RL Miniyal
This is, actually, version 2.0 of this. Version 1.0 was rather much longer and not even half finished. I like this. It amuses me and amused me to see where other people fit in. Names have been changed, but really, if you think you see your character you probably do. I hope it is taken as the love and adoration I mean it to be. I <3 you all! And not just for reading my rambling story.
February 15, 2007
Across town there was a party. It was one I was supposed to be attending. The mayor and his new floozy were hosting some bash for the dean. None of them were my favorite people, but Gerard liked to hear what was going on and I couldn’t always claim work and so would have had to attend. The dress I would have worn to socialize with people I disliked was still hanging in my office. Instead I was just leaving the newspaper building. It was two in the morning and behind me machines and people were busy making sure the morning edition would get out on time.
I knew what the headline would read. It was my story. Father always said a good reporter was one who reported the story without becoming part of it. In this instance there was nothing I could do. I was part of it. I walked past newspaper boxes, empty and waiting for their morning meal. Empty metal boxes waiting to throw out their diet of words and pictures to people who still believed that paper and ink were better in some way to computer screens and a hundred news sites. Thank God because otherwise I wouldn’t have a job. . .or a family fortune I guess although the money never really occurred to me.
I stared at the empty box, transfixed by its potential as around me the world continued on. Continued on while mine ended but that was the way of things. I walked on, letting the icy wind run through me. If I were going home Gerard would scold me about forgetting my coat again. Not that he would be home ever again for me. My fault. Mother would say I shouldn’t take the blame for it, but how could I not? Hadn’t I been the one to turn him in?
Another block, winding my way home because I couldn’t trust myself to drive. It was another block before I noticed the car behind me. Black, expensive, a few years old although top of the line so that didn’t matter so much. Following me because there was no one else dumb enough to be on the streets this time of year in the middle of the night. My options were to duck into the only place still open, a bar, or see who it was. As if I didn’t know.
While drowning myself in rum sounded good dealing with people staring at me was not so good. I’d done, up until I made the mistake with Gerard, quite well not being noticed. Nathan pointed out often, when he spoke to me at all, that it was my own fault. But, really, the man cuts up dead people for a living, what does he know? Not that he’s not a swell guy, the county coroner, but he’s just a little too into his work I think. I shivered as I waited for the car to stop.
A gentleman, Jerry leaned over and opened the door for me. Gentlemanly and practical. Why get out in the cold when he could just as easily let me in from the heated inside. Neither of us spoke as he drove. Which was good as I was busy shivering and adjusting to warmth over bone chilling cold. I resisted the urge to reach into my purse and turn on my recorder. I didn’t need it, but it was comforting. Glancing over I saw him notice the movement of my hand.
A deal was a deal. I left it off. We were, as always, off the record. “The sheriff called me.” Probably right after I’d left her office. Rowan was not one to dally in these things. The county loved her, little girl makes good. Her father was still a fugitive, but she was all law and order. I really didn’t like her or the way she was taken with that city detective. Not that they knew I knew because they thought they were sneaky. Can’t hold Gerard against her. I turned him in.
“She tell you everything?” Confirmation was required. Did he know what I did? Or could I pretend for a few hours more. Until the headline.
“Said someone brought her proof.” Silence after that as we drove around, heading nowhere at all. Just driving on empty streets. For a university town we didn’t see a lot of late night action. “When did you find out?”
Of course he’d know. If Rowan didn’t out and out tell him he’d figure it out. I suppose some people considered it odd that I was friends with the man who stole away my husband’s first wife, but there was nothing to it. We talked frequently through my work. If our friendship survived what was coming remained to be seen. “A week. I won’t testify. I suppose they won’t need me to. With what I said they can put enough pieces together without me. Gerard’s lawyer already called. I won’t. . .I can’t speak for him.”
How could I? A character witness? What sort of character did I have if I turned in my own husband? What sort of person doesn’t realize they’ve been living with a murderer for years? It was these questions that silenced me and we didn’t say anything else. I don’t know how long we drove around, but in the end he dropped me off at my house. Walked me to the door and allowed me to hug him and if he noticed the difference between the wetness of my tears and the wetness of snow just falling he allowed me to think he had not.
