by SK Thomas
“I thought this would be easy. We’d come in, figure this shit out and make some easy money!”
“So now you’re frustrated and taking it out on me. Are you out of your mind?! I don’t care if he’s being accused or not, it was never going to be easy.”
“We just need to find the truth, Melissa. That’s all.”
“What truth? I got a news flash for you, how about no one cares about the truth. They only want little drizzles of it drenched in lies and rumors. People aren’t looking for an adventure like the one we had with Max, they want to live vicariously through us. By the way, his house is clean so maybe he’s not who you think he is. I couldn’t find a damn thing.”
“What do you mean you’re in love with her?” Joseph quipped.
“Just what I said, I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“She just ransacked your house, you don’t find that odd?” Joseph asked.
“I know why they’re here. I understand.”
“This is yet another scandal waiting to happen. My God, what are you thinking?” Joseph asked.
“You know what? I think we’re out here living in the middle of nowhere and people are tired and exhausted. I think if there’s no scandal then people will make one up. They need something to keep them from going insane, to entertain them as long as it’s not at their expense. They need someone to fall from grace and who better than a man of God, I mean as long as it’s happening they might as well tear down the person they think has a direct connection while they watch to see if God himself will save me.”
“Fuck, well there’s your sermon for next Sunday.” Joseph admitted while storming out.
Later that night Melissa informed, “Jack, I can’t do this anymore. You’re on your own, I’m done. You bring me out here, leave me in the dark and dangle me in front of this man. I’ve been through this before with John and I refuse to do it again.”
“Melissa, c’mon this is what we agreed to. We’re doing this together.”
“I can’t, not again, it’s too much. I’ll be around, but you’re on your own.” I slammed the door while stepping out into the cool night air when it seemed as if my life shifted right before my eyes. A little growth just took place whether I wanted it to or not, it happened and maybe for the first time I felt a little empowered. I wondered through the darkness not knowing where I was headed and didn’t care.
Father Clayton spotted Melissa marching down the street and followed in plain street clothes until she stopped. In the twilight and into the night, it’s a blessing to be able to walk these streets in everyday clothes when others busy themselves with their families, a time when nobody really paid attention he could stroll around and think without interruption.
Joseph had been driving around when he noticed Father Clayton down the block walking. He was very aware he might be meeting Melissa, so Joseph parked his truck and chose to follow on foot. He acknowledged Father Clayton wasn’t in his right mind blinded by whatever Melissa has dangled in front of his face. Joseph felt compelled to serve as the voice of reason while trying to stop him from anything regretful or utterly stupid. If Father Clayton ever crossed the line, she could use it against him in so many ways.
I arrived at a park and took a seat on a swing gazing at the clear night sky. Glancing up, I noticed the abundance of stars overhead. In Tupelo, my childhood was filled with days of swinging at the park and sliding down tall slides. I remember how happy it made me spending time with my friends thinking it would never change. Those were the days when I actually liked small town living and had treasured those memories. I trusted to see a star shoot across the sky leaving a fiery trail in its wake but that didn’t take place. For once, I embraced the silence of this town fixing my view to the houses surrounding the area as I could see their lights shining bright inside. I could imagine people making dinner, doing homework, tending to the regular household chores. They didn’t know how lucky they were to have a quiet, comfortable life and enjoy average days followed by equally average nights. I wished for such simplicity but that wish has not come to fruition yet in any form of my existence.
Father Clayton knew to keep his distance as he watched her gaze at the stars wondering what she could be thinking and pondered what it would be like to invade her space in this cool night air. He craved to have his way with her imagining hair smelling sweet, caressing soft skin and kissing her wet, supple lips. Envisioning himself being just a man, not a saint on an almighty pedestal that people put him on as this is his cross to bear.
Jack lay on his bed defeated. He refused to admit it, but he really did miss his best friend. There always seemed to be too much to do, so he never really took time to mourn. His thoughts switched to Melissa and even though she finally stood up for herself, he is left more alone than ever. The silence deafening, he still wanted a normal life that always seemed to escape him one way or another, “What is normal?” He didn’t even have a clue how to answer that question. He wasn’t interested in a wife, kids and white picket fence but since being thrown from one case to another as a detective, he decided it’s not any better than working undercover. He recalled notions he had like staying in one place for more than a month, repeat customers and going home every night. He could visit his favorite spots and enjoy simple pleasures. “Is it even possible? I’ve never known such things. Other people make it seem so easy.” Yet for him, chaos has no days off.
Chapter 8 – Moving On Alone
The next morning I reminded myself I was officially off the hook which brought a smile to my face. Away from all the problems I left in Barrington, no longer working a case and free to do whatever I wanted. For now, I would take pleasure in being able to breathe and take some time to reevaluate things. Up to this point, it’s been messy from the very beginning and the more I tried to incorporate damage control the faster things spun out. Exhaling, I came to understand I had no idea where to go from here.
After jumping in the shower and getting dressed, I headed down the stairs where I ran into Jack.
