Destiny and a Bottle of Merlot

by Bria Marche

  Chapter Four

  The 1969 Z28 Camaro roared down the street toward Aaron’s house on Oak Terrace Lane. Reggie’s head hung out the window, giving him a wind-blown look.

  “You’re a pretty hot dog, Reg,” Mia said, laughing as he chomped at the air.

  Any time Mia planned to spend the night with Aaron, Reggie tagged along. He needed that last walk of the night before he hunkered down to sleep. The routine repeated itself every time. Mia and Aaron usually walked him together in the evening, as Mia stretched her neck to peer in the windows of every beautiful home they passed. Aaron got a kick out of her oohs and aahs when she’d see an antique piece of furniture or a Tiffany styled lamp on a side table.

  “You’re a Peeping Tom, Mia.”

  “I am not. I’m only looking because they haven’t closed their drapes yet. It’s perfectly legal to look toward a house as we pass by on the sidewalk.”

  “Yeah, but you stop on the sidewalk and start a commentary on everything you see inside.” Aaron joked with her, but he actually loved the quirky behavior Mia displayed from time to time. She was very animated with her opinion of the way people decorated their homes. Nobody could ever compete with the wonderfully, exquisite taste Aaron had for decorating. The antiques were mostly original to his home, making them even more precious and meaningful. Aaron’s house was the prettiest, and decorated the nicest, in Mia’s opinion.

  A relaxing evening was in store for them. Dinner, drinks and a night cuddling on the couch watching TV would be the perfect way to end the day.

  Mia rounded the corner with Aaron’s house in sight. He wasn’t home yet, but she would start preparing the salad. Her cell phone sang out “It’s my Life,” by Bon Jovi. She usually listened for a few seconds before answering. It was a song that empowered her, and gave her a voice.

  “Hey, Sasha,” she said, still tapping the steering wheel and humming the song in her head.

  “Mia, I’m going crazy. Jack called.” Sasha was on the verge of hysteria, and crying into the phone. “I need you!”

  “Hon, get in your truck and come to Aaron’s house right now. I’m just pulling into the driveway. Out.”

  Sasha grabbed her purse and keys, then ran through the house making sure all doors and windows were locked. She threw a glass of water on the glowing embers in the fireplace, tucked a bottle of Merlot under her arm, and took off out the front door. It was just a few blocks to Aaron’s house from the Victorian. Mia was barely in the front door when the Tundra pulled up to the curb. Mia heard the squeal of the tires and looked back before stepping inside. She took off Reggie’s leash and herded him in. Sasha already reached the porch. It was obvious how distraught she was, just by looking at her face. Her eyes were swollen and bloodshot from crying.

  “Sit down and tell me what happened.” Mia pulled the wicker chairs together on the porch and sat next to Sasha. “Honey, you’re shaking.”

  “Mia, can we have a glass of wine first? I need to calm down.”

  “Stay put. I’ll get the glasses and corkscrew. I’ll be right back.”

  A million thoughts passed through Sasha’s mind as she waited for Mia to return. Is Jack going to stalk me and try to ruin my life? Is he going to break into the Victorian like he did Mia’s house? She began another round of gut wrenching sobs.

  The heavy oak doors squeaked open. Mia walked out with a wooden tray balanced on her arm. She pulled the door closed with the other hand. Sasha’s Merlot, two glasses, the corkscrew, a box of tissues and a plastic grocery bag was transferred from the tray to the table between them. Sasha grabbed a handful of tissue and blew her nose. Mia tied the plastic bag to the table leg so Sasha could drop her used tissues into it.

  “You think of everything, thanks.”

  Mia poured the wine and handed a glass to Sasha. “Whenever you’re ready, just take your time and breathe.” She took a sip of her own wine, and waited.

  “I was just minding my own business, being happy.”

  “I know, hon.”

  “Earlier, I painted some balcony furniture I bought. While I waited for it to dry, I dozed off outside. That’s when my phone rang and woke me up. I had no idea who it was at first. Jack must have changed his number. It wasn’t familiar, Mia. I was so shocked and startled by his voice, I could barely speak.”

  “What did he say?”