August 3, 2007
Guilty. I knew that would be the verdict. Father had someone else cover the trial because I was too busy. Everyday I arrived early and sat behind Gerard as more people testified. I saw Jerry across the aisle, sitting behind the prosecution. I saw Nathan there too. He’d performed the autopsy after all. Neither of them spoke to me, but I didn’t try to even be noticed. Just sat and listened. In the end he didn’t take the stand. His lawyer talked him out of it. The jury wasn’t even out for three hours.
They let me see him after and he looked. . .old. Well, he was old, but he’d never really acted it. We didn’t talk but when I started to cry he held me one last time. Stroked my hair and told me it was ok when I apologized. He was a good liar. I believed him.
September 29, 2007
I got the call today. Heart attack they said. Died in his sleep in prison. I could claim the body. His effects were mine as well. One more reason to spend the sleepless night alone but for a bottle of rum and some limes. Jerry called, but I let the voicemail pick it up. Mother and Father called, but I couldn’t talk to them either. Randy called and I almost answered because I could yell at him.
December 24, 2007
I sat in the bar drinking on Christmas Eve. Alone. I was resigned to spending the rest of my nights alone. People had stopped trying to call or come by. The only thing that didn’t suffer was my work. I wouldn’t let that happen. The newspaper needed me after all. No one else could find what I could find. I’d been in here long enough people had long since given up trying to sit by me which is why I was startled when someone did just that.
Once glance as I emptied my glass. At least I’d taught the bartender how to make a decent mojito. I waved my empty glass at Clarissa. She was busy making eyes at her latest man. He sat in the corner brooding like a goth. Minus the eyeliner. That was a small blessing.
“Got it,” the man next to me said and I sighed. This was what I wanted. To spend Christmas Eve with the mayor. He waved off Clarissa who went over to sit with her brooding man. Please let them just sit this time.
He talked as he poured. Who knew he could do two things at once. How the man remained mayor was beyond me. He kept a string of floozies coming in and out of his home. They all wound up with positions in the city. . .I only /think/ these thoughts. If I dared say them out he might try to tell me what positions they had taken.
“My fav’rite reporter.” He’d been drinking. Oh, right. The university party. Last year I’d attended. Oh, right. Last year we’d had a few drinks together. Gerard was off collaborating on something with the dean and no one wanted me around that man after I’d been drinking.
Ah, well. Clarissa would look the other way and let us drink without paying so long as we let her do whatever it was she did under the table with the brooding one. “Gotcha’ present.”
I took a sip, not enough sugar, I drank it down anyway. “Oh? And I didn’t get you anything.” I wished my sarcasm had any effect on him. Ever. He was a womanizing, boozing, slightly shady politician and I had yet to have any effect on him. But I was determined to bring him down someday. Why? Why not? He was corrupt.
We didn’t talk after that. Just drank until the bar had to close and he gave me a ride home in his car. Patted my knee before his driver let me out.
December 25, 2007
I downed coffee as I grabbed the paper off the porch. Nearly spit it back out as I read the headline. “Mayor Punches University Dean at Christmas Party.” Under that, “Mayor announces retirement from politics.” Damn. He /had/ got me something. Guess I should return the favor.
Took me all day to make the arrangements, but that night I braved the cold and snow flurries to drive to his house. Well, braving the cold and weather was not so bad. It was what I feared I might find there, but he was alone. Thank God for small favors. I ignored the glance to my hand because I was used to it. I saw no reason to take off my rings. I had no desire to get involved again. I handed him an envelope as I stood there shaking off snow onto his floor. No coat. It was officially ‘A Thing’ with me now. My therapist wants to discuss it next session.
“Drink?” As if he needed to ask. I nodded and followed him, the envelope still in my hand. Fine. Be that way. In the living room I threw myself on the couch and dropped the envelope onto the table. If I could not be rude to him I would abuse his furniture or something. “What’re you going to do now?” Professional voice as I took my drink and asked my question.
