Family Business

On Fire

Saturday May 25th 2019 5am MontClair New Jersey

Prudence is surrounded by burning flames. She wants to remove her pinstriped black suit jacket but she can't, she is tied to a pole, the thick rope digs deeper and deeper into her, she can't breath, she can't call out out for help. The flames and intense heat grows stronger and stronger. She squints hard at a shadow but she can't make it out, it looks familiar but she can't recognise it. "Prudence" she jumps.

Prudence wakes up saturated in sweat. She gasps hard, clutching her chest, she says a quick prayer that she isn't having a heart attack. She scrambles with her right hand until she finds the switch of her bed side locker. She then fumbles for her glasses and puts them on and checks her surrounds, she is in her bedroom, relief!!, the dream seemed so real!!.She is having more and more of these crazy dreams. Was something bad coming? was it just stress? was it from exhaustion of working long hours? was it a side effect of medication?

Her chest heaves as her lungs struggle to manufacture some shallow breaths. She reaches for her inhaler she gives it a brief shake takes two puffs, shakes it again and takes another two. She removes her Duvet and with effort sits up on the edge of her bed. She pours a glass of water. Her mind wonders to Grechen.
Her loud breathing intensifies as she tenses up with the thoughts of her.

First serious incident with Gretchen was back in December 1998. Prudence was home from university for Christmas and was supervising a Christmas Party her parents were providing the catering and entertainment for. Her parents and Prudence felt a job is what Gretchen needed. In Prudence's innocence at the time she thought it might open up a friendship between the two. How wrong was she!!. Gretchen was constantly skiving off. Either flirting with guests, taking extended breaks, or just doing her best to annoy Prudence.

Eventually it came to a head. Prudence caught her outside, her top shirt button open and her gold tie hanging loosely. "Gretchen" screams Prudence "Tighten up your shirt and tie. Your being paid to do a professional job now go do it".

Prudence can still see what happened next. She was wearing the supervisor uniform. Black slacks, silver waistcoat and matching tie. Out of nowhere Gretchen came pulled out a scissors and cut Prudence's tie just below the knot "THIS IS WHAT I THINK OF YOU AND YOUR FUCKING DEADEND JOB" and walks out. Five hours later Prudence returned to her seven year old Ford Taurus to find the drivers door keyed.

Eight months later Prudence was studying in her college dorm, when she gets a call from her mother in hysterics. Gretchen was caught purchasing alcohol and cigarette's with a false Identify in the name of Prudence Sternwood. She was so angry when Gretchen got away with a warning.

Even now Prudence feels her face burning with rage.

The last time was June 2017. Glow had just starting airing on Netflix about female wresting.
It was aunt Celias 70th birthday party. The Sternwoods provided the hotel room and refreshments for free. Prudence done all she could to avoid Grechen, Florence and their little clique. She knew what would happen, they would taunt her about how Celia was in better shape than her. It was now approaching 8pm and it would be soon over anyways. She saw the clique away from their table, assuming that they were outside smoking. She would use this opportunity to make an exit. She said goodbye to her Parents, her sister, her sisters husband and her niece and nephew as well as Celia. Her mind flashes back to reanalysing the room, like a child trying to avoid the lunchroom bullies. She didn't see them, relieved she began to leave the room. Then out of nowhere she heard "There's a woman I want to wrestle". It was the drunk voice of Gretchen before she knew it she was doubled over in a headlock. Prudences Airway closed from the tight noose that Gretchens strong arm held around her neck. Prudence could feel her head getting lighter and lighter, the grip eased slightly, just giving her enough to get some air in. Prudence flapped her hands aimlessly, she could hear laughter, no doubt others finding it entertaining "Tap it out, Roly-Poly, I can do this all day". She could then feel Gretchen rub the top of her head with the knuckle of one of her fingers". Prudence flapped her hands more looking for Gretchens leg, eventually she finds it and taps. "Let go!" she gasps her voice strained from the excess stress her airway was enduring. "Tell me, I'm the best" requests Gretchen. Prudence had no choice but to succumb. "Your the best" Gretchen let go laughing, giving Prudence's lower chin a painful tug "I really enjoyed that, Roly-Poly". Prudence promised herself she won't let her humiliate her like that again and as she sat at the edge of her bed she is determined again. She will throw the book at her, she had one of the best lawyers in the city and she will destroy her.