Mama's Boy And Other Dark Tales Part 17

"I found Mama's little blue pills and swallowed a couple. It wasn't long before the pain began to subside. It was a good thing too, because I was running late to see Victoria. I got dressed, and when I was putting on my socks, the image of the jagged toe-stump wavered in my vision. But I touched my toes and they were all still there. The pain was gone, but just in case, I shoved Mama's Little Helpers in my pocket.

"Pushing the old Ford hard, I made my way into the city in record time. Like magic, traffic just seemed to move out of my way, and when I got into town I was even lucky enough to get a spot near Victoria's work. Seems fate was on my side, and I was just in time to greet my bride. She was crossing the street, heading for her bus stop as I walked toward her through the afternoon rush. She didn't see me coming when I b.u.mped into her with a hard shove.

"'Hey!' she hollered as she crashed to the pavement.

"'Oh, I'm so sorry, miss,' I said. 'Please, let me help you with that.' Her purse had fallen and the contents spilled out onto the sidewalk. I picked up each item, fondling it before handing it to her. I could feel Victoria through each thing I touched. She glanced up, and I could swear she recognized me, but she looked away and scrambled to pick up the rest of her things. I noticed a tear on the knee of her tight jeans. Blood was oozing through the rip in the material.

"'Look, I've hurt you,' I said. 'Oh, miss, I am so sorry.'

"When she looked down at her knee, I grabbed her arm to help her to her feet. She stared into my face, speechless with her eyes nearly bugging out of her head. I had that effect on women.

"I guess she was in a hurry, because she wrenched her arm out of my grip and rushed to the bus as it pulled to the curb in a cloud of dust and heat. She glanced back at me and I waved as she climbed aboard. Being coy, she turned away without waving back. The rush hour crowd moved around me while I waited and watched the bus pull away. I was pleased to catch a glimpse of her peeking at me through the crush of bodies on the bus. I grinned when I saw her, and she quickly turned her head. I just loved that she was playing hard to get. In fact, I thought our date went well. It felt so good to touch Victoria again. I couldn't wait until the next day, when she would meet Mama. If Mama approved, I could finally take Victoria as my bride.

"The pain started to creep back into my foot, so I took a few more of the little blue pills. Mama was right-they were very helpful. Several pills later I was back at the estate, and I slept like the dead all through the night with no interruption from them them.

"I woke up at noon, late again. Feeling nauseated, I headed to the bathroom and found YOU'RE A DEAD MAN YOU'RE A DEAD MAN written on the medicine cabinet mirror in Mama's red lipstick. I smeared it around with some toilet paper, then brushed my teeth staring into the sink. I wouldn't give written on the medicine cabinet mirror in Mama's red lipstick. I smeared it around with some toilet paper, then brushed my teeth staring into the sink. I wouldn't give them them the satisfaction of mocking me. I washed and got dressed in my best Wrangler jeans and a new white T-shirt I bought special for the occasion. And of course I wore my cowboy boots. the satisfaction of mocking me. I washed and got dressed in my best Wrangler jeans and a new white T-shirt I bought special for the occasion. And of course I wore my cowboy boots.

"As I was leaving the mansion, I saw KILLER KILLER painted across the front door. I was in too much of a rush to clean it off since I still had another wonderful surprise to take care of for Victoria. I was picking up her mother so she could be waiting at the mansion with Mama when we arrived tonight for our special evening together. painted across the front door. I was in too much of a rush to clean it off since I still had another wonderful surprise to take care of for Victoria. I was picking up her mother so she could be waiting at the mansion with Mama when we arrived tonight for our special evening together.

"To give me a boost for the long day ahead, I took a couple of Mama's Little Helpers and headed for the city. It was getting late by the time I convinced Missus Lystner that it would be in her best interest to go along with my surprise. When I dropped her off at the estate, it was dark outside. Fortunately, Victoria was working the late shift so I rushed back to town for the rendezvous with my bride.

"I had all the details carefully planned, and the first was a single pink rose. I paid a teenager on the street to deliver it, and of course, I added a romantic note: 'For my beautiful bride. Love, Henry.'

"I watched through the window as Victoria received the rose. I told the boy to say only, 'For you, Beloved.' She tried to ask him a question, but he kid ran out the door without answering.

