Memoirs
Written By Lady Cat
CHAPTER 12
"You're not coming in to work? Are you alright?"
"Yes,
Jer, I'm fine. I just felt like taking a day off. I've earned it. I'll see you
tomorrow."
Jerry
hung up the phone.
"Who
was that?"
"It
was one of my editors saying she was taking a day off. How has work been
going?"
"Fine.
We're booked up with quite a few bikes to fix. I found a part-time job a few
nights a week."
"I
thought your regular job paid pretty good?"
"It
does, but I wanted something extra to keep me busy. It doesn't interfere with
my regular job and I make a decent wage along with it. What are you doing at
lunch? I thought we could grab a bite somewhere."
"Sounds
great. See you at twelve."
Hal
left Jerry's office, smiling to himself. If Jerry ever found out what his
second job was. As he walked down the hallway, he paid no attention to the name
plate on the door.
Kassie
and Mark showered and dressed. After eating breakfast she said she needed to
pick up her car as she was going to the store. After that they could work some
more on his book, meeting him at his house. Mark went to the shop to see how
things were going and meet the new mechanic.
Hal
was working on a Harley when Mark arrived. He saw him get off, noting Mark's
size as he approached. "Nice bike. Can I help you?"
"I'm
the owner of this shop. My name is Mark Callaway. I take it you're the new
mechanic."
Hal
was taken a bit by surprise, but recovered. "I'm Greg Barr."
They
shook hands. Mark went on to the office to check the records. He looked over
the books, noting things had picked up just a bit. As he put them away, he
looked out the window at Hal working. There was something about this new guy
that didn't set right. Hank came in to get a cup of coffee. "Have you met
our new mechanic yet?"
"Just
now. Hank, how much do you know about this guy?"
"Not
much. He keeps to himself, but he does get along with the rest of the crew. And
he does know how to fix about any bike that's brought in. Why?"
"I
don't know. There's something about him that's not quite right. Just keep an
eye on him if possible."
CHAPTER 13
For
the next month, Mark and Kassie worked on the book. When they took a break it
was to either go out or just for a walk along the beach, arm in arm, enjoying
the feel of each other. By then the manuscript was halfway through. Kassie had
him read what they had done so far.
"How
does it read to you?" she asked. "Is it telling the story as you
want?"
"I
have to admit, this is a lot better than what I had originally wrote."
"We're
halfway through already. If we keep this pace up, we'll be ready to submit it
for publishing in about three weeks."
"Let's
go out and celebrate," he said.
"Not
like this, Mark," she said as she was wearing just a t-shirt and shorts.
"Let's get delivery instead."
"What
would you like? Chinese?"
"That
sounds good. Make mine an order for Schezwan Chicken."
Thirty
minutes later their order arrived. Kassie had set the table, lighting candles
to make it festive. Mark had gone out and gotten a bottle of wine. After they
had eaten, Kassie cleared the table, putting the dishes in the dishwasher. Mark
came up behind her putting his arms around her.
"Come
on in the living room," he said. "They can wait till tomorrow."
He took her by the hand and sat her down on the sofa. Mark poured them each a
glass of wine. They clanked their glasses in a small toast. She looked at her
glass, swirling the contents. "I didn't think I could have this much fun
helping someone write a book," she remarked.
"I
think it should be me saying that, Kassie. I've learned a lot about you."
Kassie
blushed. "What is there about me worth learning?"
Mark
put his fingers under her chin. "I've learned you are a beautiful woman,
independent, intelligent, and very passionate."
"I
didn't realize I was quite all that."
"You
are, and never forget it either." He bent closer, his lips on hers. Kassie
moaned as he pulled her closer. She saw the look in his eyes when they parted.
"Make love to me, Mark."
It
wasn't long till their clothes were on the floor. Laying her back on the sofa,
he kissed her slowly from head to toe, then glided in her. Both moved as one
till they had reached the edge, crying out as they came together. When they
calmed down, he got up, taking her by the hand to his bedroom to once again
love her.
CHAPTER 14
Kassie
left Mark's apartment to go back to her house to change clothes and do some
shopping. Mark said for her to come to the shop when she was through, giving
her the address.
