“Sit down on the couch!” Nane commanded once she’d dragged Tesla inside.
No problem. Her shaky legs could barely support her anyway, thanks to both the cold and the terror of the last fifteen minutes.
A knock on the door.
Nane opened it, stepped out into the hall, and closed the door behind her.
Tesla couldn’t make out the words, but it was obvious she was talking to Dieter.
Her heart raced in anticipation of whatever violence was to come when she returned. She wasn’t sure which was worse anymore—getting her ass beat by Nane or being out in the cold, hungry and homeless.
Nane came back inside a few minutes later and said, “Let’s go.”
“Go where?”
Nane didn’t answer. She just headed toward the area where the bedroom and bathroom were.
You’re kidding, thought Tesla. She really wants to get it on now?
Tesla stood up and followed. Nane stopped short of the bedroom and stepped into the bathroom.
“Come on,” she said, motioning Tesla inside.
What the hell is going on?
The second Tesla stepped inside, Nane grabbed a fistful of her hair with one hand and picked up a bar of soap with the other. Jamming it into her mouth, she hissed, “If you ever—ever—speak such filthy, vile, despicable words to Dieter, me, or anyone else, I promise I’ll make you choke on this!”
Tesla gagged as the waxy lump threatened to cut off her air.
“I won’t just wash that dirty mouth of yours out with soap—I’ll make you eat it and—”
Tesla managed to spit the soap out. It hit the floor with a dull thud. She tried to get to the sink to spit out the soapy saliva—not only because it was disgusting but to keep from getting sick. But Nane held her hair tight, and she couldn’t reach.
“Do you fucking understand me, you rude, sick bitch?” Nane screamed, shaking her as she coughed and choked on the sudsy phlegm. “Answer me!”
Tesla couldn’t speak, so she nodded frantically. At last, Nane released her and stormed out of the room, nearly knocking her over on the way.
Tesla spat into the sink and rinsed her mouth, first with cold water, then mouthwash.
She finally stopped coughing a few minutes later, though she truly believed she’d always taste soap in her mouth.
A streak of movement in her peripheral vision—Nane going from the living room, past the bathroom, and into the bedroom.
Tesla stepped into the hallway, about to head into the living room, but saw Nane packing a suitcase.
“You’re throwing me out?”
“No. We’re going to Turkey next week, remember, dumb shit?”
Tesla wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or horrified. She knew she couldn’t stay with Nane—eventually she’d be killed or seriously hurt—but she didn’t want to go to Turkey either. Warmer weather or not, it was bad enough just trying to figure out how to escape Germany.
“If I promise to behave and never even leave the apartment—let alone swear at anyone—can I please, please just stay here?”
“No, you cannot.”
“But Nane, we need a break from each other if we stand a chance.”
“I said no!”
“Don’t you want us to work out? Be happy together?”
“We will—just as soon as you get your act together, do as you’re told, and behave the way you agreed to behave up front.”
“I’m sorry, Nane, but I never agreed to everything that’s happened, and I don’t—”
“End of discussion! If I say you’re coming with me to Turkey, you are!”
Tesla shut her mouth. Arguing was useless. Nothing was left to say. It was what she did now that mattered.
“I’ll go delete my blog altogether. All of it. I swear I’ll never blog publicly again.”
“I already deleted your so-called blog, little Tezzie.”
Bitch!
“And you’re right—you’ll never blog publicly again.”
Tesla hoped Nane didn’t know she kept copies of everything in a word processor.
She slumped against the bedroom wall as Nane moved the suitcase from the bed and placed it on the floor by the wall. A sigh of resignation escaped her lips. Nane sat at the foot of the bed and faced her.
“Tesla,” she began, “I know I’m not always easy to deal with, but a vacation is exactly what we need. Not a separation.”
In your dreams, lady.
“It’s exactly what we need.”
“But I can barely speak German, let alone Turkish.”
“You can learn. But you don’t have to—you’ve got me. My Turkish isn’t perfect, but I know enough to get us by.”
