#also some helpful information for if i ever go ahead and write my linda and bob childhood vacation fanfic which would take place

[br1ghtestlight]

haven't watched the new bobs burgers episode (obviously these screenshots r from bobs burgers instagram) but SCREAMING at this interaction. big day for people who care about the relationship between bob and lily in the years immediately after her death

also learning that as a kid they used to call him bobby i think that's cute lol

[megalony]

She’s a good girl- Part 9

I hope you’re all enjoying the amount of updates I’ve been doing for this murderer! Ben Hardy series, it is quickly one of my favourites to write at the moment. There is a lot of angst and some fluff here for you all, feedback is always lovely.

Taglist: @lunaticspoem​ @butlegendsneverdie​ @langdonzvoid​ @jennyggggrrr​ @rogmeddows @radiob-l-a-hblah​ @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6​ @rogertaylors-lipgloss​ @sj-thefan​ @omgitsearly​ @luckytrashgooprebel​ @scarsout @deaky-with-a-c @killer-queen-ofrhye @bluutac​ @vousmemanqueez @jonesyaddiction @ambi-and-sunflowers @milanosaurus @httpfandxms @saint-hardy @7-seas-of-fat-bottomed-girls @mrsalwayswritex @rogerina-owns-me @peterquillzsblog @im-an-adult-ish @crazylittlethingg @allauraleigh

Series taglist: @onceuponadetectivedemigod​ @lelifesaver​​

Series masterlist

Summary: (Y/n) is a good girl from a church-going family and her brother, Joe, is trying to put Ben behind bars. But when (Y/n) starts to fall for the dangerous killer, things get complicated.

Enjoy.

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Leaning her head on her brother's shoulder, (Y/n) tightened her hand around his and wrapped her other hand around his upper arm to secure herself to his side. She was thankful that both their parents and Cora were walking quite a few paces ahead of them as they were all making their way home from sermon. It meant that (Y/n) had a chance to talk to Joe without anyone hearing and no one ever commented on her and Joe whispering to one another because it was a normal occurrence like they were always plotting something together.

"I need your help."

"Why, what's up?" Joe ducked his head down to be closer to (Y/n) so he could hear her better, knowing instantly that she was whispering so that their family didn't overhear.

Talking in whispers like this always made Joe feel like they were little kids again, plotting ways to get back at Cora whenever she did something or when they were planning out their lives and trips they wanted to take together without their annoying sister or overbearing parents.

"I have to tell you all something but I... I need you to keep the peace. They're gonna flip when I tell them."

It was now or never.

(Y/n) knew she had to tell her parents now because if she waited much longer it was going to be very clear and visible. She was four months pregnant and she was starting to show and baggy clothing wasn't going to work forever. There was also the problem of getting married, if she wanted to marry Ben without having much of a noticeable bump it had to happen very soon and they had already been talking about it but that meant her family had to know soon.

It had always been set in stone for (Y/n) that she would marry someone when she was well into her twenties or even later and it would happen in her father's church with him performing the ceremony and all her family there. It was always planned to be something out of a fairy tale, but real life was so much different. (Y/n) already knew it wasn't going to be in a church, it would be hard to find a booking at such short notice and it wouldn't feel right somehow, Ben didn't believe in God so making him stand at the alter in the home of devotion to a God he didn't believe in was cruel.

(Y/n) also knew her father was very unlikely to do the ceremony once he found who Ben was and what he was like so that was another part of her childhood crushed. But deep down (Y/n) didn't want a wedding with all the fuss, just going to a registry office was fine because she was still marrying who she wanted and it was still marriage which revolved around her religion and faith. She also didn't want a big dress or a veil or loads of flowers, she wasn't sure if she even wanted a bouquet.

Something small, plain and simple would do perfect.

"Alright, give five minutes when we get in for everyone to settle and then you can make your announcement." When Joe winked at (Y/n) just as they walked inside, she felt her heart both calming down and juddering in her chest. He had no idea what she was going to say and it would be something he wouldn't see coming for miles.

When they stepped inside, the siblings unchained themselves from each other and took off their shoes and jackets. Joe made his way straight into the living room with Cora whereas Paul headed into the dining room and Linda and (Y/n) both went into the kitchen to get some drinks.

(Y/n) could feel her heart bursting in her chest with every beat and if she were to faint right here, right now, it might be a blessing in disguise. She didn't know how on Earth she was going to do this and she knew all of the reactions she was going to get, none of which were going to be very pretty. But this was her life, this was how it was going to go and her family had to know and accept this or they couldn't be in her life anymore.

She was going to start off small and easy, tell them she was moving out and having a baby because the baby was the bombshell here. Telling them exactly who Ben was and what he did and telling them where she really worked would be an information overload for all of her family and it would be too much for her too. She had to break the news into pieces that were easier to digest.

(Y/n) downed half her glass of water in one gulp as she headed through from the kitchen into the living room with her mother in tow behind her. Her eyes scanned the room for a moment before she sat down on the sofa next to Joe which placed her between him and the armchair on her left in the bay window where she knew her father would sit. (Y/n) didn't want to be next to him. Once she told them her news it was likely he would lash out or shout like he had done when they argued before and she didn't want that.

She wanted to be as far away from him as possible when he found out because she was closer to him and his reaction would cut her to pieces and it would be taken to her heart.

Cora was sitting on the foot stool in front of the fireplace opposite the sofa where she normally sat when everyone was here at home. Leaving the other small armchair near the door for their mother to sit in, everyone had their respected seats that had been the same for years and it was automatic to sit in them, no one would change the routine now.

When their father's footsteps could be heard, (Y/n) could feel her heartbeat pulsing under every inch of skin on her body and it made her feel sick. She'd had no breakfast this morning and only a small glass of juice before going to sermon. From the moment she got up her stomach had been doing somersaults at knowing today was the day she was going to wreck her family into pieces.

This was it, this was it. She had to do this now or never, she had to do this today.

(Y/n) could feel her body coming over in a cold sweat and she had to lean forward a little to stop her chest from hurting due to her deep breaths and her rapid heart. All she wanted was to disappear but the moment she decided she would wait five or ten minutes before making her announcement, Joe steeped in thinking that she needed a little help to get her announcement started.

Her only brother nudged his elbow lightly into her side and ticked his head in a silent signal for her to speak before he motioned his hand to Cora to tell her to quiet down when her chirpy voice was about to go off on one about something no one would really care about.

"Do you want to say something, Joey?" Linda smiled, grazing her fingertips against the glass she was holding in both hands as she watched her eldest when he was trying to politely get everyone to be quiet.

"No, I think (Y/n) has something she wants to say, right?"

Deep down she was thankful Joe had gotten her started or else she knew she wouldn't have bothered trying to get everyone to be quiet, she would have just gone with the topic of conversation and deflated. (Y/n) would have lost her nerve to speak, she knew it.

"Go on honey, what do you want to tell us?" Paul sat in his usual stance, slightly slouched down in the very old armchair with his knees bent to the sides and his hands clasped together in his lap. No matter what he wore, where he was or what he said, he always gave off an aura of calmness and peace. It was clear to anyone that he was something to do with the church, he just looked like someone that you would want to confide in and tell all your sins to. He looked like someone who would have all the answers and be able to give comfort and reassurance.

But (Y/n) knew he was going to give her little comfort and reassurance today.

"I have some news to tell you... but please, just hear me out and try to understand before making a fuss, okay?" (Y/n) wrung her hands together like she was trying to ring the water out of a piece of washing and she almost jumped when Joe rested his hand over hers to try and calm her down.

"Of course, go ahead." Linda leaned forward as if to make sure she could hear (Y/n) properly but (Y/n) knew they weren't really listening. They were going to interrupt and comment and speak over her and get angry because they wouldn't be happy and this was always about them.

"Okay... I'm moving out in a few weeks, I'm going to be moving in with someone."

(Y/n) took a deep breath after speaking carefully and slowly so she didn't rush through her words and make them hard to understand. That was the first part of this over but the next part was going to be much worse. She watched the way her mother's smile completely disappeared and her jaw went slack and she saw how Cora's upper lip curled in distaste. When she looked over at her father as if for a sign of his approval, his jaw was very tightly locked and his hands were white from how hard his knuckles were pushing to the surface.

The only person who looked happy was Joe. He was smiling gently at her with an encouraging look that would disappear in a minute or two. He knew getting away from home and moving out would make (Y/n) feel more independent and it would make her more at ease and grown up. Staying at home was sometimes a good thing but in their case, the sooner they left, the better.

"Moving out? Why, you're not old enough to be on your own- who are you moving with, is it a boy?!" Linda's voice got increasingly higher pitched the more she spoke and the more she seemed to realise what (Y/n) had said.

"Just let her explain." Joe's voice was pleading with their mother to stay quiet but it was like talking to a brick wall.

"I've met someone and I'm going to move in with him because... b-because we're having a baby."

(Y/n) could feel the tears building up behind her eyes before they even fell down her features. She felt how Joe's hand tensed around her own, she heard her mother's glass slip between her fingers and bounce on the carpet at her feet. She heard Cora's shocked gasp and saw the way her features contorted into such an unattractive, angered and annoyed expression that showed she was angry only because she wasn't the first to settle down and have kids and a family of her own.

But when (Y/n) dared to look at her father, she didn't recognise the man sitting beside her anymore. He was looking right through her like he didn't recognise her and that hurt (Y/n) like a knife through her chest.

"No, you're joking. My youngest daughter is not pregnant out of marriage, you are not moving out and you are not having a baby, do you hear me? This is some cruel, sick, twisted joke!"

"Why would I lie?"

(Y/n)'s contradiction left her mother speechless but her expression was far from content. Her eyes were blazing with fire and her lips were snarling like a rabid dog about to attack. (Y/n) could see how this would go down at the church when people found out, there would be whispers about the Reverend's daughter having a quick marriage because she got pregnant at nineteen. Linda would be ashamed, she would be killing those rumours and not accepting the truth or any kind of defeat.

It wouldn't show the best example in the strict religious community that they lived in, especially when Linda was prone to boasting about her three wonderful children. Now she would only be boasting about two of her three children and she might go so far as to act like she only had one daughter instead of two.

"You're not seriously doing this? You're really gonna have a baby at nineteen when you're not even married? That won't make you look very good."

There was something in the way that Cora spoke that made (Y/n) feel like her sister was trying to guide her. Like she was trying to quietly tell (Y/n) that not having the baby would be best for her reputation and her life, as if (Y/n) had no right being a mother because it didn't fit in with their family's plans for her.

"You could always get rid of it-"

"Cora for fuck's sake shut up!"

"What? It's not the worst idea in the world, is it? Joe how is she gonna be a mother, she can hardly tie her own shoes." Cora waved her hand in (Y/n)'s direction but her eyes were focused on Joe just waiting for him to contradict her as if her words were true. But she didn't know her sister, she knew nothing of (Y/n)'s life for the past year, she didn't know how (Y/n) had changed or how she had met someone and had gotten so good at lying to them all.

"Cora that is enough. She cannot have an abortion, she may have gone against her own faith by having a child out of wedlock but I will not have my own daughter commit such a sin as murder."

Paul leaned his head onto his hand that smothered his mouth like he was trying to stop himself from saying anything worse, it clearly hurt him to talk about (Y/n) like she wasn't even there but he couldn't find it in himself to address or even look at her.

Abortion was a sin to him and to (Y/n), it was as high up as murder and (Y/n) had no quarrels with other women having abortions, she could understand their reasons. But personally, for her, it would feel too much of a sin and too much pain for her to actually do that. She didn't have the will, the heart or the lack of faith to get rid of her own child. (Y/n) would have no redemption from God if she did that.

"Well you can't keep it, you know that, don't you?" Linda's voice caused all eyes to look at her but only Joe and (Y/n) had horror and confusion in their eyes. "There is no way you can be an unmarried mother, abortion is not an option and neither is an unmarried nineteen year old mother."

"He proposed." (Y/n)'s eyes looked nowhere but at her father this time when she spoke up, controlling her voice enough to make sure it was stern and forceful rather than weak and broken.

"Excuse me?"

"He asked me to marry him and I said yes, so neither of you have any reason to worry about your daughter committing such a sin as having a baby out of wedlock. You'll just have to deal with the shame of people knowing the baby was conceived before the marriage."

(Y/n) looked down at her hands as she took a deep breath before removing the engagement ring from her right index finger and slipping it onto her wedding finger to show them all she was serious. Everyone was going to know that she was getting married because of the baby and it would be assumed that Paul was the reasoning behind the marriage. He would have to deal with the looks and the shame from their community when people found out (Y/n) was pregnant when she got married which was almost a sin in itself.

She was having this baby and she was going to be a mother, no one was going to stop her. When she was married to Ben she would be under no one's control but her own, her mother couldn't force her to give up her baby and she couldn't control her in where she went, what she did and who she saw.

The strings that held her control over (Y/n)'s life would be cut forever.

"Can we all just calm down now please? I moved out when I was eighteen to go to uni, Cora has a boyfriend and that's fine, I live with my girlfriend and we're not married. (Y/n) is miles ahead of us by wanting to get married and have a baby, why is that so wrong of her? This is what she wants, she isn't asking for your permission or to help 'make this go away'. Can't you be a tiny bit easier and happy for her?"

Joe didn't know how much good or even bad his words were going to do but he couldn't just sit and let them try and control (Y/n)'s life and act like she had come to them with a problem she needed them to solve.

