A/N: Sorry for not updating sooner, I've been busy. This chapter isn't as long as the past two, but it's still lengthy. A lot happens in this one as well. Poor Kim and Tommy, will they ever get a break?
A/N: Thank you for the reviews. I am very appreciative of them. There is still more to come, and I have ideas for other stories. In addition, I will start writing for "A Look Behind a Female Ranger" again. I know it's been awhile since I've updated that story. Sincerely, Courtney.
Chapter 25- Trialing
Xxxxx
Tommy's Cell
Reefside Police Department
Reefside, CA
He mildly sobered up. Looking around the cell, he sat quietly. He examined the cot, the bars decorating his barricade- the same barricade that alienated the criminals from the outside world- and the stainless steel sink with the broken faucet. The same material designed the toilet. He dared not to touch the contaminated seat. Hell, his ass didn't even want to sit on the cot, but he did so anyways, relieving his stiff legs. For the most part, there was silence. Minus the sounds of drip… drip…drip. The dingy cell's sink's faucet seemed to be leaking.
We're separated… Tommy said to himself, annoyed and depressed to be without her. Actually, he wasn't sure what landed them in there. He caught a glimpse of Kim going to another part of the police department. Her eyes were sad, and she longed to be with him. He mirrored the same sentiment. He vigorously rubbed his hands on his face, but stopped. The bruises he's suffered were sensitive to the touch. He squinted at the pain. Sighing, he began to rub his forearms. The air conditioner blew furiously around him.
An officer walked towards Tommy. He obnoxiously clanked his keys together. A Cheshire smirk appeared on the correction officer's face. "Come towards the cell, cross your hands together, make sure your back is towards the bars, and stick your hands in the opening." The man ordered, while the silver keys tautly tapped on the bars.
Blowing out a breath, Tommy attentively followed the directions. He limply walked backwards, and he felt the bars grace his back. He stuck his hands in the square opening. The cold, steel cuffs interlocked on his wrists. Beads of sweat traveled down the sides of his face. He was clueless. Curiosity plagued him intellectually, while he attempted to grasp the events of the last six hours.
The correction's officer escorted the owner of KO-35 Girls to the interrogation room promptly. Inside the room, which was a lot more diminished in size than his cell, another police officer sat on a chair. In front of him, there were a few items. Something that looked like a black box, pen, notepads, a camera and cups of coffee littered the table. The cuffs were unlatched from his wrists, and he was even escorted to his seat. Tommy rolled his eyes at that one, while he massaged his wrists to get out the minor kinks.
"Mr. Oliver, I am Lieutenant Bulkmeier." Lt Bulkmeier, a plump, buzzed-cut man with nice, blue eyes, began. He sat back, so he could look at the man in front of him. "You do understand why you are here, right?"
Tommy shook his head, and tried to remain as cool as he could due to the circumstances. He observed the interrogating officer, and he had a feeling this man attended his club several times a week. Inside, a smile was initiated.
"Open your mouth." The lieutenant commanded, and with hesitation the younger man followed. The black box's funnel was inserted. Beep… was initiated and the numbers climbed. Tommy eyes toggled from left to right as the thing examined his breath. About a few seconds away from stopping the numbers twitched a bit. "0.10." Officer Bulkmeier read the red number, and he retracted the item.
"Where's Kimberly Mercer?" Tommy ignored the fact his breath was above the legal limit. That was the least of his worries . At least he wasn't behind a car, and he was in the comforts of his home while he was drinking.
Lt. Bulkmeier shook his head, and he placed the item down. "Mr. Oliver, Ms. Mercer is fine." That was all he was willing to disclose, and he kept to himself that he was openly staring at her form. "Can you tell me what happened tonight?"
Pointlessly, Tommy stared at one of his customers. He was almost positive, this man, and if his loony sidekick, Officer Skullovitch, had seen his girlfriend, they would be beside themselves. The seconds wasted, and Officer Bulkmeier waited for the arrested man's answer. As mentioned before, Tommy felt the bruises, his body was decorated with them, but he didn't have the slightest recollection of how he attained the various purplish spots.
"No." He answered curtly.
Lt. Bulkmeier nodded. "Let me see if I can refresh your memory." He nodded, once Tommy did the same, he continued. "It seems that you and your girlfriend have gotten into a heated altercation…"
Tommy immediately interrupted. "Wait, are you saying, I hit her?" He had to glare at the thought of him placing his hands on a woman, especially Kimberly. He couldn't believe it.
"Calm down, if you don't, I'll have to add another charge to your arrest record." Lt. Bulkmeier smirked, unknowingly this man was the co-owner of the club he frequented. Tommy subsequently quieted. "You two were heard arguing and a phone call was made. In addition, Ms. Mercer's wrists are swollen, and as both of us can see, she caused some damage to you. Please, take off your shirt, so I can take the pictures."
A hesitant Tommy did as told. He didn't want to get into deeper trouble. The flash photography commenced, and a degrading feeling cloaked Tommy's body. He turned from left to right, back to front, and the shutter clicked accordingly. The officer's lips were pursed and a whistle sounded. Tommy dreaded his response.
"Are we done?" Tommy abruptly grabbed his shirt and covered his six-pack.
The lieutenant shook his head, and he directed his inmate once more. "Sit down, and I need to take pictures of your feet."
The ludicrousness of his request was bothersome to say the least. "Is this necessary?" Tommy snapped, while taking off his shoes. The laces were already displaced due to cautionary reasons. His bare feet touched the cold, tiled floor. Again, Tommy bunched his eyes together in an agonizing matter. What else happened? Tommy internalized his antagonizing inquiries.
"You may sit down." The officer said. He looked over the digital prints, and he decided to make a deal. "From what I can see, some words were exchanged, and Ms. Mercer was the aggravator. I believe you were trying to restrain her, and she fought back with all of her might. Glass was thrown in the heat of the moment too. Which may have caused all of the cuts on both of your guys' feet."
"So, what does that mean?" Tommy queried, anxiously.
