The Night I Came To Wilkes

The night I came to Wilkes, I was just looking for a place to stay. I rode around until I came across an old boarding house that said “Rooms for rent, No pets!” The house looked like no one had lived in it for years. It was uninviting and the green paint was peeling. It took forever for someone to come to the door. “Hello! Can I help you?” she said. She was gorgeous; she was tall and had long lustrous red hair. It reminded me of fire. Her face was perfect, though it was gaunt and her green eyes were sunken, they were bright green and shone. She had a thin top lip while her bottom lip was pouty. Something about her mad her look so aged, I think she must have taken a lot of beatings in her life.
“Yes, I want to rent a room.” I said.
“Well I haven’t had any company for a while, My name is Blanche. You have to pay 25 dollars for the sheets and 300 a month for your room, I was wondering what’s your name?” she said and waited for my reply.
“I’m James Newman.” I said.
She inspected me up and down; I felt her eyes looking through me.
“Oh well are you here in town for a visit or do you plan to stay a while?” she asked.
“I’m just visiting, I don’t have any relatives here. I came from New York and just need a break.” I said.
“What are you running from” she asked me and began to laugh; she could tell I didn’t appreciate her inquisition and stopped laughing.
“Listen why don’t you stop by for some supper? Id really enjoy some company. Things sure get lonely around here” she said and gave me a pouty look.
“Umm I guess” I said hesitantly.
We walked down the hall and she showed me my room.
“Well this is its, I hope it’s comfortable.” She said.
“Yeah it’s just fine; well I’ll see you later.” I replied
“Ya know what you remind me of a movie star, I bet all the girls go for you! I can tell I’m making you fell uncomfortable. I better go get our supper ready” she said and gave me a sweet smile and left.
That girl made me nervous, something about her just didn’t seem right. The room was ugly, it had stale looking wallpaper that looked like something you’d see in a cheap motel, wait a minute this was a cheap motel. What am I supposed to expect, not everything is like in New York. This is as close to the plaza as you’re going to get. I can’t believe I left them. What kind of man ups and leaves his wife and boy? I’m not a man, I’m a coward. Move on you old fool that’s the past. This goddess of women is completely into you. You are so far away from home and no one here knows a thing about you. I was sleeping or I must have zoned off because when I came back to reality the light was gone and darkness had already set in. I washed up and walked down the hall to Blanche’s apartment.
I knocked on the door lightly. I heard her shout come in. Her place was much nicer than mine, it looked more modern and she even had a record player. It was a clean place, larger than mine. It was clear someone used to live here with her, maybe a man? When I came in she was sitting at a small table, the places were set and she was wearing a blue dress, it was oversized on her small frame.
“I was wondering when you were going to come.” She said in a playful tone.
“Sorry I slept a little, I had a long drive down here” I said
“Well what made you leave? I can’t understand why someone like you would come to a stinky place like this” she said, she was intrigued every word I said had her more and more interested.
“I don’t know you!” I replied coldly, I felt bad for sounding so stern and nasty.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, its just you ask a lot of questions it makes me edgy. How old are you?” I asked
“I’m 22 “she replied.
“Well let me be honest Blanche, you look much older. So what are we having for dinner?
“I made some spaghetti, I hope you enjoy it” she said
She left the room and came in with the dinner. She put on some music.
“This is great stuff, it’s called exile on main street. This band is amazing. The lead singer is gorgeous. He has such big pouty lips, I bet when you kiss him they feel like two big pillows. Sorry I got carried away” she said and turned away because she was blushing.
For the rest of the night their was an uncomfortable silence. Neither of us spoke a word. This song came on and it really got her going. She got up and her arms were flapping all over the place, she looked like a mental patient. Then she started to get me involved. I hated dancing but I couldn’t say no. She put my arms around her waist and kept coming closer to me. I could smell her perfume. It was bitter sweet and she had put too much on.
“I could take care of you if you want” she said and gave me a look that I will never forget. I couldn’t understand why she wanted to please me so badly.
“It’s ok, im a grown man. I can manage all right myself” I said
“Well if there is any thing you need” she said, with that she started to rub my shoulders.
She was practically throwing her self all over me and I wasn’t complaining a bit. I still can’t tell if this was a suggestion or her trying to be kind. Mixed signals were coming from her and I just wanted to leave. I had enough.
“Listen I think I better go” I said and started to go for the door.
She sat down on the ground, I thought she was going to have a fit. Instead she just looked at me with those sunken in eyes, I swear she looked exactly like a stunned deer in headlights. I left and slammed the door on the way out. I went to my room and passed out on the springy mattress.
In the morning she came in to my room and brought me breakfast. She told me that during the day she did odd jobs around town to pay for the house and all her expenses. I asked her to run a couple of errands for me. She invited me over for dinner again. So I went over that night. I just sat and she talked.
“I hate living here it’s like there is nothing for me, I fell as if im going to be stuck here for the rest of my life! I want a family” she said and sounded desperate.
“I’m glad you here” she said.
I just listened. She began to kiss me, he lips were soft and luscious. I did nothing. I started to go there every night. I was falling in love with her. She was a little crazy but I just couldn’t get enough of her. She was so curious and did everything for me. Things began to get more serious. We eventually began sleeping together. One night we were just lying together and in that moment I completely forgot I ever had a life before her. It’s as if I just didn’t remember my boy. That scares me. We would hold each other and discuss whatever was on our minds. Nothing was held back.
