FSOG: Girl in The Garden:
lost in Padua
Elliott-pov
December: WSU. Monday.
The walking cast comes off next week. The linger pain and the walking cast doesn't improve my moods here at WSU Vancouver. Saw Kate with some Football jock, I recognized him from using the weight room in the gym. She's left me behind. I'm supposed to go to a meeting with Christian tonight. Blowing it off and go home to my new hotel across the river in Portland proper. Missing Kate and even Annie and Jose. He hasn't been doing the coffee wagon since I've been back. I start a new bottle of JD. Turn off my phone and power drink in the dark; in bed. My heart hurts.
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Kate-pov Monday
Tommy, a friend on the football team tells me the bad boy clique is out for revenge over the article I published last week. They didn't like the exposer as pervert rapist and immoral scum of humanity for their ugly coed party: humiliation, drugging, and gangrape.
I must be wary; They couldn't be that steroid brain dead, to do something public? The coaches and administrations, hoping the story dies. It won't, three national media outlets are running the story. Plus, my follow-up article publishing Wednesday.
Leaving my last class headed to the WSU paper editorial offices, tucked behind the History departments professor offices. Starting into the History quad, when Boris, a senior and starting center is waiting; a good guy, one of only two guys on the team married; He's graduating in two weeks, then post-grad at Northwestern, and already signed to the Chicago Bears practice team. The scandal is upsetting everyone.
"Kate; You need to get your roommates and get to the sheriff, out of town. The idiots have lost their minds; Their waiting outside your office. Talking about doing sick shit. Raping your three and worse. I call the campus police; they hung up on me. You need to" he tells me serious and frighting. Hesitating, what should I do?
"SHE HERE; BORIS RATTED US OUT." One of the morons screams, charging me. Boris slams him into a bush. I drop my books and run like hell. Jose is safely off campus; recovering his stuff from cheater Lance. I must get to Anna, she's in her reading alcove in the garden on the second tier behind the library. I run like hell! Buying time cutting thru the math department teacher patio. They always leave the gate wedged open, fastest route from the math classroom to their offices.
Slamming the locking gate closed, hoping to buy enough time to get Anna and still escape. I just clear the first tier of steps. They're starting at the bottom one. Damn super in shape football Athlete assholes. Racing into Anna's alcove. My stamina as gone to shit since Elliott left me. Too much ice cream and booze, lost nights in pink bunny pajamas. She looks up as I face plant in dirt. I look at Anna. She puts her book away.
Rolling on my back: Watching the monsters come nearer. Anna is unhurried, calm. O'shit these steroid football assholes are about to find out that Quiet Little Annie Steele is a totally different creature than they suspect or are used to.
After her mother's third husband; Ray and Senior turned Anna into a fighting machine. Teaching her all that Military Kung-fu. Anna isn't just tough and skilled; they trained her to be the ultimate dirty fighter. Daddy made Ethan and me study civilized and social martial arts like Tae Kwon Do and Bazile Jujitsu's. She beat Ethan around the mat, nearly neutering him.
Watching incredulous: she tosses the yellow plastic cup's hot tea in the leader's face; unhurried, closing her umbrella. They're going to find out quickly; Why Miss Steele always has a full-size umbrella; when everyone else has the mini-pocket ones: She's the only undergrad to carry one. The shaft is Hexagon shaped Aircraft Aluminum, the same material as police night sticks. Cored with tightly wrapped epoxied carbon fiber; during a camping trip three years ago. Jose demonstrated it strength and toughness, breaking two-inch-thick tree branches without bending or marring the umbrella shaft surface. A light as hell.
I've seen Anna practicing with it; lethal and fast. She closes the umbrella, sliding down the rubber retainer to hold it closed. Kicking the nearest monster; Getting good traction hearing his knee go pop. He crashes tripping another guy.
Rolling and striking, getting a leg triangle on his bubbies neck. Choking him out. I see Anna has three down, just two against her. We might actual win this?
