Читать книгу The Angel and His Witch - JR Martens - Страница 7

When she awoke, Rissy cleaned up the mess she had made the night before and threw the comforter, sheets and mattress pad in the washer before showering. She put on a white dress and then drove to St. John’s Cathedral. She had always loved the magnificence of this cathedral; she always felt closer to God when she went. She placed fifty dollars in the collection box and then went up to light a candle. She kneeled and prayed. Suddenly she was startled by a male voice. “I see you still love the cathedrals. Do you mind if I join you?” She looked next to her and saw it was Johann and almost screamed and ran away but something kept her there. “If you are sincere, I have no problems with you being here beside me.” She thought “What did I just say? Oh Rissy why, why, why are you doing this?” Her heart however was saying “Listen to me Rissy. Let him be close. Just let whatever happens happen.” Rissy remembered what she had heard last night and listened to her heart. She noticed Johann praying and when he turned to look at her it scared her. “Rissy, I know I have forgiveness from your God and Jesus, but that’s not whose forgiveness I am asking for; can you forgive me?” Rissy looked at him with tears in her eyes. Her lips quivered as she spoke and tears flowed from her eyes and down her cheeks. “Last night I could not have forgiven you but something happened, and I cannot believe I am going to say this, but not only do I forgive you; I love you.” Johann bowed his head and finally gathered the courage to look at Rissy. “Thank you, Rissy. I love you and have since the beginning of time.” “Johann you know we’ve just met.” Rissy stated.

“Someday soon you will understand, but now is not the time. It is very complicated or right now to you it would be.” Johann looked up at the cross and then at Rissy. “I bet you wouldn’t believe me if I told you that I met Jesus and walked with him.” Anger flared in Rissy. “Johann, don’t start this, please.”

“Rissy, I swear to you that I have. You still do not know what I am, do you?”

“Johann, I love you but I can’t take much more of this; you’re just a man.” She said angrily.

The church was empty except for the workers and Johann and Rissy. Johann stood up and took Rissy’s hand. “Rise Rissy and you shall see what I am.” She rose as asked and was quite curious of what this lunatic was going to do especially when he began taking his shirt off. “Johann, put your shirt on or I’m leaving. This is a holy place and is to be respected.” Johann did not put his shirt back on but looked deeply into Rissy’s eyes. “Now is the time for you to see what I am, Miss Moonshower.” Wings of gold unfolded from behind him and Rissy gasped. “I do not lie Rissy.” Johann’s voice reverberated throughout the sanctuary but no one but Rissy seemed to notice. Rissy seemed to go into shock and Johann laid her down on a pew and put his shirt back on. He knew it had been too soon and too much for Rissy to comprehend.

Rissy was finally able to compose herself after about a half hour, and remembered nothing of the incident. When she was calmer she spoke in a squeaky voice. “I know there is something special about you but I can’t put my finger on it.” Johann was frustrated and was beginning to think that Rissy was daft and that it was because of the two different sides of her melding into one.

Johann took her hand and walked with her out of the cathedral and across the street into Lafayette Square and sat with her on the wall around the fountain there in the middle. The sound of the water was relaxing and they really looked at each other closely for the first time since they had met. “Johann, I need to slow down a little. Our relationship has been driving and not me. I’m still scared but I do forgive you. Please believe me on that point.”

“Rissy, do what you need to do. As far as the forgiveness goes, I believed you the first time. I am here and will always be for you. If you wish I will walk you home and if not then I shall go my own way and wait for you to contact me when you are ready.”

Rissy looked at him and spoke softly. “Johann, I want to walk by myself so that I can think about everything that has been happening between us. I cannot promise that I will ever contact you again. I’m sorry but I need to sort things out.”

Johann was saddened by her words but he was good to his word. “As I said Rissy do what you need to do.”

