Short Story Series: Story 13 – Frenchie and the Polish

It’s December!

Wow. Another year coming to an end. I’ve been spending time considering these past 11 months. Did I accomplish everything I set out to? No, but in other avenues, I had unexpected growth and experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Birthdays of every sort

For me, December is full of the usual celebrations, such as Christmas and the New Year. But, this year, it is filled with special birthdays of the people important to me. The kind of birthdays that make you realize how quickly life progresses without you even recognizing that so much time has passed. I don’t want to say I feel old, because I don’t. But the years that we are celebrating suggests differently!

A Gift

This particular short story is close to my heart. I saw a quote the other day by Virginia Woolf that said (and I’m paraphrasing) that every experience of the writer’s soul can be found in their work. I discovered early in my career how easy it was to insert pieces of myself into small (and sometimes, large) portions of a story. Even non-fiction stuff.  This story is a gift to one of those important people I mentioned above. Although it is completely fictious, there are elements that are true and the person I write it for will recognize them early on. It’s another piece of me, an experience, that I wanted to share in a safe, anonymous way. I hope you enjoy this journey and wish my dearest friend a Happy Birthday in the comments.

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Frenchie and the Polish

      “Oomph!” the Kindergartener moaned as another boy’s fist slammed into his solar plexus with a brutality the recipient had only witnessed watching Saturday morning wrestling shows. This was supposed to be a meet-and-greet, arranged by their siblings, not some alleyway deathmatch. Dominic, the one now doubled over in pain, had been reaching out his hand in welcome, the way his father taught him when the unanticipated hit came.

       A great whoosh of breath escaped his mouth as his back bowed to the force. Tears welled in Dominic’s eyes, but he couldn’t think of much else other than to get air to his screaming lungs. The roar of blood pumping with adrenaline filled his ears and his mind flipped through revenge scenarios. He clutched at his stomach, trying to hold in the peanut butter and jelly sandwich he’d finished only moments before his big sister told him that she had a surprise for him. If this was her idea of surprises, he’d pass next time.

     “Dominic! Are you okay?” his sister, Marcella cried.

     “Miller?! Why would you do that!” Marcella’s newest friend from the neighborhood yelled, smacking her little brother in the back of the head.

     Marcella and Dominic’s family had moved to the neighborhood at the start of the school year, where Jenny and she had met. During recess one day, they realized their properties abutted each other. Not only that, but they both had older brothers who were in the same class, and younger brothers who would be starting Kindergarten together. Kindergarten started a week later than the rest of the classes, to help ease the transition for parents and kids alike. Over the course of a few days, they planned an elaborate introduction for Saturday afternoon where their little brothers would meet and become best friends.

     “That didn’t go the way we had planned,” Marcella sighed while bending over to peer into Dominic’s eyes. “It’s ok, buddy. Just breathe. The pain will go away in a minute.”

     “You better say you’re sorry, or so help me I will tell mom about your little frog obsession. Specifically, how you like to smack them against rocks and yank out their tongues,” Jenny threatened.

     “Ewww! Do you really do that?” Marcella asked, rubbing Dominic’s back while looking Miller up and down with new eyes. “That’s how serial killers start you know!”

     “My brother is not a psychopath!” Jenny snapped.

     “Could’ve fooled me,” Marcella mumbled. “C’mon, Dominic. Let’s go inside. I’ll give you a fudgesicle if you don’t tell mom.”

     Dominic straightened up at the thought of the ice-cold bribery. He gave Miller a scathing look as he squared his shoulders and flared his nostrils in anger. He worked up as much spit as he could in his dry mouth and hacked it right in the bully’s face, then turned and stalked off through the backyard and into the house where a sweet treat awaited.

    Marcella grinned at Miller, watching him turn green as he wiped Dominic’s spittle with his sleeve. “Serves you right you little punk.” Then, she too turned and walked back to the house, leaving Miller and Jenny standing there in shock.

     “Well, that was a disaster,” Jenny sighed. “Let’s go get you cleaned up.” Grabbing her brother by the arm, Jenny dragged him through their own backyard.