  “His voice was scary, and I could tell he was angry. He said, he knew I lived in Tarrytown, and he wanted to see me. I told him I didn’t live here.”

  “Holy shit, Sasha. How in the hell does he know where you live?”

  “He saw my picture on the Hair Brained ad.”

  “But Hair Brained ads only go out to Westchester county newspapers.”

  “I know. He lives in White Plains, for now.” Sasha broke down again.

  “Shit! I was sure he moved back to the city. That’s all he ever talked about. Mick would never let Jack stay more than a few weeks in New Rochelle at his house.”

  Aaron pulled in the driveway and got out of his car. He carried a bag of groceries as he walked up the sidewalk. The quizzical look on his face almost asked the question for him. “Mia, Sasha, what’s going on?”

  “Friggin Jack, that’s what, damn it,” Mia replied, while holding Sasha’s shaking hand.

  “C’mon inside. It’s cold out here. Tell me everything, Sasha, while I make coffee.” Aaron filled the carafe with filtered water and poured it in the pot as Sasha repeated everything she just told Mia. Aaron added the grounds and turned the coffeemaker on while he put the groceries away.

  “I’m so afraid he’ll find out where I live and turn me into a paranoid, housebound recluse. I’ll be afraid to go outside.”

  “Can’t we get a restraining order against him for Sasha too?” Mia asked.

  “He hasn’t done anything except call her. There’s nothing illegal about that. You should change your number, Sasha. That’s a start.”

  “I’ll do that tomorrow. I’m afraid he’ll see me in town if he’s actually looking for me. White Plains isn’t very far away. What about weekends? Do I have to watch over my shoulder forever? If he sees me anywhere, he’ll follow me home. I don’t want him to find out where I live. I won’t give up the Victorian for him.”

  “Honey, let’s stop by the police station tomorrow and talk to the guys. They may have some advice. Tonight, you’re staying here with us. You’re too upset to go home to that big house alone. Don’t argue with me either, right, Aaron?”

  “That’s right, we want you to stay, Sasha. I’ll start dinner.”

  ***

  Aaron’s guest room was warm and welcoming. As old as the house was, there were fireplaces scattered throughout several rooms. The guest room had a beautiful brick fireplace with a walnut mantel. Aaron built a toasty fire for Sasha to give her a cozy, settled feeling. Dealing with Jack could send anyone over the edge, especially if he had a vendetta against that person.

  “Aaron, do you think Sasha is in any real danger?” Mia asked, while Sasha got ready for bed.

  “It’s hard to say, honey. The best thing in the world would be if Jack just disappeared. He’s a threat to you, Sasha and Karen. I do think it’s a good idea if you both talk to the officers that came to your house when Jack was there. They already know the details about him. Maybe they’ll have some advice for Sasha. Make sure she changes her cell number in the morning too.”

  “Okay, babe. I’m going to sit with her and talk for a little while. Do you mind?”

  “Of course not. Sasha is our friend, and she’s volatile right now. She needs peace of mind, and you’re the perfect person to help her.” Aaron’s eyes lit up every time he talked to Mia. She was the love of his life. He stood and embraced her. The softness of her hair, the smoothness of her skin, and that sweet scent, melted Aaron every time he touched her. “Go ahead, honey. She needs you.” Aaron kissed Mia. He looked deep into her eyes, then kissed her again.

  The knock on the guest room door could only be Mia. Sasha was
relieved to have her come in and talk for a while. They needed this, just girl to girl, because they both had Jack in common.

  Warm air from the crackling fire made the room welcoming as Mia entered. Shadow dancers provided entertainment on every wall from the glow of the fire bouncing throughout the room. Sasha sat up in bed with four pillows jammed behind her back. She was only visible from the neck up, the blankets engulfed the rest of her body. She turned off the TV when Mia entered.

  “Sasha, honey? I brought some wine if you want to talk for a while.”

  “Thanks, Mia, come and sit with me.” Sasha pulled the blankets back, inviting Mia to join her.

  Mia set the wine bottle and glasses on the side table and climbed in next to Sasha. The bed was warm from body heat. “Great room, huh?”

