Only You Sweetheart

It was the dead of night when Matt pulled up to the gas station, finally one with toilets on the outside. This had been their third stop, he had passed through them all knowing going in any of them could get him and more importantly Charlotte noticed.
“Toilet stop baby” he gently rubbed his sleeping wife’s shoulder, her cheek rubbed softly against his hand as she awoke, it took her a few seconds to come to her senses before that usually pang of fear shot through her body every time she woke up.

She sleepily looked around; her neck was stiff from where she had been resting her head against the car window. She got out of the car and followed Matt into the toilets. Once she got out of the cubicle she watched him stand in front of the mirror, he removed his lip ring and his eye brow ring, he rubbed his hand on his head so that his hair went more scruffy and he ran his fingers through the front so his fringe came over his eyes. He put on a hooded sweater so the tattoos on his arms were covered. He then turned to Charlotte.
“Put your head over the sink”
“What?” She looked at him oddly.
“Don’t worry I’m not gonna hurt you.”
He ran the tap, occasionally checking the temperature. As she approached he held out a hand and gently placed it on her head, she leant over the sink as he poured the water over it. Was he washing it for her? She felt him pour the shampoo on her head, he was rubbing it in thoroughly, her back was aching she seemed to be bending over for so long. After what seem like a lifetime she took a look at herself in the mirror, her hair was practically black! He had dyed it. “Come on lets dry it, you’ll catch your death otherwise”
After drying her hair under the hand dryer, Matt rinsed the sink of any dye left over and they left the toilets. Charlotte’s hair was still damp. She caught him smiling at her “It suits you, makes your eyes really stand out” he leant over and kissed her softly on the lips, it felt different without his lip ring. His bottom lipped looked plumper now even kissable had the circumstances been different. It was a cute attribute after all. She shook the thoughts out of her head and cursed herself. “Now keep your head down, try not to be noticed and stay by me”
They went into the gas station and bought some snacks and they left, she did as she was told. Nobody noticed her.
They got back into the car and carried on driving, it wasn’t long before Charlotte drifted back to sleep, Matt watched her. She didn’t look very comfortable she was awkwardly positioned. Her newly dark hair suited her amazingly. It made her beautiful eyes stand out to attention and her fair skin was a total contrast to her hair, it reminded him of Snow White. He didn’t think she could be anymore beautiful but she looked absolutely stunning. He smiled with pride, and she was all his.

……………………………………………

Damon slunk through the door, he looked at the clock, 3.45am. As he closed the door he dropped his phone and change in his hand. “Fuck” His vision was blurry, he crouched on the floor and felt around, he could see them but couldn’t quite pick them up.
“Damon, its almost 4am!” his mom rushed to where he was standing, she hadn’t been to bed either. He stood up and looked at her “Yeah and …”
“You’ve got school tomorrow, you’ve missed too much as it is already” She took another look at him “You’re drunk”
He laughed slightly “Its funny aint it, me being the drunk one and you … you the drunken old slapper being the s-s-sober one”
She took a deep breath, he was drunk, she had said horrible things when she was drunk as well.
“I want you to go upstairs to bed, sleep off the drink and then get up for school in the morning. I’m not having you flunking this year”
“Fuck off”
“Damon I …”
“I don’t care what you say, you stupid old haggard slag” He felt her hand slap him across the face.
“Don’t you dare speak to me like that, I know you are upset about Charlotte, so am I … but this is not the answer. I have not given up alcohol just for my son to take my place, I will not watch you destroy yourself over this!” She went to grab his shoulder but felt the force of her son push her against the door, her face hit it hard.
“Don’t touch me bitch|” he stormed up the stairs into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him hard, his mother stayed at the bottom of the stairs her face in her hands, sobbing.

……………………………………..

Matt opened the boot of his car and helped Charlotte out, “I’m sorry I had to put you in there babe, it was only for a few minutes whilst I booked a single room over at the motel. Cant let them know I’ve got a stowaway” As they entered the motel the woman at reception was typing on the computer, as leant for something under her desk Matt grabbed charlottes hand and they ran up the stairs, Charlotte turned in hope that the woman had noticed but she was far too bust doing other important things to notice her distress.

They entered the room, there was just one single bed, the room was small, and it had a small en suite bathroom and a TV in the corner. Matt locked the door and put the chain on, he approached the bed and sat on it. He had the usual gleam of excitement in his eyes; Charlotte felt the ball of fear drop down in her stomach. “Its kinda small for two people ……………lets test it out”


…………………………………….


Damon groaned as he approached the kitchen, his head was killing him. It was 12.55pm, he’d missed school. Flashes of last night ran through his mind, as he entered the kitchen an image he hadn’t witnessed in a long time met him. His mom was slumped over the table an empty vodka bottle in her hand. She had a bruise across one side of her face, she was totally knocked out by the alcohol and it was his fault.
He went back into the lounge and collapsed on the couch, “Oh Charlotte, come home … please”.