"Alone in the store, she looked around nervously. She was so moved she just set the rose down on the counter and stared at it. I was getting impatient for her to read the note. Finally, she picked it up, opening the folded paper in her shaking hands. Suddenly, she crumpled the note, threw the rose on the floor, and stomped it under her heel until it was smashed into a pulpy pink mess.

"I was furious! How could she do such a thing? I was ready to run into the store and smack some sense into the ungrateful b.i.t.c.h. Then I remembered-Wendy! She was the one who told me about the pink roses. f.u.c.king Wendy, lied to me again.

"'G.o.dd.a.m.n it!' I shouted. I turned back to the window and watched as Victoria dialed the phone with shaking hands. No doubt she was calling her mother. No answer, so she slammed down the receiver and ran out the door, straight into my arms.

"'Victoria! I've been waiting for you,' I said. 'I'm sorry you didn't like the rose.' She was feisty, yanking and twisting in my arms, but I held her tight. She wasn't getting away this time.

"'Let me go,' she screamed. The few people still roaming the streets at that hour glanced at us, but they didn't stop-city folk are good that way. Anyway, I'm sure it was obvious that we were lovers-or at least would be soon.

"'Help! Someone help me!' she screamed. I put my hand over her mouth and she bit me. Since it seemed she liked to play rough, I slapped her hard across the face and smiled. 'I don't think Mama would approve of this behavior, Victoria, but I love it!' She started to scream again, that is until I mentioned that her mother was visiting with Mama at my house and that I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to her.

"I suggested that screaming was a no-no here on the street. 'Let's save it until later tonight, my love,' I said.

"The mention of her mother waiting at my house seemed to calm her down quite a bit, but the little vixen still struggled in my grip. At least she stopped screaming. I loved the feeling of her sweaty body pressing against mine as I wrestled her into the van. To be sure she was comfortable on the ride home, I had a pile of blankets for her to sit on in the back. I also looped some ropes through the metal frame inside the van, just to make sure she'd feel secure. She moaned and struggled as I tightened the ropes around her wrists. I wanted to take her right there in the van while she scratched and bit me, but Mama had insisted that I marry a virgin. I knew Victoria wanted me, too, but she had to wait.

"Lifting her wrists above her head, I tied them to the frame of the van and serenaded her with one of her favorite tunes-well, at least according to Wendy. 'And when at last I find you, your song will fill the air ... ' '

She glanced up at me with tears streaming down her face. 'Oh darlin', I'm so glad you like the song,' I said. 'Can't beat the Beatles.' I laughed at my joke.

"'Where are you taking me?' she asked, whimpering. I pulled out my handkerchief and wiped her tears. "'I'm takin' you home, darlin'.'

"She began to sob. I was touched, and my own eyes welled with tears. I'd waited so long for this night.

"I was feeling no pain, but just to be sure, I took two more pills for the trip back to the estate. The traffic was light, and the few cars on the road just seemed to part as I drove straight up the dotted yellow line in the center of the road. Friendly folks beeped their horns as we pa.s.sed.

"While I was nudging the b.u.mper of a Ford Pinto, Victoria got very quiet. I thought she might have been in awe of my fine driving, but glancing in the mirror I noticed she was wrestling with the ropes. 'Now Victoria, you must be patient, darlin'. I know you're eager, but we have to wait until Mama gives her approval.'

"I pulled the van over to the side of the road and climbed into the back and tightened the ropes. Victoria was sweaty and flushed and she looked so delicious I could hardly restrain myself from giving in to her desires. I pressed my mouth to hers and slipped my hand down her shirt, pinching her erect nipple. She squealed, and as her lips opened, I shoved my tongue deep into her mouth. She bit me. This time it hurt. I drew back and slapped her hard across the face. Her lip began to bleed.

"'I guess you need to learn some manners, Victoria.' I climbed back up front and dug under the seat for my buck knife. I unsheathed it in front of her, the blade glinting in the dim light of the cabin. Using the smooth edge of the knife, I sc.r.a.ped the trailing blood from her mouth, then smeared it down her throat and between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

"'You've been a bad girl, Victoria. I wish I had more time to teach you a proper lesson, but we'll save that for later.' I shoved my tongue in her mouth again. She responded with a deep moan but this time she didn't bite-a quick learner. 'Mmm ... Good girl,' I said, licking my lips. 'I wish we could play more, but we have a big night ahead of us. Don't want to keep our mamas waiting.' Her tears started again, but she was quiet.

