Chaos Before Freedom

Chapter 5 - Men's weekend getaway

In Tom's Narrative

I pulled up to hear the last portion of Freddie, the boss giving his wife instructions. I just rolled my eyes; he couldn't even let her have some free rein while he was gone. It isn't like she is two timing him; Doris tells me the woman only goes to the store for groceries and the basics. Sometimes to the socials with Doris, but many of the times she is too ill to attend. Guess it wouldn't annoy me so much if it didn't seem like he was addressing the help. Finally, he is getting in now we can head out to the cabin.

Letting my annoyance get the better of me I asked him once we were moving down the road “Well that was a different goodbye then most couples.”

“You do your woman your way and I will do mine my way.” He said with a wide toothy smile on his face. “Besides Vira is the type that needs to be reminded who wears the pants in the family. You know the type.” He added as he elbowed my arm. To me he just seemed like an ass and a know it all most of the damn time. No wonder Vira looks so placid all the time, at least why she barely speaks. Most of the ride Freddie went on about his job at the steel works, boy he sure loves his nickname out there “the boss”. I am sure he worked for it but expecting everyone to treat him like the boss was truly odd.

I was looking forward to this weekend, as it was right before the major holidays. Not only for the relaxation with the guys. But also, since Thanksgiving that was right around the corner, this was the best chance I had to get a Turkey. This year was a pretty big one for Doris, as we are hosting the big family dinner this year. So trying to do my part I was out to get the main course. Later I would help with setting the table, it will help me avoid certain family members. Alright her damn sister she was a piece of work alright. Since we also invited Vira and Freddie at least Doris would have Vira to for sure help. Someone that would not listen to the barking orders of that… that woman.

Both our families will be there, normally we do a divide and conquer type arrangement like we do for Christmas. It gets to be a little confusing and conflicting more for the women folk than us men. We just go wherever the food is. I feel for my poor Doris. She was volunteered to host this year by her snooty sister the normal host of Thanksgiving dinner. Funny her sister threw one hell of a fit to be the Thanksgiving spot every year. Absolutely ridiculous as far as I am concerned. However, the mothers have dedicated themselves for helping Doris. A blessing and a curse as it helps Doris but put a thorn in her high and mighty sister’s side. That is also on her, she is always offered help and refuses it. But again, Doris had the fact that we do not have children yet is thrown in her face. That means Doris should be able to handle everything on her own. What she doesn’t realize is that since she is so damn snappy at everyone, we all wait closer to dinner time before arriving.

Now if I could get Freddie to shut up I could enjoy the drive up the Cedric’s cabin. Normally it barely phases me but after with dealing with Doris’s sister and the hurt she caused my beloved wife. Dealing with this overbearing crap is getting to much. Feeling she needed a release also I told Doris before I left that she should see if Vira would go out on the town with her or do something they would both enjoy. I made dang sure she would have extra money do so. Contrary to Freddie’s belief women deserve a break from the daily grind too. Thank goodness for Cedric. He would host a gathering four times a year, always near the major holidays. Mostly it was to avoid the hustle and bustle of the ladies. Men just seemed to get in the way and get asked loaded questions. And the worst of it was just around the corner.

The original group all had wives on highly active committees. Out of us, Cedric's wife and Doris were the most active in the event planning. Only three of us even had wives now, and then there was Dean, our bachelor. Upon our arrival, we saw that Cedric and Dean were already inside, probably already working on Cedric's homebrewed beer.

The cabin was mostly bedrooms, two on each side of the center, which held a setting and dining area. Towards the back through some saloon style swinging doors was the kitchen with one bathroom Every room is done in wood paneling, including the kitchen that had simple brick red tile counters. It had all the modern commodities. Cedric made sure of that after he inherited the place from his grandfather. Cedric played Santa every year during the winter festival. And had already begun to start growing out his graying beard for it.

The first one to greet us was, of course, Cedric, a banker that worked his way up to the top. His deep voice bellowed out "Hello Gents, Freddie, you can go ahead and put that hooch in the kitchen. As Freddie walked past with his arm load, Cedric added quietly as he put his arm on my shoulder, "Hopefully, Dean and Freddie won't have another brawl this time." I just chuckled and nodded. The brawl started out as a competition, a joke more or less. But for some damn reason, Freddie has to prove he is better than Dean. There is something about Dean that drives him batty.