She wasn't asking them to marry her off or tell her she couldn't marry her boyfriend and she wasn't asking them for solutions about the baby. (Y/n) had this planned out without them, she was only telling them because they were her family, they couldn't keep controlling and overruling her like this.

"You two leave us, we need to talk to (Y/n) on our own. Go." Paul waved his hand at Cora and Joe, pointing to the door because Joe was going to stand up for (Y/n) and Cora was going to intervene and get in the way. They needed to talk, just the three of them.

When (Y/n) nodded that she would be okay, Joe squeezed her hand and kissed the top of her head, whispering a small 'congratulations' in her ear before he left the room with Cora in tow behind him. Once the door was closed behind them, (Y/n) let her eyes drift between her parents who were people she no longer recognised.

Her mother was red in the face with one hand pressed to her forehead and the other gripping the arm of the chair like she thought she was going to lose touch with the world at any second. But Paul was no longer slouching or smothering his face with his hands, he was up and standing on his feet, leaning against the mantle piece above the fireplace in such a manner that he made (Y/n) worried. He looked like he was going to change into the Devil right there in front of her and unleash a new sense of Hell onto her for what she had done.

"Are you sure this boy isn't using you, how old even is he? That internship of yours surely can't support you and this baby so he needs to step up and what if he marries you and then leaves you? Have you thought any of this through you stupid girl!"

Linda smacked her hand down on the arm of the chair to show just how angry she was but it was clear she thought (Y/n) had just been fooling around with a boy of her age who had no sense at all and was only doing what he thought was right.

"He isn't using me, why would be propose if he was only going to dump me? He's twenty-seven, he has his own business he knows what he's doing and so do I."

"Twenty-seven? Oh I'm sure he knows what he's doing love. A grown man got you pregnant and you really think this man loves you? You're even more foolish than I thought getting into bed with someone like that and ending up in this mess." Linda shook her head with a look that was almost a cynical, unbelievable smile. In her mind she could see Ben as a grown man who preyed on (Y/n), having his own business just made her think that he knew what he was doing and it seemed unlikely that he would go through with marrying her. It felt like he was telling (Y/n) what she wanted to hear but Linda didn't know Ben.

It would be worse if she knew Ben, but at least then she would know he was genuine.

"Don't think God will give you redemption for this (Y/n). All this time I thought you had faith but you don't, you've cast away your faith for the first man that came along. This is your punishment and nothing will wash away the sins you have."

Paul pointed his finger at (Y/n) as he spat his words like he was convicting her and giving her a sentence for a crime when she hadn't done anything wrong. God wasn't so cruel or strict, there were thousands of people who had sex before marriage who didn't have any repercussions or sins because it wasn't a sin. There were people who got pregnant without getting or being married and nothing bad happened to them, they didn't get a multitude of sins for it.

(Y/n) was no different, she had no sins for having sex with Ben and when she married him she would have no sins because the baby would be born from marriage. Even if they got married a day before the baby was born it would still count and that was all (Y/n) cared about.

"God isn't punishing me, can't you see that? He's punishing you. You brought me up, you made me into your protege and you controlled me when you shouldn't have. I'm not being punished because I am happy about this, he's finally making my life my own and that is your punishment."

(Y/n) stood to her feet a bit too quickly from how badly her heart was racing in her chest and it made her feel sick but she tried her best to push away the feeling before it overwhelmed her. She was finally doing this, she was standing up to her parents and telling them that her life was her own and she wanted it to go this way. She loved Ben with everything she had and she wanted to marry him and they both wanted and already loved this baby.

Her parents no longer had any control over her and they couldn't stop her form being happy and being loved.

Her words seemed to ignite something horrible in her father and she may have stepped over the line a little but she couldn't help the way she felt and how her words felt true to her. When he comprehended what she had just told him, his head turned in her direction until he was sneering at her in such a way (Y/n) was afraid of him for the first time in her life.

Never before had she been so afraid of her father, the man who was everyone's friend and confidant. The man who people talked to about their problems and seemed so loving and had such a loving wife and family. He was the family man that everyone wanted to be, no one would believe he would ever look at (Y/n) in this way when she was his little angel.

A gap escaped (Y/n)'s lips when her father's hand suddenly tangled into her hair and he pulled harshly on the roots until (Y/n) was forced to bend backwards and let her knees cave in slightly so she could stay upright. Her fearful eyes watched as he hovered over her like a murderer and in that moment, (Y/n) would have believed it was her father who had committed all of those killings instead of Ben.

Ben had never been like this with her before.

"Paul now don't-" Linda's words came upon deaf ears when both (Y/n) and her father's eyes and ears were trained on each other.

"I hope for your sake this man is true to his word because if he doesn't marry you or he uses you and then dumps you in the street, I won't have you back and there will be no resolution or forgiveness from God either. This house and the church will no longer be a home for you."

(Y/n) thought for the longest moment of her life that he was going to hit her again with the way his eyes were burning through her and melting her underneath his stare. But he didn't. He pulled on her hair until she ground her teeth and shrieked and then he pulled her away from him and let go of her hair, watching her fall back onto the sofa before she went down on her knees on the floor.

Tears streaked down (Y/n)'s features and a sob bubbled up in the back of her throat as she looked up at the man she didn't want to call her father anymore just as Joe barged back into the room upon hearing (Y/n) cry out.

Just as Joe went down on his knees beside (Y/n) and wrapped his arms around her, (Y/n) felt her heart crumbling in her chest at her father's next words.

"My daughter, the whore."

(Y/n) couldn't breathe.

He'd never said anything like that to or about her before in all her life. Her mother had called her stupid, insolent, horrid, she'd even called her a bitch at one point, but her father never called her any such name or word. He knew he would break her heart and soul by saying something like that and he did it anyway.

"(Y/n), come on get up. You're coming back with me." Joe wrapped his arms around his sister and slowly pulled up up until she was standing, fighting off his own tears when he felt how she was trembling against him like a leaf in the breeze. He wasn't letting her stay here and he didn't want her to be on her own in this state. But the moment (Y/n) was stood up she wriggled out of his arms and stumbled out of the room.

She wasn't going anywhere with any of her family.

In her haste to get out of the suffocating house (Y/n) didn't even put on her slip on shoes, she stumbled out of the house bare foot with her bag on her shoulder and her jacket dragging on the floor behind her like a shadow trailing after her.

The only place she could go in this state was down the road and into the church that she knew was no longer going to be her save haven after what her father just told her. He had practically evicted her from her own church and cast her out of her religion, but he couldn't take away her faith even if he wanted to. God had some kind of plan for (Y/n) and this was just how he was deciding to test her and all of her family.

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"Doll?"

Ben didn't like this. He'd never been one for churches at the best of times but he couldn't remember the last time he'd actually stepped inside of one. This one was seemingly bigger on the inside, the ceiling extended up for miles, the alter was never-ending and the glass windows were almost frightening.

His feet were horribly loud against the stone floor that clicked and tapped against his heels but as he got closer to the end of the church, the only other sound he could hear was someone crying that he could tell for certain was (Y/n). Ben had been expecting her to call or text him today and ask for him to pick her up and take her away from her home because he knew she was going to tell them today.

But he'd gotten the fright of his life when she called him and could barely form a coherent word. It took a while for him to drag out of her where she was so he could come get her but she sounded as if she'd been stabbed or tortured and it scared him.

The moment (Y/n) came into sight Ben couldn't breathe.

She was kneeling on the floor in front of the alter and a rather large, looming cross that made Ben shiver in distaste. If (Y/n) hadn't of been crying he might of left her there for a few minutes believing that she was praying or trying to find some solace and comfort but her cries were too hard to ignore.

Ben went down on his knees beside her, raking his eyes over her as he gently tilted her head up so she was looking at him.

(Y/n) saw the look in his eyes, he was scanning her over for injuries like he seemed to do quite a lot. Whenever she was upset or argued with her family he thought she was in danger or hurt so he checked in case she'd gotten hurt. All Ben needed was a sign and (Y/n)'s say so and he would unleash the Hell inside of him onto her family but she could never let him do that. But this time, she was on the verge of letting him.

"Baby, tell me what happened, are you alright?"

Ben wasted no time in wrapping his arms around (Y/n) and picking her up until he could sit her on his lap with one arm over her legs and his hand on her bum and the other hand wrapped around her back. He had to stop his muscles from stiffening up when he felt (Y/n) crying into his neck as she wrapped her arms around his neck, scratching her nails against the short hairs at the back of his head. He wanted to take her out to the car but he didn't know if she wanted to leave yet, she obviously came to the church for a reason and he didn't have the heart to drag her away if being here was helping her even slightly.

His lip curled in distaste when he noticed how her hair was dishevelled and she had no shoes on her feet meaning she'd walked or even run here bare foot and with how red her features were and the amount of tears streaked on her face told Ben it was bad.

It took a moment for Ben to actually understand what (Y/n) was telling him when she was hiccuping through her words that were stuttered and breathless. But when he heard her his heart sank to the bottom of his stomach. He couldn't see how her father- the reverend of all people, would practically disown her from his home and the church like that. He was supposed to help people in need and not care what their sins were because that would be judging them and it wasn't in his job to discriminate people. But he judged (Y/n) and he cast her out because she hadn't done what he wanted her to.

Ben pressed his lips to the top of (Y/n)'s head, holding her that little bit closer to his chest like he was trying to stuff her into his heart to protect her. He swayed them side to side for a few moments before hoping that she was calm enough to head home with him.

"Alright, shh. I'm taking you home baby before I'm tempted to go and shove that cross up his ass."

Ben eased (Y/n) onto the floor before he moved so he was crouching in front of her, holding her arms so he could help her up. He hated how she shook against him and buried her face in his chest to smother her cries when he wrapped his arms around her.

She didn't deserve this.

"He..." (Y/n) trailed off, shaking her head as she suddenly thought better of what she was going to say when they were halfway up the alter. But Ben stopped walking and turned to look over at her, if she wanted to tell him something she could, she didn't have to worry or be afraid like she did around her family.

"He what, doll? Did he hurt you?" Ben's free hand that wasn't around her waist suddenly cradled the side of her face and lifted her chin so he could peer down at her to make sure she had no bruises or cuts or bleeding.

The way he looked at her made her heart burst because it showed how much he cared for and loved her. If he was how her mother thought he was then he wouldn't look at her like he was going to murder someone for touching one hair on her head. He wouldn't cradle her face like he was, his eyes wouldn't burn into her own and beg for her to tell him she was okay.

"He c-called me a whore."

(Y/n) didn't know why she was telling Ben this, part of her thought it was because she knew he could hurt and threaten her father and scare him in the way he had hurt and scared her. She wanted to get even with him for what he had said, but the other part of (Y/n) wondered if she'd told Ben so she could be reassured that she wasn't what her father called her.

What if she really did go against her faith and God would punish her? (Y/n) wouldn't know how to live if she was cut off from the church and her religion, surely God would never cast out anyone? He could forgive murderers and rapists and terrorists and all other people who did wrong, he would forgive her for living her life in a slightly different way and order. Surely he would give her forgiveness or not see this as a sin.

The way Ben's face contorted into such anger and the vindictive, spiteful look in his eyes made (Y/n) shiver and shrink in on herself. She'd never seen him look so fierce and murderous before, he'd always looked calm, cheeky or composed or loving around (Y/n) and gave no signs he was who Joe always said he was. But right now, (Y/n) could see the look of a murderer in his eyes and it made her afraid for her family rather than herself.

"I'm gonna kill him."

(Y/n) couldn't be sure whether Ben meant he was going to hurt her father or if he actually meant he was going to kill him because the way he said it made it clear that Ben could and would kill him if he wanted to.

Reaching forward, (Y/n) latched her arms back around Ben's bicep to pull him back when he let go of her and tried to storm out of the church. She couldn't have him going to her home now because Joe would probably still be there and (Y/n) couldn't take any more arguments or fights today.

"No- Ben don't, please!"

Her eyes burned into his own when he turned back to look at her, cautiously moving his tense hand to cradle the side of her face and she was sure if Ben was made of butter he would have melted right then and there.

"The bastard can't say things like that to you doll and think he can get away with it! Listen to me, in my eyes you're an angel I shouldn't go anywhere near because I'll corrupt you. You're like gold dust and if he can't see that it isn't your fault. If he says anything to you or he dares to touch you again I won't be asking your permission before I rip him a new one."

(Y/n) had to see herself how Ben saw her, she was a good girl, she was far too good for him in his eyes and if no one else saw how special she was that wasn't her fault. She had to listen to Ben when he told her how special she was, not her father when he degraded her because she was her own person and Ben was going to make sure she understood just how special she was.

But if her father tried anything like that again Ben wasn't asking (Y/n)'s permission, he would go straight round there and use him as a punching bag until he was unrecognisable because that was the only way Ben knew how to get through to people who got on his bad side.

"Can we go home?" (Y/n) buried her face in Ben's chest, slowly dragging her nails down his back when he wound his arms around her.

She heard him hum in response but she couldn't see the tender smile on his face when she referred to his place as their home.

[doof-doofblog]

"It's At An Insurance Company In Shoreditch!"

