Page 39 of Greedy Grizzly
As I watched Zombie’s cloud of smoke get larger, I was transported back to the day, I broke free of my tormenters…
I didn’t sleep at all last night and I felt the exhaustion deep in my bones. My eyes burned and itched like I had sand in them. But I wouldn’t let my physical tiredness mess with my escape plan. Too many people depended on me to keep them safe, most importantly, Violet.
It was kind of funny, staring at the plastic sandwich bag partly filled with crushed sleeping pills. I’d always thought I’d swallow them down once I hit my limit, living in this cult with two deranged foster parents. As it turned out, they would get a hearty dose of it in their morning coffee. Not enough to kill them, that would be too clean and kind. I just needed them out for most of the day so I could get the little kids out, and help Violet get out of Illinois.
At 7:00 am, I exited my bedroom and went into the kitchen to where the automatic Mr. Coffee had just finished brewing the first pot of the day.
Every Saturday morning, Violet would take a breakfast tray into Basil’s bedroom. He’d then drink his coffee and eat his yogurt and berries with Juniper until nine. Then they’d exit their sanctuary dressed and ready for the day like a kingand queen. Sometimes they’d help Violet feed the younger kids. Other times, they’d just kiss each one of their heads like they were little peasant children who were lucky to be in their care. God, they made me sick.
But today, I knew they would hit the ground running because things needed to be bought and prepped for my wedding ceremony tomorrow.
“Morning, Brent,” Violet said in her usual melodious voice, but the sparkle wasn’t in her brown eyes. She was at the island making up the yogurt parfaits.
“Good morning. How are you doing today?” The vibe I was getting from her didn’t feel right. “I’ll help get their coffee for you.”
“That’s so sweet of you.” She came over to me and kissed my cheek. “I’ll be right back.” She left the kitchen and went down the hallway toward her bedroom.
I nodded, feeling a little shell-shocked. After the incident in my bedroom yesterday, I hadn’t seen her the rest of the day. And now that I thought about it, I remembered hearing music late into the night coming from her bedroom and a cat making strange noises.
Our rooms were on the opposite end of the house from Basil’s. The little kids bunk room was upstairs. We were all spread apart, which made it easy for Basil to mistreat me the way he did and no one seemed to know, except Violet. But she never mentioned hearing me have sex with the older women.
As I pondered these thoughts, I poured the sleeping pills powder into the bottom of the mugs, filled them with coffee, and stirred them well. Hopefully, they didn’t notice the taste.
Violet reappeared with something in her hand. “I made this for you.” She put a braided bracelet on my wrist and tied it.
“What’s this for?”
“Tomorrow you’re going to become my husband. I should make you happy. Do you like it? I can make you a different one, if you want, honey.”
Honey?
“Violet, us getting married is weird, don’t you think?” My heart started to race as adrenaline rushed into my veins, my flight or fight response kicking in full speed.
“Maybe a little weird, but it’s not like you’re gross looking. And I’m not exactly ugly either.”
“What?” Why was she acting so different all of a sudden?
“Listen,” she said softly, taking my hands into hers. “When I felt you hard under me, I did tingle. I got wet. Daddy said when a woman feels that sensation and she gets wet, she shouldn’t be afraid or feel like it’s wrong. He’s said that for years.”
Oh. My. God. I was going to throw up. Years? He told her not to be afraid and it wasn’t wrong for years?
“No, Violet. He’s wrong. That sensation is a physiological response to stimuli.” I learned all about it in the school library after Basil tried to make me believe I wasn’t into guys, all because I got hard and ejaculated with Joy and the others. If I hadn’t read it for myself, he probably would have convinced me I wasn’t gay. “What you felt was involuntary. You didn’t want to be on me that way.” I let go of her hands and stepped back.
She blinked at me with tears in her eyes, a vacant, deer in the headlights expression. “But… But… But it did feel good, even if it seemed wrong. It always seems wrong at first.”
“Have you ever wanted me to be your boyfriend? Aren’t there boys at school you like in a different way than me? I’m the guy you tell everyone I’m your brother.”
“Well, yes, but—”
“But nothing. We’re family, Violet. We grew up together. It’s not right for family to be together intimately. There are laws.”
The first tear slid down her cheek. “But he’s my father and he assured me it wasn’t wrong, just like last night.”
Last night? The music. The weird cat noise. The same sounds I recalled hearing many times before…
“Was he in your room last night?” I prayed she said no, prayed I had it all wrong.
She covered her mouth, eyes wide with horror. “You weren’t supposed to find out. He said you’d be angry because I was going to be your wife. He only wanted to prepare me to make you happy, as I’ve made him.” She grabbed my hands again. “Please, Brent. Don’t be angry. He said it was the last time. He promised.”