Rissy was a little taken aback that he had not begged her to let him walk her home. He had told her once that he was true to his word, but he was a man and few men are ever true to their words. When he turned to walk away she wondered if she had done the right thing. “Now what do I do?” She thought. She began to cry again. Her heart felt alone again the moment Johann walked away. She could do nothing but watch him as he turned the corner past the Flannery O’Connor house. She turned and walked towards Colonial Park Cemetery. She frequented the place to clear her thoughts and try to connect with relatives. However, today she was not finding any peace and she felt as though her family had abandoned her. She had never felt so lonely in her life. Thunder boomed and rain came crashing down. Rissy was glad it was raining because it would hide her tears. She had forgotten that she has worn a white cotton dress and when she realized that the men she was passing were all staring at her, she remembered. She did not care on this day. Several offered her money to go with them and she did not take offense because she felt like a dirty little whore. She wondered how much she would protest if one of them tried to rape her. She had thrown her life away anyway. “Johann certainly did not care or he would not have left.” She was thinking when she was grabbed. At first she did not know what to do and then she screamed, but what she screamed shocked her. She was too startled to use her powers to get free. “Johann, please help me! I know you can hear me.” The man laughed and said, “Little girl there is no one here but you and me and I like a little fire.” Thunder roared above and there was a sudden flash of light. “Scared of the big bad thunder and lightning are you? Wait till you see what I got for ya.” A voice in front of the man rang out. “And what would that be?” The man looked at the figure in front of him and laughed. “Look buddy this is between me and the little lady, so get the fuck out of here.” The man swung Rissy around and she was not surprised to see Johann there, but she was surprised to see how angry he was. She found words. “Johann, don’t kill him!”

“So this is the big bad Johann or whatever. He ain’t gonna do shit missy.” And he quickly added. “He’s a little pussy and is gonna watch yours get torn up.”

Johann did not say a word but went and snatched up the man with one hand. As the man yelled and screamed like a little girl, Johann turned to Rissy. “Rissy are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine, but..but..but how did you find me?” Johann spoke in a matter of fact way. “You called me, so I came.” Rissy shook her head. “How could you hear me?” She finally looked at the little beast struggling in Johann’s grip. “My heart heard yours Rissy.” She dropped the subject since there seemed to be some unfinished task that needed to be completed. “Well Rissy, what should I do with this trash since you won’t allow me to kill it?” The man struggled hopelessly now realizing that whatever was going to happen was going to be placed in the hands of his victim. Rissy waved her hand as she chanted softly and then man’s clothes fell off. “Please don’t kill me. I promise I won’t do it again.” The man had feces all over him and was soaking himself with urine. Johann looked at Rissy. “My love, please tell me what you want me to do with this pitiful being. He smells like shit.” Rissy could not help herself and began laughing. Johann had always been so polite and proper until now. “Johann my love, we could take him to the mote at Fort Pulaski; there are alligators there.” She smiled viciously at the scum. “No Rissy, that’s too far out and he’ll ruin my clothes with his foulness. What about that old crypt in the cemetery?” Johann said flatly. “Oh ok. Wait you mean the crypt that the old witch was supposedly buried in but no one has known for sure. That’s one of the most wicked witches I ever heard of. That’s fine Johann and better than any silly alligator.” The man continued to scream but to no avail. No one even looked in their direction and this scared him more. He thought he was dead and no one could hear his screams. When they finally reached the old crypt, Rissy opened it and Johann threw the man in not caring if the man had broken bones or not. When Rissy closed it, she left a small place for the man to be able to look out and even put his hand out. She giggled at the thought of people thinking he was a zombie. The man screamed and cried but not a soul heard him and would not for a day.

“Thank you, Johann.”

“You are welcome, Rissy.” He then turned to leave.

“Johann, where are you going?”

“For a walk.” Johann spoke plainly.

“Can a girl go with you? I won’t be any trouble. I don’t want to be alone right now.” She said sheepishly.

“If you would like to come with me, you are more than welcome.”

They walked in silence through the squares and Rissy was almost positive that they had gone through all of them that were left in the city. She had time to think and Johann walked at a pace that was easy for her to keep up with. Rissy began to shiver and Johann wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. She never attempted to protest and it occurred to her that in his arms was where she belonged and wanted to stay. They walked past a clothes shop that sold both men’s and women’s garments. Johann had bought some of his clothes there and he realized that Rissy needed some new ones since she looked pitiful with dirt and grass stains and a little blood on her dress and who knew what else might be on them. They turned around and he led Rissy in and took her to a saleslady he had met on a visit.

“Excuse me please. I know it is late but this young lady needs clothes and is there somewhere she could wash up a little?”

“But of course sir.” The lady cheerfully rang out. “Come on miss.”

