The Beaten Path

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

In spite of all the tenant drama, I was excelling at the apartment rental business and felt I had found my niche. The empty units were quickly filling and my boss was very impressed. Life seemed to be going too well.  

An apartment was part of my salary and after careful consideration; I picked one on the top floor. I had a great view of the capitol building's gold dome. The job was quite a step up for me financially and I finally had spending money. My first purchase was a stereo. The next necessity was a car. In downtown Denver most people didn't own a car, mainly because it was a hassle and expensive to park in the city. It was much more cost effective to take public transportation or walk. The car I had moved there with had blown the engine so I had been without for a couple months. Seeing my parents was difficult, especially since they lived an hour away. My brand new Geo Metro solved that problem. 

Domestic violence seemed to be everywhere. I couldn't get away from it. The couple in the unit directly below mine would often fight to the point that I could hear. The screaming made it hard not to eavesdrop.  

One night I heard the man yell, "What the hell's wrong with you?!" 

I didn't know exactly what was going on but it couldn't be good from the sound of the woman's tearful pleas. The commotion ended in the slamming of a door. I knew he had to be abusing her and it unnerved me. I wanted to help this woman but I didn't know how. Nothing had really worked when I needed to be saved from Jason, not even the police.  

This awoke a recurring nightmare that I had tried hard to forget. For weeks, I dreamed I was running through endless, shadowed hallways, one leading into another. Jason was methodically in pursuit, like a predator after his prey. My lungs burned and I gasped for air but I didn't dare stop.  

His voice suddenly seemed closer. "Come out, come out wherever you are!" 

I panicked even more and tried to make my feet go faster. A trace of light emanated from the dead end of the current hallway. It was my escape from the darkness, literally. Just as I was about to step into the light an arm wrapped around my neck and tightened. At that very moment, I jolted awake in terror. I couldn't help but wonder if it was a sign of something to come.  

When my stereo could no longer drown out the noise and the other neighbors complained, I decided it was time for the couple to leave. I was getting tired of evictions. 

At least the majority of the renters were good ones. Ann, a newly turned lesbian, liked to come by my office and chat. She always made me laugh.  

She told me once, "I've dated my fair share of men. Wanna know what I learned? Men are stupid. They don't know how to use their brain, at least not the one in their head."  

I couldn't comprehend coming to the point where I'd forever give up on men, but I felt it wasn't for me to judge.  

Ann surprised me one lunch hour with a slice of pizza. 

I smiled and said, "This looks so good. Thanks."  

"Oh it was nothing," she paused before adding, "You look pretty." 

I thanked her for noticing my new outfit. The plum silky blouse enhanced my green-flecked eyes and long, blonde highlighted hair. My dress pants made me look almost skinny. After being with Jason, it was nice to show off my wares without fear of retaliation.  

Ann was still staring at me when she asked, "Are you busy after work?"  

"No. I don't think so." 

"You should drop by for a drink." 

"Is anyone else going to be there?" 

"Probably not."