Twisted Thursday: Jaded, Part 3 (By Saria Monette)

“Hello … Baby, who’s Rico?” Melvin asked again, waving his hand in front of Jade’s blank stare.

“He’s …” Jade began, but stopped herself. It couldn’t end like this. She couldn’t give in this easily. Time to flip the script. “Wait … were you listening against the door?”

“I just … uh …” Melvin managed to utter before Jade interrupted.

“You just what? Couldn’t wait for me to get back to the dining room?”

“Look, baby. I just heard you yell, so I got up to see if everything was alright.”

Okay, so far so good. Jade thought to herself. Just breathe and hold it together.

“But the whole double-oh-seven, super spy thing was totally uncalled for. That’s what people do when they don’t trust each other.”

“I trust you, Jade. But …”

“No, buts … either you trust me or you don’t, Melvin. Right?”

“Baby, if I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t be marrying you in a few weeks. But you have been acting a bit out of character lately.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“You were late today. You’re never late, and certainly not over an hour late. Not to mention how frazzled and distant you’ve been.”

“It’s just work stress. I’ve told you that.”

“Well, maybe I’m overanalyzing things.”

“Maybe.”

“Okay,” Melvin yielded.

“Okay. Now, can we go back in there with Elise and Richard before they think something’s wrong.”

“You still haven’t told me who Rico is, and what he did to make you mad enough to wake the neighborhood.”

“Melvin, baby, we’ll discuss it later.”

“Later?”

“Later. As in, later tonight at your place.”

Jade took Melvin’s hand and led him back toward the dining room. She could feel the tension between them.

“What is taking so long? Y’all better not be freakin’ in my bathroom!” Elise quipped just before Melvin and Jade emerged from the hallway.

“Girl, shut up. Nobody’s sexing it up in your bathroom. We’ve been on our best behavior,” Jade replied with a laugh as she took her seat. Melvin stood behind her.

“Uhm hmm. At least one of you has,” Elise mumbled, rolling her eyes at her best friend.

Jade didn’t like the undertone.

“I think we’re gonna head out. Thanks for having us, you two,” Melvin said.

First he’s eavesdropping. Now he’s speaking for me, Jade thought. What in the hell?

“No. You go ahead, sweets. I think I’m gonna stay and chat with Elise for a while and help her clean up this mess. I’ll meet you in a few.”

“Okay. Goodnight, people.”

***

“Jade, you’re trippin’, ” Elise said finally as the two cleared the dishes from the table.

“I know, I know. Melvin loves me so much and I came very close to ruining my life.”

“So, he didn’t hear much of your conversation with Rico?”

“I think he just heard me say Rico’s name.”

“You mean, he heard you yell Rico’s name. So, who did you tell him Rico is?”

“I didn’t. That’s why I stayed here so I can get my head together and figure a way out of this one.”

“Well, I can’t help you. Ain’t that much creativity in the world.”

“All I know is, I’ve gotta break it off with Rico. That’s clear.”

“Oh … and when did you make this decision?”

“Tonight, and as a matter of fact, I’m going over there right now.”

“But you’re supposed to be meeting, Melvin.”

“I’ll figure something out. See you later, girl.”

Jade placed the last plates into the sink before grabbing her things and rushing out to her car.

***

Rico put the bottle down on the coffee table and stumbled toward the door. Jade had popped up unannounced.

“We need to talk,” Jade said before Rico could get the door all the way open.

“I knew you’d see things my way, baby. Have you made a choice?” Rico said, his speech slightly slurred.

Jade made her way to the couch to sit down. Bottles of Hennessy and Heineken littered the floor and coffee table. Rico stood across the room in front of her, waiting for Jade to speak. She knew what she had to do but she didn’t know where to begin.

“Did you have a party or somethin’?” Jade was concerned. She’d never known Rico to drink more than a couple glasses of wine or a few beers in one night.

“Nah,” Rico answered. His tone was deep and dark, unlike anything Jade had ever heard from him. His stare made her terribly uncomfortable.

“So, you’re drunk? Look, this can wait until you’re sobered up.”

Jade stood to leave.

“You came all the way over here, so say what’s on your mind. I ain’t that drunk.”

“Yes, you are. I said it could wait, Rico. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Jade brushed past him to exit but he grabbed her arm and yanked her back toward him. The gentle Rico was gone. Jade stared at him, at first confused, then frightened. He seemed to be in some far off place.

“Rico, are you crazy? Let me go.”

“Not till you tell me what your ass came to say. You leavin’ me, Jade? Is that it? You just gonna walk out on me?” Rico’s grip on Jade’s arm grew tighter. She was now terrified.

“Rico, let me go!” Jade screamed. “I’m not leaving you — just let me go.”

Without loosening his grip on Jade’s arm, Rico grabbed a fist full of her hair with is other hand.

“You’re a liar,” he growled before slamming Jade to the hardwood floor like a lifeless Barbie doll.

Jade was too shocked to even scream. All she could manage was a silent sob as he ripped off her clothes. I thought he loved me.

Finally, Jade’s shock gave way to rage and she managed to scream, but Rico muffled it with his large hand. Jade clawed and kicked and clawed and kicked — willing to take Rico’s life to save her own. Her attempts were futile, and she was easily overpowered. Jade gave up the fight and faced the inevitable fate — Rico was just too strong and he was determined to violate her.

The tears flowed like crystal streams down Jade’s cocoa face as she tried to pretend this wasn’t happening, like she wasn’t there.

Jade became more numb with each heavy thrust that ripped into her. She slipped in and out of consciousness. This is all my fault.

After about twenty minutes that seemed more like eternity, Rico let out a reverberating animal-like sound then dropped to the floor beside Jade. He’d passed out.

Jade lay still in the fetal position for a few moments before struggling to pull herself into the standing position. Her naked body burned inside and out. Feeling filthy and ashamed, she pieced together her tattered clothes the best she could, hoping Rico would stay out long enough for her to escape.