Standing Up Again

Chapter 6- The Confrontation

The following evening Audrey went on a date with Orin. Before she left her apartment she called Chiffon and asked her if she could meet her at her house afterward. "You know that moral support thing you talked about last night? I need you for that."

"No problem. What time will you back from dinner?"

"Around 8:45."

"Okay, see you then."

Ding Dong!

Audrey opened the door and saw Orin standing in the doorway.

"You ready to go?" he asked gruffly.

"Yes." Audrey said meekly.

"Let's go."

The date was incredibly uncomfortable for Audrey. Mostly because she spent the whole time running through her thoughts of how she was going to dump him. Orin didn't seem to be in mood for conversation tonight. He barely said two words to her all evening long.

"Orin, would like to come back to my place for dessert?" she asked

"Sure. What are we having?"

"Cheesecake."

"Sounds fine to me. Better then spending money on the crappy desserts they have here."

They paid the bill and left the restaurant.

"I have a friend coming over too. I hope you don't mind."

"That's fine with me. Who is it?"

"My best friend Chiffon."

"Fine… just as long as it's not that twerpy kid Seymour you work with at the flower shop."

Audrey did not like the fact that he was calling Seymour a twerp but decided against saying anything to him at that moment.

Audrey had left Chiffon an extra house key under the doormat so by the time they got back to the apartment she had already had the coffee brewing and the dessert plates set out.

"Hi Audrey. Hello Orin. How was dinner?" she chirped.

Audrey smiled at her friend . Orin thought she was too happy for his liking, "Fine. Let's cut the cheese cake and start eating." Audrey said.

"Okay."

Orin was starting to get a little bit uncomfortable and suspicious. Why had Audrey invited him back to her apartment anyway? They could have easily had dessert at the restaurant. He had a lot to do to get ready for a busy day at the office tomorrow. Why was Chiffon here? Orin wanted to be alone with Audrey. To him having Chiffon there was an invasion of privacy.

Dessert was eaten in uncomfortable silence.

After the dessert plates were cleared Audrey cleared her throat.

"Orin, we have to talk."

"Okay, then talk.. she has to leave though." Orin said jerking his finger at Chiffon.

" No, sorry. I'm staying… for moral support." Chiffon said.

'What kind of moral support?' Orin thought to himself. Maybe he was better off not knowing.

"Orin, I wanted to talk to you… about us" Audrey said.

"What do you mean… talk about us?"

"Talk about our relationship… how certain things need to change."

"Like what?" Orin was starting to feel even more uncomfortable with Chiffon being in the room.

"Like the way you treat me."

"What do you mean? I treat you fine."

Chiffon snorted . "Hell, you do."

Orin shot a stony glance at her " Who's talkin to you?"

Chiffon had not meant to purposely interrupt Audrey's train of thought but she felt the need to throw in her two sense.

"Don't try to avoid the subject Orin. My friends and I can see how poorly you treat Audrey. Just look at her face."

"Yeah, what's wrong with it?"

"You see all those bruises on her cheek?"

"Yeah."

"You gave her those. You give her a new one every night when you beat her up."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Orin asked. He didn't appreciate how Chiffon was interfering. Audrey could sense this.

"Chiffon I can take care of this from here. Feel free to stay if you want." She put her hand gently on her friend's shoulder. The last thing she wanted to happen was for Orin and Chiffon to get into a fight.

Chiffon went to sit in an easy chair in a corner that wasn't too far out of Audrey's view.

"Orin, I don't like the way you treat me."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I moved away from my house to get away from an abusive situation.. I never expected to get into another one when we started to date but look where things have ended up."

"So you don't want to be with me anymore?"

" I'm not really sure I can take the pain. Physically mentally or emotionally."

"Is there another guy?"

Audrey did not feel like mentioning the fact that she had feelings for Seymour. That would only make the situation worse. She couldn't even begin to picture what kind of terrible things he could do to Seymour.

"There's no other guy."

"You lyin to me?"

"No." she said meekly. She could sense Orin was about to hit her.

"You better not be lying to me you dirty slut."

Orin advanced toward her. Chiffon got up from her seat ready to pounce like a hungry cheetah.

His open hand was extended. It made a connection with her cheek.
SLAP SLAP

"Orin, STOP!" Audrey screamed

"Hell, I will unless you tell me the truth." Orin said

SLAP SLAP

"Hey, didn't you hear her? She told you to stop." Chiffon said.

"What are you going to do about it Ms Nosy?" he asked.

Chiffon could see this was turning into a disaster.

"Audrey, I need to talk to Orin alone. Why don't you go into the bathroom and throw some cold water and cream on your face?"

Audrey sent a grateful look at her friend and left the room leaving Chiffon alone with the sadistic dentist. She looked him straight in the eye.

"Can't you see how scared she is of you?" she asked

"Do you think I care?" Orin sneered.

'Obviously you don't.' she thought to herself

"Orin, I think you need to back off from Audrey for awhile."

"She better not be cheating on me with that twerp Seymour. I'll bash his face in if she is."

"Please leave Seymour out of this. He has nothing to do with the way you treat Audrey. He's just as concerned about her as me and my two other friends are."

"Why are you even getting involved Chiffon? This doesn't even concern you."

"Hell, it does! Audrey is my best friend. I will not stand for the way you treat her. You have torn her apart physically and emotionally. I won't be the least bit surprised if she ends up dumping you. That's what I honestly think she should do."

"You don't think I deserve her?"

"No. Just the opposite I don't think she deserves you. You're a chump and you treat her like shit."

"No, I don't."

"You just gave me a first hand example of how you do, so don't even try to deny it."

The bathroom door opened

"Orin, please leave. I think we need distance from each other for awhile." Audrey said

"Are you breaking up with me?"

"I'm not sure yet."

"You better not." Orin was about to throw another punch.

"Lay another hand on her and I'll call the cops." Chiffon threatened.

"Orin, just go." Audrey barely whispered.

Orin picked up his glass and smashed it on the floor. Then he picked up his jacket and left without so much as a thank you for the cheesecake.

Audrey collapsed on the floor by entry way to the bathroom convulsing in tears.

Chiffon ran over to her and took her into her arms.

"You did a good job sugar. It took a lot of guts to say the things you said."

Audrey sniffled. "Thanks Chiffon. I appreciate you being here for me tonight."

"No problem."

"You see what I go through every night?"

All Chiffon could do was nod.

"Can I stay with you guys tonight? I don't feel safe here."

"Sure, you can stay with us as long you need."

Audrey went into her bedroom to pack an overnight bag. Chiffon went to pick up the broken glass.

"Chiffon, what should I do? Audrey asked

"I can see why you're so scared of breaking up with him. Have you guys considered going to therapy or anything like that?"

"No, do you think we should?"

"I think it could help."

"Do you think this relationship is even worth saving?"

Chiffon was lost for words so she remained silent.