by Hart, Cary
“I also picked you up something else.” He digs through the last bag. “Here it is,” he says as he tosses me a package.
“What’s this?” I flip it over, the front clear. “Gingerbread house cupcake wrappers.”
“They were on clearance, but they reminded me of you and when I dropped you off.” He leans his back against the counter as he watches me.
“I don’t know what to say.” I fiddle the wrappers between my fingers.
“You don’t have to say anything.” He reaches out for my hands. Holding both of mine in his, the wrappers still. “You were on my mind and I thought maybe if they could make you smile, then they would be well worth the purchase.” He gives my hands a little squeeze before he lets go and I can’t help but want his touch back.
My eyes dart up to his. Is this guy for real? Tyler never would have done something like this. He showered me with gifts, but they were so impersonal. This? It’s simple and totally me.
“Thank you.” My mouth turns up. A slow smile spreads across my face. “Thank you for last night. Thank you for listening today and thank you for going to the store.” I pause while I peer up at the man who has gone above and beyond for me. “Thank you for being you.”
Clearing his throat, he reaches in the bag one more time. This time his smirk a little more wicked.
“What do you have?” I stand on my tiptoes trying to peer over his shoulder.
“I was going to save these for another time, but since wrappers got me that …” He holds his hands behind his back. “I wondered what these.” Shapiro brings a hand forward and opens.
“Rainbow sprinkles!” I shout.
“And these …” He brings his other hand forward and opens.
“Chocolate sprinkles!” I begin to clap wildly and bounce up and down.
“You like?”
“I do!” I jump into his arms, wrapping mine around his neck and shout, “I love them!”
“I was hoping so,” he replies as we both stand there. Our arms tangled around each other.
That’s the thing about hugs. When do you break? When does it go from appropriate to inappropriate? When does it go from friendship to crossing the line because right now? I feel like I’m crossing. Especially since I just want to push him back on the counter and climb his body. Feel every hard ridge pressed up against me.
It’s only been a week since I left the hospital and even if I wanted to act out whatever fantasy my brain conjures up, I couldn’t.
Shapiro
“Penny … I need you for a minute,” I call out.
“Yeah?” She comes padding out of the bedroom, arms stretching exposing the skin between her pajama bottoms and barely-there tank.
My eyes dart down to her naked flesh and damn if I don’t want to explore more.
“Good nap?” I choke out, hiding the moan that is threatening to escape.
Seeing her like this does things to me. It doesn’t matter if it’s morning or night, seeing Penny coming from my bedroom with her hair disheveled, gets to me … Every. Single. Time.
“Yeah.” She smiles before a long drawn out yawn escapes.
“Yeah?” I laugh.
Narrowing her eyes, she pauses as she comes closer. “Yeah,” she repeats.
“Not in the mood for chitchat, I take it?” My mouth slowly turns up into a smile.
“Just trying to wake up.” She comes over to the island, pulling a stool out. “I didn’t plan to sleep that long,” she says as she looks me over. “You look nice. Where are you going?”
“Work.” I slide a small clear bag over to her. “And thanks.”
“What’s this?” She reaches for it quickly exploring its contents. “A phone?”
“Yeah. I don’t feel like it’s a good idea for you to stay up here alone without one.”
Her eyes go wide. “Why not? Is there …”
“No,” I lie. “Here, let me store a few numbers.” I hold my hand out, palm up.
“Fine.” Penny dangles it over my hand, sticking out her tongue. “I hate that you bought me a phone.” She lays her head down on the counter, covering her head with her arms. “It’s going to be so boring without you here.” She turns her head to the side, one eye peeking out from under her arms. “Call in.”
“I wish I could, but someone has to pay the bills.” I wince, instantly regretting my choice of words.
“I need a job.” Penny throws her hands on the counter, pushing away as she hops down. “I also need some coffee,” she huffs, stomping through the kitchen, opening cabinets to try and find the beans. She hasn’t had to ever make it since I’m usually the first one up.
“It’s actually ready to go.” I walk over to stand by her. Resting a hand on her shoulder I squeeze. “Let me.” I place her mug from earlier under the drip.
“Why do you always do that?” She turns, watching my hand as it falls back to my side.
“Do what? Grip your shoulder? It was just a little squeeze.”
“No! You do everything for me?” Penny stands there, testing me to say something while she waits for the coffee to finish.
“I don’t.”
“Okay?” She rolls her eyes as she takes her cup, grabbing her phone she settles back down at the island.
“Penny … it’s only temporary.” I try to reason with her. As painful as it is, I need to reassure her that once this is over she will have her own life back.
“It doesn’t feel that way,” she says as she looks over the top of her mug taking a sip.
“I don’t know what to say right now.” I opt for the truth.
No matter what I say, she is going to spin it the wrong way. Something else is going on and I can’t fix it if she doesn’t talk. Maybe going in to work tonight will help give her the space she needs. Maybe it’s me. Maybe it’s being in this apartment.
“There’s nothing you can say.” She starts to scroll through her phone. “How much did this cost you anyway?” Raising her eyebrow.
