post a police car outside the house but they can't do it permanently.  They said they can probably only leave one there for a few days or so."

    
"No, I won’t let him get close to her."  Marie yelled out jerking her hand from Rick’s.

    
"None of us will.  Calm down Marie."  Emmy Jean rested her hands on Marie’s shoulders.              

    
"George, I have a favor and I know it puts you in your family at risk but I just don't know what    to do."  Rick stuttered out the words.  He knew in his heart what needed to be done and there was only one person he trusted.

    
"Name it friend.  What is it?"

    
"I want you to take Sara back with you.  I wish I could say it was only for a little while.  Until they can get Davis for this like I know they will.  Because if they don’t I will!"

    
"Done, we can leave at the end of the week with Sara."

    
"Thank You, but I need you to leave now.  Take her with you.  I can't have her here to stay in her

room again after coming so far just to be slapped down again.  She will need to stay there for a long
time I’m afraid.  I don’t want to take any chances of him getting a hold of her again.  I can’t take the chance of it again.  I won’t take that chance again."

    
"Ok, it's done.  She is always welcome there.  For as long as she wants or you need.  You guys know that."

    
"Thank you, oh thank you."  Marie had rushed to George hugging him.  George just held her as she trembled in his arms and looked at Rick.  This was a big chance to take but it didn't faze him nor would he ever let anything happen to Sara.  Between him, JT, and their pit bull Juggar, they would make sure she was safe if it took every last bit of them to do it.  Even if that meant calling in the other boys to get it done.

    
Sara was so exhausted she couldn't even argue the point.  She wanted to leave.  She just didn't want to leave her parents behind.  But they were right.  If she stayed, it would give Davis more of an opportunity to get to her again.  And besides, by the time they woke her, her bags had been packed and loaded up.  Sara started crying hard and uncontrollably, Marie ran to her purse and took out a bottle of pills.  She grabbed some water and made Sara take one. 

    
"Emmy, take these, the doctor gave them to her after,,,,, it helps.  It will knock her completely out.  There is a refill on it if you need it.   Please take care of her.  I will call you as soon as they have him.  I love you guys so much.  Keep my baby safe please."

    
"We will.  I love you to.  Don’t worry about her.  You know we won’t let anything happen to her."  They hugged briefly.