"What the evidence suggests is Ms. Mercer was in the wrong. She's been charged with battery, possession of marijuana under two ounces, and giving alcohol to a minor." The other man answered.
"Wait a minute, alcohol to a minor?" Tommy's eyes pierced the other man's dead on.
"Yes, sir. You are under the legal drinking age, and she's over the age of 21, therefore she's was responsible." The other man reinforced.
"What are my charges?" The younger man inquired, after finding out his girlfriend's charges.
"Possession of marijuana under two ounces." Was the answer, and the co-owner disliked it.
"Are you serious?" Tommy's dumbfounded expression showcased his feelings. "No, that can't be right."
"Would you like for me to add assault on there?" Lt. Bulkmeier imitated his counterpart. Tommy simply nodded. "You aren't the one at fault here." The lieutenant couldn't believe the request.
Tommy vehemently shook his head in defiance. The memories flooded his sobered brain. He knew the mistake he made, and he caused her emotional and physical outburst. The talk before the fight began; he admitted his infidelity. The ultimate sin of placing his penis, the one that was first possessed and only possessed by Kim, inside of someone else. "I pushed her to do it." He muttered, honestly.
Lt. Bulkmeier listened carefully. "Are you saying you pushed her by words, or you literally pushed her?" He prodded.
"Both." Tommy half confessed. He might as well have pushed her to begin the fight, but his hurtful words did all the aggravating. "I did it. I hurt her, and she only responded the way she could. Don't charge her, charge me." His hands covered his chest in a meaningful matter. "I messed up. I did this to her, she was just getting over a miscarriage, a drug induced coma, and I chose to be with someone else during that time. Please, don't keep her here. She needs to get better, I deserve to be in this place." He still defended Kim, even though he didn't need to. The reason he defended her, he loved her, and he truly sought to alleviate all the emotional baggage she's acquired recently. The next reason, he was choosing to break off the relationship, and he knew this would separate them. He could stay here, and she could be out there.
The memory of her saying 'it's over' and 'I hate you' echoed in his ears, she didn't mean it. She probably had no clue those words exited her mouth.
"Mr. Oliver, are you absolutely sure?"
The evidence was scarce, minus the 9-1-1 call. The informant was very terrified and persistent that cops should be sent to the isolated house. Other than that, there were no eyewitnesses of what truly happened between the bickering couple. This could've been a plain ole domestic dispute, but because each party involved bore physical scars, arrests were made. The arresting officers looked into the claims of Tommy being the attacker, but there was no doubt Kim did most of the abuse.
"I'm positive." Tommy's voice was grave and dangerous. He didn't want her to be in there anymore. Then, a thought popped into his head,but before words were exchanged, the officer spoke of his girlfriend's old life.
"I'm just curious. Is your girlfriend's alias, Geo?" Lt. Bulkmeier wondered.
"Used to be…" He answered in a tone that halted that conversation from continuing. "Now, can I have the pen and pad? I need to do something." Tommy demanded.
Xxxxx
Meanwhile…
Kim's Cell
Reefside Police Department
Kim's feet were elevated, with pillows, above her chest, so she could rest them. The cuts were obvious, and the cops nicely bandaged them for her. Her night was dwindling away and getting worse. Disgustingly, Officer Skullovitch tossed 'love eyes' towards her and being away from him hurt her. Bits and pieces of the past hours slipped into her memories, and she understood what happened. She forcefully attacked Tommy because he was unfaithful. Dishes were angrily tossed around the kitchen because her fragile state of mind needed to fight back somehow. Despair coerced her to push him away. She treated him like a piece of shit because she felt like it. Tears rolled down her cheeks, one at a time.
Mentally, she couldn't fully articulate the reason for her being in there. Who called the cops?
Physically, her wrists and feet suffered the impact. Emotionally, her sentiments were coldly imprisoning her, making her feel inadequate and causing the hasty lash outs. Honestly, she never meant to do all of that; she just didn't know what else to do. Losing Tommy would devastate her. She prayed that would never happen, but at that point, anything seemed possible.
After talking to the officers, Kim was informed of her charges. She accepted them, without hesitation. She pleaded for a visit to Tommy's cell, maybe even a phone call, but they tersely denied the opportunity. Deep down, Kim wished for some Oxycontin to tie her over. Marijuana and alcohol wasn't enough to quench her thirst to see the man she needed the most. Aimlessly, she began to sing a song softly. 'Amazing Grace' was the song choice.
As she was singing, Officer Skullovitch unattractively chewed his gum, making his presence known. "Ms. Mercer… aka Geo." He had to sneak in her nickname somewhere. Kim's face became grotesque, and she quieted. The officer observed her with interest, and he undressed her with his eyes. The way she looked now, obviously didn't compare to her gyrating sexually on stage. He smiled at her none the less. "You have a guest."
Kim's hope was high. "Is it Thomas Oliver?" She questioned eager to see if it was him. The officer shook his head, and Kim's smile faded hurriedly. "Well, then who the hell is it?" She knew her choice of words could get her into more trouble, but at this point, what's the worst that could happen? Anything else she did, couldn't exactly make her predicament any poorer than it was.
"Trent Mercer." Officer Skullovitch answered.
"Take me to him, now!" Kim demanded; she wondered if her brother had snitched. If that was the case, then there was definite hell to pay. "What are you waiting for?" Impatience rattled her voice, and her body showed off her irritated personality.
Officer Skullovitch immediately opened her door. He quickly accompanied her to the area housing her half-brother. Trent Mercer hadn't come across his sister since that dreadful and cringing moment inside the strip club. The incident still haunted him. And yes, he made the phone call, he hated to do it, but he knew it was necessary.
Kim entered the room. "You!" She infuriatedly shouted towards her kin. "How dare you!" She attempted to lunge at him, but Officer Skullovitch stopped her. That didn't dismay the smallest body in the room one bit. She tried once more. "I hate you!" The pain in her feet disappeared for a moment.
"You don't hate me." Trent shook his head. "What the hell is wrong with you? You wanna get another charge tacked on for disorderly conduct?"
