Pleasantview

By E. T. Brother

Patty Paterson has been verbally abusing her husband, Jim Paterson, for years, but there hasn`t been any physical violence, not until today that is. Jim tells Patty he is leaving and taking their son, she sees red, grabs the skillet, then Jim sees red.The poor mailman sees red then he sees no more.

Pleasantview has had a violent past and that past is about ready to catch up with the town again. Patty has the skillet, she`s swinging for the fences, she will be trying to knock Jim`s block off, literally.

• Language: English
• Publisher: E. T. Brother
• Release date: Dec 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301805358

E. T. Brother

My real name is Chris Stevens. I live in Virginia. The reason I go by E. T. Brother is sort of a joke. I used to go on internet forums and clown around. I was a cut up, a prankster. I would say something, then say "it wasn`t me, it was my evil twin brother that did it." Some on the forum shortened it, and would say ET did it, well ET reminds me of a lovable alien trying to phone home. It does not sound very scary, so I made it ETB, and when I started to write, I decided E. T. Brother sounded better. It sounds more interesting and a little scary if you say it just right. So that is why I go by E. T. Brother. Oh by the way, I do not have a twin brother, or do I, who can say for sure. Mwahaahaahaa. What evil laugh, I didn`t hear anything. I think you have an active imagination, you will be telling me, you hear voices, screams, and evil laughs before long. Mwahaahaahaa.

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E. T. Brother

Pleasantview

A Novel

Copyright © 2013 by E. T. Brother

Published by E. T. Brother at Smashwords

Pleasantview is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishment, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from E. T. Brother

Smashwords License

This ebook is licensed for personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you`re reading this book and you did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to smashword.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Table Of Content

Part 1, Patty sees red, Jim sees red, the mailman sees red, then he sees dead

Part 2, One Year Later, The Nightmares Becomes Reality For Jim

Author`s Note

An Excerpt From Exit 31, Coming January 13, 2013

An Excerpt From Rage, Coming January 2013

An Excerpt From The Pretenders, Coming February 2013

An Excerpt From The Field, Coming March 2013

About The Author

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Mike Howard for allowing me to bounce ideas off him and giving me good feedback

Thanks to my number one fan Twylyght for reading my work and for her words of encouragement.

Thanks to Virginia Carwile, Jeanette Womack, Billy Beachler, and many others for the words of encouragement and for telling me not to quit.

****

I`ve always felt that the real horror is next door to us, that the scariest monsters are our neighbors.-George A. Romero

I think perhaps all of us go a little crazy at times. Robert Bloch

I think that we are all mentally ill. Those of us outside the asylums only hide it a little better-and maybe not all that much better after all Stephen King

****

Part 1

Patty sees red, Jim sees red, the

mailman sees red, then he sees dead

****

Aftermath- 120 Regal Lane

This is a story about a couple named Jim and Patty Paterson and their son Joe. It takes place in 2003 in a town called Pleasantview.

The story begins with Jim sitting on the front porch of his house at 120 Regal Lane with blood streaming down his face from several big cuts. If we step back from Jim and take a real good look at him he looks like he has been in a boxing match and he was the losing boxer. Jim has two bad cuts on his face, one is over his right eyebrow, and the other is under his left eye on the cheek. The one over the the eyebrow is the worst, it is ten inches long, and it goes all the way down to the bone.

You could say Jim has been in match of sorts, his opponent was a black cast iron skillet, but don`t worry the skillet is fine. Jim on the other hand is not doing so well and the poor mailman, he`s not doing at all.

In addition to the cuts on Jim`s face, he has three big knots on his head the size of golf balls, and a lot of his body is starting to turn black and blue from all the bruising.

Jim sits on the front porch, he watches as the police get Patty out of the back seat of the police car, and walk her over to the police van.

The Paddy wagon for Patty, Jim thinks.

Jim chuckles in spite of the pain and everything he has gone through.

Ow, that hurts but at least I can laugh, considering everything that happened, it`s incredible Im still alive, Jim thinks.

Jim looks at the van, the police put Patty into the back, he sees she is handcuffed. One of the medics has told Jim they are taking her to the hospital to get treated then they are going to have her evaluated.

Why did she snap, what happened, what sent her off the deep end? Jim wonders.

Jim sits on the porch being treated by the medics, they are trying to slow the bleeding down, he leans back, pain shoots all through his body, and he winces.

Ow I feel like a Mac truck ran over me, Im in sever pain, what the heck happened? Jim wonders.