     Miller and Dominic didn’t see each other again until the next week at the bus stop. Dominic stepped outside onto his porch, waiting for his mother to fetch her brand-new Minolta 7000, the first camera with autofocus. He glanced out at the street and saw Miller holding his mother’s hand. The school bus stopped at the corner of their lot, about 50 feet from their driveway. Miller and four other kids were all gathered, waiting for their first ride. Dominic made a point to slam the front door so that Miller looked his way. As their eyes met, all of Dominic’s scheming about how he was going to get even with Miller Jankowski once again flashed through his mind. Dominic sniggered into his hand as he realized Miller’s grip had tightened in his mother’s grasp. But, when Miller saw Dominic laugh, he released his hold and stepped away, his large ears turning a deep shade of red.

     At the stop, Dominic’s mom made a point to flash her expensive camera around and snap enough photos so that all of the children had light spots dancing in their eyes as the bus pulled away towards school. The driver had assigned all of them seats paired by height. And of course, Miller and Dominic were put together.

     Neither of them said a word as they bounced up and down over potholes and slid toward each other depending on which direction the bus turned. Dominic had the window, so it was easy for him to ignore Miller. But Miller had the aisle and across it sat Julie, the prettiest girl in the neighborhood. Dominic saw her riding her bike up and down the street the first day they moved in. She had white blonde hair that curled at the end as if she had just come from the beach. Her skin was tanned, and her eyes were the color of the sky. He had never thought much of girls before but seeing her that first time had stirred something inside of him. Plus, she could ride without training wheels! Something he was bound to do too, once his dad would take those baby things off!

     “You’re that Polish kid, Miller Jankowski,” Dominic heard Julie say.

     “Yep. What’s it to ya?”

     “The Duggart twins say your ears are too big for your head and you smell. I have to say, they are right about the ears. But, do you smell? I can’t tell.”

     Blood rushed up Miller’s neck, into his cheeks, before lighting up those ears in question as bright as the stop sign that popped out on the side of the bus.

     At the sight, Julie pointed at him and began to laugh. Dominic felt a little bad for Miller and he wasn’t sure why. He was a bully after all, wasn’t he?

     “Dumbo ears!” Julie laughed. She turned to her seat mate, “Amy, look at The Polish kid’s Dumbo ears!”

     Amy began to laugh, and like a yawn on a train, suddenly everyone was in a fit of giggles over Miller’s big red ears, which were only getting redder, the more people pointed it out and laughed. Dominic was fully expecting Miller to lose it and punch someone the way he had him, but instead, he stood up, pulled on his ears and puffed out his cheeks, pursing his lips and tilting his head. Miller looked just like a monkey! Soon, the whole bus was laughing and trying to make monkey faces just like Miller. He had shut down the bullying by making fun of himself and diffusing the situation with laughter. By the time the bus had reached the school, Miller was a superstar.

     Dominic watched Miller from a distance all day as he navigated the different ways the other children treated him. Dominic realized Miller stood out. Not just for his larger than average ears, or his wild mop of curls, but something about his very presence seemed to trigger a reaction in everyone he met. He began to feel an overwhelming need to protect him. And that is what he did until the day they graduated from high school.

     “You know I can take care of myself,” Miller said as they posed for pictures with their large group of friends and family on graduation day.

     “I never doubted you could,” Dominic replied, feeling a sense of unease.

     “I’ve joined the Marines, Dom. I leave for Boot Camp next Friday.”

     “What?” Dominic’s face turned ashen at his friend’s words. “Why would you do that? You’re gonna get yourself killed!” He shoved Miller for added effect.

     Everyone around them paused in their jubilation as they watched the two old friends square off. Dominic had a few inches on Miller, but Miller was faster and leaner.

     “I want to serve my country.”

     “Then serve it by becoming a firefighter, join the Peace Corp, go work for the State Department, for fuck’s sake. There are a zillion ways to serve, without putting your life in jeopardy!”

     “Maybe I just need to get away from you!” Miller spat.

     Dominic lurched back as if Miller had once again punched him in the gut.

     “You’ve been my bodyguard since we were in Kindergarten. Something I never asked you to be. It’s time to let me breathe, man!” Miller added.

     A tightness in Dominic’s chest made it hard for him to speak. “I didn’t know I was holding you back so much.” Then, just like that day so long ago, he squared his shoulders, held back his pain, and walked away, disappearing into the now silent throng of fellow grads and their families.

     “Dude. Did you just break up with Dom?” a fellow classmate asked Miller.

     “Fuck off!” Miller replied, also melting into the crowd, but in the opposite direction as Dominic.

