by Emerson Rose
Maybe some reverse psychology? Whenever we’re together she’s defensive and abrasive with her words but her body betrays her. She blushes and fidgets, her pulse pounds on the side of her neck and her eyes dart away from me when I try to look into them.
Tomorrow morning I’m going running like usual but this time I’m going to wait for Tiana and apologize. Whether I’m trying to start something with her or not, I was an ass today. I owe her that much.
When she forgives me, and she will, I’ll work on getting her to tell me the truth about her Alfred Hitchcock Psycho moment tonight.
Now that I know what she doesn’t like, being called a firecracker and talking about the videos that sent her packing from New York, and spiders, I can focus on finding out what she does like.
Monday mornings are often my favorite day of the week because I crave routine, and after a whole 48-hour weekend of free time is almost too much. It’s early and I’m dressed to run watching out the window for Tiana to exit her house.
I don’t have to wait for long, she bounds down the stairs at 5:30 a.m. but she’s not alone. Jayden is five steps behind her. She doesn’t look happy when she stops to stretch by the hundred-year-old oak tree in their yard.
He isn’t speaking to her and she seems to be in a world of her own preparing for her run. Jayden hates to run. I know because I’ve asked him to join me a hundred times over the years. He does it at the gym on the treadmill. He considers it work that he must get done and I think of it as therapeutic and enjoyable.
Something tells me the fact that he’s running with her today is related to that scream last night. She’s afraid and it’s not of a spider.
She finishes her warm-up and starts off jogging down the street without a glance at her brother. He looks up and takes off after her a few seconds later. She’s already halfway down the block and she hasn’t even hit her stride. She’s quick and graceful like a gazelle dashing across the savannas and the urge to follow her is powerful.
I’ll try again tomorrow, there’s no sense trying to apologize in front of Jayden. He’ll only think I’m trying to get her into bed. I give them a fifteen-minute head start, I don’t usually leave until six anyway and I’m betting Jayden knows that and that’s why they’re headed out so early.
It’s warm out this morning, warmer than usual for this time of day. It’s going to be a scorcher I can tell already. I take off down the sidewalk at a slow jog and feel the stretch of my muscles lengthening with every stride.
It’s frustrating to run with a gray dot in the center of my vision. I can tell where I’m going from my peripheral but I’m always concentrating on my steps and surroundings where I used to listen to music, relax and let my mind go blank on a long run.
The people at Guide Dogs of America tell me it will be easier with my dog and I hope they’re right. I don’t want to be stuck inside on a treadmill listening to the TV while I run for the rest of my life.
I run through town where small shop owners are arriving to work and exit to a path through some woods that’s beautiful to run on. It’s not the way I usually go but I feel like mixing it up today.
Twenty minutes later I see two people running ahead of me. It’s impossible not to recognize Tiana’s lush round ass and Jayden’s battalion t-shirt and sloppy running form. They must be taking it slow. I can’t believe I caught up to them however unintentionally.
I didn’t think they would choose this route. It’s winding and rough and woodsy, all the things Jayden hates. Unless Tiana did it on purpose to torture her big brother for being so crazy lately. I can see the little firecracker doing that.
I’m closing in on them and I refuse to adjust my speed to hang back. At my pace, I’ll pass them and be out of their sight in a matter of minutes. They hear me coming and Tiana moves in front Jayden to allow me to pass in good running etiquette.
And pass them I do. Without giving them a glance I sprint by and hear Tiana’s heavy breathing hitch when she sees me. I wave over my head and continue not saying a word. I’m not interested in disturbing the bear today.
I’ll be out of their sight in no time with them going so slow. I can feel their eyes boring a hole in my back as I pull away. Within seconds Tiana is running next to me.
“Why are you following us?”
“I wasn’t. I run here often and frankly I didn’t think Jayden could hack it.”
I glance out of the corner of my eye without moving my head and find her pouting profile. God, I fucking love that bottom lip when she pouts. I can’t look any longer or I’ll end up with a king-sized woody out here in the woods.
“He runs every day.”
“Inside, on a machine that is flat and smooth.” Proving my point, I’m forced to jump over a rock on the scarcely visible path to keep from tripping. “Are we friends again?”
“No. We never had time to become friends before you shot your mouth off like a jerk.”
“About that,” I say slowing down a little but not enough for Jayden to catch up. He’s still far enough behind us not to hear. “I was going to apologize for that this morning but then you went and invited your brother on your run so I changed my mind.” She’s quiet for a moment. I think she’s considering my apology.
“He wasn’t invited, he invited himself.” She sounds irritated and I can’t help but smile.
“It’s not funny,” she says.
I force the corners of my mouth down. “I’m sorry again, you’re just very cute when you’re mad.”
“Speed up.”
Did she say speed up or shut up? Could have been either but she begins to move faster and I know she said speed.
“He’s going to catch up.”
“I don’t think so, running’s not his forte. Which leads us back to why the partner today?”
“It’s complicated.”
