Insatiable Revenge

by Cynthia Freeman Gibbs

  Savvy hadn’t planned to spend as much of her morning with him. His intriguing conversation kept her glued to the seat. “I enjoyed talking with you. I have a lot of work to do and need to get to the office in a couple of hours.”

  “I get it. I know how this unexpected pause in your day is going to have you running behind all week.” He flagged the waiter to bring the check. Savvy reached for her purse. Kolby held his palm out to receive the bill. “I got it. My treat.”

  “Oh. Well, thank you. I appreciate the meal and the conversation.” Savvy wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin before placing it on the table.

  “Excuse me if I’m out of line. But, may I have your number? I’d like to talk to you when I’m on the road. You know. Keep me company. It’s not every day I meet a woman who knows how to converse with a brother like me. I’m an ordinary guy.” Kolby examined the bill. He dug into his front pocket and produced a wad of crumpled money, which he began counting.

  Savvy opened her mouth to decline giving out her number. She changed her mind.

  “Sure. Hand me your phone and I’ll put it in there.”

  Kolby grinned with such enthusiasm; Savvy thought his head would explode. “Thanks, sweetie. You made my day.” He passed his phone to her.

  “By the way, stop calling me sweetie. I don’t know you like that.” She tapped her name and number onto the screen before sliding it across the table to Kolby.

  “You got it, Savvy. I promise to not call you sweetie again.” He recounted the bills at a slower pace. His eyebrows furrowed together. He twisted his lips to the side and released an exasperated breath. “Damn. I’m short on cash. I thought I had enough to cover both of us.”

  Savvy raised her forehead in surprise. “Did you bring a credit card?”

  “Sweetheart, I don’t deal with credit cards. I pay for everything with cash. I don’t trust something that tracks me where I use it. You know what I’m sayin’?” Kolby reached into his other pockets to find more money.

  “You know what, I’ll handle the bill. It’s no problem. Thank you for even offering to cover my food.” Savvy pulled a wallet from her purse. She laid a credit card with the bill and raised her hand in the air to signal the waiter.

  Kolby’s face dropped in disappointment. “I know what you’re thinkin’. Believe me. I thought I had enough. I’m not the kind of guy who skips out on a bill to have a woman pay. Let me at least cover the tip.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m good. You may need the cash on your way to Dallas.” Savvy plastered on a fake smile and signed the receipt once the waiter returned. She placed the credit card in her wallet.

  “I bet you aren’t interested in talking to me now. I know it doesn’t look too good for me. I can’t blame you if you think I’m shady. I don’t roll like that.” Kolby scratched his head and cleared his throat. “Do you mind if I still call you later?”

  Kolby stood and held Savvy’s hand to help her stand. His expectant gaze warmed her body. She contemplated his question. “I guess calling me on Friday is okay. I have a lot of work to do this week and I won’t have much time to talk.”

  “Bet. I’ll be leaving from Louisiana that day. I’ll call you while I’m driving.” A smile spread across Kolby’s face with restored energy. “May I escort you to your car?”

  “I guess so. I knew you would follow me anyway.” Savvy laughed as they left from inside of the restaurant. The cold air prompted her to move with speed to her car.

  Kolby stayed in stride with her. “You made my day. I promise you; I’ll pay you back.”

  “It’s not a big deal. I’m glad you enjoyed your breakfast.

  Have a safe drive and stay alert. Bye, Kolby.” Savvy stuck her leg into the car.

  Before she could get in, Kolby leaned forward to embrace her. The smell of New Orleans spices mingled with leather and cologne lingered in her nostrils.

  “I’m sorry if I shouldn’t have hugged you. I couldn’t resist. Bye, Savvy.” Kolby released her and shifted from one foot to the other. His dimpled smile resembled one of a teenager on a first date.

  Savvy needed a moment to collect herself. She responded once she fastened her seatbelt. “Um. No problem. Thank you. Bye.”

  Kolby closed the car door. He stood in place as she backed out and turned onto the street.