Today started off normal, well as normal as it could under the circumstances, life has been a living hell with Patty over the last five years, but that was just verbal. Patty has never resorted to physical violence, well not before today, Jim thinks.

Jim looks around, he looks up at the road, there are five police cars, an ambulance, and the police van. The van begins to pull away, Jim watches it pull away, and he sees a van coming down the road. Behind the van also coming down the road is an unmarked police car, an investigator. Jim looks around his front yard, looks past the yellow tape that is hung all around his yard, he sees about 15 people on the other side of the tape. They are gawking and pointing, Jim looks toward where they are pointing, his eyes settle on two police officers. One of them moves, Jim glances down at the sidewalk, and sees the mailman lying there. A few pieces of mail are scattered around the mailman, the officer moves a little more, Jim looks at the mailman`s hand, and he sees a wedding ring.

The mailman`s name is Fred, well I guess his name was Fred because he is dead now. Fred was married, he had three children, now he`s dead lying on my sidewalk, he seemed like such a nice man, Jim thinks.

****

The Change

Jim begins to cry as he sits there looking at Fred the dead mailman lying on his sidewalk. The last five years have been a living hell for Jim living with Patty, he is crying because of everything that has happened, not just what happened today but everything that has happened over the last five years.

If we look at those last five years we can see why it has been a living hell, the verbal abuse has been almost non-stop for those five years. Let`s take a look at a typical day for Jim over those last five years, we can pick anyone of them because they were almost all the same.

The verbal abuse starts everyday when the alarm goes off and continues until Jim walks out of the door heading to work. It starts right back up the moment Jim walks back in the door after work, continues until he goes to bed, and sometimes even after he is in bed. I can see why Jim would be sitting on his front porch crying, even if today hadn`t happened, it would have to be trying on the nerves to put up with that for five years.

How the heck did this happen? Things have not always been this way, things were perfect in the beginning while we were dating, when we moved in together, even the first year of marriage things were almost perfect. Things began to change after that, it was subtle, very gradual, the verbal abuse only happened now and then. Things went south in a hurry after her dad died, then after our son Joe was born, the abuse became almost non-stop after that. The only breaks for me are work and sleep, what went wrong, things were almost perfect in the beginning, what happened to her? Jim wonders.

****

Leaving

Today is Saturday May the tenth, it started just like any other has for Jim over the last 5 years with Patty. The alarm went off, it woke Jim up, Patty started in with the abuse, and he climbed out of bed.

Jim walks to the bathroom, shut the door, walks to the toilet, and uses the bathroom. Patty is in the other room, she is screaming her abuses at him as he stands there peeing.

Jim wonders, for about the millionth time, why do I stay, why do I put up with this, I should just leave, I can get away. I have stayed and taken this abuse because of our son Joe, that is why I put up with Patty`s abuse, I don`t want to leave Joe with her. I don`t know what would happen to him, she has never harmed him, but if I leave she might. She might kill him and kill herself if I leave. I could live with her killing herself, sometimes I wish she would, I know that`s wrong but I could live with it. I couldn`t live with myself if I left Joe with her and she killed him.

Jim finishes using the bathroom, gets undressed, get in the shower, and begins to shower. Jim can still hear Patty in the other room over the shower. Jim finishes, gets out, dries off, and puts on work clothes. He walks out of the bathroom, goes to the kitchen, sits down at the table, and picks up the paper. Patty continues with the abuse as she puts his food down in front of him, he begins to eat, and he tries to read the paper.

I wish you would shut up you ungrateful wench, why don`t you fall over dead or something, I could use the peace and quiet. Damn it, I wish today was a work day, most people can`t wait for the weekend, I can`t wait for Monday to roll around so I can get away from the wicked wench, Jim thinks.

Jim inwardly smiles at that thought, he doesn`t want to let Patty see him smile because that wouldn`t be good. He finishes eating, finishes reading the paper, gets up, and walks out to the garage. He shuts the door, he can still hear her but it`s muffled a little.

The constant abuse has taken its toll on Jim, heck, it would take a toll on anyone, most people wouldn`t have put up with near as much Im sure. You might be wondering about the verbal abuse, how does Patty abuse poor Jim, what is she saying, well I will give you a few examples because these are always there.

Patty always hounds Jim about his job telling him he is in a dead end job, he is lousy at it, and he isn`t providing enough for the family.

