Leather Bound

by Kyle Robinson

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, it’s Jason how are you doing?”

  “I’ve been better, been worse?”

  Jason laughed. “Hey, are you at a stopping point for a while?”

  “I haven’t even started for the day.”

  “Good, don’t yet. The DoubleDay rep is in town and wants to talk to you about the idea and the concept you’re working on. He wants to have something to take back to the big wigs. You ready to have that conversation.”

  Tom froze. “Today?”

  “Yeah, I know it’s a little short notice, but I thought why not? If he’s already in town, you might as well theirmeet him, we can get some of the formality out of the way and this way it will put their mind at ease.”

  “Why am I putting their mind at ease?”

  “They’re offering a lot of money for this book. For both of our sakes it’s smart to put their minds at ease.”

  Tom took a breath. He stared at the screen again. His mind drifted almost to a point where he forgot he was on the phone. Jason pulled him back to reality.

  “Are you there?”

  “Yeah, let me get dressed.”

  “All right, I’ll be there to pick you up in half an hour.”

  ****

  “How long are we expecting this to last?” Tom asked as they neared the restaurant.

  “I don’t know, an hour maybe. Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I just want to get home and get to work.”

  “It’s all good, trust me, it’s worth meeting them. It'll work out for the best. Let’s get inside.”

  Tom followed him through the door. They were ushered to a small table in the back corner of the restaurant. Within minutes their guest had arrived. As he approached the table, they both stood up.

  “Sorry I’m late. Traffic here was worse than I expected.”

  “No worries.” Jason said sticking out his hand. The man accepted it.

  “It’s nice to meet you both, my name is Henry. I’ll be acting as your middle man to DoubleDay. That just means you don’t have to deal with someone who doesn’t know what’s going on.”

  They all three laughed.

  “So let’s get down to business. Let me hear what this book is about.”

  Tom sat there for a second rearranging his thoughts, trying to figure out how he wanted to present this newest novel to them, he settled on a good pitch and ran with it.

  “A small country man finds a giant clearing in the woods. Within that clearing he finds a small wrecked aircraft. He approaches it only to discover that it’s unlike any aircraft he's ever seen before. The doors are open and whatever was inside of it has gone.

  He goes back to his house and discovers that his wife passed out on the floor. Before he can react, he feels weird and faints himself. When he comes to, him and his wife aren’t themselves, instead their bodies are now invaded by this weird alien race.”

  “Sounds similar to how Men in Black starts.” Henry told him with a smile.

  “Not quite, the premise here is that several aliens have taken over the bodies of different people around the town. Their goal is to take over the town so they have a sustainable place to live.”

  This time it was Jason that spoke up. “Kind of sounds like the Under the Dome TV show from a few years ago.”

  Tom took a breath, he was getting frustrated. “I suppose it kind of does but let’s be honest, are there any original ideas left? Is there anything out there that hasn’t already been done?”

  “I suppose you have a point young man. It’s all about the spin you put on it. I’m interested and I’ll make sure they are too. Are you on track to finish it up on time?”

  Tom nodded. “Unless something major happens, I think I’ll be all right.”

  Yeah, like your wife leaving you, and everyone around you not caring.

  Tom froze, that wasn’t the voice he’d heard so many times before. It sounded rougher, older. Jason noticed him.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah, just had something hit me.”

  “Let me hear it.” Henry said.

  “No, I don’t want to ruin to much of the book. I’ve got to convert readers out of people somehow.”

  Henry laughed. “That’s a good outlook Mr. Mason.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Well, I’m satisfied with the idea, though is there a way you could send me an entire pitch through email tonight or tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, I think it's doable.” Tom told him.

  "Great, what do you say we get lunch and talk over some of the opportunities?”

  “Sounds good.” Both men said at the same time.

  The conversation turned from him, back into a negotiation. Tom was happy to not be the center of attention anymore and he sunk back into his chair. He paid enough attention to offer responses when it was needed but not much more. They finally got their food, ate, and said their goodbyes.

  Henry left, leaving Jason and Tom sitting at the booth. Jason looked over at him.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  “Huh?”

  “You’ve been off for most of this conversation. What’s going on with you?”

  “Sorry, my brain just isn’t here right now.”

  “I can see that but the question is why?”

  Tom took a breath and broke down. “Jennifer left me, I’m sure I’m losing what little grip on reality I have left, and now, hell, now I’m trying to make deals with a large publishing house, one of my lifelong dreams, and I’m not even as excited about it as I should be.”

  “Hold it together, you’ll make it out just fine. It’s a lot of stress for one person to overcome.”

  “You’re telling me.”

  “Have you tried to call her?”

  Tom shook his head.

  “Then why don’t you do that?”

  “Because this time she had a good reason to leave, if she comes back I want it to be her decision, not because I tried to convince her.”

