Page 2 of Rough and Rugged
I was eager to hit the road and start my new life. The question was how to do it, without sour repercussions from Aunt Coreen.
Chapter Two
Axton
TWOWEEKSLATER
As Aunt Coreen barreled toward me with flared nostrils, the proverbial steam poured out of her ears. I shoved the backpack onto the passenger seat of the conversion van and shut the door.
“Where in the hell do you think you’re going in that rusted out shit box?” She stopped inches from me. Her blue Gucci loafers, which had cost her a pretty penny, almost touched my beat-up dirty Nikes.
“I told you this morning that I was leaving.” But I didn’t tell her where I was going. Only Mrs. Muller was privy to that information. Besides, arguing with my aunt was futile.
As I turned toward the rear of the van, she grabbed me by the collar, her pointed talons that passed for fingernails scraping along the nape of my neck. Aunt Coreen yanked so hard that she tore the thin fabric. “You’re crazy if you think I’d let you go anywhere, nephew. What about your debt to me? I fed you, clothed you—kept a roof over your head, and this is how you repay me? What about your cousins?”
I pulled out of her hold and glared at her—the first time I’d been brave enough to do it. “I don’t owe you anything. You took the life insurance policy my mother left tomeand used it to buy this house, pretending it was for me. But it wasn’t. This house was for you and your family. So, no. I don’t owe you a damn thing. And you can start watching your own kids.”
Fuck, that felt good.
I didn’t see the slap coming until it was too late. The painful sting radiated from my cheek, rattled through my brain, and out the other side of my head. Stars exploded across my vision as I stumbled back.
I quickly shook off the pain and glowered at my aunt. “You will never touch me again. Ever,” I declared. There was no authority behind my words, just my conviction to get the hell out of there and away from her maliciousness forever.
“How dare you talk to me that way. We treated you like one of our own,” she ranted on.
Did she not understand what I’d said to her? But apparently, I wasn’t clear enough.
“You treated me like one of your servants.” I was done curtailing my emotions, just to keep the peace.
She took a step toward me, her face and neck a blotchy red. “Wait until your uncle comes home,” she hissed.
Before I could say a word, Mrs. Muller came striding out of her house, her duster fanning out around her like a cape. “You lay one more hand on that boy…”
Geez, I was far from being a boy. But in Mrs. Muller’s eyes, I guessed I was still one.
“Stay out of this, Mrs. Muller. Mind your own P’s and Q’s,” my aunt yelled.
Mrs. Muller raced to my side, then waved her cell phone in my aunt’s face. “I called the police. You best back off if you know what’s good for you, Coreen.”
My aunt’s face went from crimson to snow white as she darted a look at the cell phone.
“Let me look at your face.” Mrs. Muller gently touched my cheek. “I can’t believe…”
“I’m alright.” I tried to calm the seventy-year-old woman as she examined the welt I suspected was visible on my face.
“It’s not alright, Axton. You’re a grown man. You shouldn’t be treated like this, especially by family.” She glared over at Coreen, who was pacing by her BMW.
I leaned in, so only Mrs. Muller could hear me. “Did you really call the cops?”
She chuckled, as light pink tinged her cheeks. “No, but I should have.”
“I figured.” I hugged her. “Thank you. For everything.”
“It was my pleasure. And remember, I’m only a phone call away if you need me.” She kissed my cheek and pushed me toward the driver’s side. “Safe travels, Axton. Text me when you get there, so I don’t worry.”
“I will, Mrs. Muller.” I hugged her again and got into the van.
I heard Aunt Coreen screaming. I looked into my rearview mirror and then at my aunt before I reversed out of the driveway. She kicked out her leg, flicking one of her expensive shoes up in the air, where it landed on my windshield.