I see Tiana in the bathroom and sneak into my closet to change shirts. After some of her yelling and a few curse-words, we talked and I was somehow able to smooth things over. All it took was a night out.
Later that night I tucked in Little Taylor and joined Tiana in bed. My mind began to race. I was tired of thinking about it all. I turned on my side, ready to pass out.
5
Into the night
Screech! “Huh?” What was that? I heard something by the window, an odd sound coming from outside. Screech! The noise got louder, sounding like something scratching the side of the house. With Tiana and Taylor fast asleep, I got up and walked over to the window. I saw nothing. It’s just some animal, I’m sure.
A strong urge took over. I had to go check it out, as if I were drawn to something outside. I got out of bed and walked out through the dim lighting of my living room, and peeked through the blinds. Again, I saw nothing. I unlocked the front door and walked into the cold onto the porch.
The sounds of the night echo in my ears. I heard crickets, howls, and dog barks. I didn’t even think twice I was shirtless with only my boxers on as I cautiously walked down the rickety steps to the front yard. I was a little concerned, being totally defenseless, without my pistol. I continued looking for the mysterious noise.
I heard an eerie owl’s hoot in the distance just as a black cat ran in front of me. There I stood, completely still, as a sharp chill shot up my spine. “Shit!” I yelled out when I stepped on a rock.
A feeling of being watched hit me.
My instinct said to get the hell back in the house. My legs and feet, however, didn’t budge, thinking of Taylor and Tiana. I put my fears aside and looked all around. There was nothing.
I walked through the backyard and saw it was okay, and headed back to the front. Clang! Down the street I heard what sounded like someone took a bat to a car in the street. I walked to the middle of the street for a better look. Again, a strong feeling of being watched overcame me as I frantically looked around. What is that? I heard a deep growl to my right. I turned and focused down the street, toward the noise, and got a tingly sensation all over. There through the darkness I saw something.
In the distance, standing in the middle of the street, I noticed a dark, shadowy figure. My heart started to pound and my nose started to run. I wiped my nose and realized it was blood. Nose bleeds had always plagued my fears. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. In spite of initially wanting to run, I let my curiosity get the best of me and wanted a closer look. I wanted to know who or what was before me.
I took a few steps toward the figure and noticed the figure was also walking toward me. I stopped and the dark figure in the distance continued to move toward me. This has to be another damn dream, I thought while rubbing my eyes. Blood continued pouring from my nose onto my chest and the ground. This thing is heading right to me! I took a few steps back, to draw whatever it was away from my house. Closer the dark figure got, and I turned and started running.
Down the middle of the street I dashed as fast I could. “Oh, shit!” I said, glancing back to see the figure chasing me. Faster and faster I continued to run into the brisk of the night. Through neighbor’s yards and in between parked cars, I ran hoping to throw them off. I turned behind the corner of a house. There I knelt and caught my breath. I carefully peeked around the side of the house, and to my surprise they were gone.
Suddenly it hit me “Tiana! Taylor!” They were alone and the house was vulnerable. I ran back to the house and saw my front door was shut. I ran through the door and up the stairs to the room, to find they were still fast asleep and okay. Did this really just happen? Someone has got to be messing with me here. Delirious and exhausted, I knew I needed rest.
6
Things to come
That next morning and the following week, in fact, were pretty much more of the same routine. Go to work, secretly see Shelly, and more late-night drinking. All while balancing the home life. Tiana began to question my many late nights at the office. I continued to deny and cover it all up, to make it right.
All was well again. What still bothered me were all of the bizarre ordeals that had been happening to me. However, I was not going to let that stop me from living.
Keeping busy and keeping my mind focused on other things were key. One way of doing this was with another pastime of mine: poker. I’d been crushing the guys over at Lucky B’s, a private club. The place is loaded with a bunch of donkeys, who gave me their money regularly. Lucky’s is the hottest underground poker gig in town, which I play a few times a month. It’s owned by another shady guy named Big Larry Saunders.
