Page 6 of Remnants
Abomination
I cringe as the words enter my head and I begin to feel the wave of guilt-filled nausea roll in.
Cheater
This new word hits me like a punch to the gut. I’m married. What about my vows? My commitment to my husband—to this life. And I decided to fantasize about my new neighbor? Myfemaleneighbor? Turning on the bedside light, I stare down at my naked lower half and the hand I used to aid in my orgasms, my giant diamond bridal ring set glittering in the light.
No, this isn’t me. I’m not the cheating partner in this marriage. I’m not delusional, I’m well aware that James doesn’t go long without the company of other women. But how can I expect more from him? He’s a very good looking man, wealthy, and a famous cosmetic surgeon. I’m his wife, which means I’m supposed to take care of the house, have and care for the kids, and go to events with him. I am not, however, who he chooses tofuck and spend his time with. I’m the face of his family, nothing more. James is probably with a girl at this very moment, which honestly, I’m fine with. When I have to give myself to him, or when he takes it because “we are married”, I hate it. It is five minutes of rough, painful grunting and days of shame. Still, he is my husband, and it is wrong of me to think about another person, especially a woman, while doingthat.
I sigh, deciding a hot shower is very much needed.
Chewing on the inside of my cheek as I step out of my car and look at the back of the brick building called:Black Widow Ink. This is Malcolm Switcher’s, orMac’s tattoo shop. It wasn't hard to find when I did a web search. What I didn’t know is that Nora is a decorated soldier. I wanted to look her up, but part of me felt like that was invading her privacy. Plus, I am only here to give her a thank you for the items yesterday and be done. I will be neighborly to her, but nothing more. It can’t be any more, especially after last night, and then in the shower, and then my dreams again. I’ve seen this woman twice and I’ve already screamed her name while orgasming more times than I have with James in our whole relationship—and they weren’t faked.
Opening the back hatch to my SUV, I pull out the large tray of pinwheel sandwiches and the container of my special peanut butter chocolate chip bars before walking around to the front of the tall building. I open the front door and look around the shop. The walls are covered in artwork. Some are intricate and dark, others bold and bright, and then there’s the multiple nude drawings. I avert my gaze as I focus on the black front counter.A young girl with bright pink hair smiles at me, showing off her gold piercing under the top of her lip.
“Can I help you?” she says over the buzzing noise.
“Uh… Nora? O-Or Mac?” She holds up a slender finger, signaling ‘one moment’ as she gets up and skips off. The buzzing stops, and shortly after, Mac comes out with Nora following close behind. I notice she still has her cane and I briefly wonder if her injury is permanent.
“Junebug!” Nora grins brightly, showing off her beautiful teeth as she walks from behind the counter. I try to ignore what that name does to me. Subconsciously I smooth the front of my grey pinstripe Thelma suspender pants and smile.
“I brought you guys lunch,” I say softly while setting the containers on the counter. “I hope you like Italian sandwiches.”
“Katilin, if you made it,” Mac says, eyeing the food, “trust me, it will be amazing.”
I give him a smile, though my heart aches. I don’t get compliments on my food. Especially my baking since I’m too fat to eat sweets. So hearing that others enjoy my food—it fills me with a sense of pride I haven’t felt in years. “Well, I didn’t want to interrupt, I know you’re working. I just wanted to say thanks for checking on me yesterday,” I say to Nora who gives me an alluring look that makes me feel like she knows what I did to myself yesterday. I blush while rubbing my arms self-consciously.
“Anyway, I’ll let you get back to work.” I go to leave but Nora grabs my arm.
“Hey, I have a client back there, but I get off work at eight tonight. You want to come over and watch a movie? This time maybe I could offer you food?”
My heart pounds in my chest.No, this visit and the food is supposed to even things out, to make it so we can be neighborly and that is it.I stare at her and before I know I’m doing it, I giveher a nod. “That sounds awesome. But no action movies. I don't like that stuff.” I grab a pen off the counter and write my number on a card. “Here, in case something comes up and you need to cancel.”
Nora’s chocolate eyes brighten and her grin widens. “Not a chance in hell, Junebug. Come on over about eight-thirty. And wear something comfortable.” She chuckles as she squeezes my forearm before making her way to the counter.
“If either of you eat all that, I will end you,” she warns before winking back at me and leaving.
My blush deepens as I turn to leave. I walk out and notice Mac is following me. My body stiffens and he must notice because he gives me an easy smile.
“Don’t mind me, sweetheart, I don’t want you walking around here alone. We would’ve let you in the back had you called.” I smile appreciatively at him as we walk to my car.
“Nora seems to like you.” His confession makes me nearly stumble. “It’s good, she has an impossibly small circle and I worry about her. I am just glad she’s found a friend.”
A friend. A friend wouldn’t be screaming his sister's name as they orgasm around a vibrator because she gave them a teddy bear. God, I hate myself and now I was going to be at her house, alone, at night.
I am so fucked.
Nora
FOUR
Groaning in pain,I lean against the sliding door that leads to my small backyard and watch Sam run outside, terrorizing the poor squirrels. Sam’s a gentle giant, not a mean bone in that massive body, but the little critters that come around our backyard don’t realize he means them no harm. So the big oaf gallops around trying to make friends, and the birds and squirrels run like he’s about to turn them into his next meal.
I wince and rub my aching knee. My last client was a killer on my leg. A large man getting started on a massive dragon piece over his chest. I had to stand over him as I worked on hundreds of tiny scales, and my body just doesn’t handle it very well. He was a nice guy and tried to keep my mind preoccupied. He even offered to lay on the floor for me. It was sweet, but completely embarrassing.
My knee is swollen and I want nothing more than to take my prosthetic off and prop my leg up. But I’m not ready to tell Kaitlin about my leg yet. I’m not ready for her to look at me differently. She already eyes my cane every time I see her, and that’s bad enough.
I look behind me when I hear the delicate tapping at my front door. I mask the pain on my face as I grab my bottle of painkillers off the counter and swallow one before straightening the best I can as I walk to the door. When I open the door I can’t help the amused grin forming due to the pretty woman before me. Kaitlin stands in grey yoga pants and a green shirt that says “Bakers Gonna Bake” on the front.
