Part Two Excerpt:
Having escaped Randy's abusive grip, Jacquelyn found herself alone and pregnant in Milwaukee, a city where her unreliable but ultimately promising brother, Johnny, lived. Though the first relief of freedom surged through her, the deep wounds of Randy's torment lingered, fueling moments of intense anger and self-doubt. Her desperate call to Johnny was met with his characteristic self-absorption to her urgent need for help, a stark contrast.
Their eventual reunion at the Pizza Ranch in Milwaukee was a mix of sibling banter and underlying tension. While Johnny offered immediate support, Jacquelyn wrestled with the deep-seated hurt from her past. She hesitated to fully confide in him, even resorting to a partial lie about the true nature of Randy's abuse. Johnny despised dishonesty; therefore, he was furious, but because of the depth of her pain, he temporarily set aside his anger, offering a fragile sense of safety.
However, miles from Milwaukee, in Freeport, Illinois, looming large was the shadow of Randy; a raging bull ignited by Jacquelyn's defiance; vengeance grew into an all-consuming obsession. Unaware of her pregnancy and fueled by his distorted sense of self-pity and entitlement, Randy was determined to track her down and reclaim his control.
As part two concludes, Jacquelyn finds temporary respite with her brother, but the weight of her past trauma, the looming threat of Randy's pursuit; casts a darkened shadow over her newfound freedom. The fragile bond with her complex brother offers a glimmer of hope, but the reader is left to wonder if it will be enough to protect her from the vengeful storm brewing in Illinois.
Part Two
"I should've never trusted that man." Angry with a passion, Jacquelyn let out a ferocious scream; her being was hurt at its core. The fact that her innocence was stolen, like a deceived bank of purity, she was robbed of her individuality. "I feel so stupid!" She shouted. "Tears blurred Jacquelyn's vision as she stared at the vehicle's dashboard, and while she gripped its steering wheel with all her might, her hands trembled vigorously, so hard her knuckles ached. Speaking from within, she said to herself, "Damn it all to hell! 'That Randy has no clue what it means to be a man!'" Her fists pounded on her minivan's dashboard, and her anger dove deep. Jacquelyn's heart acted as if it burst; a hollow ache resonated in her chest."
Jacquelyn said softly. I hope my brother's not far from here." As she continued waiting, she looked at the sky clouds, and began to use her imagination; Jacquelyn compared their shapes to real-life objects, "That cloud looks like a dog, perhaps a dachshund?" "And that one looks like a fat cat...; reminds me of Garfield." She gazed at the sky for several minutes, then her mind wandered, thus, she began to reflect on the past twenty-four hours. "Man, how and why did I get involved with that sick bastard? 'Better yet, what about him spiked my interest...?'" She reflected on Randy, but not for too long; the man spewed tyranny. She leaned back and sighed, "Where is he...?" "Where is my brother, for Pete's sake...?!" Sure enough, Johnny was right in the crosshairs; just around the corner.
Pulling up in his gleaming red Corvette, her brother had arrived, and the moment he got out of his car, the man appeared as a hobo; he had slept in his clothes. Jacquelyn, her eyes jarred and stared for a moment, then a short laugh escaped her lips." "Quite presentable, Johnny?!" She said with the utmost facetiousness. "You drive a beautiful car, but you're dressed like a homeless deadbeat." Jacquelyn couldn't hold back from laughing any longer, thus, shared eye-watering laughter. Johnny leaned back against his car until she gained composure; a couple of minutes to be precise. "Are you good?" "Done laughing?" He spoke. "Still trying to find balance, "she replied, "Yeah...I think so," she said with a smirk. "Anyways, you boob, aren't you hungry and without money?" "Unfortunately," Jacquelyn answered. "Pregnant, right?" "Yes, that I am."?Johnny had repeated what she had shared with him; therefore, with her eyes rolling, she released her sarcastic powers. "You know, you're becoming quite good at stating the obvious." "Ah, shut up (he said playfully)!" A brief pause. "Whatever, let's just go get something to eat and don't worry about cost, I'll pay," her brother muttered. "Smartass!" Jacquelyn blurted. They shared a laugh, then got in his car. "Pizza Ranch?" Johnny suggested. "Sure, why the hell not?"
