Abby: Chapter III

I have finally finished part three of this story.  If you haven't read the first two I suggest you do so before you read this part of the story.

Abby: A Short Story

Abby: Chapter II 

I am still on a learning curve so feel free to offer any suggestions that you think may help.  I am enjoying writing this story I get little ideas and jot them down as I go and they just come together.  Remember any and all characters and situations in this story are purely fictitious. Thanks in advance for reading. 

I take another drink from my I margarita and clap my hand over my mouth. Clenching my stomach I retreat to the lady's room. I push the door open, lean against the concrete wall and take a deep breath. This Terry person's aura is gray and incongruent to his appearance.

Come on Abby get hold of yourself. You need to think.

I splash my face with water and make sure my mascara has smeared. I hope Sarah will come after me. I realize I have left my purse and phone at the table. I need to call Jake to come and get us.

I'm praying that Sarah doesn't fall for his charm. People like him try to work through people you care about to get to you. I'm still thinking when Sarah barges in. "Abby are you okay?" Sarah looks half concerned and half annoyed.

"Sarah I'm sorry. I need to go. Are you coming?" I dramatically clench my stomach, stumble into a stall and slam the door. I wretch and hope it sounds believable.

"Abby what's really going on?" Sarah isn't convinced. Have I done this too many times before? I come out of the stall to face Sarah.

"I'm sorry Sarah. I got one of those feelings." I look in the mirror trying to avoid Sarah's irritated looking glare.

"How come every time you get a feeling the fun stops?" I realize she's not so mad as merely exasperated.

"Sarah, please, you have to listen to me. We've had a long day. We don't need to make it worse by arguing. That Terry may look okay on the outside but there is something lurking on the inside" I make complete eye contact with Sarah.

Sarah flicks her hair back over her shoulders. "Do you want me to go and take care of the bill and get your purse? I'm not mad at you Abby. I trust your instincts." Sarah exits and is back with my purse in no time. "Tell Jake to hurry. I hate sitting alone in a restaurant. Don't look so sorry...I trust you, honest." Sarah gives me a hug. I call Jake and he's coming to get us.

I can tell that Terry is still in the restaurant. I look in the mirror and try to fix the mascara streaks on my face. Someone opens the bathroom door. I don't give it much thought. Before I can take a swipe at my mascara again, I am grabbed and forced into a stall. I can't get a word out as a hand is clasped over my mouth. I can't see who it is but I know by the voice hissing at me that it is Terry. "Don't make a sound Abby. I'm merely going to warn you. We're going to cross paths again. You'll remember me at some point. Don't tell anyone. If you do I'll know, and I'll harm those closest to you."

With that he let me go and left. Feeling as though I'm in a different body I remember...

Shaking inside, and scared, I look up and Sarah is standing there. "Abby, Jake is here, let's go." I just stare at her. "Abby, you look as though you have seen a ghost. You're pale and clammy."

Sarah gives me a nudge. I stumble forward then jolt back into the stall and vomit so fiercely I cannot catch my breath. I then feel a cold hard thump on my face and then darkness.

I come to, and I am still laying on the tile floor but not in the stall. "Shit Abby!" Sarah looks slightly concerned but more amused. I'm not surprised. We see so much crap at work we are desensitized to other people's trauma.

"Sarah, what the hell?" I try to sit up but the throbbing pain in my face makes me lay my head back down. "You, my friend have earned a trip to the emergency room. Your face is smashed. Stay there I'm going to get Jake to help me get you out of here." Sarah goes to the door.

Jake turns a tad pale and his eyes grow wide in astonishment. "Abby, what in the world? Your face...it's really bad." Jake seems scared. He's not used this kind of thing. Abby ignores him, she's in nurse mode. I lift my hand to my face, it feels sticky. "How long was I out?" I whisper. It's obvious that I've been out for a little while as the blood has congealed some, and I can barely open my right eye.

"Okay Abby, let's get up slowly, we'll help okay. Hold this towel to your face it will probably start bleeding again. We don't want to ruin everyone's appetite in the restaurant now do we?" Sarah winks at me...Spoken like a true nurse. Always others needs and comforts before ourselves. Trying to make me feel better with a little humor.

With help I make it to a sitting position. My head is throbbing and I can feel the weird numbness from the gash on my face. Carefully Sarah and Jake help me to my feet. Leaving the bathroom I endure all the gawking and whispering. We get into the truck and head for the ER at the U.

After a zillion tests and even more questions I am told I don't have a concussion but my right cheek and nose are fractured. I also need some stitches on the right side of my face just below my eye. I am offered something for pain-something strong. Good, I can escape the images that have come forth as a result of the chance meeting this evening. Before I drift off I wonder how I will be able to turn off the horrific scenes that seem to keep flashing in my mind's eye. How will I be able to keep it to myself without going insane? There's not enough tequila in the world.

Copyright © 2010 Tammy Lochmann