"You wanna get another charge tacked on for disorderly conduct?" Kimberly Mercer taunted her little brother immaturely. She crossed her arms, in a protective manner, and rolled her eyes defiantly. "What? Did dad put you up to this shit?"
Officer Skullovitch stood to the side. He let the two hash out their differences.
Trent sighed. He looked at his fragile older sister, knowing he invaded her privacy. On the other hand, he did this to help her. "Listen, dad's worried about you. After hearing about, you know." He was sad to know he could've had a niece or nephew, but Kim's erratic behavior got in the way. "He knew you wanted nothing to do with our family, but still, we are here for you. We want you home. Not just dad, but me and mom."
"She not my fucking mom! She's yours, not mine." Kim's devilish tone elicited her distaste for Elsa Fernandez-Mercer. "Get that through your head!"
"That's besides the point!" He fired back and angrily pointed his finger at her. "Look, you need to know, you and your boyfriend put yourselves into this situation. Dad and I are going to help you out."
"Me?" Kim incredulously gazed at him. "What about Tommy?"
Trent shook his head, and he stared downwards. "Dad doesn't want you two together. He believes that both of you need help… away from each other." He let the revelation sink in. Kim sat down in the closest seat, and she began to tremble. Trent sat opposite her. "Dad will bail you out, if you leave Tommy alone."
Officer Skullovitch's cell phone rang. "I trust you two won't kill each other?" He observed the nods, and took the call privately.
"No." Kim immediately answered. "No, I will not leave Tommy alone. I'd rather rot in hell than leave with you and go back to that shit hole." She faced away from him continued to cross her arms together. "First of all, you've been following me, second you had to call the cops, and look where it landed Tommy and I. Now, you want to make things worse by detaching me from him? Are you nuts?"
"Are you?" He irritatingly hissed. "Shit, you are getting an easy ride. Dad's willing to fork up the money to get you out!"
"You don't get it." Kim said, the lump forming in her throat, and her eyes filling with water. "Dad is poisoning you."
"Like how you poisoned Tommy?" The statement was met with a retaliating slap to Trent's face. The impact caused Trent to turn the other cheek, but he stood firm. "Kim, admit it, you fucked Tommy's mind up." She shook her head and tried to hold the tears in as much as she could, knowing the accusations were fast approaching. "You did this to him. Dad talked about how innocent Tommy was, but it's gone. You got him to smoke, to drink, and I'm not doubting that your boyfriend is involved in your career. Did you love taking his virginity too? He's my fucking age, and now, look where you've gotten him! In jail, and you lost his child, not on purpose, but pretty damn close because you continually chose to do the drugs! Face it Kim, you are toxic to him. No I can't put it all on you, both of you are toxic to each other."
The words struck her heart and questions surfaced. Had she done all of this to Tommy? She was a catalyst to his drug and alcohol use. Even more, she thieved his virginity, not only that, but she robbed him of, what was supposed to be his fun and carefree, entry towards adulthood. Sadly, she was his misfortune. Tommy's world of religion, school, and martial arts was exchanged for the mood altering drugs and alcohol, a strip club, and intimate sessions with Kim. She blubbered like a little baby, crying louder.
Trent tried to place a comforting hand on his sister, but she disregarded his hand as if fire ignited the surface. He watched her silently, letting honest yet hurtful words submerge her mind. Maybe it was the wakeup call she desperately needed.
Playbacks of the shouting match she engaged Tommy was remembered. The trigger of the heated and harmful argument between the two was apparent. Tommy cheated… again. She wasn't absolute on him kissing her or if kissing was initiated, she jumped to the conclusion about the foreplay; Tommy would've had the other woman do it. But the most harmful activity he engaged in was the actual sexual act itself. He willingly placed his dick inside of another woman. Damn it, he could've opted out, since he had enough time to place a condom on. She still continuously shook her head, and she stared at her brother as if she was trying to set his ass on fire. At this point, her crying ceased, and she was rattled with anger over the whole situation.
Officer Skullovitch entered the room. The tension was obvious, and he wondered where the hell the knife to cut it with was. He made his shoulders move up and down, and then he looked between the two. "I just got a phone call from my boss." He referred to Lt. Bulkmeier. "Ms. Mercer, the charges have been dropped, and you are released." He held onto the note in his pocket.
Trent and Kim's, dark brown and topaz colored eyes, respectively, practically bulged out of their sockets. They couldn't believe the statement. Both ended up wringing out their ears, wondering if they heard him right.
"What do you mean the charges are dropped?" Kim asked, inquisitively.
"Mr. Oliver took all the charges. You are free to go ma'am."
"I'll take you home." Trent was oblivious to his sister's worse off state than before.
She felt frozen and lost. How could she go home without him? Would she want to be home without him? Kim's thoughts ran rampant, but her heart beat momentarily slowed. She looked to her left and right at the other two men present in the room. "Can I see him?" Kim's voice cracked like a window did when a baseball was thrown at it.
Officer Skullovitch shook his head. "He's already been charged and booked into the county jail. He left about 20 minutes ago." He fidgeted with the item he was keeping from the siblings.
"No… no… no." Kim cried unbelievingly. Tommy wouldn't just leave without a word. He wouldn't do that again. Not after everything. She maddeningly faced her brother. "You and Dad just had to stick your nose where it didn't belong!" She screamed at him. "I hate you two!"
"We did it to benefit you." Trent countered firmly. "You may not thank us now, but you will later." He faced the officer. "What does she need to do now, so she can get out of here?"
"Just sign the release papers upfront." Officer Skullovitch replied, and he looked at the broken woman. She was so confident at the strip club, dancing in skimpy clothes, grinding against the silver, long pole, but now, she wasn't so appealing. If anything, she reminded him of the intoxicated and smashed prostitutes that littered the crime ridden, downtown streets of Reefside. What happened to the glamorous Geo he was used to? Was she always this way, and she put up a front in the club, or did she happen to become like this? That's a mystery he'll probably never find out. As an officer of the law, he shouldn't intermingle with a person he's looked over.
"I'm not going anywhere!" Kim yelled again.
