"I don't believe this! What the hell do you- Roger, this is not fucking funny! If you're cheating just say so!,"

I've been trying to coax my way into the subject, but really, in what good fashion can I possibly explain to my sick, fragile wife, that her best friend is actually not dead.

I wrap my arms around her to keep her from swinging her arms about in hysterics as she screams at me.

"You're a liar! No- No, I don't believe you! Cherie's dead! She died! Stop it! Stop fucking lying to me!!!," She slumps in my arms, the both of us drop to the floor of our bedroom. I share her tears, finally expelling my own emotional distress. And to think, Rosie actually thought I'd cheat on her!

"Shhh- shhh...it's okay, love...I swear to you I'm going to get to the bottom of this- tonight.,"

I let her wail in my arms, with the door shut I'm sure Emmy can hear us even though I asked Roses nurse to look after her. I should have told her to take Emmy out into the garden. If Rose is this distraught, I wonder how Freddie will take the news. I thought it'd immediately be a good thing- I didn't really stop to think about how confusing and stressful it might be.

"This can't be real, Rog! It can't be- it can't,"

"Rosie baby, listen. This is just what Mary told me- we know she's a damned liar...but I don't want to keep having you thinking that I'm cheating on you- that's why I told you before I found out for sure for myself. But I'm going to that Serpents Desert tonight- I'm going and then we'll know for sure...alright?,"

Rose sniffles her running nose, and lifts her head off of my shoulder, loosens her tight grip from across my back and sits up to look at me. Her eyes a blood shot red and still straining tears, her pretty pout is trembling and she looks too pale for my liking.

"I...I need to...I'm coming with you!," She tried to scramble up to her feet, but I stop her. I wrap my arms around her waist and hold her still. "No, love. I...just in case this doesn't turn out well- I don't..you don't want to be there. It'll be too hard and unnecessary-,"

"Roger, if Cherie is Alive I want to see her now!," She has that fierce powerful look in her eyes as she glares at me with a stone serious face. As much as I know the difficulty of changing her mind when she's like this- I don't mind it one bit. That firey fiest has been gone since...well, for as long as Cherie has been gone...

"I promise, if she is alive- she's coming straight here. She's coming to our home and you can see her, baby- you'll be able to have her all to yourself okay?," Her eyes start to well up again with giant tears that stain her lips as she nods her head in acceptance. "Besides, I'm going to need your help when it comes to telling Fred...,"

——————————————————

Before knocking on the entry door, I take my phone out and send a quick text to Jimmy, letting him know that he can stop his bitching and complaining- I've got my end of the deal tied up now.

*Text Message:

Stupid fag fell for it. Sealing the deal tonight. I need my pay by morning..

I'm caught off guard when the front door creaks open, I hurry to hide my burner phone into my pocket.

"Hi, Jimmy!," looking down I see the wide, toothless smile of Freddie's little son as he greets me. Little gremlin is always so chipper.

"Hello, Richie...can I come in-,"

"Jim? Uh, I- what are you doing here, darling? I thought we made plans for later today!," Freddie walks into the hallway from the living room, a big genuine smile across his face and stars lighting up his eyes. Ugh! Today is going to be one for the books! If I have to fuck him, the payment better roll in at midnight!

"I know that, dear," I say as he pulls me into a quick hug, "I love you," he whispers with a giggle, but pulls apart quite quickly. Obviously, he still hasn't said a word about us to his children who are now all standing by the doorway with us.

"We were all just going to spend a lovely day together...," He looks down with so much glee in his face at his prides and joys as they nod their heads.

"My Papi is taking us to the ballet and then we get to go to the carnival for some rides and candy!," says Charlie, the biggest bratty child and most annoying little girl I've ever met.

"Well that sounds like a good old time, Char! Mind if I join you?," I ask, bending a little ways to her level, but keeping my eyes on Freddie.

Unlike other times in the past where he'd glare at me with anger at me trying to prod into his plans with his kids, he smirks at me with lifted eyebrows and covers his growing smile.

"Don't call me that!," Charlie orders with a lifted finger almost touching the end of my nose. Her hateful glance is short lived as she pushes me out of her way and heads for the car.

"Richie, help your sister to the car- I'll be there in a minute," Freddie's tone is deeper and has a hint of annoyance to it. I swear his whole demeanor changes in such quick instances- it's hard to keep up with this son of a bitch!

"But, Papi! Lily never listens! And Char has a mood! And-,"

"Rich. Take Lily to the car, like I said. I will be right there...," The sternness that he sometimes has with his parenting is about just as much of a clue I've got to prove this fucker any type of a man. He's a crying wimp mostly all of the other times!

Once again, his attitude shifts and his face softens when it's just us two. He looks to the children as they pile into the back seat of the unlocked car, then back to me. His brown eyes have that puppy dog appeal to them, I'll give him that much. He is extremely handsome- I can admit to that, too.