  Savvy reflected on how she enjoyed the unexpected break in her day. Finding someone to date in San Antonio had been difficult. The intriguing conversation with Kolby, along with his smile, charm, and good looks gave her hope. Despite him not having money for the meal he offered to treat, he was refreshing like a tall, cool drink of water.

  FIVE

  Olivia

  Olivia sped south on Highway 281 until she reached the exit to her neighborhood. Fortunately for her, police weren’t in sight to stop her as she bypassed every suggestion for speed limits.

  The conversation with Malcolm replayed until her brain grew weary. Seeing Mariah catapulted her to a whole different level of anger, which no amount of affirmations could fix today.

  Olivia gripped the steering wheel and turned onto the street leading to her house. She couldn’t wait to climb into bed and nurse an oncoming migraine.

  “Aaahh.” Her foot slammed onto the brake to come to a rapid stop as she rounded a curve. The seatbelt locked into place and dug into her shoulder.

  A royal blue sports car blocked the narrow road.

  “Really?” She couldn’t get around on either side to pass due to other vehicles parked on the street.

  Olivia tapped the horn three times. She could see the upper body of a man sitting in the driver’s seat. He turned and glared at her and didn’t move his car.

  “What the…?” She lowered the window and stuck her hand out to wave in hopes of getting his attention. This time, the man didn’t react in acknowledgment.

  Olivia leaned into the horn to blast her impatience. The house she lived in was located a few blocks away. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with this obstacle. This time, the man stared into the rearview mirror and stuck not one, but two of his middle fingers in the air. He shook them with emphasis to make sure she received a full view of them.

  Warmth on Olivia’s neck spread across her cheeks and into her scalp. She blinked her eyes and cocked her neck.

  The fury of the day bubbled up inside. She shaded her eyes by lowering the brim of the cap on her head. In a rhythm matching each measured breath, her fingertips smoothed the hair on her nape. Without reservation, she hopped out of the car and marched to the man’s vehicle.

  Heavy metal music blasted from the speakers. Her five-ten frame towered above the hood. She leaned at the waist and pounded the side of her fist on the glass.

  “Hey. Roll down your window. I know you hear me. Why did you give me the finger? You’re blocking the road and I need to get by.”

  A young man sat in the driver’s seat who appeared to be in his twenties, based on the speckling of acne on his face and a messy haircut. He glared at her and yelled something starting with an “F” and ending with “You.”

  Her heart leaped as if it would bust out. “Not today, Satan.

  You picked the wrong woman, little boy.” She pounded on the glass again.

  “Stop hitting my window,” he shouted.

  “No, I won’t stop until you come out of your car and talk grown-up to grown-up. I promise you; this will be the last time you raise those fingers at me.”

  Olivia grabbed the handle of his car and yanked to open the door. The man’s face widened with shock. He scrambled to close the door and lock it.

  “You’re crazy,” he yelled.

  “You’ve got that right.” Spittle flew from her lips when she shouted. “I’m crazy and I’m having a bad day. If you don’t move, you’ll be a part of the revenge on anyone who gets in my way. Do you really want to mess with me today? Hunh?”

  The young man’s face registered the seriousness of Olivia standing abov
e his car with a menacing look of insanity. His engine roared to life, he yelled a few obscenities at her and sped off through the neighborhood, almost running into the other parked vehicles.

  Olivia’s hands shook as he turned the corner. She glanced around at the houses, thankful to not see anyone. As a new resident in the neighborhood, she wanted to keep a low profile after having her life out in the public.

  After getting into the car and raising the window, Olivia composed herself enough to drive the remaining blocks home. She had a lot of work to do on herself to survive the onslaught of obstacles. The mandatory counseling appointment with her therapist, Dr. Fluellen, would have to be changed from later in the week. She needed therapy today.

  SIX

  Olivia

  Angel wings must have been the carrying vessel for Olivia to arrive home without another incident. She didn’t remember making the turns to get to her house. Rage clouded her brain and blurred thinking with clarity.

