Chaos Before Freedom

Chapter 2 - The boss

Fredrick was called Freddie by everyone but his mother Fleur. Raised in Detroit, Michigan. The apartment he grew up in was on the dingy side. The once white paint was now yellowed by cigar smoke, especially near his father's seat at the table and favorite chair. It was small in size, being just two bedrooms. The larger one was shared among the five children. Other then, the youngest was with his parents until she was old enough to move into the other room.

Freddie was considered the middle child between, and older brother named Johnathan, sister Beatrice. His younger brother Virgil Jr. and of course the baby Helen. The joke in the home was that they had a rainbow of hair, Freddie’s being black as an ace of spades it just went down in shades to blond. But they were sure that as Helen grew it would become some shade of brown like the rest of them. It was mother who brought in the black hair into the gene pool, due to her father having that shade. Her’s was a smooth dark chocolate brown, paired with aqua marine blue eyes she was a looker even in her middle ages. It was no wonder that while Virgil Sr was visiting friends in Canada on a fishing trip that she caught his eye. He came home with a little more than trout that year, his friends picked on him for bringing home the best catch that season. Father on the other hand had the lighter hair being a mousy brown, but most of the children had his hazel eyes. That is other then Freddie who had the darkest brown eyes, they appeared as black as coal. While he stuck out among his brown haired and hazel eyed siblings, that was not the only thing making him the sore thumb of the bunch.

His brothers became quite successful in their line of work, Johnathan got into the auto industry as an engineer. Virgil was the one who pushed the envelope and became a lawyer. But they always did well even in school, good grades and never really in trouble. Considered good boys as they were always helping mother and father, the local elderly ladies often relied on them with their groceries up the stairs. In which they happily obliged them, it always paid off for them. The ladies would give them some money or send them home with baked goods. His oldest sister who looked similar to mother including the color shade of hair married a banker. The youngest eventually did get a honey brown hair as expected dreamed big of the silver screen. She didn’t make it that far, but she did become an actress for Broadway, thanks to her theater director husband.

And then there was Freddie the troublemaker, yet a charmer as he was called. He didn’t get the best grades in school, but he made it through. Unlike other little boys in his neighborhood, who were crazy about baseball. But when they played, it seemed more like the game rounders in the narrow streets. Most kids didn't have bats, using fallen tree limbs, they carved the bark off. What they used for a baseball it was often used a rubber ball. They tried a yarn ball once, but the kid's mom was furious when it was returned muddy and stained. Freddie would still play the game, but it was far from his passion.

He was obsessed with organized crime groups. To him they seemed to have it all wealth, class and respect with little effort to gain it. True, this respect was out of fear, but that is what he wanted for himself. He wanted to be feared. The purple gang were making a name for themselves, being front page news in their own respect. They were considered one of the dirtiest parts of the Jewish community. His friends and he were not even connected to the gang, but there was plenty of talk to be overheard from the Jewish family in the neighborhood. Most of it was not favorable, mostly with the heads of the homes. The younger generations were a mixed bag.

Mother tried to keep up with the housework, but she was not like other mothers that had all day to clean their own home. Mother also cleaned the building and empty apartments for a discount on the monthly rent. Keeping up with Freddie and his mischief and the other children she often had her hands full. His father worked as a delivery man. There were many nights when he wasn't home until late. Father wasn't a hard man towards the children or his wife, he had a tender touch when it came to them. That is, unless the children did something wrong, then they would only be justly punished. Mother being busy, she would often make statements like "just wait until your father gets home." Or they would be put in what she called a set down time. That is normally where you would find Freddie, he had a mouth on him, and he used it all too often. The majority soap consumer in the household along with bandages as he got into many brawls while growing up. Father decided to put him into boxing classes to help him release some of that aggression hoping it would also teach him control.

At home, he had a good childhood, a poor one, but they had what was needed. Father worked longer hours closer to the holidays just so the kids could have a decent Christmas. It was at school that it was on the rough side, since not only was he from a poor family. They lived in a primarily Jewish community and for some of the other children, that was something to pick on him about. His family wasn't Jewish. In reality, he wasn't completely sure what they were. He knew his mother was mostly French and his father was raised in Michigan.