  “It’s a beautiful room. Mia, I’m so afraid I’ll have to give up the Victorian if Jack finds me. I can’t even bear to think about it.”

  “There are options, but they’re radical. You can change your legal name, and put the Victorian in someone else’s name so he can’t track you there. It may help if you change your appearance too.”

  “I’ll do all of those things if it keeps him from finding me. I don’t want to draw him in to the Victorian just to get a restraining order against him. I’d always be wondering if he was watching from a distance.”

  “What I’m going to say will scare you, Sasha, but you have to be aware of the truth. Karen should be okay, Jack has no idea she lives in Connecticut. I already have a restraining order against him, so he has to leave me alone. He never loved me anyway. You’re the woman he loved… or lusted after, the most. He feels betrayed by you, and he might pursue you. It may be in a vindictive way, or in Jack’s messed up way of thinking he’s going to get you back. We need to do whatever we can to keep you safe. To me, that means he’ll never be able to find you anywhere. We’ll make a solid plan tomorrow. We’ve got to stay one step ahead of him. Get some sleep, we’ll figure everything out in the morning.”

  Chapter Five

  Aaron wished the girls luck as he left for work. “Sasha, take this seriously, please. Mia and I are here to help you whenever you need us. Both of you stop in at the store after you talk to the police.” Aaron kissed Mia goodbye and gave Sasha a reassuring hug as he left.

  Mia busied herself in the kitchen making breakfast and coffee. Cabinets and drawers were opened and closed. “Damn it, I still don’t know my way around this kitchen,” she said, as she slammed her head into the top cabinet she left open.

  “Well that tells me one thing. You need to spend more time here,” Sasha said, trying to add a little humor to the morning. “Seriously Mia, when are you going to move in?”

  “Soon, but I have to talk to Karen first.” She rubbed the growing bump on her head as she pulled dishes out of the cabinet.

  “What does she have to do with it? Do you need her permission?” Sasha giggled at her own wit. She jumped up on the barstool, sitting Indian style.

  “No, you goof. I’m going to offer Karen the chance to buy my house. That’s if she’s the slightest bit interested. How in the hell can you sit like that?” Mia asked, shaking her head. “Put some dog food in the bowl for Reggie. We’ll take him for a walk, then drop him off at home before we head over to the police department. Anyway, what are you hungry for, and if you say dry toast, I’m going to slap you across the face… just saying.”

  Sasha opened the bag of kibbles that were kept at Aaron’s house and scooped out a heaping cup full. Reggie wagged his tail anxiously as he waited for his breakfast. She filled his water bowl with cold, clean water.

  “I’ll have cereal, it’s easy. And coffee, and orange juice.”

  “Coming up. So if Karen is interested, I’ll move in right away. Wouldn’t that be a riot if we all lived in Tarrytown? I guess Max couldn’t because of the store.”

  “Why not? It’s less than a half hour away. Maybe he’ll move in with Vic someday.” Sasha was almost giddy at the thought of everyone coupling up. “But that still leaves me, Tina and Karen without guys.”

  “It will come when you least expect it, I guarantee you. That’s if you want a guy in your life.”

  “Well, I’ll give it some thought, but I won’t be interested for at least a year.”

  “Why the time line?”

  “Because, silly. I’m already in love, with the Victorian.”

  The girls sat at the breakfast bar, eating cereal and going over their plans for the day. Sasha had to change her phone number before anything else. If the police officers wanted her number on file, she had to give them the new one.

  With a gulp of coffee, she called her service provider and asked for a new phone number effective immediately. Sasha reminded them that she didn’t want the automated feature giving out the new phone number either. She would program any outgoing message herself if she was unable to answer the phone. She wrote down the new number and was told it should be ready to use within fifteen minutes. Mia poured more coffee as they sat and waited. At nine forty-five, Mia called Sasha’s old number. The message said the number had been disconnected with no forwarding number. Then she called the new number, and it rang on the breakfast bar.

  “Okay, that’s taken care of.” Mia programmed Sasha’s new number into her phone and deleted the old one. “Let’s talk while we walk Reggie. Come here, boy,” Mia called out. She snapped the leash on his collar and the girls left Aaron’s house.

  “So what’s next, Mia?”