Rissy began to follow her and asked her to please call her Rissy but of course the lady said “Yes Miss Rissy.” She continued mumbling about Rissy making sure to clean herself up in the shower in the apartment upstairs. Rissy adored the old building like this one with the stores downstairs and the living quarters upstairs and had even gone so far as to price a few for herself. Miss Castetter made sure that Rissy had everything she needed and then looked at the size on Rissy’s dress but asked Rissy what size she wore. “I wear a large size about a fourteen, sometimes a twelve depending on the cut.” Miss Castetter laughed. “Your gentleman friend told me the same thing before we left downstairs. How do you think he knew?” Rissy stuck her head out from behind the shower curtain, “I don’t know. He’s not seen me without them if that is what you are insinuating.” The lady laughed again. “I knew that. Charlotte told me all about you and Mr. Johann and that you are still a virgin.” Rissy pulled the curtain back and was blushing. “That girl needs to keep her mouth shut. I swear I am going to have to talk to Johann about muzzling that girl.” Miss Castetter realized that she had hit upon a sore subject and changed it quickly. “Let me lock up right quick. It’s past closing time.” She went to close up and Rissy followed her downstairs forgetting that Johann was there until she almost walked out into the shop. Miss Castetter brought some panties and a bra and some clothes already picked out. “Miss Castetter, how did you know my preferences and pick them out so quickly?”

“I didn’t pick them out Miss Rissy. Mr. Johann handed them to me as I walked by.”

“Well thank you just the same.” Rissy was not too surprised to find out that the clothes were a good match for her. She picked out a few and then put on a pair of jeans and a light blue blouse with butterflies on it. She really did not like it but it was one thing Johann had not picked out. When she came out to pay for the clothes, she realized that she did not have her purse and that she must have dropped it in the alley. A bit of fright caught her but then she saw Johann at the register and saw that he was paying. She ran up and told Miss Castetter to wait and she would get the money tomorrow and that she would just wear her dress for now. Johann looked crossly at Rissy. “I am paying for these and that’s final.”

“I promise I’ll pay you back Johann, tomorrow after I go to the bank and get them to handle all of my lost credit cards and change the checking account.”

“Why would you have to do that Rissy?”

“Because I lost my purse when that…that…incident occurred.”

Johann held up a purse. “This one?”

“Yes, but how? When?”

“I picked it up when I arrived.” He said smiling at her the whole time. “Right before the man saw me holding it and called me a ‘pussy’. I don’t know why he called me a cat but then I know little of American customs.” Miss Castetter and Rissy snickered at Johann not knowing what the word meant. Rissy got on her tiptoes and whispered the way the word was being used by the man and Johann blushed.

Miss Castetter showed them out and Johann and Rissy thanked her graciously for her assistance. Johann had also placed a large tip on his tab. Rissy saw Johann’s car as they began walking. Knowing what she was thinking, Johann explained. “I had Randolf bring it and Charlotte followed him to take him home. I called while you were in the shower.” Johann showed her his cell phone and she laughed. “Charlotte had bought it for me saying that I might need to call them if there were ever any kind of an emergency and I reluctantly took it. You should have heard all the ‘I told you so’s coming from her mouth. I swear I’m going to muzzle that girl someday.” Rissy burst out laughing. “I told Miss Castetter the same thing when she told me that Charlotte told her that I am a virgin.” Johann stopped dead in his tracks. “I swear I’m going to beat her little ass. Wait she likes that. I’ll make her help Randolf in his duties which means he’ll supervise and she’ll do all of the work.” They both laughed envisioning the look on Charlotte’s face.

“Rissy, would you care to dine with me tonight?”

Without hesitation Rissy answered with a “Yes”.

Johann helped her into the car and found his way to Abercorn and drove south. He pulled into the lot at Troy. “I’ve always wanted to come here.” Johann told Rissy.

“I have always wanted to as well.” Said Rissy

They went in and registered for seating and then went to the bar. Johann was upset that they did not carry Asbach and not only that but the bartender had no idea what it was, however they did have some absinthe and Rissy tried it as well and found she loved it, she rarely drank alcoholic beverages. After a few drinks their table was ready. Johann assisted Rissy since she was a little tipsy. Their meal was wonderful and the owner came by to make sure all was well which made the meal that much better. After the meal, they decided that they did not want to go to their homes but did want more time together. After a brief discussion they checked into one of the hotels on Bay Street but instead of talking as they planned, they fell asleep.

Johann was awakened by Rissy sitting on top of him screaming and beating him. “How could you do that to me when I loved you so much? You son of a bitch! You know I would have given in freely to you! I would have given anything to have been with you.” Tears were streaming down her face and Johann kept trying to block the blows and then her eyes began to glow as she flashed them at him burning him. The tirade continued with such force that Johann was unable to stop her. She rose above the bed, her red hair floating about. Her eyes were still burning bright as she continued to burn him. “And what makes it so bad is that I still love you as much now if not even more. I hate you and I love you, but Johann, you hurt me and my baby! You killed my baby and yet I’m not that upset about that part. What is worse is that I, Rissy, the one who really loves you was hurt by your hands!” Lamps were flying and crashing into the walls. The chairs were burning as well as the bed. The windows blew open with a force and glass shattered everywhere and was raining down into the streets below. Johann was unable to move. Her power was more enhanced than he thought. The phone rang and it went out the window. “You can pay for this you bastard!” The tears were still streaming down her face. “Dammit Johann, why have you never fought back? Never once with all of my coming to you and screaming at you have you ever, except.....except.....once. Oh my God! Just once!” She plummeted right on top of him. “Just once and you hurt me so horribly. Was I that wicked?”