While
she was driving, she listened to the car radio, turning it to a local news
station. What she heard brought back memories. The broadcaster was talking
about the rash of car robberies lately, and that the police had no clues or
witnesses so far. Kassie turned it off, having heard enough.
Hal
had gotten to work a few minutes late as he had been working at his
"other" job. He had redone 2 cars. "Not bad for a night's
work," he thought. He arrived just after Mark had gotten in.
Mark
had come in to do some maintenance n his Titan. Sometimes when things were busy
he would help out. He had seen Hal come in He just couldn't help but feel there
was something not right about him.
Hal
looked at Mark. He could tell the big man was leery of him. He knew he was
going to have to stay out of Mark's way and not give him any more reason to
suspect him. Grabbing a cup of coffee, he went to his list of jobs he had and
got started.
About
mid-afternoon Kassie drove up. Mark was outside working on his Titan. A set of
eyes was in the back of the shop watching the two of them. Aft first he hadn't
recognized her. Then when she turned, he knew. "Well, Kassie, it seems
I've finally found you. Now you'll get just what you deserve."
When
she left, Hal walked to the door and took note of the make and model of car. He
had to work for the next two nights, but he would find where she lived.
When
Kassie arrived at work the next morning, Jerry was waiting by her door.
"Morning, Jerry," she said, entering and sitting at her desk. Jerry
looked at her.
"Why
are you looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?"
"It's
like lately you've changed. You seem more lively and animated. I take it
someone finally may have caught your eye."
"I
won't say. That's for me to know and you to find out."
Hal
was riding a Harley he had found a week earlier to his "other" job.
He was a couple of cars back at a stoplight when he spotted a white Buick
coming out of a parking lot. He saw it was Kassie. When the light turned green
he began to follow, watching the roads she took. After ten minutes, he saw her
pull in front of a duplex. Staying hidden he watched which one she entered. He
smiled.
As
she had gotten out of the car, Kassie got the feeling she had been followed.
She looked for any strange vehicles but found none. Getting her things out she
hurried inside, locking the door. She began putting dinner together as Mark was
coming over to work more on his book. She set the table, checking to see how
dinner was coming. She heard the familiar roar of Mark's Titan outside. She
unlocked the door, letting out a sigh of relief. Mark saw she looked a bit
nervous. "Kassie, what's wrong? Am I late?"
"I
know it's probably nothing, but I got the feeling I was followed home tonight.
When I got out of the car I didn't see anyone. Maybe I'm imagining it."
After
eating and clearing up the dishes, they sat at the table and began work.
When
on his way to his night job, Hal stopped at Jerry's house to grab a bite. After
he was through, he decided to relax a bit before leaving. While sitting on the
sofa he spied a book on Jerry's work desk. Out of curiosity he thumbed through,
seeing names, addresses and phone numbers. As he looked through, he spotted
Kassie's phone number. Finding a small pad he copied the number. On his way to
the shop, he stopped at a phone booth outside a drug store and dialed her
number. Kassie wondered why the phone was ringing. No one but Mark and Jerry
had her number as it was unlisted.
"Jerry
must want me to do something extra and was too afraid to ask at work," she
said wryly. She picked up, "Hello?"
"Hello,
Kassie. Remember me?"
Kassie
stood there frozen to the phone. A shocked look came on her face.
"What's
the matter, Kassie? Can't believe it's me?" Hal started laughing and hung
up.
Mark
saw Kassie's face turn pale. Her hand shook as she put the receiver down,
closing her eyes. Mark caught her before she fell to the floor, laying her on
the couch. "Kassie! Kassie!"
It
was a couple of minutes before she opened her eyes. She saw Mark sitting beside
her. "He's here!" she said, gripping Mark's arm.
"Who?"
"Hal!"
she said as she sat up. "Somehow he's out of prison! But how did he know
where I was? I didn't tell anyone."
She gripped his shirt. "He
said he would find me no matter where I was!"
"Do
you know for sure it was him?"
"I
would know his voice anywhere."
The
phone rang again. Mark answered, hearing a loud click in his ear as soon as he
spoke.
When
Hal heard Mark's voice, he immediately hung up. "So she has company,"
he said to himself. "Looks like I'll have to find a time to catch her
alone." He went back to the Mercedes he was working on.