  “Look, I’m not much of a relationship guy, but I’ll tell you that if you want her, back you will have to try something.”

  Tom looked down. “You may be right”

  “So go home and call her, see how she’s doing. Then you can celebrate the win today.”

  “Yeah.”

  Jason clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s get out of here, you've at least got writing to do.”

  Chapter 22

  Tom woke up to his phone ringing. He reached over and hit the answer button and put it to his ear.

  “Hello.”

  There was silence on the other end of the phone. He was about to hang up, then he heard a cough.

  “Hello, whose there?”

  There was more silence.

  “I hanging up now.”

  “Don’t do that.”

  The voice was familiar but in his half-conscious state he couldn’t place it.

  “Who-"

  “Do you not recognize me?” She said cutting him off.

  Then it hit him. He sat up in bed and looked at his phone.

  “Jennifer, how are you.”

  “I was better until I realized my husband had already forgotten how I sounded.”

  “It’s not that, it's just that you woke me up. I didn’t expect to hear from you. It…” He fumbled for words.

  He heard a sweet familiar laugh on the other end. It warmed him inside in a way he hadn’t felt since she left.

  “It’s good to hear you laugh.” He told her.

  “Look, I’m sorry about how I acted, but you have to realize why I left.”

  “I do and I'm sorry. I was angry the day you left, and I swore I’d never apologize. But the longer I sit here without you, the more I realize that’s both selfish and stupid.”

  “I’m glad you see that. Look, I know it’s a little short notice but would you like to get together and maybe have lunch. Maybe we can figure all of this out.”

  “I’d love nothing more.”

&
nbsp; “I’ll meet you in a half hour at Ricky’s.”

  “Sounds good.”

  ****

  Tom pulled into the parking lot and saw Jennifer’s car there already. He walked inside to find her.

  “Hello Tom,” The hostess started. “I'm glad to see your back.”

  “It’s been a while.”

  “Yeah, Iit has. Am I to assume that you’re here for a lunch with Mrs. Mason?”

  “That would be correct.”

  “She arrived a short time ago, I’ll take you to her table.”

  “Thank you.”

  The hostess led him through the dining area. The familiar hickory smell hit his nose. It was a small that always welcomed him when he’d went there. As they neared the back of the seating area Tom spotted Jennifer sitting in a corner table by herself. He got to the table and took a seat on the opposite side of her.

  “I’ll be back to take your order in just a minute.”

  The waitress left and Tom stared at Jennifer who smiled at him.

  “It’s good to see you.” He said.

  “Yeah, it is. I think this is the longest we’ve been apart for a while.”

  Tom thought about it. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

  “So, what’s the point in wasting time, let’s talk about this situation.”

  Tom stared at the table for a second before looking at her. “Okay.”

  “First, I want to know what’s so special about that book?”

  “Something just came over me, something I can’t explain and I lost it. I know how ridiculous it was, and I’m sorry but I don’t know where that all came from.”

  “Did you go looking for it after I left?”

  “Yes.”

  “I assume you found it.”

  “I did.”

  “Did you find anything else?”

  Tom hesitated, it was almost like she knew something but he knew better than to hide it from her if they wanted to reestablish some kind of normal.

  “Yes.”

  “What did you find?” She asked.

  “I found what I guess is your diary. The one the doctor wanted you to keep.”

  He watched as her expression changed. Tom tried to read her face. It was a look almost of surprise, maybe sadness.

  “Oh, did you read it?”

  “A little.”

  “And?”

  “And I want to know why all of these years you’ve never told me you were afraid of me.”

  “I didn’t think you’d need the diary to figure that out.”

  “But what about me are you afraid of?”

  He stared almost through him.

  “Your anger can be dangerous. Look at the incidents we’ve already had.”

  Tom felt some of that anger rising but kept his tongue. “Even if that is the case, that was years ago. I’ve tried like hell to make up for that and I’m not doing so well.”

  “It’s not that…” She stopped as the waitress walked back up. They ordered, and she went on her way. When she was out of ear shot Jennifer started again. “It’s not that, it’s just that I can’t get over some of those feelings. I’ve tried.”

  Tom stared at his hands for a moment, almost like they were monsters. He tried to find the words he thought might make this situation a little better. “Look, I can’t promise that things won’t be a little strange, or I might even get angry, but if you’ll give us another shot, I’ll try to stay on my best behavior. But, you need to realize that my work is my work and no matter what it is, you can’t freak out and stick your nose in it unless I ask you to.”

  He knew it would all be a hard pill for her to swallow but she smiled. “Okay, we’ll give this a shot. I’ll get my stuff and I’ll be back tonight.”

  Tom felt a weight lift off his chest, it was as if the best part of him had found its way back home.

  Chapter 23

  A few days after their lunch, Tom got out of bed. He glanced over at Jennifer, who was still asleep. He leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek before going to the office to start work for the day. Even with the progress he’d made, the blank page still taunted him. I’m not sure if I can finish on time. He thought.

