It took a month for all of her bruises to heal completely. She knew she needed to leave, but didn’t know how and feared the hostile repercussion of getting caught. He called her ten times a day and threatened her harshly more and more. She even caught him searching through her cell phone records.
They went out one night to a dinner party at a cast member’s house. She refused to go at first, fearing someone would bring up Benny, but her refusal only agitated him, so she went. Big mistake. When they returned home, he screamed in her face, accusing her of checking out other guys packages, one man in particular. Luckily, Luca drank too much and passed out before his temper exploded full force. Lying in bed, JC actually thanked God for Vodka. Oh, I am so pathetic.
JC’s phone chirped and vibrated on the kitchen counter. She trotted down the hall yelling, “I’m right here. I got it.” Tom showed on her caller ID. “Hi. What’s going on?”
“Hey Frog! How are you? Damn I miss you!”
“I miss you too.” Melancholy hummed in her tone hearing Tom’s voice. “Where’s Mom?”
“That’s why I’m calling. You know her birthday’s in two weeks,” Tom said in a hushed voice.
“Of course I know it’s her birthday! She’s turning the big 5-0. Why are you whispering?”
Luca lurked in her peripheral view, eavesdropping on her conversation. She turned her back, ignoring his habitual reaction every time the phone rang.
“I’m throwing her a surprise party. She’s expecting you kids, but I’m inviting about fifty friends to the house in Greece. John and Shayla and the boys will be here a week early. Can you come early too? It would make your Mom so happy. She misses you.”
“Ooo she’s gonna be so mad at you for throwing her a surprise party,” JC assured playfully. “What day is Tracy getting there?”
“Tracy and Vincent are coming the day before. And for your information, your mother only pretends to get mad over my surprises, but it only lasts five minutes.”
“We’ll be there.”
“Luca’s coming with you?” Tom asked warily.
“I’m sure he won’t be able to stay as long as me, but I’m assuming he can make the party,” she stated, giving Luca a questioning glance. She secretly prayed he wouldn’t go. It didn’t matter if he went or not, deep down inside, JC knew she was done.
“Perfect! See you soon. Love you.”
“Love you too.” JC hung up and ambled nonchalantly into the kitchen, keeping her cool. She could feel the fumes rippling off him in waves.
“Why did you tell him we’d be there? You know we can’t make it to the party.”
Bring it on. She thought to herself. “Why can’t you make it to my Mom’s fiftieth birthday party?” She questioned snidely.
“It’s the same night as the previewing of Spartacus,” he grumbled nastily.
Perfect. Her tone lowered to a relieved simmer. “I’m sure my Mom will understand why you can’t make it.”
A raging storm front gathered in his eyes, slamming into her with a cold hard stare. “I’m not going alone! You’re going with me. I need you there.”
Her mouth dropped open in disbelief. “You expect me to miss my Mom’s fiftieth birthday party to attend a preview of your series with a bunch of people I don’t know? I’m going to Greece, Luca.”
“You’re so fucking selfish. You don’t give a damn about me. You don’t give a shit about your Mom’s party. You just want to go see your stepdaddy. Everybody knows it! You hang on him, flirting and laughing,” he seethed in a winey voice coated with insinuation.
Luca Santini just went too far.
Her eyes narrowed into a hard line filled with hatred.
“I’m not going to fight with you Luca. If you want to hit me, go ahead. I don’t care anymore. I’m going to the party without you.”
Luca slammed his fist on the counter. JC jumped at the deafening noise. She heard the front door open, but refused to turn and look at him.
“We’ll see about that.” He warned gruffly right before he slammed the door, shaking the apartment walls.
Walking on eggshells became routine over the next two weeks. She tolerated his drastic mood swings, repulsive insults, evenings of silent treatment and sleeping in bed next to him. She even stomached having sex with him. It seemed easier and less frightening to just say yes and get it over with. When she left for Greece, she wasn’t coming back. Luca Santini would simply be a bad memory in her past.
Everything changed four days before her Mom’s birthday party. She and Luca ate dinner together and JC was in the kitchen doing dishes when her phone rang. Luca picked up the phone, glared at the caller ID, and chucked the cell phone at her growling, “It’s your fucking boyfriend.”