Black and Blue:

(Chapter 1)

I searched the recesses of my mind back to a time when I thought I was in control of my life. How had my life ever become so unmanageable? Lost. Spending most of my youth buried in books, writing in my diary and listening to my mothers eight tracks, I spent little time cultivating my common sense. Raped at the age of thirteen, I turned to anything that would take away the pain and shame. I replayed the events of the last year over in my mind as I stood on the door step, prolonging the inevitable.

It was shortly after 1:00 a.m., I was intoxicated and at the peak of my high. The night was just beginning, according to my internal clock, but the Tree House night club would be closing soon. I had spent a good portion of the evening downstairs socializing with two tall, dark haired attractive men. We drank and danced, laughed and drank, and drank some more. I made it a policy never to remember the strangers’ names that I met in bars. Generic names such as 'Babe' and 'Hon' were sufficient, and this nonchalant, detached attitude kept me impermeable to feeling.

The Treehouse Night Club was located on North Diamond Bar Blvd. next door to the only bowling alley in town. The bar was two stories. The first floor was littered with black lights which hid the extensive amount of dirt ground into the burnt orange carpet. Once inside there were many options to choose from. At the south end of the first floor was a raised stage where five nights a week live music was performed. A dance floor sat beneath the stage. To the right of the entry way were two electronic dart boards which ninety percent of the night were in use. There was an abundance of tables located on the bottom level. A bar that stretched fifteen feet across the west wall was brightly lit by neon beer and spirit signs. To the left of the entrance was a staircase leading to the second floor. Once at the top of the stairs, a small service bar, with five stools in front of it, lay to the left along with the rest rooms past the bar. To the right three pool tables were horizontally aligned, and the felt that covered the table tops was stained with alcohol. Bright fluorescent lights hung above each table so the players could clearly see their shots. The design was such that from the seats one could look over the railing to observe what was happening below.

I tilted my head toward the upstairs and I caught a glimpse of some familiar faces, Darin, Danny and Larry, seated along the railing. Danny had been a constant friend and ex-lover. He stood 5' 10' with short brown hair and small, round brown eyes with gold flecks throughout the iris. He had a medium build, but when he drank continuously for days his abdomen expanded. If he’d been a woman, an onlooker would have consider him pregnant. That was the only part of his body that outwardly showed the effects of his drinking. I had only met Darin briefly through mutual friends. He was a handsome Hispanic man with wavy dark hair and green eyes. The man that caught my eye was Larry Jennings.

I had met Larry eight years ago. My family and I had moved from Glendora to Diamond Bar the summer between my sophomore and junior year. I had met him the first day of my junior year at Diamond Bar High School. We hung out, drank and snorted lines together until he was expelled from school shortly into the academic year. Our brief friendship disappeared with his expulsion. Our paths crossed periodically without acknowledgment by either of us that at one time we had been friends. I was preparing for marriage and college while he was still the same guy I had met in high school. It had been three years since the last time we encountered one another.

Tonight there was something different about him. Maybe it was the mischievous glimmer in his beautiful blue eyes that sparked an interest in me. I decided to simply reacquaint myself with Larry. I excused myself from my present company and sauntered across the room and up the stairs, attracting wanton stares. I was clad in my three inch high black pumps, a tight black mini skirt that hung just below my bottom, a sheer white blouse and a small black hand bag draped over my shoulder.

Arriving at their table, I stood between Darin and Danny. I wrapped my arms around each of their shoulders and gave them both a peck on the cheek.

'How are you, boys?'

Not giving either of them a chance to reply, I looked at Larry, who was sitting directly across from his friends. I flashed a warm, seductive smile his direction. His fine blonde hair cascaded down his shoulders and his boyish features gave him the appearance of innocence. He stood about 5'11' with a slender lean build. I was completely captivated by his charming good looks.

How are you, Larry? It's been a long time.'

'Too long, Louise,' he replied.

'What is happening after the club closes tonight?' I inquired.

'Stop by my house if you like, I'm having a little after hours party. Do you remember where I live?'

'I think so.'

'Let me give you my phone number just in case.'

He then proceeded to write his number on a cocktail napkin and handed it to me. Slipping the number in my purse, I said 'I'll see you guys later.' I returned to my evenings companions.

I explained to my new found friends of the evening that I did not drive to the bar. I convinced them to drive me to the south end of town, Larry's house. Last call was being made, and while most of the patrons were scampering to the bar to purchase their last cocktail of the evening, I and the two men vacated the premises to the parking lot. We hopped into a silver Acura, drove to the south end in search of Larry's pad, but to no avail. We decided to go back to the driver's house and continue the merriment.

The bedroom window faced to the West. The rising sun pierced through the window pane, awakening me from sleep. I cupped my temples in the palm of my hands, hoping the pressure would be relieved, and I squeezed my eyes shut to block out the morning light. A hazy vision of the night before swirled in my mind. I opened my eyes and surveyed the room. The bedroom was decorated in deep, rich maple wood, and forest green was the color dominating the room. The room had a definite masculine affectation. Who was this naked man lying naked next to me? It was a question that did not concern me for more than a moment. I had long since stopped being shocked by my actions.

Careful not to make a sound, I slipped out of bed, gathered my clothes and slipped them on, carrying my high heels in my hand. I tip-toed over to the chair where his pants hung and searched his pockets for his wallet. Finding the wallet, I took just enough money for a cab ride home and checked his driver's license in order to get the address for the cab company. Placing the wallet back in his pants pocket, I managed to leave the bedroom without disturbing him. I called the local cab company to drive me home.

To the Galleria apartments on North Street in Anaheim, please,' I told the cab driver.'

Arriving at my apartment complex, which I shared with two other girls, Janis and Carol, who were out of town for the weekend, I headed straight for the elevator. The complex was three stories, four buildings. They were arranged in a manner creating a large rectangular courtyard in the middle with all the amenities one could ask for. A gym, jacuzzi, pool and gas grills. We lived on the second floor, in the building furthest from the office, building four. The laundry room was directly across the hall from our front door. All the apartments were reached by walking down brightly lit corridors. It was designed much like a hotel. The carpet that was throughout the building was a dingy brown seventies style covering.

I entered the apartment. It was a three bedroom, two bath floor plan. I went directly to my room, which was the