"Checking her ropes one last time, I kissed her forehead and hopped back into the driver's seat. We hit the Skippack Turnpike in no time and hurried on toward the estate. Turning past the entry gate, we b.u.mped along the rutted road until we arrived at the mansion. I'd managed to tidy up the front garden to make it respectable before Victoria's arrival, and I was relieved to see that the graffiti had been cleaned off the front door.

"Buck knife in hand, I climbed in the back of the van and cut my bride loose, but I left her wrists tied to help her stay calm. I lifted her into my arms and kissed her tenderly on her lips, careful not to disturb the cut on her mouth. She didn't respond, but I realized she was nervous. And besides, I prided myself on how to make a woman respond when the time came. If I was anything, it was romantic.

"The moon was shining bright as I carried Victoria to the porch steps. I paused. 'Look, my love, a full moon just for you on our special night.' I gazed up at the night sky and looked back down at my bride, when she smashed her clasped fists into my nose. I heard the crack inside my head and nearly pa.s.sed out. I dropped Victoria in a heap, and before I could recover she was up and running for the van. This one liked to play rough. That was fine in the bedroom, but now was not the time for games.

"She must have thought I was stupid enough to leave the keys in the van, but holding my bleeding nose, I waited until she reached the door. Bleep. Bleep. I clicked the automatic door lock. She looked around like a caged animal. She started down the driveway, but the pulsing pain in my nose and the blood all over my new white T-shirt made me cranky, so I chased her down, grabbing her by the hair in mid stride. Yanking hard, she fell back against me, squealing in pain.

"'Serves you right, b.i.t.c.h! Now, stop f.u.c.king around.' I jabbed my buck knife into her ribs and guided her back to the house. She gasped and stopped struggling. 'Look at you, you're a f.u.c.king mess! Now I'm going to have to clean you up before you meet Mama.' She cried as I forced her up the staircase, my blade pressed against her ribcage.

"I was saving a surprise for later, but you've ruined it. We'll just have to use it now." I opened the door to the bathroom. It was filled with flickering candles and the bathtub was steaming; pink rose petals floated on the surface. Granted, the tiles were still grimy and the tub was brown with rust stains, but it still looked nice in the candlelight. "'Take your clothes off!' Her eyes looked dazed and she staggered.

"'Now!' I said. She dropped down on the edge of the tub looking limp, so I took matters into my own hands. 'Stand up!' I ordered. She complied. I unb.u.t.toned her pants, slid the zipper down, and let them fall to the floor. I couldn't help my arousal at the sight of her thin panties and her long slender legs. I used my buck knife to slit the b.u.t.tons off her blouse, enjoying each pop of the thread. I slipped her blouse off her shoulders, uncovering firm white b.r.e.a.s.t.s in a skimpy bra. I was standing so close I could smell her sweat.

"With the tip of my tongue I tasted her neck, and then pressed myself against her. Slipping my hands around her waist, I felt something sticky. I turned her around like a rag doll, and saw the bleeding wound in her side.

"'You stupid b.i.t.c.h! Look what you made me do to you!'

"I was beginning to feel anxious and out of control. I must have stuck her too hard with my buck knife when she tried to escape. She'd lost a lot of blood, and now I'd have to waste time patching her up. When I poked my finger in the wound to see how deep it was, she crumpled in my arms, pa.s.sed out cold. I let her drop to the floor so I could think. My d.i.c.k was hard and my mind was racing. Time for another dose of Mama's Little Helpers. I took a couple of the pills and before long the future was looking brighter.

"Feeling relaxed, I dressed Victoria's wound and went about cleaning her beautiful body. When I was done, I laid her down naked on the floor. I undressed and washed myself as I watched my bride sleeping. The temptation to take her was growing stronger, but I tried to convince myself to wait. Mama would never approve of my bride if she wasn't a virgin, so I gritted my teeth and tried to ignore my throbbing erection.

"I wrapped my bride in a satin sheet and carried her to the staircase. The house was freezing again. As I walked naked down the steps, I felt something touch me like wind across my skin. A low whisper swirled around me, Mur-der-er. Mur-der-er. My legs trembled, but I tried to ignore the voice. My legs trembled, but I tried to ignore the voice. You're a dead man, Henry. You're a dead man, Henry. The whisper slipped around me as I neared the bottom of the stairs. The whisper slipped around me as I neared the bottom of the stairs.

