Castle Haven

My new Sappy Short-Story for Confessions magazine---warning advised- adult themes and language included-written by Amy Matz.
Chapter 1
Her thick light red lips, big dark round eyes, and long wavy hair resembled a gentle quality about her, but she felt like a savage beast inside. Mary took a few steps forward in the cellar, gazing ahead, and looking around to pin-point the strange noise she heard. She had gone down to look for her old fluffy white cat Misty, as she escaped from her apartment, amidst the mayhem of the her ex-boyfriend leaving her upstairs apartment and her for good. Water leaked from the pipes, as her boots splashed on top of it. There was no sense now in getting that man she wanted so bad. He violently protested her relentless advances. He even threatened to call the cops and get a restraining order against her. She gave up. If he couldn’t see that she was a bombshell, that was his problem. She could easily walk down the street in her spiked boots, shorts, and halter top, and find her next man or victim, whichever they chose to be for that day.
There had to be a man who thought he’d be lucky to find her, spend the night on the town with her, and go back to her pad. Yet her nerves were shaken as Barry left her, she remembered screaming kicking him out, “If you don’t want me, then screw you! You bastard! Get out of here! I’m much too good for you anyway.” As her cat scrammed out the door. She hurriedly chained the lock, and had set her butt on the floor at a loss, pouting.
In the cellar, she made cat whispering sounds, looking for her cat in corners. “C’mon pussy. Misty!...Misty-sweetie-pie!”
“Me-o-o-owwww….” Misty came walking out gracefully from behind the wall.
“C’mere puttin” Grabbing her cat, Mary headed back upstairs to her apartment.
She got in, dropped her cat, and picked up her landline. She needed a female friend to talk to.
Ring…ring…”Hello?”
“Lisa, let’s take a break tonight. From men. All men. Champaign and old movies here at my place tonight. Whatt’ya say girl?”
“Not a good night, Mar. Got the kids tonight. You can come here if you’d like.”
“Yeah sure. What the hell. Barry’s going to get a restraining order on me. Screw him. Like I’m some psycho-woman. I need a break. How’s your man doing anyway?? He causing you trouble too?”
“He’s been behaving lately. Three months off the booze. But, I need him. Can’t live without Brian. you know me. I’m a lost romantic as far as that goes.”
“I do know you. Maybe I should lighten up on the good ones. They’re not anywhere I look though.”
“Hey you said no men tonight. Does that mean not talking about them too? It’s always the same thing with you, Mary. You got to let it go for now. Find yourself. Be yourself. Come over. You’ll feel better. Bring your P.J.’s. We’ll put on a movie, and talk. You know there are other things to talk about. Truth be told! “ She burst out in laughter.
Mary laughed too. “Okay. Thanks. I’ll be over. I know it’s just what I need. I’ll bring some rocky road ice-cream for Sam and Alley.”
Laughing, Lisa said, “Bring some for me too. Okay. Bye.”
“C ya soon.” Lisa hung up her landline.
“I know I need a night out with the girls,“ Mary thought to herself, “but I can’t get a man, or any man out of my head. Screw it. I’m going to can Lisa tonight.”
“Lisa, sorry, but I got to can tonight. I have to go to the Bar N Grill to see if I can meet someone. You know. You have Brian. I can’t take it anymore!” She whined wholeheartedly, hoping her friend would hear her desperation in her voice and give her a break.
Disappointed, Lisa said, “I don’t think it’s healthy at all Mary. I worry so much about you. Please come over.”
“Give me 15 minutes to get dressed and think about it. Fuck. I don’t know what I’m doing. Sorry Lis.”
“Call me back then, Mary. There’s some good chick flicks on tonight. I’m watching Alley Mc Beal. You’d be missing out.”
“Yeah I know. I’m a lost cause. I’ll call you back. Bye.”
“Bye-e-e-e-e.”
She had a stronger need to work out her issues with men though. Before she knew it, she was already standing at the pool tables at the Bar n Grill, watching the guys take their turns. She dragged on her cigarette, and strolled up to the bar.
