Karma Is a Bitch
By Leslie Johnson
Dillon tapped the steering wheel of his large Dodge half-ton, keeping time with the song on the radio. He felt good. It was Saturday night. He had dropped Suzy off at work and was now headed to his best friend’s house for some fun.
Andrew and his twin brother Aaron had recently purchased a five-bedroom house on the north side of town. Over the summer it became “Party Central”. Most weekends there were a group of no less than ten guys hanging together, shooting hoops in the backyard, ordering pizza and sitting around in the garage or out on the parking pad drinking beer. Sometimes girls were invited, but more often it was just the guys.
When they bought the house, Andrew offered to rent Dillon a room. Dillon turned it down for two reasons; he was trying to save money so living at home was a more prudent choice and although he loved Andrew like a brother, he didn’t really care for his twin. Aaron was a darker version of Andrew, more sullen and moody. He was a bit of a loner and most people would have nothing to do with him if he didn’t come as a package deal with Andrew.
Dillon drove down the street, scouting for a parking spot. Noticing there were none, he pulled into the back alley and parked along a neighbour’s fence. He felt a twinge of guilt as he slammed the door closed. He’d been told by a couple of police officers it was illegal to park there. But that was months ago and people had continued to park in the alley without consequence. He shrugged it off. He was there to have fun and besides, pleading ignorance always worked.
“Dillon!” Andrew called out. “How’s it going, man?”
“Great, bro.” Hoisting the two-four he was packing he handed it to Andrew. “The price of admission.” Andrew took the beer and stashed it inside the third old refrigerator in the garage. Then opening the first one, he tossed Dillon a cold beer.
“Suzy working?”
“Yeah. She’s coming by after work to pick me up. Then it’s back to her place…”
“You dog. You two getting serious?”
“I don’t know. She brings up the topic of living together occasionally, but I ignore it. I’m happy with things the way they are.”
“Good man! You don’t need a woman tying you down.”
“You talking about that fox you’re banging?” Aaron said as he walked up behind them. Dillon immediately bristled.
“Her name is Suzy and don’t you dare talk about her like that.”
“She’s got long blonde hair, legs that go all the way to the floor and she smells like heaven on a summer day. I’m not dissing her, I’m in love with the bitch.”
Andrew put his hand on Dillon’s arm. “Let it go. He’s just trying to get to you.” Then he turned to his brother. “You can be such an asshole, man. Grow up.”
“Grow up!” Aaron mimicked, rocking his head back and forth. Andrew rolled his eyes and pulled Dillon away.
“How can you live with that asshole.” Dillon demanded. Aaron was the only issue the boys had with each other. Neither could see the other’s side.
Andrew shrugged. “He’s my twin…”
“Yeah, I know. You’re linked together in some mystical way. I’ve heard it before. Doesn’t make him any less an asshole, though.”
“That be true.”
The housemates, Mason, Phillip and Justin and Justin's brother Tim were playing basketball in the backyard. Dillon wandered out the small side door to watch them. He pulled a lounge chair into the sun and sat down, cheering on the boys and refereeing disputed fouls and points.
As the light dimmed, the mosquitos became a nuisance. The boys finished their game and everyone moved inside. Andrew was chatting to some girls in the far corner. Aaron was sitting on a stool by himself on the parking pad out front. There were several empty cans littering the ground by his chair.
Someone had put some music on, the bass was thumping against Dillon’s chest. He loved feeling like this - like life just couldn’t get any better. He wandered over to Andrew, dragging a chair with him. The moment he saw her, Dillon’s heart dropped. Jessica. What was she doing here?
“Hi, Dillon.” She said. “Long time, eh?”
Embarrassed, Dillon nodded. “Ayup.” Under his breath, he whispered, “Not long enough.”
Jessica watched Dillon. She knew she had made an impression. She hadn’t wanted to come, but Danielle insisted. Having recently broken up with her latest boyfriend, she wasn’t in the mood for people, especially men. Still, she dressed with care, and posing in front of her mirror, she knew she looked hot and sexy. Seeing Dillon squirm only confirmed this and she smiled. Conquest!
Dillon wasn’t smitten, though. Jessica misread the signs. He was uncomfortable because she was unpredictable. He never knew what she would do next. She was beautiful, no doubt about it, but she was deadly too. She took and never gave, she demanded and never backed down. She was high maintenance. He was always terrified that she would make a fool of him.
Now alcohol is the great divider of all things; girls and their panties, men and their brains and couples find themselves on opposite sides of right and wrong.
Dillon was no exception. A few beers later, he forgot to be afraid of Jessica.She was playing her A-game; witty, funny and charming. He began to wonder why he ever let her go. His senses numbed, he allowed himself to be lured to the far corner. With soft words, Jessica reeled him in until he was swimming in the deep blue pools of her eyes. Seduced by the beer and flattered by her attention, he was completely under her spell.
