Condemned

“Damn!” exclaimed Robert looking out the window.1

“What is it?” said Frances startled to consciousness. Shyly she pulled the sheet to cover her lovely breasts and the gold crucifix which hung on a fine gold chain. She had spent two hundred dollars on that necklace and she never took it off. It was her most prized possession after her virginity, but she'd given that up to Robert.2

“Snow, God damn it.”3

“Please, Robby, it's the Lord's day. Besides, the snow is so pretty.”4

“If we go to church, I'll have to defrost the car and that's just burning gas. At these prices, I might as well burn a five dollar bill.”5

“I'll buy the next tank,” offered Frances.6

“I still hate the white stuff. I also hate the cold.”7

“When we get back from church, I fix fried chicken and then I promise I'll make you warm.” Frances had been opposed to premarital sex and she had also been opposed to living together without marrying, but Robert had prevailed in both matters. Her family had liked him, but Frances was very dedicated to her Christian beliefs and she felt they were living in sin. In her mind and heart she told herself that they were already married, but Robert wasn't ready to commit.8

Frances brushed her disheveled blonde hair from her sky-blue eyes. Robert's wavy brown hair was also a mess with his brown eyes emphasizing the frown on his face. 9

“Come on, Honey, it won't be that bad,” said Frances. “I'll start the car up and let it warm.”10

Unashamed, Robert walked naked to the dresser, grabbed a cigarette, and lit up. Smoking was something that Frances hoped he'd quit. “No, that's all right, Franny. I'll do it.”11

Frances reached for her robe and slid out of the sheet into it. She couldn't help it, she always felt self conscious, though she was really quite a beauty. 12

Robert defrosted the car and showered after Frances. Then they drove the slippery roads to the First Baptist Church. They attended a singles' class designed for those who were planning to marry. Although Robert was in no hurry to tie the knot, he attended church and that Sunday school class to humor Frances. That Sunday he was going to surprise himself and make a commitment he would never have guessed he would make.13

The sermon was about putting your trust in God for all things. Robert had done stock car racing, but he wanted to get into Nascar racing. The chances of doing that were slim to none. He prayed silently during the sermon, 'God, if you let me become a Nascar driver, I'll marry Frances and quit smoking and drinking.' His prayer was sincere, but he was not in a habit of prayer or of Bible study outside of what they did at the church. He didn't tell Frances of his prayer, but he felt good inside about it.14

Not long after that day, Robert met with John Mitchell, who was the owner of one of the Chevy Nascars scheduled for the next qualifications in the Spring. Their sponsors were Conoco, Quaker State Oil, and Champion. Robert knew they were looking for a driver. 15

“We're really wanting someone with Nascar experience,” said Mitchell. “But I'll keep you in mind. Might consider you as a backup driver.”16

“Thank you,” said Robert feeling great disappointment.17

Robert had tried most of the teams trying out for the up coming race. It didn't look like things were going to work out for him. “Figures,” he said to himself.18

Frances was sorry to hear that he'd met no success and tried to make him feel better. With her encouragement, he tried some of the other race teams. Try outs were coming up in a week.19

“Is this Mrs. Nelson?” asked the voice on the phone a few days later when Frances answered.20

“No, I'm Mr. Nelson's financee. Can I help you?”21

“Yes, I'm John Mitchell. Could you ask him to give me a call. It's very important. Do you have something to write with?”22

“Yes, just a minute.” After a moment she returned with, “Okay, go ahead.”23

“Tell him that our driver broke his arm water skiing and we'd like him to fill in for him. Ask Robert to call me as quickly as possible if he is still interested. My number is 555-374-4000.”24

“Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. I'm sure he'll want the position. I'll get this message to him as soon as I can.”25

“Thanks, ah, Miss.”26

Without thinking to mention her name, she began to cry for joy. She dialed Robert at work and for a moment was unable to speak being choked with emotion.27

“Robby,” she cried.28

Robert could tell she was upset and asked, “What's the problem, Franny?”29

She could barely get the words out, “John Mitchell called.” She told him the message he had left.
Robert thanked her and immediately rang up John Mitchell. He too found it hard to contain his excitement. They agreed to meet at the track and to discuss terms.30

Robert got the job and qualified at the tryouts. He was one of less than fifty men who were going to be in the race. His elation was beyond that of anything he'd known before.31

The day of the race came. Things went well in the first hour and he moved into fifth. Fighting his way he was about to take fourth when the engine blew. He was the first car out, that meant that he would probably never get to race Nascar again.32

“That's the way it goes sometimes,” said John Mitchell fatalistically. 33

“I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pushed it so hard,” said Robert.34

“No problem, Nelson. It was a race, man, and you did well. Maybe next year.”35

Robert felt certain there would be no next year. “Sure thing, Mr. Mitchell. Next year.”36

Frances was heartbroken for Robert. She knew how much it meant to him to be a Nascar driver. 37

For the next six months Robert spent most of his time in a drunken stupor. He smoked like a fiend. Frances tried to reason with him, but to no avail. He would work, drink, eat, smoke and fuck. He quit going to church.38

“I don't know what to do,” said Frances. “I just can't watch you do this to yourself anymore. It's destroying both of us.”39