Tequila. He was trying to get me drunk. Sitting down across from me, more small miracles to thank God for, he took his present and opened it. “Gonna op’n a bar.” Of course. Then he opened the envelope as I finished my first drink. It’s hard to arrange what I’d arranged. Called in some favors. His own personal stripper of the month club for the next year. Gerard would be amused. Using his life insurance money to buy the mayor strippers. He’d laugh if he were alive. Laugh, kiss me, tell me I was brilliant.
I blinked back tears as Randy laughed and carefully tucked the envelope into his shirt pocket before he rose to refill our glasses.
I really should not drink tequila. That was the first thought I had. The second was that I really should not have passed out. The third. . .shit. I’d been off the pill since Gerard died. Please God do not punish me. He grunted in his sleep and tried to grab me, but I was awake and he was not so I made it out. I was just opening the front door when he stumbled out, still naked. I deny having looked at anything. At all.
“Aww. Leavin’ so soon?” As if I had not spent the night drunkenly doing things he would make sure I regretted forever. “Got a story to write for tomorrow.” Because I was raised well I went back and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” Let him think what he wanted. I knew what I was thanking him for.
I whistled as I walked to my car. I felt almost cheerful. For the first time since Gerard had told me what he’d done I stopped by the church on the way home. Maybe God was listening to us down here after all.
When I left a few hours later I felt at peace. I may be alone the rest of my life, but I had something. Pulling my cell phone out I turned it back on and made a call. I got their machine. “Merry Christmas. I thought I’d come by so I could discuss a new story idea. If you’re home. And dressed. If you and mom are ‘swapping gifts’ under the tree put a sign on the door ok? The mayor’s opening a bar. I think I can use this to finally root out the last of the corruption at city hall. Make a clean sweep when he’s gone.”
I hung up and dug the keys out of my pocket. More whistling as I got in and drove to mom and dad’s house. I guess if you can’t have love then adversaries are reason enough to live. Especially ones you can blackmail into giving you free drinks after you make sure it takes them twice as long to open their business. After seeing my parents I’d go visit Gerard. Lots of people visit graves I would assure myself. Just talking to him there helped me marshal my thoughts. I’d have to be on my toes to bring down the soon to be former mayor’s web of corruption and floozies. Father would approve as well although mother would just remark how handsome the mayor is and wasn’t I ready to start dating again.
Life would never be back to normal, but it was nearly worth living again. There was hope.
February 15, 2007
Across town there was a party. It was one I was supposed to be attending. The mayor and his new floozy were hosting some bash for the dean. None of them were my favorite people, but Gerard liked to hear what was going on and I couldn’t always claim work and so would have had to attend. The dress I would have worn to socialize with people I disliked was still hanging in my office. Instead I was just leaving the newspaper building. It was two in the morning and behind me machines and people were busy making sure the morning edition would get out on time.
I knew what the headline would read. It was my story. Father always said a good reporter was one who reported the story without becoming part of it. In this instance there was nothing I could do. I was part of it. I walked past newspaper boxes, empty and waiting for their morning meal. Empty metal boxes waiting to throw out their diet of words and pictures to people who still believed that paper and ink were better in some way to computer screens and a hundred news sites. Thank God because otherwise I wouldn’t have a job. . .or a family fortune I guess although the money never really occurred to me.
I stared at the empty box, transfixed by its potential as around me the world continued on. Continued on while mine ended but that was the way of things. I walked on, letting the icy wind run through me. If I were going home Gerard would scold me about forgetting my coat again. Not that he would be home ever again for me. My fault. Mother would say I shouldn’t take the blame for it, but how could I not? Hadn’t I been the one to turn him in?
Another block, winding my way home because I couldn’t trust myself to drive. It was another block before I noticed the car behind me. Black, expensive, a few years old although top of the line so that didn’t matter so much. Following me because there was no one else dumb enough to be on the streets this time of year in the middle of the night. My options were to duck into the only place still open, a bar, or see who it was. As if I didn’t know.
While drowning myself in rum sounded good dealing with people staring at me was not so good. I’d done, up until I made the mistake with Gerard, quite well not being noticed. Nathan pointed out often, when he spoke to me at all, that it was my own fault. But, really, the man cuts up dead people for a living, what does he know? Not that he’s not a swell guy, the county coroner, but he’s just a little too into his work I think. I shivered as I waited for the car to stop.
