Gerry

*Author’s Note. * I have been tempted over the years to try my hand at a murder mystery. Never trusted my writing abilities and it takes a lot of thought and planning. At least, I think so. I decided to try anyway over the summer between classes. While in school there is little time for personal writing and since I do pay for my website, I decided to get my creative juices flowing and keep committed to my writing. The first chapter was my final writing piece for a creative writing class I took last semester. This class helped me strengthen my writing skills but also it gave me the confidence to experiment more with my writing and take chances. My goal is to have a new chapter every Friday. Please keep in mind this means it might not be perfect. Think of it as a rough draft! Enjoy!

Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence.

Janis always felt guilty when day drinking, especially at a bar. She felt it was like calling in to school or work saying you were sick, but not really. The guilt of telling a lie always sucked the fun right out of whatever Janis was doing, especially when she lied to her husband Gerry. But then again, Gerry sucked the fun out of everything Janis did.

She hid in the tight corner booth. The bar wasn’t a dive, but it certainly wasn’t posh. It sat on the side of the city where her rural friends never ventured, tucked away in a neighborhood of working people. It was a local hangout where families brought their grandparents for a birthday dinner. Young women would rent out the back room for bridal showers and a few months later baby showers. Big screen televisions occupied almost every inch of the walls. A small stage and a karaoke machine stood in the opposite corner from Janis’s booth. The musty smell of stale beer and deep-fried grease clung to the old timber rafters. The lighting had deep shadows for someone to hide in.

“I can’t believe Gerry let you out of the house. Captain Douche Bag must be in good spirits today.” Linda was like that. Snotty, know-it-all, and sometimes a big bully. You didn’t want to be on her bad side. She’s built like a linebacker and when provoked, can move like a bulldozer. She was a mother of three delicate young twenty somethings, who are more like their father, timid and quiet. People whispered that Linda wore the pants in that house.

“Well, actually he thinks I am out shopping for the kid’s Easter baskets.” Janis said. “He was a bit pissed because he feels they are too old for such things.” She had three kids, a nineteen-year-old and a set of twins who were almost twenty-four. Janis loved to dote on them.

“He won’t drive out here, will he?” Nancy worried a lot; it was part of her character. She was the intelligent one of the three friends. She held degrees in Mathematics and Political Science. Her minor was Shakespearian Studies. She came with a few nervous ticks. Besides worrying all the time, she didn’t handle upsetting situations or sudden change very well.

“No, coming into the city is too much for him. He’ll go home and watch the basketball playoffs. I left a lasagna for him in the oven.”

The girls ordered fancy drinks with provocative names like Sex on the Beach and Leg Spreader. Over an order of sliders, nachos, and a small plate of onion rings they talked about their day, the previous week, and who was not doing well in their immediate families. They gossiped about co-workers, neighbors, and who was going to make an ass out of themselves at Linda’s oldest daughter’s wedding next weekend.

“My guess is Aunt Shirley. One vodka martini and she is flirting with all the men. Young and old.” Linda said. “She wheeled Uncle Jim out to the patio and then left him while she danced with all the old men at the family reunion.”

“Yeah, she was doing a slap and grab on all their asses while they danced.” Remembered Janis.

They paid their tab and Linda paid for Janis. She didn’t want Janis to need to think of a lie she couldn’t keep to Gerry. Gerry counted every penny she spent; he required receipts after every shopping excursion. Janis was honest to a fault, even if it meant an ass chewing from Gerry.

“I’m going to run to the bathroom really quick before we leave.” Janis said.

“We’ll wait for you at the front door.”  Said Nancy.

Nancy and Linda stopped to grab a few mints from the hostess stand. Linda popped a few into her purse.

“Does that look like Rhonda O’Conner sitting over there on the other side of the bar?” Linda asked.

“Shit, she works with Gerry at the plant.” Nancy said. “She can’t see Janis or she’ll tell Gerry we were here.”

The small plastics manufacturing plant kept the town of Williamston, population twelve-hundred, on the map. Everyone who worked there either lived in Williamston or Webberville, the next town over. Population, eight-hundred and thirty. Barely on the map.