"You are coming home with me." Trent disregarded her comment. "Kimberly Annabelle Hart-Mercer, you listen and you listen good, I hated to follow you around. But when I heard the fight, I got scared. The only thing that felt right was to call 9-1-1, so they could put a stop to the madness. You can be mad at me all you want, but I'm taking you home if I have to force you in that damn car!"
"Force me all you want, you fucking asshole, you should've never called the cops!" She looked at the other guy. "Can I get this over with?"
They walked to the front. Kim signed the papers, and she got her personal items back. She stormed out of the police department, and like a shadow, Trent hovered over her. He wasn't letting his sister go this easy. He made that clear as day.
"Come with me, now. I am not taking no for an answer." Trent exasperatedly said.
Kim shook her head, and she roamed all over the parking lot, even though her feet hurt like crazy, in hopes of losing him. The attempt was futile. Kim opened her purse, and she took out her pack of cigarettes. She angrily smoked. Trent stopped right in front of her. "What?" She snapped.
"Come home, please." Trent begged because he wanted her to be safe. "Tommy did you a favor, and I believe he genuinely loves you. If he didn't, then he would've let you rot in jail. Take this moment in stride and start anew." The little brother was beginning to have respect for Tommy.
"No, he took the pussy way out. He should've fought the damn thing." Kim exhaled roughly, wishing the cigarette was aluminum foil, a lighter, and a straw and beneath was a 160 mg tablet of Oxycontin.
Officer Skullovitch ran out the police department. "Sorry, I forgot to hand this to you." He exchanged the note from his pocket to her hand. "Bye." He walked back to his place of work.
Trent gawked, and he saw the eagerness playing on Kim's fingers. She opened that thing so fast Trent thought the letter was going to rip. Kim's face fell upon reading the contents. He had an idea of what was said, and he was going to ask, but she held up her hand. Slowly, Kim headed towards her brother's SUV. She had a clue because Trent had unlocked the car to place his jacket inside. He remembered this expression well, and he let Kim enter first. He closed thedoor. As Kim sat on the passenger's seat, she let out the most harrowing scream he could've ever heard. Honestly, he thought she broke the sound barrier. His older sister openly lashed out inside of his car. She punched the air, she banged her hands on his beige colored interior, and she shook her body around.
Apprehensively, he opened the driver side door. He poked his head in, and Kim nodded in the midst of her tirade. She lost the will to fight. Trent climbed in, and he buckled his sister in the car. He drove his sister home in silence, for the most part, her crying commenced even louder than before.
Xxxxx
Two Weeks Later…
Dr. Anton Mercer's Mansion- Kim's Room
Reefside, CA
Kimberly Annabelle Hart-Mercer was sitting on her pink, fuzzy chair. The chair was located on the high balcony that connected to her bedroom. She repeated the familiar motions of smoking a cigarette.
Her mind was still blurred after reading the letter. The vile and hurtful theme lurking among the contents still rattled her. She already memorized the words, as if she had read the thing a million times. Honestly, she did. Kim's mind tried to decipher if there was a hidden meaning, a code, or something, but no, there wasn't. The intention was clear.
"Dear Beautiful,
I know your mind must be fuzzy; I have to admit, mine is too. I don't have a clue why we ended up in jail, and I am not sure who made the phone call to put us in jail. I do miss you, and I still love you, but we've been having problems. This is probably the hardest letter I've ever had to write. We need space, we need time apart. We need to breakup. I'm not saying I want to date other people, I am saying this to benefit the both of us. I know this is hard, but we need to get better before we can continue. I will always care for you, Kimberly. Please forgive me.
Love always, Tommy."
She wiped her lingering tears, and she tried to think of happier thoughts. Her other family has contacted her. They asked how she was doing emotionally. Kim was a mess. There was no doubt about it. Andros and Ashley picked up Tommy from the county jail. He stayed three days, and he was able to pay his bail with the help of Andros. The other co-owner of KO-35 Girls needed his partner out. In the following days of his release, Tommy's submerged himself in his work.
Even though they've broken up, she's missed him, and from what she's been told, Tommy missed her too. However, Kim and Tommy have hardly had contact. Sadly, it's not because of their breakup, it's because Dr. Mercer and Elsa have prevented the two from talking. Kim's incoming calls were being monitored by security or her dad and stepmom. So, staying with her real family has multiplied her depression. Dr. Mercer has become very overbearing and overprotective. Kim hardly did anything, and she was constantly watched by him or the extra security he's hired. The decision to come home was an awful one, and she wished she could take it back. However, at the time she received the letter, her mind and heart weren't in the right mind-state. Most likely, if she had stayed in the house on 1992 Valencia Rd, the happier memories she had with Tommy still lingered in that home. There was no way she could stay there. She hasn't been back since, and from what TJ has said, Tommy's been staying with him and Cassie.
Trent knocked on Kim's door. After a few minutes, he realized she was out on the balcony. He opened the door quietly, and he walked towards her. The haunting cigarette smoke filled the bedroom, and he shook his head, wondering how she picked up the horrid habit. He threw that to the back of his mind, and he sat in the seat opposite her.
"Hey." He simply addressed.
Kim looked at him, a little more relaxed than the other times she's been around him. "Hey." She solemnly saluted, as she popped in a piece of gum.
"How are you feeling?" He was concerned about her well-being.
"Like I'm in jail." Kim honestly replied. "Dad's worse than before. I don't even know why I came here."
Trent nodded in agreement. He had to admit, their dad was going ape shit and treating Kim like she was six years old with pigtails and a lollipop in her mouth. He loathed that happening to her. "Do you wanna get out of here?"
Kim's ears happily perked up. "Can I leave?"
"Hey, you aren't really in jail." He chuckled, and he smiled at her. "But, how are you feeling?"
Honestly, Kim felt happy to have at least one person on her side. Trent has been her only confidant the past couple of weeks, and she has grown a little closer to him than she thought possible. That was one thing she was thankful for, since he made this experience of living in the Mercer household bearable. "I don't know. I miss Tommy still." She answered sadly. "I know we've had our problems, but I always thought we could work them out."
