Love on the Run
Part 4: Rated PG-13
Lou paced the outside of the saloon waiting for Charlotte to return. She hated working there now, but after losing her job at the livery, she didn't have much of a choice. At least it was working in the laundry and not as one of the saloon girls. She may have felt like she had lost all of her dignity, but at least she was able to keep her self-respect.
When word had gotten out that she had turned down Bobby's proposal, everything changed. It wasn't long before people in town found out about her affair with Kid and people she'd known for most of her life treated her as an outcast. She even lost her job. If it hadn't been for Charlotte's help and friendship, Lou didn't think she could've survived.
Lou often considered going to Sweetwater, but Kid's letters had stopped, and she had no idea why. On many occasions she had started writing to him but could never finish. She couldn't find the right words to tell him all that was happening or how much she missed him.
"Lou, sorry I'm late." Charlotte approached interrupting Lou's thoughts.
"It's okay," she sighed.
"Thinking of Kid again?" Lou nodded. "You did what you had to Lou. Nobody could fault you for that."
"I know, but it doesn't make it any easier."
The two friends walked back towards Lou's apartment and Charlotte unloaded the bags with their lunch in it. Lou rarely went out in public anymore except for to go to and from work. She preferred to spend as much time in her apartment, that way she didn't have to avoid the stares of the townspeople and listen to their whispering behind her back.
"How's work been? Are some of the girls still being cruel to you?" Charlotte asked concerned. She had had to defend Lou on more than one occasion.
Lou shrugged her shoulders. "They pretty much leave me alone now. You'll never know how much I appreciate all you've done for me."
"It was the least I could do. I just wish it could be more."
Lou nodded her head. "I know."
The two ate silently for the rest of the meal. When they finished, Charlotte asked if she could stay and grab a nap.
"You know how busy it gets over there in the early evening. I'll never get caught up on my sleep."
"That's fine, Charlotte," Lou told her. "You know you're welcome to stay any time."
"Thanks, Lou."
Lou nodded and walked outside and towards the saloon. As usual, she used the back entrance that led to the laundry area. Later that afternoon just as she was finishing her last load, her boss walked by.
"Louise," he greeted her.
"Evenin', Mr. Wicks."
"'Bout done here?"
Lou nodded. "Yes sir."
"Well when you've finished up, I'd like to see you in my office for a moment."
"Alright. I'll be there shortly."
~~ ** ~~
Kid left Katy in front of the dressmaker's shop and hurried up the back stairs to Lou's apartment. He knocked several times and was about to leave when the door finally opened.
"I'm sorry. I was looking for someone else," his heart sank as a strange woman answered the door.
"Kid?"
"Do I know you?"
The brunette shook her head. "No, but the way Lou has talked about you, I'd know you from anywhere. I'm Charlotte," she held out her hand.
Kid shook it. "Lou's friend. I take it since you're here, she's probably at her and Bobby's house. I kinda hoped that..."
"Kid," Charlotte said interrupting. "What are you talking about? Why would she be at Bobby's place?"
"Well, they're married, ain't they?" Kid held his breath hoping what he knew in his heart was true.
Charlotte shook her head. "Where on earth did you get an idea like that?"
Kid smiled and released his breath. "When I came back..."
Charlotte looked puzzled. "You came back here? When? Kid, I think you should come in and let's talk."
~~ ** ~~
"You wanted to see me, Mr. Wicks?" Lou said, knocking on her boss's door. Lou was nervous. She thought she had been a hard worker, and she really needed this job. She didn't know what she would do if he was about to fire her.
"Yes, Louise. Come in and shut the door will ya?" Lou nodded and did as she was asked. "Have a seat," he said pointing to the couch. When she sat down, he crossed the room and sat down next to her.
"Do you like your job, Louise?" he asked, placing his hand on her leg.
"Very much, sir. I'm very grateful to have it."
"Please stop calling me sir. Call me Simon. I'm glad you're grateful Louise. I'm glad I was able to help when the rest of this town turned their back on you."
Lou started to feel very uncomfortable. Wicks kept rubbing her knee and the look in his eyes frightened her. "Um ... I think I better go," she said, standing up and walking towards the door.
Simon grabbed her and pinned her against the wall. "You're not goin' anywhere yet. We have some unfinished business to take care of." Lou's heart stopped as she heard him lock the door.
Wicks used one arm to force Lou against him and used his other hand to turn Lou's face towards him. Lou tried fighting him off, and he slapped her across the face. "Don't make me hurt you," he growled before kissing her.
~~ ** ~~
Kid looked at the clock on the wall for the third time in ten minutes. "Shouldn't she have been back by now?" he asked.
Charlotte could hear the worry in his voice. "Maybe she got held up or something. Saturday nights are always big, and everyone wants everything when they want it."
"I don't like that she's workin' in a brothel. I don't care if it's just doin' the laundry. I wish she would've contacted me. I still don't see why the town treated her so bad. What happened?"
"Kid," Charlotte said placing her hand over his, "that's something she needs to tell you. I don't think I should."
"Somethin' don't feel right, Charlotte. I'm goin' over there."
Charlotte nodded. From what Lou had told her about Kid, she didn't expect him to do anything less.
~~ ** ~~
Lou felt nauseous. Wicks' hands kept touching her and she could tell he'd been drinking.
The more she tried to fight him off, the harder he hit her. She knew she was going to have at least one black eye and her wrists where he held them tightly above her head hurt badly. She had hoped if she went limp and stopped fighting he would just get it over with and leave her be. It only outraged him more.
"Now Lou, don't be like that. I'm only taking what you owe me," he said as he ripped the buttons off on her blouse.
Lou raked her fingernails down his face, drawing blood and tried to get away screaming. Wicks caught her by the waist and threw her down on the couch, covering her mouth with his hand.
"Don't fight me, Louise. This would be so much more enjoyable for the both of us that way." Shoving her skirt up, Wicks pulled down her bloomers with his free hand, while trying to keep her from squirming. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
"Lou? You in there?" Kid called out.
Lou let out a breath of relief hearing Kid's voice. She bit the hand covering her mouth and Wicks pulled it back shaking it.
"Kid, help!"
Wicks slapped her again, knocking her to the ground. She hit her head on a table and before blacking out, hoped Kid would get to her before Wicks finished what he started.
At the sound of Lou's scream, Kids' heart felt as if it was breaking into a million pieces. He tried opening the door, but it wouldn't open. When he heard a loud thud, he drew his weapon and kicked down the door. The door crashed down and Kid watched as a man shook an unconscious Lou by her shoulders with one arm and slapped her several times across the face. He cocked his weapon.
"Back away!" he yelled moving closer to Lou.
Wicks reached for his gun and Kid fired a round into his chest without thinking twice. Wicks fell to the ground with a look of shock frozen on his face.
Kid ran to Lou's side. Tears welled in his eyes when he saw how bruised and beaten she was. She looked even worse than when he first found her at the livery. Gently picking her up, he stepped over Wicks' dead body and carried her outside towards the doctor's.
~~ ** ~~
Lou felt like she was floating. She tried opening her eyes but couldn't. For some reason she felt safe and protected but couldn't figure out why when she knew what Wicks must have done to her.
Maybe I'm dead, she thought. Wicks has beaten me to death and I'll never be able to tell Kid I love him again.
As Kid neared the doctor's office, he felt Lou stir in his arms. She was mumbling, but her swollen lip made it hard for him to understand what she was saying.
"It's okay, Lou. You're safe now. I love you, and I'm not letting you go this time."