"If
it was him he hung up as soon as he heard me," Mark said. "I'm
staying here with you just in case he tries to call again. In the morning I'll
go get a few things and move in with you."
"Let's
get back to the book."
They
finished up the chapter they were doing and did another. Kassie was ready to do
another but Mark said they should quit for the night.
Kassie
showered before getting in bed. Mark went in after she was through. She was
wide awake when he turned out the lights. Pulling her close, he put her head on
his chest. The beating of his heart lulled her to sleep.
For
a week Hal watched Kassie's house. Every time he would see the familiar Titan
parked out front. He had not called back, not wanting to chance Mark picking up
the phone, but he did have something else in mind.
It
was two weeks now since Hal had called the first night. Kassie relaxed a bit.
Perhaps at hearing Mark's voice he had decided to leave her alone. But to be
safe, she told Mark she was going to change her number, keeping it unlisted.
Chapter 17
Mark
had gotten up early to fix breakfast for Kassie. He was going to check on his
Titan when he saw Kassie's car had been spray-painted with black paint. He
looked at his bike, finding it too had been painted. He went back in, slamming
the door. Kassie sat up at the noise, hearing Mark cuss. Putting on her robe
she went downstairs. She shrank back at the look on his face, his eyes had
turned a deep menacing green.
"What
happened?"
"Some
fuckin' son-of-a-bitch spray-painted my Titan and your car!"
Kassie
looked out the door. She gasped as she went to her car. Then she read the
message on the hood.
"This
is just the beginning, bitch! And your boyfriend too!"
Mark
called the police. In a few minutes a squad car showed up. The police asked the
usual questions. Kassie told them of the two phone calls she had gotten before,
telling them it was her ex-husband who did it and that he also was responsible
for the spray paint. She told them about her ex-husband and his going to
prison. As best as she could, she gave them a description of what he had looked
like. Mark didn't hear the description as he was looking both vehicles over,
trying to figure what brand of paint was used.
A
block away, a figure was watching her house through binoculars. He saw that
Mark was running his fingers over the paint. "He'll never figure out where
I got that paint from." Then he saw Kassie come out with the police.
"Damn, bitch!"
He
was going to have to do some drastic changing. He thought of maybe calling in
sick. "No, that won't work. Callaway might be able to put the two
together." He could take the time off, claiming to have been in a bike
accident.
A
couple of days later, Hal called the shop, telling the head mechanic about his
"accident" and having broken his leg. And just to be sure, he told
Jerry about it, stopping by the house, his buddy having driven him there. Jerry
told him he should stay with him, but Hal said no. He would be fine at the
apartment as he had someone coming to take care of him, winking his eye. Jerry
smiled.
After
he left, he had Karl drive him to the shop. He took off the fake cast and set
about working on the cars that had been brought in the night before. When he
was through, he put the cast back on, Karl driving him home.
Chapter 18
Mark
and Kassie spent the next three weeks working on the book. They were now on the
last chapter, putting the finishing touches on the book. Kassie had printed out
the last chapter with Mark reading it over. When the editions were done and the
last period put in, Kassie printed it out again.
"It's
finished!" she said, putting the pages with the rest of the manuscript.
Mark
looked at the printed pages. "I can't believe it's done." He picked
up the manuscript, not believing it would soon be sent in for publication. He
looked at Kassie who was putting her computer in the briefcase. He put the
manuscript down and picked her up, kissing her. He put her down, his fingers
tracing her cheek. "I love you, Kassie." Her eyes opened wide, then
she looked down. "Did you hear me? I love you."
Kassie
slowly looked up. She never thought she would ever hear those three words.
Tears welled up in her eyes, then finally going down her cheek. Mark tenderly
wiped them away. "I've been wanting to say it for some time. I just now
got the nerve to say it."
Kassie
wrapped her arms around him, her head resting against his chest. Mark held her
close. "This is the first time anyone has ever told me. I love you too,
Mark. I was afraid to say it," she said sniffing. Kassie looked up, Mark
bending down as their lips meant, his hands going up and down her back, resting
on her soft cheeks. Kassie had never felt so complete as she did now. Backing
away, she took his hand and led him upstairs, Mark turning off the lights as
they reached the top. When she opened the door, he scooped her up, kicking it
shut.