No-limit hold ’em poker cash game is my game, and when you win big around here people notice. And when you win a lot, people start to talk about it and monitor you closely.
I was up on these guys roughly $34,000, the last three sessions. Now the yahoos at Lucky’s were getting their panties in a wad, because of my lack of action as of late. It started at my last poker session, where I heard smartass comments, which I brushed off. When one guy hinted that I went gray, cheating or ratting and shit—that was when it got personal.
I may be a lot of things, but I’m no cheater. I don’t have to cheat. Pretty funny guys, who cry when they lose. I purposely kept my winnings away for a while, so they would sulk.
Eventually, back at home, Tiana started acting very different, and by then I knew she suspected something.
I do love Tiana with all my heart, and I’m not even sure what the hell I was doing with Shelly and with things. I had no answers. It’s a need, and the attention that always needs to be satisfied with me. All I knew, I could never leave Tiana or my little girl.
That week, things started to change. It was on this particular Friday night that everything started to go in another direction.
Early in the day, I asked if she wanted to join me for drinks at Tom’s Pub after work. Normally, she would be all over it. And she said yes; however, it was like she didn’t really want to. I could tell something was wrong with how she’d been acting.
With Tiana suspecting me of cheating, and Shelly now acting weird, along with the other odd things going on, I was getting worn down. On the way to Tom’s I got a text from JC Stokes, my bookie. He’s high on his Mexican heritage. His text read, “Hey, man. Sorry to tell you, Duke didn’t cover and you lost the Auburn game. Just wanting to update where we’re at now. Total for this week is -$4,330.00 and grand total for the month is $-18,950.00. Adding that to what you owe prior is $-56,350.00. Your balance is way over and I’m going to need that quick. I cannot wait on it like last time. Need this settled now. Let me know ASAP. Thanks.”
Am I really reading this text right now? Both those damn bets were near guaranteed! I lost last week and now I take two huge hits this week?
After work, I headed to the parking garage, and ran into old man Moe, the head security guard. Why is he still here? I wondered. Seeing Moe again reminded me of why the day had been like that. After a long winning streak with our morning coin toss, I finally lost this morning.
“You still here, Moe? Overtime?” I asked. He usually leaves at four p.m. or so, and it was almost six.
He replied, “Yeah, they called me in because some crazy woman was up here a bit ago raising Cain about absolutely nothing. She kept rambling some gibberish talk that made no sense at all. She kept trying to get in.” Moe said.
It had to be the weird lady from the post office. I asked Moe, “Crazy woman, you say? Did they say what she looked like? Could they make out anything she was saying?”
Moe replied, “She was Asian and heavyset, with an orange, torn dress. She kept talking about food and other nonsense. They couldn’t really make it all out. They thought she mentioned your name. Funny, huh? Just another wacko. She’s gone. All is well.”
Mentioned my name? I thought. It was her! I felt chills.
I nearly pissed myself hearing all of this. I have to get the hell out of there.
> “Yeah, that is strange. Well, all right, night.”
I headed to the parking garage. I get in my car and immediately texted Shelly. Actually, Espie. That’s her codename for my coworker, Shelly Phuentes in my cell phone. Her first name and last name initials pronounced together make Espie.
Tonight, is the perfect night to meet her. I have to get my mind off all of this. I cleared it with Tiana, texting her that I was going to help Jason with a project at his house and would be home later. She replied, “Yup”—that single word she texts when she’s mad.
7
Nightcap
Thirty minutes went by without a response from Shelly. I got to Tom’s and saw the place was dead. Five beers later and still no word or sign of Shelly.
I texted her, “Hey what’s up? You okay?”
Shelly responded, “Sorry I’m tired tonight and just went home.”
She went home? Bullshit! Never has she done this before.
Change of plans. “Ready for another one, Caleb?”