Monday 16th November 2020

Good afternoon / evening everyone! Hope you all had a brilliant weekend. This is quite an exciting post for me this one as this will be my 100th written blog post reviewing an episode of EastEnders, and I have a feeling it's going to be such a good episode to write about! I'm excited to get stuck in so let's jump right into it!

The episode begins with Kat sat on the sofa in her living room, checking the amount of her wages that Ian has paid her, as she checks them she notices that Ian has cut her short of the correct amount she's owed. As she's chatting to Stacey, the conversation turns the event which will be happening that night. It sounds as if this robbery she has planned with Phil will be going ahead that night. Kat informs Stacey to look after the kids and tells her that if they ask where she is, to make up some kind of logical excuse for her absence. Stacey once again tells her cousin that she still doesn't have to go through with this robbery and that they'll be able to find another way to find the money they owe Suki. But Kat is convinced that there is no other way and that this is the best shot she has of getting quick cash. As Stacey leaves the room, she suggests to take Kush with her to be on the safe side, suddenly Kush enters the room and informs Kat that he's planning on attending a Gambling Addiction meeting in an attempt to put things right between the couple. Kat informs her boyfriend that Phil has already organised for another driver, but Kush is quick to fight his corner and persuade her that whoever this other driver will be will not have her back as much as he will.

At the Vic, Ian is having what appears to be trouble with a supplier. As his brother and his family look across at him, its looks pretty clear that they have been made aware about what Ian has done to Kathy. Lexi tells his Uncle that the family aren't speaking to him anymore, as she sits with her Dad and Callum. As Ian takes himself behind the bar, Lexi asks her Dad what plans they have for that evening but Ben apologises to his daughter and explains he's having to work, to which Callum looks at him and pleads for him to be careful. Is Callum letting on that he knows what his boyfriend has planned? Or is he simply just showing support? Suddenly, Kat comes flying into the pub demanding Ian to pay her wages correctly, as she does so she sees Ben sat across the other end of the pub. As Ben and his family get ready to leave, Kat approaches him and asks who the new driver is that Phil's pulled in for the robbery, but before Ben can respond Ian is quick to insult Kat about cleaning for the Mitchell's and she storms off. Ian then enquires as to how much the Mitchell's are paying her but Ben really doesn't seem interested in making small-talk with his brother, he informs him that he's having to hold back really hard to not hurt him after what he did to their Mum, but he warns him that he ever pulls a stunt like that again, he'll come for him. I hate to say it, but I'm feeling glad that Ian has been making a lot of enemies lately, he seems to just be annoying everyone and he's digging his heels in deeper and deeper. There seems to be a lot of people he's upset right now - Max, Kathy, Sharon, Ben, Kat, Peter, Bobby, Dotty - I think someone needs to teach him a lesson!

After leaving the pub and witnessing Ian be the big "I am!", Max makes his way into the Café and finds Linda sitting on her own. They both greet each other as Max informs her about what has been happening in the Vic. It's then she mentions that her husband has gone to stay with their son, Lee, for a few days after the events that happened with him at the Vic. She informs Max that Ian had also sent them a bill for the bottle of alcohol that Mick accidentally smashed. Oh and what a coincidence! Max then happens to mention to Linda that he's actually thought of a way of getting back at Ian, to which she is instantly interesting in hearing his plan.

At the Masood/Ahmed household, (to which now Iqra, Ash and Tina are living in) Tina is confiding in Iqra about putting her foot in it with Mick and that he's not answering her calls, Iqra can kind of relate to Tina as she mentions that her sister, Habiba, has blocked her on all forms of social media. It seems as if they both have something in common when it comes to their families. Ash can be seen just listening in on their conversation as Iqra admits she doesn't know what to say to her sister if she'd try calling her. What is she supposed to say regarding Jags? In Iqra's mind, Jags is the one who's in the wrong - but of course Ash knows differently, she knows the truth. She grabs her coat and makes an excuse to leave, informing her girlfriend that she's going to work.

The next scene shows Jack visiting Denise once again, Denise informs him that she's been to the church with Raymond again and that the pastor gave her a book for Raymond. She informs Jack that she's been told more about Raymond's adoptive mother and how the little boy is constantly drawing pictures of his parents. Something is telling me that Denise feels like she might not be able compare to Raymond's adoptive Mother. Jack once again suggests she tells the young boy the truth about her identity in a case to make him feel more settled, he shuts the door behind him to make sure they don't have any interruptions whilst Denise tells her son who she is. Denise is looking a little bit nervous, but can only hope that the little boy will understand and accept the truth.

Returning to the Vic, Sharon is quick rush Ian into sorting the fact that they're running out of booze, Ian tries to reassure her that he'll get onto the supplier and sort it. Suddenly, Max and Linda sneak into the pub and they both make their way behind the bar announcing to the locals that all drinks will be free on behalf of Ian. Ian is absolutely stunned and can't believe what is happening. As Stacey and Jean enter also enter the pub, Stacey notices Linda behind the bar and comments how long it's been since she's seen Linda serving drinks. Linda appears incredibly happy to be where she once stood and she's looking even more happy to be helping Max wind Ian up. Ian is eager to stop what's happening before it the situation carries on or gets carried away but Max stops him from walking any further behind the bar and informs him he still owes him thousands of pounds! Ian questions him on how he's able to get that money so quick, but Max sarcastically suggests to him to rob a bank!

(Why do I have a horrible feeling that something is going to wrong with the robbery job that Kat and Phil are going to pull? Why do I feel that Ian might somehow get his hands on the money they get/nick, just so he can pay Max off? Will that then mean that the Slaters will be kicked out of their house? I admit I've got a very bad feeling that this robbery isn't going to end well!)

At the Mitchell household, Kat and Shirley are sat discussing the robbery job, Kat shows Shirley that she's made her a pass for her to get inside the building, she informs her that they may come in handy, unfortunately Shirley point out that she's made the blunder of putting their real names on the passes. As Phil and Ben make an appearance, Kat once again asks them who the new driver is that they've got for the job and inform her that it is in fact Shirley. Kat is left stunned as she informs them she needs her on the inside with her, but Phil reassures her that Shirley will be the best driver to get away. Kat is left reeling as she tells them to forget about the job and leaves, to which Ben runs after her. As he catches up to her outside, Ian can be seen in the background as Kat informs Ben that she'll get another driver, suddenly Ian speaks up - has he been listening to everything that they've been talking about? Is he aware that there's going to be a robbery? He asks his brother whether he could be a driver for them. Ben is clearly shocked, but as Ian continues to plead to his brother, it becomes clear that he is also desperate for money. Ben tells his brother to actually beg - it's clear that Ian is looking a little uncomfortable as he begins to kneel to the floor, to which Ben bursts out laughing and informs his brother that he wouldn't involve him if he was basically the last man on Earth. Things are looking really sour between to the two brothers, Ben is clearly angry with Ian because of what he did to their Mum. As Ben begins to walk away Ian shouts to him to stop acting like his Dad, which stops Ben in tracks, the next line really surprised me - Ian actually told his own brother that his Dad hates him - well clearly he doesn't know Phil and Ben as much as he thought, considering what Ben has gone through in the last few months regarding his hearing loss, Phil has tried his absolute best to support his son, even acknowledges his boyfriend which speaks volumes. Ben informs Ian that the relationship between him and his Dad is solid and the only person who is hated at the moment is him! As Ben makes his way inside the house, unfortunately, Ian notices that the pass made for Shirley has been accidentally left on the floor. What the hell is he going to do with that?!

Returning to Denise and Jack, as little Raymond is doing more drawings, Denise is trying to talk the young boy. I have to be honest, I found this scene very touching. Raymond is drawing a little picture on the floor as Denise is very softly talking to him about how his adoptive parents told him about "Another Mummy" who grew him in her tummy. Raymond nods his head in acknowledgement, showing that he knows what she's talking about, at such a young age he appears to understand. Denise asks whether he thought about her to which he gently nodded his head again, Denise then tells the young boy "That was me!" and she continues to mention how she gave him to special parents because he was a special boy. Suddenly Raymond turns around and gives Denise the picture he has drew, to which Denise instantly thinks is of his adoptive Mother, but when Jack notices that he's drawn a dress the same colour that Denise is wearing, Denise asks little Raymond whether the picture was of her, to which he smiles and nods. This was just an incredibly cute scene, I absolutely loved it! Beautifully done!

Returning to Ash, who has actually just gone to the Panesar household, she appears to be on the phone to Iqra, trying to reassure her that everything is fine. On the other end of the line, Iqra seems erratic, questioning her girlfriend why she left in such a rush and whether she is actually okay. Ash makes the quick excuse that she has to go and hangs up the phone. Behind her, we can see that Suki has been listening in on her daughter's conversation, trying to be the supporting Mother, she asks whether everything okay. But Ash admits that she's hating having to lie to her girlfriend, lying about Jags and everything else. Suki then tries to comfort her and explains that having to lie is probably best then telling a devastating truth. But then, Ash turns the conversation completely onto what her Mum is doing to the Slater's - are the Slater family even aware that she's planning on changing their house into studio apartments?! It looks as if Suki was planning on posting some fake letters to them, but then admits that perhaps she might think of another way of telling them. I really don't like Suki and I really hope that she'll get what's coming to her - eventually!

Back at the Slater household, Kush can be seen playing on his laptop again - is he really playing another game of poker?! Kat calls him from the hallway and he quickly shuts the laptop down before she can see. As she enters the kitchen she asks her boyfriend whether he was serious about seeking help for his gambling addiction, he confirms to her that he is. Kat then informs Kush that she's willing to let him join her on this robbery job if he's still interested, to which he seems incredibly eager to help out. He asks what's changed her mind, to which she explains that she needs someone to support her and be on her side - as it's fair to say that none of the Mitchell clan will be - she tells him that she does trust him as she leaves the room. As she enters the hallway we can hear her arranging with Phil to meet in the Arches, meanwhile Kush goes back onto his laptop, revealing that he has been playing Poker, yet again, but interestingly he actually pressed "Fold" and quits the game! I think the knowledge that Kat actually does trust him to help her with this job must've proved to him that he doesn't need to be playing Poker any more. Hopefully this will be the big turn around for Kush.

Meanwhile at the Vic, Max and Linda are once again sharing a drink. Sharon approaches them and questions Max's actions and how it would help Ian paying him back, but Linda is quick to defend Max, informing her friend that she hasn't laughed so hard for a long time. As Sharon leaves them to it, Linda confesses to Max how much she misses being behind the bar, Max understands and tries to comfort her, he tries to lift her spirits saying that that was her past, she bound to miss it, but she now needs to focus on the future. It's then that Linda reveals that she's had a new business idea, thanks to her son, Ollie. She reveals her new business idea would be superhero costumes for children with autism, to which Max agrees would be a brilliant idea. This is very interesting - does this mean that Linda might go down another road and start her own business? It could be a big success! Will Max convince her to go for it?!

At the Arches, Phil, Ben and Shirley are waiting for Kat to turn up, both Ben and Phil are looking a little bit tense. Shirley informs her boss that there will be other jobs, but Phil think that this opportunity it too easy to pass up, £100,000 for a few motors! It should be an easy job! Eventually Kat turns up and passes Shirley another leopard print piny, much to everyone's confusion. Phil makes the valid point that Shirley is going to be one of the driver's but then Kat reveals she's got someone else - as they all walk outside the Arches, Kush is seen standing very stern and he looks Phil dead in the eye. Will Phil agree to this arrangement?! Or does he perhaps feel that he could land them in trouble?! I mean, I don't think something should go wrong with the group they've got, but I fear something might go wrong for maybe one of two of them. What do you guys think? Is their robbery going to be a success? Or is something going to go horrendously wrong?!

Back with Jack and Denise, Jack praises Denise for the way she approached Raymond and revealing she was in fact his real Mum. Denise shows him the picture Raymond drew and he thought Jack was his new Daddy! Am I the only one who found this incredibly cute?! Jack at first looked in shock, but Denise reassured him that she's going to tell the young boy that they're just good friends - however from the look of both their faces, something tells me that they wish they could in fact go back to the way things were between them. I've got a feeling that they will rekindle their romance, they clearly still have feelings for one another, and perhaps Jack might come to love little Raymond as his own and they could be a family. Suddenly a voice from the hallway breaks the silence, Denise and Jack look in surprise as Kim walks through the door and announces her return! I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE KIM BACK!!! However, she's got a lot to find out - first she'll have to find out about Chantelle passing away, and then the bombshell of having Raymond back in her sister's life! How is she going to react to the recent news?!

Back at the Arches, Shirley and Phil voice their concerns about Kush being involved, they make the very valid point that there isn't any room for mistakes. Ben questions whether he even knows the plan, to which Kush then gives a note by note to what the plan entails. Phil questions whether Kush will make a mistake or not, but Kush makes his feelings perfectly clear to him. His family is on the line, their plan has to work! Phil acknowledges that Kush means business and that he's serious about being a driver for them. Phil instructs them to meet later in the evening with a car as they walk away, as they do, Kat is looking more nervous as the plan comes closer and closer together. Kush tells her not to worry, he has her back and everything will be fine. (Famous last words, right?!)