Gerry stood on his feet all day staring at plastic molds in various colors and shapes, looking for any defects. He hated his job but he was too stubborn to do anything about it except complain. He was really good at that.

 Rhonda worked on the same line. She was thirty-two with three kids and two different baby daddies. There were conflicting rumors about the third kid. She was that girl who wore ultra-faded jeans so tight it looked like second skin. Her large phone in the bedazzled back pocket couldn’t hide the fact she wore exclusively hot pink thongs. She had this eighties rock star’s girlfriend vibe about her. Bleached hair with dark roots. Extremely long bangs that framed her pale face. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but smart enough to survive on her own. Rhonda worked harder than her baby daddies. Both, or all three if you believe the rumors, still lived at home with their parents. 

Nancy grabbed Linda and pulled her into a booth when she saw Gerry coming through the door. They peaked out and saw Gerry standing next to Rhonda. He leaned in and gave her a sloppy kiss and rubbed her belly.

“Is he making a wish?” Snorted Linda.

“We need to stop Janis.”  Nancy said with a worried contortion on her face.

As they climbed out of the booth they both noticed they were too late. Janis was at the bar staring at Gerry and Rhonda. Her smile was confused. Her body started to shrink. It looked like Rhonda had swallowed a canary, while Gerry just stood there turning red. He was a big man with a bigger ego. He loomed over shrinking Janis.

“What in the hell are you doing here Janis?”

“I could ask you the same. Why is Rhonda here?” Janis could barely lift her arm to point. She knew the answer and her tears seared as they started to roll down her cheeks.

The three of them stood in awkward silence until Linda showed up.

“What the hell Gerry. Getting a little action on the side when your ass should be at work?” Linda never minced her words.

Nor did Gerry, “Shut the fuck up Linda; you fucking horse.”

“Gerry if there weren’t witnesses, I’d drop you right now with my big ass hoof.”

“Is there a problem here?” The bartender leaned in.

“Gerry, tell her.” Rhonda whined. Her right arm starts to caress her belly while her left arm glides around Gerry’s waist.

Gerry pushed Rhonda away and snapped at the bartender for a Bud lite. His face is distorted and the red has now turned to purple. He stares at Janis who is now crying uncontrollably. Nancy rubs her back trying to soothe the blow that everyone is patiently anticipating. Linda steps between Rhonda and Gerry. There is this drawn-out moment of nothingness. The bartender breaks in with Gerry’s Bud lite.

Janis looked past Gerry and Rhonda who is still caressing her belly. The bar starts to spin. She noticed the elderly couple coming through the door. The man held the door open for the woman. As she crossed the threshold, he gave a tender pat on her behind. The old woman gushed and her cheeks began to warm. Janis realized this will never be her and Gerry.

“Gerry, I will not be going back to the house.” Janis turned to Nancey. “Nancy, can I stay with you at your condo until I can figure this out?”

“Janis.” Gerry stammered, “You better be at the house when I get there.”

“Or what, Gerry? What are you going to do?” Linda pushed her chest close to his.

Gerry reached out towards Janis but Linda stopped him. Linda told Nancy to take Janis back to her condo as she tried to block Gerry from Janis. Janis clutched Nancy’s arm as they exited the bar. Gerry yelled obscenities at Linda. Rhonda screamed out just as Janis exited, “I’m having his baby.” It all happened so fast.

Janis stopped dead in her tracks. Her turn was sharp. “You fucking whore.” While her words were directed at Rhonda, her eyes were on Gerry.

*****

Janis watched as Gerry backed his truck out of the driveway. She was stopped at the city park a few houses down from their house. She watched as he drove away to the factory job he hated so much. She wondered if he would be eating his lunch with Rhonda in the break room that day. She hadn’t slept in five days. Nancy started pleaded with her to eat something. Janis didn’t feel hungry; she wasn’t tired. She just felt numb. She survived on coffee through noon. Wine started at three, and nibbles here and there on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich she made every morning for breakfast only to finish it at supper later that day.