It was Jeff the bartender, a good buddy of mine. I looked and saw it was 6:40 p.m. Am I really going to be all alone on a Friday night? I can either chalk it up and end this day from hell, or say screw it and drink it all away here. Yeah, screw it. “Yes, sir, Mr. Harmen. In fact, I’ll need a chaser for my beer. I’ll take two shots of Don Julio.”
Jeff laughed and said, “You got it, man!” The hour went by, and after a lot of small talk and a few more drinks I was feeling good.
I really miss Tiana and my little girl. What am I even doing here? I wondered. “You can close me out when ready, Jeff,” I said. I’m going to go home and make it right. I’m going to take my family out tonight.
I downed my last beer, closed out my tab, and headed out. I don’t need Shelly; I don’t need my work; I don’t need anyone. I just want my family!
“See you around, Jeff,” I said, as I headed toward the exit.
“You’re okay to drive home, right, Caleb?”
What the hell did this guy just ask me? As if he doesn’t know me or something.
“C’mon, man, you know me. Of course, I’m good!”
“Okay, I know, just making sure. You seem a little on the tipsy side. More than usual”.
I gave Jeff a wink and headed out the door.
I got in my car and sent one last text to Shelly: “Hey cool thanks. Cuz yeah, I’m sick too. *cough cough*”
I called Tiana, telling her I was on the way and to get dressed because we were going out. She was shocked and said okay.
Maybe she really believed I was with Jay. If anything, taking her and Taylor out always patches things up. She loved being together as a family.
I sprayed a little cologne on, popped in a breath mint, and walked into the house. There was my baby girl, watching her cartoons. She said, “Daddy!” and ran into my arms.
“Daddy missed you so much. Are you hungry? Let’s go eat,” I said as my little Taylor looked up at me with a big smile.
“Hey, honey” Tiana said from the kitchen.
“Babe!” I replied, giving her a kiss and hug and head out.
We headed to Tiana’s favorite place: Oshana’s sushi restaurant. “Caleb, have you been drinking? You’re slurring” Tiana said.
“I had a few beers at Jay’s before I came. I’m okay, honey,” I replied.
I better take things slow. I do feel tipsy.
The night sky was clear with bright stars. Taylor smiled happily. A perfect night to go out, and I was glad I’d made this choice. I glanced over at Tiana and, damn it, she was looking hot. “Caleb! You’re almost going eighty, slow down! The speed limit is seventy.”
“I’m sorry, baby girl. I’m sorry. I’m slowing down.”
We got to Oshana’s and enjoyed each other, and for once I felt stress-free. A few sakes and a nice meal together made a great night with my family. A feeling I had not felt in a long time. “Thank you, Daddy, for being with us for dinner,” my little girl said, smiling, and leaned her head on my arm.
“You’re welcome, my pretty girl,” I replied.
“Yes, thank you for dinner, honey,” Tiana said. “I guess no more word from your girlfriend?”
My jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe what I’d heard. “My Girlfriend?” I hesitantly replied.
“Yeah, you know the one, from the post office?” Tiana replied.
“Ha! Nope. Nothing,” I replied.
“Was there anything else? Did you guys save room for dessert?” the waitress asked.
“Yay, dessert!” Little Taylor shouted with excitement. Tiana laughed.
“Very well, the little princess has spoken, so dessert it is!” I said. “I know my wife said earlier that this looked good, so that’s what we’ll have.”
At this point you would think I wouldn’t even think of Shelly, but I did. I mustered a distraction and pointed to the dessert picture and handed the menu to Tiana. “Right, honey? That’s what you wanted?” I asked while sneaking a peek at my cellphone. Still nothing from Shelly. I texted Shelly, telling her I was coming over later.
I put my phone in my front shirt pocket as Tiana said, “Yes that looks good doesn’t it?”
I replied, “Yes, perfect! We will take that and another sake, and then close us out.”
“Another one?” Tiana said.
“Yes, and then we’re out of here,” I replied.
We finished and headed to the car. Taylor jumped into my arms on the way out, hugging me tight. “I love you, Daddy,” she said, smiling.
“Daddy loves you so much,” I replied.
