Read Hillary_Flesh and Blood Online
Authors: Angel Gelique
“
Are these new?
”
he asked, referring to the red lace thongs she had been wearing.
Kathy shook her head, lying.
“
Liar!
”
Michael erupted, slapping her across the face. The sting radiated down to her jaw, exacerbating her pain. She sobbed heavily, cringing as she felt him grope her inner thigh.
“
It doesn
’
t matter,
”
he panted softly,
“
all that
’
s in the past. From now on
,
you
’
re mine...you understand me? You do as I say. Got it?
”
Kathy said nothing. She couldn
’
t believe this was actually happening. She had feared this day for so long
and
now that it was here, it didn
’t seem real. It was
more like a horrific dream.
“
You hear me, Kath?
”
he asked, roughly shaking her out of her trance.
“
Uh-huh,
”
she muttered nervously.
Without further warning or discussion, Michael positioned himself over Kathy and raped her, purposefully being as rough as possible. Kathy uttered muffled cries of pain and anguish. When he was done, he burst out laughing.
“
You thought you could just kill my baby,
”
he
snickered
,
“
well, we
’
ll do this every day
‘
til you give me a new baby.
”
True to his word, Michael raped Kathy every night for two months straight before his sexual assaults decreased to every other night then a couple of times a week. What Michael did not know was that Kathy had a sub
-
dermal contraceptive implanted within her arm the same day
that
she had the abortion. She knew he could not impregnate her but Michael grew puzzled and suspicious. Was she taking birth control pills? He searched throughout her dresser drawers, the closet, the bathroom, even within the kitchen cabinets, looking for an explanation. He would have been furious to find something, but not finding anything likewise infuriated him. He wanted a baby. He would make sure Kathy became pregnant once and for all.
First he made Kathy drop out of school. Then he made her quit her job at the deli. Slowly he isolated her from her friends and family members. Still, months later, Kathy was not pregnant.
Frustrated, he approached Kathy one night after returning from his job in a supermarket. As he had on numerous o
cca
sions, he accused her taking birth control pills.
“
I
’
m not on the pill,
”
she argued truthfully.
“
Then why aren
’
t you pregnant?
”
“
I don
’
t know,
”
she lied.
“
It
’
s because of that damn abortion,
”
Michael shouted angrily. Thinking about the abortion enraged him. Kathy noticed the transformation and slowly stepped away from him.
“
Where are you going?
”
he yelled.
“
Nowhere...I...I was just going to serve your dinner.
”
“
I don
’
t want dinner, I want a baby!
”
Why is he so obsessed with getting me pregnant,
Kathy wondered nervously.
“
Okay...how
‘
bout a beer?
”
Kathy had been discovering ways she could diffuse his anger. She could usually distract him or stroke his ego somehow. Sometimes, when all else proved unsuccessful, she would resort to sex. That night, the distraction seemed to help.
“
Fine, bring me two,
” Michael had demanded, still i
rate, but losing his violent edge.
Michael
’
s dominion and control over every aspect of Kathy
’
s life increased throughout the months and years until at last she was no more than his obedient puppet. When he proposed to her three years later, she didn
’
t hesitate to accept his offer. It wasn
’
t out of fear, either. To her surprise, she discovered she actually loved him and was content being his sheltered soon-to-be bride. He had temper flare-ups now and again, but for the most part, he was good to her. He
seemed to genuinely love
her.
Kathy and Michael secured a marriage license and were married at the Town Hall within a week. It was far from the wedding Kathy had always dreamed of, but she was satisfied just knowing she would be his wife. She was even ready to take the next step...to finally give Michael the child he had longed for.
Michael believed that Kathy had somehow been rendered sterile by the abortion she had. Now, as his wife, Kathy was ready
—
indeed, eager
—
to get pregnant. A baby would help fill the void in her life. Unable to work, per Michael
’
s command, Kathy
’
s day consisted of waking up, making the bed, brewing a pot of coffee, cooking breakfast for Michael, tidying up the kitchen, vacuuming the family room, washing a load of laundry, watching daytime television for a couple of hours, then running whatever errands needed to be done. The highlight
s
of her days were visiting the library and splurging on baked good
s
from a nearby bakery. A baby would greatly improve the quality of her life.