  She’d laid on the sofa in the living room to try and recover from a throbbing headache. The migraine ice pack numbed her mind and pain.

  The cellphone buzzed on the table, emerging her from grogginess.

  “Hello,” she croaked.

  “Olivia? This is Dr. Arnelya Hennings.”

  “Hi, Arnelya. How are you doing?” Olivia replied with an attempt to be alert.

  The two of them had attended medical school together. Olivia selected her as Simone and Christian’s therapist due to her specialty in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and her reputation in the San Antonio community.

  “I’m fine and I hope you are as well. Do you have a moment to talk?”

  “Yes, I do. I apologize if I sound tired. My head is killing me from meeting with Malcolm this morning,” Olivia groaned.

  “I have time before my appointment with Dr. Fluellen in an hour. What’s going on?”

  “I’m sorry you aren’t well.” Dr. Hennings paused. “Malcolm brought the kids in for their counseling session yesterday. I have concerns about Simone. She expressed a few things which raised my radar. I explained my observation to Malcolm and he said he would relay it to you. Has he talked with you yet?”

  “No, he didn’t mention anything about their session the entire time we were together at breakfast. I can’t believe he kept this information from me. What happened with Simone?” Olivia raised into a sitting position and removed the icepack from her head. She rubbed her temples in nervous anticipation of what Arnelya had to share.

  Arnelya sighed. “Olivia, what I have to tell you isn’t going to be easy for you to swallow. As your colleague and friend, I know you want me to be direct and not hold back.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Simone is furious with you to the point of hatred. She expressed you ruined her life by setting the house on fire.”

  “I know she’s angry with me.” Olivia drew in a shaky breath. “I didn’t realize she hates me. Okay, please continue.”

  “She said she lost all of her friends due to the fact their parents won’t let them be around her. Both she and Christian mentioned their classmates refer to you as ‘psycho mom’ and make jokes about setting homes on fire.”

  “I’ve heard the same information as well from Christian.”

  Olivia gritted her teeth. “Maybe I need to call those parents and give them a piece of my mind. How dare they ostracize my kids.”

  “Olivia. I’m not telling you this to have you seek revenge against the parents or their children. We need to focus on what Simone is experiencing based on her perception. Her anger may expand into something serious based on what she shared. Shall I continue?”

  Olivia’s chest tightened. She began massaging near her heart. “Yes. I’m sorry.”

  “Simone is angry about losing everything she loved in the fire. She loathes living in the apartment where Malcolm relocated. Most important is she resents having you as her mom. She thinks you tried to kill all of them and lied about Malcolm cheating on you. Simone wishes you had died in the fire.”

  Olivia reeled from the shock of Arnelya’s words and stammered, “Sh-she wants me to be dead?”

  “It appears she sees you as the enemy. I didn’t sense she said it in a threatening kind of way. Simone’s expression is more about her thinking it’s you against all of them.”

  “Arnelya, we’ve been through group counseling sessions where everything has been explained to the kids about my case in detail. Why is this coming up now? What changed?” Tears sprang from Olivia’s eyes and slid along her cheeks.

  “I know you weren’t expecting this from Simone. She’s in a lot of pain.”

  “I’m aware of her anger toward me based on the fact she won’t engage in conversation. What elevated her anger to hatred and a desire for me to be dead?” Olivia hiccupped and attempted to speak through her anguish. “She’s my little girl. I don’t know what to do.”

  “You know the same as I do about how counseling sessions are a part of the process. We are getting somewhere. I realize this information isn’t pleasant to hear. Her revelation of this expression shows she’s opening up about her true thoughts instead of faking it.”

  “I understand.” Olivia struggled to speak. Her throat closed off her words. “What you’re sharing is tough to swallow. I can’t figure out how to handle this.” Olivia rocked in her seat and panic filled her mind. “I’m a horrible mother. I’ve ruined my children’s lives. Oh, my Lord. My daughter wishes I were dead. I need to discuss this with her.”