"Still gripping my buck knife with Victoria in my arms, I made it to the front door when the cackling laughter started. It continued as I carried Victoria into the moonlight and down the path to the family chapel. When we pa.s.sed through the gravestones of the old cemetery, something brushed by my back, tugging at my bride's satin shroud. A shriek of laughter sliced into the night."

"I'm sorry to have to stop you, Henry, but that's all we have time for today," said Rebecca. Disoriented and annoyed by her abrupt interruption, Henry furrowed his brow in a pout and stared at the clay head.

"I'll see you again tomorrow evening." Glad to step away, Rebecca picked up Henry's clay, observing his progress. "This is really coming along."

Henry's pouting expression disappeared at the compliment. He smiled with pride, spritzed the clay-covered knife with the spray bottle, and wiped it clean with a paper towel.

"Becky," he polished the blade as he spoke, "I really like you."

"Please, call me Doctor." She struggled to speak firmly.

"Becky, you know all my secrets now, and you're the only person who has ever really listened to me. You understand me."

"Well, that's my job, Henry. Your job is to get well." Trying to steady her hand, she reached out and motioned for him to pa.s.s her the knife.

Henry held onto it, tilting the blade back and forth, causing its reflection to flash in Rebecca's eyes.

"But I want to know you, Becky," he said, his voice husky and low. "I feel connected to you. When I get out, then I'll be able to visit you ... and really get to know you."

"That's not appropriate for a doctor and her patient, Henry. Now, please give me the knife. It's getting very late." Her voice was thin and wavering.

"What's your last name, Becky? At least tell me that."

"Give me the knife."

"Why won't you tell me your name?" he shouted. "All the others tell me their name."

The orderly knocked on the door, "Everything okay in here, Doc?"

Rebecca held out her trembling hand. Henry winked and placed the knife in her palm.

"Come in," she said. "It's time for Mister Doe to return to his room."

February 7-Personal Journal I don't know how much more I can take. I never thought it would be this hard. I got another call from the ward nurse today...

"Doctor?" said the frazzled voice. "Dana Haulker here. We met Friday. I'm the floor RN on Frank Doe's ward."

"Yes, Dana. How is he?" asked Rebecca.

"We've been administering the additional meds you prescribed, but I'm afraid he's getting worse. His nightmares have intensified and he's become extremely agitated since you cancelled the past week of his sessions. He hasn't eaten and he refuses his meds. We have to restrain him to administer them. Now we can't get him out of his bed."

"I've rescheduled him for this evening at six," she said. "Let's see if he settles down when you give him that information. I can't come to his room every time he has a tantrum, or it may reinforce the behavior."

"Yes, Doctor," said the nurse with an impatient huff. "I'll keep you informed."

February 7-6:00PM: Frank Doe Session Rebecca had just finished laying out Henry's sculpture and tools when he entered her office looking jittery and sallow. Avoiding eye contact, he sat down at the table but refused to touch the clay, mumbling to himself and turning away from the sculpted face with its strange twisted mouth.

"h.e.l.lo, Henry," said Rebecca. "I'm sorry I had to cancel our sessions last week."

"No, I said!" he shouted at the sculpture.

"No, what, Henry?"

"Nothing," he replied, in a hushed voice. He sat sideways in his chair, avoiding the head and avoiding Rebecca.

"Is everything all right?"

"What do you think?" he said, verging on tears. "I can't sleep without having nightmares. People keep whispering around me, and I feel like I want to crawl out of my skin. I have to get out of this place. It's making me crazy. You've got to help me!"

Rebecca masked her smile. "Let's see what we can do to help you get out, Henry. I know it's a difficult phase, but we're so close. Just hang in there," she said. "Why don't we start with where you left off on Monday?"

In a frenzy, Henry opened the pouch of tools and pulled out the knife.

"Shut up!" he screamed, pointing the knife at the head.

"Henry, put the knife down!" said Rebecca, looking toward the door, expecting an orderly to enter at the sound of the commotion.

"Shh ... she'll hear you," he said.

"Who will hear me?"

He tilted his head toward the clay sculpture.

Rebecca was shaking from Henry's violent outburst, and there were no orderlies in sight. She scrambled for something to say. "Maybe if you give her a good spray, she'll quiet down."

Wielding the knife, eyes darting, Henry looked unconvinced.