     Friday arrived before either boy was ready. They hadn’t spoken since the argument at graduation. But Dominic was determined to see his friend and try to convince him one final time that he was making a mistake. When he arrived at Miller’s house, the driveway was filled with cars of varying ages and conditions, a sure sign that half the graduating class was there to see him off. Walking through the side gate into the backyard, like he always did to get inside the Jankowski’s house, Dominic saw swarms of kids clustered in groups spread out in the backyard. Some had food, others red solo cups. It was a goddamn party and Dom wasn’t even invited. With his ire peaked again, he turned and left. His best friend for the last 13 years just showed his true colors.

     “I guess you did your job a little too well,” a voice came from between two cars. It was Julie, Dominic’s crush since Kindergarten. She was leaning against an old Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon circa 1985 and smoking a joint.

     “What are you talking about?”

     She nodded towards the backyard while simultaneously extending the joint to Dominic. “He didn’t invite you either, huh? Yet, the entire graduating class is here to see him off. If you hadn’t been there for him all this time, do you honestly think there’d be these many cars here?”

     Dom accepted the joint, took a hit, and looked up and down the street. Not only was the driveway crammed, but both sides of the street were lined with vehicles. He had been so focused on what he wanted to say to Miller that he hadn’t paid attention until that moment. He shrugged, took another hit before handing it back to Julie. “Can’t change the past. I did what I thought was right. Wouldn’t change a thing.”

     A moment of silence passed between them. “You wanna get outta here?” Julie asked.

     “Fuck, yeah. Where to?”

     “Anywhere but here,” she sighed, looking towards Miller’s house in longing. Dominic always wanted Julie, but Julie’s heart belonged to Miller. And Miller seemed only interested in himself.

     They drove for hours through small towns and winding mountain roads, listening to music, singing to their favorite songs, silently humming along with others when the words hit too close to home.

     “I’m starving,” Julie whined, resting her head on the headrest and casting a lazy gaze at Dominic.

     “Well then, the lady must eat!”

     After making a pit stop at a local fast food chain, Dominic found a picturesque park that overlooked a large pond. They sat on the hood of his late model Oldsmobile savoring the greasiness of their meal and the natural beauty of their surroundings.

     “What now?” Julie asked, loudly slurping pop through the straw in her paper cup.

     “I guess we should be getting back. Your parents must be wondering where you are.”

     “Pfft. My parents are too wrapped up in their own dramas to care about the last of four kids. That’s not what I meant. I saying, what will you do now that Miller is gone, or will be gone? I don’t think I have ever seen one without the other.”

     Dominic took a slow pull off of his own drink, gazing out at a pair of ducks drifting in the pond.

     “I only applied to state schools because I wanted to stay close to home. Miller was going to that trade school for auto mechanics training. He wanted to fix cars, get a job with your friend Amy’s dad. If I had known…” His throat clenched in anger.

     “If you had known that you didn’t hold the same importance in Mill’s life, maybe you would’ve chosen differently?”

     “FUCK!” Dominic shouted up at the sky. He threw his cup of soda as far as he could, causing the ducks to fly away, squawking as they went, his shout ricocheting off the surrounding hillside. He slid his fingers through his thick blond hair and pulled at the roots. “How could I have been so stupid?! So blind?! So wrapped up in another person that I didn’t even consider myself?!”

     Julie watched as Dominic processed his feelings. “I feel for you. I really do. Miller has this crazy effect on people. Do you know how long I’ve pined for him? How many ways I tried to tell him how I felt? The flirting, the innuendoes. Sometimes downright throwing myself at him. Not once did he give me the time of day. He always brushed me off in a way that made me question whether he knew but didn’t want to deal with me directly, or if he was just so fucking oblivious that he didn’t get it. Then I blamed you, thinking maybe he pretended to not be interested in me for your sake. It’s not like you made it a secret that you liked me. I resented you for years! Until graduation, in fact. When I saw how he treated you, what he said to you, it was like a big ‘DOH’ slapped me on the forehead. He’s just not that into either of us. Miller is only into Miller and I think he’s always been that way. We were just to blinded by his charm to see it.”

     “Charm. That motherfucker has the charm of a hot steaming pile of cow shit.”

     “Well, he has something that attracted us. Why else would we be standing here right now?”

     “Why, indeed.”

      “So, my question remains. What happens next?”

     “Well, it’s too late to switch schools and move across the country.”