Returning home to Iqra, Ash starts making up an a story as to how her day was, Iqra is visibly not having any of it. She questions her girlfriend straight out as to whether she is seeing someone else, which takes Ash completely by surprise. Ash tells her girlfriend that that is not the case, however when Iqra reveals that she went to the hospital to drop off her lunch for her, she sees that her story isn't going to work. She then tells Iqra the truth that she was in face at her Mum's house, but however, she still doesn't tell her full truth and instead tells her that the reason she left was because of Tina. She explains that Tina is getting in the way of their relationship and that they're not being able to spend time alone together. Iqra appears relieved and states she'll tell Tina to move out, to which Tina then appears from the hallway with a devastated look on her face.

The final scene of this episode was a very good one I have to say! Callum is at work and we can see that he's sent Ben a message asking him to be careful, however DI Thompson walks in on Callum and informs him that he's got recorded footage from the recorder that he planted at the Arches! Ooooohhhh gosh, I had forgotten all about that! So everything that Kush, Kat, Shirley, Phil and Ben had discussed has all been recorded! Callum at first reveals that that is the first he has heard about it, but once again DI Thompson blackmails him, saying if he doesn't tell him what he knows, he'll make sure that Ben goes down for his part in this crime! As all this is taking place, Phil, Ben, Kush, Kat and Shirley are all seen wearing dark clothes, of course except for Kat and Shirley in their leopard print pinnies, and approaching their cars ready to set off for the robbery. However what they don't see as they drive off is Ian, stood in a phone box! He's only gone and phoned the police and reported them! Is this to get his own back on Ben and Phil?! I fail to see why Ian has done this, what is in it for him?! PRIDE!!!!!

Will the police already be there as they approach the building? Will they get away with the robbery? Will Callum be backed into a corner and reveal what he knows?! Or is something going to go terribly wrong and someone end up getting caught?  I for one, pray it's not Phil or Ben, however something tells me it will be! What do you guys think? I know the following episode will probably be nail biting, but I'm really looking forward to watching it and catching up on it tomorrow and reviewing it!

Thank you all so much for reading, I hope you've all enjoyed reading as much as I've enjoyed writing this blog post! I'll be back tomorrow following tonight's exciting episode! Enjoy the rest of your evening folks! xXx

[whitexblackrose]

resources for beginner writers?

First thing is to check out the free content on Writer’s Digest and to give Angela Booth’s site (https://www.fabfreelancewriting.com/blog/) a look. Angela has a mix of beginner and intermediate writer knowledge on her site. 

Though, the best spot a beginner writer can start is by a) picking out something small they can write and possibly expand on in the future and b) a genre and theme. Start with one idea and from there polish it. You want to experiment and find a writing style that is most comfortable for you.

Here’s my mass collection of helpful links that I have on Pinterest. The Writing & Publishing page https://pin.it/aydxl7svpprgw3   Writing References page https://pin.it/pi7lvxuiqr3k45

Both of these are a collection of free information that’s helpful to writers regardless of skill level.

As far as writing books, nearly everything I’ll mention is from Writer’s Digest (which can also be bought on Amazon). The book that I found the most helpful as a beginner is The Writer’s Little Helper by James V. Smith, Jr. 

This book is full of helpful tips for beginning writers and is a book I go back to from time to time when I encounter sections of a story that just don’t feel right. Every “chapter” is in bite-size pieces and if you ever feel unsure, you’ll know what terms to research. It also includes checklists for different milestones and different outlines to help a new writer decide what is best for them and keep them on track.

Other helpful books that give good writing foundations and character foundations are:

Writer’s Guide to Character Traits by Dr. Linda Edelstein (I do not joke when I say this is a lifeline of information I use all of the time)

Rayne Hall’s Writing Craft Series

     Hall’s books are super helpful. From what I remember she does write in British-English so if you’re used to American-English it might take some adjusting, but it is worth it. The books from the series I bought saved my butt when writing scenes I was not used to at the time.

Other books that you might find helpful is any of Writer’s Digest books in regard to genre. I’ve read through many of the genre books and they serve as a good foundation for writing in the genres.

A free resource that I have to offer at the moment is the character chart that I use (a freebie over on my Patreon page). My Patreon supporters also get super early access to world-building charts months ahead of me publishing them in the store. (Basically, access is the moment I’ve finished them.) At the moment patrons have access to a short guide to settlements part 1, flora chart, natural disasters, diseases & illness, questions for characters, and villains part 1.

I’m currently getting set up to do live streaming for a series of writing lessons and I’ll start out with using the character chart. The tech kinks are getting worked out but I should have more info on that soon. This will be free, so keep an eye out for the announcement.

I hope this helps you out on your writing journey. Feel free to come back if you have any other questions.

[ozma914]

Chapter One of Coming Attractions

Ever since we got Coming Attractions up on the website (www.markrhunter.com), I've been meaning to share the entire first chapter, which introduces both main characters and, I think, gives a taste of what's to come. You can also see chapter one on various booksellers' websites, but I thought it was worthwhile to have it right here, where people can check it out if they choose. This is exactly as it appears in print, including the opening materials.

After this I plan to go back to a semi-regular post about writing, such as creating characters, inspiration, setting, and such, starting with how they relate to the creation of Coming Attractions itself. Hey, I was bored. (Kidding! I've got a lot of issues, but boredom is not one of them.)

Remember, whenever you don't read a first chapter, the second chapter doesn't get its pages. (I think that's the line from It's a Wonderful Life. Something like that.)

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Coming Attractions

Mark R. Hunter

Other titles by Mark R. Hunter

Non-fiction:

Images of America: Albion and Noble County

Smoky Days and Sleepless Nights: A Century or So With the Albion Fire Department

Slightly Off the Mark

Hoosier Hysterical: How the West Became the Midwest Without Moving At All

Fiction:

Storm Chaser

Storm Chaser Shorts

The Notorious Ian Grant

The No-Campfire Girls

Radio Red

Copyright © 2018 Mark R. Hunter

All rights reserved.

Edited by Emily Hunter

Cover by Emily Hunter

This book is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places, and events in this book are either are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. No popcorn was harmed in the making of this novel.

For book extras and additional books by the author, please visit: www.MarkRHunter.com

In loving memory of

Linda Taylor

Jean Coonts Stroud

Special thanks to the Auburn-Garrett Drive-In;

The drive-in movie theaters still upholding the tradition;

And all the drive-ins of our youth: especially, for me, the High-Vue of Kendallville, Indiana

Coming Attractions

Mark R. Hunter

CHAPTER ONE

Maddie saw trouble ahead as soon as she stepped off the company airplane.

The kid standing in the terminal held a slab of cardboard before him like a shield, with her name plastered in red across its surface. Maybe he was attempting to hide the fact that, beneath the wrinkled black suit coat, he wore a white T-shirt that should have been washed at least two meals ago. More likely he feared missing her, since a quick study of the shaggy haired young man told her he held little stock in appearances.

"Madison McKinley?" He gave her an equally appraising scan.

Stopping before him, she deliberately looked right and left. The closest other people stood at least two hundred feet away, gathered around the airport's gift shop. "Maddie."

Taking that as encouragement, he smiled. "Tupper. Welcome to Fort Wayne!" He still held the sign up.

"Tupper?"

"That's my name—well, my middle name, and that's what I go by. My mother sold Tupperware, and she's pretty hardcore. I don’t know if they still hold Tupperware parties, but if you want her to set one up—"

"I doubt I'll be here that long." Maddie tried not to judge people by appearances, but Tupper looked for all the world like Shaggy from the Scooby Doo cartoon series—without the goatee. Under other circumstances she might have been tempted to smile. "Tupper, were you expecting a company plane?"

"Oh, sure. I've been with the company over a week now."

"And did anyone get off the plane besides me?"

His brow knitted in concentration. "Nope."

"Then do you really believe the sign is necessary?"

Face reddening, Tupper dropped the cardboard. "Sorry."

“Trash can, Tupper—let's keep our planet clean." She blushed a little, herself—it wasn’t fair to take her mood out on him.

When Tupper turned to throw the sign away, Maddie realized he wore a fairly nice pair of navy slacks—and white sneakers. "Are you, by chance, related to one of the partners?"

"I'm Mr. Quincy's great-nephew—how did you know?"

"Family resemblance." Maddie despised lying, but saw no reason to hurt someone's feelings. Nepotism could be a powerful force—why else would this kid be hired by the stuffiest law firm in Boston? "You were to bring a car?"

"This way." Tupper turned, paused, then whirled around. "Did you have luggage?"

"I'm a woman, Tupper." This time she did smile.

He frowned.

"That means yes. Two bags."

After retrieving her luggage, Tupper led the way into the warmth of a sunny June midafternoon. "You'll love Fort Wayne. They have an orchestra, a zoo, a mall, three rivers ..." He trailed off, thinking.

"It seemed a bit small from the air." The poor guy might hurt himself if his brain doesn’t cool down.

"Well, it's the second largest city in Indiana."

As they walked across the crowded parking lot a breeze swirled the folds of Maddie's skirt and blew blonde strands of hair across her face. "Large by Indiana standards? Not a telling argument."

"But you come from Boston. Indiana's a lot bigger than Massachusetts."

"In square miles, maybe," Maddie murmured under her breath. She almost ran into Tupper when he skidded to a halt. "Where's the car?"

"Right here." He pointed to a deep purple Chrysler van.

She stared, trying to fend off a wave of nostalgia for her Porsche. "I asked for a sedan."

"Yeah, you traded up—isn't that great?" He produced a key ring from his pocket and pushed the unlock button. "It's got a digital audio system, sliding doors on both sides, an environmental readout, and you gotta love the color. It's a real love machine."

Such a statement could only come from a member of the Scooby Gang. Maddie stared at him, hands on hips, but held her temper—after all, her temper got her here to begin with. "I realize you've been by yourself here, but since you arrived with just two jobs—to get me a hotel room and a car—could it be that difficult?"

"I didn't actually arrive—I grew up west of here, in New Haven." He noticed her expression, and stumbled backward. "Um, there's a car show at the Memorial Coliseum—by the way, we have a Memorial Coliseum—and Jay Leno's going to be there and all the rental cars were taken and this is the only—"

"Tupper, Calm down." Maddie took him by the shoulder, which made the younger man flinch. "Maybe this is for the best. Don't people going to drive-in movies often take vans?"

He blinked at her. "Yeah, sure. I like to back my truck in, when I'm not working. Why?"

Oh, dear—He didn't know why she'd been sent. "Because I've never visited one, and I might have some free time while I'm here."

Tupper brightened instantly. "The best one in Indiana is about an hour north of Fort Wayne—you'll love it."

She very much doubted that. "Tupper, do you know why I'm here?"

"Um—" He paused, trying to focus. "To expand the agency's influence into business dealings in the Midwest."

"Which means?"

"Got me." He shrugged. "This is my first assignment since I visited Uncle Quincy, but he said it was real important, so I figure I'm on the fast track."

Uncle Quincy? What an image—like Luciano Pavarotti breakdancing. "You are, indeed." Maddie decided she liked the kid, after all. She couldn't help thinking of him as a kid, although he couldn't be more than five years younger than her, and he seemed sincere in his desire to help. Besides, in his own way he was exiled here, just like her. "Do you have transportation?"

“My truck—oh, you mean here?” He gestured to a yellow Volkswagen Beetle parked beside the van. Inside, a girl with spiked green hair waved, then went back to studying her eyebrow ring in the rear view mirror. How entirely appropriate.

"Tupper, you've obviously been working hard. Why don't you take a day or two off? Visit with your family, take a short break, and contact me at the hotel later."

"Really? Wow, thanks! I needed to take off for my part time job soon, anyway." He started to hop into the Beetle, but paused when she called his name.

"It might be helpful to have the information packet your great-uncle promised me. Not to mention the van keys."

"Oh!" Tupper handed her the keys and gestured toward the van. "There's a folder on the passenger seat with maps, directions, your reservation, and a really big book about John Adams. He's my ancestor, you know. I think he was governor, or something."

"Possibly the genes have thinned out since then." Ignoring his puzzled expression, she climbed into the van.

"Well, if you like to go to the drive-in you'll probably see me there. Take it easy!" The Bug roared away.

After a moment Maddie got back out, opened the rear door, and threw in the luggage Tupper had abandoned on the pavement. Sincere he may be, competent he may not.

Maddie spent some time reading the directions and comparing them to the maps. Smiling despite herself, she also leafed through the biography of John Adams. Inside the front cover she found a short inscription: "John Adams called himself obnoxious and unpopular—but he got the job done. Quincy."

Adam Quincy had been named for the second President, and according to rumor was a distant relative. Maddie considered John Adams a role model for his courage and perseverance, but that, and their occupation, was all she and Quincy had in common. Leave it to the law firm's founder to turn a gift into a subtle reminder of who was in charge.

She spotted some brochures in the folder. Tupper apparently thought her job involved sightseeing: He’d enclosed something about every tourist destination in northeast Indiana, from zoos and state parks to an Old Jail Museum. And a drive-in movie theater.

The colorful advertisement declared this to be the 50th anniversary of the High View Drive-In. Two features for the whole family every night, all summer long, plus weekend showings in the spring and fall. Photos showed happy families who munched on popcorn and other snacks while watching the latest flick from the comfort of their automobiles.

Maddie studied every detail, every letter, and then determined the hotel would not, after all, be her next destination. It was getting close to dusk. She had a van, and other than being a bit overdressed for the movies she should go unnoticed.

Yes, a visit to the drive-in was clearly in order. After all, she well remembered one of the first rules from law school: Know your enemy.