Out of nowhere, my Taylor followed up with a question I didn’t expect: “Daddy, when we die, what happens to us? Where do we go?”
I couldn’t believe my little girl just asked that, and I didn’t know how to answer it. I pondered for a moment how I should answer.
“Well, honey, that’s a good question,” I said. “We don’t really die. When it’s time for us to go, we go all the way up on a big cloud. All the way up to heaven.” I knew there was no heaven, but that was something she would have to find out later in life, on her own. She could have something to look forward to, at least for now. I didn’t know what else to say.
My little girl’s eyes lit up, and she smiled ear to ear. “Really? Oh, thank you, Daddy!” Taylor kissed me on the cheek, and hugged my neck.
Tiana said, “That’s right, honey; we all fly up, and go to heaven.”
I leaned in the back of the car to put Taylor in her car seat and lost my balance. I nearly fell with Taylor in my arms.
“Caleb, really?” Tiana yelled.
“I’m fine, honey. There’s a damn stump sticking out of the asphalt over here that I tripped on.”
I leaned down again to put Taylor in the backseat and heard something drop.
“You dropped something, Daddy,” Taylor said. “I’ll help you.” Taylor tried to help.
“No, it’s okay, honey. Thank you, though,” I replied.
All I wanted was to hurry home, knowing I was getting some tonight, if not with Tiana then with Shelly. I could tell Tiana was feeling frisky.
Finally, I got Taylor in the car seat and we headed home. Why do I feel like I’m forgetting something all of a sudden?
My wallet! I thought, while feeling my back pocket for my wallet. It was there.
“You want me to drive?” Tiana asked.
“I’ll drive. I’m okay,” I replied.
I just wanted to get home.
8
Are we there yet?
On the way home, it all played in my head, what Moe said that batty lady was saying. I knew it was the same woman from the post office. There had to be more to it
“Slow down, Caleb! Its sixty through here, and it’s foggy.”
“Tiana, I’m fine,” I said.
“Momma, are we there yet?” said Taylor.
“Almost, honey” Tiana replied.
I heard my phone vibrate. “Here, Daddy, someone’s calling for you,” Taylor said.
Calling me? Oh shit, she has my phone!
That’s what I was bothered by earlier! It fell out of my damn shirt pocket, putting Taylor in her car seat.
All I knew was I had to get that phone before Tiana. I reached back for my phone, but it was too late. “Here, Taylor” Tiana said with her hand already reached back, taking the phone. No! If I tried to take the phone from Tiana, she would wonder why. She would know I was trying to hide something.
“It’s Jay, I’m sure, just ignore it,” I said as I reached for the phone.
“No, it says missed call from Espie. Who’s Espie?” Tiana asked.
“Oh, that’s a buddy from work.”
“A buddy?”
Normally I would instantly come back with a perfect response and get out of this. Right now, however, I feel woozy. I’m having a hard time thinking clearly.
No matter what I said, I knew it wouldn’t work. She was going through my entire phone.
Her face showed utter shock and disgust as she went through all the texts and calls between me and Shelly. All of which I forgot to delete. I have to stop her; I have to get my phone now!
I played dumb, saying, “Huh? What are you talking about? Give me the phone,” while reaching over to grab it.
“No, Caleb!” Tiana yelled back, pushing my hand away. “Who the hell is Espie? Huh? Tell me! Oh my God!”
I shrugged while shaking my head, “No, it’s not like that.”
“Don’t even try that bullshit with me Caleb! Stop, it’s a red light!”
I had to say something. I replied, “I have no clue how they got my number, Tiana. I think Jay at work is messing with me. It’s not like that. For a second, I even thought it was you and just went along with it.”
What the hell did I just say? I reached out again for the phone while Tiana leaned away, blocking my hand. “Oh my God…oh my God! Are you fucking kidding me?”
It looked like this was it. This was the night it would all unfold, and the motherfucking jig was up. I knew I couldn’t hide this forever, and now this was out I actually feel relieved.
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