Ep. 06 Misled by Beauty

"Yeah, he has better luck with the ladies than I do," Randy said with a laugh. "He's a good cat, though. Not the sharpest crayon in the henhouse, but he's a good cat. Can I get you a drink?"

"Water, please," La'Tonya said as she gently put Yonggary on the floor.

Randy went to the refrigerator and pulled out two bottles of water, handed one to La'Tonya, then sat at the dining room table, offering his guest the seat across from him. When she sat down, Randy asked, "So, what seems to be the trouble?"

"What do you know about dreams?" she asked him immediately.

"Only that they always end before the good part and I always wake up with a massive stiffy, why?"

La'Tonya laughed and told him about her dreams and how they had been getting worse since she came to Massachusetts. "This last one was so terrible," she said. "I finally get close to the city. It looks like something from that man who made the alien from that movie, except a lot weirder and scarier. Then a man swims up to me…he has huge eyes, but he's kinda handsome in a way. He smiles at me, revealing bloodstained teeth…and then I hear the words 'Welcome home, Serena'."

"That's odd," Randy said after much thought. "Especially since that's not your name. And you've never been here before?"

"No, never," she said. "I've only been to New England twice, including now, and never in Massachusetts. When I went to college in Maine, I flew."

"Any family here? Anyone that would know you?" he asked.

"I only knew Rachel, and apparently she went out west," she said. "My momma did say that Pops was from Back East, but not much more. In fact, she refused to tell me about him 'til the day she disappeared."

"Disappeared?"

"After Katrina hit. No one ever found her body."

Randy put his hand on hers and said, "I'm so sorry."

"Thanks. But yeah, I lost her, lost my home, lost everything to that goddamned storm, so I've been on the road ever since. I still miss her. In fact, the nightmares started ever since she disappeared in the hurricane. The usual 'I'm drowning' bit, but then gettin' worse."

"I'm really sorry," Randy said, clasping her hand tighter. "I lost my grandfather recently, as well. Not to the storm, thankfully. He had an old war wound that just got worse. I still miss him horribly. He ended up becoming a father to me and my kid sister after my 'real' one took off. After that, he became more of a dad to me than the man who impregnated my mom."

"Sounds like he was a really special man," La'Tonya said.

"Yeah, he was," Randy smiled in spite of the tears starting to well in his eyes. "He left me the Tae Kwon Do school where I teach when he died. I own the place, but I don't know dick about running a business, so my mom handles that. She's always knew more about that shit than I do. But yeah, he passed away about a month before Rachel left. I guess you can say 2006 was a pretty lousy year, and apparently 2005 wasn't terribly kind to you, either."

"So," La'Tonya said after a pause, "what do you know about this place?"

"Oh it's pretty nice and the rent's cheap. Also, the landlady's really nice to me, although I think she's got a bit of a crush. Now if I were 50 years older…"

"No, no," La'Tonya laughed, "this town."

"Ahh yes, good ol' Innsmouth," he said. "It's not so bad here, at least not in the new section. In fact, my last good memories of my father was when he'd take me to here when I was a kid. And you know, the fried dough and the pizza usually almost covers up the fish stench. Live here for long enough and you don't even notice it. It has been getting worse, though, especially in the northern section of town, but no one likes to go there anyways."

"Why? I mean, it seems like kind of a dump, but it can't be that bad."

"I dunno. I mean, it's pretty run down and the locals are really creepy, but there's something else there that I can't put my finger on. Maybe it's all the posters of missing people that seem to sprout up like fungus, and they were always last seen coming into that part of town. You've seen the locals, haven't you?"

La'Tonya remembered some of the odd-looking patrons of the Stinky Fish Face and nodded. Randy continued, "Yeah, I don't know what's up with them, and frankly, I don't wanna know. For one thing, I hate the way they stare at me all bug-eyed. Gives me the heebies, ya know?"

"Yes, I do," she said. "Listen, I don't want to be alone tonight. I don't want to impose, but may I stay here with you?

"After dreams like that, I don't blame you," Randy said. He went into his living room and unfolded his futon. "My kid sister stays here a lot during school breaks, and she's a fussy little brat, so I'm guessing it's pretty comfortable. Let me get you some blankets and a pillow.

"The bathroom is across from my room if you need to freshen up, the fridge is over there…mi casa es su casa. Anyways, I'm pretty beat, and I can gather that you are, too. You okay, now?"

