CHAPTER FIVE: WHO’S THE FAIREST? 

“Look, Dr. Truman,” Torrid said humbly, “I can tell you don’t like me. But if you don’t like your sister, what difference does it make? If you two aren’t speaking, it’s not like we ever have to see each other again, right?” She said putting a cigarette in her mouth. 
“That’s a dirty habit,” Drelica said, reaching up and taking the cigarette out of Torrid mouth and tossing it into the nearby litter bin. “And I never said I didn’t like my sister. I love her. She is just troubled. She can’t be saved. I spent my life trying to and got burned over and over—so,” She said, sadness in her voice, “I gave up.”  “Monica and I have been through a lot of shit. I don’t know if you know this or not, but about six months ago we had traumatic experience. I am sure our troubles are related in some way to that. I believe in her.” Torrid said, trying to convince herself as much as Drelica Truman. 
“Well Torrid, I hope your trust isn’t misplaced.”

”Why is everyone so sure my Girlfriend is betraying me?” Torrid asked, throwing her hands in the air. She was really aggravated.  
She sat back down on the picnic bench and put her chin in her hands.
 
Drelica felt sorry for her now. She realized that Torrid did love her sister. She realized that Torrid was yet another victim of her sister’s theatre of cruelty. She touched Torrid’s shoulder and asked gently, “Torrid, what does your heart tell you?”  Torrid looked up at Drelica. Here eyes were glazed with tears that would never fall. But Drelica understood. Torrid knew. She just wasn’t ready to accept it. Everyone knows when they are being betrayed, she thought to herself, but when we love someone, we don’t want to believe it could happen.  
“What are you going to do?” She asked Torrid softly. 
“I’ll have to catch her in the act. I have to know…. see it with my own eyes.” Torrid said coldly. “After that,” She let out a long slow breath, “I don’t know.”  “I know this is an awful thing to ask, but do you have any idea who it might be?” Drelica asked, trying not to agitate Torrid anymore. She felt sorry for this woman, who was growing on her by the minute. Torrid was beautiful, exotic, hard and she could be very dangerous. Drelica had no doubts about that. 
“Yeah…I think I do..” Torrid said with an icy air to her voice that sent a chill up Drelica’s spine. Torrid sighed sadly, “Dr. Truman, it’s been nice meeting you, but I have to go. There’s something I have to do.”  “I understand. Torrid—here’s my card. Please call me?” She said handing a business card to Torrid, her green eyes pleading. 
Torrid took the card, “I can’t promise." Torrid turned and walked away, Lockjaw following at a safe pace behind, sensing his mistress’s anger. 
****
 
Drew woke up to the sound of pounding on his front door. He shot up in the bed yelling, “Who the fuck is it?!”  He drug himself out of bed wrapped in a crumpled sheet and looked through the peep hole to see Monica standing there. His frown faded to a smirk and he opened the door to let her in.
“It’s about time you got here,” he said cockily. “Me and my dick were missing you.”  “Oh that’s real cute—happy to see you too, Drew.” She said, peeved. 
“Don’t you mean ‘you two’?” he joked. 
“Not now Drew” she chided, “we have to talk.”  “Oh what the fuck is this? Did you just come from Torrid’s all remorseful for having cheated and now you’re breaking it off with me?” He accused. 
“No. I am breaking it off with her.” She said sadly. “I don’t love her. But, I don’t love you either.”  He looked surprised.
“Monica, I thought—we had a connection?”  “We did—we do. But I am not in love with you—I am not in love with anyone. Hell I don’t even know what I want, but I do know I don’t want to be hooked up with you after fucking up the best thing that ever happened to me! That would be the worst thing that ever happened to me!” she said, slightly angered. 
“Oh I see, I am good enough for a quick fuck, or a blow job, but not good enough for anything more, is that it?” He spat. 
She was pissed now.
“Pretty much, Drew.”  “Well that’s just great, Monica! What’s that make you? A whore!”  “Drew, you can say what you want—believe what you want. But I am leaving, and believe it or not….I am sorry. Sorry to you both.” She sighed. 
Drew reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand. He brushed her hair back out of her face and leaned forward to kiss her gently.
“A kiss goodbye,” he whispered, as he touched his mouth to hers. She returned the kiss and felt herself melt into it. She kissed back with more force and the passion ignited once more. The pair hungrily devoured eachother, pulling close and fumbling at her skirt and blouse. 
Outside, Torrid sat on her bike shoulders slumped, eyes red, looking at Monica’s SUV parked next to Drew’s mustang. Her suspicions were confirmed, and she felt a fool. She lit a cigarette, took a long slow draw on it then exhaled. She tucked it into her mouth and dismounted her bike, ascending the steps to Drew’s flat. Slowly she walked along the balcony to his door, and there she stopped outside. She looked down at the door knob, and reached for it…it was unlocked. She braced herself for what she might see, and hoped that she wouldn’t. The door opened silently, she stepped in and stopped. She stood expressionless, unmoving, watching. Her hands trembled, but she was otherwise motionless. The scene played out before her…Drew Stood across the room with his head back and eyes closed. Kneeling in front of him, Monica, her back to Torrid, her pink hair bobbing up and down, his fingers guiding her into him. She was naked, save for the ink of her intricate tattoo…Torrid’s work, the wings of the Pegasus in flight as scene from above. Torrid watched in wonder as her girlfriend sucked her assistant’s cock with relish. She couldn’t ever recall Monica’s mouth being that eager with her, and the thought amused her. What a fucking whore, she thought to herself. 
Drew climaxed, and stood panting and rushing and finally opened his eyes to see Torrid standing there. He froze, his breath caught, causing Monica to turn and also see Torrid. She wiped Drew’s cum off her chin, and just shrugged." Sorry Tor,” she said softly. “I never meant—“  “To get caught?” Torrid finished for her. 
Torrid kept her poker face. She ignored Monica and turned to Drew. “I came to see you.” She said. 
“Torrid, I am so sorry, man---she means nothing to me! I swear!” he pleaded, pushing Monica away. 
Monica sneered at Drew.
“You’re such a coward!” she spat. “You don’t have to guts to stand up to her even now, after you were caught red handed!”  Drew slapped Monica across the face, “Shut up bitch! Get out of my sight!”  Monica crawled over to Torrid and touched her boot, “He h-hit me!” she pleaded. 
Torrid looked down at Monica. She was too angry to trust herself to touch her. All her faith had been shattered, her worst fears confirmed. Monica was caught in the act and still she showed no remorse, it was still all about her. Torrid was sick with rage and pain, but did not show it. She had years of conditioning, years of practice, you bleed on the inside. She thought to herself.
“Well that’s one less thing on my to do list now.” Torrid said coldly. 
She turned and stepped toward the door, pausing. Without turning around she said, “Drew—don’t bother coming back to work.”  “I understand, Torrid.” He said softly. 
“And don’t let me see you around. Ever.” She said with a heavy tone of threat behind it. She walked out of the apartment and down the steps to her bike where she mounted and sat for a long moment. Torrid exhaled, and wiped the one tear that escaped her and streaked her face. A shadow fell across her, and she looked up to see Monica standing there, wrapped in Drew’s sheet. 
“And where’s your tear?” Torrid asked her. 
“I guess—I don’t have any.” She said calmly. “I’m sorry.”  “Why?” Torrid asked. 
Monica shrugged.
 
