Flirting the Fence Ch. 01-10

"I need to get back to the person I was. I need to get back to my real life." Beth said cooly, hating herself in that moment.

Back to what? Her conscience screamed at her. Back to a man who doesn't respect you? A job that treats you like crap? A family that doesn't respect the choses you make? No, no, maybe it's your fabulous friends, who are always there when your fiancé needs a good fuck!

Beth bit the inside of her cheek, as the thoughts came with the brutality of a bullet. Tearing at her with brutal efficiency, but this was the life she had chosen, this was the path she wanted.

"Beth, I don't know what your going through right now or even how to help you. But if you're ever in trouble, if you ever need someone- even just someone to talk to- you call me or drop by." Day said going into the living room and grabbing a pen and paper to write down some information.

"Here's my work number and cell number, plus our address." Day said looking around for her bag and coat, which he spied near the door.

Going t grab her things, he continued. "Really Beth, I know your going through a lot, but Obviously you can't trust your best friend or your fiancé. So my offer will stand, if you ever need someone to talk to, a place to stay, whatever, just let me know. Please let me know." Day said as she approached him at the door and handed her the coat and bag.

Beth nodded, holding back her tears, as she stared at Day. He was just so different from all the men she knew, and not just superficially. Yes he might be black, but he was also kind, genuine, and smart. He didn't manipulate or bullshit her, he was straight to the point.

"I can't tell you how much you've helped me Day. I-I don't know where I would have been without you." Beth's voice wobbled as she finished, because last night the thought of being raped hadn't just been a thought. It had been a living breathing thing, staring through the eyes of six men, with the promise: this is how you get raped.

Beth shivered a little at the thought, thanking the stars it hadn't happened. Forcing herself to smile and put on a brave face, Beth nodded. "Thank you."

"Do you need me to help you get a cab?" Day asked, as he moved to open the door for her. "Are you forgetting anything?"

Beth shook her head, already beginning to feel the pain from the heels she had had to slip on again. Moving to the opening she lightly touched Day's cheek, a show of thanks and affection. "Really, thank you." Beth whispered before she exited the door and walked down the four flights of stairs. It was only when she hit the ground floor that she head the door close, it was only then that she steeled herself to face her reality.

Chapter 10

Day closed the door as he heard Beth's heels hit the ground floor.

"I'm hungry!" Brian piped up, as he climbed back into his chair.

Day turned to his son, striding past him into the living room, he looked out of the window searching for Beth's red head. "What took you so long?" Day asked Brian, as he spotted Beth with her hand up, flagging down a passing cab.

Day watched as she climbed into the cab, closing the yellow and black door behind her. His eyes hungrily trailing the cab until it disappeared down the street and around the corner.

"I was pooping." Brian said candidly, making Day laugh out loud.

Brian hadn't yet learned the intricacies of social norms, so he still said what was on his mind. Turning away from the window Day went back into the kitchen, grabbing the batter and beginning to stir it again.

Day was quick about making the french toast, constantly checking the clock. At a quarter to ten he had Brian washed, cleaned, fed. and ready to go. Quickly the pair exited the apartment, Day turning to lock the door behind him.

"Oh hello there Brian." Day heard his neighbor Mrs.Johnson say.

Mrs.Johnson was an old woman, who from time to time took care of Brian. The old woman felt like she had some kind of hold over Day and Brian's decisions, like she knew what was best for them.

Though Day appreciated the old woman's kindness and generosity, at times he felt decidedly uncomfortable around her and her small minded views.

"Hi" Brian pipped up, waving the hand that wasn't trapped in Day's hand.

Kid's too fucking trusting, Day thought on a groan, turning to smile brightly at Mrs.Johnson. "Hello Mrs.Johnson. How are you doing this morning?"

Mrs.John smiled warmly at them, reaching out to pat Brian's head and squeeze Day's shoulder. "Good, good. But I saw the strangest thing this morning." She said in a conspiratorial whisper leaning closer to Day.

Day remained perfectly still with a polite smile on his face, knowing what was coming next. Whenever the woman saw something strange it was usually something she didn't agree with and something she thought was wrong.

"I saw a white woman runnin' down the stairs. Now I don't know where she came from, but I hope she won't be causin' trouble. Lord knows we don't need another white woman blaming our young black men for nothin'." The woman said, shaking her head sadly and clucking her teeth.

Day bit the inside of his cheek to keep from saying anything. Mrs.Johnson thought the young black men in their neighborhood were all saints, and that the media twisted the truth, just wanting to: put "good black men in jail like they slaves" as she always liked to say.

Day might have agreed with her, if not for what he had seen yesterday, and what he knew to be true. Not all men were good, and it didn't matter what the color of their skin was, it mattered how dark their soul was.

"Well Mrs.Johnson I have to get to work." Day said, trying to step around the old woman.

"Um-hmm. Day I hope you wasn't foolin' round with that white woman." She tisked, looking at him with shame. "You know them girls ain't nothin but trouble. Think they want some jungle fever, but then they scream rape. Our kind just don't mix Day, they just don't." Mrs Johnson said shaking her head sadly.

Day bit a hole in his cheek tasting blood. The woman was nearly 80 and wasn't about to change her views on interracial couples or "white women" anytime soon. Day understood this, he had known how racist she was, but he had need the help after Shontell had died. But now that he truly thought about it, Day didn't want his son around the woman, her poisonous words infiltrating his still forming mind.

"You have a good day Mrs.Johnson." Day said curtly, holding Brain's hand and beginning to walk down the stairs.

"Oh! Thank you Day! You're always so kind. Ya'll have a nice day." The woman said calling down to them and giving a little wave.

Day snorted as he pushed through the front door and headed in the direction of his parking garage. He doubted he would ever let his son near the old woman again, he didn't want his son turning out like her, small minded and petty.

They hit the parking garage, and Day reached into his pocket for his keys, clicking the alarm system to open the doors to his sedated minivan. Once Brian was strapped in, playing with one of his toys, Day got in the driver's seat and they were on their way.

*Please comment and vote!

As a reminder I would like to point out I do not condone violence against women of any kind. If you see a woman being assaulted please call the police, especially in the case of domestic assault and rape. Thank you.