Well those are all untrue, Jim is not in a dead end job, he is next in line for the supervisor job at the plant he works at. He will get that promotion in six months. He is not lousy at the job, he is in fact the best at what he does. How about not providing enough for the family, that`s also not true, they aren`t rich but he pays all the bills on time and even puts a little away each month. Don`t forget about that promotion, with the promotion there is a nice raise that comes with it.

You might be thinking that is not so bad as far as verbal abuse goes but Im not done yet, I will give you a few more, but lets be honest though, putting up with any kind of verbal abuse non-stop for five years would grate on everyone`s nerves no matter how small or insignificant it might seem.

A few other examples of abuse that are always there, she accuses him of cheating, could you blame him if he was? Having to put up with the constant abuse might drive some men to cheat but Jim has never cheated on her so that one is also untrue.

The last one I will tell you about, I personally believe is the worst one, I think it would drive most people over the edge. Jim thinks about this one the most, he thinks Patty should be telling herself this one, she should look in the mirror, change one word, and tell herself this often. I agree with Jim on that. What she tells him is, you are a worthless good for nothing father, the world would have been a better place without you, you are a piece of shit.

I agree with Jim, Patty should change the word father to mother, look in a mirror and tell herself that often.

Don`t get me wrong, Jim is no saint he has his faults, he`s not perfect but no one is. Having to put up with the constant non-stop abuse, Im surprised Jim doesn`t hit the bottle, and hit it hard, but that is something he doesn`t do. Who could blame Jim if he did hit the bottle, I think most men would hit the bottle if they had to put up with her, either that or hit her, probable hit the bottle then hit her. He`s not perfect but he does the best he can. Jim loves his son Joe and he would do anything for him.

Jim opens the outside garage door, walks to the lawnmower, grabs the handles, and pushes it to the door. He lets the handles go, kneels down, and checks the oil. The oil is fine, he takes the gas cap off, grabs the gas can, and fills the tank. He puts the gas can away, puts the gas cap on, looks the mower over, everything looks fine. He stands up, grabs the handles, and pushes the mower out of the garage. He starts the mower and begins to cut the grass.

Maybe it`s time to leave Patty, I won`t leave Joe with her though I will take him with me, I would have left her a long time ago if it weren`t for Joe. This is a bad situation for Joe to be in. The constant non-stop abuse has to be bad for him, hell it`s bad for me too. Some of the thoughts I have are not good, I know they`re not good but the wicked wench brings out the worst in me, Jim thinks.

Jim chuckles at the wicked wench thought.

The wicked wench is dead, the crowd goes wild, and the rein of terror is over, Jim thinks.

Jim laughs out loud at this thought, looks at the house, Patty is watching him.

That was not a good thought. The wicked wench brings out the worst in me, she will want to know what I was laughing about. I have thought about leaving Patty many times but I didn`t want to leave Joe with her. Im leaving, I will take Joe with me, today is the day. Im leaving, we will go stay with my brother Jeff for awhile, Jim thinks.

Jim nods his head, finishes cutting the grass, turns the mower off, pushes it into the garage, and puts it away. He lets go of the handle, walks over, and shuts the garage door.

Jim walks to the door, grabs the handle, and nods.

Here goes nothing, Jim thinks.

Jim opens the door, walks in, and shuts the door.

What were you laughing at you worthless piece of shit? Patty asks.

Im leaving and taking Joe with me, Jim says.

I`ll be damned, you can leave you piece of shit but Joe is not going anywhere. Get the hell out of here you worthless good for nothing piece of shit, Patty says.

I knew this was not going to be easy but Im not backing down, Jim thinks.

Jim looks at Patty and smiles.

Yes I am taking Joe, we are going to get some things and leave. I have made up my mind and you`re not going to stop me, Jim says.

Jim turns, walks to Joe`s room, and walks in.

YOU AREN`T TAKING JOE ANYWHERE, GET THE HELL OUT, JOE IS STAYIN HERE WITH ME. DO YOU HEAR ME YOU PIECE OF SHIT? Patty screams.

Yep, I hear you and so did everyone in a ten mile radius probable, Jim thinks.

Joe is sitting at his desk, he turns around, and looks at his dad. Jim sees fear in Joe`s eyes and Jim smiles.

It`s going to be alright sport, don`t worry, it`s going to be alright, Jim says.

Jim walks to Joe`s closet, grabs a suitcase, and carries it to Joe`s bed. He puts it down, opens it, grabs some of Joe`s clothes, and puts them in the suitcase.