Looking up, broke knee is moving toward me to save his buddy. I harden my thigh; must choke him out before broken knees gets to me. "O'GOD NO!" Moving toward us, Archangel Gabriel's wrathful face, vengeful purpose. We're doomed. Closing my eyes, praying for salvation.
Broken knee slams into us. Rolling over losing the choke hold. Their down and out? Broken knee's mouth is gushing blood. Stunned, looking over to Anna? All the jocks are down. Where did the last two go? Gabriel and Anna are looking over the seating area retaining wall. Why?
Archangel Gabriel bows, turning towards me. Wow! Hot jogger. Our salvation is the guy everyone's horny for; even Anna. Although she denies it. He trips over shoes. What are empty shoes doing there? Looking even hotter in his graceful dance to not hit the dirt: Where's the shoes owners? He's gone as quickly as he arrived. Crawling up, limping to Anna. She's looking over the wall and laughing. Looking over the wall; below the leader and his number two henchman shoeless wrecked in the scrubs below.
"I think they hit about twenty feet down, you can see the torn-up dirt from their slide." Anna looks at me. Giggling. We sit and wait the fifteen minutes for the campus police to arrive; ten minutes after the local Sheriff deputies.
Seeing Knee boy has no teeth left in his mouth to speak off. He'll be not saying much for a long while; to say nothing taking all his meals thru straws. Archangel Gabriel didn't seem to slow down or anything as he passed us. Wrathful Archangel Gabriel (Hot Jogger) really did a number on him. I have a nagging memory of having seen that face before?
Two hours later; Slamming into the private conference room, demanding justice for Anna and me and the four coed victims. They want to whitewash it and balk; till the Great Mr. Grey speaks.
"Gentlemen? I suggest you deal with the lady's complaints. Expel and prosecute those predators. We will reschedule this meeting next month. If whitewash is how, you handle sexual predators: I will be rethinking my grants to this institution. Goodbye."
He walks away with his security; headed back to Seattle I bet. But it does finally light a fire under the administration's ass. The Great Christian Grey must be a good guy under that stone hearted image; To back me up. Empathy against injustice. With a female gay COO and his birth mother's horrific circumstances and death. I suspect he's deeper than anyone thinks. Must get that interview before graduation.
Walking out of the meeting, with assurances from the college leadership. College Juniors: Jose with Tamar; his good friend and American Samoa Olympic Judo team member, are waiting. They don't look happy.
"Guys?"
"The assholes are in jail, once out of the hospital; but people are already pushing for bail. Should we call the adults?" Jose speaks, angry and afraid.
"No; Their due next week. Jail should chill them down. I hope?" I tell them without conviction or hope. I just want to go home, eat ice cream and cry about Elliott, not being here to hold me, sooth my woes.
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Elliott-pov Tuesday
Everything today has gone for shit. My truck seized coming out of the hotel parking lot. Three hours later, two mechanics, conference call to headquarters maintenance guru, and the dealership owner finally determined. The transmission coolant return line broke loose after a bracket, suppose to hold it from doing just that, fell off. So, the transmission fluid emptied out and the whole thing frozen solid; a total write-off on a one-year-old truck.
Tray, the site foreman, is two hours late picking me up. I could have jogged to the WSU campus faster; except I'm still hung-over from last night's pity party power, drinking away Kate.
By lunch, I'm still hungover, pissed off and tired of being pissed on. Everything is piling on me today. The build inspector, the college maintenance boss, the tree huggers. Even the Young Republicans counter demonstrating (tree huggers.) All before the noon hour.
On top of everything, I missed my morning coffee. No Jose since, I've been back. Although coffee wagon has only been Cindy. An she doesn't serve me at all. I miss him, Annie, and especial Kate; Who've I've lost forever. Being a stupid frightened prick.
Laurance walks up without my lunch. "HEY?"
"Trays bring it. Elliott? Kate and Annie got jumped last night."
"WHAT!" I scream louder than Mia. How, who? Rage blots out the world. My bubbling rage is rising above the dam I hold it in check. Someone is going to get hurt bad, really bad; when I get my hands around their necks!
