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+A compassionate man
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I was sitting in Jeff's car riding through downtown Houston, TX. It was raining and dreary, but I was pumped up. Even the dull podcast he played couldn't persuade me to drop my smile. It was fantastic as fuck seeing the sights of downtown. I was raised about an hour away and had never been to the city or elsewhere in the longhorn state.
"Can we stop at Whataburger?" I asked, looking toward his focused face.
I was unsure if it was the road or the guys on the radio rambling on about politics he was concentrating on right now. Jeff was in one of his moods, and I couldn't be happier not to hear his voice.
I turned my sights on the buildings and painted murals, enjoying being back home.
"I want to get that building right, there," he said after a while.
"It looks like a haunted house." I chuckled, my eyes drifting to the rundown building, and followed it as we passed. It looked worse than the store Jeff owned and where I worked.
"I'll remodel, of course."
I nod as if I care and look out the window.
"I'll buy us a condo downtown. Something high up overlooking the whole city so you can get over your fear of heights," Jeff eagerly added.
I am not thrilled by that since I don't want to go with him to Houston. But he's set on our future together, while I think it would be best to move back in with my aunt. I tell him yet again how I feel, and his brows crease, his expression stained in irritation that makes my heart flutter.
"No."
"Why not? You said this was only temporary."
"It is, but it's not over, I told you. You need someone to take care of you."
"I can take care of myself, Jeff. I've been doing it since I was a kid. Seriously, as long as I get my money like YOU promised. I can enroll in nursing school in the spring in Grainville, and you can do what you want in Houston."
"Wait, nursing?" His nose turns up as if I had said I wanted to be a stripper.
"What's wrong with a nurse? I swear you act like everything is beneath you. There is nothing wrong with being a nurse. They make good money, and I'll always have a job because there will always be sick people."
"I understand that, sweetheart, but...." Jeff trails off and grips the steering wheel, becoming frustrated, "I said no. You'll get a business degree first. Then you can do that nursing shit on your own time while you work for me in Houston."
I scoff, "You want me to be your little sex slave? Suck and fuck you while I go to school and work for you?"
Jeff chuckled, "Damn, you're smart."
I sneer at his mock and fold my arms, "I want to be a nurse."
"I want to be a nurse," comes his high-pitched mimic. "You sound stupid. You can be fucking nurse, but it's good to have a business degree as well. Plus, you've got me as a mentor, and that's an investment in itself. You can do both while you live with me in Houston and make more money. Think about it." Jeff thumps his finger on his temple as if getting the fuck away from him is a foolish idea.
"But, I-
"I win, so stop talking and ride," Jeff smirked.
I sulk into the leather seat and stare back at the window. The buildings are gone, state roads are ahead, and farmlands appear. I marvel at the quiet neighborhoods with modest houses.
"I want to buy a house out here and become a farmer, plant my vegetables, and have like ten kids," I say out loud, waiting for his face to turn up in disgust.
Jeff beamed, "We can have both. A condo in the city and a farmhouse out in the country."
The comment makes me gulp some anxiety, and now I am picturing a life like that with him. It leaves me feeling sick because it's all bullshit. I know one day he will break my heart like he has done to the countless others that crossed his path.
He makes a right turn, and we go into a small town with my requested food choice. I wasn't sure if he had heard me, but I was excited. I love burgers. I'd been in hiding for three months and missed the simple pleasures.
"Let me get a number twelve, water, and a lot of napkins," Jeff spoke into the microphone.
"I want a number-"
"That's all," Jeff drives up.
"Fucking asshole."My brows furrowed in irritation, "You didn't let me order."
"I got you a veggie burger."
"You don't get to select my meals. I am not a fucking child, Jeff."
He smirks at me as I fold my arms.
"I'm not. I am a grown woman, and I wanted onion rings," my voice comes out in a whine, and he laughs.
"I am!"
"You don't need to eat fried onions. You need to watch what you eat so you don't get that." He pokes me in the middle of my forehead, where a pimple has begun to sprout.
"You don't need to tell me what to do!"
Jeff laughed, "Yeah, I do. You're a million-dollar investment, and I plan to turn you into a successful woman," he winked at me.
I argue since I don't deserve this treatment. Jeff turns up the volume on those loudmouth Republicans, and I loudly yell every name in the book at him for his rudeness. It's almost therapeutic to get it all out. He makes me so mad. When he turns the volume down, I stop yelling as the lady at the drive-thru frowns toward us as if I am the crazy one.
He chuckles to the woman, "Sorry about that. My wife is pregnant."
My mouth drops, and she holds an understanding smile, "No, I am not. I am married to a jackass, though." I tell the woman, and her smile fades.
"She swallows them all," Jeff smiled at me.
I've had enough of his mocking. I lunge my arm toward his bearded mug. He catches it and quickly shoves me back into my seat. Now, I am both overpowered and horny.
"You get on my nerves," I tell him as he hands me the greasy bag. I began eating right away in solace.
"You must have been hangry. When we get home, you can nibble on this dick."
Rolling my eyes, I nudged his shoulder, "You didn't get any ketchup."
"You didn't ask, grown woman."
I sneered at the new title, "You were too busy telling people you've knocked me up."
"You might be."
I scoffed and finished eating my fries. Then I got curious, "What would you do? If that happened?"
"What? Get you pregnant?" Jeff shrugged and looked toward me, "When I decide to give you a child. I know you will be a great mother."
I twirled my eyes, "Excuse me? I never agreed to that. And, how would you know?"
"Josh. You were raising your cousin at one point."
It shocked me that he even remembered my cousin's name. I was ready to see him again, knowing he had grown significantly in the last three months. I wondered if Josh was talking or taking some baby steps.
Jeff chuckled, "I know he will be happy to see you."