"I know he misses you, but Kim, be honest, do you think the relationship the two of you had was healthy?" He asked earnestly.
Kim's body expression softened inconsiderably, and she was honest with herself for the first time since this situation happened. "No, I guess not."
Trent smiled at her. "I know it's hard being away from the one you love, but if it was meant to be you guys would come back together somehow. I believe it."
The former stripper was perplexed. "Are you serious?"
"There's no doubt he's in love with you like you are with him, it's just you guys have encountered some road blocks. It happens in all relationships." Trent comforted, while he began to play with her pink lighter. "I mean, Tommy seemed like a cool cat, when he was roommates with Conner, and they were on good terms, Conner held Tommy on a high pedestal. I don't agree with the way Conner called him out on changing, but at that time, Conner did feel betrayed. He really thought of Tommy as a brother, and I think because Tommy left him out of his new life, it kind of hurt him."
Kim hadn't thought of Conner's perspective like that. "So, did he like me?"
Trent laughed. "Are you kidding me? His bitch ass loved you, but shhh don't tell Kira. She'd kill him."
Kim smiled. "How are they doing, by the way?"
"Good, they're having a little girl. Their wedding is two months away, and I'm going to be the best man. Jason and Rocky, you know Tommy's other roommates, are the groomsmen."
"That's nice." She said, and she fiddled with her pack of cigarettes. "Do you have your phone?"
"Let me guess, dad and mom are still monitoring your calls?" Trent commented, as he grabbed his phone from his side pocket. Kim nodded. "Jeez." He handed his phone over to Kim.
She took it, and she dialed Tommy's cell number. The petite woman nervously chewed her lip, while waiting for him to pick up.
"Hello?" Tommy's voice answered. Kim had a momentary lapse of judgment and froze. Part of her didn't know what to say. "Hello?"
"H-h-hey." Kim tried to remain calm.
"Beautiful?" Tommy zealously called her by her nickname. "How are you doing?"
"I'm good." Her heart fluttered, hearing her nickname exit his mouth. "Um, how about you?"
"I'm busy with the club, and just trying to stay out of trouble." He nervously laughed.
Kim nodded. "Yeah me too." She honestly felt like she was talking to her high school crush. She hadn't felt this nervous in a long time. "I miss you."
"I miss you too, Beautiful. Hey, uh listen…" Tommy didn't know how to put the next request into words, so he just said them. "I don't think it would be right for me to live in the house."
Once again, her face fell to the floor. "What do you mean?" She asked unknowingly and innocently.
Tommy sighed, hating to break the news to her. "I'm sorry for breaking up with you in a letter, but I knew I wasn't going to see you for a bit. I didn't want you to wait for me, so I broke up with you." He explained. "As of right now, I don't think it's right for us to still live together, so I'm going to move out."
"WHAT?" Kim yelled into the phone. Trent looked worried, and he watched over her. "How can you say you miss me, and then you want to move out?"
"I do miss you, but we still need to work on all of our problems still." He dreaded their relationship came to this point. "Kim, two weeks will not solve everything. More time apart is needed."
"I need you." Kim pleaded for him to stay by her side, at least.
"I think it's good that you are with your family, your real one." Tommy felt bad, but he was genuinely looking out for her benefit. He also needed to work on somethings, as well. "This is needed for us, I love you."
"Will you wait for me?" Kim's voice was laced with concern, hope, and love.
"As long as you wait for me." Tommy responded. "Just think of this as a trial separation, so to say."
"I don't want this though." Kim shook her head, and her expressive eyes conveyed the hurt she was feeling. Trent knew his sister and her ex-boyfriend's relationship was still in a terrible spot.
"Hey, everything will work out. I'll begin moving everything out tonight, and I've already paid for the next two months. Kim, you deserve the house more than I do."
To her, it was still their house. She didn't want to be seperated any longer, but he was right, they still needed to work out some personal demons. "I love you." Kim declared.
"I love you." Tommy hung up the phone.
She stared, lost in trance, at the phone. Kim was hurting again. "Can we go out, now?"
Trent nodded, not asking her questions. He left to his room to get ready. Kim dressed as fast as she could, wondering if her little brother was willing to meet one of her friends. Yes, Kim wanted her little brother to meet Adam. The brother and sister met downstairs, and they approached Trent's car. As fate would have it, their Dad and Mom, or well their Dad and Kim's stepmom/Trent's actual mom, arrived home. The four people stared at each other.
Dr. Mercer was in the least bit happy. As a habit, Dr. Mercer began to fix his ties and gold and diamond encrusted cufflinks. He looked between his children. Elsa Mercer stood firmly by her husband. She looked at her son and stepdaughter with an evil eye.
"Where do you suppose you two are going?" Dr. Mercer questioned in a slithering voice.
"Dad, Kim needs to get out the house, so I'm taking her out to eat. Maybe catch a movie or go to the amusement park to play mini golf." Trent unlocked his doors.
Elsa didn't like that, so she looked at her son. "Trent, that's not the best idea, now is it?" She adamantly shook her head. "Kim should stay home, to prevent herself from getting into further trouble." Elsa Mercer turned to Kim. "I believe you do understand, right Hun?" The woman relayed in a snooty tone.
"I believe I don't understand, Hun." Kim copied the woman's voice and mannerisms in an annoyed way. "What's the big deal? I just want to go out. Fuck, I feel like I'm in jail!" She shouted.
"Kimberly that tone is inappropriate. Do not cuss either. You also do understand why it's a big deal. I will not have you conning Trent into taking you somewhere you aren't supposed to be. Like with Mr. Oliver or your possible connect." Anton snippily answered.
"How would you know if I was trying to do that?" Kim fought back. On the other hand, she questioned how he knew about her thoughts. "That's the least of my concern anyways." Remembering Tommy's hurtful words from earlier caused her to become sadder, and her dad and stepmom's defiance towards her weren't making her feel any better.
"Alright then, since that's settled. Why don't we all sit down and relax? We can have dinner here, I'll have Olga prepare us something, and we can watch a movie in the downstairs movie theater." Anton offered. He was a little at ease because his family was together as one. He felt like his overprotectiveness was necessary to ensure his daughter stayed out of trouble.
