My Real

by Mallory Grant

  “I just made a few calls while Ella and I were eating lunch,” I explain.

  “How is Ella handling all of this? Is she going to forgive us for not doing an elaborate wedding?” Andrew asks as he goes for a third piece of pizza.

  “She got over it fast. I told her she can pick out any dress in any color she wants and that she can pick out what Jake will be wearing. We are going tomorrow during lunch to find shoes and ties.”

  Andrew puts his pizza down on the table, moves next to me on the floor, and whispers in my ear.

  “What will you be wearing?” he asks.

  “I was thinking a white string bikini would go well with the beach theme,” I joke.

  “Done. I’ll even pick it out for you!” he exclaims.

  “Not a chance you horn toad. You don’t get to know what I’m wearing until I walk down the aisle.”

  “I can’t wait.” He kisses my nose.

  Andrew helps me clean up the mess from dinner. After the kitchen is clean we finishes packing kitchen things away.

  “No, you need to go home and get some sleep. No going in early tomorrow. It’ll all get done,” I say as I push him out of the kitchen.

  “Alright, but I’m staying late tomorrow.”

  “Deal.” I walk him out to his car. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I stretch up on my tippy toes to give him a quick peck on the cheek.

  “I’m going to require more of a good bye than that.” He brings his hands up, tangles them in my hair, and brings me in for a sweet kiss. I break away first because this is about to get very X-rated. The man needs his sleep. Stepping back, I wiggle my fingers as I walk backwards up the sidewalk. I watch my very fine future husband bend into his car and drive off.

  I feel like I’ve been packing boxes for weeks when in reality, I’ve gotten my whole house packing in just four days. I’ve been going through all of my things and throwing out all the memories from my life with Dave. I’ve taken three truckloads of things to Goodwill and filled a small dumpster. Andrew has been here all week at night after work helping, and I keep packing after he leaves just so I can get it all done.

  One good thing about Jake moving in here is that I don’t have to worry about any of the furniture. The apartment he rented after leaving his wife came fully furnished, so he let his wife have everything. Now, Jake has nothing.

  The last boxes I have to pack tonight is all of my books. I have an obscene amount of books. I know that I should get rid of most of them, because I’ve read them all. I just can’t part with them. I read most books on my Kindle now, so the only ones I buy now are ones that are signed by the author. It’s still a massive amount of books and I’ll be here for a good portion of the night.

  I’m only a few boxes in when I pick up a full box to move by the door when I twist funny. A pain shoots through my abdomen that brings me to my knees. Oh no, you’ve got to be kidding me. I bend down and breathe deep trying to hold in the emotions. I make a mental note to call my doctor tomorrow. This can’t be a good thing. I send up a quick prayer that it’s not what I think it is. I remember I also need to call the minister we picked, and I have to call the florist to make sure the flowers get delivered to the right place. I’ve got too much to do and not enough time to do it in. Maybe the call to the doctor can wait.

  I pull up to Bailey’s house and see that there is another load of boxes on her front lawn ready to come to my house tonight. She’s been busy. I walk in and see she is laying on the couch with a pillow over her head and a heating pad on her stomach.

  “Are you okay?” I kneel down next to her on the floor.

  “Yeah. I think I just over did it today. I already took something for my headache. It’s just starting to work now,” Bailey responds.

  “What’s the heating pad for?” Andrew asks worried.

  “I think I pulled a muscle or something. I’ll be fine. Dinner’s almost ready, and Emerson is up in the bedroom coloring and listening to music.”

  “I’m going to go say ‘hello’ to her and then I’ll finish dinner. You just relax,” he orders.

  I walk into Emerson’s room and hear a nursery rhyme CD that Bailey bought for her playing.

  “Hey baby girl,” I say as she runs up to give me a kiss hello. “You feel like helping me with dinner? Bailey’s not feeling too good.”

  “She’s had a booboo all day Daddy,” Emerson relays.

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  “Every time she picks something up, she makes a sound like she’s hurting.” I take her hand as we walk down the hall.

  “Maybe we should find what’s hurting her and cut it off. It can’t hurt her anymore,” I joke.

  Emerson giggles as we walk downstairs. We make our way into the kitchen, and I start singing Pearl Jam to Emerson. I notice Bailey wince as she stands up.

  “Are you sure you’re okay.” I rush over to help her stand.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. But you on the other hand, are not going to be when her Kindergarden teacher wants to know why she can sing Pearl Jam songs and not “Mary had a Little Lamb,” she says.

  “Because Pearl Jam is awesome, “Emerson chimes in.

  Bailey raises her eyebrows and gestures to Emerson.

  “That’s my girl,” I say as I lift Emerson up over my shoulder.

  Emerson and I finish dinner while Bailey does what she is instructed, sitting on the couch and relaxing.

  Emerson brings in a tray with the salt and pepper, napkins, and the catsup for the french fries while I follow behind with a tray of our plates and drinks.

  “Dinner is served madam,” Emerson says with a giggle.

  “Why thank you. The service is excellent here. I’ll have to be sure to tip the waitress well,” Bailey jokes.

  “Daddy, guess what I bought today?” Emerson asks as she sits down on the floor in front of the coffee table.

  “A car?” I ask.

  “No!” Emerson giggles again.

  “A pony?” I wonder.

  “Daddy!”

  “Oh wait, I know, a rocket ship,” I joke.

  “Daddy, you’re silly. I bought my flower girl dress.”

  I gasp in surprise. “You did?” Emerson nods, proud of her purchase. “I can’t wait to see it. Will you try it on after dinner for me?” I ask.

