Issue a Restraining Order?

     Issue a Restraining Order?    

 In my novel, Baggage burdens., Jill struggled to have absolutely nothing more to do with Dave Bossard. If she understood the law, she might have gone to court to request a restraining order against Dave. For Jill’s peace of mind would a judge, would you grant Jill that order?

Jill’s Evidence––Unwanted Attention

Dave shouts from the pantry. “Where’s the extra Doritos and salsa sauce?”

Jill turns and calls out the location. When she enters the pantry, he’s placing a couple of bags of Doritos on the counter top. He bends over looking in the lower cupboard for the salsa. As she nears him, he stands up holding a jar in each hand. A smile lights up his face. With one foot he closes the cupboard door. Then he starts to topple. In a swift motion Jill rushes to him and firmly grips the edge of the counter top with both hands. She braces for the impact of Dave’s body. Her swift action prevents Dave from crashing to the floor.

“Oooooo!” cries Dave as he struggles to regain his balance. “That could’ve been a disaster.” He laughs. His breath, heavy with the smell of beer, assaults Jill’s nostrils.

‘Too much to drink,’ she thinks. ‘And the party’s only started.’

For a couple of moments the two are frozen, as if each is enjoying the other’s presence. Jill recovers first. Clearing her throat, she leans away from Dave. Then she takes the jars from his hands, and places them on the counter.

The intoxicating warmth of Jill’s body tempts Dave. Still leaning heavily against the counter, he gently wraps his arms around Jill’s lower back and draws her closer. Jill pushes her head away from the stench of cigarette smoke on Dave’s T-shirt. Her hips press him into the counter. She feels his excitement as she leans against him. When her head is far enough away, she sees a foolish clown-like grin. It almost makes her laugh. 

“You know, you’re absolutely great! Have I told you that?” Dave’s words slur.

Jill shakes her head causing her ponytail to flap around. 

“I’d like to give you a small token of my thanks if I may.”

 “You don’t need to, really.”

“Thanks, I know it isn’t needed, but I’d still like to . . . .”  Dave’s hands lightly slide up her back to the top of her shoulders. 

“Really Dave, you don’t need to. Your words are enough.” Jill places her hands on the top of Dave’s chest. She pushes herself away. Dave offers little resistance convincing Jill she’ll be free.

“Just one kiss. It’ll be fun.” Dave’s hand cups the back of her head. 

“Daaave,” pleads Jill. ‘Let me go.’

“Come on. Just one kiss.” While holding her head firmly, he pulls himself so close to her face she feels the beer-tainted breath.

Seeing words won’t change Dave’s intent, she increases pressure on Dave’s chest. Suddenly she loses balance. The whole room turns. Gravity forces her against Dave, as if Mother Nature supports Dave’s desire. While plastered against Dave, his lips find hers. At first he’s gentle. As his passion grows, his hold strengthens, his breathing increases, his body turns into an oven. Dave moans as if savoring his favorite dessert.

Jill’s drive to escape momentarily vanishes. Then reality surfaces.

‘I can’t move! I’m helpless. I can’t do anything. No!’

A surge of energy rushes to Jill’s aid. As if overtaken by a seizure, Jill wildly jerks and twists. At first her futile search for wiggle room frightens her. Escape at any cost summons a stronger crazed energy. Then, as if someone opens a window, cool rescuing air enters. Her nightmare ends. The pressure on her back lets up.

Jill’s Evidence––Then He Pursued Me

“Jill, I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make it later on in the day to see you in the Brick Theatre’s final performance.”

That’s the last thing Jill expected to hear from her loving grandmother. Josey’s excited voice fails to lessen Jill’s apprehension.

 “Don’t worry. I’ll be down Labor Day Monday,” adds Josey. 

Jill doesn’t ask why the delay. 

“I have a surprise for you. An old friend, a special friend, wants to come down and see you.” 

Robin momentarily flashes to Jill’s mind.

“He said he had to work on Saturday so we agreed to come down on Monday.”

“Dave,” gasps Jill in disbelief. “How did he find you?”

“Mrs. Maxwell put him in touch with me. She phoned and said she was really moved by Dave’s appeal to find you. Mrs. Maxwell asked if I would at least listen to him. I agreed. I understand that the two of you had some kind of falling out, but Dave seems sincerely remorseful. He said something about moving. What really impressed me is that he seems like he really wants to try to make amends. I sense he really cares for you. Giving him a second chance might not be a bad idea.” 

Mrs. Sommerveld can’t see the shock on Jill’s face. The long silence worries her.

‘What do I say? Don’t bring him,’ thinks Jill. ‘Then I’ll have to explain why. I’m not telling her what happened at Dave’s house. If I offer no reason why he can’t come, then she’ll just point out that Mrs. Maxwell and she think it would be a good idea to give Dave another chance.’ 

“Jill, you there?” Mrs. Sommerveld’s request jolts Jill.

“Y-e-a-h,” Jill responds trying to figure out what to do.

“ It is okay, isn’t it, if I bring Dave?”

What is Jill to say? With her grandmother’s help Jill moved to Brampton. Jill felt safe living in a different city? Now Dave found her. He even convinced Jill’s rescuing angel, Mrs. Maxwell, and her grandmother that he should be able to see her. Neither of them knows everything that happened in the pantry and Jill’s not about to reveal the ugly truth. What is Jill to do?

Is Jill’s fear of Dave sufficient to convince a judge to grant Jill a restraining order to keep Dave away from her? Would you grant Jill a restraining order?

haiku capsule:                 

a beer fueled kiss     

shatters the hoped-for friendship

pantry love is lost

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