by C. L. Brees
“You want me to go get it Alex?”
“Sure thing, besides you’re already standing up.”
Amy walked hurriedly from the living room into the kitchen to grab the cordless phone off the cradle. Making it to the phone just in time before the answering machine kicked on, she lifted it to her ear.
“Hello, Jones residence.”
“Amy? Hey, it’s me Heather.”
“Heather, what’s going on? You sound like you’ve been crying. Is everything alright?”
“I have horrible news to share with you guys. And when I say horrible, I mean like the worst thing that could ever happen to someone.”
“Hold on, horrible news…let me get Alex for you. This sounds like something for him to handle,” she replied as she walked across the hardwood floors back towards the living room. “Alex, please talk to Heather, something’s not right.”
She handed the phone to Alex as he sat up straight on the loveseat. She quickly returned to her seat on the couch next to John. By now, they were all engrossed in what was going on.
“Heather, its Alex. What’s going on?”
“It’s Kelli; they found her this morning at Centennial Park. I don’t know what we’re going to do, Alex. My mom’s an emotional mess and won’t come downstairs from her room. My father isn’t even back yet from Phoenix, and I’m not sure how he’s going to react once he finds out.”
“Ok, just take a deep breath for me, Heather. Are you breathing? How are you absolutely sure that it was Kelli?”
“My mom and I just returned from the medical examiner’s office downtown. I had to identify the body because my mom was a complete basket case.”
“Oh Lord, do you need anything from us? Do you need us to come over there?” he compassionately asked.
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea right now. I’m going to stay here with my mom in case she needs me. Plus, I’m still waiting on my dad to get home. I don’t think he has even landed yet. I just called to let you know the news before it is leaked by the media and to let you know that we wouldn’t be making it to dinner tonight.”
“There’s no need for explanations. I totally understand, given the circumstances. Wow, I can’t believe that all of this is happening, and all in the span of a few hours. Will you please call me if you or your parents need anything? You can call my cell day or night, alright?”
“Thanks Alex. I think I might go lie down for a little while. I’ll be in touch with you guys as soon as we are able to make the funeral arrangements.”
“Absolutely! Just remember if you need anything, and I do mean anything, please don’t hesitate to call any of us, alright?”
“Ok, thanks again Alex. See you in a few days. Bye for now.”
He placed the phone on his lap and looked over at John and Amy who were sitting patiently on the edge of the couch in suspense. He had to think as fast as he could about exactly how he was going to break the devastating news to them.
What’s the best way to do this? I guess the only way I know how to do it; be blunt and honest.
“So I do have some pretty shocking news to share with you both. The fifteen-year-old they found this morning at Centennial Park was Kelli, Heather’s younger sister. Right after she left us she had to go with her mother to identify her body.”
John and Amy’s expressions changed from concern to shock in the blink of an eye. They both turned and looked at each other dumbfounded. After the initial shock wore off, they turned their attention back to Alex who was sitting there in disbelief himself.
“What? Alex stop joking about a thing like this,” Amy scolded him.
“I’m being serious with you both. Why would I joke about someone dying? I know I’m a jokester, but not when it comes to serious things like this,” Alex barked as Amy slid back into the couch.
“So it was Kelli that they were speaking about on the news just now,” John uttered as the reality finally set in.
“It was. We are going to have to be there for Heather and her family right now. If she needs anything, you just be there for her,” Alex instructed them.
“You can count on us Alex,” Amy said as she leaned forward.
“I don’t know either of them well enough to be good at providing emotional support. I just won’t answer if she calls me. Knowing me I’ll end up making things worse for her,” John disclosed as both Amy and Alex looked at him with their jaws dropped in disappointment.
It was true; John wasn’t very good with bad news, and quite frankly, if he did speak with Heather it stood to reason that he could possibly make things worse for her. Alex thought to himself and realized he couldn’t blame John for his nonchalant attitude towards the situation. It was just sad to see that the news of a friend’s sister being murdered wasn’t bothering him. John had never experienced the death of anyone he knew before. All of his grandparents and most of his great-grandparents were still with him. Alex turned away biting his tongue before he had an outburst. He glanced over at Amy momentarily. She seemed quite upset by the news at first but was soon glancing back at the television. Alex was extremely disappointed in the way they were expressing their emotions, but what could he do? There was nothing he was going to say or do that was going to garner their emotional interest in the situation at hand, but he went ahead and opened his blunt mouth anyway.
“You know I have to say this, because if I don’t I’ll go to bed pissed off tonight. I am so disappointed in the way you two are disregarding the death of Heather’s sister. I really thought you guys would be more compassionate about this. Instead, you both are acting like this news doesn’t bother you.”
“It’s your right to be disappointed with us Alex. Just being honest here myself, but I didn’t know her at all. I’ve never even met the girl which begs the question why would I be upset about her murder?” Amy conveyed.