“I’m a pretty intelligent man despite my devastatingly good looks. I’m willing to listen if you want to talk but now isn’t the time. Meet me tonight at the diner.”
The corner of her lips curls up ever so briefly and I know I’m forgiven. Good, now we can move on to other things. Things I shouldn’t want but I do--oh how I fucking do.
Chapter 13
Tiana
Getting away from my brother for a couple hours is proving to be quite the task. He’s not letting me out of his sight after watching that video and as annoying as it is to have a sidekick he makes me feel safe.
I finally had to tell him I was meeting a couple of girls from college for drinks and that he wouldn’t want to tag along. He’s not thrilled, but I managed to get away and I’ll be safe with Drake.
I didn’t want to forgive him so easily this morning but when I’m close to him my brain turns to glop and I can’t resist. He was an ass but what he said was true. I fucked up and moved back home at age twenty-five. Embarrassing. And I am a little sassy and fiery, but much more so when I’m with him. I don’t know why it irritates me so much that he thinks he has me all figured out, he doesn’t.
I walk into the diner and the smell of grease and the ‘50s decor take me back to when I was thirteen. My Aunt Marla brought six of my closest friends and me here for dinner on my birthday. She was a good woman who loved Jayden and me like we were her own, partially because she couldn’t have children and because she adored her sister.
Mum and Aunt Marla grew up in Texas where mum met dad. He was traveling from the UK to the US for work. They fell in love, he took her home to London and from the looks of Aunt Marla’s photos they were a perfect match. They married and had Jayden two years later and me seven after that.
I love those pictures. I have sparse memories of growing up and all our pictures were destroyed in the fire. They were good parents that didn’t deserve to be taken so young.
Aunt Marla reminded me of my mother so much that it hurt. They shared the same chestnut hair, delicate nose and almond shaped eyes that could look straight into your soul. After the fire, Aunt Marla vowed to raise her sister’s children
the way she knew mum would have wanted. Marla died of a heart attack the year Jayden graduated from college and became an officer. I was sixteen when he was appointed my guardian and we moved here to North Carolina.
Drake is in a booth in the back. I wave at Donna, the sixty-year-old waitress who’s been here since the place opened, and maneuver my way through the tables.
He looks up when I’m almost to him and it strikes me that he never looks at me straight on. He always has his head cocked to one side or the other.
He slides out and stands like a gentleman when I have closed the distance between us.
“Hey, you escaped. You look beautiful.”
He just greeted me as if this were a date. I’m not sure how to take that and it must show on my face.
“It’s a compliment, friends do that. It’s supposed to make you feel good.” His tone is playful.
“I still haven’t forgiven you for being such a dick yesterday so we aren’t really friends.”
“Yes, you have and yes, we are. Now sit down and have some dinner with me, my beautiful friend.”
I roll my eyes and slide into the booth across the well-worn red leather seat.
“You know telling me I’m beautiful all the time isn’t going to work. I’m onto your little game.”
He holds up his hand like a boy scout, “I promise on all things holy that I am not playing games. You are stunning and I like telling you so.”
What am I supposed to say to that? I can’t very well tell him to quit saying I’m beautiful and he’s right, he is forgiven.
“Alright, alright, you’re forgiven and we can be friends. You win.”
He’s beaming when Donna hustles to our table.
“Well don’t you look happy there, Drake. What can I get you, kids, tonight?”
“How are you, Donna?” I ask.
“Oh, arthritis is killin’ me, darling, but you know I’m blessed to be alive.” She’s smiling but her eyes are tired. This is hard work for anyone let alone a woman her age.
“You need to cut back on the double shifts, you work too hard,” Drake says touching her forearm. I’ve never seen a woman her age blush but blush she does, bright pink.
“Oh, honey, you know there’s no good help in this town. My last girl up and quit last week so I don’t have much choice, either I work or we close up shop.”
“You’re looking for help? I was a waitress for three years in New York. It was at a nightclub but I’m sure I would catch on quick here.”
“You offerin’? Because if you need a job you can start tomorrow, I’m worn slap out.”
“Yes, I’m looking for a job, temporarily, of course. I’m only home for a few months but I’d be happy to help. I love this place, it has so many good memories.”
“Bless you, child, come in tomorrow around ten in the mornin’ and I’ll show you the ropes. It’s a cinch, and you’re so darn sweet and pretty you’ll be rolling in tips.”
“Perfect, I’ll be here with bells on.”
“Well, now that that’s all settled I’ll have a beer. Do you want one, Tiana?”
“Sure, sounds good.”
“Okay, two draws comin’ right up.”
She makes her way to the counter, stopping to check on a couple of tables on the way.
“That was nice of you.”
“I need a job and she’s exhausted. Seems like a win, win to me.”
“She’s right you know, you’ll rake in the tips. Do you think your brother’s going to let you work?”
“He can’t tell me what to do. I’m an adult and I need a job.”
“He wouldn’t let you go for a run this morning alone. What was that all about?”