      Julie’s eyes brightened. “Let’s take a gap year and backpack across Europe or South America. We could go to India and learn how to meditate with Buddhist monks. Build a school for girls in Afghanistan. Drink vodka for every meal in Russia. We have our whole lives in front of us!”

     Dominic smirked, thinking how absurd Julie was being. Then he grew serious. Crossing his hands over his chest, he began to pace back and forth in front of the car.

     “You’re right. You’re absolutely fucking right! Miller isn’t the only one with the ability to change his mind and surprise everyone. My dad will have a coronary if I tell him I want a gap year. He has busted his ass to make sure all three of us had money for college. But, if I work all summer and save up, maybe I can fund something myself! How much could it possibly cost to backpack around a country? Hostels in Europe are cheap and train fare is nothing. The US is full of campgrounds and open fields. We’d just need money for food and gas, maybe entertainment. This could work! This is an opportunity, not the end of the world. Miller just gave us a fucking gift!” He was shouting again, excited by the possibilities that lay before them.

     “Would you seriously go with me?” he asked, taking her hands in his and squeezing them tight.

     “Fuck, yeah! Community College can wait!”  Julie slid off the hood of the car and put her arms around Dominic’s waist in a tight embrace. Taken off guard, Dominic froze before returning the embrace. Overcome with the emotions of the day, Julie took in a shaky breath, trying to stave off tears. It was no use. Silent sobs began to rack her body.

     “What’s wrong?” Dominic let go and began to back away, but Julie wouldn’t let go.

      “I just realized that I love the way you smell.”

      “What?”

     “You smell like frankincense and pine needles and weed.”

     Dominic’s body shook with laughter. “You’ve lost your mind.”

     Julie closed the already tight space between them and squeezed harder. “No. I think it’s finally opened.” She pressed her face into his chest and inhaled. “With Miller removed from the equation, I’ve realized that I’ve been missing the obvious all along.” Looking up at him through watery eyes, she stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

     “Are you serious?” Dominic looked down at her tear-filled eyes, hopeful she was not playing some game.

     “Yeah, I think I am,” she whispered before locking her arms around his neck and pulling his head down to meet hers. Her lips were firmer this time, more urgent.

     Dominic sent a silent prayer of gratitude towards the heavens as she slid her tongue into his eager mouth. And a giant ‘Thank You’ to the asshat, Miller.

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3 Months Later

     As Dominic predicted, his father threatened to disown him the minute he broke the news about taking a gap year. But later conceded to the idea when Dom offered to finance his own travels, and a promise that he would start college no later than one year from the date of his first adventure. It didn’t hurt that Marcella had moved back home after taking five years to complete her degree. She currently worked at Home Depot as a cashier.

     With a ticking clock and minimal funds, Dom and Julie set off locally at first. They explored the state they grew up in and the bordering ones. They found abandon buildings held a certain appeal and beauty to them.

     “There’s something about the decay that speaks of mortality and time. Even the stuff we build decays along with our bones,” Julie waxed poetically to her mother one day, coming off their latest adventure.

     While Julie got philosophical with her mother, Dominic worked at convincing his to buy him the latest high-tech camera with the idea of capturing the sites they visited. “I never gave art much thought before. I was always focused on sports,” and Miller, he silently added. “But, visiting these places filled with obscure items just rotting away…It speaks to me in a way that I think others will find fascinating too. It’s like an escape from the ordinary world, even though they were once a part of it for someone.”

     Dominic’s mother, Sorel, agreed and it pleased her that her son was maturing in a way that didn’t involve keg parties and fraternity houses.

     “Let’s keep this between us for now. I want you to take some classes though. The Community College has some on composition and lighting, and basic technique instruction.”

     “I can’t afford that and travel, mom. And classes will cut into travel time.”

     “If you are taking classes, this gap year business will go away. Any furthering your education is progress in my book. Take the class, let’s see some of your work, then we can discuss your future academic career. Both your brother and sister went to school for four plus years. What do they have to show for it? Low paying jobs and wondering what to do with their lives. If you have found a passion, I’d rather you explore that then waste our money partying at school and working a dead-end job the rest of your life.”

     Following his mother’s advice, Dominic enrolled in photography classes at the local college. Julie decided she too could take some courses, starting with Fine Arts topics. A self-proclaimed Math and Science nerd, Julie was out of her comfort zone and loving it.

