Sarah and Kevin 34

Kevin sent a quick email.

"Hi Mom,
Just wanted to let you know that Peter's going to AA.
Love,
Kevin"

***

Sarah picked up the phone and dialed Jimmy's number. She listened to it ring.

"Hello?" Jimmy answered.

"Hi Jimmy. It's Sarah."

"Hey. What's wrong?" Jimmy's tone was worried.

"Nothing. I just wanted to let you know that I'm not coming over today."

"What's wrong?" he asked again.

"I'm just not feeling well..." Sarah jumped as Jimmy slammed the phone down on her. Oh, great. Now he's mad at me, too.

She sat down at her computer and worked on a short story she was writing. She was just beginning to commune with the muse when she heard a vehicle pull into the driveway. When she looked out the window, she saw Jimmy's pick up truck behind the garage.

"Oh my god," Sarah said aloud and rushed for the stairs.

When she reached the back door, Jimmy was storming up the sidewalk. Sarah ran out without a coat.

Jimmy's eyes widened when he saw her face.

"Je-sus Christ!" he bellowed.

"Jimmy, it's OK."

"Like hell it's OK!" Jimmy looked past her at the house. He moved her aside and marched to the door. Sarah stumbled behind him, shivering violently. He stomped into the kitchen.

"Tansara!" he roared.

"What?" came Peter's snotty reply from the basement.

Sarah was in the foyer. She ran downstairs ahead of Jimmy, jumping down the last three steps. Peter was standing in the middle of the basement floor. Kevin, Tom and Scott were standing by their instruments.

"What the hell?" Peter said as Sarah flew at him. She pushed him up against the basement wall. She wrapped her right arm around his waist and reached her left hand up behind his head. Peter's arms hung at his sides. She laid her head on his chest and watched Jimmy out of the corner of her eye. She heard Peter's heart pounding. The other members of MourningStar stood frozen in place.

"Sarah, let go of that son of a bitch!" Jimmy ordered.

"Jimmy, please, let me explain." Sarah said.

"Now!"

"No."

Jimmy grabbed Peter's shirt sleeves and tried to drag him away from the wall, but Sarah leaned into him so Jimmy couldn't move them. Sarah flinched as the fabric ripped. Peter's head was pushed back but Sarah's hand protected it from hitting the wall. She gasped a little as her knuckles scraped against the wall. Jimmy grabbed her right arm and tried to pull her off Peter.

"You'll dislocate my shoulder again!" she warned. Jimmy immediately released her.

Jimmy backhanded Peter across the face but also hit Sarah in the process. She cried out and held Peter tighter.

"Please stop," Sarah began to cry. "Please. Just let me tell you what happened."

"So you can lie to me some more?"

"I was just trying not to upset you. God damn it. Why is everyone pissed at me?" she wailed.

Peter sighed and tried to push her away.

"No." she said and looked up at him.

"You're in my way," Peter said, looking at Jimmy.

Kevin and Scott finally moved. They stepped in front of Jimmy.

"Come on, man." Scott said. "It's not as bad as it looks."

"Where the hell where you while she was being raped?" Jimmy shoved Scott's shoulder.

"Dragging him off her," Kevin answered.

"I wasn't raped."

"Liar." Jimmy snapped.

"Why doesn't anyone believe me? Don't you think I'd know?"

"I don't think you'd tell me if he had."

"Ugh. I should have just gone to the hospital. Then all you assholes would believe me."

"Well, did you or didn't you?" Jimmy screamed.

"I don't remember," Peter said quietly.

"How god damn drunk were you?"

"At least two bottles of Jack." Kevin said.

Jimmy took several deep breaths. "You will never sing at my bar again, you worthless piece of shit." Jimmy said.