He forgot about Suzy. He even forgot he had invited her to join him when she got off work. He shrugged off his good sense and the nagging feeling that he shouldn’t be doing what he was doing.
Leaning in, lost in a haze of beer and perfume, he kissed her full lips. They parted easily, opening to a cool mouth that tasted like vodka and cranberry juice. His tongue sparred with hers and he groaned with desire. Jessica smiled. She had him right where she wanted. Nuzzling his neck, she worked him into a frenzy. He wanted her. She was so glad Danielle had insisted she come out.
A shadow fell across the entwined couple. Dillon looked up to see Suzy standing there, hands on hips, mouth set in anger. He tried to extricate himself from Jessica, but she wasn’t making it easy. “Let go!” He snapped, shoving her back. With a smirk, Jessica released him, leaned back and smiled. There was about to be a floor show and she was at the center of it.
“You bastard.” Suzy hissed.
“What, hey, it didn’t mean anything, honest.” Dillon shrugged.
“I don’t believe you. If you wanted to get back with your ex, you only had to say so.”
“I don’t… I mean... I didn’t know… what?” Dillon’s brain was too addled to make sense of what was happening.
“Really - you weren’t sticking your tongue down this tramp’s throat?”
“Hey! I am not a tramp?” Jessica sniffed, indignant.
Danielle appeared at Jessica’s side. “Come on, Jess. Let’s go and let these two talk.”
Jessica looked at Dillon. She smiled her prettiest smile, kissed her fingers and placed them on Dillon’s lips. “I’ll be right over there… lover.”
Before she managed to get up, Suzy swung her large handbag at Jessica’s head and knocked her back on the couch. Danielle immediately leaped at Suzy, grabbing a handful of hair and pulling her down.
“Get the fuck off of me, bitch!” Suzy shouted, kicking Danielle’s shin and shoving her back. Off balance, Danielle stumbled and fell to the cement floor. Pain slammed through her body. Defeated, she began to cry.
Jessica glared at Suzy. She had a lot of contempt for any woman as pretty as Suzy, especially those who had no concept of the power they had. Suzy was too nice, too decent. She didn’t deserve Dillon. Licking her lips, she tasted blood. Tenderly she patted her finger against the split on the side of her lip. “You are going to pay for this.”
“Get over yourself, bitch. Oh, and if you want this asshole so much, you can have him. I don’t fight for men - they fight for me. And I don’t need to spread my legs to get them, either.”
“You take that back!” Jessica yelled scrambling to get up. If Andrew and Aaron hadn’t arrived, the fight would have turned nasty. Andrew pushed Jessica back to the couch and Aaron pulled Suzy toward the door. His grip on her was so tight, he left a large bruise on her forearm.
“Let go, let go, let go, you asshole.” She hollered as she stumbled after Aaron. Dillon watched the whole scene unfold, helpless to move. He was ashamed of himself, embarrassed that he’d been caught. He was also furious with Jessica for playing it up, making it seem more serious than it was. And he was annoyed that Suzy was so easily willing to let him go. He thought they had something more. Grabbing another beer, he stormed out into the yard, leaving the fight to those inside.
Suzy finally managed to pull free from Aaron. She stood in the driveway, panting in fury. “What the hell?”
“Just leave,” Aaron said, pointing down the street.
“No.” She says. “I’m not leaving without Dillon.”
“Leave,” Aaron growled.
“No”
“Get out!” He shouted at the top of his lungs.
“No.” She shouted back, equally loudly.
“I’m telling you for the last time… LEAVE.”
“What have I ever done to you?”
“Get out of my house!” Aaron shouted, his red face darkening in anger.
“I’m not in your house. I’m in the driveway.” Suzy snapped. “And I’m not leaving without Dillon.”
Aaron changed tactics. “Then stay. I sure would like to get me some. I was telling Dillon earlier, what a fine woman you are.”
Suzy looked at Aaron. He repulsed her. His face was bloated from drink, his eyes unfocused and dull. There was even a little spittle hanging from his lip. She shuddered. “The only way I’d ever - ever - sleep with you is if I was dead. You disgust me.” She turned to go back into the garage. Aaron grabbed her arm and yanked her back. Wrapping her in a tight embrace he whispered in her ear. “Come on. Don’t be difficult. I know you want it.”
Panic filled her. She was terrified. Her arms were pinned to her sides. She wriggled and Aaron tightened his grip, She waited, not moving, willing him to let go. She felt his warm breath on her neck, the stench of beer choking her. He licked her neck, and Suzy went berzerk. She rocked and swivelled until she was free, then she stumbled forward, lost her balance and landed hard on the grass.