A gentleman, Jerry leaned over and opened the door for me. Gentlemanly and practical. Why get out in the cold when he could just as easily let me in from the heated inside. Neither of us spoke as he drove. Which was good as I was busy shivering and adjusting to warmth over bone chilling cold. I resisted the urge to reach into my purse and turn on my recorder. I didn’t need it, but it was comforting. Glancing over I saw him notice the movement of my hand.
A deal was a deal. I left it off. We were, as always, off the record. “The sheriff called me.” Probably right after I’d left her office. Rowan was not one to dally in these things. The county loved her, little girl makes good. Her father was still a fugitive, but she was all law and order. I really didn’t like her or the way she was taken with that city detective. Not that they knew I knew because they thought they were sneaky. Can’t hold Gerard against her. I turned him in.
“She tell you everything?” Confirmation was required. Did he know what I did? Or could I pretend for a few hours more. Until the headline.
“Said someone brought her proof.” Silence after that as we drove around, heading nowhere at all. Just driving on empty streets. For a university town we didn’t see a lot of late night action. “When did you find out?”
Of course he’d know. If Rowan didn’t out and out tell him he’d figure it out. I suppose some people considered it odd that I was friends with the man who stole away my husband’s first wife, but there was nothing to it. We talked frequently through my work. If our friendship survived what was coming remained to be seen. “A week. I won’t testify. I suppose they won’t need me to. With what I said they can put enough pieces together without me. Gerard’s lawyer already called. I won’t. . .I can’t speak for him.”
How could I? A character witness? What sort of character did I have if I turned in my own husband? What sort of person doesn’t realize they’ve been living with a murderer for years? It was these questions that silenced me and we didn’t say anything else. I don’t know how long we drove around, but in the end he dropped me off at my house. Walked me to the door and allowed me to hug him and if he noticed the difference between the wetness of my tears and the wetness of snow just falling he allowed me to think he had not.
August 3, 2007
Guilty. I knew that would be the verdict. Father had someone else cover the trial because I was too busy. Everyday I arrived early and sat behind Gerard as more people testified. I saw Jerry across the aisle, sitting behind the prosecution. I saw Nathan there too. He’d performed the autopsy after all. Neither of them spoke to me, but I didn’t try to even be noticed. Just sat and listened. In the end he didn’t take the stand. His lawyer talked him out of it. The jury wasn’t even out for three hours.
They let me see him after and he looked. . .old. Well, he was old, but he’d never really acted it. We didn’t talk but when I started to cry he held me one last time. Stroked my hair and told me it was ok when I apologized. He was a good liar. I believed him.
September 29, 2007
I got the call today. Heart attack they said. Died in his sleep in prison. I could claim the body. His effects were mine as well. One more reason to spend the sleepless night alone but for a bottle of rum and some limes. Jerry called, but I let the voicemail pick it up. Mother and Father called, but I couldn’t talk to them either. Randy called and I almost answered because I could yell at him.
December 24, 2007
I sat in the bar drinking on Christmas Eve. Alone. I was resigned to spending the rest of my nights alone. People had stopped trying to call or come by. The only thing that didn’t suffer was my work. I wouldn’t let that happen. The newspaper needed me after all. No one else could find what I could find. I’d been in here long enough people had long since given up trying to sit by me which is why I was startled when someone did just that.
Once glance as I emptied my glass. At least I’d taught the bartender how to make a decent mojito. I waved my empty glass at Clarissa. She was busy making eyes at her latest man. He sat in the corner brooding like a goth. Minus the eyeliner. That was a small blessing.
“Got it,” the man next to me said and I sighed. This was what I wanted. To spend Christmas Eve with the mayor. He waved off Clarissa who went over to sit with her brooding man. Please let them just sit this time.
He talked as he poured. Who knew he could do two things at once. How the man remained mayor was beyond me. He kept a string of floozies coming in and out of his home. They all wound up with positions in the city. . .I only /think/ these thoughts. If I dared say them out he might try to tell me what positions they had taken.