Yet Kathy discovered that it wouldn
’
t be easy. She was supposed to have her contraceptive implant removed after three years of insertion. Nearly five years later, the rod could not be located within her arm. To her dismay, an ultrasound proved ineffective to locate it. She was going to have an MRI scan but was informed that it would be a waste of time
since so much time had passed. T
he rod would
eventually
lose its hormonal effectiveness. Kathy knew it was her fault; she had begged the doctor to insert it deeply so that she could keep it hidden from Michael. Even after it was first inserted, she could not feel it under her skin. Now she was being punished for her deception.
Long after the sub
-
dermal contraceptive should have been rendered ineffectual, Kathy was distraught to find each month that she was not pregnant. She started to believe, as Michael, that her reproductive system had been damaged when she hastily decided to abort their unborn baby.
Wallowing in self-pity and depression, Kathy gave up her dream of becoming a mother. Seeing the
unpleasant
change
in
her, but not knowing the real reason, Michael allowed her to find a job. He thought she was going stir-crazy at home with nothing to do. He
truly
did care about her
now
. Her income would also allow them to buy a house, live the American dream.
Kathy found a job at the library and slowly accepted her fate. She was once again content with her life the way it was. Seven months later on a
cold
morning in
November
, after throwing up her breakfast, Kathy knew she was given a second chance at motherhood. A visit to the doctor the following day confirmed her belief. She was beside herself with joy.
Nothing could
wipe the smile off her face.
Later that evening when Michael returned home from work, she surprised with a feast of all his favorite foods.
“
What
’
s all this for?
”
he questioned suspiciously.
“
I have the most amazing news,
”
she replied, unable to contain her excitement.
Michael knew instantly. Kathy was beaming. A smile formed on his face before he was even able to fully comprehend the news.
“
Are you...are you pregnant, baby?
”
Kathy nodded as she squealed in delight and flung herself within his strong arms. Michael kissed her passionately.
“
I can
’
t believe it!
”
he exclaimed,
“
all those years we tried, all those....
”
Suspicion veiled his face as he stopped speaking. Kathy knew what was coming. She slowly backed away and turned her attention to the food on the table.
“
It
’
s not mine, is it?
”
he shouted.
“
What?
”
Kathy asked, puzzled. She thought he had realized that she had been on
birth control all those years. S
he didn
’
t think he would question her fidelity.
“
That
’
s why, isn
’
t it?
”
he yelled angrily,
“
you couldn
’
t get pregnant with me so you whored around. Who
’
s the father? Some loser you met at the library?
”
“
No!
”
Kathy protested, scared yet outraged by his accusation.
Should I just tell him about the birth co
ntrol,
she wondered, but decided it would only
add fuel to the fire
.
“
Sweetheart, I love only you,
”
she assured him,
“
this is your baby in me, it
’
s yours....
”
Michael glared furiously at her for several long seconds before his face softened.
“
Really, Kathy?
”
he asked almost shyly.
Kathy nodded, smiling.
“
All yours,
”
she replied,
“
if you have any doubts you can even get a paternity test, but I swear to you, this is your child.
”
Michael believed her, possibly because he had wanted a baby so desperately. He was going to be a father at last.
For the next eight months, Michael treated Kathy like a queen, catering to her every craving, every need. On
July
13, 1997, Hillary Anne Greyson was born. Pink and perfect, Michael had
no need what
soever to seek a paternity test. Hillary was his; she belonged to him.
When Hillary was a year old, Kathy became pregnant again. Michael worked even harder to provide for his growing family. The year after their second child, Caleigh, was born, Michael and Kathy moved to rural Maple Trails, South Carolina.
Hillary seemed to be the perfect child. She was a beautiful, smart, well-behaved, happy girl. Through the years, she continued to grow even more beautiful, smart, confident and happy...until that ill-fated day when happiness would become a distant memory.