Despite her black mood on the airplane, the weather and the masses of greenery Maddie passed during her drive north cheered her a bit. She’d believed as a child that a field was a dirt lot for baseball, and the biggest patch of plant life no more than a Boston city park. Her preteen mind couldn’t have imagined these expanses of woods, or unlimited stretches of young corn and wheat.

It was cool enough to shut down the air conditioner and crack the windows, an act that would horrify her hairstylist. Considering the obscene amounts of money she paid the man, by now he should have come up with a wave that would last through a tornado.

She missed him. She missed her Porsche mechanic, her personal assistant, the doorman, and all the partners with their custom tailored suits, ten dollar cigars, and condescending attitudes. No matter how important this assignment, everyone knew it was punishment. She must prove herself all over again if she ever expected a corner office and her pick of cases.

A few miles after turning onto a two lane highway she spotted the sign, a gaudy red and yellow monstrosity guaranteed to attract attention. The top formed an arrow pointing toward the metal framework of the movie screen, and below the arrow stood a sign advertising a Pixar animated movie and a teen comedy.

To Maddie's surprise half a dozen cars already lined the drive. A van similar to hers waited first behind the closed gate to the ticket booth, with the adult occupants of the other vehicles gathered around it. They looked like they were having a conference, or maybe a tailgate party. A dozen young people, from teens to toddlers, played in a grassy area between the drive and a red fence that surrounded the property.

Maddie stopped behind the last vehicle, wincing at the crunch of gravel beneath her wheels. Clearly, Indiana needed to invest in more asphalt. After the dust cleared, she opened her windows all the way to admit the scent of freshly mowed grass and a far off barbecue, then shut off the engine. Country music played from the pickup in front of her, but it was the sound of kids screaming that made her stiffen.

She scanned around the lawn until certain they were screams of glee, not pain. Why didn’t these parents pay closer attention to their children? Wouldn't it be safer to keep them in their cars, instead of wandering around where they could get hit, or fall, or be bitten by snakes or rabid bunnies or something? Not to mention all the strangers.

Well, she must be the only stranger here, considering everyone else still gathered around the one vehicle. The scene would make someone nostalgic, if that someone held memories of going to the movies. Maddie remembered only a few trips to a more traditional theater.

She’d been led to believe little local support remained for the drive-in, making a buyout easy. Except for one lonely old house along the drive-in property, the surrounding land consisted of farm fields and small tracts of woods, most optioned by the development company her firm represented.

The drive-in's owner remained the holdout, and by bad luck his property made up the bull’s-eye in the tract of land the developer needed. The better his business, the harder her job—and here people already waited, on a weeknight, no less.

Perhaps this made up the hardcore locals with nothing better to do. You couldn't make profit margin with six customers a day.

That optimistic thought faded when an old station wagon pulled up behind her van, pumping rock and roll into the air, as a full house gyrated inside.

With a sigh, Maddie examined the customers. Their dress consisted of shorts or blue jeans, and tank tops or printed tees. She glanced down at her silk print dress, and determined not to leave the van under any circumstances. The average person might not know the difference between her expensive outfit and something from an outlet store, but she would still stand out.

Soon adults began to saunter back toward their own vehicles, while the kids ran, jumping and shouting, to join them. She held her breath until she was sure none of the children would trip or get hit by a car door, then turned to see a woman move the gate aside and climb into the ticket booth. Maddie switched the engine on and wondered if kid movies had changed much since "The Little Mermaid".

Soon Maddie caught sight of the ticket price, painted on the whitewashed side of the ticket booth, and took a sharp breath. It was a third of what she’d expect to pay in downtown Boston. How in the world could this man stay in business, with prices so low? The popcorn must be a dollar a kernel.

The ticket taker held an animated conversation with everyone in line, but managed to keep customers moving until Maddie stopped before her. Then the woman, who wore a white T-shirt proclaiming "The High View—50 years and counting,” did a double take and leaned in for a closer look.

"You're a little overdressed for the movies, ain't ya, hon?"

"The philharmonic was sold out." Maddie gritted her teeth, although she’d expected this reaction.

Now the woman leaned closer, to take in the clean, empty interior of the van. "Just you?"

"Is that all right?"

The woman arched an eyebrow. "Okay by me, just kinda unusual. Why go see a movie by yourself?"

"My boyfriend plays in the philharmonic."

"Well ..." With a shake of her head, the woman handed Maddie a ticket stub, then rattled off an FM radio frequency. "Enjoy the show. Oh! I almost forgot." She gave Maddie a bumper sticker.

Beneath a red, white and blue drawing of the movie screen, colorful letters spelled out: "Save the High View! Half a Century and Counting."

The woman leaned forward and hissed, "Some big company out east wants to turn it into an airport!"

"Oh, my."

"Don't worry, we'll fight 'em and win. You have a good time now, hon."

"Thank you," Maddie answered automatically. As she drove through the lot, she saw similar stickers on all the parked vehicles. The other van, she noted, differed from hers in only two ways: It was black instead of deep purple, and sported stickers on the back and side windows. As she passed it she saw a pair of bright hazel eyes regard her curiously through the rear view mirror, and wondered whether it was because of the twin transportation, or because she drove the only auto in the lot without a show of support pasted on every surface.

Where to park? In the middle of the lot sat a low concrete block structure painted white, with two doors on each side: one for a restroom and another for an entrance to the snack area. Maddie had no intention of abandoning her nutrition plan. Still, she could imagine a need for the restroom if, for some reason, she decided to stay through both movies.

Of course she would stay. She needed to know as much as possible about this business, in order to get it shut down. The best place for her would be at the corner closest to the women's restroom, but, ironically, the other purple van had already staked it out. Maddie settled for a spot at the other front corner.

All the old concrete speaker posts stood empty. Didn’t the ticket taker say something about a radio frequency? Dialing it in produced a crooning Norah Jones, but Maddie assumed she had the right place, left it on, and began watching the incoming traffic.

She made some quick calculations, based on the ticket price, the average number of people per car, and the cost of electricity, payroll, and other overhead. She factored in snacks, then cut food profit in half when she noticed many of the moviegoers brought their own. Despite that, by the time the sun disappeared behind a low, distant cloud bank, the place had already broken even. When the first preview for upcoming movies appeared, it was turning a profit.

On a weeknight. Not good at all.

Maddie sat back, paying little attention to the ads. She leaned forward again when a group of teens walked by, loaded down with nachos, popcorn, and soda. Her stomach began a low, rumbling litany of complaints. When did she last eat? Not dinner. Not lunch, come to think of it, except for a bag of peanuts on the plane.

So much for staying in the car. So much for her diet, unless the snack bar featured something no one she saw had purchased. But it was now too dark for anyone to notice her style of dress, and this could be the perfect opportunity to investigate the operation further. After all, she was here on a job, and if she wanted to erase her black marks with the company she needed to perform it well.

That determination lasted until she reached the door to the snack bar, and realized her miscalculation. Of course it was too dark to see her dress, and the expensive style of her blonde tresses, and the opal necklace and charm bracelet—outside. Inside, fluorescent light made it bright as day.

But with the movie starting, nobody stood before the long counter with its popcorn machine, soda fountain, and snack rack. At least, nobody until she came in one way while, at the same moment, a man burst through the opposite door.

They both froze, regarding each other. She recognized the twinkling hazel eyes and the sandy, disheveled hair at once, although he looked taller when out from behind the wheel. He wore jeans and a white T-shirt with the all too familiar drive-in logo on it, along with the words "Drive-Ins are for Cars, not Planes". Admirably muscled arms clutched an empty popcorn bucket.

The man smiled, flashing teeth so perfect it brought back memories of the thousands of dollars Maddie sunk into her orthodonture, and walked toward her. Of their own volition Maddie's legs also moved, until they met in front of the cash register.

"Are you lost?" His baritone voice sent a jolt up her spine, and suddenly exile in Indiana didn't seem so bad.

"I'm ... um ..." She glanced around to remind herself where she was. "I’m looking for healthy food."

"You are lost." He smiled again. "I meant you don't look like the drive-in type."

If you're the drive-in type, Maddie thought, get me a season ticket. "It was spur of the moment." True enough.

"I've been there." He held a hand out. "Logan. Logan Chandler."

She felt her hand enveloped in his warmth. His touch, firm but gentle, made her catch her breath. She tried to stutter out her name, and found she couldn't remember.

"Maddie!" someone else called.

The idea of anyone in Indiana knowing her came as such a shock that Maddie pulled her hand away and turned, almost backing into the wall. Behind the counter, swathed in an apron that didn't completely cover the drive-in emblem on his white T-shirt, a wild haired young man grinned at her.

"Tupper?"

"I told you we'd meet again if you came to the drive-in. This is my part time job."

Uh oh. Maddie glanced at Logan, who turned from her to Tupper with a raised eyebrow. While Tupper didn't know everything about her mission, it would be easy to put two and two together.

"I guess I assumed you’re not from around here at all," Logan said, eyeing her dress.

"Tupper and I just met today." Good, the truth. But Maddie couldn't grasp where to go from there. "It's a long story, and the movie's started."

"But you know each other?"

"Absolutely." Again, true enough.

Tupper pitched in, "We're like old friends, dude."

"Okay." Smiling again, Logan grandly gestured Maddie forward. "I just need to replace some spilled popcorn. After you."

What? Oh. She turned to Tupper, determined to get out of there before he gave her away. Logan might be a lost Greek god, but she couldn't afford to get involved with him, especially after the last fiasco in her love life. "Perrier?"

"Huh?" Tupper stared at her, open mouthed. "I don't know Spanish."

Behind her, Logan chuckled, making her even more aware of his presence.

"Do you serve any bottled water?" In truth, Maddie craved some decent coffee, but she had a feeling her definition of “decent” wouldn’t fit here.

"Oh!" Tupper grabbed a bottle of water with a brand name she didn't recognize. "This is local. It comes out of a spring well right by a church."

"And a cemetery," Logan offered. She looked back to find him grinning wickedly. "Imagine that."

She did, but took the bottle anyway. "Is there anything to eat that doesn't involve large amounts of sugar or carbohydrates?"

"Uh—" Tupper glanced around wildly. "No."

"Get her some of the world famous popcorn, Tupper," Logan said. "On me."

"Popcorn on you." For some reason Tupper found that amusing, and chuckled as he scooped the white kernels up.

“No salt or butter, please." Maddie felt a touch on her arm, and turned to see Logan smiling yet again.

"No salt or butter? That's cardboard."

Could she make herself look any more out of place? "I'm twenty-nine years old.” When he gave her a questioning look, she added, “I can’t eat whatever I want, not anymore." As if she ever could.

He raked his gaze over Maddie, making her gulp and shiver. "You don't have an ounce of fat on you."

That was a compliment, she assumed. Maddie didn’t have an ounce of fat, not even on her chest—or at least, that had been her ex-fiancé’s biting comment. "I plan to keep it that way. How do you—" Now it was her turn to look him over, from broad chest to white Reeboks, and she gulped again. "—um, stay in such good shape?"

"Hey, I don't eat this way all the time—it's a treat. If you don't treat yourself, how do you know what you're missing?"

"A look at the nutrition label tells me what I'm missing." Desperate to get away—she was much too attracted to this man, no doubt a rebound effect—she grabbed a bag of chocolate covered peanuts from the rack and slapped it down next to the water. "There. Four hundred calories."

"I'm humbled," Logan told her. "You might try sprinkling them on the popcorn."

"Thank you." She shoved a fifty into Tupper's hands and told him to keep the change, which made his eyes pop. "I'll remember you on my next trip to the scales."

"Wait—" Logan held his hand out, but became distracted when Tupper called his name.

"Say, that's a great idea. Chocolate covered popcorn, M&M popcorn, popcorn with nougats—it could be the next taste sensation."

Logan held out his empty popcorn tub. "Remember that one time when I told you to use your imagination? I take it back."

Maddie took the opportunity to sneak out the door, and hurried into the blackness before Logan could catch her. If he said anything remotely connected to getting to know her better, she would melt like the hot butter he kept talking about, and the whole nightmare of dating someone connected to her work would start all over again.

Shivering, she dropped the water and candy into her purse. Balancing the popcorn in one hand, she pulled open the van's door. What a relief to be away from that man—she'd never been so instantly affected by the opposite sex before, not even her ex-fiancé. With considerable relief, she sank into the driver's seat.

Or, more accurately, she sank onto the small body that occupied the driver's seat.

Two high voices shrieked. Maddie also gave a yell and leaped out, ready to run as her imagination conjured Munchkin muggers. But her purse caught on the empty speaker post, and she managed only to spin around.

In the hazy darkness, broken by the flickering reflection from the big screen, Maddie made out two small, round sets of eyes peering at her from inside the van. In the instant that followed, she realized this was not her van and that somehow, miraculously, she still held the popcorn without a single kernel spilled.

Then a much larger body plowed into her. She slammed down onto the hard turf, while someone else fell heavily on top of her.

In addition to the website, there's a list of where our books are available here:

https://markrhunter.blogspot.com/2018/12/coming-attractions-is-e-booking-all.html

[theherblifeblog]

Spotlight Series: The Stoned Housewife Maggie May

If you spend any time on Instagram looking at feeds to do with cannabis you will eventually find yourself on the page belonging to Maggie May AKA The Stoned Housewife. Maggie bills herself as a Metaphysics + Cannabis Oracle, a Frequency Healer, Shadow Alchemist and a Metaphysical Practitioner. Her website is a treasure trove of products, blogging and information related to energy, astrology and of course cannabis. She offers events, tarot readings, a podcast and a little online store full of beautiful things that would make a perfect gift for a friend or to yourself.  

