Death, Do Us Part

By Laura Payeur

The way Leroy grinned at her turned Stella's belly. He knew what she thought of moving so far away from everything she loved. He hadn't even been on the list of things she liked, not anymore, forget loved. He had managed to get to the top of her list of things she tolerated. But Death, a monstrous black crow that had followed them out into the middle of nowhere, was going to change that.

Leroy swore she brought that bird along to destroy him. Although it was the furthest thing from her mind, she still enjoyed the company.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Payeur
• Release date: Apr 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476422343

Laura Payeur

Wife, mother, grandmother with a passion for writing murder mystery, crime, and a bit of dark humor. Most of my characters are based on the real-life personalities of people I know and have known in my life. Although, thankfully, rarely are my tales based on real-life events. For example, my husband is still alive and well (for the most part).

Book preview

Death, Do Us Part

by Laura Payeur

Copyright 2012 Laura Payeur

Published by Laura Payeur at Smashwords

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are solely the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The use of some licensed products have been used without permission, however, not in any defamatory manner. Any resemblances to actual persons living or dead, businesses, places or events is entirely coincidental.

Chapter One

Living in Bangor had it's advantages, but Leroy Laforge didn't care for most of them. Sure there was work, but nothing like the farming Leroy had done most of his thirty-eight years. Working for Jake's Auto Shop was a living, but not the kind he wanted to make. Seven years of saving and they were moving up. Back up north, that is. Northern Aroostook. He'd already found the perfect place. It was about time too. Stella was starting to get too accustom to city life. He saw her turning into one of those damnable city wives. He couldn't have that. Stella wasn't one of those women and Leroy wasn't about to allow her to become one of those women. Nor, sir. Not on his watch. She had her fucking dog and that should be enough.

The city had its own life. Stella loved that. She loved Bangor. She didn't need find something to occupy herself. There were plenty of things available to her. She loved going to the movie theater. The smell of movie theater popcorn always brought a smile to her often pale cheeks. Leroy refused to take her. Despised it when she went off with her city friends - as he called them. Readjusting wasn't going to simply be a challenge, it was going to be downright horrifying.

Found a place. Leroy dropped his lunch-pail on the floor by the kitchen sink. He hitched up his grease stained dungarees. Its gonna be good for us, Stell. You'll see.

You mean it'll be good for you. She tossed the dishrag on the counter. You know I don't want to leave Bangor, Leroy.

I know. He grinned. Leavin' all them big city ideas behind'll be good for ya. Keep ya outta trouble.

Something in the way Leroy grinned at her, turned Stella's belly. He knew what she thought of moving - especially so far away from everything she loved. Leroy hadn't even been on the list of things she liked, not anymore, never mind loved. Although he had managed to get to the top of her list of things she tolerated.

Marriage was not supposed to be like hers. She knew that much from watching her friends. No, they didn't all have perfect marriages, some were even on their second or third, but they weren't afraid. Her marriage had become a poorly negotiated business deal. And she was getting unpleasantly screwed.

Cathy St. Laurent was Stella's closest friend - city girlfriend, as she liked to call them. She made Stella jealous in more ways than one. Cathy had a way about her. Strong, unwavering. Admirable traits, Stella believed. Leroy, however, wasn't as impressed by Cathy's strength as he was with the bosom she uninhibitedly displayed or her long, smooth legs, tanned to a golden bronze. Ogling he enjoyed, when she spoke, his face flushed and he frowned. She had a way of ruffling Leroy's feathers. Rather enjoyed it from what Stella noticed. Most times Stella enjoyed it, too. Maybe even more than Cathy.

Why do you have to take my girl so far away, Leroy? Cathy sat at the Laforge's kitchen table, sipping the cheap store brand coffee, the only brand they could afford.

She ain't your girl. Leroy grunted. His small round belly rolled with the sound. She's my wife. What are ya? Some kinda lesbian freak?

Would that make you all squeamish, Leroy? She laughed. Cathy's laugh, high pitched cackling, was piercing. Peaches ears twitched. Thinking I might be sweet on your girl?

She ain't no girl. Leroy's face flushed. His eyes ran over her partially exposed breasts, as tan as her legs, shimmering from her lavender scented powder. What kinda husband ya got? Lets ya run around lookin' like some five dollar fuckin' whore.

Cathy ran her fingers, adorned with shiny platinum rings, along the curve of one breast. Stan doesn't mind a bit. Kind of turns him on when other men gawk. You know kind of like the way you're looking at me now. Gets him motor going knowing other men are fantasizing about his wife. What do you think about that, Leroy? She dropped her hand over Stella's hand, covering the only piece of jewelry she