Audrey Godwin Pretty Baby (NCP) (pdf)

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your feet.
She looked toward the balcony and made a flourish with her hand that held the drink, her full,
red lips forming a smile without depth. Apparently I do. All of New York is out there. And I live on
the very top floor of an ivory palace my father built for me. No one can touch me. Tears glinted in her
eyes. He s here when I wake up, and he s here-- she paused, a sob catching in her throat, --he s here
& when I go to bed.
The word caught Shadoe s attention.
His tapping cane, his raspy voice, his bourbon breath, and his.... Her eyes shifted, settling
on his reclining form, wondering how it would be if he never woke up again. Suddenly she dropped the
glass and began crying, burying her face in her hands.
Shadoe rushed up to wrap her in his arms. My God, Julita, has he hurt you?
Take your goddamned hands off my daughter!
The two of them whirled around, and they both looked at Garret as he pulled himself up off
the couch. Is that what you came here for? To molest my daughter?
Julita was stunned by his words. And how would that be different from you, Papa?
Shut up! he commanded.
A heat of anger flooded Shadoe. How could the bastard do it? He had known that Garret was
protective of his daughter. Holding her, caressing her, looking at her as if she were made of gold, but
he thought it was because it had been so long since he d seen her. He never suspected this. No wonder
Julita was bitter. Suffering first from Lucretia s obsession, how from her father s.
Garret leaned on his cane, looking at Shadoe after so long a time. I m surprised you haven t
been around sooner. Why now? Why come looking after all this time?
I did, but a car crash stopped me. I was on my back for several weeks. Concussion, cracked
ribs, almost died.
The old man gave him a twisted smile, and a scowl. Too bad you didn t.
I gave up then, decided to hell with you, but I ve been....
Garret stood looking at Shadoe, waiting for his next words. You ve been what? You know,
it s bad form not to finish what you were saying. Is that what they taught you in the police academy?
he asked sarcastically, trying to ridicule Shadoe.
Garret, I m taking her away.
His sarcastic leer fell, and one of murder replaced it. You re what?
You heard me, old man, I m taking her away.
And I ll see you in hell first.
It s not what you think. I have to take her back to Scarlet Bay. There s someone there she
has to see & someone who wants to see her.
You must be nuts to think I d let you take her away from here & from me!
Still standing within the circle of his arms, Julita spoke up. I m going with him, she rasped,
and you can t stop me, Papa. I m nineteen, almost twenty now, and I can do what I want.
But the man doesn t have a cent, Garret said, stumbling forward. He wants your money,
Julita. Don t you see?
Oh? I m so repulsive no man would want me without my money?
Of course not, he sputtered. Julita, don t.... He s & hell, you deserve better!
White man speak with forked tongue, Shadoe said, his voice deep in his chest.
Garret whirled on Shadoe. You shut your mouth, you filthy red....
Don t say it! Shadoe shouted, a look of war on his face. Don t even think it! He hesitated
for a moment, then said, Look, I don t want a dime of her money, or yours. I ve got something to do
and I need her with me. After that she can come back here to you and both of you can go to hell for all I
care.
And what s in Scarlet Bay that s so damned interesting, you bastard, or is this just some
pitiful excuse you re using to get her away from me?
It s her mother & I m going to take her to see her mother.
Garret s breath caught in his lungs, a graveyard chill gripping his spine. Are you crazy?
Greta is dead.
I know. And I realize it sounds crazy, but the only way her mother can rest in peace is to see
Julita one last time & to know she s safe.
How do you know it s Julita she wants to see? Maybe it s me.
Shadoe looked at Garret, thinking over his strange words, and wondering. Because she &
hell & all I know is what she said. He looked down at Julita, the tone of his voice growing softer.
Will you come with me, Julita? Will you come and meet your mother?
I don t understand what you re saying, but.... She hesitated. I ll come & I ll do anything to
get away from him. She looked over at her father. And after that I m getting my own place, Papa.
Away from you. I m going to live my own life.
I ll cut you off! he shouted. Not a dime will you give to this bastard!
You can t scare me, Papa. I ve been through the worst a daughter can go through with her
father. I m leaving now and if we pass on the street, please don t acknowledge me. A sob caught in
her throat. I m & I m not your daughter anymore. Her eyes were filled with tears and she looked at
him through a teary smudge. I wanted a father & I wanted you, Papa, but you wanted something I--
she sobbed, emotion crowding her throat, --I just can t give.
The words she said crushed him just as surely as if a death sentence had been pronounced
over him, and he grasped his stomach. I ll kill myself, Julita, he rasped with great effort. I will, so
help me God. I ll jump& .
Her voice was low and cold. Do what you have to do, Papa, but remember one thing. If you
do there ll be no one here to stop you this time.
Suddenly all the elegance around him meant nothing. It was so much tinsel and glamour that
glittered brightly as it sifted through his fingers. If you have to go, then go, but do one thing for me.
The silence was deafening as they waited for him to continue.
Take me with you, he pleaded. If Greta is there, I want to see her.
It s up to Julita, Shadoe said.
I don t care, she hissed with a chill in her voice, but just stay away from me.
They each packed a bag, then went out to Shadoe s Landcruiser. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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