  He sat there tapping his fingers on the keyboard, rereading the last paragraphs he’d written. The words were there, but they seemed jumbled together. It seemed as if nothing could form complete thoughts. All the words rolled together in an almost endless sentence. It was enough to give him a headache.

  Tom sat staring at the screen. He had already lost the urge to write. Instead, his mind went back to the book. He wanted to read more if for no other reason he wanted to get closer to finishing it. He made his way to the living room, picking the book up along the way, and settled down to read.

  ****

  There's a lot I love about this job: the sound of the pavement, the air and the scenery, most of all I love being alone. It gives you time to sit and do nothing but think. Some people hate that, I, on the other hand, love it.

  I love that now I can wonder back through some of the things I’ve done in life. I can think about the things that made me who I am. Is it odd I’m proud of who I’ve become? Maybe, but I’m okay with that. Also, at this point you’ve read about my actions. I’ve killed people let’s not get it twisted, I’m not a good man. At least, I’m not a good man in the traditional sense.

  I’ve always meant well though. I’ve always wanted to be the guy that people looked up to. That’s one thing anyone realizes as they read this book. Everything started out with me wanting to be a good man, a good father, nothing else. But life gets in the way sometimes and you discover that you have interest that you didn’t know were there. For me, that interest was watching the life flee from the eyes of victims who did not understand it was coming.

  With that said, I suppose I should tell you about the next woman I met. But this part of the story won’t be like the others. That's because the woman who I had the pleasure of meeting that faithful night won’t meet the same fate as the others. Let’s call that foreshadowing. I met this woman outside of another shop. Little did I know she’d be someone who would change the course of my entire life.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi there.” She said.

  “Are you sitting out here alone?”

  “Sort of, I’m trying to find a ride.”

  I smiled knowing the events that could follow. “Where are you heading?”

  “I’m not sure, just kind of going whatever direction someone wants to take me.”

  “I’m not leaving tonight, but tomorrow I’d be happy to give you a lift.”

  She smiled. “Thank you so much.”

  “Thank me when we get to where ever it is you want to go.”

  “I can thank you right now.”

  She slid her hand up my leg. I understood what was happening and pulled her back to my truck. We stripped and did our business. It didn’t take us long, and we laid there in the dark staring at the ceiling.

  She was still breathing heavy a little while later. “Do you do this a lot?”

  “Which part, offer rides? Or have sex with those rides?”

  “Both.”

  She couldn’t see it, but I smiled thinking about the past few people who shared this bed. “It happens more than I’d like to admit, I can tell you that.”

  “Is that the lure of being on the road like you are?”

  I thought about it before. To be honest before that moment I knew things I liked, but I’d never thought about what drew me into the career I was in. I thought about the question for sometime. In those moments I heard her breathe deep and relax and I realized how beautiful a human being can be. It was nice to feel which was something I didn’t do often. When I had the words arranged the way I wanted them I tried to explain.

  “To be honest, it’s a strange job. I mean, you’re on the road, alone, and never in one place for longer then a day. You’re a modern day drifter, the only bright side is that you get paid for it. It's pretty nice if
you ask me. As far as what drew me in, I guess it’s that loner aspect I enjoy. The money isn’t bad either. Though nights like this remind me why I love the human connection.”

  “That’s deep.”

  “What? You didn’t expect a trucker to give you that kind of answer?”

  “It's not that,” She hesitated. “But, I didn’t know what to expect so anything would have surprised me.”

  “So, be honest, do you not know where you’re going?”

  I felt her shrug. “No, it was kind of wherever I could get a lift to. I don’t have an end place in mind. I’ve been running for a while.”

  “Running from what?”

  “Life I suppose.”

  “Life seems to slip away before you know it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I thought about it. “I mean, I’ve seen life go by, it’s a weird, strange thing to have happen.”

  “Then what?”

  “Well, then I suppose you die. At least that’s the way I understand it all.”

  She laid there, and I laid next to her in silence for a while.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Valerie, Valerie Mason.”

  “Valerie, life is an interesting ball game. You’ll need to see how things go. How things unfold but you make the most out of those situations and it’s what makes us the people we become.”

  “What if I don’t want to leave?”

  “Leave where?”

  “What if I don’t want you to drop me off somewhere and I want to keep riding with you?”

  “I appreciate the offer but that’s not something I can do.”

  “Why?”

  I struggled with the best way to tell her. “Because, I have a family. I’m a married man. Before you get mad, I understand I should have told you and I’m sorry.”

  There was a very long pause as I waited to see what her response would be.

  “You know I’m not angry at you. Not at all, in fact it’s quite the opposite. As you said life is what you make it. You have to make sacrifices and do things you may not be proud of. I don’t know your life but if you’d be willing to let me go on the road with you, it’s something I’d learn about.”