“We should get married. “ I said. She looked at me like I had 3 heads
“We can’t and plus who wants to marry a girl who isn’t a virgin? I wouldn’t even be able to wear a white dress. I’m not pure” she said bluntly.
“I want to marry you, you’re crazy.” I said and left to go back to my room, I was angry with her. I bet she would look so sweet in a white wedding dress, Like an Angel.
The days were boring, I hated them. I thought about my family and how I abandoned them. I thought about how Blanche and her red hair that made me love her so much. I couldn’t stand it when she was gone.
We started to drink together, almost every night. We would put on a record and drink all night. I’d pass out, in the morning I’d wake up wondering what we did last night. It became an everyday thing. I didn’t know you could find excess in a small town. It seemed like Blanche was always gone. I wanted to know just what she did during the day. I knew during the night she would drink and vomit all over the place. I found myself lying in some of it and loss my apatite almost all day. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t mine.
“Darling! I’m home” she shouted
I just lied there and she ran over to me, it was clear she wanted to do the usual go to bed and drink all night. I didn’t want to. It was starting to make me sick.
“Blanche why don’t we watch some talk or watch some television” I said
So I watched television and she tried to get my attention all night. I just had to ask her.
“Hey Blanche, what do you do during the day” I said
“I told you!” She said with an attitude “I do odd jobs.” she blurted out in a much calmer voice.
“Listen im going to sleep would you wake me up before you leave. I’m going to sleep on the couch tonight” I said
“Why don’t you come to bed with me?” she said with an innocent stare.
“Because I’m tired” I said
She walked in the other room and slammed the door. We don’t communicate anymore. She woke me up and I followed her. Of all the things, I mean I thought she was sleeping around with someone else, Id rather her be a whore than be this, but this is bad, this is trouble. She’s a kid. A damn kid, a high school girl. I mean the oldest she could be is 18 right, I’m thirty that’s still wrong. I have to confront her and get out of here. It not too late to go home to Jane and Paul. I’m sure they will forgive me. I’ll just say I choked and needed to get away for a while, 6 months isn’t so bad. She will take me back. Paul needs me, I’m his father.
I went home and just sat and thought it so many things were running through my mind. I was so scared, so I just waited. It was 2:30, she probably just finished phys Ed or whatever class she was in. She would be coming home soon. As soon as she arrived, I let it all out
“How do you do it?” I said calmly.
“Do what?” she said.
“ How do you manage to make good grades while managing to drink almost every night, pay your bills and have time for me kid” I said.
She gave me a cold look and that when I knew I didn’t love her anymore, that I had to go home or I might just die, I was in a world of trouble and she was cunning. It wasn’t going to be easy.
“I’m no kid! I’m 16 and well my daddy will be pleased to hear you have been taking care of me while he’s away. He works as a salesman and is gone most of the time. He sends me checks but it doesn’t compensate for my loneliness. He has a really bad temper when any one tries to take advantage of his baby.” She said with a sly smile.
“What do you want? “ I asked her.
“You we can get married, my daddy won’t mind, he will be glad I found a man like you who can support me. Don’t you still love me? “She said and twirled her hair.
“No I don’t love you! What are those spots on your head?” I said.
“My roots are coming back in. I’m not a natural blonde silly. Now that’s not the point, I used to make you smile.” She said
At that moment I got a bitter taste in my mouth. I began to weep, I couldn’t control myself. It was all a lie and I was dumb enough to believe it.
“I have a wife, so no we can’t get married. I’m leaving you.” I said
“Oh you can’t go, I’ll call the cops and tell them how you took advantage of me a poor lonely girl and how you stole my innocence, and you will go to prison. Now stay” She screamed at me.
I was fighting a child. She was going to beg and moan. She was going to scream and pout until she got her way, after all she was a kid.
“I do need some money” She said
“Are you going to black mail me?” I asked
“That doesn’t sound right, how about paying me not to talk, I f you don’t have it you should stick around cause if you don’t I’ll tell.” She said, this was all a game.
“Fine, How much?” I answered her so quickly, I would pay her anything so I could go. I had enough to give her. I was important in New York. I lived in a big apartment on the 12th floor. I had 10, 00 left with me the rest was with Jane. If this would keep her quiet, Id give it all to her. I don’t get how one minute she wants me to stay and the next she just needs money. I’m not complaining it just doesn’t make any sense.
“About six thousand for college.” She said coldly
“All right.” I said in a happy tone, I can go.
“Great. I can broaden my Horizons” she said.
“Ya know I really did love you, but now I don’t know anymore. I really do wish you would stay” she said.
“No I want to go home, see my son. Each day I’m gone he grows older, I miss him, and I don’t know how I didn’t figure it out sooner “I said
“Because you’re blind and because I’m Beautiful. My whole life I had things handed to me. My whole life men have been flocking to me. Even as a child I was given special attention, from my parents friends they would all buy me little gifts and tell me how cute I was. As I grew men would always stare, try to take me out but I didn’t buy it. The older I got the better I looked. That when I realized I can get things. That day when you came to the door I knew I could control you but I got attached. I really did like you” she said
“I’m leaving, you disgust me. I feel sorry for the next man comes around, your twisted and for the rest of your life you will be unhappy, who made you this way? “I said and ran out to my car, I left all my things behind.
She ran out after me and shouted” My mother”
I drove off and never looked back, it’s too late for her but not for me. I just want to hold my son again and try to fix things before he starts to resent me.