The Sisterhood pt 2

Kari drove home that night and made the quesadillas for Rob.They were left in the fridge with sour cream and salsa on the side so he could microwave them himself. He came home at 3 a.m. lookin for a little "love"
"Oh sorry babe, ridin' the red wave right now", knowing the mere mention of menstruation would stop him dead in his tracks.
"Uh, okay honey. I'll take a rain check. Goodnight"
Kari heard the TV in the living room and figured he was probably watching porn to take care of himself. Fine with her.
She rose early the next morning and took off while he was still in bed. She drove to the car dealership and turned her year old beetle in on trade for a black Escape.
She took the trade-in and paid cash.
She called Rob to let him know she'd be back in time for dinner, but her car was in the shop so she was waiting for Nick to drive her home. She went to lunch with Nick and ate Lebanese food with gusto.
"So what are you taking with you?" asked Nick.
"Your paintings, my clothes, CD's, the computer, and Rudy.
"What about furniture?"
"After lunch we're going to Pier One"
"All new huh? Aren't you going to burn through your money?"
"No there's plenty left. Plus he'll have to pay me from the divorce proceedings"
"True. So how are we getting stuff out?"
"You'll see" she said as she smiled mysteriously.
Nick payed for lunch and they took off for Pier One. Kari needed bedroom furniture, living room stuff, an entertainment center, a dining set, dishes, glasses and new candles and decorating items. She didn't need a lot. Just enough to make it a home. Delivery was set for 2 days. Then they went to Sam's Club and bought a mattress, sheets, pillows,a shower curtain, food stuff, cleaners, toiletries and dog food. It was all piled into the van. They drove to her flat and dropped it all off. Nick unpacked his futon into the flat so she could go there tonight as planned.
It was starting to get late in the afternoon, so they went to Rob's.
He was sitting at the table drinking a beer.
"Hey Nick, how's it hangin'?"
"Pretty good so I'm told"
"What's up?"
"Nick is here to help me redecorate"
"Nothing too queer I hope" he winked and laughed.
"Just purple with rainbows and pink triangles" lisped Nick
"That's what I was afraid of" he frowned
"Come on honey, you know Nick is just kidding" laughed Kari
"Me too. Well, you ladies have fun. I gotta meeting to go to" said Rob as he left.
They heard his Harley start up. Both sighed in relief.
"Bye bye Asshole!" yelled Nick and and Kari laughed.
They began loading up all of the paintings. They packed her clothes, computer and other items into his van. Kari whistled for Rudy and he bounded into the van. He loved going for rides.

The Sisterhood

At a visit to my local bookseller, I was lamenting the fact that there are so few good ghost stories. Most horror stories are a gory state of affairs. I really want something that is going to scare the crap out of me, like Salem's Lot did when I was a kid. ( The book, not the movie). So I decided I would write one myself. I've had this story working in my head for a while now. It has been screaming to get out so here goes. Happy Halloween Early!




The past two weeks had been a whirlwind for Kari. Last week after a visit to her gynecologist, she discovered she had syphilis. She knew she had only slept with her husband of 6 years, who had been home from his rock tour 3 months earlier.
When she confronted Rob with this he immediately accused her of infidelity and when she denied this, he gave her a black eye. Kari decided enough was enough. She'd been running through a plan to leave him for about a year. It wasn't the first time he'd hit her. It was the first time he'd given her a disease and the first proof she'd had of his affairs.
That night he drank himself into a drunken stupor. He usually did this after he hit her. She went into the study and went online to the bank accounts. She had set up her own account a few months ago. She transferred $30,000 from his account into hers. That left him with $15,000. His house was paid for in cash. Kari had set up automatic bill pay for all of the utilities and taxes. The only money she ever withdrew was for food, clothes and dog expenses for her rottweiler Rudy.
The next morning Rob was apologetic as always.
"Oh baby, I'm so sorry I lost it. Let's makeup okay?"
" Honey, I've already forgotten about it. I have a class to go to but I'll see you tonight. Quesadillas okay for dinner?"
"Whatever you wanna make baby"
She gave him the last kiss he'd ever get from her and smiled sweetly. She let Rudy outside, gave him fresh water and food. She got in her green Volkswagen Beetle and left. Classes were a ruse she had been using for about a year to get away from him and explain her absences.He was too self centred to ever ask about them. She wasn't fooling around, just trying to find a life outside of the abuse.
She called a real estate agent she'd seen online about a 2 bedroom flat for rent.
He made an appointment with her for a hour later. She went to Burger King and ordered a Whopper Junior and diet Coke at the drivethru. She sat in her car and ate it slowly, savoring her thrill at her nearing freedom.
She made her way to the neighborhood early to look around. It was quiet and lovely. Lots of trees and old homes from the 20's and 30's. There was a park nearby and a lovely little church that was built in the 30's out of stone.
Kari wasn't really one for religion. She and her older brother Nick were raised by Pentecostal extremists. Her brother knew from age 15 that he was gay. He left home at 17. She was rebellious in general and left home 2 days after graduation to live with Rob. She was 18, he was 35. Her parent's pastor told them that they needed to shun their children, and they did. Their church was far more important than their kids. They told both of them that when they were ready to confess their sins and live "Godly", they would forgive them. That was 9 years ago. Recently she'd begun to feel the need to find her own relationship with God. She believed, just not in the vengeful punishing God her parents believed in.
The agent showed up at the apartment.
"I hope you weren't waiting long"
"No I just came early to check out the area"
"Well, let's take a look"
Kari's breath was taken away by the first glance. It was gorgeous. Honey colored wood floors, leaded beveled glass on the front windows. A large bay window glowed with sunlight in the dining room. There were two bedrooms, a large living room, a cute bathroom and kitchen. She loved it!
"The online description said dogs were okay"
" Sure as long as it's well behaved"
"He's been through all of his obedience classes and graduated at the top of the class. I'd feel more secure as a single woman on my own with a dog"
"Sure, it's no problem. Your credit check was excellent, buy the way"
"I'm ready to sign the contract if you have it"
"Right here, and the security deposit?"
"I have cash if that's okay?"
"Absolutely"
Kari gave him the money, got her receipt and he gave her the keys. As he left she dialed her brother's number.
"Well, I did it. I got the flat. I'm leaving the jerk"
"I'm so proud of you for leaving that asshole Kari"
"I'm going to need your help Nick. Tomorrow's your day off right?"
" Yep, I'll bring the van and meet you at the house"
"Thanks so much. I love you"
"Love you too sis"