CHAPTER NINE

DIXIE

 

I’m lying in a hospital bed with an IV in my arm. I’ve been here for two hours, and already I’m ready to go home. Especially when the doctor offered to have me talk to a psychiatrist, like something’s wrong with my head. I hate to take things this far, by faking chest pains and all, but Charlie needs to see what can happen if I were gone or if I were to die.

When I see Charlie being led into the back where I am, I get into character. But when I see who she’s with I get annoyed all over again. Why couldn’t she come by herself?

“You can only stay for thirty minutes,” the doctor says to them. “After that I’m going to have to ask you both to leave.”

“Dixie, are you okay,” Charlie says grabbing my hand softly. “I was so fucking worried about you.”

“If I were okay, would I really be here?” I ask rubbing my chest. “You know I have a heart murmur.” I look at her man. “And who’s that?”

“This is my new friend Nate. When I left the house, my car acted up on me and he gave me a ride to where I was going, and Sugar’s house too.”

My chest squeezes with anger. “You just gotta be around that bitch don’t you? After everything, you just have to be around her. I mean, what is it about her that does it for you? I gotta know.”

“Dixie, I know you don’t believe me, but for real it’s all about the money. I need it, and right now she can give it to me. I don’t mean to hurt you, sweetheart, I really don’t.”

“So what are you, some sort of prostitute or something?”

I sit back in the bed. “No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just that, well, what else can I do? She has work for me and I have to take it.”

“Whatever,” I say.

“Let’s not fight, Dixie. Right now the only thing on my mind is you.” He rubs my hair. “Is there anything I can do for you? I mean, are you in pain or anything?”

“You’ve done enough for me already, Charlie, I’m good...”

She sighs. “Dixie, I know we got into it today, and I know you told me to get out of the house. But, this kind of thing is the reason I can’t move out right now. I mean, what if you couldn’t call the police? Or reach the phone? In your condition you need me around, you know that.”

“Charlie, if I had to count on you, I guess I would’ve died.”

When her friend rolls his eyes I say, “Can you leave us alone?” He walks away without saying anything. “Charlie, you really hurt my feelings tonight, and you’ll never know how much.”

“I know, I really do, and I wish there was something I could do to take it back.”

“There is, all you gotta do is stop hanging around Sugar. That alone will show me where your loyalty lies.”

“How about this…Sugar is showing me how to do her procedures. For whatever reason, she’s trusting me with everything she knows, and that’s major, Dixie.”

“Including her client list?”

“I’m not sure, but it looks like she won’t hold back anything. Anyway the moment I learn all there is to learn about injections, I’ll kindly tell her that I can’t work with her anymore. And then I’ll start my own business.”

“How do I know you’ll do it, Charlie?”

“Because my friendship is more important with you, Dixie. And I know I don’t say it enough, but I appreciate everything you ever did for me. Everything. I just want a chance to take care of you like you did for me. When that money starts rolling in, I’m going to pay up your rent for three months in advance and you can stash your money in your purse, honey.”

“Why you going to do all of that?”

“Because I love you that’s why. And I don’t want you in here hurt, or having a heart attack because of me. Does the doctor even know what’s going on yet?”

“No. They’re running tests.”

She sighs. “Well I don’t care what that bitch says, I’m going to be in here until they throw me out. If they gotta lock me up oh well, I need to know what’s going on.”

As she sits next to me on my bed I think about our friendship. Sometimes I do too much but it’s only to make sure she doesn’t go too far. I won’t have my heart broken again, for nobody.

 

****

9th Grade

Some Years Back

 

Fourteen-year-old Dixon Wood ran into his high school in a cheerful mood. Although most students dreaded Monday mornings, for Dixon it was the best day of the week, because it meant the weekend was over and he’d get to see his favorite math teacher, Ralph Cram.

Although most children weren’t allowed into the building for thirty minutes prior to class, Mr. Cram gave Dixon special privileges, besides he was his little helper.

“Good Morning, Mr. Cram,” Dixon said placing his books on the desk as he entered the room. “Can I help you with anything?”

Mr. Cram’s smiled brightly at the eager young man standing before him, his white cheeks reddening with emotion like he had for all of his children. “Well I already placed the lessons on the desks, if you want, you can clean the eraser board. But be careful, I don’t want you to remove the sign that says Special Guest today.”

“No problem,” he said excitedly. “Who’s coming?”

“You’ll see,” Mr. Cram replied grinning from ear to ear.

Dixon, always willing to please, jumped at the chance to fulfill his duties. When the board was immaculate, and Mr. Cram sat behind his desk, Dixon approached him. “I’m done, sir, did you need me to do anything else?”

Mr. Cram smiled and said, “I think that’s it, son, for now anyway. You can go to your seat and get ready for the surprise I have for you students.”

Although Mr. Cram had nothing but adoration and respect for the little boy, Dixon felt otherwise. Mr. Cram was his first crush and he dreamed about him every night his head hit the pillow. In his mind he would imagine what it would be like to kiss him, and for Mr. Cram to say he loved him.

Instead of sitting down Dixon said, “Mr. Cram, I had another bad day at home,” he lied. “Can I have another hug?”

In the past, when Dixon was sad, Mr. Cram would honor his request for affection. Although he knew he could lose his job, for touching the children, he took the risk anyway. Anyway, Dixon’s home was far from tumultuous. His mother allowed him to do whatever he wanted, and although his father wasn’t in her son’s life, she made up for it by spoiling him rotten. And as a result, he moved around feeling like everyone and everybody owed him something.

When the students started piling into the classroom, Dixon took a seat in the front row. Once all of the children walked in and were seated, Mr. Cram proudly announced that there would be a visitor, and five minutes later, a beautiful red head woman walked into the room carrying a brand new baby.

“Class, I want to introduce you to my beautiful wife and our two month old son Dillon,” he said standing behind her, with his hands on her shoulders.

The class, who was excited for Mr. Cram, all applauded and admired the small infant in her arms. All except Dixon who was brewing with anger.

Who was this bitch to take his man? Ralph belonged to him not her!

Although the other kids were cooing and wooing over the baby, Mr. Cram, noticing that his favorite student hadn’t bothered to stand up said, “Dixon, don’t you want to see my son?”

Both Mr. Cram and his wife waited for an answer and Dixon responded by leaving the classroom without authorization.

An hour later he returned, but instead of being alone he returned with the police. Mr. Cram’s wife was already gone and it was a good thing too, because thanks to Dixon’s vicious lies, they arrested him for molestation.

Months later, Mr. Cram did everything he could to disprove the lies, but no one believed him. Everybody, including the staff, recalled how he would allow Dixon into the room after and before school hours. They spoke about the special treatment Dixon received and before long he was found guilty in a court of law. For the rest of his life Mr. Cram, an honest man, had pedophile stamped on his record and could never outlive the crime.

Oh yes, Dixon could be vicious if he desired, and all those he claimed to care about had better watch out.