Hope's Chance(22)

I considered trying to hang towels over the windows, but there wasn’t anyone outside that could see me. The water in the tub started to get warm so I poured in some bubbles and started to take off my clothes. I located a hair tie and got my hair high above my head, then slowly stepped in the tub. The water was a bit hot so I had to stand there until I could cool it down. Finally, it was perfect. I sat down and closed my eyes, trying to forget all about tonight.




Chance



I don’t think I ever wanted to hurt someone as much as I wanted to right now. I know I had been a total dick to Hope for weeks now, but she didn’t have to go there. She had no clue how hard my life had been in the past year. I was lucky to not be in jail. The pool house was fine with me, and I kind of liked it. I didn’t need a big fancy house to make me happy. I needed my family, my sister.

I knew I needed to get out of that house before more was said. My father had been such a nasty bastard, and for a second I felt like I sounded exactly like him. The thought made me cringe. I had gone into the pool house long enough to grab my smokes. When I came back outside I turned off the lights in case she got a hair up her ass and tried to speak to me. Hopefully she would think I was sleeping.

I was standing outside my place leaning against the wall when I happened to see a light upstairs come on. It was pitch black outside and the brightness caught my eye immediately. Within a moments time I saw her looking out. For a second I thought she saw me too, but she just kept moving around.

My mouth dropped when I saw her disappear and come back with nothing on. I took another drag on my cigarette and watched her standing there topless. I couldn’t see past her waist, but the top was fine enough for me. She wasn’t doing anything erotic, just standing there. Finally she ducked down and disappeared. I had hoped she would make another appearance, but after ten minutes I gave up and went back inside.

Was she taunting me again? Was this some sort of game she was playing with my mind? I wished I could say that it wasn’t getting to me, but it was. I needed to blow off some steam; to get out of here for a few hours and unwind.

I grabbed my keys off the counter and headed out.

There was nothing more relaxing than being on my bike. It was loud and prevented me from hearing people talking about me or yelling at me. I was free when I was on it. I drove all around those long dark roads, until finally I ended up a few towns over at a local dive bar.

The front lot was filled with motorcycles and people outside smoking cigarettes. I removed my helmet and immediately lit up. The music wasn’t what I normally listen to. They were playing country and as I entered inside I noticed people line dancing in the center. I headed to the bar and ordered a beer.

I never turned around to watch the people dancing. I didn’t talk to anyone, including the bartender, unless it was for another drink.

After I had ordered my third beer, a woman approached me. “I haven’t seen you around honey. Are you just passing through?”

The woman was about forty years old. Years of alcohol had caused wear and tear on her body and I was certain at one point she was probably a great time. “Just passing through, yeah.”

“That’s too bad. I could have used the company tonight.”

I gave a quick laugh. “I am giving up on women.”

“Well that would be a damn shame. You are quite the looker. Someone must have really done you wrong.” She suggested.

“Yeah you could say that.” I said as I took another sip of beer.

She grabbed my arm. “If you want to talk about it, I am a good listener.”

I let her keep her hand there. I wasn’t into her, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She was obviously just trying to be nice. “Thanks for the offer. I just don’t feel like talking. I came here to forget, ya know?”

“Honey we are all here to forget something.” She admitted.

“Well cheers to that.” I said as I held my bottle up and clanked it against hers.

I ended up buying the woman a drink before I decided to hit the road. I had already pissed off enough people in my life. I didn’t need to make any more enemies.

When I finally arrived back home it was after two. The lights in the main house were all out. I was quiet as I made my way to the pool house. Once inside, I stripped down to my boxers and got in bed. As much as I tried to not think about it, Hope flooded my mind. When I succumbed to sleep I dreamed of her all night long.





Chapter 13


Hope

I didn’t hear my father and Buffy leave this morning, but after I looked at the clock, I knew they had. I stayed in bed as long as I could, until I heard noises coming from downstairs. I managed to get myself up and dressed before deciding to go ahead and take a trip to the hardware store alone.

My father had left me his credit card, as well as fifty bucks in case I wanted to have friends over and order pizza. He knew I wasn’t into having parties, so there was not a question of trust there.

After my long bath last night I had finally relax. When I started to drift off while still in the tub, I climbed out and went straight to bed. I worried that I would be restless after my confrontation with Chance, but I slept through the night without waking up.

Once I was dressed and pulled my hair up in a ponytail, I headed downstairs to grab some fruit to eat before I headed out. I found Chance in the kitchen reading the newspaper while eating an apple. At first, I ignored him, as I looked in the fridge for something to eat and drink. When I realized he was eating the last apple I felt frustrated.