“Hey Melis….” He uttered but I was quick to cut him off.
“Not now Jack.”
“But just listen….”
“Leave me alone, I need time. At least give me that, huh?” I rattled off as I kept bouncing down the stairs.
“God damn it!” he cursed in frustration.
I headed straight to the front office and searched for Luann.
“Hi, muffins are by the front door again next to the coffee.” She said while checking someone in.
“Thanks, but I’m not here for muffins, can we talk?”
She looked at me as if she was still offended from the other day, “Sure?”
“The situation has changed and I’m no longer partnered with Jack. I’m standing here with no money but still want to stay here. Is there anything I can do?”
“Don’t worry…he figured the least he could do is still pay for your room. He really does care about you.”
“Is there anything I can do around here for some extra spending cash?”
“See Jack, he said something about still owing you for the work you’ve done thus far.”
“Is there something going on between the two of you? You seem to know an awful lot.”
“Just friends, there’s no scandal here.” Luann insisted with a smirk on her face.
I leapt back up the stairs cussing the whole way, it sucked to have to beg Jack for money now. Barging into his room abruptly I decided to demand it, “Ok, I had a conversation with Luann, money please.”
“Oh, I’m supposed to leave you alone.” He said as his smartass tone was easy to detect.
“Jack, don’t make this any harder than it already is. Please, just give me the money so we can move on. We desperately need our space from one another.”
“Fine, you stubborn little shit.” He said as he handed over what he owed.
“Thank you, don’t take things so personally.” I had nothing to lose and even with my newfound freedom my life rem
ained in shambles and ripped apart. No matter how much I tried to ignore it, I still couldn’t deny it. I had to be honest with myself and that honesty carries truth like no other, I have nothing. The only strategy that sounded feasible was to give up, but how does someone go about something like that? Lie down, refuse to eat, deny friends? “I guess there’s several, if not millions of ways to self-destruct.” I thought as I locked my eyes onto the bar that I hate so much.
“Tony you bastard, get me a beer and a shot of your best vodka!” I merrily shouted while finding a nice worn down seat at the bar.
He glanced at me with a strange expression, “You sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. Line them up; it’s going to be a long night. We’re celebrating while I drink someone under the table!”
“Celebrating what?”
“Well, let’s see now, one of two things. It’s either for giving up on life or because my life is a train wreck. I’ll let you decide.”
“Oh shit.” He mumbled under his breath while rolling his eyes.
“Oh shit is right. Try my life on for size, then you can cuss.”
“C’mon, you have nothing on me.”
“Forget it, doesn’t matter. Just give me my drinks.”
He slid that first beer down the bar as I stopped it with my hand and actually had a moment of hesitation checking out the other guys sitting nearby. I couldn’t stop now as I seriously needed this, even if just for a couple of hours.
“Tony, don’t slide the shots huh?”
“Sure, no sliding anymore. Go ahead and prove yourself, what are you waiting for?”
With those words I drew the glass of beer up to my mouth and tipped it back gulping as fast as I could.
“Hey ho!” They all shouted as I downed it in mere seconds. The shot came next, “Hey ho!” I heard again as they cheered me on.
“Again Tony, I said keep them coming.” I ordered.
Tony shook his head not believing what he just saw, but ponied up another round. I wallowed in my sorrows unable to see past the negativity that engulfed me in its clinches. After several hours of blowing off steam, annoying him and all the other patrons in the establishment, he had had enough of me.
“Hey, it’s Tony. Your girl is down here and she needs to leave. Come get her as soon as possible.” He insisted talking on the bar phone.
“I can’t, she wants her space and I am not about to get involved. Sorry man.”
“No, you don’t understand, she’s in a stupor about ready to pass out. You need to help her.”
“Find someone else. She’s not my problem right now.” Jack insisted.
“Who the fuck else is going to take responsibility for her? C’mon Jack!”
“I got to go, again I’m sorry.” Jack said as he hung up.
Tony felt like a deer in headlights and being only 5pm he refused to let her kill his business all night. He didn’t want to babysit. One of his regulars got up to leave when he felt compelled, “Hey, take her home on your way.”
“No, I don’t know where she’s from.” He said with his beard swaying as he turned.
“Look, she stays at the motel. Drop her off in the front office and Luann will take care of it.”
“Nope, my kids are grown.”
Tony turned to say something when he caught a glimpse of an overbearing shadowy figure and knew immediately who waited out there due to his rather large stature. He came searching for Melissa since she had missed yet another session.
“Father Clayton, can you take her back to her room? I can’t be responsible for her all night. I have a business to run.” Tony explained.
“What happened here? Why did you let this get out of control?”
“I don’t know, she’s determined and then one thing lead to another.”
“Listen Tony, if this happens again I’m going to shut this place down. You know I have the authority.” Father Clayton then noticed Melissa slur her words incoherently wishing he could’ve stopped this before it had gotten this far. Wiping his brow, he established it was going to be a long walk as he picked her up and got her out of there.