La'Tonya embraced Randy warmly, kissing his cheek. "Yes I am, thank you so much."

"No problem. Stay as long as you need to."

"Thanks. Good night, cher. And Randy?"

"Yeah?"

"Rachel was a fool. A goddamned fool. You're a good man."

After a pause, Randy smiled and said, "Thanks. Good night."

* * * * *

La'Tonya didn't dream again, but she didn't sleep that heavily either. The nightmare was still fresh in her memory, plus Yonggary was being rather affectionate. Still, her brief nap was enough to rejuvenate her somewhat. She saw that it was still early, and could hear soft snoring coming from Randy's bedroom. After a quick shower, she put on a robe and started brewing a pot of coffee. She could see by the cupboards and refrigerator that Randy had been living alone for some time; they contained a lot of ready-to-eat meals. Finally, she found a box of pancake mix in the cupboard above the sink and a half-empty box of brown-and-serve sausages.

She was half-finished with cooking breakfast when she heard a shuffling sound coming from the bedroom. She turned and saw Randy wearing his red tank top and a pair of camouflaged lounge pants. "And good morning to you!" he said with a smile. "I thought I could smell somethin' cooking. And is that the smell of coffee?"

"Yes, that would, sugar!" La'Tonya said. "It's the least I can do to repay your kindness."

"It's nothing at all," he said, grabbing a slightly chipped coffee mug with the South Korean flag emblazoned on the side. "Did you sleep okay?"

"A little better, thanks," she said. "I had SOMEONE keeping me awake." She looked over at Yonggary, who had his face buried in his food bowl.

"Yeah, he's good like that," Randy laughed. "I think once he's used to you, he'll leave you alone. Right now, though, he's still curious about you. Plus, I think he can sense when someone's upset. Anyways, when my sister's here, he'll be in her face for an hour, after which he can't be bothered. In the rare occasion I have a, ummm, 'guest' staying the night, I have to keep the bedroom door closed or else he'll demand attention."

"Well, sit down and I'll have your breakfast ready," La'Tonya said.

The pair sat down and ate their breakfast. When La'Tonya finished, she took a sip of her coffee and said, "I get the feeling something terrible happened in Innsmouth. Would you know anything about that?"

"A little, and even what info I have may be complete bullshit. It's commonly believed that Innsmouth is the Massachusetts equivalent of Roswell. Something big happened here and the government covered it up. Story goes that some cat came here back in the 20s and witnessed something horrible. He reported it to the Feds. They come in, raise all sorts of hell. They even went as far as to shoot torpedoes at Devil Reef…almost completely destroyed it. Said that it was because of 'bootleggers'. Call me crazy, but I think that's a bit of an extreme way of dealing with bootleggers."

"So what do you think it was?" La'Tonya asked.

"Don't know, don't care," Randy said. "However, the buzz on the net says that some guy was running a weird cult in Innsmouth and had been for generations. Not to mention the fact that people goin' missing was nothing new. On the outside, Innsmouth was your average fishing town with an above-average catch ratio, and it was being run by a prominent family of eccentrics…the Marshes, I think. People liked to say they were in league with the devil, but back then, people would say that sorta shit about anyone they didn't like or thought wasn't normal.

"Anyway, Innsmouth went deserted for a long time after the government was finished until some developer with too much money decided to make it a playground for the insanely wealthy. It ended up becoming the tourist trap you see today. In truth, it's rather nice here. The rent in NIB is really cheap, considering, and it's really quiet here during the off-season."

Randy finished his coffee, and continued. "The north section's a different story. You don't see too many people hanging out there. The buildings appear abandoned, and tourists who wander in that part of town have a tendency of not coming back, and those that do supposedly end up in therapy. I've entertained the notion of exploring that section, but every time I'd take a few steps, I'd get the same feeling as I did when I approached the old Witch House back home in Arkham, except a lot worse.

"You weren't thinking of going there, were you?"

La'Tonya tilted her head slightly. "So what really happened between you and Rachel? I remembered her being a really sweet girl…hardly the type to run off with someone else on a whim."

Randy knew that La'Tonya was evading his question. He could tell from her facial expression that she maybe wasn't prepared to answer, likely for the sake of her own sanity. He took a deep breath, and let out a big sigh. He refilled his mug and said, "Well, when she came back, things started out okay. A little rocky, but okay, considering her mother's actions. Once the air was cleared, things were even better than they were when she left for college. I noticed that she had changed, that she was a lot more confident and self-assured, which I really liked.