“Good point, Amy. I second that. You’ve met her, Alex, so it’s understandable that you would be disturbed by the news. Neither of us have even seen her in person. And if we have seen her at school, we had no idea who she even was. I mean, did she ever leave the house besides to go to school? Now, if you ask us if we feel bad for Heather, then the answer is hell yeah we do. Just don’t sit there all high and mighty and dictate to either of us how we should be acting, because it’s not going to change no matter what,” John angrily said as he looked at Amy for support.
“Well, however you feel about it, I’m more than entitled to express my discerning disappointment with you. All I am going to say finally on this matter is that we all need to be there for Heather. If she calls you, you two uncompassionate souls can at the very least listen or help her if she needs it. I am done with my rant now,” Alex ordered as he locked eyes with both of them simultaneously.
“Ugh, fine Alex. I’ll listen to any of her concerns and help if I can. We’re not heartless, you know.”
“As I recall, I called you uncompassionate souls; I never said you were heartless. So now that I’m done with lecturing about this, can we please move on from the subject?” Alex asked as the faint sound of the garage door opening echoed in the distance. “Sounds like my mom made it home safely.”
Alex stood to his feet and bolted towards the kitchen to greet his mother. Carol Jones was a busy woman. As a neurosurgeon at a major hospital in Denver, she spent very little time at home. Over the years, Alex had become accustomed to her absence, but any time she could spend at home with him made him feel whole again.
Times had been very touch and go for Alex ever since his father’s murder ten years earlier. Alex knew his mother was overworking as an escape from dealing with the reality of losing her husband, but at the same time he also enjoyed the freedom that his mother gave him by letting him run the house. Just as he entered the kitchen, the door swung open. He ran to his mother and gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek.
“Hey mom, how was the rest of your day?” Alex inquired as he released his grip around her.
“Wow, what has gotten in
to you lately Alex? You literally just saw me five hours ago.”
“Nothing—can’t I just be glad to see my mother?”
“I suppose it just makes me think you either want something or that you are up to something that you shouldn’t be.”
“Well I don’t want anything and I’m not up to anything devious this time. However, I do have some tragic news that I have to share. I think you better come and have a seat,” he said as John and Amy joined them in the kitchen.
“Alright, I can’t imagine there is more tragic news than you guys witnessing someone being murdered this morning. You’re right, perhaps I should sit down before you tell me this,” she announced as she sat down on a barstool.
Swallowing hard he looked at his mother, “How do I even begin this story? Well, for starters, it’s about Heather.”
“What about her? She isn’t in trouble or dead is she?”
“Well she isn’t dead…but her sister Kelli is. The police found her at Centennial Park this morning.”
“Alex Alan Jones, if you are messing with me, I swear…” Carol said as she was interrupted by Amy.
“It’s true, Ms. J, Heather called us right after we saw it on the four o’clock news.”
“Damn, I better call Wendy to check on her. Are you guys alright?”
“We’re holding up,” Alex declared, speaking for the group. Noticing her wobbling towards the telephone he asked, “Are you alright?”
“I’m alright Alex. I’m just a little shocked is all,” Carol said as she continued walking towards the phone.
“I don’t think calling would be a good idea. Heather said she hadn’t left her room since they returned from the police station earlier.”
“I’ll just go down and check on her tomorrow then.”
Abruptly, a screeching ringing sound came from Alex’s front pocket. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He glanced down at the display and shook his head from side to side in disbelief.
“Alex, who is it?”
“I’ll give you two guesses as to who it is.”
“I wonder what in the hell he wants? Maybe he is just checking on you to make sure you’re alright?”
Carol interjected into the conversation, “Amy, we all know what he wants. That’s up to Alex though to make that decision.”
“Well, are you going to answer it?” Amy inquired curiously.
Slamming the phone on the counter he looked at Amy, “Hell no, I’m not! I don’t have anything to say to him. He’s such a lying, cheating bastard. How dare he call out of the blue and try to care about my well-being.”
Amy stood there staring at his cell phone, convinced that he would leave a voicemail. However, she stared at the phone for two minutes, but the voicemail never came.
She thought aloud to herself as she proceeded to join everyone in the living room, “Yup, seems about right considering we’re talking about Mike here.”
She continued to stand there looking at the phone as she quickly flashed back to the events that led to their break-up. It was three weeks earlier on a misty and foggy Monday night in downtown Ridgewood Hills. The night remained fresh in her mind. And it is because of what happened that night that Alex and Mike hadn’t spoken in three weeks.
Mike had made plans with Alex to see a movie and have a romantic dinner at their favorite restaurant that evening. It was all Alex could talk about that day; he had been constantly texting Amy about how excited he was. Alex had raced home after school to get ready, but Mike suddenly called him and canceled their plans. His excuse was that he had to stay late and follow-up on some reports that needed revision. Alex knew that dating a police officer was full of late nights; he had understood this from the beginning.