     “Have you heard anything from Miller?” Julie asked, as they headed out on a 10-day excursion to the Southern States. “He is supposedly stationed somewhere in the Carolinas.”

     “Is that why you picked this particular area?” Dominic asked, tightening his hands on the steering wheel. “Are you having withdrawals? Or maybe regrets about us?”

     “Don’t be a douche, Dom. We went 12 years of seeing and talking to him every day. It seems unnatural to not at least wonder how he’s doing.”

     “Do you think he wonders how we’re doing?”

     “I don’t know what he is thinking. Seems as though no one has heard from him. I saw his sister at the Stop ‘N Shop the other day. She didn’t say much other than he completed his basic training and declined his 10-day leave to start his specialty training early.”

     “Well then, that should answer your question. He’s so wrapped up in himself that he couldn’t bother to come home and let people see how he’s doing.”

     “Yeah, maybe. I mean we’ve had some amazing experiences so far, made some new friends, got a job, taking classes…a lot of change in such a short amount of time. I just can’t help but wonder about him is all.”

     A day hadn’t passed without Dominic thinking about his former friend. “Well, even if we went to the same town as his base, it’s not like we could see him. He’s in training.”

     “Right. Forget I said anything.” Julie crossed her arms over her chest and angled her body towards the passenger side door, choosing to focus out the window rather than at Dominic’s pained expression.

     They drove in silence for a hundred miles, before falling back into their easy routine of singing songs and talking about the places they plan to discover.

     After a day of driving, they checked into a roadside motel and Julie checked in with her mom.

     “Honey, I’m so glad you called. Has Dominic talked to his parents yet?”

     “No, why? Is something wrong?”

     “I’m not sure. But I think it would be a good idea if he checked in with them after we finish.”

     “That doesn’t sound odd at all, mom. What’s going on?”

     “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

     “Mom! Spill it. Now,” Julie snapped.

     Dominic stopped flipping through the channels of the TV and glanced over at Julie. He raised an eyebrow in question and she shrugged her shoulders in response.

     “Oh, dear. Well, Sorel called earlier asking if I’d heard from you. Seems she got a phone call from Mrs. Jankowski.”

     “Miller’s mother?”

     “Yes.”

     “Did something happen to Miller?”

     Dominic immediately shot to his feet and went to stand beside Julie, who was seated at a small desk situated by the window and exterior room door .

     “He’s alright. At least for now. Listen, you guys should really hear this from Sorel and not me.”

    “What happened, mom?” Julie demanded with impatience.

    “Well…he was arrested. He’s in some special jail on base.”

     “The Brig? What the hell? What do they think he did?”

     Julie’s mother remained silent on the other end. Meanwhile, Dominic paced the length of the small room as he overheard only Julie’s side of the conversation.

     “Mom? What do they think he did?”

     “Murder,” she whispered, quietly sobbing into the phone.

     “What?”

     “Murder, honey. They say he murdered another soldier and sunk his body in a nearby creek.” Her voice cracked on the details.

     “Oh my god!” Julie slapped her hand over her mouth.

     “What?!” Dominic stopped his pacing. “What is it, goddamn it?!”

     Julie repeated what her mother just said.

     “I don’t believe it,” Julie replied, shaking her head, physically rejecting the idea that Miller could hurt anyone.

    “Where is he now?” Dominic asked.

     Over the next two hours, Julie and Dom contacted everyone that knew anything about Miller’s whereabouts. His sister shared that their parents were flying to North Carolina and were set to arrive within the hour.

     “We should meet them at the airport,” Julie recommended.

     “My heart tells me that. My instincts want me to do it. But my head tells me it’s not our problem. He wanted to join the Marines without consulting anyone. He cut out everyone that meant anything to him. And now we are all supposed to just drop everything to go save him once again? How many times am I to do that and get nothing in return?”

     Julie considered Dominic’s words. Everything he said was true. “Dom,” she hesitated. “The nuns in catechism always taught us that if we had the ability to help another living thing, we should do it, regardless of the consequence to ourselves.”

     “Personally, I don’t think God or anyone else for that matter would expect you to be used. It’s one thing to help someone. It’s another to be enslaved, enthralled by them. Miller is a charmer. He endeared himself to all of us and when we wanted even the littlest in return, he denied us. Ditched us for people who didn’t ask for anything.”

     “So, you want to go on with our trip as if our best friend’s world didn’t just implode?”

