Chapter 13
After making sure the First Lady was tucked in for the night, Rebecca retreated to her bedroom. Abbey had just informed her that the President was coming back a day early but she still wanted Rebecca to stay tomorrow night because the President would be very busy.
She had eagerly agreed. Any time she could delay going back to that monster of a husband, the happier she was.
She walked through her door and went straight to the bathroom where she changed into her pajamas. They were the best she had and she had saved them for a special occasion. She had decided that sleeping in the White House was a special occasion.
Rebecca walked over to the TV and turned it on, flipping channels until she saw a home improvement show she hadn't seen before. She liked watching these shows and dreaming how she would fix up her little house if she had any spare money. But right now, Ed was taking her paycheck and using it to feed his buddies. When she had left on Monday morning, the electric company had already served notice that the power would be cut Friday if she didn't at least pay fifty dollars toward her bill. She would get paid on Friday but Ed would also demand it the minute she walked in the door. And she would receive none of it.
She turned and noted another envelope on the desk. With her heart stopped, she picked it up and noticed that Ed's scrawl was all over the envelope. Trembling, she opened it and slid out the single page. As she read it, she started shaking.
Okay bitch. You haven't followed my directions yet. I told you that you would pay for not coming home and now it's time. Watch yourself carefully. You have no idea when or where I'll strike. You might think you're safe behind all those security guards but you're not. The time will be of my choosing. You won't even see it coming. And when I have you, you'll pay. If you think you have had pain in the past, you don't know what pain is. And be prepared to open your legs. I've had several nights without any loving and you will not deny me any longer. I will screw you until you'll beg me for mercy. Have a pleasant night. Love, Ed.
Tears fell on the paper. She knew he meant what he said. He could inflict pain like no one else. Several of her gentlemen friends had beat her, but eventually they would tire and go elsewhere. Only Ed would continue until she was beaten to a pulp. She had several trips to the emergency room with broken ribs but that had not stopped him. Especially when he had been drinking.
She threw the paper in her suitcase with the other note, knowing that there was nothing she could do. She thought that she would be safe for at least these few days, but Ed somehow had gotten these two notes to her. The thought crossed her mind to tell the First Lady but still didn't want to share that part of her life. 'I'll be okay while I'm here,' she thought. 'No way can anyone get past all this security.'