  “The salon is closed today so we need to let Vic and Tina know what’s going on. We’ve got to take down the posters on the salon windows too.”

  “Am I letting them down, Mia? I was supposed to be the face of Hair Brained.”

  “It’s okay, hon. Tina and Vic know what a nut job Jack is. They’ll understand. Call Tina and tell her meet us at the salon at ten-thirty. Vic went to Peekskill last night, so we’ll call her later and give her a heads up.”

  The walk seemed different. They both sensed it. Something as simple and pleasurable as a walk around the block, now made them feel exposed and nervous. Instead of laughing and enjoying the outdoors as Reggie did his business, they wanted to hurry along, each scanning their surroundings regularly.

  “This is such bullshit, Mia. I won’t live like this. I’m not going to let Jack get the best of me. If Tina has time today, I want her to cut and dye my hair.”

  “Are you really ready to do something that drastic?”

  “Damn straight, I am. I have ideas of my own too, about the Victorian. Let’s drop Reggie off and get to the salon.”

  The girls waited for Tina outside the salon in Sasha’s Tundra. If there was any chance in the world Jack was stalking them, he would recognize Mia’s Camaro right away.

  “I think I’ll get these windows tinted black.” Sasha checked the rear view and side mirrors as she spoke.

  “Is that legal?”

  “No idea, but I’m doing it anyway. I’m going to take charge of my own life starting an hour ago when I changed my phone number.” Sasha laughed at herself for that comment. Mia joined in with her. “Tina’s here. Let’s go.”

  They walked inside Hair Brained with Tina. Sasha bolted for each window, pulling down the shades. She locked the deadbolt on the door as she passed it.

  “What the hell?”

  “Jack’s after me, Tina. Can you cut and dye my hair? We need to take the posters off the windows too.”

  “Mia, did you give her drugs?”

  “No, I didn’t give her any friggin drugs, but she is wired. She drank most of the coffee I made earlier. It’s true though, Jack is after her.”

  “Can you do it right now, before I change my mind?”

  “Sure, hon, what do you want?” Tina started getting the supplies ready at her chair. “Come here and sit down.”

  “I want a short, blonde bob with long bangs, like this.” Sasha held up one of the newest hairstyle magazines and pointed to a chic, hip hairstyle on a beautiful model.
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  “You do realize your hair is black and long, and you have olive skin. Are you sure? I’ll have to use peroxide to get your hair that light.”

  “Just do it. I’m sure it will turn out wonderful. I want to walk around town, carefree. If Jack shows up, I don’t want him to recognize me.”

  “Isn’t he working yet? He can’t be here trying to find you if he has a job.”

  “He’s working at Saks, and he didn’t sound happy about it. But there’s still weekends, and I’m not going to hide. I love Tarrytown and want to walk around freely.”

  “I hear you, sister. Okay, lean back so I can wash your hair.”

  ***

  The transformation took three hours, but looked stunning. Sasha turned into an adorable pixie with a short bob. Up close, nobody would ever mistake Sasha for anyone else. She was too beautiful to be just another woman. But, with her new hair and pickup truck, Jack would never recognize her.

  “Honey, all you need now are cowboy boots, a cowboy hat and a pair of Daisy Dukes to go with that truck of yours,” Mia said, with a laugh.

  “And a gun rack,” Tina added.

  “What are Daisy Dukes?”

  “Never mind, you already have them.”

  Tina whipped the cape off Sasha, brushed the stray hairs from her shoulders and released her to a full sized mirror. “Go take a look.”

  Sasha stood in front of the large mirror at the end of the hall and stared at herself. She began sobbing. The memories returned of the first time she was in the salon, under false pretenses. It seemed so long ago. She was a spoiled, snooty model then, and she was sleeping with Jack. Now that very person was the reason Sasha needed to transform her entire appearance to a short haired blonde.

  “Honey… you look really cute. We were just giving you shit before.” Tina nervously glanced at Mia and raised her eyebrows.

  “I love it. I’m crying because Jack is the villain. But if it weren’t for that asshole, you guys wouldn’t be in my life. I’ve not only changed for the better these last five months, but in the mirror, I’m actually a different person too.”