“Give me a Miller Light.” Her depression was deep, but the distractions of the bar were lightening her mood. People talking. Women laughing. She had no other friends but Lisa, but she always had to take care of the kids, if Brian wasn’t there to watch them. Lisa could rarely get out like this.
She decided not to make eye contact for a while tonight with anyone. People disappointed her. And seemed to reject her offers of friendship. Which left her with a mean streak for people in general. If Jesus was alive, that would be cool, he’d probably sit down and have a down to earth conversation with her. All about loving your neighbor. Give her the tricks she needed. She disregarded that idea. None of this ever came easy to her. Making friends. Meeting people. So be it. The guys liked her for her looks, and her bad-girl attitude. That’s why they left her too though. There were all new people there tonight. She thought she’d try and show a friendlier appealing attitude tonight though, and that was making small talk with their women too. She eyed up the bucking bull this heavy-set blonde girl was riding on.
As she walked over to the people laughing there, she thought she’d keep the conversation safe for now as she took her seat adjacent to the group.
“Is there karaoke tonight that you know of?” She asked, heart palpitating.
All the guys were unattractive, but it would get her feet wet.
“Sure is!! Every Wednesday night! My buddy here is going to sing “Blue Velvet! Hope you’re here to cheer him on. He needs it.” He threw peanuts at his friend.
Her depression sank further. She thought, disheartened, “Maybe I should have gone to Lisa’s. Oh shit. What am I doing here? None of these people give a shit about talking about anything real or fucking interesting at all!! Fuck it. I’m getting the hell out of here! Taking my bag and leaving” She stormed out of the bar, hoping it was for the last time.
She went back to her apartment. She put on the beginning song of “All in the Family” on her T.V. and wished for the days of her youth. Those were the days, so to speak, of family and some good times! She remembered “Cheers”. The place you go where “everyone knows your name”. Now, she was just a nervous wreck, just waiting for a husband so she could be a homebody and watch her shows again, and get those days back!
She thought of her Higher Power. “You must have some purpose for me.” She told him looking up at the walls. “God. At least there’s dialogue in these shows!! Jesus Christ!” My gosh, did she ever have a rough time being alone. There had to be a man.
She honored her desperation, and got out her computer to look up Christian Singles online.
A dating site that she had no patience to fill out the form for. She needed to see someone now.
She reached for her city newspaper at the ads in the back. They were sex ads, but that was the last thing she needed. Plus, she had just used her vibe two days ago. “Get a man here. Get a man here. Geesh. A women would do. Anyone who has half a brain...Geez Louise!” She flipped to the back, her loneliness speaking from her outward complaints.
Paying no mind to the details of the ads, she felt her heart starting to pound, as she imagined herself calling for someone to talk to.
She dialed anyway. What was there to lose?
“Lindsey speaking. You’ve reached companions-on-call. What do you need?”
“I have 45$ cash, if you could send someone out soon.”
“Guy or girl?”
“Either. Surprise me. I’ve had it. I’ve been cooped up for too long. Either one would do. A man preferably, but whoever’s available, I guess.”
“Are you sure? Let’s see who’s available now. Uhhh….. Jake Steinbeck can be there in a half hour. What’s your address?”
She gave her the info, and felt for the first time tonight her spirit’s soar.
“Jake! How cool of a name was that? He is going to sit here and WATCH my shows with me, whether he likes it or not. 45$. That’s an easy deal.” Mary let out a laugh, and rushed to the shower. She scrubbed herself down.
Getting out, she scrammed for her clothes, comfy but sexy, she splashed on baby powder and perfume, and tidied up the place. She switched the T.V. show to Drop Dead Diva, and set up the champagne and champagne glasses, put the chimes on her grandfather clock for the special occasion, and said hi to her pet hamster, Raz.
“It’s going to be a good night Raz….! We won’t be alone tonight.” Her cat waltzed out from her bedroom. “You too, Missy.” Her movements were quick and light getting ready for her company, Jake Steinbeck. “Jake. I hope he’s as cool as his name.” She was obsessing about the guy, before she caught a glimpse of him. “I worry too, Lisa, about myself.” She said to herself in private. “But I don’t care tonight! As usual.”
