FEEDBACK: It’s a good thing p.phair@comcast.net
by
phair
Deni woke feeling very rested. The room was warm and graying in the dimming sunlight of the waning day. The peaceful stillness was broken with an occasional sniffle from the other occupant reclined on the massive bed.
“What’chu cryin’ ‘bout?” Deni asked before allowing her body a full stretch.
“Sorry,” the voice was choked with unshed tear. “Didn’t mean to wake you. Please, don’t hurt me. I’ll be quiet. Please don’t gag me.”
Deni sat up from her comfortable cuddle around a fluffy pillow. She let out a big yawn before inspecting her captive. Sawyer remained right where Deni left her. Flat on her back with her arms chained above her head by the handcuffs and her taped together ankles were tethered to the footboard.
“Sleep well, honey?” Deni taunted.
“Fine thank you,” Sawyer stated evenly. “Could you let me up now and just lock me in the bathroom. Please. I won’t be anymore trouble. I promise. Please, just lock me up and forget about me.”
“Oh, don’t sell yourself short, young lady. I could never forget the pretty little thing who swooped my husband off his feet and stole away my baby.” Deni snarled a bit, “No, I’ll never forget about you, Sawyer.”
Sawyer closed her eyes. A tear ran from the the corner as a tremor shook her to the core. Her breathing started to drag in ragged gasps with her mounting fear.
“Hush,” Deni soothed and lay her palm on Sawyer shivering abdomen. “Hush, don’t set yourself off into another asthma attack. Your lungs need a break. And, I could use one too. Shhhh, easy breath in and easy breath out, and again.”
Sawyer did not open her eyes. However, she followed the directions exactly. Her trembling did ease and her breathing quieted.
“Tell me the absolute truth,” Deni’s tone was soft and she continued to stroke Sawyer’s belly, “is there anyway for you to get in touch with Eugene in Spain?”
“No,” Sawyer sounded pitiful.
“Shh, easy breathing. How likely would it be for him to notice a raid on his bank accounts while he’s away on business?”
Sawyer eyes snapped open. She considered the question for a few moments before venturing an answer.
“I wouldn’t think he’d notice until he got back. He probably wouldn’t notice until something bounced or when he’s consolidating his monthly statements on the fifteenth. The fifteenth of every month he settles all his accounts. It takes the whole day. He’s kind of anal about doing his bookkeeping.”
“Well, with more than a dozen accounts, you have to be anal,” Deni shrugged. “I’m starting to rethink my plan, Sawyer. I’m thinking about scratching the killing part and just taking the money and run.”
Sawyer’s jaw dropped with her surprise. Her mouth moved to speak but she remained silent.
“Yep, laying here in this sweet, big bed got me thinking about how much I actually hate prison. If I kill Eugene, there is no way I’ll stay free. They will hunt me down to lock me back up in that pit forever.” Deni leaned over and began to untie the tether holding Sawyer’s feet to the footboard. “Nope, I’d never have a chance to stay loose if the cops are hunting a cold blooded killer. But, a thief could slip under the radar and be forgotten. Especially, if the money stolen is from less than legal accounts. I’d have a real chance to make a clean get away.”
“Maybe,” Sawyer’s reply was momentarily interrupted with a flash of pain when Deni ripped apart the duct tape holding the wounded foot to the healthy foot. “Maybe, you could do better than just making a get away.”
“How so?” Deni asked and then scooted up to the head of the bed to release the handcuffs.
“You could turn yourself in. Tell the cops it was an accidental escape.”
“Accidental escape,” Deni repeated with little enthusiasm while fidgeting with the lock.
“Sure,” Sawyer was undaunted by her audience’s dull reply. “You didn’t mean to get away from them. You got hurt. You hit your head and got confused. It took you a day or so to figure out where you were. They probably wouldn’t give you any more time than you have left to serve. You could just finish up your sentence. Put the past behind you. Then you really could be free with cash waiting for you.”
Deni gave a snort of contempt.
“No, really, think about it. Just a couple more years doing your time. Maybe, maybe Raphael…Eugene and I could help you get a better lawyer to reduce your sentence a little bit. What’ve you got left to go? Eighteen months or so?”
“Try eight years. Running off sort of screws up the good behavior time I was racking up. But hey, what’s a couple of thousand days difference?” Deni mused in a half hearted mumble.
Sawyer ignored the sarcasm and continued, “When you get out, you could maybe meet Charlie. Some kind visitation arrangement or something, you know, like at holidays.”
Sawyer sounded encouraging even as she winced in pain from her freed but badly abused wrists.
“One big happy family?” Deni asked with feigned joy. “Like on TV? A very special episode of Sawyer’s World? Get real, lady! I cut off your friggin’ toe! Somehow, I doubt you’ll be feeling all festive with me sitting next to your Mom for Christmas dinner. Shit, why would you even want to help me?”
Sawyer shifted back away from Deni before answering. “You could have hacked off my finger and you didn’t. You could have taken my music away from me for ever. You didn’t. I asked you to show me mercy and you did the best you could. Now, I’m prepared to do the best I can.”
Deni stared at the woman. Sawyer’s face was battered and bruised. Her eyes were puffy red. But, she was not terrorized. She was cautious but not scared witless.
“You got some balls, lady,” Deni grudgingly complimented.
Sawyer shook her head. “No, I have faith.”
Deni guffawed laughing.
Sawyer persisted. “I have faith enough to forgive you, Deni. I have faith enough to believe that the woman who gave birth to Charlie is good at heart. He’s too special. His mother must be a little special too.”
Deni stopped laughing. Her throat tightened and she found it hard to catch her breath. She suddenly could not meet Sawyer’s eyes.
“Charlie’s mother is special, Sawyer. You are special.” Deni could not bare the sick feeling lodging in her stomach with the weight of Sawyer’s forgiveness. “I’m sorry I hurt you. You didn’t deserve it. My beef is with Eugene.”
“I didn’t realize until now how big a bastard he is. To be honest, I’m furious with that piece of shit. I’m kind of sorry you’ve decided not to kill him.” Sawyer smirked a little, “I really want him to hurt as much as we hurt. So, let’s go rob the son of a bitch.”
“Now, you’re talking my language,” Deni said as a smile spread across her face.