Unable to breathe, she lay there for a second before Aaron reached her. He rolled her onto her back and stuffed a piece of cloth in her mouth to prevent her screaming. She tasted grease and grit and she gagged. Aaron sat astride her, laughing as she bucked and twisted in an effort to throw him off. He wasn't going anywhere, he was too heavy.
Seconds later, she collapsed under him, exhausted. She couldn't catch her breath, the rag was choking her. With her eyes, she implored Aaron to let her go. He only smiled, his hands wandering under her shirt. With a quick jerk, he shoved her bra up, exposing her breasts to the night air. Fear twisted her mind and she knew she was going to be raped. Where were Dillon and Andrew? Why wasn’t someone coming to rescue her?
A second after she thought all was lost, the weight on her chest disappeared. Her hands now free, she plucked the rag from her mouth and drew in a huge breath. Turning over on her side, it took her a moment to notice Aaron hanging by the neck of his shirt at the end of Dillon’s huge hand. Then Aaron was stumbling backward, disappearing in the darkness next to the house. Dillon looked at her, reaching down to pull her shirt over her breasts. “I’m sorry, babe. This is all my fault.” He offered her a hand to pull her up. Before she could take it, he crumpled to the ground beside her.
She looked up. Aaron was standing there with a large blade. She could make out a drop of something dark falling from the tip. She screamed, over and over. Lights in a few houses came on. Aaron stood there, not moving, glaring at Dillon.
Dillon groaned loudly. Suzy scrambled to help him. There was a lot of blood. “Someone, help. Anyone. Please.” She shouted. Andrew rushed out of the garage. He took one look at the scene, his heart sinking.
“Aaron, what have you done?”
Aaron didn’t move. He stood there, staring at Dillon. Sirens screamed from a distance, getting closer and closer. Jessica and the others came out to stand on the driveway. They huddled together, watching. Some were in tears, some were dry-eyed, but none were able to look away.
A police car rolled to a stop, doors flying open. The officers jumped out, guns pointing at Aaron. “Drop the weapon, son.” Aaron didn’t move. “I said drop the weapon!”
Aaron looked up. Then he looked back at the knife. He let it go. A split second later, he was on the ground, his arms pulled tightly behind his back. Cold steel shackled his hands before he was pulled roughly to his feet and propelled across the yard to the car.
An ambulance pulled up. The attendants shouted at Suzy to move back. Andrew stepped up and pulled her away. The two medical professionals went to work, assessing their patient's condition. One of them pulled a mask over Dillon’s face. They worked diligently and in tandem to stabilize the victim. On the count of three, they lifted him onto the stretcher and rolled him into the back of the ambulance. With lights flashing and the siren wailing plaintively, it sped away.
Neighbours gathered in the driveway across the street, talking among themselves as the police took statements from the people at the party house. Restlessly, they moved around, uncomfortable with this new reality on their once quiet street. When ambulance left, many of the neighbours wandered back to their homes. A few die-hards hauled out lawn chairs and sat, watching and talking among themselves.
Back across the street, the scene was more chaotic. Unable to leave, the young people moved from pillar to post, talking and hugging, unable to make sense of what happened. All they wanted to do was leave - to put this horrible night behind them.
Parents began to arrive. Panicked voices shouted names as they hurried from poorly parked vehicles. Painful cries rose up in reply as the child ran toward their parents. The crowd swelled and disbanded in small clusters as relieved parents hauled their offspring home. All were thankful it wasn’t their child taken by ambulance.
Jessica stood off by herself watching the forensic team at work. She was gnawing on her thumbnail, oblivious to the blood she’d drawn. She blamed herself for the horrific unfolding of events. She deliberately and maliciously pursued Dillon to make herself feel better. She knew he was dating someone but she didn’t care. When she met Suzy, the jealousy she felt enhanced the feelings of worthlessness she hid beneath her manicured appearance. If she hadn’t pursued Dillon, if she hadn’t antagonized Suzy, maybe none of this would have happened she told herself over and over.
Just inside the garage, an older policeman was talking to Suzy and scribbling notes on a small pad. Suzy was leaning forward from the edge of a stool someone had found for her. She was loosely cocooned in a thick, gray blanket, yet she continued to shiver violently. From a distance, she looked composed, though her face was streaked with makeup. Her parents stood a short distance away, wrapped together in solidarity and watching their daughter closely.
A younger policeman came in and signalled the older officer. The two conferred with one another. Then the older man turned to the group. In a voice loud enough for all to hear, he said, “It is my unfortunate duty to have to tell you that Dillon didn’t make it. He was pronounced moments ago. I am sorry for your loss.”