"I'm sorry about that, my love. She...she's going to be the one to need to some getting used to...," He reaches for my hand, interlocking our fingers for a moment before continuing, "She needs time to get used to the idea of me with someone new- but, she understands. Isn't that wonderful? I was so amazed by her telling me that she just wants to see me happy- really, Jim! This is it! We can finally just be open and proud and happy in our relationship. All I wanted was their acceptance,"

He giggles through his whole ranting story , like I give much of a fuck. Either way, I Ooh and ahh in all the right places as he bores on and on about how Charlie just needs time and how Richie looks up to me and of course these Lily who loved me since the first day we met.

"Well you're coming aren't you, dear?," That was the plan. Thought, I didn't think the tribe of demons would be coming along when I came here.

"Yes- is love to!," I beam the fakest jolly smile I can muster up. He turns around to lock the door with his key, quickly pecks me on the cheek with another girly giggle and grabs my hand to walk me to the passenger seat of the car. He opens the door for me, still his ridiculous smile stays on. I get into the car and watch him do a little jog to the other side.

"Great. What are you doing here?"

I hear Charlie mumble under her breath, but chose to ignore her.

"Shhh, Char...be nice," Richie whispers just before the back door opens and Freddie puts Lily into her car seat and tells the twins to put their seat belts on.

We drive in silence, besides Lily's little humming and the sound of the radio on low volume. Freddie's hand reaches over the center console of the car and he squeezes my thigh, a smirk on his face, but his eyes on the road ahead of us. I put my hand on top of his and rub it gently as we continue on our way.

———————————————————

:

"Stop it, Daddy! Let go of me, please! I promise, I'll behave! He- that guy just got too touchy!," I try to keep my tone as calm as possible, but it's really hard to do when your being manhandled and pressed into doors as a way to push them open.

The fact that he isn't saying anything at all, terrified the daylights out of me! He's too angry to talk around all these people. He practically yanked me off of a paying customers lap! He never turns me away from good money- I didn't think I did anything wrong! But- I'm wrong. I'm always wrong! How can I keep forgetting that?

"Daddy- pleas- No-," Once we are inside of the backstage dressing room, he closes the heavy metal door behind us and slams my body into it.

"You'll never learn! You fucking cunt!," His lips smash against mine so brutally rough, our teeth clink on impact. He just as quickly pulls out of the kiss, if that's what you'd call it and replaces his lips with his knuckles, cracking me right on my mouth with a punch.

"You trying to leave me again?! Are you trying to drive me fucking crazy!? I seen you take his phone number! Where's the paper?! Give it to me!,"

His hands are in my clothes. What very little clothing he allows me to wear. His fingers roam around my body, his finger nails scrape my nipples as he digs into my bra to feel around, finally pulling out the napkin with the customers cell phone number scribbled on it.

"And, What is this?! I said you could only love me! You belong to me!,"

His hand reaches to my head, forcefully gripping a fist full of hair and pulling me towards the couch as I follow behind him, but in the ground as he drags me along. I let out a yelp, but shut my mouth just as quickly!

He makes me stand to my feet by yanking my hair again, his fist pulls out a good wad as I stand up- another bald spot to tease around and cover up.

"I love you!! I do!! I really, really love you, Daddy!,"

My words don't mean a thing as I fall backwards into the lounge couch. Another sharp stinging slap to the same bruised cheek that he painted just last night. Another restriction of my airways, as a single hand wraps around my throat. I look into his crazed, glossy eyes and my mind speeds up.

The immense overtaking power of my will to fight has gone. I'm no longer pushing him away, no more can I cry my unnecessary tears. I'm dead and gone to everyone who used to love me. I'm on my own again, "Get the hell up!," He brings me to my feet, one hand still gripping my neck, the other twisting my arm in a burning grasp. Only with Jimmys permission- I get up. Slow and steady- who cares anymore.

"Now- lets not have the same problems as every other night. You'll be good or I'll kill you- understand, you fucking whore?!,"

A wad of spit hits my face, I don't wipe it away until Jimmy leaves, storming out of the dressing room door. Immediately, I run for the bathroom and lock the door. The other girls have already started to pile into the dressing room. Tonight's shift should be the same as all the others.

Looking in the mirror is too hard to do. I avoid my reflection every chance I get. Grabbing a paper towel I wipe my face clean, but have to check on my makeup. At least there are no streaks of mascara running down my face- not that it would matter. I have to put my cover on anyway.

My face is painted with the best of my abilities- what is left of my creative spirit is used to cover the black and blue that lie underneath my mask. I don't recognize the poor woman staring dead ahead. Her eyes are hollow, lifeless, emotionless and hard. There is no trace of the person that I used to be. I've given myself to him and under his control is the only way I'll ever be granted more days.

The door abruptly swings open and slams shut, the locks quickly shifted into place. My eyes shut by instinct- I'm scared to turn around, or open my eyes to see that he's back for me in such short time.

"Ch-Cherie?...i-is it really y-you...?,"

The quivering voice makes me take the freshest breath that I've breathed in all the long, torturous months of captivity. I want to cry and scream and leap for joy!

Turning around to meet the sweetest, brightest, bluest eyes that I've ever known-

I open my mouth to speak, but what comes out is the programmed script I've been drilled into- trained to obey or else. With a smile plastered on my lips, I try to make it meet my eyes in sincerity.

"I'm sorry, sir? You've got the wrong girl- I'm Maria. Can I help you find your friend?"