To everyone else, Dean is just a tall, blond plow boy even though he works over at the mill now. Always the quiet type, a good man that would give his shirt off his back if you needed it. Single who doesn't get out much, it was work and home for him. That was the only thing I could see Freddie holding against Dean, as Freddie was a boisterous man. To Freddie anyone that didn’t spend their single nights out, or just kept to themselves other than women that is, was just plan odd or off.

We made plans for our morning hunt over some of Cedric's homemade brew. Overall, it was a peaceful night, but with the early morning wake up we turned in fairly early. The next morning Cedric already being wake, that man sure could hold his liquor was making breakfast for all of us. Simple eggs and bacon with enough black coffee to fill our thermoses plus two cups each over the meal. He even had sandwiches made for lunch we would eat in the blind done. A bit chilly in the morning and there wasn’t a hole lot of talking going on for obvious reasons. The faster we got our turkeys the sooner the fun would begin.

Tromping through the tall grass deeper into the wooded area where the Cedric’s personal blind sat. It was a little warmer in there, mostly from the gathered body heat.

“Damn it is cold out.” Making the comment through my chattering teeth.

Dean followed up with “They are talking about an early snow, this year.”

“I am just hoping it misses Halloween. The committee has the community hall booked for the night. They are planning on having a party for the whole town including games for the kids. And the older school kids are doing a haunted house. If its blizzards I don’t know how many will be able to show up.” Cedric added.

But as I said, “You forgot the church also has a banquet meal that day.”

“Oh?” Dean asked. I only nodded in response to him. The church just figures that it will help those who have a lot going on that day. Oh and for the holy rollers that have a problem with that holiday at least their children would have something they could do. I couldn’t imagine living in a household that wouldn’t even allow their children to trick or treat. And it happens to be our preacher’s second favorite holiday.

“Sounds like even I will have something to do that day. Those church ladies sure can cook.” Dean went on to say.

“So will you be going to the events Tom?” Freddie asked.

“I am sure I will be, how about you and Vira?”

“I don’t know yet. It is on a Friday and I may be going to Chicago for business.”

“What business?” Cedric asked him without much of an answer in response only that it was vague, but it seemed like it had something to do with a friend. Cedric, Dean and I decided to not go any further into that subject.

“Dean where are you going for Thanksgiving?” He had a dear in the head light look when I put him into the spotlight to change the subject quickly.

“Umm… I am not for sure. My siblings do not even live in this state anymore so I can leave that one out. I will probably just fry up a chicken and have that for dinner that night.”

“Alone?” Cedric asked. He was always a caring sort of a father to everyone who needed one at the time. “I you find you have no where to go on Thanksgiving you can come over to my place.”

“Alright, that sounds like plan. Thank you.” Dean smiled.

“Here they come, the first wave of regulars.” Cedric caught sight of the birds coming out into the clearing. All of us boys lined up, readying ourselves for shooting at the targets before us. The sound of the echoed from the shots fired, followed by two tom birds falling. Cedric and Tom went to collect their kills and hung them by the feet on the near by tree before coming back inside the blind. Our chatting began again as they cleaned their guns to put them away. They were the gun enthusiasts in our group, and often target shooting during off seasons. I believe some how the two were actually related, Dean had stories of hanging out with Cedric and his father before his father had passed away and his mother moving in with his sister in Florida. No one asked one way or another.

“Be ready boys here comes the second group.” Cedric told Freddie and me. I was the lucking one this time round going out to gather my bird. Another bunch of birds were starting to scurry around into the clearing. And f*****g Freddie I heard the loud blast come from behind me I nearly pissed my pants thinking I might vary well get shot in the process. Freddie went to the door of the blind taking a shot in the back portion.

I was red in the face from embracement “What the f**k Freddie?”

“What? It wasn’t even in your direction.” He looked confused; the shot would have left me in a safe space. Meeting up with him back at the blind the other two men came out to see if there would be a show down right then and there.

