feet and into marriage or, more likely, I’d marry the first warm body to come along just to escape. Once into my new life I would undoubtedly squeeze a baby out once a year just like Mum and, just like Mum, I would soon be able to guzzle beer with the best of them.
Inevitably I would end up becoming a member of the exclusive Morbidly Obese, Clinically Depressed and Potentially Suicidal Club or simply, Losers International. Some even managed to get on a government benefit so they could proudly add Parasite to their portfolio. What a picture!
If you don’t like that one there’s always the flip side: the razor thin, borderline malnourished type with a history of both substance and spousal abuse. I saw plenty of women like that too growing up.
While most kids were at the movies, I had the whole neighborhood to entertain me. The opening scene usually involved verbal abuse which quickly escalated. By then all the kids had gathered to watch and listen. If the adults knew we were there, strategically placed of course and partly hidden, you’d think they would stop yelling and swearing but they didn’t. It was usually the guys who ended up duking it out but sometimes the women would get involved. Cat fights were the best entertainment of all.
The police only showed up if there was bloodshed and even then … The problem was you see that when they did arrive the combatants usually joined forces and took on the police. That was entertaining too.
Susan didn’t know any of this of course. She never asked about my home life and I never volunteered any information and now it didn’t matter. As far as I was concerned it was all ancient history.
Mum & Dad
I’ve found a good job and a safe place to stay, so don’t worry about me, I’m OK. I’ll write now and again to let you know how I’m doing.
Lizzie
No love and kisses, no X’s and O’s.
I addressed the envelope. Mr & Mrs Lambert, C/- Rudy’s Trailer Park – I want to add “and slum” – Huntsville, Ontario, Canada. There, done like a dog’s dinner.
‘I’ll send it off via air mail right away,’ Barbara said sadly as she turned away.
*****
As we walked to the Brownstone I asked Barbara again, correctly this time, what the lord Capritzo looked like.
‘Exotic,’ was her answer, followed by a quick, ‘you’ll see soon enough.’
‘How old?’
‘Forty maybe.’
At sixteen, forty isn’t old; it’s ancient. ‘What do you mean exotic?’
Barbara stopped walking. ‘Do you know what a widow’s peak is?’
‘Yes, Count Dracula has one.’
Barbara smiled. ‘So does the lord Capritzo.’
I remember years later looking up the word “exotic” in a dictionary. I knew what the word meant or at least I thought I did but Barbara, she had the word down pat. Exotic: having a strange or bizarre allure. That was Merhot Capritzo; not just how he looked but what he was.
Six feet tall, slender, with pale skin and long tapered fingers festooned with gold rings, he was always immaculately dressed in a three-piece suit made from the finest wool. But the widow’s peak and eyes that were jet black and impenetrable conspired to give him an almost fiendish appearance; an appearance that spoke of diabolical wickedness and cruelty. But, when he wanted to be he could be as charming as all get out. I guess that’s what made him really dangerous.
There was another thing about him which I found disturbing. He had a habit of moistening his lips with his tongue. The gesture reminded me a little of a snake, tasting the air; tasting me. And sometimes when he looked at you, it was like he was looking right straight through you.
*****
When we were ushered into his office he was standing at his desk, hands behind his back. His eyes were totally focused on me. I will never forget my initial reaction. I thought for sure that I would pee my pants right there and then. I even thought about turning back but I guess I was sort of like that Shakespearean character who was in so deep that he might as well go forward as to go back only I think that character was deep in blood while I … I was in a pool of determination and besides, I couldn’t embarrass Barbara. There was no going back for me and I knew it and, in knowing it there was a strong sense of relief and freedom, strange as that might seem.
‘Ladies, please, sit.’ Two black lacquer chairs stood in front of a huge ebony, glass and chrome desk. As we took our seats so did he. He consulted a piece of paper. ‘Elizabeth Lambert, it is my understanding that you are Canadian. Is this so?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘And is there family there?’
‘Yes sir, I’m one of ten children.’
‘Your parents, they are alive?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘Tell me Elizabeth Lambert, why is it that you are here and not at home with your family for surely your departure would be of great concern to them? You are, as I have been told, but sixteen years in age.’
‘Sir, there’s no future for me there. My parents are very poor and I …’
‘This poorness, is it a blame of theirs?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘How so?’
‘My parents drink, especially my mother and my father can’t seem to hold down even the most basic job for more than a few days. He has a reputation for violent behavior so … I wasn’t safe in that environment, sir.’
‘I see. Yet you would think yourself safe here?’
‘Yes sir. I have value here I think, whether actual or perceived and it’s been my experience that when something or someone has value, care is taken.’ I turned to Barbara. She was beaming so I guess I had said all the right things.
Capritzo leaned back in his chair. ‘This is so.’ His eyes drifted to Barbara. ‘Have you made explanation to her regarding the need to have this value she speaks of confirmed?’
‘Yes sir. She understands and is quite prepared to undergo an examination by Doctor Colter wherever it pleases you, lord.’
Capritzo looked back at me. I nodded assent. He reached for the telephone. ‘Then it pleases me that it be done now.’
5
It was a bit embarrassing but I got through the examination okay plus a blood sample was taken; why I don’t know. Doctor Colter was a nice lady. She was also concerned because of my age and … I told her a little about myself and why