When she was sure he wasn’t coming back she drove to their house. The twins were living in Ann Arbor creating a world all of their own and the youngest was in his second year at Michigan Tech. She would sit them down when she had more answers. She needed was some personal items, clothing, and her dress for the wedding tomorrow. Even with everything going on, Linda’s daughter was getting married and even though Janis was in no frame of mind to go to a wedding, Linda was her best friend and Janis was the godmother to her daughter.

Janis felt like a thief creeping through her own home. It felt awkward to walk through the rooms; she felt like a stranger. In less than a week her pristine house had been destroyed. Gerry hadn’t done the dishes, there were food spills all over the counter top, and the floors were covered in filth. Gerry was known for his temper and examples of that were found everywhere. His end table next to his chair was turned over and all its contents laid on the floor where they landed. The glass on their wedding photo was smashed, a dining room chair lay in three big pieces, and there was fast food wrappers scattered everywhere. Janis noticed the flat atmosphere of the house. Everything felt stagnant. She made her way up the stairs, her hand clutched to the railing, unsure and afraid what she would find at the top.

Their bedroom was at the end of the hall. The door was closed and as Janis opened it the creaking boomed throughout the second floor scaring her. She laughed at herself.

“Girl, you have nothing to be afraid of. This is your home and you have every right to be here.”

Janis found her suitcase in the closet and quickly packed what she needed. She grabbed a few toiletries and her dress for the wedding. She shoved clothing items for daily wear into a large duffle bag Linda had loaned her. She put her two jewelry boxes in a large tote bag. After she had packed what she figured she would need for the next few weeks she scanned the bedroom one last time. She remembered she needed to get her hot rollers from the bathroom closet. As she walked into the master bathroom she glanced up at the mirror. She let out a gasp when she saw Gerry’s reflection staring back at her. He sneered when their eyes met. Before she could do anything, he was in the bathroom with her.

“You always were gullible Janis. You didn’t actually think I didn’t see you at the park waiting for me to leave?” His rancid breath oozed of old Jim Beam.

“I am just getting a few things Gerry and I will be on my way.”

“Is that right?” Gerry moved closer to Janis. “Funny how that works Janis. Because the way I look at it, these are my things since I paid for them.”

“Gerry, I am not here to fight. I am just leaving.” She pushed past Gerry and grabbed her bags.

“You are not going anywhere.” Gerry grabbed Janis.

“What in the hell are you doing?”

“We need to talk.”

“Well, I have nothing to say Gerry. You knocked up Rhonda and that makes us done.” Janis gave her head a shake and moved towards the door. Gerry blocked her from leaving.

“Janis, I just want to talk with you. After I say what I need to, you are free to go if you still want.”

In the beginning of their marriage Gerry would always promise to change and give me one more chance; you’ll see. I can change. Around the second or third year his rhetoric changed to, I’ve changed. You know I have. But he really hadn’t. After that came, You’re fucking crazy Janis. I’m sick of you not trusting me. Janis had proven reason not to trust him. The last six months or so have been playing nice with civility. She ignored him and he ignored her unless Gerry got mad. Things were different when Gerry got mad.

Janis pushed him aside and left the bedroom. She walked down the hall feeling Gerry’s breathe behind her as she approached the stairs. Gerry stepped in front of Janis and blocked her from going down. He reached for the bags in Janis’s hands.

“Stop it, Gerry. Let go of my things.”

“Please Janis. Just give me one chance to explain.”

“Gerry, get out of my way. I have nothing to say to you.” She pushed him to the side once more and then Gerry snapped.

Gerry grabbed Janis around her waist and slammed her into the wall with such force she felt the plaster crumble behind her. With one hand holding her by the neck he sucker punched her in the ribcage with the other. Janis instinctively grabbed his balls and yanked them as hard as she could. Gerry fell to his knees as Janis struggled to breathe while scrambling towards the stairs. Gerry was able to grab her right ankle and attempted to pull her back. She kicked him in the face but he was so enraged he forgets about his aching balls. He stood up and spat out a glob of blood and staggered towards Janis.