"A few months later, I noticed that she was becoming a lot more health-conscious. I think it was because of her teaching job and this 'obesity epidemic' shit the media's been shoving down our throats. I mean, I understand wanting to be healthier. In fact, I was all for it, since I teach martial arts and I've gotta keep in shape. So we started exercising together, we quit smoking, and we both made an effort to eat healthier.

"Anyways, my grandfather's health took a sharp decline, so I was needed more at the dojo. I couldn't be around as much, so she started working with a personal trainer. She started getting more fanatic about exercise and diet, so much so that she was losing her curves. That wasn't the worst of it, though."

La'Tonya nodded and motioned for Randy to continue. "She started pushing me away to the point where I was shut out completely. I suspected there was another man, someone she'd met at the gym. When I came to her with my feelings, she denied it flat and then blew up at me. After that, I figured that maybe her mother got back into her head somehow, which was odd considering her relationship with her family was still rather strained."

"So what happened?" La'Tonya asked.

"Well, she started getting home later and later, to the point that I'd hardly ever see her, and when we did see each other, we'd always end up fighting, then she'd storm out. I figured she was going to the gym to let out steam, but it seemed like it was becoming an addiction. Anyways, during my grandfather's last days, I spent a lot less time at me and Rachel's apartment so I could be with my family. I realized things were bad when I was happier tending to my dying grandfather than I was with Rachel, so I resolved to make a stand and tell her that I wasn't going to take her shit anymore and that she wasn't the woman she used to be."

A tear rolled down Randy's cheek, and La'Tonya brushed it away. "It never got to that point. I got back to the apartment to find all of Rachel's things gone. She had moved out completely and didn't even have the courtesy to leave a 'Dear John' letter. I went to her gym to confront her, but after I saw her leaving hand in hand with her personal trainer and their tongues tangoing, I decided against it."

"So what's the som'bitch's name?" La'Tonya asked, her eyes flaring angrily.

"Lisa," Randy said. "Her name's Lisa."

La'Tonya sank back in her chair and looked away, her hand over her mouth. She felt a little sick to her stomach. "Randy, I'm so, soooo sorry," she said repeatedly.

"Why? It's not your fault," he said.

"Actually, I feel like it kinda is," she said. "I didn't tell you everything about me and Rachel's friendship back in college. We were actually a bit more than friends."

Randy lifted an eyebrow and said, "Oh. Well anyway, it only upset me that she had been cheating on me. It didn't matter that it was with a woman. It was the deception that stung."

"It don't bother you that Rachel and I were lovers?" La'Tonya asked.

"I just wish she would've told me, that way it wouldn't have come as such a shock," Randy said. "Besides, if you don't mind me saying so, you're damned fine, and frankly, I don't blame her for going for you, nor do I blame you. She was gorgeous back then."

"You didn't care that she's bi?" La'Tonya asked.

"Actually, I think that's kinda hot," Randy confessed. "Besides, I know about my Auntie Ju and my other Auntie Moon. Moon's a sweet lady and takes good care of her."

"So how do you know that Rachel left the state?" La'Tonya asked.

"Her father called. It was the first time he ever spoke to me like I was a human being. He first apologized for two years ago, and then he apologized for the things he said about me. He said he finally realized that I really loved his daughter…"

Randy couldn't hold the tears back. He laid his head on his arms and began sobbing uncontrollably. He then felt La'Tonya's arms encircle him, and his face becoming buried into her ample chest. "It's okay, cher," she said, "let it out."

La'Tonya remembered a few years back comforting Rachel under similar circumstances. Unlike before, however, this was a very real betrayal. Her heart broke for Randy, for she too loved Rachel in her own way. She started to feel a little used. At the time, she was okay with it; she even suggested it in order to ward off unwanted attention. But back then, she felt that Rachel deserved this part of her. She never even entertained the possibility that, given what she had been through, that Rachel could be capable of such cruelty. "You're a good man, Cho Ran-Jong," La'Tonya whispered. "Rachel was a stupid little cunt for what she did to you."

Randy bolted upright so fast, he nearly bumped his head on La'Tonya's chin. He wiped his eyes and started laughing. "Well, she was!" La'Tonya said, joining in the laughter.