Nane softened, assuring her the trip would be fun and just what they needed. But Tesla wasn’t going to be fooled by her sweet, sexy gaze again—the one that masked something so much darker. She had forgiven her too many times to think anything would change. And when it did, it never lasted.
If she had any chance of escaping the brutal nightmare she was living, she had to play her cards right.
The weekend arrived.
Tesla lay in bed reading while Nane lounged on the couch watching TV. Nane tried to get her to hang out, but Tesla insisted she couldn’t concentrate with the droning TV. That was true—but she also wanted to keep her distance. Anything could set Nane off.
The phone rang.
Please let it be my aunt, Tesla prayed.
It was.
Tesla ran into the living room and took the phone from Nane, trying not to seem too eager. She hadn’t been able to contact her aunt when Nane wasn’t home—Nane kept the only cell phone and wouldn’t let her use the computer unless she hovered.
“Hello, Auntie,” Tesla said into the phone.
“Hello, Auntie?” her aunt laughed. “That’s a new one. How are you, honey?”
“Oh, so you heard? The weather’s not good at all,” Tesla said, hoping she’d take the hint.
But she didn’t.
“That’s too bad. Is everything else okay?”
“Nope. Not at all.”
Silence.
“You’re just going to have to win the lottery if you want to help your friend Lucindra buy the house of her dreams.”
“So something’s wrong? Is that what you’re trying to tell me—especially since I don’t have a friend named Lucindra?”
“You got it, Auntie. You got it.”
“Is she there?”
“Yes,” Tesla said, smiling at Nane, who was watching her like a hawk.
“And you’re not getting along?”
“Nope. Not at all.”
“Oh, dear.”
“But don’t tell Lucindra that or she’ll want to take an ax to your head.”
Silence. Then: “I see.”
“So what do I do, dear?”
“I would provide her with a little path.”
“How? Send money? A plane ticket?”
“I’d still go with the lottery ticket,” Tesla said, laughing tightly.
“Tesla, it’s going to take time—maybe a week or two.”
“That’s okay. Just make sure she doesn’t get her present on a Saturday, or her husband will steal it.”
“Okay, kiddo, will do. I’ll get a one-way ticket as fast as I can and make sure it arrives on a weekday.”
“She’ll love you for it.”
Nane reached for a candy bar, eyes never leaving her.
“Any day in particular you recommend?”
“No, not really.”
“But how will you get to the airport? Are you within walking distance?”
“Relax, Auntie. Just because I don’t drive and this city’s a bit cold doesn’t mean I don’t get around. If I want to go anywhere out of walking distance, I just run up the street and hop on the bus.”
Nane slowly unwrapped the candy bar, still watching her.
“Yes,” Tesla went on, trying to reassure Nane, “Nane’s fine. We have our moments, but she’s kind enough to give me free room and board, so I can’t complain too much.”
Nane took a slow bite of chocolate. Watching. Watching. Had she even blinked in five minutes?
“So you take the bus when she’s not around?”
“Yes,” Tesla said, leaving out the part where Nane always demanded to see the receipt to confirm the change she allowed had gone toward bus fare.
“Okay, Tess. Help is on the way. You sure about this?”
“I’m as sure about Lucindra as I’ve always been. But guess what? Nane and I are going to Turkey next week. We won’t be back until Friday night, the second. At first I wasn’t too keen—what with not knowing Turkish—but Nane insists it’ll be fun.”
“I love you, Tesla.”
“I love you too, Auntie,” she said, trying not to cry.
“Getting a little homesick?” Nane asked after she hung up.
Tesla chose her words carefully. “Didn’t you, when you lived in New York?”
Nane said nothing—just stared with that same intimidating gaze.
“But the difference between you and me,” Tesla added, “is that you could go home. I can’t even visit mine.”
Still nothing.
“Back to my book,” said Tesla, unable to take another minute under Nane’s searing stare.
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