Johann could finally move and he wrapped his arms around her as she continued to sob against him. “I swear Rissy with all that I am; you did nothing to deserve that. Listen to me Rissy and I mean it you didn’t do anything to deserve that.” He was weeping as his heart was screaming at him as to what a vile thing he was. He held her for so long that his arms ached. She finally quit crying and looked into his eyes. “Johann, I’m sorry.”

“There is absolutely nothing for you to be sorry about.”

She looked at him. “Why have you always forgiven everything that I have ever done? I guess that’s why I forgave you so long ago. There had to be something wrong with you, something terribly wrong and it was that bitch Rina who did it.”

He sat up almost knocking her off the bed. “What and how do you know about her?” She knew she had made a mistake and she also knew that there was no way she could lie to him. “Charlotte told me.” She said sheepishly. He should have known and somehow was not angry at her. That was a long time ago my love. “I want to kill her Johann and yet she has already faced death.” “I know my love. I know but it was painful if that helps.”

“Not much Johann.” She leaned into him sobbing. “The worst part of all of this is yesterday before the man grabbed me I was telling myself that I was a whore and didn’t know if I’d fight back if someone attacked me, but we know what happened.”

Soon there was a knock at the door and the hotel manager with the police came in and looked at the mess and the two still entangled. Rissy looked at them and smiled. “I like it a little wild.” She said. After it was verified that Johann would and could pay for the damages, they were thrown out and asked never to return. Johann asked if Rissy could be allowed to clothe herself before they left and they both were allowed to do so. Once outside Rissy giggled. “I never knew I was a porn star.” They both laughed.

They decided to walk to Johann’s house. It was a long walk and they talked about a good many things especially the art in the buildings and how it was a shame that people didn’t seem to care about that type of thing now and how they would help to preserve as many as possible. They stopped at a park and sat on a bench just looking at everything around them. Rissy discussed how she liked to hear the birds singing and watching to see baby birds. She took Johann to a McDonalds, something he had never experienced before. She laughed as he threw it away saying it had the taste and texture of cardboard. However he was fond of the fries, so she went and purchased a large order, stealing one here and there as they ate.

Finally they reached the house and everyone came out to meet them, kissing them and saying how worried they were. Charlotte said, “Well I wasn’t worried when I heard how a certain hotel room exploded and about a rising porn star and her arrogant producer.” She was holding a small CD player and turned it on and the volume up. Rissy was already flushed and Johann laughing but they both fell into each other’s arms laughing so hard when the song that came bursting forth was “House of The Rising Sun”. Charlotte smiled her wicked smile. “How many did you end up using Rissy? I heard that there was a shower of condoms raining from the bedroom window.” Rissy looked at Charlotte stone faced. “Why Charlotte, I decided to give them to the masses and go bareback. After all what do I have to fear unless you’ve been sleeping with him?” Everyone laughed except Charlotte. “Touché Rissy.” Rissy winked at her and walked right into the house. She then turned around. “Well Johann you may have gotten your fill, but I haven’t, so come on before my eyes wander.” To say Johann was stunned by her words and behavior is an understatement, but he found himself going to her, kissing Charlotte’s cheek on the way. Rissy took his hand and again spoke to Charlotte. “By the way Charlotte it wasn’t him that exploded. It’s his turn now.” She ran up the stairs with him laughing. Svelta and Randolf looked at Charlotte and asked her what that was about. Charlotte stammered “Will you two just leave me alone?” Randolf and Svelta shot back. “Well maybe you should be a little more careful what you say, dear.”

Rissy could sense where his room was and pulled him in. “Now where is that bath you promised me?” He showed her to the luxurious bathroom where a large tub was sunk into the floor. Johann was finding her a towel and bath cloth when there was a knock at the door. Rissy was already undressed but could not stop herself from opening the door with a wave of her hand.