When he was able, Freddie would go to film houses to watch the silent picture shows. It didn't matter what was playing it was a distraction for him, but the ones he would really pay attention to was anything that would feed his obsession with the mafia. That included the news reels that played before the film. Father would often catch him out in the living room late at night reading crime novels. Sitting in the corner, covered with a blanket just right so not to cast a shadow while using the streetlight outside the window to read. His obsession even trickled into his style as he took on the style of Italians that lived in Chicago and New York, always having his black hair oiled back. As he grew into a young man, his frame was a slender one, processing a sharp pointed jaw line. So much that when a friend was joking with him, he called him “Rat face Freddie” during play. Freddie turned on his heels and punched his friend right on the nose, causing him to fall the ground. As his down friend looked up at him bewildered. Freddie yelled “I am not Rat face; I am THE BOSS and don’t you forget it!” From that moment on he was known as the boss in certain circles. Over the years, he developed a mean streak a mile long.

Soon after finishing his schooling, he moved out to Chicago. As much as his mother protested, he would not be moved from his train of thought. Freddie started to work for a manufacturing plant during the day. Started working at the smelter area, keeping the melted iron flowing down to molds or forms for the next station to do their part. He made a good wage there, and once a month he would send money home to his parents. They told him he did not have to, but in his mind, he pitied them, thinking they were more of a charity. At night, he had a whole different life. One of a wise guy, out with the flappers, drinking, gambling, dancing and, of course, what gave him the biggest thrill of all was his shady dealings.

He loved his single bedroom apartment, considering himself a man of the times. He had it remolded all in the art deco theme using rich darker colors. Other than the kitchen and bathroom, which were done in creamy white and black tiles. The apartment was almost a perfect square with the door heading right into the cobalt blue living room. Tucked behind it through an archway was the kitchen with a closet nearby the entrance. On the opposite side was the bedroom done in Maroon and gold filagree wallpaper. He thought it was pretty classy and it would be considered so according to others in the here and now movement.

He was thirty years old when a buddy from work asked him to be his best man at his wedding. He was marrying “the farmer’s daughter”, emphasis on the farmer's whenever the guy talked about her. With no surprise to Freddie, the wedding was taking place in Nebraska, as his friend was originally from there. And that is when he saw Vira for the first time, another farmer’s daughter. She was cute like a little doll with her dishwater blond hair in curls and tucked into a bun and blue eyes. And her smile “wow”, he thought to himself. Yes, she was an attractive little thing, but what really caught his attention was she was a spit fire. He could tell she had a warm and loving center under it. She would be a challenge, a challenge he wanted to conquer and control. It didn’t help that she had a beau. Arthur was a tall blond, muscular military man and he certainly looked built for the job. They spent all night dancing looking completely in love. As he watched them, the urge to destroy their love filled him.

Life went back to normal for him once he was back home in Chicago. He barely thought of her, that was until mid-1926. Something shattered her world, changing it and making her vulnerable. He heard it from his buddy, and his decision was made right there. He would take that challenge. Laying it on thick to gain what he wanted from her. He never loved her quite right, nor did he plan too either. She was just a possession in his eyes.

For several months, he would go visit her in Nebraska and take her out to fine dining restaurants. He would also take her out dancing, just not at the speakeasy clubs. Also avoiding the movies as he wanted to appear so she wouldn't see how he would root for the crime lords of the silver screen. He would make her laugh and do his best to make her smile, but he could never obtain the type that she had while dancing with her now ex. She refused his advances to have s*x before marriage. Her lack of belief that she could do any better after losing Arthur allowed him to slide right into her life and a ring on her finger.

Their simple church wedding paled in comparison to the last Nebraskan wedding he attended. Even her dress was just a simple V-neck with lace. She looked beautiful in it, but a defeated look possessed her face. She didn't even smile. She was no blushing bride by his side, she was pale and looked to be green behind the gills. Her mother was happy as any mother is when their daughter was getting married. But her father acted like a tiger waiting to rip someone's throat out. However, at least the day was a gorgeous day for a wedding; warm and sunny skies. The reception was also small and simple only a few friends attended; Freddie didn’t even bother his parents to invite them to his wedding.

After obtaining her hand in marriage, they moved into an small apartment in town. It was still close to her parents and at least a start for them as he seen it. He did not want her in Chicago, she was a down to earth woman. And his connections in the underground world would have been a travesty in their marriage. Besides Chicago was his sanctuary and she was not welcomed to go with him on his trips there. He was able to get work at the local service station, he was not planning to stay there long only long enough to get a good reference. Vira’s father offered to help him to get work at the mill but Freddie was hell bent not to take anything as lowly as agriculture work.