A jolt of anxiety shoots through my chest. Should I tell him what’s really going on or keep lying about spiders? I hesitate, but the urge to be honest with him is impossible to resist when he slides his hand across the table and places it over mine.
“You can tell me, it’s okay.”
I look at his hand and feel his warmth spread up my arm and spill my guts.
“I received another video yesterday morning. I was afraid to open it alone so I had Jayden sit with me when I did.”
He squeezes my hand when I stop. I look up into his eyes that are holding me in his special side-glancing way. I bite my lip and start again.
“It wasn’t what I thought, thank God, it could have been worse. I thought someone had posted those videos to get me kicked off Just Sing. Since they got what they wanted I was going to put all of this behind me and move on.”
“But that’s not the case?”
“No, it appears not.”
“So, what was the video if it wasn’t footage of the bar incident?”
“It was like a warning. First, it said I was a smart girl.”
“Here y’all go, two beers. Now, what can I getcha to eat?” Donna asks interrupting, sitting our frosty glasses in front of us.
“I hadn’t even thought about it, um… I guess I’ll have the club on rye with extra bacon, please.”
“You got it, honey, how about you, Drake?”
“Steak, rare, with whatever vegetable you have available so long as it’s not steamed.”
“Alright, I’ll get that out to you right away,” she says and tweaks his cheek before heading to the kitchen. “Max, gimme a steak on the hoof with the garden and a club on whiskey!” she yells into the pass-through between the kitchen and the dining room.
“Now that’s something that will take some time to learn.” I nod my head in her direction.
“I always wondered why they needed to do that, what’s so hard about saying a club on rye and a steak rare?”
“Diner culture I guess. The Marines have a lot of acronyms, too, you know.”
“True. Back to your story, so this person is harassing you?”
He abandons my hand to take a drink of his beer and I’m not so sure I want to talk about this anymore but he tips his head and raises his eyebrows encouraging me to go on.
“More like threatening me. It was eerie, it had music playing in the background and words flashing on the screen.”
“What kind of words.”
“Things like I know what happened, I’m watching and behave or there will be consequences. It freaked me out.”
“So, that’s what made you scream?”
“Yeah, I guess I sort of snapped. I can’t understand any of this, it’s insane.”
“What do you think this person has on you?”
“I don’t remember most of that night and that’s not like me. I’m scared…”
“You’re scared someone did something to you and recorded it without your knowledge.”
I nod.
“Do you think something like that happened? I mean, was there anything… out of order?”
“No, I woke up the next afternoon in my own bed in my shorts and a tank top with my face washed and my hair in a bun like always. There was one thing, though.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s kind of embarrassing.”
“Tiana, I’m safe. I’m your brother’s best friend and neighbor. He would kill me if I said anything about this to anyone. Not that I would ever anyway, I’m a very stand-up guy.”
I laugh softly and sigh.
“You promise not to breathe a word of this to anyone ever? Not even Jayden, I didn’t tell him this part, I knew he’d flip his shit if he knew.”
“I promise, cross my heart.” He makes an x over his heart with his finger.
“I woke up with different panties on. I mean, I had on my pajamas too but I don’t change into fresh panties to go to bed. I shower in the morning and change them after.”
“Were your clothes there?”
“Yes, in the hamper.”
“All of them?”
“Yes. And I didn’t have a scratch or a bruise on me anywhere.”
“Well, that’s a relief. You didn’t call the police?”
“No, I showered and ch
anged and went back to bed.”
“What about your roommate? Did she see anything?”
“No, she doesn’t remember much either but she was awake long before me and didn’t seem to have a hangover. She said the door to our apartment was locked and she hadn’t seen anyone bring me home.”
“May I ask why you didn’t call the police?”
“Yes, you may. I didn’t because I didn’t remember anything and how would that look? I didn’t really have a crime to report.”
“They might have been able to test you to see if you’d been drugged or violated.”
“I think I was in shock and I didn’t want to know.”
“What about pregnancy or STD’s?”
“Suki made me go to my gynecologist the next day, I took the morning-after pill and I was clean so that made me feel even more confident that nothing happened.”
“Suki’s your roommate?”
“Yeah”
“Did the doctor think you’d been victimized?”
“I didn’t tell him what happened. He thought I’d just had unprotected sex with someone I didn’t know very well.”
He’s quiet while he mulls over my bad decisions. I know I should have called the police. I’ve watched every episode of Law & Order SVU but it’s different when it’s you; especially when you don’t remember what happened.
“So now we wait.”
I lower my eyes to the laminate table and trace a water stain left by a glass with the tip of my finger. “Yeah, I guess so.”
He leans forward with his elbows on the table and I look up at him.
“We’re going to be ready for them this time. I have a buddy who can work miracles with computers. He can help you find this warped asshole before they do anything serious.”
“Jayden said something about having my computer looked at too.”
“If you can stop him try. My guy is with the CIA and he has some serious pull.”
“Okay, I’m not sure how I’ll do that without telling him why but I can figure something out.”