"How's your pizza, sis?" "Mine's dry." "You goon! That's bullcrap" "You and I both know that isn't true!" Jacquelyn enjoyed getting reactions out of Johnny, it brought her heartwarming joy (ah, siblings...) Johnny wanted another thirst quencher and got the waitress's attention. "Excuse me, Jenny, that is what your nametag says, correct?" She smiled, "Yes, sir, that's correct. 'Jenny, I'd like a refill, please.'" "Ok, sir, Pepsi, right?" "Right." And Jenny, call me Johnny." "A faint pink tinged Jenny's cheeks... "Coming right up!" Jenny said wholeheartedly. Though enjoying the meal with her brother, Jacquelyn still felt an astronomical amount of hurt; it was as if her heart had been ripped out of her ass. "Something wrong, Jackie?" She was hesitant, "No, nothing's wrong." "Come on! 'That's a load of crap!'" "I know when something is bothering you, so spill it!"
Just then, their server came back with Johnny's Pepsi. "Sir, your Pepsi." "Please, call me Johnny, and thank you." Jenny's flush deepened as she met Johnny's gaze..." He continued where the conversation was left, "So, spill it, what is bothering you?" His foot tapped the floor; he was losing patience. Jacquelyn did not feel comfortable pouring her troubles onto her brother; she didn't want to be a burden, especially after he had helped her. Jacquelyn became choked up. "What?! 'What is it...?'" "I don't want to tell you." "Well, you better! 'Clearly, it must be unloaded...!' "Okay, fine." Jacquelyn caved.
After she had shared her forsaken infamousness, his face became damn near purple; he was furious; became an angry bird. "I told you," Jacquelyn said. "Why did this happen! 'How...?' 'When...?'" "What part?" In all honesty, her hell hole began the moment they performed on each other, and she wasn't about to share her sex life with her brother - too much discomfort - therefore, a fib was thrown at him. The level of embarrassment and fear crushed her, leaving her feeling tortuously stoned; she felt as if her being was beneath rocks upon rocks (heavy rocks that is). Not only that, but she also did not want her brother to lose his cool; definitely, not any more than he already had. "When we got married, when else?" He bought it, then didn't. Johnny was skeptical, then glared at Jacquelyn, "Look, I don't have all the answers, okay!" His face became purple again; he knew he was being lied to. Johnny despised dishonesty.
Tears began to flow down her face; he got the waitress's attention again, "Yes, sir, I mean, yes, Johnny?" He shared a mild grin. "Please, tissues if you have any," her brother said with endearment. "Coming right up!" she said. Jenny nearly forgot to ask (she lucked out): "Oh, and are you two done, ready for the bill?" Johnny nodded, insinuating a "yes." She turned away to go and bring him their bill." As the server walked off, he asked Jacquelyn, "Why did you lie to me? 'You know I hate being lied to...!'" She was trembling with tears; he decided to let her lie slide, for it was not the time for him to drill his sister, not when her fib defined something personal and destructive. "Never mind, Jackie, let's just go, okay?"
As he drove Jacquelyn back to her vehicle, Randy was all she could think about, and the hell he put her through. "I hate him! 'I hate him!' 'I hate him!' 'I just hate him!'" The drive was short, smooth, and sweet, and the sky defined a happy blue, but her mind was undergoing disturbance. "I wonder what he's doing, but why do I care? 'Thinking about him makes me nauseous.'" Jacquelyn was reeling with unsettling confusion; emotional confrontation, if you will.
Aside from Jacquelyn's emotional breakdown, Randy was still in Freeport, Illinois, wanting his conniving control. "Where are the keys to my damn truck!" Randy yelled. The man sought vengeance, and strongly, for what Jacquelyn had done; vengeful retaliation would not leave him; thus, he hoped to find her by driving around, and with the desire to inflict harm upon her. "My keys, I thought I left them on my kitchen table, didn't I?" "All I did was love her! 'I just don't get it' 'I pounded that ass hard! 'Not to mention, God blessed me with quite the big penis!'" His entitlement was beyond human comprehension; no wonder Jacquelyn kicked him where it HURTS. Randy's face became beet red. "Where the hell are those keys?" He shouted.