There stood Charlotte with clean towels at the door. “Why thank you Charlotte. If there were more room, I’d ask you to join us, but it’s a tight fit as it is, and if you don’t believe me, ask Johann.” Charlotte threw the towels down and huffed out with a muttered “Bitch”. “Charlotte what a foul mouth you have.” Rissy giggled. Johann started to speak, but Rissy stopped him. “Let her think what she wants. You and I know what really happened and I sort of like being scandalous.” Johann went into the bedroom and closed the door to the bath, but as soon as he did, Rissy made it fly open. “Stay in here with me Johann, please. I want you here. So we can talk more, besides dear you have seen me naked so many times lately I feel more comfortable with you without clothes than with them.” He went back in and sat beside the tub and they talked. It finally dawned on her that it may be him that was uncomfortable. “Johann, I’m sorry, but I didn’t even think about how difficult this may be for you. I want to please you my love, but I just can’t right now.” He smiled at her. “I know Rissy.” He walked out and she felt bad. She wondered if this had an impact on what happened so long ago and then for him to know that another man warmed her bed and enjoyed her pleasures, must have been driven him to the brink and she might have enticed him because she wanted to be with him just as much. This was a new revelation for her. She thought. “I might have raped me too. He must really love me not to take advantage of me and be willing to wait until I am ready.”

When she exited the bath, dressed, and went into the main bedroom, Johann was gone. She went downstairs looking for him and Svelta told her that he was out in the garden. Rissy looked through the French doors and saw him sitting there with something in his hands. She went to see him and sat beside him. “What are you reading?” “It’s just an old book that I have, Rissy.” He said and turned and smiled at her. “Feeling a little more refreshed?”

“Yes I am thank you. Why don’t you go and freshen up and I’ll be here drinking a cup of coffee and admiring the garden when you return.” Svelta was just brining out a cup as Rissy spoke.

“I think that may a good idea. See you soon.” He kissed her cheek as he left her. As he was going into the house she instinctively touched the place where he had kissed her. Svelta smiled. “He tends to grow on you doesn’t he?” Rissy lowered her eyes. “Yes Svelta he does seem to be able to do that.” Svelta nodded and asked if Rissy needed anything else. Rissy told her that she had all that she needed and sipped her coffee.

Rissy looked all around her as she sat. The flowers were beautiful and there were lots of butterflies that she watched thinking the whole time thinking that this was the way it had been meant to be rather than running the rat race. She went to place her coffee on the garden table in front of her and noticed the book. She flipped through it and saw why Johann had noticed so much in the jewelry stores. She flipped to the front and noticed the inscription. "Graf….just a small gesture from a girl more grateful for your time and guidance with yet another folly within her life, though in no way does it reflect the immensity of the kindness bestowed. Rissy" She almost dropped the book. She could almost remember the man in the shop where the book had been purchased. Her memory came full force and she saw that she’d been browsing through the various booths and antique shops this past week trying to find a small thank you gift for Johann since he’d certainly took time out of a very hectic schedule of planning the upcoming trip for Alma and himself to help her yet again but nothing seemed to quite fit. What does one get a man that already is quite able to obtain anything his heart desires? And then from that should one be lucky enough to draw a few ideas choose from them something that Alma would not find offensive in one manner or another, especially since of who it would be coming from. Almost giving up she wandered through the browsing of one last shop on the verge of town when she spied a book on one of its shelves, Archaic Greek Gems: schools and artists in the sixth and early fifth centuries B.C., fingers played over the binding as she pulled it free from the others and flipped through it. He was always forming jewelry for Alma and if memory served she was from there so perhaps he might be able to use it for a few ideas? There was the risk he already had a copy but she decided to take it. Instructing the shopkeeper to wrap it and have it delivered she scribbled a quick note to go along with it. “Graf….just a small gesture from a girl more grateful for your time and guidance with yet another folly within her life, though in no way does it reflect the immensity of the kindness bestowed." Signing her name and paying for it she left the shop feeling somewhat better about the day having finally found something for him. She sat there shaking as the memory faded. She knew there could have been no other soul that could have written that note or have found that book. She got up and left through the garden gate running to her home and to her bedroom.

Johann returned but did not see her so he went throughout the garden looking for her, but with no success. When he returned to where he had left her, he saw the coffee cup shattered and the book lying upon the ground. He realized what had happened and sat down wondering how to approach this. His first impulse was to go to her, but then he thought that maybe he should let her be. It had already been an intense week for them both. He went in and gathered his paints and easel. He thought about how she had looked sitting there as he left earlier and began working. Not one to notice time, Johann continued to work and his household knew not to disturb him. Randolf had caught Johann painting like this for centuries and was glad that electricity had been invented. When they bought the house, Randolf had installed lights to illuminate the garden if necessary and this was one of the times that he was glad that he had done so. Johann worked through the night and finally finished. He took the painting into the art room to dry and went to his bed to sleep. He reached for someone who was not there and muttered. “I love you Rissy.” as he drifted off.