“You scared the s**t out of me.”

“I am not that bad of a shot Tom. Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you, really, I seen the bird head towards the back, so I took the shot.”

It proved to be a good day hunting we would all have a turkey in the freezer for Thanksgiving. Heading back to the cabin around two in the afternoon with the birds cleaned and put away. It was time for the cards to come out; the rest of the weekend we will be drinking our troubles away.

Gathering at the table on the opposite side of the couch and chairs. After we gathered our goodies that would be considered our dinner. Surrounding ourselves with a smorgasbord board of what our wives would call junk food. But that is what this weekend is all about what men like and man talk. That was just the start of our night, as I got the fire going Freddie went into the kitchen.

"Come, come boys, the night is young, and our wives are at home!" Said Freddie, as he came out of the kitchen with four glasses and the first bottle of whiskey.

"I will drink to that, even if I have no wife." Dean followed up.

"Your day will come Dean", Cedric responded as he patted the man on the shoulder.

A chuckling came from the seat in front of the window where Freddie settled at. "If you ask me, you are better off enjoying being single." Freddie had to put in his two cents.

"Oh Freddie, marriage isn't that bad," I said.

"Naw it isn't all bad... There are some benefits." Still with a chuckle in his voice, Freddie added a brow wiggle with his words. We all laughed at that.

"There is this one gal, she comes into the seed store every once in a while. Even lives a short while west of me." Dean just smiled, pulling a card out of his hand.

"Well, don't leave us hanging. Tell us about her. Who is she?" I asked.

"The widow Jones."

This time Cedric decided to ask the question we were all curious about. There had been rumors that she had found a new beau, but no one knew who. "Really?! So, you have been seeing her?"

"Only when she comes in or walks by my house. She sure is pretty with that blond hair and blue eyes. But sadly, whenever I ask her to go out, she shoots me down. But I do go down to her place and help her with some handy man work. In return, she cooks a meal for two."

"Isn’t she a bit... Well, big." Freddie blurted out.

"There ain't nothing wrong with some cushion for the pushing. Besides, that lady isn't that big." Cedric was quick on the draw with that one.

In all truth, the lady wasn't all that big. She was a pretty lady with a sweet face, long legs that were all muscle. The only place she had fat was in the middle. She did have two children already, and working at the diner to make ends meet. Dean would be a good match for her, he is even similar in looks to her husband who died a few years ago. The couple had a good relationship to everyone’s knowledge. Unfortunately, when his truck broke down on an icy winter night, causing him walk home from one of his east fields. The delivery driver didn't see him on the side of the road, when it struck him, it killed him instantly.

"Freddie, looks arn't everything, she has a heart of gold. I can't complain one bit whenever she has allowed me to spend time with her and the children." Dean paused "Is that why you hide your wife away? I don't think I've ever seen her."

This irked Freddie, but instead of getting mad he only replied with "No. I just don't want some plow boy trying to steal her away."

Laughing, Dean retorted "Like I would have a chance." That was the end of any conflict between the two.

“I know I can’t complained about married life.” Cedric popped off as he patted his stomach. Causing everyone in the room to laugh.

“Speaking of…” Dean paused for a moment as he took a drink “Cedric do you think I could get some help over at Widow Jones’s place? She has been having some heating issues going in as of lately and I need another hand to help me get the bugs worked out of it.”

“Oh, what is the issue?”

“Some times the pipes work fine, other times it seems the heat gets stuck in one place. I am sure some critter got in at one point and made a nest in the lines. Either that or a week spot at the connections that allow it to escape until the heat causes the pipes to seal moving onto the next room. I know you have a similar heating unit so it sure would be great if you could please.”

“No problem I am sure the Mrs. won’t mind me helping just let me know the day.”

“Well with that cold front expected to show up in the middle of the week, is Tuesday going to be too short of notice?”

“Nope, I think that will do. Say it has been cold here lately what has she been doing to keep warm?”

“The old fireplace, her and the children have been all sleeping in the living room. I told her to come to my place so she could have them at least in separate beds and she could enjoy a good night sleep in one herself.”

“And did she?”