     Dominic took an unsteady breath. “No. I want to go save my friend. But, wants and needs are two different things. For once, I need to think of myself.”

     “I can’t do that,” Julie went for the phone and made arrangements for transportation to the airport. “I can’t stand by and let this happen.”

     “Jules. It’s already happened. There’s nothing you can do to change anything.”

     “Maybe not.” she teared up, frustration causing her chest to heave. “I might not be able to change what may or may not have happened. But I can be there for my friend and his family.”

     Dominic nodded, grabbed the keys off the nightstand and turned to leave. “I guess I’ll be seeing ya then.” Grabbing his duffle bag filled with clothes and camera gear, he palmed Julie’s cheek and brushed her tears away with his thumb. As he stared into her watery eyes, he felt another piece of his heart blacken and die.

     “Is this what adulting is?” he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose as he sat behind the wheel of his car. He was parked outside an abandoned drive-in movie theatre somewhere in Podunk, North Carolina. Driving in circles for hours, he wavered between heading towards the Marine base where his friends had convened or continuing on with his plan to explore the decay of civilization across the United States.

     Stepping out of the car, he slung his camera strap over his shoulder and locked the door. He smirked to himself, knowing that there was no soul around for miles. Yet, like wanting to protect his friend from unseen forces his entire life, securing his stuff was an automatic gesture.

     “Not anymore,” he spoke aloud, unlocking the car out of spite. He strolled through the busted wood and metal gate that had withstood countless years of abuse.

     “Hi there,” a soft female voice came from inside the concessions booth.

     Dominic jumped, startled by the noise. The girl burst into laughter.

     “That’s not fucking funny!” Dominic shouted.

     “Umm, yeah it is. You should have seen your face and how far you jumped!” She slapped her fist on the counter, sending dust and grim floating into the air around her.

     Dominic clenched his fists at his sides. He had never wanted to hit a girl before. But, he was angry at the world, and this bitch had picked the wrong day to fuck with him.

     “Hey man, sorry. I didn’t expect to see anyone out here. I was just as startled as you when I heard you coming. Nice camera by the way. A Nikon N90?”

     Looking down at his camera hanging by his side and back at her, he held it tight to his body.

     “I’m not going to mug you. Jesus. How old are you kid? Like 18?”

     “What’s it to you?”

     She came out from the building, revealing a tall, slender body. She wore ripped jeans, a t-shirt that said, ‘Maybe you should try eating makeup so you can be prettier on the inside,’ a leather moto jacket over it, and a flannel shirt tied to her waist.

     “Do you cut your own hair?” he smirked.

     “As a matter of fact, I do. Starving artists can’t afford to waste money on shit like that.” She ran her fingers through short, choppy layers of dark brown hair. Then she revealed her own camera, also a Nikon N90. “Seems we are here for the same reason.”

     “You like abandoned buildings?”

     “I call it Ruin Porn. I’m determined to make it a thing.”

     He walked up to her and extended his hand, almost flinching as the image of a five-year-old Miller manifested before him. But instead of punching him in the gut, the touch of her hand pierced his fragile heart.
“Dominic,” he offered.

     “Ohhh. A Frenchie. I like it. Adelaide,” she replied, holding his hand a little longer than was appropriate. “Enchanté, Dominique.” She said his name in a perfect French accent.

     “Do you actually know French?” he asked.

     “Oui mais. Creole, though. You?”

     “Quebecois. Or my parents are.”

     “Well, mon ami, let’s explore this place. Shall we?”

---

     In the space of an afternoon, Dominic went from broken hearted and distraught over his life’s decisions thus far, to possibly discovering the love of his life. Love in fine art photography, and of a girl named Adelaide. They would go on to showcase their portfolio in art galleries across the country and are credited with coining the phrase, ‘Ruin Porn.’

     Miller, the Polish, was found guilty of 2nd-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years in military prison. When asked why he did it? “He kept running his mouth about my ears, about my Polack nose, just about anything to get me going. I just couldn’t take it anymore.”

     Julie went back to their small town, dropped out of community college, and currently works two jobs to support herself and pay for the small apartment she shares with her cat.

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Well, you know the drill. Leave a comment, get a $5 Amazon GC. Winners chosen at random. Happy holidays to everyone, no matter what you celebrate. And Happy Birthday to all my loves! xoxo KTG.

© K.T. George 2018 | This post was first seen on ktgeorge.com