"Who?" I bark, insane for this moment. All I can think of is revenge and mayhem.
Laurance steps back, as several of the crew back him up. They have never seen me lose it: LIKE I'M LOSING IT RIGHT FRIGGING NOW!
"Seems a clique on the football team, had an ugly coed party with roofies, liquor, and rape, two weeks ago. Kate somehow got her hands on their home movies complete with drugging and gangraping four girls. Got them to press charges. Last week, the student paper published the whole thing. She's writing a follow-up published tomorrow. The eight losers tried to intimidate her; And when that failed, they decided on direct assault, possibly rape on the three roommates."
"Last night?" I slowly burn, I was drunk and useless when Kate needed me. Wallowing in self-pity to help my former friends Jose and Anna
I was on the football team at Stanford. I'd heard about the ugly coed contest before; Never participate. Never wanted to; Just the thought of mom, Lana, Lulu, or even Mia being ashamed of me for treating a woman like that. I shudder is pain.
What if that had been Mia, or Uncle Bob's daughter, little Theresa. RAGE BREAKS THE DAM AND FLOODS MY MIND. I want someone to destroy! He steps back quickly and further away, terror in his eyes.
"They chased Kate from the Student Paper offices; She when to get Annie at her alcove." Laurence looks down, shaking with rage. His little sister is a freshman at Temple. Very much like Annie; lost in academia and books.
"Annie took out three, Kate took down two and one ran away. A bystander jumped in and threw the two leaders over the parapet wall. Apparently, Ray taught Annie how to weld that aluminum tanbō Umbrella of her's with gusto. Their ok. According to Jose." Laurence looks mad, must be reflecting myself.
"Ok, I got to leave. Find Kate."
"Elliott, you need a shower, fresh cloths, and are you sure about seeing her?" Laurance asks. I don't want to waste a second; but know he's right. In this mind set; I'll screw it up even worse that it is. Being the Neanderthal caveman. Shuddering and sputtering the words.
"Tray's here. He'll take you to the hotel; ferry you back. I'll call Jose and find out where Kate is. This being exam week. OK?"
"Sure. Ok." Timmy leads me to the car and Tray. He looks hurt. We drive away in silence and rage.
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Four hours later.
Standing outside the WSU Student Paper office doors; waiting to beg Kate to let me protect her at the least. To let me be there for her. I need to keep her safe. Maybe I should have brought flowers. I don't know?
"Elliott?" A male voice behind me. Turning. "Jose?"
"Elliott? Should you be here?"
"Yes, I need to protect Kate."
"You left?" Jose asks more hurt than angry. Unsure and confused; Hell, I'm confused about most of Kate's and my relationship. But I need to protect her, like I need to breath.
"I got scared." I start and stop abruptly.
"Scared of what, you hurt Kate deeply, and Annie too."
""I was afraid: Afraid of feeling so deeply for Kate and all that entails. I've never been in a long-term relationship or a commitment relationship before. It scared me to even think it was possible. I did stupid things."
"You know Kate had those same fear. Neither of you, have been in a relationship like what you're heading to. Are you ready now; to take step?"
"Yes. If Kate will take me back?"
"Why did you wait so long?"
"My family imploded. I made even worse choices. Then when I came back last month; I was sure that Kate had moved on and won't take me back. I kept away, think that was what she needed. Sorry."
"When did he come back?" Asks Kate. Fearing to turn, a being sent away.
"I want this relationship; Want you and only you. I'm scared too." A soft voice behind me whispers. Turning to her, taking her in my arms; kissing her. Letting my love flow unchecked. Everything is better. Everything is possible.
We head out dinner; Jose will mediate. Things are looking up. Holding Kates hand, makes me feel complete.
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Dropping off Kate at her door; it's too soon to move in again. Or even have sex. Walking away. I know I must be a better man to have and hold on to her. Besides she has exams all day tomorrow, Thursday and one late afternoon Friday exam. I empty the hotel room of bottles. Sitting on the lonely bed reading a book on repairing damaged relationships. I know I can be better and make this work.