A
pair of eyes had been watching through a window, becoming hard as ice as he saw
them kiss then go upstairs. He snuck away, going a couple of blocks before he
got on his bike and rode off.
The
next morning she came in the office with the manuscript, placing it on her
desk. Jerry came in. "Well, What is this?" he asked as he picked up a
few of the pages, reading the title and foreword. He looked at her surprised.
"This is Mark's book. What gives?"
"I've
been helping him rewrite his book. We just got through last night. It's ready
to go to publication."
"When
did you do this?"
"At
nights and on weekends."
"Who
was the one who said he was mentally handicapped? Someone has changed her
mind," he said with raised brows.
"I
know Jerry. But I meant him in a writing class I teach at the college. After a
couple of times he asked if I would help him, so I told him yes. Of course, the
first thing I told him was never get you to help."
"Oh
thanks!"
"Admit
it, Jerry. You may own the company but you don't know how to write. Maybe you
should take the class yourself," she said with a giggle.
Jerry
looked at her with an exasperated look. "You teach a writing class? Why
didn't you tell me?"
"What
I do outside the job is none of your business."
"Have
you and him been doing anything other than writing?" he asked with a
smile.
Kassie
didn't answer, a slight blush coming in her cheeks. "Just leave, Jerry.
Okay?"
"Kassie
has a boyfriend," he sang as he left her office.
Her
phone rang. She got on the speakerphone. "Hello. Phantom Press."
"You're
givin' that guy pussy, aren't you?"
Kassie
picked up the receiver. "How did you know where I worked?" her voice
shaking.
"I've
got ways."
Kassie
slammed the receiver down, her body shaking. The phone rang again. She picked
up.
"Don't
you ever slam the phone on me...!"
Kassie
hung up, not giving him another chance to say more.
Chapter 19
Kassie
dialed the garage. Mark answered. "Mark, Hal just called me here at
work!" she cried.
Mark
heard the hysteria in her voice. "I'll be right over." He was there
in less than ten minutes, heading straight to her office. When he entered he
saw her pacing back and forth, her whole body shaking. As soon as he walked in,
Kassie ran to him. Mark held her tight, feeling her tears soak into his shirt.
"Shh,
Kassie, I'm here," he said. He sat in her chair, holding her on his lap.
Jerry walked in, his mouth dropping to his chest. For a couple of minutes he
didn't say a word. "What's this?" he finally was able to get out.
Kassie
turned her head.
Jerry saw she had been crying, a look of
terror in her eyes. "My ex called me."
"That's
not the first time. He sprayed painted her car and my Titan. We've called the
police. So far they've not been able to
find him."
Haltingly,
she told Jerry the story. He thought back to several years ago, when he had
heard his cousin had gone to jail, being told he had received a long jail
sentence. Then his cousin showing up after all this time. He began putting it
together. He looked down at the floor and shook his head. "Kassie, what
I'm about to tell you might not set well. Your ex is my cousin."
Kassie
closed her eyes.
"When
he came, I put him up at my house. I even helped him try to find a job. I gave
him your number, Mark, at the shop. He said he was hired, then a week later he
said he found a part-time job at night. He never did tell me what it was."
"My
head mechanic said he had hired a guy by the name of Greg Barr. He hasn't been
to work in about a month. He came by, his leg in a cast, saying he had had an accident. Some guy was
with him," Mark said, looking at Kassie. "He was at work the day you
came by. He must have seen you."
"Then
I wasn't imagining things. He did follow me home. But how did he find out my
home phone. It's unlisted. Only you and Jerry have it."
"He
came by my house one night on his way to his other job. I have an address book
on my work desk. It has your name, address, and phone number in it. That's how
he got it."
"I
wonder what his second job is?" Mark asked.
"I
think I know," Kassie said. "There's been a lot of car thefts lately.
It wouldn't surprise me if that isn't his second job is."
"Take
the rest of the day off, Kassie. I'm going to call the police."
Kassie
got her purse and left with Mark. They went to her house on his Titan. When
they arrived they found her door slightly ajar. Mark told her to stay by the
bike. Cautiously he entered, finding the place a mess. Going through the
apartment, there wasn't a thing left that wasn't broken or turned over. He went
to go back out when he felt a sudden pain in the back of his head.