"I am a cosmic incarnation and a channel of divine light. I am here to help you understand you are the same!"  -- The Stoned Housewife

Tell the readers a little bit about your website, what do you do there and what does “Where metaphysics meets cannabis" mean?

Where Metaphysics meets Cannabis is a way for me to bring the ancestral healing modalities of the Eastern world, that are rooted deeply in the energetic foundations of life, with a widely western view of acknowledgment of Cannabis medicine. My work as a Metaphysical healer for the past decade has led me down a road I wouldn't have believed when I was being raised in the conservative south. The Stoned Housewife has become a platform for me to creatively express the experience I have received through Reiki and working with Crystal Spirits, among many other things. I like to say I am getting stoned on two levels. I create content for people who want to get into Metaphysical realm and already have a base of Cannabis knowledge. There are so many websites out producing education on Cannabis but very little education on the energetic realm. 

I’m very intrigued by some of the services you offer, including tarot readings, how long have you been reading cards and how did you get into it?

Thank you so much, I have been practising reading cards for almost a decade. I began ritually using them for guidance after 3 years of solely studying the deep symbolism that the cards contain. I have been actively reading almost every day for the past 6 years. I resonate highly with the fortune teller aspect of culture. The cards bring a calming reassurance when times get a little vibrationally out of whack. I studied for years before I ever got my own deck to work with the Tarot, as a sign your first deck is supposed to be gifted to you. My Reiki healer gave me my first deck and it was a standard Raider-Waite deck. I now have just shy of 30 decks I have collected over the years, each with a different method of healing. 

You’re also creating content in the form of podcasts! I am such a podcast nerd so I was very happy to find the Lifted Life, tell us a little bit about your podcast.

Lifted Life came to me as a way for me to get my thoughts out in a more fluid way than writing a 40-page blog post. I love bringing in the simple but powerful techniques in the metaphysical healing space, I also enjoy talking a lot. I have had numerous people tell me they could listen to me speak for hours. I wanted to bring something into the space that I didn't see before and that was a spiritual podcast dedicated to all the energies including the stuff people think is "out there". Plus I am not someone who lives completely outside of the real world, I love Bob's Burgers and Game of Thrones as much as the next person. During the season I would look ahead and try to find spoilers though, which I am a sucker for finding out what happens before I watch a show. I tried to make it as real as I am. Not just solely spiritual based because we live in a 3-dimensional plane, so we can't ignore the other factors. They are all here for a reason.

Each episode has a foundation of 3 parts: Metaphysics, Cannabis, and 3D Life. I am always talking about the frequency of our surroundings in everyday life and the planets pull on us anyway so I was like, "Hey, I listen to myself talk about this, I am going to start a podcast." It started to grow and pour out of me in a way that flows perfectly. I plan to have other Metaphysical women and men on in future episodes. 

Do you find that cannabis helps you in your metaphysical side of your business? If so, how? 

Cannabis has heightened my energetic work exponentially. I began consuming Cannabis and would give myself Reiki treatments, I noticed how much more aware of the energies I became.  Whenever I begin to give a client Reiki, I have them fill out a questionnaire as to how, when, or even if they consume. This gives me what I like to call their "cannaaura".  If they do not, I know I can bring CBD products for them to use during the session as well as after. If they do consume I have them take part in a "passing of the pipe" type of ceremony. We both consume and I guide our messages with the intention to be delivered down Blue Road. The White Buffalo Calf Woman brought the smoking pipe to the Lakota natives and told them this was a way to communicate their messages to their ancestors. Whenever I smoke Cannabis, it is always intention based and I want my clients to feel as if they can call in their ancestors at any time. Cannabis helps loosen some of the conditioned patterns of how we experience the energy, thus helping people be more open to receiving higher frequencies. 

What are your plans going forward with The Stoned Housewife? What do you envision for your business?

I want to empower people to live a life that revolves around them keeping themselves on a frequency of love.  Our lives don't have to revolve around worrying about what others are doing, telling others how they need to be, or feeling helpless when something "out of our control" happens. We have all the control, it is just wrangling in the toddler energy level of our brains. Working with Reiki for the past 6 years has changed my life greatly. It is the path I chose and I have a divine inner feeling, I knew it all along. I want to empower people to take back their power, one way I have found works greatly in gathering people in a room and having them do their work. We so often give our power away in so many ways, from the very moment we wake up we are on our phones checking in on what the world has to say. I want to show people you don't have to give any power away and no one can take it.  Moving forward I want to bring these healing techniques to people all over the world. I feel confident in my abilities and the higher frequency energies I work with daily. I know I am guided solely to what is for my highest good. I envision my business continuing to grow on a global scale as I have books, magazines, and self-help programs in the works. I love collaborating and as for the rest of 2017, I have an event in Malibu, California coming up on Friday, October the 13th. I have teamed up with Cure Designs of the Emerald Exchange and two Holistic Health and Wellness coaches (@hintofgreens + @balanced_life_leslie) to bring together the goddess culture surrounding the number 13. It is a co-ed Sacred Space Sleepover on a private ranch, nestled in the hilltops. 

I noticed you also strain reviews… What is your favorite strains and why?

Oh my! It is so hard to choose. My favorite would have to be Wonder Woman. It is an amazing producer and a mood game changer! It is my favorite because being an empath, I absorb tons of other people's energetic junk. WW helps clear out those energies and leaves an actual high feeling, like your levitating. It smells like a combo of jet fuel and fruity pebbles. The terpene profile has pretty high amounts of Humulene and Caryophyllene. Humulene is found in Hops, Sage, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Black pepper and oregano have high amounts of Caryophyllene and it has been used in Alcohol craving reductions. I may be a little partial to this strain because my husband met Linda Carter, the OG Wonder Woman and gave her some of this strain. So not only is she my favorite but the actual Wonder Woman has smoked the weed I grew! That's freaking amazing. 

Do you have a cannabis ritual? Do you think rituals around consumption are important? 

I use Cannabis ritually when I want to communicate with the energies most cannot see (going into a Reiki session or conversing with the Tarot). I consume with the intention to be an open vessel and receive the guidance I need for the healing needed at that exact moment. I think we are naturally drawn to ritual as an ancestral way of healing. It's as if it is in our blood to perform rituals. Most people don't think they are rituals but refer to their rituals as "schedules". So for me if I do something everyday, I look to see if some kind of consumption would be beneficial. I religiously take CBD though, I wake up most mornings and reach for my Grapefruit CBD vaporizer with organic terpenes to supplement my coffee intake. This just sets me up with a higher energetic footprint for the day. 

Another thing you’re doing is events, what are the Green Lodge Events like? 

The Green Lodge is like stepping into a vortex of healing. Time stops and we just go within. I had a vision to bring women together under the premise of using different modalities of healing. I gather a lot of information before each lodge and no one lodge is similar. Each lodge is based on a foundation of Earth Realm Medicine. So that entails not only Cannabis and Crystals, but an animal, Goddess, Spirit, and Moon energy. We have had a Shamanic drumming chanting session which left the goddesses in tears and have planted wildflowers under the Budding Trees Moon. One month we had our local Brazilian Samba instructor come and we danced for the waters and the Goddess Oshun. TGL is more centred in giving you the tools to walk out the door and shift your perspective with literal frequency control. Nikola Tesla style! Not to say it is not work, I make you work. I make you question the self-talk you repeat every day to yourself and others. If our eyes could see the natural energetic auras that emanate from everything, we would have more awareness of our thought-forms. The Green Lodge is simply a portal, like something from Burning Man. You come in leave your Ego at the door and there is a good possibility you'll get to see some Fire. The next Green Lodge is November 18th in Boulder, Colorado, we will be having a food, coat, and feminine supplies drive and the proceeds will be going to a local domestic violence shelter in Denver. 

What about cannabis do you love?

I love how Cannabis raises people's vibration. It opens the heart chakra and some world-renowned psychic channelers say it is a literal "deprogrammer."  Energetically when someone consumes Cannabis it elevates them. I love explaining to people you don't have to get high to use Cannabis and that I could get them higher with an energy healing session most times. Getting lifted is an understatement. I love being somewhere and asking someone if they would like to share a joint or bowl with me because I can literally see the tension melt away that so many people carry. Cannabis has helped me develop my Reiki practice into a full-blown way of life. I have a confidence I knew was somewhere inside of me, and working with the Cannabis Spirit has definitely helped me feel more in my self.  

What advice would you offer to a woman interested in joining the cannabis industry?

Do your own thing but don't be intimidated to ask for help. This isn't a lone wolf pack as much as we have been taught on societal standards. The pack survives. So I would reach out to people who align with the work You want to do, not the work someone else wants you to do to fulfill their dream. If you have confidence in your self, the right people and opportunities will align into your path. I have met some amazing people and I simply reached out with the intention to have a mutually beneficial relationship, whether that be business, sponsor, or simply just a friend. The Cannabis industry is the tadpole of the world right now. It is just a little baby! So nurture it and yourself and we can grow this into something that benefits humanity as a whole for the better. 

Connect with The Stoned Housewife

Website

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[mysteryshelf]

BLOG TOUR - A Wanted Man

Welcome to

THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF!

DISCLAIMER: This content has been provided to THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF by Pump Up Your Book Tours. No compensation was received. This information required by the Federal Trade Commission.

�� Title: A WANTED MAN Author: Robert Parker Publisher: Endeavour Press Pages: 307 Genre: Crime Thriller

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

What initially got you interested in writing?

Time spent at my Grandma and Grandad’s house, in Eccleston, St Helens. The box room at their house, which had a little bunkbed in it, had the most brilliant bookshelves full of books: pulp, crime, adventure, thrillers, classics, encyclopedias, so on. When I was little it seemed that if there was anything in the world that wasn’t written about somewhere on those shelves, then it wasn’t worth knowing. And downstairs, Grandad had the most fantastic VHS collection – again not too vast, but the titles were all thrilling to a story-loving kid like myself. I loved the old adventure films he had, anything from Swiss Family Robinson to The Cat and The Canary through to Superman. James Bond films too. Anything that had a fantastic story, adventure and mystery, and he was there. And I spent hours watching these with him. Then, when I learned to write, I couldn’t believe that I could concoct my own tales. The power was thrilling.

  What genres do you write in?

Presently, that would be crime thrillers. There’s nothing really off the table in terms of genres I’d like to write in though, and respect the differences hugely. However, when I set down to write something, I never really think of genre – I just write the kind of story I’d like to read, and see what comes out the other end. I’m writing something at the minute that is a whole different speed to the Ben Bracken books, and I’ve got no idea what genre it’ll be – but if I had to pick it, from how it’s shaping up, I’d have to say somewhere around the mystery category, although which way it’ll swing, I just don’t know! But for now, crime seems to be my thing, so I’ll stick to that.

  What drew you to writing these specific genres?

Very good question. The freedom it gives me to look at darkness, and bring darkness to normal settings and situations. I love books that examine the quaint overlooked details in life, and then throws something truly horrible into the mix. It’s the fact that anything can happen in these worlds we create, and also that the darkness created is often overcome by the end of the story – there is redemption, and a brightness in crime when it is overcome. And there is an excitement in thrillers that is hard to match.

  How did you break into the field?

  Still trying to, I guess would be the correct way to preface my answer! In short, perseverance. For everyone who told me that my books were rubbish, I turned it into fuel. A longer answer would be that I had 3 double knee surgeries, one after the other, over the course of 18 months. I had plenty of time on my hands, while I was recovering all that time, doing rehab and resting, and my brain was crawling itself inside out with boredom. My business had taken over at this point, and writing hadn’t been as high a priority. I picked up a pen to alleviate the boredom, and within 8 weeks I’d written my first novel. I self-published to kindle, in its haphazard state, and connected with readers almost straight away. It was a heck of a thing. Before long, I’d written a second, and it won a couple of online five star awards things. That’s when readers started to suggest I send it to the literary world to see if I could get them published for real. I approached a lot of agents (possibly 250-300) and had so many varied responses – some ranging from the positive, some to the downright rude. The nasty, rude ones became my favourites, and it just made me want to try harder, get better and show them – fair enough, if you don’t like the work that’s fine, but to go out of your way to be rude and put someone down? I loved it. Rejection became welcomed. And I kept plugging away. Eventually had a brilliant conversation with Linda Langton of Langtons International Agency in New York. She was the first agent to show a real passion for my work, and was utterly lovely to deal with. We clicked immediately, and she was very kind, encouraging and thoughtful in the way she cajoled me through. That was three years ago now, and she has stood by me while I have rewritten my books countless times and found me a publisher. She is a guardian angel, and I owe her so much.

  What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?

I want them to close the book and say ‘wow’. I want them to feel satisfied. I want them to feel like they’ve been really entertained, and I want them to be happy they read it!

  What do you find most rewarding about writing?

When people tell you they enjoyed it. That is just the greatest thing to hear as a writer – to know that you contributed to someone’s enjoyment and happiness (even though you’re making them read about all manner of crime and death!) is the best.

  What do you find most challenging about writing?

Not having enough hours in the day! Knowing that some days the words will overflow like a boiling pan, but other days it’ll be blood from a stone.