Upon entering his place, he propped her up on the couch and she immediately slouched over. “Not even well enough to stay sitting upright on her own”, Father Clayton mumbled and once more bared her weight as he finally got her back to his bed. She lay sprawled out so helpless and unaware. He took in her full body that had intoxicated him from day one in his moment of weakness, she lay right there in front of him everything he has desired and thirst for.
“Melissa?” he whispered and hesitated unsure if he would act to fulfill his needs.
“Melissa?” he stated in full voice as he tried to rouse her from her stupor. She laid still, not a muscle moved. He hastily closed the shades just enough leaving light creep into the room for a dim cast. Gradually, he began to unbutton his shirt giving her every chance to wake up before stripping it off and throwing it on the chair next to the window by the bed. He crawled on top relaxing his body onto hers breathing in her scent. Her hair smelled as he had imagined with a silky softness and her skin smooth. Her lips fresh and moist as he ran his finger tip over them while licking his own wanting a taste even with all the alcohol she had ingested, but knew it not the right time. Breaking the barrier, he reached under her shirt caressing skin to find her nipples hardened. “Odd,” he admitted to himself. “Melissa darling…” he said making one more effort to arouse her, but still no reaction. Straddling her now, he unbuckled his pants and went ahead to remove her clothing as best he could repositioning her legs. He leaned over to feel around and found she had a full bush, not a Brazilian which is the fad these days and he approved. The fun is just beginning as he entered her almost not able to contain himself sliding it in with ease. At first, he took his time treating her delicately like the prize he so admired when he couldn’t hold back any longer unleashing his lust and slamming himself hard against her becoming a greedy beast. His eyes locked onto her beautiful face making sure she was not awakening. “No, there’s no chance, she is out cold.” Sweat dripped from his body as his needs raged on. He could feel a rush pulsating down through his pipes as an explosion of fluid discharged, flooding the allotted space and giving him immense gratification. A grunt released as he threw himself off her and onto his back catching his breath. The darkness reigned supreme once again, it could not be controlled.
Chapter 9 – Looking For a Home
Impolitely awakened from a bad dream, I found myself questioning where I was. The room spun as I caught a glimpse here and there, my head hurt as I winced in pain. I tried again slower this time to recognize I found myself again in Father Clayton’s bed. Panic struck not being able to remember the night before, wondering what I had done as I tried to recollect the events to no avail. A shockwave tore through me as I noticed my clothes on a neighboring chair. I lay there trying to calm down as I jogged my memory with nothing new coming to mind.
“Father Clayton?” Calling out as I gradually sat up covering myself with bed sheets. After waiting a significant amount of time I called out again, “Colin?” Just when I’d almost given up he entered showered and clean shaven with coffee in hand.
“Brought you a little helper, figure you needed it. A mocha latte with a shot of espresso, I know how you protest regular black coffee.”
“Thank you so much, that’s very thoughtful. You look handsome this morning.” I offered.
“Business as usual, it never ceases.”
“Colin? Is there a reason my clothes are over there?” I asked innocently hoping if we had a moment of passion I hadn’t forgotten.
“Once you passed out and later vomited, I was forced to wash your clothes. Letting you sleep in that condition would’ve been unbearable, not to mention the stench.”
“I’m so embarrassed…”
“No, please don’t be.”
“Do you have any idea what happened before I came here?”
“You don’t remember any of it?”
“Does Tony’s ring a bell?”
I took my time trying to recall the events but nothing came to mind. I shook my head when Colin proceeded to fill me in.
“Tony called Jack, but out of respect for your wishes he refused to help. You forgot our appointment, so I figured there were only so many places you could be. It didn’t take long to track you down and once I saw the state you were in, I brought you back here.”
“Again, I’m embarrassed to be such a problem.”
“Nonsense, it’s the least I could do. But I have to ask, what were you doing there last night?”
“You name it. Drowning my sorrows, trying to figure my life out or maybe to deaden the pain, I guess.”
“Next time, come see me first. You could save yourself a lot of heartache and even better a headache.”
“I don’t want to be a bother knowing how busy you are.”
“Nonsense, we agreed to this arrangement together.”
“Well, I better get dressed so you can get on your way.”
“Take your time. Look in the fridge to fill your stomach or grab a shower. I’ll return so we can talk later.”
“Ok.” I said with a smile.
He left his room and then exited the house when I heard the back door bang shut. I sipped on my latte while taxing my brain to bring back even a small piece of my memory that had evaded me before deciding I needed to get on with it. I grabbed my clothes when parts of my body ached with movement, “That’s strange.” But then I thought, “Who knows, I might of fell off the barstool, weirder things have happened when drinking too much. I could be sore from all the alcohol consumption.” I felt gross, dirty and in extreme need of a shower. There was no bother dressing as I made my way directly into a steaming hot water flow rushing over my body to feel human again. Next, I applied toothpaste to my finger opting to get the stink off my breath as best I could under the circumstances and then on to the kitchen for a bite to eat. “How lucky was I to have a man like Colin in my life?” I asked myself while eating our food we had prepared together days before.