He believed this is where the trouble started, he had no clue that she had left to meet Arthur at the train station. He was later told that she was seen crying in his arms, small towns at least have that going for them he thought to himself and informational highway. After his shift we went to the only place he could find a drink, the crazy outside of town. The guy wasn’t really crazy but it kept the “good Christians” away from his home brewed spirts. And by spirits it was moonshine, crazy Joe was from Appalachian Mountains or was it Kentucky no one really knew nor would he say. And hell, his real name wasn’t even Joe. It was Francis those who knew his real name damn well knew not to call him Franky or Frank. Not unless they wanted their nose broke that is. The only one in the area that called him Francis was his wife while they were alone. An older bloke had silver hair, and chestnut brown eyes, his wife was similar with icy blue eyes instead.

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Freddie’s Narrative

As I am setting there stewing about Vira and her long lost lover in each other’s arms I just slam down the first shot. I did more complaintive talking then I did drinking, crazy Joe listened as usual. He suggested I let her go and his wife second that. “That’s a love you can not break.” They said followed by “It is still early enough for the annulment plus there is plenty of fish in the sea.” The usual speech that others give you when your heart is broken. Mine wasn’t broken I was just f*****g pissed off, that she was even there. I decided to head home to deal with Vira and tell her who the hell was the boss and it sure in hell wasn’t her. When I got there I found her waiting for me, her bags already packed and her ready to go in her traveling clothes. I couldn’t face her I was that angry, I knew if I looked at her she would be on the floor. Behind me she started to speak asking for a god damn annulment, and crap like she didn’t love me like a wife should. I don’t care if she loves me or not she is mine and that it final. I just let her have it, she surprised me by getting up the first time but she wouldn’t the second. I left her there on the ground, then tossed her s**t around like an animal rampaging through another’s territory. I gave her a kick on my way back to crazy Joe’s for the night life.

I hadn’t noticed she was not on the floor anymore when I got back home, just stumbled to bed. In the morning with my head pounding I expected her there making breakfast and pouring me a cup of coffee. But she wasn’t, all of her things picked up and gone I knew she had left me. Well that isn’t how this is going to end b***h I thought to myself and began to search for her. Not even her parents knew where she was when I called them. But the train station, that is when I hit the jackpot even if it was hesitantly given. I caught up with her at the Norfolk stop on the way to Sioux City, South Dakota. I was correct she was heading straight to Arthur. Recruiting some help from the closet sanitarium I could find she didn’t even see it coming. Now I get to play the worried husband and claim those bruises came from somewhere else.

“Will she be okay doc?” I asked looking through the door window of her room.

Looking down at her paperwork he responded “Oh, I am sure she will be fine with some treatment. It is always hard when a newly married bride becomes delusional. And you are sure her ex-lover did this to her?”

“I am sir, he ended it so poorly with her she confronted him and she must have snapped thinking he still loved her.” I said shaking my head showing nothing but concern for my dear wife.

“Pity, she is such a pretty lady. I don’t think there will be any permanent damage. Do you know his name or his whereabouts?”

“No I don’t she didn’t talk about him much and she was gone before I got home.”

“Well, lets give her a few weeks to heal and we will reassess her case. She might already have come to her senses by that time to go home with you.”

“Could you please keep me posted?”

“Of course, don’t you want to go in and see her?”

“I think I will let her rest, plus I am still in shock she did this and want to clear my mind. I am not good to her being confused and freshly hurt.”

“That is understandable.”

I went back to our apartment and started making plans for a fresh start and away from her supporters. I would work every day, and avoid her parents saving every dime I would get to move us away. About two days after putting her in there the good doctor called me.

“Mr. Krouse?”

“This is he, who is this.”

“Doctor Smithson your wife’s physician. I have some news to report to you.”

“Oh?”

“She has calmed down a bit, but claims your are the one who hit her and she wants nothing to do with you.” He said with doubt in his voice from what I previously told him.

“I don’t know why she would say that, I did not even raise a hand to her. Please doctor help her I love her so.”

“I will do my best sir, but I can not guarantee she will ever be one hundred percent be the woman you married. She may feel a certain amount of reluctance towards you.”

“Something I will just have to work through I guess?”

“There is some medicine that may make the transition easier any ways. But are you sure you want that? Maybe if she stays on this mind set it would be easier for you to find a more suitable wife. The medicine in question tends to make the user… well compliant but not completely aware of things.”

“If we must, I will decide to use the medicine anything is better than losing her.”

“Alright, we will begin the administration of the drug then. Please note that this will have to go into her permanent file in our records however. Will that be a problem?”

I smiled at that, as it would be useful if I would ever need to discredit her I would have it right there. “No sir, I care more about her then any record. Besides if she gets better there will be no need for it to be discovered, correct?”

“That is correct. Please give us about a month to see her reaction to this medicine that way we can make sure it will be a good fit for her. Plus I would like a few more days before we start it to see if we can get her back on track without it first.”