“My fav’rite reporter.” He’d been drinking. Oh, right. The university party. Last year I’d attended. Oh, right. Last year we’d had a few drinks together. Gerard was off collaborating on something with the dean and no one wanted me around that man after I’d been drinking.
Ah, well. Clarissa would look the other way and let us drink without paying so long as we let her do whatever it was she did under the table with the brooding one. “Gotcha’ present.”
I took a sip, not enough sugar, I drank it down anyway. “Oh? And I didn’t get you anything.” I wished my sarcasm had any effect on him. Ever. He was a womanizing, boozing, slightly shady politician and I had yet to have any effect on him. But I was determined to bring him down someday. Why? Why not? He was corrupt.
We didn’t talk after that. Just drank until the bar had to close and he gave me a ride home in his car. Patted my knee before his driver let me out.
December 25, 2007
I downed coffee as I grabbed the paper off the porch. Nearly spit it back out as I read the headline. “Mayor Punches University Dean at Christmas Party.” Under that, “Mayor announces retirement from politics.” Damn. He /had/ got me something. Guess I should return the favor.
Took me all day to make the arrangements, but that night I braved the cold and snow flurries to drive to his house. Well, braving the cold and weather was not so bad. It was what I feared I might find there, but he was alone. Thank God for small favors. I ignored the glance to my hand because I was used to it. I saw no reason to take off my rings. I had no desire to get involved again. I handed him an envelope as I stood there shaking off snow onto his floor. No coat. It was officially ‘A Thing’ with me now. My therapist wants to discuss it next session.
“Drink?” As if he needed to ask. I nodded and followed him, the envelope still in my hand. Fine. Be that way. In the living room I threw myself on the couch and dropped the envelope onto the table. If I could not be rude to him I would abuse his furniture or something. “What’re you going to do now?” Professional voice as I took my drink and asked my question.
Tequila. He was trying to get me drunk. Sitting down across from me, more small miracles to thank God for, he took his present and opened it. “Gonna op’n a bar.” Of course. Then he opened the envelope as I finished my first drink. It’s hard to arrange what I’d arranged. Called in some favors. His own personal stripper of the month club for the next year. Gerard would be amused. Using his life insurance money to buy the mayor strippers. He’d laugh if he were alive. Laugh, kiss me, tell me I was brilliant.
I blinked back tears as Randy laughed and carefully tucked the envelope into his shirt pocket before he rose to refill our glasses.
I really should not drink tequila. That was the first thought I had. The second was that I really should not have passed out. The third. . .shit. I’d been off the pill since Gerard died. Please God do not punish me. He grunted in his sleep and tried to grab me, but I was awake and he was not so I made it out. I was just opening the front door when he stumbled out, still naked. I deny having looked at anything. At all.
“Aww. Leavin’ so soon?” As if I had not spent the night drunkenly doing things he would make sure I regretted forever. “Got a story to write for tomorrow.” Because I was raised well I went back and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” Let him think what he wanted. I knew what I was thanking him for.
I whistled as I walked to my car. I felt almost cheerful. For the first time since Gerard had told me what he’d done I stopped by the church on the way home. Maybe God was listening to us down here after all.
When I left a few hours later I felt at peace. I may be alone the rest of my life, but I had something. Pulling my cell phone out I turned it back on and made a call. I got their machine. “Merry Christmas. I thought I’d come by so I could discuss a new story idea. If you’re home. And dressed. If you and mom are ‘swapping gifts’ under the tree put a sign on the door ok? The mayor’s opening a bar. I think I can use this to finally root out the last of the corruption at city hall. Make a clean sweep when he’s gone.”
I hung up and dug the keys out of my pocket. More whistling as I got in and drove to mom and dad’s house. I guess if you can’t have love then adversaries are reason enough to live. Especially ones you can blackmail into giving you free drinks after you make sure it takes them twice as long to open their business. After seeing my parents I’d go visit Gerard. Lots of people visit graves I would assure myself. Just talking to him there helped me marshal my thoughts. I’d have to be on my toes to bring down the soon to be former mayor’s web of corruption and floozies. Father would approve as well although mother would just remark how handsome the mayor is and wasn’t I ready to start dating again.
Life would never be back to normal, but it was nearly worth living again. There was hope.