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“Sure, I do. How much did it cost, Shapiro?” Penny demands turning around her phone to show me what it is she’s doing. “I’m making a list.”
“For fuck’s sake, Penny.” I grab the phone from her. “Rent, utilities, food, pads …”
“Give that back!” She snatches it back. “I need to add phone.” She shoots me a look.
“You’re making it hard for me to leave you like this.”
“Good.” Her smile is tight, forced.
Good?
That’s it. She’s afraid of being left alone. Everything was fine until she remembered I had to go into work.
Moving to stand in front of her, only the island separating us. Leaning across the counter I go for it and ask, “You don’t want me to go, do you?”
“Obviously.” She lowers her head.
“Penny …” I round the counter to stand in front of her. “I don’t want to go in either. Honestly after the day we had, sitting on the couch with you watching Grey’s sounds like the better plan, but I need to go back. I don’t have a choice, this time.” I try to convince her that I do want to be here, but she isn’t having it. Lifting her chin so she can see me. “Trust me.”
“It’s just so boring,” she whines. “All I do is lie here. All. Day. Long. On the couch and watch TV.” Penny throws her head back on an exasperated sigh. “I’m going to run out of shows.”
“I wish there was something that I can do, but …”
“I know.” She hangs her head.
“Come here.” I reach for her hand, but she tugs it away. “There are a few things we need to go over before I leave.”
“Fine, I get it. I really do. I just wish things were different.” She hops down from the bars stool and follows me into the family room.
“I do too, Penny, but this is what we have.” I nod toward the phone. “This is a TracFone, it’s non-traceable and before you get all up in arms over this again, it’s an extra. So, check that off your list be
cause you don’t owe me anything. I just added some minutes in case of emergency.”
“If there’s an emergency should I call nine-one-one?” her mouth curved up into a smile.
“Yes, if there’s an emergency call nine-one-one, but if you need me for anything and I mean anything don’t hesitate to call. Okay?”
“Is your number in here?” She slides her phone to life, tapping the screen.
I step in closer, hovering over her. “I have my number stored. Plus, Nina’s and the club’s.” I scan the cell with her.
“Okay.”
“Both the office and bar. I wear an earpiece so there isn’t much of a delay.”
“I could come to the club with you. Work the VIP section.” She perks up.
“You would only be a distraction.”
“I know and I’m sorry. I’m just feeling a little anxious,” she admits.
“There’s more.” I bend over, picking the remote off the coffee table. “I had cameras installed.”
“When did you do that?” Her eyes dart up.
“Before we left the hospital. Anyways there’s one on the outside of the door and one right over here on the inside.” I walk over to the door, pointing at a hidden camera peeking down from the top of the kitchen cabinet. The floor plan is open, so it has a clear shot to the front door. “One down the hallway and one when you first walk through the stairwell.”
“How come you’re just now telling me about them?”
“I meant to, but it just has never come up because I’ve been here and now I’m not going to be.”
“I see.” She furrows her brows. “It looks like you thought of everything.”
“I want you safe.”
“Safe and bored.” She smirks seeming pleased with herself. Throwing in once again about how she has nothing to do.
Sliding my hands into my pockets, I begin to jingle my keys. Nervous about how I’m going to approach this next step. I’ve weighed out my options, but after today, when she tried to leave, I know I must take every precaution.
“Listen. I have to go, but when I leave here, I want you to secure every single lock.” I make sure to point to every single one. “And this sliding bolt at the top is to make sure no one will come inside.” I stand there, giving her a moment, to make sure it registers. “Understand?”
“Yeah,” she mumbles as I open the door, stepping outside.
“Oh!” She raises her eye brows. Forehead crinkles. “What about the alarm?”
“I’ll set it from out here.”
“Okay … then I guess I’ll see you later.” Penny gives me a short wave.
“It will fly by. Club is cleared around one and locked up by two.”
“Have a good night.” Penny slowly shuts the door as she continues her guilt trip. “I’ll just be here. Watching TV. Like I always am.”
As she shuts the door, I wait for her to secure the last lock and then I do the one thing I never wanted to do—I put my key into the only deadbolt you can access from the outside and turn. Setting the alarm before I go.
“Shapiro?” she hollers out. “What was that?” I hear her fiddling with the locks. Jiggling each one. “Did you?” She pauses as I hear the tone of the key pad.
I should have given her a warning. Maybe if I would have explained why … she would have understood, but I didn’t. Having a choice wasn’t an option.
“You locked me in here?” She jiggles the handle while banging on the door. “Are you serious right now? You locked me in here.”
“I’m sorry, Penny, but I had to make sure you wouldn’t go anywhere. I can’t keep my eyes on both you and the club.”
“Shapiro, you can’t leave me locked in here. I promise I won’t go anywhere! Shapiro, please!” she begs and pleads as I walk away.
I can’t do or say anything that will fix this. What I just did made Penny a prisoner at a home where she is supposed to feel safe.
I betrayed her, to protect her.
Penny
I can’t believe it! I’m a prisoner in my own home. Correction his home. I’m an inmate, in a padded cell. Solitary confinement, nevertheless, where no one can hear me. Soundproof to drown out the outside and keep me on the inside.
