Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Stay with Me (Photo Story)

The following episode contains violence which may be disturbing to some readers. 
Reader discretion is advised.

After a tense unexpected encounter with Walter at the record company, Deirdre decides to wait another day before returning home. She comes home and finds her home answering machine full. She listens to the messages while fixing herself some herbal tea. When she hears the very last message, left earlier that same day, she drops her tea cup and it smashes on the floor.

“I can’t go on like this. I’m in too much pain. The pills aren’t helping like they’re supposed to…maybe if I take all of them. I’ve been thinking about how my life was like the sweetest dream when you were in it. Then you left, and my dream turned into a nightmare. And since I can’t seem to wake up from this nightmare, I’ve decided to just go to sleep for good. I know folks will struggle to understand the pain I’m in, so I'm leaving a note to explain.  I want you to know that I love you, even though it hurts to have you not love me back.” (Walter, on the answering machine)


Deirdre panics at the thought of Walter killing himself over their breakup. She phones him several times in a row, thinking maybe she can dissuade him, but one line is busy and his mobile number goes straight to voice mail. Not sure what else to do, she jumps in the car and rushes over to his place hoping she’s not too late. The guard in the lobby knows her and allows her to go right on up. She finds the door unlocked, so she lets herself in.


Walter? Walter? (Deirdre)

She finds him in the bedroom. He appears to be unconscious.

Walter! Please wake up. (Deirdre, shaking him)

Walter comes around, but his vision is blurry and his mind is cloudy from the alcohol and pills he’s consumed.

Walter, talk to me. What did you take? Where are the pills? (Deirdre)

He answers, but his response is incoherent.

Walter, look at me. I need you to tell me where the pills are. (Deirdre)
Gone…took them all. (Walter, in a whisper)
You took them all? How many? What did you take? (Deirdre)


I knew I’d get through to you. I knew you’d come back to me. (Walter)
Listen, me being here doesn’t change anything. We’re not back together. (Deirdre)
Can’t you see? You came because you care. (Walter)
Of course I care whether you live or die. I came to help you. (Deirdre)


You want to help me? You can put an end to my pain right now. Stay with me, and promise you’ll never leave me like this again. (Walter)
That’s not the kind of help you need. You need to get to a hospital. (Deirdre)


Either let me die or give me a reason to live. (Walter, shaking his head angrily)
Let me get you some help. Who can I call? (Deirdre)
Would you at least let me hold you? It’s been so long since I held you. I miss you so much. (Walter)

Walter grabs Deirdre firmly and kisses her. His breath reeks of whiskey.

Walter, stop! (Deirdre, backing away)
Don’t you miss me? (Walter, gripping her even more tightly and kissing her roughly)
Stop ir! You’re drunk, and you’re hurting me. (Deirdre, struggling)


I know you want this as much as I do. (Walter, forcing Deirdre down and tugging off her panties)

Deirdre tries to push him off and scratches him in the process. Walter grabs her by the throat.

Don’t fight me. Don’t make me hurt you when all I want to do is love you. (Walter)

Deirdre is terrified of what Walter might do under the influence, so she resigns herself to weeping silently during the assault.

When Walter finally passes out asleep, she manages to slip out of the embrace he’s locked her in. She gathers her things and exits in a hurry.

The next morning, Walter awakens with a pounding headache. At first he’s confused. He can smell Deirdre’s perfume on his shirt, but he doesn’t remember her being there. He calls her name, and there’s no answer. 

Then he notices the scratches on his hand and chest and begins to recall the events of the night before. He panics. 

He turns on his phone and sends a text to Sean, his head of security. The text reads: "Need to see you in my office ASAP…we may have a situation."


 Thanks for reading!

21 comments:

  1. Poor Diedra...Walter needs to be locked away! I can't wait to see what happens next...

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    1. He should be locked away someplace where he'll be manhandled and assaulted to see how he likes having a taste of his own medicine.