“You can go to the devil for all I care,” said Robert hatefully.40

“You can't mean that,” cried Frances.41

“I can and do. I trusted your God and look what it got me. I'll be permanently blacklisted from Nascar driving.”42

“But I love you,” she sobbed.43

“Go back to your parents, bitch! I don't want you anymore.”44

“Oh God, please don't do this. I can't stand it.”45

“Shut up and get out, I don't want to see you again. You disgust me. You and your God can just leave me alone.”46

With tears streaking her face she ran away from him, the pain almost more than she could bear. He laughed maniacally as she left.47

“Satan, it's your turn,” he said to himself. “I've tried God, now I'll try the devil.”48

Out loud he said, “If you get me back on as a Nascar driver, I'll do anything you want.”49

A couple of months later he got it in his mind that he had to do something to prove himself to Satan. He was full of demons; drinking, smoking, sex, drugs, and gambling. All the while he pretended to be a nice hard working man. 50

He rented a ten-wheeler truck and bought four bails of hay and three cords of wood. He filled a five gallon can with gasoline. He found a clearing in the countryside and prepared a layer of hay and piled the wood on top of it. Returning the truck, he put the gasoline can in the trunk of his car. 51

Frances had found herself an apartment and was getting along as well as she could. She was still deeply wounded by what Robert had done to her. Surprised to hear his voice on the phone, she gasped and said, “What do you want? Haven't you hurt me enough?”52

“I'm sorry, Baby. I really am. I need to see you.”53

“I can't watch you destroy yourself anymore,” she replied trying to be firm.54

“Oh come on, Baby. I can change.”55

She loved him too much to resist. “Oh, all right, but I make no promises. You hurt me badly.”56

“I'll pick you up in an hour.” When he arrived, it was seven in the evening and becoming dark. 57

She got in the car, fastened the seatbelt, and folded her hands together in her lap. “Have you eaten,” he asked.58

“I'm not really hungry.”59

“Would you like something to drink?”60

“I guess a Coke would be nice,” she replied.61

He stopped at a 7/11 and got a couple of forty-four ounce drinks. He started driving to the place he had left the hay and wood for the fire. It was now dark.62

“Where are we going?” she asked.63

“Someplace where we can be alone and talk with no interruptions.”64

Putting his hand on her thigh, he tried to make her responsive. Though she felt electricity from his touch all through her body, she move his hand away.65

“I'm sorry I hurt you,” he told her. “I've missed you so badly.” Those were just the words she wanted him to say.66

“It's not that easy. I can't just forget the pain and suffering you put me through. How can I ever trust you again.”67

“It will be okay, Franny. I promise it will. I'll change, we can get married.”68

“How do I know you're not just saying that?” she began to sob.69

“Look, if you want we can set the date now,” he told her.70

“Oh, no. I can't do that. I just can't rush into things after what has happened.”71

After arriving at the clearing, he took her hand and shivers ran up and down her entire body. It was more than she could stand.72

“Oh God, I need you so much,” she said breaking down.73

“I know, Baby, and I'll always be here for you.”74

“Will you?”75

“Yes, I will.” He kissed her and after a few moments she responded eagerly.76

He slid his hand up under her t-shirt and began caressing her breasts. They began making out hot and heavy. Getting out of the car, they made love on the ground beside the car. Still inside her, he grasped her neck and began squeezing with all his might. As the realization dawned on her that he intended to kill her, she began to struggle for her life. He was too big and strong for her to overcome. The pain at her throat was awful and her lungs hurt unbearably. Her head began to throb and after several terrible minutes of suffering, she lost consciousness. He kept his hands gripping her neck like a vice for about ten minutes. He realized that she must be dead and managed to force himself to let go.77

Taking her limp lifeless body to the pile of hay and wood, putting her on top, he poured the gasoline all over and then lit the bonfire.78

Nothing but ash remained the next day. The fire had burned itself out and had gone unnoticed. As the days passed, Frances' disappearance was investigated by the police. It got attention in the papers especially because Robert had been a Nascar driver and was considered a person of interest by the police. No evidence turned up, so gradually things quieted down and the story died in the media becoming a cold case for the police.79

“I'm Thomas Turner,” said the voice on the phone. Robert knew immediately that it was the Turner who was among those who raced Fords at the Nascar races.80

“Yes,” said Robert excitement pulsing through his veins.81

“I think I'd like you to drive for me,” Turner continued. “I want a man who is willing to do anything to get what he wants and I think you're that man.”82

“I'll try to be,” replied Robert earnestly.83

“By the way, did you kill that woman,” he said laughing. “No, no. I don't expect you to answer that. Let's just say I'm impressed with your style.”84

Robert didn't respond.85

Thomas Turner gave him the address, phone number, and instructions and hung up the phone.86

Weeks later at a bar he met a woman with raven black hair and nearly violet eyes. He took her back to his apartment and they had a real romp in the hay. “I've never met anyone like you,” said Robert.87

“I'm not your average woman,” she replied smiling.88

“I've never known anyone with purple eyes.”89

“Well, now you do.”90

“Why did you choose me?”91

“I'm one of Satan's angels and I've come to take you to hell,” she answered simply. “But there's no reason why we can't have a little fun before we go.”92

Robert laughed.93