Strong Alibi by K.C. Turner (story reading txt) 📗

On her second glass of Chardonnay, the warm lake breeze and the setting sun were finally bringing Elizabeth some peace to her stressful day. She took one more sip of wine, set the glass on the wicker table in front of her, and ventured into the bathroom to fill the tub. “Lavender, for balance,” she said aloud, remembering her mother’s advice as she sat on the side of the tub, allowing a few drops of oil to mix with the swirling hot water.

Leaving the tub to fill, she sat down on the living room floor and thumbed through the album collection to find the best one with lyrics able to reflect her mood. Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here, 1975. Perfect. Though neither of her parents suffered a breakdown like Syd Barrett, they were no longer with her and they weren’t coming back.

“Shine on You Crazy Diamond” began echoing throughout the house. Returning to the bath, she shut off the water. The old claw foot bathtub had reached its limit. She lit some candles and conveniently placed her wine glass next to them on the built-in shelf surrounding the tub before stripping down to her birthday suit. The door remained open so she could hear the music and allowed the room to remain cool enough against the steam.

Slipping into the water, it was as hot as her bare skin could endure. She sunk until the water reached the nape of her neck, covering all other extremities, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As she exhaled, “Wish You Were Here” began to play. Singing along, tears began to form at the crease in her eyelids. She thought of her parents. What would they do right now? What would they say to her to make this terrible day seem like a distant nightmare? You’re Strong, Elizabeth… Her father’s voice echoed in her head.

She didn’t feel strong. She felt like getting dressed and packing a bag, cleaning out her trust account, and disappearing. For good. Forgetting about the small town she was from and everyone in it. I could sign over the title of the lake house to Bill and Marta for their troubles; they would understand. China’s a grown woman; she doesn’t need me for anything. And Martinez – he could – Grappling for an easy way out, she told herself, - he doesn’t need me adding any more drama to his life than I already have.

Frustrated with her own thoughts, she dunked the washcloth in the water and slapped it on her face, the water mixing with her tears. After wiping away the need to feel sorry for herself, she tried to pull it together like she knew her parents would want her to do. What if he does get out early? He really doesn’t give a shit about a protection order, so why bother? But I do need to be prepared… She closed her eyes again and inhaled the lavender that stimulated the air.

Pink Floyd continued to play as the multiple record turntable worked its magic, until there was a loud banging on the dining room door. “You have got to be kidding me!” Elizabeth stood in the tub, the water rushing back and forth from the force of her body. She grabbed her towel from the stool beside her. There was impatient banging on the door again. “Just a minute,” she tried to yell over the music. She pushed the bathroom door shut, just in case she was in view.

Throwing on her terry cloth robe, she went to the door, peeking through the blinds before unlatching the lock. It was Martinez. She smiled and turned the deadbolt to the left. “Hey you! I thought you were going to call?”

He stepped into the dining room and tossed his keys onto the table. “I’ve been trying to call. I was worried about you.” He grabbed her, pulling her close to him. His voice was distantly monotone. “I see I caught you at the perfect time.” He kissed her hard on her lips, scratching her face with his stubble.

Attempting to back away, she was put off by his aggressiveness. “What’s gotten into you?”

“When you didn’t answer, I was beginning to think you were avoiding me.” He tightened his grip on her waist. “You wouldn’t avoid me now, would you, Lizzy?”

Her heart sunk deep within her chest before she slapped him across the face. Her eyes deepened with confusion as his face turned red with fury before he threw her up against the wall with one swift motion of his right hand around her throat. She couldn’t scream. Her mouth was gasping for air that wouldn’t come, like a fish in the hot sun that just washed up on the sand. Tears welled in her eyes and trickled down her face from the compounding fear and the inability to breath.

He tilted his head, his face stone cold as she struggled. “Isn’t this how you like it, Lizzy?”

There was a knock at the door and his hand fell to his side releasing her. She sucked the air desperately making a sickly sound as she placed her own hands around her throat as if to help the air enter her body. Upon the water entering her windpipe, Elizabeth’s eyes shot open and she grabbed the sides of the tub and forced herself to sit up, the water slashing around her. She grabbed the towel beside her on the stool and shoved it to her face as her lungs expelled the small amount of liquid that choked her. There was another knock at the door.

Becoming concerned, Martinez rapped at the door impatiently over the music. “Liz? Are you okay?” He paced back and forth across the wooden floor on the porch periodically looking in the windows and wondering how long he should wait before kicking the door in. He leaned his elbow on the wall beside the door and grabbed his