Jessica let out a wail that caused the hair on the young officer’s arms to stand up. He rushed to her side and drew her over to a chair, where she sat, sobbing loudly. He tried to elicit some contact information from her, but she refused to give him any phone numbers. She didn’t want her mother coming and her father wasn’t in the picture. He was adamant that she shouldn’t be alone, but she stubbornly refused to offer herself any comfort.
Suzy fainted at the news, falling forward off the stool onto the floor. Her fall was softened by the bulk of the large gray blanket. The policeman lifted her onto the couch across the room. Her parents sat beside her, tapping and patting her into consciousness. Once revived, she was inconsolable. They wrapped her tightly in the blanket and rushed her to the hospital. A sedative was administered, numbing and lulling her into a near catatonic state. They took her home to her childhood bedroom.
Andrew lost all the colour in his face and crumpled to the floor, not really wanting to believe his friend was gone. He also thought about his brother, worried about his welfare. Was he okay? He realized that he needed to call his parents. He needed to tell them Aaron was in jail; charged with murder and attempted rape. There would be wailing and gnashing of teeth there too.
As Andrew listened to his father's rage and shame, his insides shrivelled to dust. His father laid the blame squarely on his shoulders. "You should have been in charge. You know your brother. How could you let things get out of control? This is all your fault!"
Horrified by the events of the evening, Andrew still felt it was his duty to go with the police to inform Dillon’s parents that their son was dead. Upon hearing the news, DIllon’s father leaped at Andrew.
“You sorry, son of a bitch. This is all your fault. Your damned brother has always been wrong in the head. Your parents should have had him locked up years ago. Dillon was afraid of him. He used to tell us that and now he’s dead. Why didn’t you keep an eye on him. You knew too - didn’t you? You knew he was dangerous and you did nothing!”
The two officers pulled Dillon’s father off. They asked him to sit down. He rocked back and forth a bit but finally did as he was told. With dramatic flair, he dropped his head into his hands and started to wail. Dillon’s mother, still sitting at the kitchen table reached her hand out and placed it on the top of his head. There were no tears in her eyes, she looked like she didn’t know what happened. The police had seen this before and knew that she would fall into a pit of despair the moment she let the news in.
“Is there someone we can call? Someone who can come and be with you?”
Dillon’s mother looked up blankly. In a flat, emotionless voice she said, “Oh, yes. I suppose you could call my sister. She lives across town. She’s on speed dial - the first name after the emergency numbers. The officer placed the call and when the sister arrived, they left.
Andrew had moved back against the wall. He hadn’t offered a word in his own defence to the accusations of his failure. He took the shaking as his punishment, almost wishing Dillon's dad had hit him. It might have brought some relief to the pent up anguish he felt inside.
The police dropped him back at the house. A sharp pain ran through him when he saw Dillon’s truck parked against the neighbour’s fence. He needed to move it but he knew he had no means to. Walking up the driveway toward the front door, he stopped to look at the patch of lawn where it had happened. His stomach churned as he relived the sight of his friend laying on the ground, his brother standing over him with a bloody knife in his hand.
Who had called the police? He couldn’t remember. It was all a blur except for that scene. That one stayed with him. It took months before he could sleep without seeing that picture when he closed his eyes. The frequency slowed and then increased again during the trial.
Aaron was found guilty and sentenced to twenty-five to life without the chance of parole for ten years. Andrew watched as they walked his brother out the door in handcuffs. He hadn’t spoken to him since that night and had no intentions of doing so again. He had lost his best friend and his brother and he wasn’t ready to forgive any of it.
Suzy went to live with a cousin in Edmonton a few months after the funeral. She came home to testify at Aaron’s trial. Sitting on the stand, her short blonde tresses wispy around her face, she relived the horror of that night again.
Back in Edmonton, it took her a long time to move on. She didn’t date anyone for two more years and eventually met a man who reminded her of Dillon. They married within three months, against the protests of her parents. The union lasted less than a year. With the end of her marriage, she finally conceded that counselling might be needed..
Jessica struggled a lot. She found comfort by visiting Andrew and eventually the two fell in love and got married. Many spoke against them, pronouncing nothing but doom and gloom for their future. They proved the naysayers wrong and lived quite contentedly together. They bought a house in a nice neighbourhood and began raising their family. There were no issues they didn’t manage to overcome until a nearby house was sold to a bunch of young boys.
The party house on the corner served to dredge up memories for the couple. The shouting in the middle of the night, caused Jessica to experience heart palpitations. Andrew started seeing the scene of Dillon, dead on the lawn again. He walked down the street and tried to talk to the young men, to let them know that their behaviour was disrespectful to the rest of the neighbourhood. The boys reacted just like he and Aaron had all those years ago. They told Andrew to mind his own business using the vocabulary of the gutter.
A “For Sale” sign went into the lawn on Andrew and Jessica’s house within the week. Karma is a bitch - ain’t she?