  “Try to calm down, Olivia. Whatever you do, don’t confront Simone. I’ll work with her from my end of things. Share this information with your therapist. See what Dr. Fluellen recommends for you. In the meantime, keep loving on Simone. She’ll come around.”

  Olivia released a groan of defeat. The nerves in her trembling body were difficult to calm. “Arnelya. There’s something you should know.”

  “What is it? What’s going on?”

  “This morning, Malcolm told me he’s moving to Miami and taking the kids with him.

  “What? Do Simone and Christian know yet? No one mentioned this to me in their counseling session.”

  “No. We’re supposed to meet with them this weekend. I’m concerned about how I’m going to deal with not being able to be with my children. I don’t know if the kids will want to move away. This is the only city they’ve ever lived in. We may need you on standby to handle the wrath,” Olivia exhaled with a shaky voice.

  “I’m here for the kids. No question. It may be a rough beginning. We’ll get through it day by day,” Arnelya said.

  “Okay. I appreciate you working with the children and for

  keeping it real with me. Thank you, Arnelya.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll keep you updated on anything else I discover and think you should know. Good luck when you meet with the kids. Call me if you need me. Goodbye, Olivia.”

  Olivia tossed the phone onto the living room table. She leaned across her knees with hands clutched to her eyes. Tears flowed from the storm cloud in her mind.

  Olivia mourned the loss of the daughter she once knew.

  SEVEN

  Savvy

  “Oh no he didn’t,” Savvy exclaimed on the phone.

  “Yes, he did,” Olivia said, point-blank.

  Savvy turned her car onto her job’s garage ramp and parked. “You mean to tell me, Malcolm got engaged to one of the women he cheated on you with? And she’s pregnant? And they’re moving to Miami with the children? Olivia, you’ve got to be kidding.”

  “I wish I was. He spent all of the money I paid to him in restitution, taking care of his new baby mama whore,” Olivia screeched.

  Savvy heard the blare of a horn. “Okay, calm down. Are you driving?”

  “Yeah. I’m on my way to my appointment with Dr. Fluellen. These stupid drivers keep cutting me off. I’m not trying to have a second road rage incident today.”

  “A second o
ne? Olivia. Are you losing your mind? What are you trying to do? Go back to jail?” Savvy shuddered at her friend’s hot temper. Their friendship since college survived a plethora of Olivia’s outbursts. Savvy refused to let her go off a cliff again with her drastic behavior. Being associated with her had to be the hardest assignment in life.

  “He shouldn’t have cut me off and flipped me the bird. I didn’t do anything to him. He wanted to play scared when I confronted him.”

  “Do you realize he could’ve pulled a gun on you or snatched you into his car? This isn’t the time for road rage.”

  “It’s no big deal. I could’ve broken his scrawny body in two if he laid a hand on me. Quit worrying. He would’ve had nothing but nubs to stick up at people by the time I finished with him.”

  “Olivia, it is a big deal. You need to control your reactions to people. There’s no telling who witnessed it. Next thing you know, a video will pop up on the news about Dr. Olivia C. Maxwell going off on an innocent driver. Get a grip, please. Stop acting like a Tasmanian devil whenever someone makes you mad.”

  “Alright already. Geesh. You’re such a mother hen.”

  “Call me what you like. I think you need to drive into a parking lot and calm yourself down. Your emotions are running too high.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m fine. I promise. I’m parked in front of Dr. Fluellen’s office now. I won’t do it again.”

  “You better not. I think you’ve forgotten the fact you’re on probation. You’ll end up locked away again if you can’t restrain yourself,” Savvy continued to fuss. “Now, get back to what you were telling me about Malcolm. What happened?”

  “Malcolm said he told the kids not to tell me about the engagement. Remember when I told you I suspected something didn’t seem quite right when I spent time with Simone and Christian last month?”

  “Yes. I recall you mentioning they were keeping something from you.”

  “My intuition was correct. He’s going to pay for this.”

  “Don’t make threats, Olivia. If someone is tapping your phone, we don’t need them assuming you’re considering harming him. Do you get what I mean?”