“That is fine Doctor, please just continue to keep me up to date on her condition. Until I see you in the beginning of next month.”

“Make that the fifteenth Mr. Krouse to give us the full months’ time.”

“Alright, thank you Doctor until then goodbye.” I hung up the phone and started to think of possible places to get this started, with her being medicated I could not risk bringing her here before the move. Her parents would never allow it not with her drugged and unaware, with the whole damn town on their side I could not see a way around it. I would have to do this secretly. Settling on Omaha for our fresh start I would begin this weekend to look for our new home. It took me two weekends to find the perfect place for us, it even had the white picket fence neighborhood that eventually Vira would love. Right on oak street, once the mortgage and purchase of it was settled, we would move in right when Vira was released in my custody once more.

I was one busy man packing up everything just so when the movers are scheduled to pick it up and move it to the new house. When I wasn’t working that is or on the phone buying time from her parents discovering where their daughter was. I was able to find work at a local steel manufacturing plant there in Omaha. Sure, I would have to work my way up again but no matter their it was way better pay then the fuel station by far even on the lower levels. The doctor kept his promise and called me about once or twice a week up until the day I was able to bring her home.

Before retrieving her I bought an sedan style model T it would work to move us there and for work. It was the traditional ford black with tan interior. Nothing real showy but right now showy isn’t what I needed, it needed to be realistic as not to raise suspicions.

Vira was really drugged up when I arrived to pick her up. They brought her out in a wheelchair and the orderly helped me put her in the passenger seat. Resembling a ragdoll her head bobbed around with he shutting the door, with it finally resting on the door in the end. The good doctor handed me a brown bag with some medicine in it and began to give me the instructions. “Give her this two times a day, now this is the oral version of it so that will make it easier for you to administer”. I nodded showing him I understood, before he started to speak again “You will have to bring her back here or to another doctor once a year for them to reassess her need of the prescription. Mind you she will not be able to bare children while on this medicine. It tends to terminate the fetus with in the first two months of conception. She will be more aware of her surroundings tomorrow.”

“Alright, thank you doctor.” I responded before getting into the car and heading on our way to our new home. Vira only blankly looked out the window, at one point I think she fell asleep. I carried her into the hotel room laying her down on the bed before going back out to shut the doors on the car. I only wanted about four hours of sleep so we could be in Omaha bright and early before her state would wear off.

My plan went off without a hitch, I had her at our new home before her meds started to wane their control over her. I ordered the movers around as she absent mindedly unpacked items, like she was on auto pilot but it works for me. I had enough on my plate as it is. After the men were finished the couple from next door came over with a pie welcoming us to the neighborhood. Vira thankfully still pretty medicated was a good quite girl all day. So, I decided to take her out for dinner, I ordered her food for her as she was still in a daze of sorts.

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Vira’s Narrative

I woke up groggy and yet in a new place with Freddie laying naked next to me. Finding that I had no clothing on under the covers either all sorts of things swam in my mind. Try as I may my I was not in control of myself, apart of my mind was like looking through the windows of my eyes. The other portion was just running no real reason for it. The next I heard was Freddie’s voice “Go make breakfast dear, I will be down with your medicine shortly.”

“Alright Freddie.” I said without control my body just moved, getting dressed and doing as ordered. I was locked in my own mind unable to restrict what was going on I could not understand what was happening to me.

He came down as I was putting the plates on the table, with a brown glass bottle in his hand. “Alright dear it is time for your medicine. Now be a good girl and take it and I won’t have to put it in your drink.” Using a carrying voice it almost seemed like he was sincere, making me wonder if I was actually crazy and this man was my savior not my doom. Of course that was only apart of my brain the other one which had no control over my body wanted to punch him. Instead he lead me to the table and we ate the food I prepared, at least even in this state I could cook a decent meal. When I was finished my meal I got up and started to clean up. Followed by grabbing out a roast of the ice box that I put in there just yesterday.

Freddie then came up wrapping his arms around me, spinning me to face him to better see my face to speak with me rather to me. “I have to go to work now dear, you stay right here okay and just unpack more of the boxes. Don’t go anywhere with your medicine it makes you disoriented for a little bit.” He paused to kiss me on the lips a gently “I will come back for lunch to check on you, would you like a BLT sandwich from that diner we stopped at last night.” I nodded my head in agreement. Freddie squeezed me tightly in a hug before walking out the door.

The whole day I spend doing as ordered, not going outside, only unpacking and cleaning up this new environment. Only stopping for when he came back with the promised sandwich and too cook dinner for his return after work. The back working half of my mind was frantically trying to gain back control with no success. I feel like I am going crazy… am I crazy? I thought to myself.