“She didn’t have much of a choice in the matter, I helped pack her and the kids up and took them over before leaving. I wasn’t going to let those children freeze when my house was warm and empty.”

“I bet she put up a fight on that one.” I spoke. Dean looked my direction to respond to me. “Not really, I asked her to watch my place and let the children keep the dog company. Pointing out a weekend in a warm house would be a bonus for them.”

“No denying that logic.” Freddie added.

The night closed waning down on us one by one until the cabin was silent. None of us were up with the sun by any means, Freddie being the last up. And of course Cedric was the first as usual he was again in the kitchen getting breakfast ready. For a man he sure could cook. His father taught him as his did before him. It is believable with this cabin being in their family for many years. There were many families in the area that had roots all the way back to the pioneer days. Mostly farmers keeping properties of real estate within the family.

The last day went by lazily, we didn’t go any where but from room to room. When it warmed up a little some of us even went and sat outside on the porch just watching the breeze through the trees. I could see why Cedric loved this place so much. It had a peace that could not be found within the city limits and daily grind. We know his wife and him came up here for couple getaways, even with the rustic aspect of the place there was a woman’s touch. During the night we played, drank, and talked mostly about our jobs. Projects that we are planning on in our homes and so forth.

By the end of the weekend I won twenty five dollars, Freddie lost about ten. Dean and Cedric won about fifty each from us over all poker games we played. We did play a few other games that were not gambling. Freddie didn’t really care but his wife had an emotionless way about her. Cedric’s would have been more verbal disapproval soon after forgiving her old man as she lovingly called him. And my sweet Doris would shake her finger and smile at me, she knew I never went overboard with gambling. To top it off Freddie and Dean had no conflicts this go around. Admittedly Freddie kept talking about some girl named Maria, but he didn’t really give a time frame when he last seen her. Not that we wouldn’t put it past him to be cheating on Vira, but it did not sound like much action took place in that way. We finished the night the same way we ended the weekend on a high note.

He was really quiet on the ride home, sleeping most of the time. He was pretty hungover from the night before. But I was not going to complain about it one bit. If he was asleep that meant he wasn’t puking in my Nash. I dropped him off before pulling into my driveway.

It wasn’t until a few days later, I heard the worse commotion coming from Freddie and Vira's place. The sound of Breaking glass, what I believed was Vira screaming, and Freddie yelling. It wasn’t the first time we have heard odd noises coming from their place, but not this loud nor violent. There was a thud before the door swung open, followed by it slamming closed. I rushed back into the house, telling Doris what I heard while going over to the phone to call the police. She told me no putting her hand on mine, gripping it and pulling to go over there to check on Vira as soon as Freddie was out of sight. We rushed over only to find a huge mess of knocked over furniture, fabric from a torn dress and there was blood on the floor and chair. I mumbled "Oh God!" as Doris ran down the hallway to the bathroom where she found Vira taking her medicine.

“Tom come, quick!” Doris yelled. I hurried down to the room, the scene was horrific. Vira was bloody her green dress torn to barely there. Tears were running down Doris’s cheeks, Vira just holding onto the sink for support. She looked more defeated then I have ever seen her look before. But she did not shed a tear right then, her focus was purely set on surviving through this day. “We need to take her to the doctor now!” Doris turned her head to me with pleading eyes.

“No” Vira said with her trembling voice, “I need a moment.”

“You are going Vira.” I stepped in to help her out of the room and into the kitchen to settle her down.

“Freddie, will…”

“Who f*****g cares what Freddie says, you are going. Even if I have to pay for it myself!”

“No I can’t let you do that, I appreciate it but I can’t.”

“Please Vira, don’t argue with us.” Doris bent down to put her face near her ear with her hands placed on Vira’s shoulders hoping to sooth her some.

“Call Arthur. And tell him that we are going to Dr. Jenkins’s office. I sure he will take your side Tom, but he can contact my parents to help with the payment.”

“Who is Arthur?” I asked and it was Doris who answered me.