“You fucking bitch. Look what you made me do.” He stood over Janis and kicks her in the back. “All you had to do was be a good wife and now look at this mess you created.”

Janis knew she was breathing because she could see dust bunnies on the wooden floor scatter as she exhaled. She didn’t move; she hoped Gerry would stop. Instead, she hears him roar as he pulled her up, her legs dangled just above his ankles. They are standing at the top of the stairs and Janis knows he will throw her down them if she doesn’t do something. Her animal instincts kicked in and she did the only thing she was able to do to fight back. She opened her mouth wide and clamped down on his cheek. She tasted metal and felt the warm trickle snake around her lips. Gerry let out a howling wail and dropped Janis. He teetered trying to cover the bleeding wound and keep his balance. He reached for the railing, tried to gain his bearings but he was two inches short of making his connection.

He stumbled as his ankles betrayed him and buckled from the lack of balance. In slow motion his body crumbled and folded backwards. Airborne, he grabbed at the air trying to stop his fall. Janis heard herself scream for him as he floated backwards away from her now outreached hands. His eyes locked on hers and she saw the terror in his eyes. They both knew in that very instant, this was not going to end well.

“Gerry.” Janis chased his floating body down the stairs and felt the thump as his body landed in a heap at the bottom. His head hit the corner of the bookshelf in the foyer. Instantly, a red stream appeared from under his head. Janis ran down the rest of the way and called his name.

“Oh god, Gerry. Gerry.”

Gerry laid there motionless. His eyes stared up towards the ceiling. His neck seemed twisted, not screwed on the way it should be.

*****

It had been a trying day already at Webberville Public Schools. Linda, who was the elementary school secretary, had to call three families for head lice, break up a fight between two fifth grade girls, and run down the janitor because a first grader threw up at his desk. All this before the morning recess bell.  Her head pounded when she answered the phone, “What?”

“Linda?”

“Yeah, it’s me who is this?”

“Linda, it’s me, Janis. I need you to come to my house quickly.”

“Janis?” Linda did not recognize her voice.

“Linda, please. I need you.”

*****

Janis ached from her wounds. She was certain this was just a bad dream and she would wake up any moment. She heard Linda open the kitchen door. Janis was sitting at the table prioritizing the mess in the foyer.

“What the hell happened to you?” Linda looked around. “What in the holy hell happened?”

“I killed Gerry.”

Janis pointed towards the foyer and Linda stepped with caution in that direction. When she saw the body on the floor she immediately turned to Janis and threw up. Janis noted her response.

“What the hell happened here?” Linda asked after cleaning herself up.

Janis told her word for word as she remembered it. She swore it was an accident.

“Janis, my daughter is getting married tomorrow and in,” She looked at her phone, “five hours I need to be at the church for the rehearsal. Why didn’t you call the cops or 911?”

“I don’t know what to do.” Janis kept repeating. “I don’t want to go to jail.” She began to sob.

“You’re not going to jail, Janis. It was an accident.”

“But I killed Gerry.”

 “First thing, stop saying that. Second thing, we need to calm down and think about this.” Linda paced and ran her hands through her short hair. Her eyes focused on an unseen solution.

“Okay, I want you to take what you came for and nothing else. And we need to be quick. Do you understand?”

Janis nodded.

“We are going to need some time to figure this out. I just have to get through this fucking wedding. Go back to Nancy’s and tell her nothing. Give me some time to think.”

Janis nodded her head dutifully. “But what about my bruises; Nancy will ask questions.”

“Don’t worry about that. She won’t be home from work until later. Just give me time to think and I will call you later.”

Linda paused.

“You said the kids were not going to make it to the wedding. Are you absolutely sure they will not be back this weekend, what-so-ever?”

“Yes, the twins are going to Detroit to a concert, and Jeffrey is with his girlfriend at her parent’s house in Saginaw.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

They collected Janis’s things and left the house. Linda dropped Janis off at her car, giving final instructions to tell no one what had happened. Linda and Janis were so busy in the house they paid no attention to what was going on outside of the house. They didn’t see the shadowy outline of the figure who was looking in through the dining room window watching the whole time.