Her heart was still broken to pieces by the last man, and the man before that. Would Jake be her lucky break if she put on all the right moves?? She was a smart, bright women. Maybe she’d figure it out this time. At least get him as a regular. 40$ a couple nights a week, she could swing for some real company. Could she handle this? Jake was supposed to be there in 10 minutes. She painted her nails glitter orange, while watching Drop Dead Diva, and wondered what shows she’d put on for them. She finished up. He was fifteen minutes late.
“Jesus, get here by now. “ She steamed. The doorbell rang. She went to the door blowing on her nails.
“You must be Jake.” She answered her door cordially, with a bright smile, hoping to make it nice for him. He looked like Cary Grant, without the mustache. Perfect.
“Nice to meet you, my lady.”
“Please come in.” He followed her up the stairs. “I’ve been looking so forward to your visit. It’s anything goes, eh??”
“Anything but handcuffs or sodomy. Not allowed in our department.”
Offended, she barked, “I didn’t mean that!” I simply meant the companionship part. It was in my head to sit back and watch old shows together. I’ve just been out of sorts lately, and needed someone here. I’m in no mood anyway.”
“Sure. That’s fine. Whatever you want to do.” He saw the aquarium with Raz in it.
“Nice rat.”
“Ha. He’s my hamster. Make yourself at home. Champagne?”
“Oh wow. Awesome!” He said taking the glass. It was the first smile she’d seen of the day. She had to brag to Lisa though. Of course, she couldn’t help herself after what happened before with her. “Excuse me for a sec.”
She rarely could focus on one good thing. She texted her, “Got Cary Grant here. What a looker. We’re watching Cheers and the old shows. I feel like a teenager. Lol.”
“Cool beans!” Lisa texted back.
“I got All in the Family here, Cheers, Samson and Son. You ever watch any of those shows?” Mary asked, hopefully.
“Ohhhh, yeah. They were good ones. That’s a long ways back!....So, you just want to sit here and watch shows, huh? Cool with me, if that’s what you want to do.”
“Yes. And talk. How long you’ve been doing what you do?” She resumed Drop Dead Diva, as they talked.
“3 months only, actually. It’s a bit of a drag to tell you the truth. I’m saving up for a used dodge Shelby and got to get some cash for it. I don’t like the lifestyle though.”
“Why don’t you quit and get another job?”
“You’re telling me. I should. I really should. Got to pay rent though. I got laid off a year back. Not sure what to do.”
“Tell me about it. If you pass tonight, maybe you can camp out here for a while? Move in with me-e-e. I’ll set you up. It’s a bitch when it’s too quiet.” She half-joked.
Not taking her seriously, he said, “Yeah. Silence can play games with your head, that’s for sure.”
“Let’s watch a show then and talk...no silence there.” She said, clicking her TV remote. “How about Planet Earth? To start out with? It’s a nature show. ”
He sat back, as she did the same on her rocking chair, and they drank champagne and watched, commenting on the scenery and animals for a while. Their antennas were out, feeling their vibrations and what signals they’d let out for each other. Each time, the other took the bate. The alcohol made her head feel dizzy, her tongue tingle, as it did his, so pleasantly. Jake. She liked him, and she was glad. Hopefully, he was real hard up for some money and a place to live. She liked being hospitable anyhow. “You sleeping over?” She said again, half-kidding.
“Have no other place to be. So, I guess so.” They laughed at the absurdity of their situation.
“Maybe you can go with me to get some pancakes tomorrow.”
“Ha ha. Sure. We’ll see what happens, and how it goes here. HA Haaaaaaaaaaa!!” Jake roared.
“I like to switch around and sample things too. I can only take so much of this nature stuff anyway. Ha ha.” She switched to Frasier.
Jake replied, “Anything goes. So, what do you do for a living? Or in other words, how did you get the 40$ cash to get someone to come out and just hang out? Hard time making friends?”