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Friday earlier am.
Waiting for Kate's girl talk with Annie to end. Feeling happy for Annie to find someone. Someone to care about her; like I care about Kate. I just wish it had been Christian. But the selfish petty Elliott is gone forever. I must live in the right here, right now. Tomorrow the girls and Jose have exams all day; I know? I'll make dinner reservations? No, that not the girl's speed. I know a really good burger joint over the river in Portland. That's more everyone speed; maybe even invite Christian?
Kate dances into the room; twirling and hopping. Happiness in her eyes. Straddling me, kissing and the world floats away as love making takes hold. Tomorrow night after the exams over, I make love to her all night; let lose my tantric obsessed altered ego. The one she loves when he comes to play.
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Friday 4:45pm: The Condo.
Pulling up; bummed out that Annie's not joining us. Annie has a date with some super-hot jock she met at the movies. Kate says he helped them Monday night's fight off the evil football creeps. So, he must be a good guy. Christian has some appointment so he's not making it. Another blow chance to get the two to meet; I know they would be perfect together.
I'm restocking the beer and wine, plus the two grocery bags of stuff Annie emailed Kate for me to gather up. Not a problem; If Miss Anna Steele is cooking. The snacks, deli stuff for tomorrows picnic; the six of us. My spirits lift, Kate and I enjoy picnics; lounging on the grass and letting the world drift by. "HUMMMM!" tartan picnic blanket, blue skies, soft lap to lay my head in.
Must hurry and drop off the stuff; Clint is coming by with the band. I'm helping them load one of my trailers for their gig down in Salem. Before meeting Kate at her car on campus. Have to shake a leg. They'll be here soon.
Carrying the two six pack cartons of wine, and bag of twenty beer bottles. I have mostly Belgium Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen Ipa Tripel for Kate and me; six bottles of Jose's Bitburger Premium Pilsner. Miss Anna's four bottle of Ayinger Brau Weisse. Eight bottles of wine. Walking up to the door, singing a pop tune Kate has locked in my head.
The door is open? Kate couldn't be home yet? Or Anna? Maybe Jose between exams? Entering to two guys pouring paint on the sofa. A Third charges from the bedroom. Smashing the beer on him dropping him as the other two jump me.
Fighting for my live. I get two down; but two hurt me; I can't move, breath. I feel like shit as the paint haired one looks at me, tossing paint-thinner on me. I see the match flare. O'shit their going to burn me. I move to stop him; I feel like I'm drowning. Breath damn it! Breath!
"Elliott! Relax; we got you!" Clint is screaming in my face. Siting me up. It hurts. I feel sharp pain in my side. Looking about the destroyed room. Kate? Anna? Jose?
"Kate?" moaning.
"I'm trying to get her. Her phones not answering, just voicemail." Clint looks concerned. The EMT flood in.
"Boris the cops?" Clint yells
"Some police action over at the college." Boris barks as the EMT board and remove Elliott.
Clint watches Elliott ambulance pull away. Shit?
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Clint-pov:
"Call Mr. Grey." Lewis, the welder slash drummer demands. That's a good idea, everyone nods.
Dialing Mr. Grey's number. Hoping he'll answer.
"Clint?" Mr. Grey answers on the third ring.
"Elliott's in route to the hospital. He walked into his girlfriend's apartment; four guys trashing the place, jumped him, tried to burn it down. He's taken some serious damage. Two of the assholes got away. I got guys sitting on the apartment if they come back. They trashed it pretty bad. Pour like gallons of paint and paint thinner all over everything. Set the beds on fire. Tried to set Elliot on fire. Smashed up the place pretty bad." I yell as the two assholes on the floor moan loudly.
Covering the mouthpiece "Shut them up!" hissing at my crew.