Torrid shook her head and started her engine. The smell of jasmine caught her senses as the spring breeze came through the car park. 
 
Monica looked up to the balcony to see Drew standing there looking back down at her. He turned and went back inside closing his door. 
 
Torrid put her bike in gear and slowly pulled away. Monica stood there watching as Torrid drove off into the afternoon sun. She started to run after her, but stopped herself. It was over. She had fucked them both over, and herself in the process, but she had her prize: her freedom. 
 

EPILOGUE: OVER THE RAINBOW
 
Four weeks later
 
Torrid walked through the metal detectors at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and patiently stood still for the wands to wash over her body. Her numerous piercings were setting off the detectors and she just took it all in stride.
She collected her carryon bags and stepped away from the chaos of the security checkpoint. She checked her boarding pass and looked for the sign for the corresponding gate and headed toward Terminal C. Her flight to Amsterdam would depart in an hour, so she had time for a drink at one of the many bars in the airport’s food court. 
She picked a sports bar and sat at the bar.
“Can I buy you a drink?” a familiar voice said from the end of the bar. Torrid turned to see Dr. Drelica Truman seated there with a cold beer and a bowl of peanuts in the shell. Torrid raised her eyebrow, then walked to the stool next to Drelica and seated herself. 
“What the fuck are you doing here?” She asked, accepting the Budweiser that was placed before her. 
“You’re such a charmer, you know that, Torrid?” Drelica teased. 
“Yeah, I know, “ Torrid said, grinning. 
“I am flying out to the dig site in west Texas. I have to make a stop in Austin for a few days, then we are trucking out to the Big Bend. Where are you going, Torrid?” Drelica asked. 
“Amsterdam. Trade show convention. You know—lots of throwbacks and painted savages,” She said with a wink. Torrid held her beer up and clinked it against Drelica’s, “Here’s to your dino hunt.”  Drelica smiled, “Thanks. Here’s to your—whatever it is you’re doing,” she chuckled sweetly. 
Torrid sat talking with Drelica for quite some time, but finally looked at the clock on the wall and frowned. “It’s time for me to head to my gate.” She said.

Drelica frowned as well. She looked into Torrid’s eyes, she felt a warmth she hadn’t noticed there before. Without the stress and worry of a failed relationship on her, Torrid was a charming and charismatic woman. She smiled absently losing herself in thoughts of possible spending more time getting to know Torrid. 
“Why are you smiling?” Torrid asked, puzzled. 
“Uh…because…,” she blushed, “I do want you to call me sometime, Torrid. And I am not sure how to ask.”  Torrid grinned, “Babe, I think you just did.” 

THE END
To be continued in…SKIN DEEP IV FOSSIL FUEL