"I believe that's a wonderful idea." Elsa clapped her hands together and smiled. She literally worshipped the ground her husband walked on, and she was always obedient. However, that was becoming boring to her. She kept that to herself though. Elsa smiled, and she walked with her husband towards the grand home.
At the doorway of the home, they stopped. They noticed the two, younger people standing behind.
"Is there a problem?" Dr. Mercer asked, annoyed with their apparent rebelliousness.
"Dad, I'm tired of you treating Kim like a child. She just wants to go out. She's been in the house, cooped up for two weeks, don't you think you are making it harder for her, and you are making her want to use." Trent presented the problem.
Anton sighed. "I believe if your sister had a problem, she would confront me about it. Besides, she needs to stay here."
Elsa nodded. "Kim will stay out of trouble if she stays here." She pointed out.
Kim wanted to scream. "Can all of you stop speaking like I'm not here? Shit, Tommy and I have already broken up, I am not around drugs, and I think I'm old enough to make my own fucking decisions." She defiantly placed her hands on her hips, and she stared each and every one of them down. "What is it going to take before I can go back home- to my home?" She stressed how she's the only one staying in the large residence. "Tommy's moving out." She muttered softly to herself.
That was a relief to Anton, but he was still fixed on his decision. "I don't believe my daughter should stay in that home alone." Anton shook his head unrelentingly. "She'll have that other man back there with her, and they'll land back in jail." He spoke solely to his wife.
"I agree." Elsa said submissively.
"Are you kidding me right now? I told you Tommy is moving out tonight! Let me go home, please!" Kim viciously begged. She needed to be in her bed, since that would probably be the only thing that reminded her of Tommy. "Don't do this to me anymore." Her eyes filled with water.
Trent nodded. "Dad, look at Kim, she needs to be back to her home. If you are really worried about her relapsing, then I'll stay with her." Kim expressed her gratitude in a passive way. She hoped her dad would comply.
Anton looked at his kids in his intimidating routine. Once again, he fixed his cufflinks. The pros and cons were weighed, and he agreed. "On several conditions, can you agree on this?"
"Depends." Kim stated, and her undivided attention was given to her dad.
Elsa linked her arm around her husband's, and she was leaning against his body. Anton laid out his stipulations. "One, I don't want you leaving for another two weeks. Two, I still want you staying away from that young man. Three, I want a daily phone call. Four, every Friday night, I want you two back here for family night, do I make myself clear?" Their dad kept his reasoning for why he didn't let them leave for two weeks, to himself.
Kim gazed at him deadpanned. "What are you like probation officer too?" She deemed the conditions to be ludicrous. They were very demanding.
"Kim, let's do it. It'll still be better for you than staying here." Trent whispered.
"How about I give you an incentive?" Dr. Mercer proposed. His children listened. "I'll make the house payments, and I'll buy you a car."
The former stripper liked that idea. "Any car?" She questioned, almost jumping on the chance.
Elsa nodded. "Any car." Her husband's money was powerful, after all, she's stayed with him for quite a while.
Hating the stipulations, Kim agreed. "Deal." She shook her dad's hand. "Expect to have a check ready, Daddy." Kim taunted and walked inside. Even though she felt her home with Tommy was broken, and the home with her dad was too, she saw a little light at the tunnel. Her brother was by her side100%. Trent smiled, and he followed her.
Dr. Mercer's overbearing ways was about to come to head. He picked up his phone and dialed a few numbers.
Xxxxx
One Week Later…
Eltar Condos
Reefside, CA
Tommy decided to move into the condos Kim used to stay at. He had liked them a lot, and this place wasn't as far from his work like his house was. Remember, the drive was quite a bit. The other upside of these condos, they were in his price range, and he was familiar with them. He, also, wasn't near the condo Kim used to live in. He was in another part of the condos, he stayed towards the back.
After being arrested, breaking up with Kim, busying himself in work, and moving out of his beloved house, Tommy was emotionally and mentally drained. Coincidently, in his spare time, Tommy found relief in working out. He liked the newly established UFC Gym on 9th Ave. The punching bag became his best friend, stress reliever, and it never judged him. He's there around four times a week.
The co-owner of a strip club headed to the laundry room. He needed to wash some of his business attire. He had work that night. Whistling to the room, Tommy wasn't paying attention, and he bumped into someone. Tommy's laundry basket flew out of his hands upon impact. His clothes were sprawled everywhere.
"I'm so sorry, Tommy." The older man apologized in a loud and confident voice, while he began to aid in picking up the clothing.
Instantly, Tommy furrowed his brows. "How did you know my name?" He held a pair of slacks in his left hand and a dress shirt in his right hand. As soon as the man turned to face Tommy, he knew he had seen the other man somewhere before. He wasn't exactly sure though, but those blue eyes and jet black hair was signature to someone. "Um… um…"
Zordon's gaze was fixed on the young man. "My name is Zordon, you came into my smoke shop around Thanksgiving."
Tommy's brain traveled backwards. "Wait, the one in Angel Grove?" He remembered, but he swore the man that sold Kim and him their items was a little younger.
"Yes."
"What are you doing in Reefside?" Tommy grabbed the pieces of clothing from Zordon and placed them in his laundry basket. He began to walk, and Zordon walked with him.
"I needed to check on my other business." Zordon chuckled in a booming tone. "This is my other business." He motioned his hands towards the whole apartment complex. "I've built this from the ground up."
The younger man smiled. "These condos are nice." He placed his basket on the flat surface of the dryer. "Why are they called Eltar Condos?"
"They are named after my country." Zordon replied, and he took a seat on a spare washer.
"Country? Where's Eltar located?" Tommy had to think about that for a minute.
"It's in Europe." Zordon bobbed his head. "So, my son, Alpha, maybe you know him as Five; sold you and your girlfriend the nice glass pipe with the intertwining birds. Where is your girlfriend?" Even though, he knew they had broken up. Zordon did have a sixth sense about relationships and their problems.