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  2. Deirdre is just not thinking straight when it comes to this man. That is the oldest trick in the book. She should have never gone over there. It's call dial 911 and have the police go check on him. That would have sent a message that she cares if he lives or dies, but reconnecting on any level is not an option. Sidenote: Walter has a nice bachelor pad.

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    1. Yes, that is an old trick. I had an ex tell me he was going to drink a gallon of antifreeze if I didn't stay. I drove off and left him standing in his driveway holding the jug. Puh-leez!

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  3. Wow, Deirdre needs to stay away from Walter for real. This situation, is a situation. She needs to let that go.

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    1. I think this unfortunate situation will keep her away this time. The question is, will he stay away from her?

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  4. I totally agree with Vanessa and Brini! Deirdre need to stay away from that creep! If she is concerned about him, call the police! Don't go anywhere near him! BTW, I like Walter's place too!

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    1. I have a feeling Deirdre will be more concerned about herself moving forward. Thanks for the compliment on the dio.

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  5. Shaking my head. This was so bound to happen. Walter was a bomb and she just refused to stay away from him. They both need help. Well, Walter needs help and a jail cell.

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    1. You're right, Muff. Deirdre needs help putting this relationship behind her and learning to trust again. But Walter will most likely never get the help he needs, because he won't ever admit that he's mentally and emotionally unstable. And the reality is men like him don't go to jail for this sort of thing.

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  6. Yes DAIL 911, Deirdre......... ! Sorry u went through tht, don't c Walter alone!!!!!!! Wa were u thinking? Oh u weren't. Yes nice crib Water.

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    1. Deirdre was thinking that she could help Walter, but she can't. Walter needs psychiatric help. Thanks for the compliment on his place.

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  7. Walter belongs in jail! Deirdre was naive to go to him, she should have called 911. I hope the scratches hurt, Walter deserves it! Can't wait to see how this develops!!!
    And I agree, Walter has a great place :-).
    Again a great episode!

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    1. Thanks, Linda! I agree that Walter belongs in jail, but we know it won't happen. The percentage of rapists who serve even a single day in jail is disgustingly low. In the real world, a guy like Walter would probably not even get arrested if someone made an accusation.

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    2. Heck, in this case, they may arrest Deirdre for harassing Walter. Years ago I was riding in a car with a fellow corporate male manager, who is white. We were headed to a business meeting in Nevada. He got pulled over for "speeding", which he wasn't doing. The cop came to the passenger side and asked to see my license and then started harassing me with questions. They didn't believe I was a manager for Kodak. Mind you I was dressed in a business suit. I had to school them with my knowledge. It was so blatant what they were doing. How dare I be riding in a nice car with a white man. Who did I think I was?

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    3. A valid point, Vanessa! It's unlikely enough that a man with Walter's wealth and status would be charged with rape, but the color of Deirdre's skin would make it an impossibility in some places. And she would invite all kinds of harassment just by suggesting it.

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  8. Walter is a conniving fool! I am glad that Deidre got away. I hope that she pressures charges on him. Now, he wants to run scared...

    Your sets/scenes looks great! I love love the furniture in his place!!

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    1. Thanks for feedback on the dio! Yes, he is a conniving fool. I couldn't have described him better myself. It's like you've already read the next episode. He's scared, but he isn't going to run. Just wait till you see what he does instead.

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  9. You're a wonderful writer/story teller. Can't wait to see what happens next.

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    1. Thanks so much, Debbie! The next episode is written. Now, I just have to find time to take the pictures.

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  10. Huhn. I feel sorry for Deidre, but that choice was not in her interests ... or safety. I'd have told him, "Call me when you're dead," and hung up. But Deidre is way younger and nicer than me, hey?

    I doubt Walter will receive official punishment for his crime. I'd love to see him in prison, but I doubt that will happen. Sigh.

    (And yes, Walter's place is sharp.)

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