“Maybe I do, but it’s not underyour name, it’s under the family name.”
His eyes are red road maps. He’sdefinitely high on something.
“Okay, so if you won’t leave,I’ll just call the cops and let them decide who belongs here andwho doesn’t,” I threaten.
“Oh no. Don’t call the Gabriolapolice on me. What do you think they’d use for handcuffs,seaweed?”
The truth is, I won’t call thecops. I’m too afraid of what Denny would do, now or later. “Pissoff, Denny.”
There’s a loud rap at thedoor.
“Ah, that will be Robbie.” Dennygoes to the door and opens it.
The first thing I see is abottle attached to an arm then the rest of his friend stumbles in.“Hey, is that your sister, the lesbian?”
Robbie is about five foot tenwith a medium build and jet-black hair. He walks into the kitchenlight and raises the bottle to his lips. I see a star tattoo on theback of his hand. One of Denny’s West Van pals, no doubt hangingaround him because of the wads of party money he now has accessto.
They both sit on the sofa.
“Please leave, Denny.” A thoughtoccurs to me. “How did you get here?”
“My boat.”
“You don’t have a boat.”
“He does now,” Robbie says,raising the bottle. “He’s got a sick ski boat.”
Great. He’s already diving deepinto my father’s pockets. As much as I resent my father, I stillcringe at the thought of spending his money this soon after he isburied. “You came across the straight in a ski boat? In the middleof the night? Are you crazy?”
“What are you, my mother? Shutthe fuck up.”
“Will you please keep your voicedown?”
“Why? Is your little dykesleeping?”
“Shut up.”
No sooner do the words leave mylips than Annie is standing in the doorway to the front room. Sherubs her eyes. “What’s going on in here?”
“Looky, looky,” Denny saysstanding up. He’s brawny and wide but there’s not an inch of fat onhim. He has blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. He’s very attractiveto women; easy for him to get close enough to hurt many. “Annie,right?”
“Yes.” She looks at me, confusedand worried. “Why are they here?”
“Whoa, is she one, too?” saysRobbie, looking her up and down.
“Yeah. They spend their timetrying to fuck each other but neither one of them has a cock.”
“That’s got to befrustrating.”
“Why are you here?” I ask Dennyagain, fighting to keep my tone level.
“Maybe I’m here to collect therent.”
“I’m not paying you shit.”
“No? Well, maybe your littlegirlfriend will.” He grins at Annie. “How’s about it, Annie? How’sabout you and me go into the bedroom and you can work off therent.”
“Leave or I will call the cops.”I’m not bullshitting now. My fear of him quickly diminishes as hefocuses on Annie. I walk over and stand next to her.
“Oh, look. Team Carpet Muncher.”They both snicker.
“Denny, have you been takingyour meds?”
Denny stops laughing. His eyesimmediately turn wild. “What did you say to me?”
Robbie looks at him, puzzled.Denny stands up and glares at me. His face is quickly turning redand he’s clenching his fists. I inch closer to Annie, wishing shehadn’t come in here.
Denny lunges toward me, and Ishove Annie aside. The next thing I know, Denny has me by thethroat and he’s pushing me up against the door frame. Our eyeslock. I grab at his wrists and try to loosen his grasp on me. Anniescreams and grabs on to his arm, pulling. He won’t budge. I try togasp for air but I can’t.
“She’s turning red. Stop it.Stop it.”
A look of power comes overDenny’s face and he grins, spit shooting from between his teethwith every shallow breath. This is where he thrives, where he ishappiest—in control over someone weaker.
It’s only when Robbie staggersup behind him and puts a hand on his shoulder that Denny’s fixationbreaks, his grip loosening enough for me to take a gasp of air.
“Come on, man, mellow out.You’re ruining my buzz. Who cares about her? Come on, man.”
Before letting go he gives myneck a quick thrust, causing my head to slam into the wood behindme. I bend down and cough. Annie puts her arm around me, squeezingmy shoulders.
“Come on, man. Let’s blow thisplace,” Robbie urges.
When Denny turns away, Robbielooks at me and winks.
All three of us watch Denny; hiseyes are still wild. He walks over to the mantle and with one armswipes its contents off the narrow shelf, sending everythingcrashing on the hard floor. The small glass vase that Annie madefor me. A picture of her and I on the beach. A bowl ofpotpourri.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Denny says. “Itold you it was boring as fuck here.”
“You were right, man.” Robbiegives a convincing laugh.
They head for the door. Justwhen I think we’re almost free, Denny turns back and walks towardsus. This time, his attention isn’t on me. He grabs Annie around thewaist and pulls her tightly into him.
“Let her go, asshole,” I try toyell, and my throat sears with pain. I grab his arm and he shakesme off, almost causing me to fall.
Robbie opens the front door.“Denny, let’s go.”
Denny slides his hands over herass and squeezes. “Try not to miss me while I’m gone.” He lets goand heads for the door again. Robbie closes it behind them.
I run to the door and lock it,though there’s really no point now that I know he has a key. I turnback to Annie. She’s staring at me, but her eyes are glazed.
I walk over and gently hug her,then coax her to the couch and we both sit. Silently we stare atour reflections in the bay window, waiting for the sound of Denny’sboat. A moment later, we hear the engine rev and get quieter as theboat leaves the dock.
“See, it’s okay now,” I tellher. I try to minimize the croakiness in my voice. “It’s over.They’re gone.”
“Until when?”
Her question catches me offguard. How do I answer that? Denny is bat-shit crazy and as much asI want to tell her that he’s gone for