As Tommy was separating his clothes, he stopped and thought about his ex. Some days, Tommy hadn't fully comprehended the weight of those words. He hoped this breakup would make his life and her life better, but for some reason, he wasn't feeling any better. He felt more under pressure, empty, sad, and even angrier at times. Smoking weed wasn't helping his mood, and alcohol wasn't the easiest thing to get, since he was underage, and smoking cigarettes has increased to two packs a day. Snapping his thoughts back into focus, Tommy admitted his relationship status. "We aren't together anymore." He sheepishly said.
"Was that your choice or hers?" He asked, as he knew the battle was going to be even greater.
"Mine." Tommy replied, feeling at ease with Zordon. He was ready to confess his heart. "I miss her, but at the same time, I honestly could say I felt betrayed. I knew I betrayed her by cheating, but when she began to use again, and when we lost our child, I was angry with her. I almost hated her, but I still stayed with her." Tommy angrily shuffled his clothes around. "Tell me, I did the right thing by breaking up with her." He faced the man.
Zordon could tell that young Tommy was losing sleep over this matter, and he wasn't the same man that entered his shop a few months ago. He was shocked by how much Tommy had changed. He sighed. "Tommy, I can't tell you that." Zordon shook his head. "Do you think you did the right thing?"
"Yes- no- yes- no!" Tommy mentally slapped himself. "I don't know!" He slumped over a washer, and his hand supported his head up. Honestly, he was miserable. "I think I did what was necessary. I believe I shouldn't have written her a letter, but the fact I broke it off was needed. I just hope we can come back together."
"You did the right thing, for you. Unfortunately, there are still troubling times for you and her. I'm sorry, Tommy. I thought the worst had already come, but from what I feel, it hasn't." Zordon's sadness was plastered all over his face. "Keep your head up, Falcon." With those words, Zordon walked out of the laundry room.
Tommy watched the door from where his companion had left from. "What the fuck was he talking about?" He went back to his business, and he ignored the wise facts Zordon had spoken about.
Xxxxx
Two Weeks Later…
DECA House
Reefside, CA
It was Sunday evening, and Tommy was inside Andros, Ashley, Karone and Zhane's house. He upheld the tradition of attending Sunday dinner, but he watched the couples in envy. Andros and Ashley were officially back together, and Karone and Zhane were thinking about moving out and having another child. Also, Cassie was due in another two months, so she's stopped dancing, for now. TJ was still bouncing, and he decided to go on paternity leave once the baby was born. Zack, the former disc jockey, and now bouncer, would step in as head bouncer once TJ left. Tommy and Andros were looking for more dancers and a couple of more bouncers to balance out the club.
The stun of Kim leaving had dissolved, and the club was still very popular. The new dancers were bringing in the revenue the owners were used to. Ashley, now, was the most popular dancer. She loved the private dressing room.
Drinking his beer, Tommy reclined in his chair. It had been a full month since he broke up with Kim, and he was still reeling. He's tried to call their house phone, but the number was changed. Her cell phone was disconnected, and he wasn't sure where he stood with her. Part of him wanted to stop by, but he was nervous. Did Kim hate him? What about those words from that older man? Why hasn't Kim seen him or called him?
Cassie waddled to her brother. She had a big ice cream sundae in her hands. She smiled at him. "You want some?" The big globs of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, nuts, and caramel sauce, resting comfortably in a bowl, was shoved in front of his face.
Tommy shook his head. The mom to be shrugged and ate with gusto. "Have you talked to Kim?"
"Nope." Cassie swallowed. "You know her dad has her on lockdown."
This 'family' felt estranged from Kim. No one had heard from her in two weeks, and all of them attributed that to her overprotective dad. They hadn't thought of a possible revert.
"Yeah, I guess." He mildly agreed.
The Asian gawked at Tommy. "Hey, you don't look so good." She observed the bags, the discoloration, the dimming of his eye color, and his sad appearance. "How are you really feeling?"
"I don't know. I've been losing sleep. I need something to help with that." Tommy honestly replied.
"Come on." Cassie attempted to get up, but failed miserably. Tommy helped her up, and he followed her. They walked to the upstairs', hallway bathroom. She opened the medicine cabinet, and she took out a pill bottle. "Here."
Tommy read the bottle. "Diazepam. Ashley Hammond, take one pill every 8 hours, as needed." He looked up at the expectant mother. He shook the bottle in front of her face. "These are Ashley's."
Cassie nodded. "Duh, I'm not stupid." She didn't think there was a problem with sharing these pills. Before she got pregnant, and when she had her bouts of insomnia, she took these. "Just pop a couple of these babies, and you will be good to go. They helped me to sleep like a baby."
He hesitated to take these pills. "Are you sure?" Tommy read the label, and they did expire later this year, so he didn't think anything of it.
"Yeah, Ash doesn't take them anymore." She continued to eat her ice cream in pleasure.
Tommy kept reading the side effects, and he knew to take them as soon as he got home. "Uh, do you think she'd mind if I took the whole bottle?"
She shrugged. "Like I said, she doesn't even take them anymore. I doubt she'll realize they're gone."
Deciding to take the pill bottle, Tommy put them in his pants' pocket. He headed down the stairs with Cassie.
Xxxxx
Later That Night…
Tommy's Condo
Reefside, CA
After a quiet day off and spending time with his second family, Tommy came home. Internally grateful for his brother, TJ, he had two bags of alcohol in tow. Hopefully, Tommy was going to be able to get some sleep. Diazepam, was also, in Tommy's possession. He stored his alcohol in his refrigerator, and he placed the pill bottle on his coffee table.
Tommy sat on the lone couch, and he stared purposefully at the pill bottle. Haunting memories of Kim's drug abuse entered his mind. However, he wasn't actually familiar with these pills other than Oxycontin. Diazepam was something new to him. His internet was yet to be setup, so he wasn't sure about this pill. Obviously, it solved insomnia, that's why Cassie handed them over. He was slightly curious about the other uses of this pill. Were they mind-altering like Oxycontin? Did they help to produce a euphoric state? Could these cure his sleepless nights? He had no clue, so he called the one person who would have the vast familiarity with pharmaceuticals.