“He is her friend from back home, he came here to find her. A really nice gentleman.” I only nodded that I understood, Doris would tell me more when things were not so pressing for quick action. After getting Vira and Doris into the Nash, we rushed her off as fast as we could. It seemed like hours for the Doctor to inspect poor Vira. Luckily, there were no broken bones, she was severely bruised. The staff took photos of her naked body while he documented the damage both before and after them cleaning her up. The Doctor agreed to file away the information, making sure it was all together and safe.

What threw me for a loop is that she wanted to wait until we were back before Arthur would be called. It didn’t make any sense to me why she would not just leave with him now. Reluctantly, I returned the ladies' home. Doris told me she would be helping her clean up the mess as she did for a while during Vira's recovery also. At the time, I didn't want our friend to go back, but I understood her reasoning. She wouldn't have been able to get far in the shape she was in.

After Doris explained the whole Arthur situation to me, it became clear why Vira wanted to wait until she was back at Freddie’s. Even through this she was keeping others safe, she knew that Arthur would have been furious which could have caused him his life or freedom. Something she was not going to allow him to sacrifice for her.

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Arthur’s Narrative

When I went back to the hotel the receptionist stopped me on my way to the room to give me a message. And once I read what it said, it stopped me dead in my tracks. My heart dropped down hard, and I found it tough to swallow. Turning on my heals I was out of the hotel to the doctors office in no time. But when I got there Vira was no longer there, the nurse however lead me to his office to wait for him. I always hated hospitals and doctors offices, no matter how light they are painted they still seem gloomy. This painted with a light blue hue and walnut trim was no different.

“Hello Arthur, correct?” He asked when entering the room closing the door behind him. Offering his hand to me the moment he was close. After our hand shake he went to set on the other side of his desk. “You came here to discuss Vira Krouse?”

“Her bill yes, any other information I wouldn’t mind. That is if you can give it.”

“Don’t worry about the bill right now. She did come in today with the aid of her neighbors in bad shape. We documented everything during the visit, including photos that the staff had developed. They are still fresh to please handle them with care.” He said as he slid a file to me. Even in the after photos of her battered body were not much better than the before photos, only less bloody.

Gasping at the sight of photos “This is horrendous! He is more of a monster than I thought he was.”

“Vira has been my patient since they moved here about five years ago now. I have spoken to her pervious doctor. He suspected Freddie was not the ideal husband back then and put her on a sedative. But his story seemed to be legitimate, especially with her fighting the whole time.”

“She was on a sedative?”

“Yes. One of which I took her off from. The type she was given normally allows the user to retain the memories. It doesn’t completely turn them into a vegetable but damn close to it, making them much more compliant. When he brought her here something seemed to be off about everything.” He paused a moment “To be honest this was not the first time I have seen her beaten; this however is the worse I have. Legally there isn’t much I can do to keep him away from her with out risking her having to be put in a more permanent care. That may or may not be counterproductive. So I am waving her medical expenses, if it will help free her.” He said this last part looking him straight in the eyes with a sincere seriousness.

“I have every intention on getting her out of there one way or another.”

“She does speak highly of you Arthur, I suspect that she holds a lot of care, trust, and respect for you. Son, I know what it is like to have someone you care about abused and having your hands tied. It isn’t easy to say the least.” It was this moment I really seen the man, before I vaguely took in his appearance as an older gentleman. With his salt and pepper hair, blue eye, fit for a man well into his fifties. But now I could see the pain seeded deeply in his eyes. It had to be someone that meant a lot to him, and going on the distant look he was not able to save them. “My suggestion is watch for any opportunity to get her out of there. If one doesn’t presents itself then go with her lead. As she requested this file will remain here safe and sound until she may need it.”

After shaking hands with him one last time before leaving his office. I found myself in my own personal turmoil. I was upset with Vira because I was not informed right away and I believed she should have just left as soon as possible. This was driving me crazy how in the hell is she able to bare this? I thought to myself I understood her reasoning as he would just hunt her down the second he was able if she left now. In his twisted mind he owned her, by her running off it dampened his manhood. However, if just out in the clear blue she disappeared it would look like she abandoned him. Again, it would be a chance of him coming out looking innocent. The poor loving husband with a clinically insane wife that run off, that would fill his ego plus gaining him sympathy from others. That is the others that had no clue what he was really like.