Alex was the type of person who wasn’t deterred from having a life, so he called Amy and asked if she would go out with him instead. They decided to just do dinner at Casa Grille, choosing to skip the movie. The restaurant was the original place where Alex and Mike should have been. Once they arrived at the restaurant, Alex asked for a seat near the window. He always appreciated people-watching while he dined, and downtown was the best place to do just that—the casual shoppers darting in and out of local shops, the couples holding hands as they strolled along the main street. They sat at the table discussing the upcoming prom. Alex had decided to take Amy with him that year. He wasn’t about to cause an uproar by inviting Mike as his date. While the Denver area was fairly liberal, the suburbs hadn’t quite caught up with social change. Their conversation was put on hold while they ordered their food. The waiter quickly took their order and hastily rushed off to put it in. The two continued their conversation, laughing and smiling. Just as he finished his sentence, Alex gazed back out the window. And there it was, a familiar face standing on the corner in jeans and a parka talking to someone whom Alex did not know.
He turned to Amy, “Look outside, is that Mike standing down there on the corner?”
“Uh, it sure is him. But who’s the guy he’s with?”
“I’m not sure, I’ve never seen him before in my life. Do you think I should go find out what’s going on?”
“I know you, Alex. I know you’re going to make a scene right here in the middle of downtown. Do you really think that it’s a good idea?”
“I won’t make a scene, but I’m also not going to sit here and let my boyfriend lie about having to work late and then not be. I’ll be right back,” he said as he folded his napkin and placed in neatly on the table.
“Don’t say or do anything you can’t take back later.”
He was never one to wait until the moment was just right to say things; he just went ahead and said and did what he had to do, regardless of the situation. He strutted out the front door, flinging it open. His demeanor was straight-faced and distraught at the same time.
***
Standing on the corner, Mike saw Alex as he bolted out of the restaurant and marched down the wide, tree-lined sidewalk along Sixth Street. It became apparent quickly that he had been caught, and he thought, I had better come up with a good excuse and fast. He quickly rushed the unknown man away and prepared himself to receive an earful. The closer Alex got to him, the more he could see the angry expression upon Alex’s face. It was not a look of happiness to see him.
Once Alex was within hearing distance, Mike exclaimed, “I didn’t expect you to be out tonight.”
“So this is what revising reports looks like, huh? This looks more like you’re on a secret date with someone other than me,” Alex lashed out as he folded his arms and grimaced his face, waiting for Mike to open his mouth.
“It’s nothing like that, Alex. Something came up while I was doing the reports, so I came out to meet this informant. Why would you think I’m out on a date? I’m head over heels in love with you…and only you.”
Rolling his eyes, Alex looked at Mike. “What came up that was more important than being out with me? And who is that guy I saw you with?”
“It’s official business. He’s an informant and I can’t really tell you much more than that. It’s all confidential, and I think I may have already shared more than I should with you.”
“Yeah, I bet it is official business. Look, I’m going back to the restaurant now; Amy’s sitting there waiting on me. You and I have nothing more to say to each other since you can’t be honest with the one person who has given you everything. I’m really disappointed in you, Mike. I think we need to take a break for a while. I can’t be with someone I can’t trust,” Alex exclaimed as he turned around and marched back angrily towards the restaurant.
Mike yelled as he stomped away, “Alex, wait. You have to believe me.”
***
Amy came back to reality from her flashback. She looked one last time at the cell phone still sitting on the counter and walked away. She walked back into the living room and found John sitting in the same place he had been all afternoon, but now Alex was sitting in an armchair near the window, gazing outside at the bl
ue sky. She walked towards Alex and placed her hand upon his shoulder.
“Is everything ok Alex?”
“Oh, yeah, I’m doing good. I’m just thinking back to that night when I broke it off with Mike.”
“Honestly, I was just doing the same thing. Are you thinking about what he did to you or are you thinking that maybe you made a mistake and he really was on official business?”
Alex shook his head, “I don’t know, Amy. We’ve been together for almost two years now and he’s never lied to me about anything before. What if I did totally lose my mind that night?”
“You won’t know until you talk to him. You’re a fireball, you know that? You fly off the handle before you have the whole truth. I truly believe he loves you and would never do anything to jeopardize your relationship.
“I should at least call him now that I have a level head about the whole situation.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” she said as Alex began walking towards the kitchen to retrieve his cell phone.
Looking up from his book, John asked, “What’s going on?”
“Alex is going to call Mike. He thinks that maybe he made a mistake, and he wants to find out the truth from him.”
“It’s about time. It’s probably the best thing he can do right now,” John said, “He hasn’t been himself for the past three weeks. He’s definitely been a bigger asshole than usual.
Nodding her head in agreement Amy said, “I know. I guess that is what love can do to you. I hope to someday have that feeling myself.”
Alex peeked around the corner of the living room, “Amy, do you mind helping my mom in the kitchen? I’m starving and I want to make this phone call really quick.”
“Of course, go upstairs and make your phone call.”