This is dangerous telling a Grey; a family member's hurt. In the early days of Grey Construction, Elliot got-jumped by some organized crime thugs looking for no-work jobs, extortion. Christian was just a multimillionaire then; he landed like King Kong. Walking into the crime family bar and beating up the head boss and his crew; Carrick was seconds behind him. You think twenty armed thugs would have mopped the floor with the two Greys. No, not one of the thugs was, left standing by the time the police rolled in. It wasn't even close. Most spent days in the hospital out Spokane; since all the local ones refused to accept them because Dr. Grace is so respected and feared. This could be even worse, Elliott's in bad shape.
"What the girlfriends name. Can you contact her?" Grey demands.
"Her phone goes to voicemail. Kate Kavanagh. She's a student at" I start to explain.
"She's in the car with me, her other roommates, Anna and Jose got jumped on campus. They torched the girls' cars." Mr. Grey barks in pain. Why? Ok! This has just gone to defcon-1! Glaring at the assholes on the ground. Boris rips a broken leg, that used to be in a full leg case. The Asshole screams from a toothless mouth, his knee was busted; I'm betting from Monday night. Twisting it outward, while Tom stuffed a rag in his mouth; keeping asshole quiet, I am on the phone.
"Kate? They hit the condo. Elliott hurt. Clint how bad?" I hear Annie, struggles against someone; If it's Grey. I'll destroy him, Elliott be damned. The phone goes to speaker mode. Putting mine on speaker mode to.
"Clint?" Anna asks. Worry and pain echo in her voice over the phone.
"Clint! Elliott?" Kate wails in misery and pain. Feeling their pain, hurt; My friends are hurting. Turing to the blank wall; if I look at the assholes, their dead!
Taking a deep breath. "Elliott suffered a broken arm, rebroke the leg and puncture a lung. Some first and second degree burns when the douse him in paint thinner, tossed a match on him. Lucky some neighbors rushed in a doused the flames. Unfortunately, he walked in on them near the end of the destruction. I've got guys holding the fort here. Grey? How's Jose?" Clint says
"Jose's got head injuries, EMT's collared and board him. Beat up Anna bad. Taylor, move whatever it takes. Clint security will be there as soon as possible." Going quiet with only the whimpers of the girls. Grey's calm even voice, tells me he's lost it. Dark Unforgiving Evil Monster Christian is in control. Not seen him since the Casino Wise Guy want-a-be's thugs. These assholes have no idea what hells about to land on them. Cupping the mouthpiece to ensure they don't hear me.
"Tom! Break there're f ##$ing legs! Jose too good of a guy for these scumbags to walk away with just jail time" Screaming and then hanging up the cell phone.
I watch the police finally arrive. The build manger and several neighbors start yelling at them, defending us.
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Elliott-pov
I'm wheeled into the emergency room bay; The nurse cuts my clothes off, wire me up and start bags of liquid. I what my mommy. I what Kate. Where is Kate? Is she safe? O'God was she there in the condo? Please God not that?
I hear screaming; looking over Jose's wheeled by. What happen? "KATE!" Comes out as a whimper.
Looking at Jose on a gurney wheeled into the next emergency trauma bay; Christian carry's Anna into the third bay; She looks beaten up; Why? O'God no, where is Kate? Why is Christian carrying Anna? He looks terrified and terrifying at the same time. But that look in his eyes, only mom and Mia ever get those eyes? Wild untamed love. Why is he looking at Annie like that?
I feel her; feel my undamaged hand taken by an angel, my angel: My Kate. Looking into tears falling down her cheeks; "Everything is going to be ok." I whisper to her, must make her feel better, lessen her pain.
"I need MRI and film on both. Chest and Heads. ASAP! Move them now. Call ahead have them ready. They both may need surgery. Blonde one, him, Elliott is first. GO! GO!" I hear someone shout. The bed moves. Her hand slips my grip. "No? Kate?" Please don't ever leave me, I promise: I'll never leave ever again.
"I'm here Elliott, Jose!" My girl screams loud enough to wake the coma patients. Relaxing we'll get thru this. Smiling as the ceiling tiles flash by, Kates's face floats in and out of my vision. She is so perfect and beautiful.