~2~
Just by chance, Michael happened to be home early the night Bobbi Sutton, an agent from Child Protective Services, visited the home. His heart raced, not knowing if Hillary had contacted them with accusations of abuse. Kathy approached the doorway as Michael allowed the woman
to enter
.
Bobbi Sutton stood at five feet, three inches tall. She had dark hair and
dazzling
grey eyes. She looked young, no more than thirty. Yet despite her girlish figure and appearance, she had a clear
“
no-nonsense
”
attitude.
“
Are you Mrs. Greyson?
”
she asked Kathy. Kathy nodded nervously. She knew why this woman was here. It had been nearly a month since Hillary
last
attended school.
“
My name is Bobbi Sutton...as I mentioned to your husband, I
’
m from Child Protective Services.
”
Mrs. Sutton extended her hand as she added,
“
I
’
m here about your daughter Hillary.
”
Kathy shook Mrs. Sutton
’
s hand quickly then pulled her hand away. She looked visibly nervous and jittery.
“
Go get Mrs. Sutton a cup of coffee,
”
Michael ordered,
“
I
’
ll take care of this.
”
Mrs. Sutton made a mental note of Michael
’
s domineering presence and Kathy
’
s obedience. Kathy quickly retreated to the kitchen to brew a fresh pot of coffee.
“
So what
’
s this about?
”
Michael asked, confidence replacing his fear.
He came off a bit too gruff and intimidating for Mrs. Sutton
’
s liking. She was used to dealing with all walks of life in her profession. She had met some of the nicest people, but many of worst and scariest. She wasn
’
t about to let Michael bully her. She got right to the point.
“
Why hasn
’
t Hillary been going to school?
”
Michael mentally sighed in relief. His secret was still safe.
“
I know, I know,
”
he said calmly,
“
my wife and I have been working on that. I think she was being bullied at school.
”
“
Oh?
”
Mrs. Sutton asked, arching her eyebrows.
“
Did you discuss it with the Principal at her school? With her teachers?
”
“
Not me personally, my wife may have. Hillary
’
s very shy, very sensitive...she doesn
’
t like to cause trouble.
”
“
Cause trouble? How so?
”
“
Well you know, she wouldn
’
t want to get anyone in trouble.
”
“
Mr. Greyson, you
’
re being awfully evasive. What exactly did Hillary tell you about being bullied?
”
Michael
’
s face began to redden.
“
Some girls have been picking
on
her, that
’
s all,
”
he replied snidely.
“
Which girls?
”
“
How the hell would I know? I don
’
t go to her school.
”
“
Mr. Greyson, there
’
s no need to raise your voice. I
’
m here to help Hillary, as I
’
m sure you
’
re interested in doing as well.
”
“
Yes, of course...I apologize. It
’
s just very upsetting.
”
Kathy appeared before them.
“
Why don
’
t you come into the family room and have a seat?
”
she suggested.
Michael sneered.
“
Why don
’
t you get back to
—”
he began but was interrupted by Mrs. Sutton.
“
Actually, Mrs. Greyson, please join us. You probably have more information than Mr.
Greyson
.
”
She turned to Mr. Greyson and with a facetious smile on her face, added
“
you know, girls confide more in their mothers.
”
Mr. Greyson
’
s stone face made it apparent that he was not pleased by her suggestion but he did not reply. The three of them walked to the family room. Kathy and Michael sat on the oversized beige micro
-
suede couch while Mrs. Sutton took a seat on the matching loveseat adjacent to them.
“
Mrs. Greyson, what did Hillary say about being bullied in school?
”
Mrs. Sutton asked.
“
Bullied?
”
Kathy looked puzzled; Hillary had never made any such claim.
“
Ha!
”
Michael exclaimed loudly,
“
I guess you were wrong about mothers and daughters.
”
“
What?
”
Kathy questioned,
“
Hillary was bullied in school?
”
“
My wife has no clue what
’
s going on,
”
Michael said,
“
Hillary
’
s a daddy
’
s girl, I
’
m the one she confides in. She
’
s embarrassed to tell people about it...even her own mother.