“My god. Is that ever it. I’m starting to lose faith in humanity, Jake.”
“Till you met me.” Jake looked at her directly in her eyes.
“Yes. Till I met you. Don’t let me down. Ha. More champagne?” She poured as she said, “Oh. I don’t know. I was married for a while, kind of living on spousal support now. But, I’m a freelance writer. Trying to make a living doing that. I write sappy stories for Confessions magazine.”
“Oh my God. I’ve seen those! Those are pretty awesome! How do you do that? How do you think of things? Like where do your ideas come from? You just sit here, all alone, and write for Confessions magazine. I can say that I’m glad I met you.” The laughter she heard in her apartment that night was amazing to her, long-forgotten about, since her early days with her ex-husband. Mind you, the early days, before all went to hell and back, resulting in a bitter divorce. All of which made her the nervous wreck she was. But Jake made her feel steady and calm. She still was enraged at what she’d been through, yet, he provided a hope, just watching Frasier and gabbing away with her. Finally, a friend.
“Would you come by for free sometime? Or do I have to pay you 40$? Oh shit.” She asked afraid of his answer.
“You offered me a place to stay. You got champagne and alcohol here. You’re a lovely lady. Do you think I am stupid or dumb?”
“Most of them are.”
“I don’t buy that. Most of them are looking for the same stuff you are. A good time. You just misinterpret it, or your idea of a good time is not theirs.”
“You got that right. I’m not a prude. ‘I just want some respect.” She quoted the Janet Jackson song.
“Sounds like you need a man. We could try that out, if you want.” This time, the apprehension was his.
“I’d like to.” She answered. “I like your name. Jake’s a good name. Is it short for Jacob?”
“Yes, my mom called me Jacob. She’s been dead for 15 years now. Are your parents still living? My dad’s in a nursing home. I visit him sometimes.”
She pondered sadly. “My parents are still living, but they are separated and both live out of state. My mom’s living in Ohio with my older brother, and my dad’s in a nursing home too, actually, in West Virginia. I saw my mom last summer. She’s done good for herself in real estate. Got a dock and lake right outside her house. My older brother’s mentally handicapped and does a lot of fishing there. He’s a sweet-heart though. Glad my mom takes care of him though. That’s a full-time job there!”
“Sure would be. Can we turn Frasier off? What else do you have? He’s such a spaz!” They both cracked up again.
“You sure are fun to be with Jake. Sorry about your mom.”
“I read a lot because of my mom. Man, was she a book-worm! In the greatest way, though. Anytime my dad would sit down on his chair, and put on shows like these, she would be in the back room, reading a book. I always admired that more.”
“Making a bad impression, am I? Want me to read you a story?” Mary asked in a dirty tone, taking a big sip of her drink, fluttering her eyes at him. Her cat jumped up and laid on her lap.
“Ha! No. That’s okay. One of yours perhaps?’ He threw a smile at her. “You never answered my question. Where do you get your ideas from?”
“Uhhm…from life. They just come to me. They got to come from so far deep inside of me, or else I have nothing.”
“So, I guess it’s a mixture of both fiction and non-fiction, then, I guess.” He asked.
“Yeah. It all is. No matter who writes, I think, in my opinion. Even if it is fiction, you know there’s some truth to it. That’s how authors write. From their own experience and what they know.”
“What they dream.” Jake added.
“Yeah. Like this.” She held up her glass to toast him.
“To old-time shows, friendship, and an easy night’s pay.” He toasted.
“To Jake. The answer to my most recent perplexing problems. Just kidding.”
“There’s truth in jest too. Be careful, my lady.”
“Go to sleep!” She threw a pillow at him. After they talked for hours into the night, he did fall asleep on her couch that night, and it was so good. And also good that he was a deep sleeper.
She slipped into a peaceful, hazy state, from the alcohol. She had gotten her needs met and satisfied, aside from her night’s writing aspirations. As the brisk, cool breeze came in through her window, she put on Twin Peaks, a strange soap opera like show, and started on her next sappy story for Confessions Magazine. She started writing, “Her thick light red lips…..”
The end