Patty comes running in, pushes Jim out of the way, grabs the suitcase, and throws it into the closet. Jim grabs Patty by the arms, walks her toward the door, and pushes her out the door. He shuts the door, locks it, and walks to the closet. He picks up the suitcase, picks up the clothes, and carries them to the bed. He puts the suitcase down, folds the clothes up, and puts them in the suitcase. Patty begins to beat on the door.

OPEN THE DOOR YOU PIECE OF SHIT, YOU ARE NOT TAKING JOE ANYWHERE. OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW, GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE YOU PIECE OF SHIT, Patty screams.

Jim ignores Patty and continues to put Joe`s clothes into the suitcase. Patty becomes silent, Jim cocks his head, listens, but doesn`t hear any noises

That is odd, I wonder what Patty is up to, Jim thinks.

Jim finishes packing the suitcase, closes it, and zips it up. He sits down on the bed facing Joe and pats the bed.

Come on over here Joe, sit down beside me so we can talk, Jim says.

Joe stands up, walks to the bed, and sits down. Jim looks down at his son, he sees fear in Joe`s eyes, Jim smiles, and pats Joe on the head.

It`s going to be okay buddy, everything is going to be alright. We are going to go to your Uncle Jeff`s house for awhile. Mommy is not well, Jim says.

Joe looks up at his dad, Joe smiles, and Jim smiles back.

That means I will get to play with Josh, I get to play outside over there, Joe says.

Jim nods his head.

That`s right buddy you get to play with Josh and you can play outside. Im going to get my things together then we will go to Uncle Jeff`s, Jim says.

Jim stands up, holds his hand out, Joe stands up, takes his hand, and Jim picks up the suitcase. They walk to the door, Jim puts the suitcase down, and lets go of Joe`s hand.

Hey buddy I want you to move over there to the wall Im going to check everything out, Jim says.

Jim points to the wall, Joe walks to where his dad is pointing, and stands. Jim unlocks the door, open it, sticks his head out, and looks around. Patty is not in sight, he stands there a moment, listens, the house is silent, too silent.

Where is Patty, what is going on? This is odd, Jim thinks.

Jim picks up the suitcase and holds out his hand.

Come on buddy, Jim says.

Joe walks over, takes his dads hand, and they walk to Jim and Patty`s bedroom. Jim stops outside the door, listens, but doesn`t hear anything.

After a minute they walk into the bedroom. Jim looks around but Patty is not in the room, they walk to the bed, Jim puts the suitcase down, and lets go of Joe`s hand.

Sit down on the bed buddy Im going to get my stuff together then we will go to Uncle Jeff`s, Jim says.

Joe climbs up on the bed, sits down, Jim listens, but doesn`t hear any noises anywhere in the house.

Where is Patty, this doesn`t make any sense, this is really odd, Jim thinks.

Jim walks to the door, shuts it, and locks it. He walks to the closet, grabs a suitcase, and carries it over to the bed. He puts it down, opens it, gets his clothes, and puts them in the suitcase.

When Jim finishes, he closes the suitcase, and zips it up.

Where is Patty? I have been expecting her to come to the door, start beating on it, and screaming at me. So where is she? I don`t like this, things are too quiet, I don`t like this at all. I will be glad to get out of here, wait a minute, I hope she is not out at the car she might be out there messing it up. I didn`t even think about that, I hope she isn`t messing the car up, I ought to leave Joe here and go check things out, Jim thinks.

Jim looks down at Joe and smiles.

Hey buddy Im going to leave you here a minute and check everything out, okay, Jim says.

Okay daddy, Joe says.

Jim walks to the door, listens, but doesn`t hear anything. He unlocks the door, opens it, looks up the hallway, it is empty. He listens for a minute, then he walks up the hallway and looks in the kitchen. The kitchen is empty, he walks in, and walks to the garage door. He listens, everything is quiet, he opens the door, looks around the garage, and doesn`t see anyone. He walks into the garage, walks around the car, and looks in the car. The car is fine and Patty is not in the garage or the car.

Where is she, I don`t guess it matters, Im ready to get out of here, Jim thinks.

Jim walks back in the house, goes to his room, walks in, and smiles at Joe.

Okay buddy lets go. Jim says.

Jim grabs Joe`s suitcase, Joe stands up, Jim holds his hand out, and Joe takes it. They walk out of the bedroom, walk up the hallway, Jim looks in the kitchen, the kitchen is empty. They walk through the kitchen, Jim