I’ve sat here hour after hour completely losing my mind while he’s down there watching beautiful women in their skimpy skirts and tight tops.
Can you die from boredom?
Because if so, I’m dying a slow death.
You know what I should do?
Go through his secret stash of Kool-Aid and dump it all into a container and make one big batch. That would show him. I bet he wouldn’t lock me in again after that.
“You’re losing it, Penny,” I say to no one.
All I want to do is talk to someone, anyone, face-to-face. Instead, I’m sitting here having a conversation, out loud with myself. The worst part? I’m answering myself. Surely that’s a sign of crazy, right? Just hand over the straight jacket now.
I would give anything to talk to …
“Nina!”
I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner! Hopefully she isn’t too busy with studying for finals.
Jumping off the couch, I run into the kitchen and grab my phone. Typing out a text to Nina.
Me: I’m being held captive.
Nina: Who’s this?
Me: I’m sorry … Penny.
Me: Shapiro gave me a phone in case of an emergency.
Nina: ?
Me: This is an emergency. I’m dying of boredom and you are my 9-1-1.
Nina: Aw … Did I just become your emergency contact?
Me: I believe so.
Nina: I’m flattered.
Me: He locked me in here.
Nina: He did what?
Me: There’s a lock from the outside. Only the person with the key can rescue me.
Nina: Sounds like a game if you ask me.
Nina: A fairy tale gone wrong.
Me: So, are there any good movies I haven’t seen yet?
Me: And don’t name any Netflix originals because I’ve seen them.
Me: Also seen all rom-coms, dramas and family movies.
Me: Working on thrillers and action, but not really into it right now.
Me: Hello?
Me: You there?
Me: Don’t leave me.
Me: OMG!
Me: I don’t have a backup.
Me: You were my person.
Me: Keyword … WERE!
Me: You okay?
Maybe her phone died. Great just great.
“Damn you, technology!” I shake my fists in the air.
My only source of entertainment—gone and my other options … Shapiro or the club? Yeah, not happening.
“I give up!” I shout into the emptiness.
Falling back into the cushions, I sit, and I stare, and I sit some more.
Until I hear someone beating on the front door like they’re pounding on a bass drum.
“Shit!”
I reach for the remote turning it to the cameras as I pull up Shapiro’s number. Thumb on the trigger, ready to press send at a moment’s notice.
What the …
Nina and Nikki are standing at the door.
I hop up and leap over the coffee table to get to the door. “What are you guys doing here?” I holler through the door.
“Coming to save you,” Nina hollers back.
“There’s no use,” I whine. Face plastered to the back of the door. Looking pathetic. “It can only be unlocked from the outside with a …”
Just then the lock begins to turn, and I hear something snap.
“What’s going on? Is this like a prison break or something?” I turn quickly and deactivate the alarm and slide the top bolt back before I fumble with the rest of the locks.
I swing open the door and Niki shouts, “Did someone call for a white knight?”
“Oh my God, how did you guys get the key?”
Niki slides pass me. “A girl has her ways.” S
he winks
A girl has her ways?
I know Niki is engaged to Gavin, but she said it so suggestively.
Did she?
“I’m afraid to ask? Did you …”
“Oh God no! Pick pocket,” she says matter of fact. “It’s amazing what you can learn by binging your favorite crime show.” She wiggles her fingers.
Glancing back at Nina who is still standing in the doorway I ask, “She for real?”
“So, are you going to invite us in?” Nina chuckles.
“Well, it looks like someone has already made themselves at home.” I throw my thumb over my shoulder at Niki who is sitting at the island with her hand in a bag of pretzels.
“Point taken.” She passes by me and I lock back up.
“Oh, and by the way, you don’t have to worry about being locked in again.” She pops a few pretzels in her mouth. “I took care of that.”
“What did you do?”
“She broke the key off into the lock.” Nina shrugs.
“Damn right I did and if Shapiro has a problem with that. You have him come see me.” Niki jumps down and makes all these chopping and kick moves.
Nina hollers back, “Don’t mind her. Gavin just made her watch the Karate Kid marathon that was on this past weekend.”
And this is just what I needed. People. I needed to feel like a human being again. I needed friends. And being here is nice because I don’t think I’ve ever had a girlfriend who I could hang out with like this and now because of a chance I have two.
“Where’s your wineglasses?” Nikki bangs around the kitchen opening door after door.
“Shapiro doesn’t drink.”
Niki gasps.
“Gonna have to use drinking glasses.”
“Or we can drink from the bottle? One for me and one for you guys to split.” Niki holds out the bottle for one of us to take. “You”—she points to me—“Probably shouldn’t have too much since you are drugging it.”
“Houston we may have a problem,” Nina interrupts digging through the drawers. “I can’t find a bottle opener.”
“I figured as much …” Niki pulls a little silver device from her back pocket. “I always come prepared.”
“I don’t think it’s that kind of party Nina and I had in mind.” We both gawk at Niki and her little silver bullet.