  What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?

Never dare give up. Never dare think it. Rejection is part of the deal, even when your book is out there. You can’t please everyone, so just write the story you want to write, and never ever quit scrapping until you get where you want to be.

  What type of books do you enjoy reading?

Crime, thriller, mystery, suspense, ghosts, supernatural, adventure, legal, scientific – and anything at all that has a rollicking twist. I want my socks knocking off and the rug pulled.

  Is there anything else besides writing you think people would find interesting about you?

I fight regularly at charity boxing events, training six days a week to do so. I do this to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a disease that affects us all in so many ways. I figured that people suffer so fiercely, I can definitely suffer the hard work of a training camp then a fight. It’s unlocked a part of me I didn’t know was there, and I love it.

  What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RobertRParker45

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/robertparkerauthor

Website: www.robertparkerauthor.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7789447.Robert_Parker

  And thank you so much for having me!

    It’s down to fathers and fatherhood.Ben Bracken, ex-soldier, has just got out of Strangeways.

Not by the front door.

With him, he has his ‘insurance policy’ – a bag of evidence that will guarantee his freedom, provided he can keep it safe – and he has money, carefully looked after by a friend, Jack Brooker.

Rejected by the army, disowned by his father, and any hopes of parenthood long since shattered, Ben has no anchors in his life.

No one to keep him steady. 

No one to stop his cause…

The plan: to wreak justice on the man who had put him in prison in the first place. 

Terry ‘The Turn-Up’ Masters, a nasty piece of work, whose crime organisation is based in

London.But before Ben can get started on his mission, another matter is brought to his attention: Jack’s father has been murdered and he will not rest until the killers are found.

Suddenly, Ben finds himself drawn in to helping Jack in his quest for revenge.

In the process, he descends into the fold of

Manchester’s most notorious crime organisation – the Berg – the very people he wants to bring down…This action-packed and fast-paced story will keep you turning the pages.

Manchester is vividly portrayed as Ben races around the city seeking vengeance.

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It’s not long before I am there again. Haugh Road, right in the middle. Everything looks the same, right down to the chewing gum on the pavements. There’s the old off- licence, the pub I used to drink in. There’s the phone box I’d call my mates from, out the front of the house I called home for thirty years.

My heart feels a hot stab at seeing it, worse than I expected. Home.

It’s a terraced house that could do with some work. The lawn is a bit longer than Dad used to have it, by quite a bit, actually, and the PVC window frames we had put in on a government grant to promote greener living a few years ago are a bit mucky. The door is still painted red, with a brass knocker.

What are you doing here, Ben? Are you going to invite yourself in for a cuppa? Or stand out here like a stalker?

I hadn’t really thought that far ahead. But somehow, I needed to see it. I needed to see something concrete, to remind me where I came from… Christ, this fucking neediness… I don’t like it.

I feel abandoned by them, for sure, but they had their reasons. They were so proud, and suddenly all that pride was gone.

And now, with my visit this evening? I suppose I just need to know that, even though everything else is chaos, things back here at home remain the same. We wouldn’t even need to talk, just…

In fact, despite the curtains being open, it doesn’t look like they are home.

Wait. I can see in through the front window, despite the dwindling light. Something’s different: On the left-hand side, Grandma’s mirror is missing, the one passed down to Mum when she died. It had a gold frame – well, gold edging on top of tin – and it was Mum’s pride and joy. And the curtains that are open… there are no curtains. Looking closer I can see the tie-back hooks stand visible and empty.

I walk up the path, leaving prints in the long grass, and peer inside, and more and more of my past looms up in front of me the closer I get. But this nostalgia, and the stir of anticipation that has arisen despite my efforts to subdue it, is quickly replaced by something cold, something bitter.

The room is empty.

I can see through to the kitchen along the old carpet that runs right through the downstairs, which in the emptiness now looks more threadbare. There’s nothing.

They’ve gone. My parents have left here.

I stand simply staring into the hollow space, and feel as if I’m gazing into the very emptiness that has been abruptly carved inside of me. My feeling of loneliness is complete.

I have no way to contact them. They are gone, and from the look of things, gone for good. And considering that they never sent me a forwarding address while I was in prison, they clearly don’t want me to know where they are.

All I wanted was to see that they were ok, but as far as I can tell, they didn’t even want me to have that. They have disowned me. I should have guessed from their passive stares in the public gallery at my trial, fixing on any point but their own son’s searching gaze. I can’t help but stand and dwell.

I quickly decide that I’ve had enough. I walk away because there’s nothing for me here anymore, not for the first time. Rawmarsh is no longer my home. I feel I could cry, but I won’t. No chance – those bastards, they won’t get that from me.

I walk down the path to the scuffed, mucky pavement. The gum on the concrete beneath my shoes, some of it is undoubtedly mine. My DNA lies at my feet, inseparable from my town, my past. That DNA is now the only evidence I was ever here. Thirty years of love, life, family – all reduced to a dirty bit of gum on an old pavement.

This will steel me. Toughen me. It has to. Because this would, could, should break a lesser man.

  Robert Parker is a new exciting voice, a married father of two, who lives in a village close to Manchester, UK. He has both a law degree and a degree in film and media production, and has worked in numerous employment positions, ranging from solicitor’s agent (essentially a courtroom gun for hire), to a van driver, to a warehouse order picker, to a commercial video director. He currently writes full time, while also making time to encourage new young readers and authors through readings and workshops at local schools and bookstores. In his spare time he adores pretty much all sport, boxing regularly for charity, loves fiction across all mediums, and his glass is always half full.

His latest book is the crime/thriller, A WANTED MAN.

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    BLOG TOUR – A Wanted Man was originally published on the Wordpress version of The Pulp and Mystery Shelf

[megalony]

She’s a good girl- Part 3

Here is the third part of my murderer! Ben Hardy series, I hope you are all liking this series so far, thank you for the lovely feedback.

Taglist: @lunaticspoem @butlegendsneverdie @langdonzvoid @jennyggggrrr @rogmeddows @radiob-l-a-hblah @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6 @rogertaylors-lipgloss @sj-thefan @omgitsearly @luckytrashgooprebel @scarsout @deaky-with-a-c @killer-queen-ofrhye @bluutac @vousmemanqueez @jonesyaddiction @ambi-and-sunflowers @milanosaurus @httpfandxms @saint-hardy @7-seas-of-fat-bottomed-girls @mrsalwayswritex @rogerina-owns-me @peterquillzsblog @im-an-adult-ish @crazylittlethingg

Series taglist: @onceuponadetectivedemigod​

Summary: (Y/n) is a good girl from a church-going family and her brother, Joe is trying to put Ben behind bars. But when (Y/n) starts to fall for the dangerous killer, things get complicated.

Series masterlist

Enjoy.

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(Y/n) had a secret.

For once in her life, she had something that only she knew, she had someone that only she knew about. (Y/n) has a secret from all of her family that wasn't some petty little idea or present she was keeping secret for someone's birthday or for Christmas. She had something that was totally hers and not shared by Joe or found out by Cora or frowned upon or childishly praised by her parents.

Ben was her secret and (Y/n) could keep him all to herself without having to share or witness him being taken away from her like a new toy that Cora would always snatch away after a while.

Ben was someone that (Y/n) could message and smile to herself when he replied, he was someone she could call or go out of the room to take his call so no one would listen in or try and involve themselves like her parents always thought they should. He was something that was entirely (Y/n)'s, he was her boyfriend and she had no obligation to tell anyone in her family about him, he was hers and that felt so, so good.

When (Y/n) went out with him she either didn't tell anyone where she was going or she lied and said she was going out with a friend. When she went to his club to start work there last week, she didn't bother saying where she was going and it sent an exhilarating feeling flowing through her veins.

She had a job. She didn't have a boring job that was the same day in and day out like before or like some of her friends. When she started on the first day she was sitting behind the desk in reception, letting people in and out of the club, checking their membership and signing them in. The next day Ben let her do some of the books with him, checking the finances and helping sort out the wages and it was so fun to her, counting and writing the notes and making sure everything was correct and in order. Ben said she could do the stocks next week and order the new stock they needed, he was letting her try everything and see what she liked best.

She even had a lanyard and an ID badge that opened the doors in the club so she didn't have to be buzzed in. Of course, if her parents found this they would see where she worked- they would see that she worked, so she had the lanyard safely tucked into her bag down the lining so it wasn't visible or able to fall out accidentally.

"(Y/n), where are you tonight?"

Her father's voice brought her out of her thoughts very suddenly and she realised she must have been deep in thought because she seemed to have been smiling while her thoughts were drifting.

"Sorry, I was miles away." The smile on her father's face told her he wasn't complaining about her being lost in thought but they were about to have dinner so drifting away when they were going to have a conversation wouldn't be the best idea and (Y/n) knew it.

With a small, inaudible sigh, (Y/n) took the bowl of carrots and the bowl of mash potato and made her way from the kitchen into the small back room they called the dining room. The table was nothing large or grand, it was very dark brown oak in a rectangular shape that seated six people if they all squashed up together. (Y/n) placed the bowls down as her mother brought the beef and Cora brought in the peas and gravy.

Without Joe here for dinner it meant that everyone had one side of the table to themselves without having to have an odd number around the table. (Y/n) sat down on her usual seat with her back to the wall, Cora sat opposite her and their parents sat at either end of the table with Paul on (Y/n)'s right and Linda on her left. This was the usual set up but if Joe came round for dinner he sat opposite (Y/n) next to Cora with Paul on his left.

Everyone bowed their head when Paul said a very quick grace before they all leaned over to help themselves to dinner.

"My apprenticeship will be up next month and Tommy says that they'll hire me." There was a certain snobbish tone to Cora's voice that grated on (Y/n)'s nerve. She sounded so prude and the way she tipped her chin up and stuck her nose in the air made her seem like she was going to be hired as a lawyer like Tommy when she was only a glorified secretary in reality. For the first few months all she did was sit in on meetings and go get the tea but it made Cora feel like she was high up in society.

Even (Y/n) could see that her new job at Ben's club was better than being someone's personal assistant or secretary.

If (Y/n) wasn't the good girl she had been brought up to be and if she hadn't grown up biting her tongue to stop her comments she would have said something rude by now. She would have stated the obvious, that Cora only got that apprenticeship because she was dating Tommy and they were only going to hire her because of his persuasion. Cora wasn't the best at instructions, she got so confused with the simplest of things and she was a klutz, (Y/n) wouldn't hire her as a secretary. She most likely took down the wrong details when she was on the phone with a client.

(Y/n) knew she herself only had this job because of Ben but at least she didn't go around bragging about it. Apprenticeships were harder to get and Cora got one at the drop of a hat without even having to go through the interview process- which she hadn't informed their parents about to make her seem more glorified.

"Oh that's wonderful honey, you must be doing very well there."

The rest of the conversation seemed to blur in (Y/n)'s ears, she couldn't keep up with what praises were being thrown Cora's way or how she talked about her job that was positively boring to (Y/n) who had heard it all before. The little stories Cora had heard second-hand and not be told direct that she polished up as if she was actually meant to hear it. The jokes about the people she worked with and the compliments (Y/n) truly doubted she was receiving.

Cora was too fake for her own good.

"Well, aren't you going to say something to your sister? Don't you think she's done well for herself?" Linda nudged her elbow into (Y/n)'s arm to prompt her to say something. The way Linda pressed her lips together tightly and narrowed her eyes on her youngest child made (Y/n) shiver.

"Well done, I thought you did well just getting the interview and surprisingly getting the job in the first place." (Y/n) knew all too well that Cora wouldn't realise she was taking a jab at her actually getting a job but the way that Cora's face hardened when the interview was mentioned was enough to make (Y/n) smile sweetly.

She could feel her mother smiling and nodding her head, approving of her answer and her father patted her arm kindly like (Y/n) was so sweet and considerate. But Cora's lips were almost snarling and her head ticked side to side, silently telling her younger sibling not to even dare bringing up the interview again. The only reason (Y/n) knew about the interview situation was because Tommy had told Joe about it in idle passing, who then told (Y/n). It was something both siblings held over Cora when she got ahead of herself.

"Thank you, I have done well, much better than that boring job at the sweetie shop you had." Cora liked to refer to the corner shop as the sweet shop because that was the only reason any of the siblings ever used to go in there for.

"Actually, I have some news too." (Y/n) swirled her fork around her mash potato, feeling her heart pounding against her chest as she wondered if she was really going to do this.

One the one hand, this was going to raise eyebrows and not gain the best of feedback, (Y/n) knew this. She wouldn't be as accepted as Cora was once she told their parents she had a job. But on the other hand, it meant (Y/n) would be more free to actually go to work and to go out with Ben without having to keep lying or making them angry by just not stating where she was going. Her life was going to get a lot harder now Ben had walked into it, she should try and make it easier for herself where possible.

"Oh?" Paul leaned his elbows on the table, eating a carrot as he turned his head to look at (Y/n).

Sometimes it felt like her parents- or at the very least, her father, was trying to turn her into a protege. He was always getting her to help with church events like he wanted (Y/n) to follow in his footsteps or grow up to work within the church. As much as (Y/n) had her faith, that was all it was. Her faith was not going to be her life. Linda was more making (Y/n) into a little doll, dressing her up, parading her around, she wanted (Y/n) to be something she could be proud of, to do well but also to be the good girl that went places.

