Chapter 3

I took my time in the shower, trying desperately not to think about the things I saw today and the things that were done to me. At first I tried not to think about what I’m going to say this evening after Todd comes home. I’m going to have to try very hard not to get emotional. I’ll need to be calm and relate what I saw and what was done to me today in the most matter-of-fact manner I’m capable of, if I am actually capable of doing that. And I still haven’t made up my mind about telling Todd my reaction to being raped. How can I tell my loving husband I was humiliated and as a result of the things they did to me I was aroused?!

I’ll need to do everything in my power to keep Todd from exploding and doing something which will only make things worse. At the same time, I’ll need to do whatever I can to keep Vicky from losing it. She needs to have some idea what our life is going to be like. I can’t protect her from those animals. The best I can do is try to give her the strength to survive the abuse we’re going to suffer for the next three years.

I heard Vicky when she came home. She came upstairs, changed clothes and tapped on my door. I told her to come in and we talked about her first day in her new school. I’m happy to hear she loves it and has already made a few friends. The one room schoolhouse she’s attending is different in one major respect from the one room schoolhouses with which I’m familiar. When I was growing up in Vermont the few remaining one room schoolhouses only went up to the eighth grade. This one goes all the way up to the twelfth grade. I feel sorry for that poor teacher.

Vicky and a girl who lives around the corner are the only two in the twelfth grade. She quickly made friends with her classmate, Chris.

She also made friends with the two kids in the eleventh grade, Toby and Paula. And she really likes the teacher. She’s friendly and has a great sense of humor.

Other than that, her only comment was to say that a lot of the kids, or at least the older kids, seem quiet and withdrawn. I fear I have a pretty good idea what explains that.

Vicky went down to the kitchen to get a drink. Then she’s going to get to work on the little bit of homework she has. I was relieved when she didn’t seem to be aware of the funk I’m in. I’m still not ready to talk about my day.

I stayed in our bedroom trying very hard not to freak out until Todd came home. He came upstairs to change clothes, kissed me and we talked about his day while he was getting out of his suit and into his casual clothes. It wasn’t until he was dressed in his shorts and one of his old Harley t-shirts that he noticed how tightly wrapped I am. He came back over to where I’m sitting, caressed my hair and asked, “Honey? What’s wrong?”

I sighed and responded, “Everything. But we need to put this off until after we eat. And I’m afraid Vicky and Kisi both need to be there.”

He dropped to his knees, looked up at me quietly said, “I fucked up, didn’t I? I made a huge mistake taking this job.”

I leaned down, kissed him and replied, “It wasn’t your mistake. It was our mistake. But we had no way of knowing. After our dinner with Mr. Boateng at his hotel all three of us were excited about the opportunity he was offering us. But we’re trapped now. We only have one option. We have to do whatever we can to get through this and come out as unchanged as possible. It isn’t going to be easy. And I’m really worried about Vicky. But that kid has always impressed me. As long as we don’t crack I’m certain she’s strong enough to survive the unthinkable. But let’s leave this conversation for after dinner.

“Oh, and as for bugs being planted in our homes. They are. But not just in our homes. They’re everywhere. Remember last night when I called Mr. Boateng a bastard at the playground?”

Todd smiled and nodded.

“Well, he heard me and corrected me today. Fortunately, he seemed amused. I’ve come to the conclusion that the only way to deal with the situation is to ignore it. I have no intention of being careful about what I say. If he doesn’t like what I say, fuck him if he can’t take it. I’m sure he’s had his feelings hurt in the past.”

I know. It isn’t going to be Mr. Boateng who gets fucked. But after only one day of it I’m tired of being so careful about what I say. If he doesn’t like it he can fire Todd and we can go home.

Todd got to his feet with a very worried look on his face and we went downstairs. Vicky is sitting at the kitchen table doing her homework and Kisi is just about ready to put another delicious meal on the table. Todd went to the cabinet which he has turned into a makeshift bar and said, “I think I need something stronger than wine tonight. What would you like, Lexi?”

“I think I’d like a Sidecar please, and make it a double. And I think it might be a good idea to give Vicky a ginger ale with a shot of Canadian whisky in it. She’s gonna need it.”

I found out what Kisi has prepared for dinner and started setting the dining room table, totally ignoring her pleas for me to stop doing her job. After I finished setting the table I asked her, “Kisi, would you like a cocktail?”