Kassie
wondered what was taking Mark so long when she saw Hal come out. She began to
back away, then turned and ran toward the beach. Hal ran after her, a gun in
his hand. Kassie ran as fast as she could. Looking back she saw Hal was gaining
on her. She forced her legs to go faster, then she felt herself going down and
being turned over, a gun pointed at her head.
"For
15 years I rotted in that hell hole because of you! Fifteen long, damn, fuckin'
years, bitch! I knew once I got out I was going to make you pay," he said
in a menacing voice, gasping for breath. He cocked the gun. Kassie closed her
eyes, steeling herself.
"No,
not yet," he said. "First, I'm going to get some. It's been a long
time since I've had any pussy. You always had good stuff."
"What
did you do to Mark?"
"He'll
be out for a while. By the time he wakes up, he'll see you dead."
Pulling
her up roughly, he dragged her to a spot down the beach where he had his bike
hidden. Kassie struggled as he dragged her, looking for a way to escape. At one
point she got out of his grasp and started to run. Hal caught up with her,
hitting her, knocking her down. He pulled her up by the hair. "Don't every
do that again, or I'll finish you right here and now!"
Kassie
was scared but kept on struggling, doing everything she could to get away. She
bit him on the arm, drawing blood. He hit her in the stomach, making her fall
down again. "You fuckin' bitch!" he yelled and began kicking her. He
was going to kick her again when he felt himself being tossed to the side. He
turned to see it was Mark standing there, a trickle of blood on his neck from
the blow. Hal went to fire the gun but Mark kicked it out of his hand. Hal got
up, throwing punches at Mark.
Mark
threw rights and lefts, backing Hal up. Then he picked him up and slammed him
hard to the sand. Kassie was on her knees, watching the two men fight through
fuzzy eyes. She slowly got up as her vision began to clear. She looked around
for the gun.
Hal
laid there on the sand, not moving. Mark walked over to Kassie, holding her.
What happened next seemed to be in slow motion. Hal shook his head and looked
at the two of them. Looking around, he spotted the gun. Inching slowly he
picked it up. Kassie saw a slight movement then a flash. Twisting her body she
got in front of Mark just as the bullet hit her in the back. Mark looked at Hal
as he was ready to fire again. There was a loud pop, Hal's body jerked than
laid still.
Mark
was on his knees holding Kassie close to him. Kassie opened her eyes, reaching
up to touch his cheek. "Thank you, Mark, for showing me what true love
really is. I love you, always." Mark bent and softly kissed her lips. When
he lifted his head her eyes were closed.
"Kassie!
Kassie!"
Mark
held her tightly to him, the tears streaming down his face as he rocked back
and forth. Jerry came running over. When he saw Mark holding Kassie's body, he
hung his head.
Kassie
was buried three days later, the manuscript being sent to the printer with an
additional page put in. It was a picture of Kassie with a paragraph dedicating
the book to her.
Jerry
gave Mark the first printed copy of the book. Mark turned to the first page and
saw Kassie's picture. He ran his fingers over her picture, the tears coming
down his cheek. A week later, he was at her grave, a special sealed container
in his hand. In it was the copy Jerry had given him of the book. He knelt and
placed it in front of her tombstone.
"I
wanted you to have the first copy, Kassie, as you deserve it. You'll see that a
page was added. Maybe that's not what you want, but Jerry and I both decided to
put it in."
Everyday
thereafter Mark would be at her grave. "I miss you so much, Kassie. I go
for walks on the beach, remembering how we would walk hand in hand and
listening to the waves . Remember how we used to ride on my Titan when things
got a little slow on the book? I can't remember when I ever had more fun. Then
we would stop and eat a pizza before going back to your house or sometimes to
mine." He stopped for a minute, his voice shaking. "I miss your arms
around me, your head lying on my chest as I felt your warm breath while you
slept. I remember when you asked would this last for always, and I told you
that it would, that not even death could take it away. Well, it hasn't, Kassie.
I love you now as I loved you then. You are in my heart and my soul. I know it
might seem like an eternity, but I will be with you, to hold you once again,
forever."
THE
END
E-mail Lady B at taker123@yahoo.com.
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