Turn Me Bad

”What of it?“ Benjamin asked – and suddenly a whole heap of boisterous nonsense happened very quickly, before Violet could even make an attempt to calm them down.

The first man lunged at Benjamin, but he was ready for it. Stepping back from the stool on which he had been perched, he managed to dodge the man’s blow, grab him by the scruff of his collar, and throw him onto the pool table. Immediately then, he was ready for the second attack, before Violet even knew it was coming. Turning to face the short but more compact companion, Benjamin planted a right fist perfectly in the center of his face. There was a nasty clicking sound that she suspected was a nose breaking, then the man fell back on his ass, knocking another table over in the process.

Violet was really not used to being in a violent atmosphere and that was too much for her there and then. It still wasn’t all over, however. The first man, with the scar, was not finished and had returned swinging a pool cue he had succeeded in taking hold of. This he swung at Benjamin’s face who, despite having slippy bowling shoes on that were not designed for the carpet, managed to dodge the attempt, at which point security dove on the aggressor and he was restrained.

During the aftermath, there were all kind of attempts to ascertain what the problem was, as well as keeping the angry men calmed. Typical of Benjamin, he could not be done with it all, taking the opportunity of having an alternative exit nearby.

”Hey, Vio,“ he said, with a wink as he grabbed her hand. ”Fire exit.”

Without thinking, she allowed him to get her out of there. It was so well done she did not believe that security had seen them escape, while luck was on Benjamin’s side in that no fire alarm went off either.

Soon they were on the bike and getting out of there, but by then that really was too much for Violet.

“Ha!“ Benjamin began, taking off his helmet as they pulled up in a gas station. ”If you ask me, those guys were a bit old for those two girls anyway. Talk about a bad influence.”

”Ben, this has to stop. You’re going to have to take me home,“ Violet told him, no longer feeling she had to be tactful.

”They haven’t upset you, have they?“ he asked. ”I wouldn’t have let them touch you, you know…”

”Ben, this isn’t me,“ she continued. ”We’re not good for each other.”

”What are you talking about? We’re perfect,“ he replied, genuinely taken aback by what she was saying at last.

”That’s twice since I’ve met you since I’ve seen you get into a fight. It’s not me.”

”Twice? Oh, that Australian thing? That’s hardly what I’d call a fight.”

”But I don’t want to be around that at all,“ she carried on. ”All this drinking and partying, it’s not for me. I need to be settled, not in a temperamental atmosphere all the time. Plus, I need to get a good night’s sleep and get into work on time. It’s important to me.”

”I don’t have a problem with that.”

”Of course you do. This is your life, Ben; bikes, drinks, and sticking up for yourself against morons. All you’re missing is the fast women. For some reason you chose me, but I’m out of place Ben, can’t you see that?”

”I thought you were having a good time?”

”Too good of a time,“ she said. ”Maybe you’re used to that, but I’m a down to earth girl and it was only ever going to be short-lived.”

”So what are you saying? You don’t want to be with me?”

”Aren’t you just delaying a return to L.A. anyway? I mean, you work there. At some point you’re going to have to stop taking liberties with your finances.”

”Sure, I guess, but I hadn’t thought about it yet. I’d just found a girl I liked and have been hanging with her. It’s been a while since I’ve said no to any of the work my agent brings my way. Truth is it’s…”

”Kind of a vacation?”

”Right,“ he said, realizing how it sounded. ”But by that I didn’t mean…”

”Look, I’m not offended,“ she told him. ”I get it. You’re one for enjoying the moment and not planning ahead, but it was always just a vacation. The problem is, I’m not on vacation. I need to get back home and right now I need you to take me home, then head on back to L.A.”

”You want me to leave?”

”Want? Ben, you have to. Or something bad will happen.”

Finally she had gotten him to see sense. He had no more replies either. Though his face was not used to having to show disappointment, Violet thought she saw something different there. Maybe he was not used to not getting his own way and had not had a girl tell him it was over before. It had always been him walking away as he had done after that first night – not that the turnaround in fortunes gave her any satisfaction now.

*****

Back at the house, Benjamin pulled the bike up out of sight, allowing them some privacy which no doubt indicated he had something left to say to her.

”So I bring a spare helmet along and you’re still rejecting me after all?” he asked, stepping off the ride and turning to face her. There was sincerity in his eyes, but her mind was not for changing anymore.

”I’m not rejecting you,“ she said. ”This is just the way things are. We’re different.”

”Everyone’s different!”

”You know what I’m saying. I mean, can you genuinely put into words what it is you see in me?”

”Should I be able to?”

”Something different caught your eye and I’m flattered,“ she went on. ”But it’s time for things to return to normal now.”

”Normal? Vio, I’m not sure I know what that is.”

At this, Violet found herself smiling warmly.

”Then I hope you never do,“ she said. ”Why change such a good thing?”

Having said her piece, Violet then leaned up to kiss him on the cheek, whispering ”Bye, Benjamin. And thanks for everything.”