She smiled and replied, “I don’t drink, Lexi. But thank you for asking.”

I turned to Todd and said, “Maybe you should make her a weak mixed drink. I think we’re all going to need a little help us get through this evening.”

The only conversation at the dinner table this evening was when Vicky told her father about her first day of school in a one room schoolhouse. After that everyone ate in silence. They’ve all heard enough to know I had a bad day today and we’re going to discuss it after we eat.

After we ate, Kisi and Vicky cleaned off the dining room table. Once again Kisi’s pleas to let her do her job were ignored. While she was feeding the dishwasher, Todd made everyone another drink. Then we all sat down and I said, “As you all know now, Mr. Boateng called today and asked me to meet him downtown. He had already given Abam instructions. Abam drove me downtown and parked in front of the city jail. Before Mr. Boateng let me leave he ordered me to tell Todd and Vicky what happened there today. It was the most disturbing day of my life. Kisi, he never mentioned you. I have no idea if he intends include you in his fun and games. But even if he doesn’t it’s inevitable that you’re going to see things which will disturb you. I think it’s best that you are prepared.”

I spent the next hour or so reliving the horrible things I witnessed and the things that happened to me today in as much detail as I’m able to provide. I kept an eye on the others gathered around the table to try and judge their reactions. Todd was easy to read. He looks like he’s going to explode. Kisi is shocked and more than a little scared.

Vicky was much harder to read. When I finished my narration I turned to Vicky and asked, “Sweetheart, I’m sorry to embarrass you like this but I have to know, are you still a virgin?”

Surprisingly, she grinned at my obvious discomfort and replied, “Sorry to disappoint you, mom. But no. Not for over a year now.”

I smiled and said, “Good. That should hopefully make what they have planned for us a little easier for you.”

Then I said to Todd, “We need to take her to the clinic and get her on some form of birth control.

“Kisi, as I told you earlier I don’t know if Mr. Boateng intends to include you in his disgusting games but just in case, are you using birth control. I know you’re young but I doubt if he cares about that.”

She sighed and after looking around at our faces she quietly said, “I can’t have babies. I had an infection when I was young. My ... I can’t have any babies.”

“I’m sorry, Kisi.”

She shrugged and said, “I was upset at first. But it doesn’t bother me so much now.”

After a brief silence, Vicky asked, “What about you, mom?”

“I had some serious complications when you were born. I’m no longer able to have children either. That bothered me at first. But after spending the first five years of your life dealing with your crazy ass I decided it was for the best.”

She chuckled and said, “And I ain’t half through driving you guys crazy.”

We sat around for a few minutes after that, sipping our drinks and thinking about what’s in store for us for the next three years. Vicky asked a few very embarrassing questions but Todd and Kisi just listened.

After a few minutes of silence I asked Todd, “You looked like you were going to explode when I was describing what happened today. Are you okay? Are you going to be able to keep your cool when the shit hits the fan?”

When I said ‘the shit hits the fan’ Kisi almost choked on her drink. We all looked at her. She’s holding her hand over her mouth and trying to keep a straight face. After a minute or two she said, “I’ve never heard that expression before. When you said it I could just picture it. Disgusting, but very amusing. Thank you. I think I needed that.”

I smiled at her and said, “Kisi, I’m very sorry you got pulled into this situation. Is there any way you could leave, go live with relatives or something? It isn’t fair that someone as nice as you has to deal with this mess. I very much hope that pervert has no plans for you but I don’t trust him.”

“I have no place to go but don’t feel bad, Lexi. It certainly isn’t your fault. You didn’t create this situation. And maybe I can be here to help you, to make you feel better after ... you know.”

I turned my attention back to Todd and said, “Honey, you didn’t answer the question.”

He sighed and said, “I know it’s going to be much harder for you and Vicky. But it’s pretty clear what’s going to happen to us ... well, to you and Vicky. I’ve always known it was my job to protect you and Vicky. No, not a job, a solemn obligation.

“As hard as it was to hear about the things you saw today and the things they did to you, I don’t doubt they have every intention of ... of doing those things when I’m home and making me witness them raping my wife and daughter. I’m sorry but I just can’t promise you I can witness that and not lose my temper. Especially when it comes to the rape of my teenage daughter.