Running Away to Home

Being the good girl that he knew that she had been since meeting him, and being genuinely afraid of having sex, Kathleen did not think anything when Ernest asked, “Do you really mean what you said? That I can take you wherever I want?” She replied gleefully, “Yes.” With the speed of lightning, Ernest drove downtown to 2nd Street and into the driveway of The Trumpet Motel. Kathleen seemed surprised, but allowed him go inside while she sat in the car. Suddenly, she could feel herself breathing heavily and balling her fist up in defense, as she thought about what Ernest was doing. Kathleen wanted to run, but the distance to a new base for safety was probably too far and too long to run. As Ernest approached the car, putting his wallet back in the pocket Kathleen said angrily, “That’s all you ever wanted with me in the first place, wasn’t it? I didn’t tell you that I wanted to come here! I ain’t doing nothing!” Ernest stared at her, gave a loud sigh and dropped his head. He then asked Kathleen, “Why did you say that I could go wherever I wanted then? Look, I’m taking you home- this is it! I can’t take this teasing anymore. You act like a woman one minute then a little girl!” Kathleen retaliated, “What ‘you mean? Just because I don’t go to bed with you means that I’m not a woman? Huh? Okay then, take me home, and if this is it, then this is it.” She sat with folded arms and breathed heavily. Ernest started the car, quickly put it in rear gear, and skidded quickly almost hitting another car. After circling the block, he wound up back at the motel and got his composure. “Look, baby, I want to be with you, but I ain’t gonna force you. I can’t get my money back, and it’s a shame to let the room go to waste. We…we can watch TV or listen to the radio. I won’t touch you.” Ernest sat on the bed and stared at Kathleen who said nothing. Suddenly he got up, walked around the bed, and held her head kissing Kathleen passionately. She would not respond- sitting on her hands so as not to touch him- but when he turned her loose, she was literally shaking, but she didn’t budge. He said, “That’s it, I can’t take it anymore. I’ll take you home.” He went outside and noticed the tire had a leak, and a flat was inevitable. He shouted, “Damn, as soon as I change the tire, I’ll take you back.”After changing the tire, he came back to the room to wash up. Just before closing the door, he told Kathleen that he loved her, and apologized if he offended her, then shut the door. Kathleen thought this time Ernest wanted more than kisses or putting her hand on his member. If he didn’t it would all be over. Kathleen thought about losing him, then she’d have no one. She took a deep breath, walked to the dresser, looked in the mirror tearfully and said, “I’m sorry, Mama.” She then peeled off her skirt and top, folded them neatly, put them on a chair, but she couldn’t bring herself to take any more clothes. Kathleen rushed to the bed pulling the sheet up to her neck. She closed her eyes tightly and waited for Ernest to come out of the bathroom. When he did, he starred at Kathleen, then asked, “Are you sure?” She looked at him and said, “Yes.” Ernest quickly turned on the clock radio on the dresser to a station that he seemed to know had sexy songs on at this time. Kathleen was shaking so as she watched him turned off the light and lock the door. Kathleen could hear Ernest undo his zipper while reassuring her over and over, “I won’t hurt you, baby, I promise.” Little did Kathleen know that this was the first of many lies to come.