"Here, I'll do it for you." Fighting to still her shaking hand, she reached for the spray bottle. Henry grabbed her wrist, looking at her with wild eyes.

"Don't!" he said, nearly crushing her wrist in his grip. He stared into her blue eyes and paused as if recognizing her for the first time, then his wild look returned and he pushed her away. He s.n.a.t.c.hed up the misting bottle.

"You better let me do it. She might get angry." With a set jaw of renewed bravery, he glared at the eyes of the head and sprayed. He soaked the clay until it was dripping with muddy water. Glancing at Rebecca, he whispered, "I think it worked."

"Good job, Henry," she said, letting out her breath and forcing herself to relax her knotted shoulders. "Why don't you sit back down so we can gather our thoughts and get started ... before she dries out."

Henry continued to clutch the knife, looking askance at the clay face, a feminine rendition of his own scarred flesh. Wanting nothing more than to send him back to his room, Rebecca knew her days with Henry were few. She couldn't waste this opportunity when she was so close. Regaining her composure, she held out her open palm to Henry.

"The knife, Henry."

He cradled it to his chest and looked at Rebecca with concern. In a strained voice he pleaded, "But I need it ... to protect you."

Knowing the danger, but weighing the potential that the session held for resolution, Rebecca nodded at Henry and withdrew her hand. Reaching for her notebook and pen, she paused, reading her last entry. She squared her shoulders and looked at Henry's pitiful ruined face.

"I would like to know what happened after you carried Victoria from the house," she said firmly.

Henry's facial muscles twitched under Rebecca's hard stare, but after a pause he complied with a stuttering start.

"Th ... they were ta ... taunting me as I carried her through the cemetery," he said. "But I didn't want anything to interfere with our meeting with Mama, so I continued on, ignoring the voices. That terrible chill followed me from the house, and I could feel Victoria shivering in my arms. I pulled her close to keep her warm.

"Killer! came a screech from behind me, followed by a stinging slap across the back. came a screech from behind me, followed by a stinging slap across the back.

"I stumbled forward into the crypt that led to the chapel, nearly dropping my beautiful Victoria. Recovering my balance, I laid her on the heavy slab of my ancestor's tomb and the satin sheet slipped away, exposing her naked body. It was time to wake her so she could meet Mama. As she lay unconscious, I traced the dark circle of her erect nipples and the smooth curve of her belly with my blade.

"I stroked her silky black hair, trying to wake her. 'Victoria,' I called. 'Victoria?' But she didn't move. Touching her face, I allowed my hand to move slowly down across her soft skin, feeling the tiny hairs rising at my touch. Her hands were still bound, and without thinking I raised them up above her head and tethered them to a metal loop at the end of the slab. With her back arched and her head turned to the side, her lips parted-teasing me. I felt her body's silent desire and my erection stiffened painfully. As if in a trance, I climbed on top and slipped her legs apart with my knees. I could no longer deny the call of her body, so I thrust and penetrated, enjoying her complete submission until my pa.s.sion rose to a peak. I moaned in ecstasy, and in perfect timing Victoria began to move beneath me. I came with mind-numbing pleasure as she opened her beautiful blue eyes, screaming and bucking.

"Exhausted and satisfied, I collapsed on top of her. She began to cry, her tears wetting my cheek as I lay against her.

"'Don't worry, darlin',' I whispered into her soft hair. 'Mama doesn't have to know what you've done. This will be our little secret. I just didn't want you to have to wait any longer, my love.' I lifted my head and looked into her eyes, but she turned away and continued to sob. I grabbed my buck knife and trailed the blade from her neck to her navel. 'Pull yourself together,' I said. 'That's no way to behave before meeting Mama. Besides, I have another surprise for you.'

"I cut her loose, releasing her hands, and lifted her down from the slab. She was still a little tired from our love-making, so I wrapped my arm around her waist and guided her across the cool stones of the floor. On top of the twin slab sat my black leather bag. I opened it for Victoria to see, exposing my prized collection.

"'These are my mementos, Victoria-special memories from all my past relationships. But for you, my love, I'll retire my bag, and together we can bury it in the family cemetery. We'll make it part of our wedding ceremony, our promise of fidelity to one another.'

"Victoria looked very pale and suddenly doubled over, vomiting and heaving. It must have been nerves, and the blood loss. When she finally finished her retching, the tears started again.