"I'm not disagreeing," he said, "I'm just shocked to hear a woman drop the C-bomb."

"Well, it's her loss. You're going to make a woman really happy one day."

"One day," Randy said, taking a deep breath. "As you can see, I'm still nursing a broken heart. But I got over the feelings of worthlessness pretty quickly. I just decided to have some fun, not learn too many names, and make some good music with my friends. But a real relationship? No, I'm just not ready for that."

La'Tonya put her hands on Randy's and clasped them tightly. "Well, when you're ready, call me. I mean that. I can't promise nothin', but it's certainly worth tryin'."

Randy looked at her inquisitively, causing La'Tonya to laugh heartily. "Sugar, just because I like to eat out don't mean I don't like goin' out for a stiff one neither, if you catch my meanin'!"

Randy laughed and said, "Good to know!"

"And Randy," La'Tonya continued, "I won't be doin' what the bitch did to you. I wouldn't cheat on you - with a man or a woman. I don' mind sharin' every once in a while; a threesome now and then is good for ya and trust me, you'll love it. But all that's a different story, and only if you're comfortable with it. Not every guy is."

"Well, if and when I get to that juncture, I'm willing to give it a shot," Randy said. "And thanks. When I'm ready and if you're still around, I'll definitely call you."

Randy got up and stretched, then hugged La'Tonya tightly. She then tilted her head up, stared into his brown eyes, and kissed his lips gently. "This is for both of us," La'Tonya said.

Randy then leaned forward and kissed La'Tonya hard, taking her breath away. He kneaded her ample flesh through the terry-cloth of her bathrobe, and could smell a floral scent lingering in her hair. La'Tonya could feel him growing hard against her; she knew he wanted her, and badly. Tugging at his waistband, she led him to his bedroom and shut the door behind them. Suddenly, she pushed him onto his bed, then straddled his waist, kissing him with force. She then straightened, and took her robe off, exposing her chocolate-colored skin. "You like what you see, baby?" La'Tonya asked with a sly grin.

Randy could only nod, and taking hefting one breast in his hand, he leaned forward and began sucking one of her brown nipples. "Mmmm, that's it cher, bite that nipple…oh yes…" she moaned.

Randy complied, taking the nipple with his teeth and biting it gently, then a little bit harder as if testing La'Tonya's pain threshold. He then felt a hand gripping his hair tightly and pulling his head back. La'Tonya kissed his lips hard while pulling his lounge pants down with her free hand. She then pushed him back on the bed, kissing and biting his neck and chest. Randy could only lay on his back while La'Tonya made her way inevitably to his aching cock. It had been a long time since someone had ravaged him this way, and he wasn't complaining. For Randy, it felt good to be wanted this way…it felt good for him to not be the aggressor for a change. La'Tonya looked up at him, her green eyes blazing and a smile curled her full lips. "Is this what you want, cher?" she purred. "Want me to suck that cock, baby?"

Again, Randy could only nod his head, being unable to catch his breath after La'Tonya's furious kisses. Then, La'Tonya moved her hips until she was straddling Randy's face and all he could see was the tight black curls of the hair on her mound, and all he could smell was the musky scent of her pussy. Without warning, Randy could feel La'Tonya's mouth take all of his cock inside, and begin to suck it hard. Reflexively, his head went upright, sending him face first into La'Tonya's pussy. After regaining his bearings, he began gently licking and sucking her clit, which was sticking out like a pencil eraser. He reached around La'Tonya's waist, placed both hands on her massive ass, and somehow reached her anus with his fingers. "Yeah, that's it, baby," Randy heard a muffled voice say to him, "finger that ass while you lick my pussy…"

Randy happily complied, his pace becoming more feverish as La'Tonya sucked his cock while stroking it with one hand and sliding a moistened finger into his anus with the other. A muffled moan came from behind her, and she could feel Randy becoming more intense with his licking and fingering. Finally, she could take no more, and got off Randy's body. She kissed him passionately while licking her juices off his face. "I want you inside me, Randy," La'Tonya said. "I want to cum on your hard cock."

"I would love nothing more," Randy said, then reached into his bedside table for a condom.

"Let me put it on you, ma cher," La'Tonya purred, taking the condom from Randy's hand and slowly encasing his cock in a latex sheath.