He picked up his cell phone, and he called Adam. He waited for his 'bro' to pick up.
"Wassup, bro!" Adam greeted in a high pitched, playful quality. The words were slimly slurred.
"Hey, uh, I gotta question." Tommy chuckled uneasily. He hoped he wouldn't give his want to experiment away.
"Shooth." The older, Asian, pharmacy tech commanded. The loud exhales and inhales clued Tommy into Adam's endeavor.
"Um… what is diazepam really used for?"
"It helps with anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and benzodiazepine withdrawal too, which is odd since it's a benzodiazepine drug as well. It acts as a muscle relaxant… and it can help a person who can't sleep, sleep. Sometimes it produces a hypnotic, skeletal muscle relaxant state, and amnesia like propershis. People take this with alcohol, but it's not necessary since it already gives paradoxical effects. Also, it's an adulterant form of heroin." Adam blathered, rather too informative on the matter. "There pill is also under several different names. Why?"
Tommy caught the gist of those words. Adam must've been on one. "I've been losing sleep, and I was wondering if I should take one pill." Tommy answered.
"One pill will do it." Adam yawned himself. "Do you need me to write you a prescription?" Sometimes this pharmacy tech did abuse his obligation.
"No, uh-…" Tommy grabbed the pill bottle, and he shook it around some. "-uh, I have some."
"Jush remember, don't become addic…" Adam's voice trailed off as the line went dead.
The quirk- hanging up in a drug induced state- was always looked over, so Tommy didn't feel offended when his comrade hung up. Adam probably did so without his knowledge. Anyways, Tommy got right back to his dilemma. He looked at the pills. He was definitely losing sleep, and he was feeling hollow and barren without his love. Honestly, Tommy wished he could take the breakup back. He felt there was something wrong because he had no way of getting in contact with her, and because of that Tommy needed to settle his uneasiness quickly. He got up, and he grabbed his bundle of weed. He eagerly smoked two bowls of marijuana.
After his high state, Tommy opened the container of diazepam, and he took four pills. He didn't feel the effects yet, so he got up, stumbled a bit, and he took a beer out. He drank, in addition to the weed and the diazepam. The adverse impacts still hadn't taken place, so Tommy gulped down one more beer. There was no change still, so Tommy digested four more pills.
Then it happened, the world around Tommy slowed instantaneously, as some of his body movements sped up. His eyelids drooped in downhill way, his breaths became more haggard, and he had no clue what was going on. He was beyond high; he felt like he was on heaven, jumping from cloud to cloud. He began to lightly giggle, and he relaxed inconsiderably. He hopped up, and he headed towards his kitchen. His dry mouth needed to relieve his thirst, but not beer, no he needed water. His movements were fast, but he dropped some glasses in the process, as well as spilling large amounts of water. Slowing his pace, Tommy finally drank his H2O. The water traveled down his esophagus, and he placed his cup, on what he thought was the counter, but really he missed by a few inches. The cup crashed onto the floor, buthe ignored the liquid seeping into the small crevices of his feet. He still had some alertness, so he was able to grab his pack of cigarettes. Outside on his balcony, his coordination kicked in, and he lit his cigarette.
He sat on the chair, and sleep was creeping upon his body. Tommy had barely started to smoke his cigarette, so he was determined to finish it. However, sleep collided with his body like a car. Quickly, his eyelids closed, while the cigarette's embers still lingered away. As the smoke reached the filter, his fingers were singed, but he was dead asleep. The burning sensation was ignored.
For the first time, since he broke up with his Beautiful, he got his sleep.
Xxxxx
Meanwhile…
1992 Valencia Rd.
Reefside, CA
The petite woman had finished smoking her third Oxycontin pill.
She was broken, and she started using again. After being informed about the changes to her home, like: the house telephone and cell phone numbers being changed, certain numbers were blocked for incoming and outgoing calls, and the hidden security cameras. She sunk into a deeper depression.
For the past three weeks, Kim felt like she was living in Hell rather than on Earth. Drug abuse became her solace, though she hated coming back to it. Yeah, Dr. Mercer, her father, bought her a car, a sleek, black, BMW i325, and she got anything and everything she wanted, but that wasn't what she wanted in life. No, what she wanted was her life back with Tommy.
"Fuck this trial separation!" Kim screamed in an infuriating pitch. She threw the roll of aluminum foil. Her straws were flung against the wall. Her lighter hit the stage with a ping. Protectively, she covered her Oxycontin pills. "I will never leave you again." She vowed to the container, sheltering the less than 100 count of pills. "I love you." She cried.
At the head of the stairs, Trent overheard her failure. He had an idea of her regression into the world of opiate abuse, but he had no clue how to help her. He knew the pressure she was under, so he didn't have the heart to stop her. Maybe he was being a bad brother, but he was trying to make her happy at the same time. He walked back to the kitchen, giving her time to herself, in a few he would check on her.
Kim wiped her eyes forcefully. She crawled on the ground to gather the supplies. Again, she smoked. Her body gave out, and sadly, she passed out.
As Trent came down the stairs, he realized the mess. He shook his head, and he went to find his sister. He noticed she was on the ground sleeping, or so he thought. He got down on his knee. "Kim, wake up. I'll help you upstairs." However, she didn't wake up. Trent thought she was playing. "Come on." He lightly slapped her face. "This isn't funny." He started to panick. "Wake up Kim." Trent demanded through gritted teeth. Her limp body was easily flopped around by his movements. "Kim!" He yelled, and he hated to do it, but he need to. He slapped her harder. She still didn't wake up, and Trent cried like a little baby. Anxiety robustly hit him. He grabbed his phone to call 9-1-1. The ambulance was on their way. Trent held his sister tightly, and he hoped she would wake up. Crying resounded in the basement. "Kim, I'm so sorry." He rocked her back and forth, not knowing what else to do.
Preview for the Next Chapter: Another hospital stay, conversations, cheating, and dependence.