(Y/n) didn't know where she wanted her life to go but she knew that it was not in either of those directions.

"I got a job."

(Y/n) pressed her lips together as she waited for their reactions. Linda didn't say anything but the way her eyes narrowed and her lips parted showed she wasn't jumping for joy like she was when both Joe and Cora told her about their jobs. Paul on the other hand was smiling with intrigue, wondering why (Y/n) didn't tell them she was even applying for a job or thinking about getting a job so suddenly.

When her eyes looked across at Cora, the elder daughter had confusion in her eyes and thunder on her face from (Y/n) taking away the conversation from her.

"You... where?" Cora shook her head, holding her fork in the air like a wand as she looked very surprised and like she was going to snort in disbelief.

"Now don't be like that Cora, this is great news. Where do you work, honey?" Paul rubbed (Y/n)'s hand for a minute, his smile very calming and his support meaning a lot, even if that support would disappear if she told him the truth about where she worked and how she got the job.

(Y/n) made sure the smile on her face didn't waver or disappear as she thought hard to think of a job she could tell them that they would be happy and content with. She couldn't tell them the truth and being vague wouldn't work but if she said she worked in a gym they wouldn't be pleased. They would tell her to aim a lot higher than that and (Y/n) didn't want their lectures or disappointment tonight. She knew her father was one step away from persuading her to get a job working with him in the church and that was the last thing she wanted.

She tried to think what other businesses were close by to the club to give herself a fake job. (Y/n) would be going in that area anyway for work so if anyone ever offered her a lift or saw her round there they wouldn't question it.

"I'm interning at J&C in town... for journalism and reporting." The lie rolled off (Y/n)'s tongue so quickly she felt the cross hanging round her neck burning into her chest. 

It was the first thing that came to mind when she thought about any businesses that were near Ben's club. It was two streets over from the edge of the town where Ben's club was but it was somewhere that none of (Y/n)'s family would go near and it wasn't somewhere they could pop in to see how she was doing if they ever thought of going that far.

"Really? Oh, my girl's going to be a reporter..." Linda trailed off as a smile formed on her lips, she seemed to be nodding to herself as she spoke. This was a career path that she would agree with, she could boast that her daughter was a reporter or a journalist, it was respectable and if (Y/n) even had this job it could give big opportunities.

If only it were true.

"That's certainly a surprise, but it's lovely that you've gotten yourself a job honey. I hope you're still going to help out at the church though." Paul smiled encouragingly before he went back to finishing his meal.

"Of course I am."

(Y/n) could feel the guilt and the pain pooling in her stomach a the thought of keeping this lie going and how it would progress. If only her family were more understanding of her and more encouraging, if only they didn't care about any high class jobs or how they could boast about their children or about making sure (Y/n) was a proper good girl. Their angel as they always used to call her.

If their family were a bit more relaxed and laid back then this would be so much easier and (Y/n) could find it in herself to tell them the truth and to tell them about having a boyfriend.

But Paul was high-achieving. He became a Reverend when (Y/n) was six and they moved to this church and it was a high status in the religious world. It made him want his kids to strive for the same high achievements, even if they didn't get involved in the church with their jobs he still wanted them to be high up. Joe was always going to be the favourite in both parent's eyes in the sense that he had a high praising job but he didn't choose to be an officer just to please them, it was what he wanted to do. Cora was pretending to be high in society and they were going along with it and praising her.

And (Y/n) was their protege, she was their angel they were raising to be such a good girl and they wanted her to score big. Working in a gym that doubled as a backstreet business, working and being in a relationship with the murdering manager was not something they would take lightly.

She would be disowned for choosing this way of life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What's the long face for, doll?" Ben turned his head to glance at (Y/n) sitting in the passenger seat on his left. He noticed she seemed a bit quiet today at work but she seemed even quieter and more shut down now.

"I told my family I was interning at J&C." (Y/n) blurted the words out very quickly but when Ben looked back over at her, she was looking down at her hands that were tightly clasped together in her lap. He could faintly see a glimpse of a smile on her lips but (Y/n) turned her head to look at him in shock when he laughed. (Y/n) soon realised that Ben was very stern and cold when he was at work, except for when he was with her and showing her around, everyone else at work seemed to fear him.

But around (Y/n) Ben was laid back and relaxed and he laughed a lot more around her. He didn't intimidate her like he did everyone else, (Y/n) was nervous around him but she was still at ease and calm around Ben, so much so that she still couldn't fathom how he could hurt people with the way he was so sweet and affectionate with her.

"The religious folk don't agree with working in a boxing club, huh?"

Ben leaned his chin on his right hand with his elbow resting on the door as his left hand loosely held the steering wheel he had full control over. He couldn't blame (Y/n) for lying and it didn't anger him in any way, he knew how oppressed she seemed to be in her family and if she lied to them about him and him being in her life it only showed how controlling they were and also how much she liked him. Surely she wouldn't lie about him if she didn't particularly like him very much.

"My whole family is high-achieving, I don't think working in a gym slash boxing club is as high up as they would like for me. And if I told Joe he would know I was seeing you and he'd tell my parents."

"Ah well, our little secret then."

"You... you're not mad, that I lied?" (Y/n)'s heart jumped into her throat when Ben reached over and held her hand reassuringly as he tried not to laugh again.

"Baby why would I be mad? I'm sorry but I don't really fancy meeting your folks, at least not right now. What you choose to tell them is up to you, I'm just pissed that they smother you to the point you have to lie to them."

It didn't bother Ben that (Y/n) didn't tell her family about him, he wasn't hoping to meet them anytime soon. Ben wasn't religious and something told him her parents wouldn't be happy with (Y/n) being with someone who was atheist. Nor did he fancy getting to know people who raised their children in such smothering and strict ways that made them terrified to do anything they really wanted. Ben couldn't meet Joe either unless he wanted a fight to start and Cora didn't sound like the best of sisters.

Being (Y/n)'s secret made Ben happy, it made him feel like he had some kind of power over her family and it just did something weird but good to his heart to think he was special enough to her for her to keep to herself like this.

"Take me somewhere else."

"What?" Ben chuckled through the word as he looked over at (Y/n) again, biting his thumb in a way that made (Y/n)'s heart skip a beat. She turned in her seat to face him properly, letting go of his hand when he moved to grab the gear stick, still confused as to what she was talking about. He was meant to be taking her home. Ben said that whenever (Y/n) was at work he would finish the same time as she did so he could drive her home instead of her either walking or getting the bus since she couldn't drive and didn't have her own car yet.

He had so far been dropping her off at the corner of the church so her family wouldn't see him or his car and they wouldn't suspect anything. Ben pulled up at the side of the church, turning so he could look at (Y/n) with a bright but intrigued smile. It was six in the evening, Ben knew her family would be getting worried if she wasn't home soon.

"I don't want to go home, I'm eighteen I can go out and be with you and do what I want without having to tell them anything. Take me somewhere, surprise me, please?"

(Y/n) shouldn't have to tell her parents every move she made and every place she went to and who with. She wasn't a child or a little girl anymore, she was her own person and she wanted to do whatever she pleased. Ben was helping her out of her shell and she wanted him to help her now. If he had nowhere to be and nothing else to do, she wanted him to drive her anywhere and stay out with her. She wouldn't call her parents and tell them anything, she would be rebellious.

Leaning over the gear stick and arm rest between them, (Y/n) skimmed her hands over Ben's neck as she leaned her forehead against his own, her bright eyes pleading with him when she didn't have to.

The mischievous grin on Ben's face told her he had agreed the moment she asked and he already had somewhere in mind to take her. Ben closed the distance between them and pressed a fierce but loving kiss to her lips before he pulled back, grazing his hand over her hip before he motioned for her to sit back in her seat.

"Your wish is my command, doll."

Anticipation and adrenaline coursed through (Y/n)'s stomach and chest and Ben could see her squirming in her seat out the corner of his eye and it made him grin like the Cheshire cat. He could see the smile on her lips and the way her eyes were lighting up as she looked out the window, unsure where they were going but she liked not knowing. She like the feeling of surprise and wonder, curious as to where Ben had thought of to take her so suddenly.

Just less than twenty minutes passed of music filling the car and silent smiles being exchanged before Ben finally pulled to a stop. He took off his belt and turned to look at (Y/n), wanting to see her reaction. He watched the confusion, surprise, excitement and wonder flood her eyes before she turned to look at him.

"Where are we?" He could tell by her voice that she had an assumption of where they were but she thought she better get some clarification.

"My house. I know you don't really go out too much, this way there won't be anyone else hanging around and you can feel more relaxed, have a drink."

It was Ben's turn to be surprised when (Y/n) leaned over and kissed him before she practically jumped out of the car and headed over to the front door, waiting for Ben to catch up. The thought of Ben taking (Y/n) to his own home didn't even cross her mind but it was better than anywhere else she could have imagined.

Bringing her here meant that (Y/n) wouldn't be overwhelmed in a restaurant or a bar or a nightclub since she didn't go out to those places very often. It also meant she could feel comfortable and she could relax and be alone with Ben, they could watch tv and have a drink or watch a movie. (Y/n) could finally see where Ben lived and it made her feel like much more of an adult rather than the child her parents pretended she was. She would love to move out and have a house of her own and being in Ben's home would make her feel like they really were a couple.

The thought of Joe clawed at the back of her mind but the thought disappeared almost as soon as it entered her mind. Joe wouldn't want her to go into the house of a murderer, especially when no one else knew she was here. But (Y/n) would take the very slim chance that Ben would hurt her because she wanted to be with him and she very much doubted he would do anything to hurt her.

When (Y/n) stepped inside Ben's house she felt her eyes become saucers and her heart jump in her chest as she took the time to look around. She didn't really know what she was expecting Ben's house to be like, maybe nothing on the walls, no family photos hanging around or specific or classy wallpaper. (Y/n) couldn't imagine Ben living in a house with paintings or any special frames hanging around the house to add a homely feel or any decoration.

But when she looked around, she saw the wallpaper was a mix of grey and black stripes in the hallway and when she ventured into the living room the walls were painted grey and there was one feature wall with black and white pictures of famous places with lightning in the background. His house looked very well designed, (Y/n) somehow didn't think he would care to have it look anything special considering how much time he seemed to spend at the club rather than at home.

Looking back into the hall, (Y/n) followed Ben down into the kitchen that had black marble counter tops and grey tiles on the walls.

"Would you like a drink?"

Ben rested his hands on the counter tops, arching his back a little as he looked over at (Y/n) with a smile when she nodded. He didn't know if she would go for alcohol or not but if she did, he couldn't guess what her drink would be.

"Surprise me." (Y/n) pressed her lips together to stop her smile from spreading too wide as she watched Ben think for a moment before he wandered over to the fridge. He pulled out a bottle of wine she couldn't quite read the label of and two glasses, showing it to her for her confirmation before he poured the glasses.

Ben watched with delight when (Y/n) studied the drink for a moment and smelled the strong wine before she dared to take a sip. There was a bitter, sour taste to the wine that seemed to change taste when it slipped down the back of her throat but it wasn't unpleasant, it was rather bittersweet. (Y/n) took another sip of her drink, watching as Ben drank a rather large gulp of his own before a thought dawned on (Y/n).

"Does this mean I should be walking home tonight?" (Y/n) tipped her head in the direction of Ben's drink with a small smile on her lips.

She set her glass down when Ben placed his on the counter before he walked over to her. His arms easily slid around her waist like snakes wrapping around her and pulling tighter so he could reel her closer. Once she was pulled flush against him, Ben leaned down until their foreheads were touching and the closeness sent shivers up and down (Y/n)'s spine.

"Who said anything about you going home tonight? Why don't you stay here with me, it'll get you even with your folks... and I really don't want to let you go tonight.

(Y/n)'s breath hitched in her throat when Ben's lips moved until they were pressing against her jaw before they kept trailing lower. He kissed down her jaw and then down her neck, nipping at her skin as he went which he could feel becoming flushed under his very light touch. (Y/n)'s breathing stopped and a squeak passed through her lips when Ben's hands travelled round from her waist to her ass. Her hands held his shoulders in a bruising grip that almost matched his own as she tried to process what he was saying and form some kind of coherent response.

She didn't want to go home tonight.

What better way to get her parents to see how grown up and independent she was than to stay out all night without informing them? A small part of (Y/n) would feel guilty if she didn't let them know that she was staying out or at the least that she was okay, but she wanted to stay with Ben. She had been smothered all her life and told how much of a child she was and she was brought up to be a good girl. But she didn't want to be a good girl, she didn't want to be an angel, she wanted to be different.

"Will you stay with me, baby?" Ben whispered the words in between kisses as he started a trail back up her neck until he could press a bruising kiss to her lips causing (Y/n) to moan quietly against him.

"I don't want to go home." (Y/n) barely managed to get the words passed her lips before Ben was back to kissing her, unable to stop himself from smiling into the kiss. His hands moved down to hold the back of her thighs until she got the message and pushed up so he could pick her up and hook her legs around his torso. He pressed her back against the wall next to the door between the kitchen and the hall, making sure (Y/n) wasn't about to slip down as he pressed his body into hers so he could feel every ridge and edge of her body.

"Good girl." (Y/n) closed her eyes and tipped her head back when Ben kissed the corner of her mouth.

Somehow, when those words fell from Ben's lips instead of her parent's, it felt like the best nickname in the world.