”
“
Hmmm,
”
Mrs. Sutton replied, skeptically.
“
But I
—”
Kathy started.
“
Isn
’
t the coffee ready, dear?
” Michael interrupted. H
is tone had an obvious edge
making it clear that
he was barking an order.
Kathy quickly rose to her feet.
“
Yes, yes, I
’
ll go get the coffee,
”
she said apprehensively.
Mrs. Sutton scribbled notes in her pad. Michael wondered what negative things she was writing about him. He knew he
’
d have to do some damage control. He could be charming, persuasive. He
’
d have her praising him like a Messiah before she left.
“
I have to tell you something,
”
he leaned toward her and whispered.
“
What is it?
”
she asked, staring attentively
into
his
piercing
blue eyes.
“
My wife, Kathy...she
’
s mentally ill. She suffered a breakdown a few months ago. It
’
s had an effect on all of us, but mostly Hillary.
”
Mrs. Sutton
’
s glare was unwavering. She didn
’
t trust Michael. He gave off bad vibes and she had learned to trust her instincts.
“
What kind of breakdown?
”
“
I guess it was a post-partum thing, we have an infant.
”
“
Oh
? H
ow old
’
s the baby?
”
“
Well he
’
s two, I know, not exactly a baby, but ever since she had him, Kathy
’
s been depressed.
”
“
She didn
’
t seem depressed to me....
”
“
She hides it well in public and in front of outsiders.
”
“
I see,
”
Mrs. Sutton replied as she scribbled more notes.
“
What does her doctor say?
”
“
Oh Kathy
’
s too stubborn to go to the doctor, she insists she can cope on her own.
”
“
Mr. Greyson, are you telling me that your wife has been unstable for two year
s
, that she
’
s been depressed and suffered a mental breakdown but hasn
’
t sought professional help?
”
Mrs. Sutton furrowed her brows as she waited for his response. She was growing increasingly annoyed and suspicious.
“
That
’
s right, Bobbi is it? Can I call you Bobbi?
”
“
No, I
’
d rather you didn
’
t, Mr. Greyson.
”
She was a tough nut to crack. Michael narrowed his eyes. Still, Mrs. Sutton
’
s resolve remained strong. She was going to
f
ind out why Hillary Greyson stopped going to school.
“
So what did Hillary tell you about being bullied?
”
“
There
’
s a group of girls who were picking on her...you know, typical teen girl bullshit, they
’
re jealous of her is all.
”
“
What precisely did Hillary say they did or said to her to make her so upset that she
no longer
want
s
to go to school?
”
“
They call her names, you know, like slut, bitch, whore....
”
“
Have they hurt her physically?
”
“
No, not like that.
”
“
How many girls have been bullying her?
”
“
Three or four.
”
“
What are their names?
”
“
I don
’
t know...that
’
s not relevant.
”
“
It
’
s very relevant, Mr. Greyson, if you claim Hillary
’
s being bullied so badly that she doesn
’
t want to attend school any
more
. Any reasonable parent would go to the school immediately and get to the bottom of it.
”
“
Yeah, well, I think Kathy tried that early on and
—”
“
Kathy? You mean your wife who had no clue that Hillary is allegedly being bullied?
”
Michael
’
s face burned red with embarrassment and anger.
“
Look, we
’re private people
we deal with things our way.
”
“
Do you know that truancy is against the law? You could be in a lot of trouble, Mr. Greyson.
”
“
Bullshit! We
’
ll deal with
—”
“
Where
’
s Hillary? I have to speak with her.
”
Michael went from angry to nervous. He swallowed hard then bit his lower lip.
After hesitating, he replied,
“
she
’
s not home.
”
It was an obvious lie.
“
Oh?
”
Mrs. Sutton challenged,
“
Then
where is she?
”
Kathy returned carrying a silver-toned tray with a cup of coffee, a sugar bowl, a creamer and a spoon. She set th
e tray upon the coffee table.