  “Nope. You can’t see it until we marry Mommy,” Emerson says.

  I look over at Bailey. Emerson has only called her Mommy a few times, but every time she does, Bailey gets a huge smile on her face. The way that Emerson so easily accepted Bailey was beyond comprehension.

  “So, tomorrow night is my boys’ night with Uncle Jake and Emerson is spending the night with grandma. What are you going to be doing Mommy?” I asked knowing she is going to need to hear that title many more times until she realizes it’s true.

  “I think I’m going to relax all day tomorrow. I only have a tiny bit of packing left to do and then Saturday we move all the rest of the stuff so I think I need to rest up.

  “That is an excellent idea,” I say. I’m going to try my damnedest to make sure she doesn’t do much moving on Saturday either. She’s been doing too much lately. It’s started to wear on her.

  “Yo baby. What’s up?” Ella says answering her phone.

  “Ella, are you going to be around tomorrow to help move my stuff into Andrew’s house?” I ask.

  “You have reached Ella’s answering machine. She is not home right now and not available to move anyone anywhere. Please don’t bother leaving a message because there is no way in Hell I’m calling you back. Beeep.” Ella replaces robotically.

  “Funny girl. I’ll put you on unpacking duty. You won’t have to lift any heavy boxes,” I offer.

  “Bailey, I hate moving. Anything else I would love to help you with, and we have in-service all next week. This is my last weekend of freedom,” Ella whines.

  “Jake will be there,” I coax.

  “I’m on my way over to help you pack now,” Ella states.

  I laugh, b
ecause I knew that would be the fastest way to get her to help. I should have lead with that. Something is definitely going on with those two.

  “You don’t have to come over now. I’m almost done packing my house up. I just need bodies tomorrow. I want to get it done with as soon as possible. I don’t want to be unpacking stuff once we are back at school,” I lament.

  “Of course I’ll help. I just have a few things to do in the morning and I’ll be yours for the rest of the day,” she says.

  “Perfect. Listen, someone’s at the door. I’ll text you the details tonight when I know a more definite time. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I open the door to find a tiny bouquet of roses sitting on the steps. I open the card attached.

  Baby, I have a surprise for you. Come over as soon as you can. Love, Andrew

  Weird. Roses? He knows I don’t like roses. And, I thought he was having boys’ night tonight. I call him to see what’s up, but get no answer. I text Ella to let her know.

  Bailey: Change of plans, Andrew wants me to come over tonight, so I will need help in the morning if you can swing it.

  I pull up to Andrew’s house, I guess I should start thinking of it as our house. In less than twenty-four hours, it’ll be my house too. I can’t believe this all happened so fast. As I walk up to the door, I start making a mental list of fall plants I’d have to get in a few weeks. There are no plants or flowers in any of the flower beds. The front porch would also be great for a big bale of hay and corn stalks for fall decorations.

  All the lights are off inside the house, except for a dim light shining from upstairs. A wicked smile crosses my lips. He wants a little fun time before we get crazy busy with moving and school. Well, I’m up for that. I start unbuttoning my shirt as I walk up the stairs. I hang it on the banister at the top. I unbutton my jeans as I walk down the hallway. When I get to the door, I wiggle out of them and let them pool at my feet. I open the door as I’m unhooking by red lace bra. Andrew is not in the room, but the shower’s running. I walk toward the bathroom when I hear singing. A woman singing.

  My whole world stops around me. I crack open the door and see a matching set of satin panties and bra sitting on the counter.

  I can’t breathe. I back away from the bathroom door and put my hands on my chest to try to hold my heart still. This can’t be happening to me again. I’m so caught up in making myself breathe I don’t hear the shower turn off. I don’t hear the singing become louder. I don’t hear the door open. Breathe Bailey. Just breathe.

  “I said, what in the Hell are you doing in here?” I hear as I slowly swing my head toward the bathroom door where a tall, gorgeous blond woman is standing, in my towel.

  I try to open my mouth to ask her the same thing. “Wha … who are you?” I ask frightened to hear the answer.

  “I’m Samantha. Who the Hell are you?”

  My head is spinning. Who is this woman taking a shower in Andrew’s shower like she belongs there? I start shaking my head. I’m dreaming. I have to be dreaming.

  “What are you doing in Andrew’s shower? Who are you?”

  “I’m Andrew’s girlfriend,” she states. I gasp before she’s done saying it. I stand up straight still shaking and back out of the room grabbing my jeans on the floor.

  “Andrew and I have been together for years,” she states.

  “That’s not true. He just got a divorce,” I stammer. I dress quickly as I continue to back out the door.

  “Right, from Jessica. I was with him the whole time they were married,” she adds.

  I can’t hear any more. I turn and run out the door. I just run.

  Why is she not answering her phone? She was supposed to be here over an hour ago. Maybe Ella knows where she is.

  Andrew: Do you know where Bailey is?

  Ella: No. I’ve been sitting outside of her house for 30 mins waiting for her. I thought she was at your house.

  Andrew: I haven’t talked to her since dinner two nights ago.

  My phone rings. It’s Ella.

  “I was talking to her last night, and she said someone came to the door. Two minutes later, she said that you wanted her to come over and that I should come over to her house early to help finish packing.”

  “I wasn’t home all night. Jake and I went out. I ended up sleeping at his apartment. What do you mean someone came to her door?” I question.

  “She was asking me for help. She said that she needed to go, because someone was at her door. Wait a minute, I’m going into her house now.”

  “Is she there?” What in the Hell is going on? I text Bailey again while I wait for Ella to look around Bailey’s house.

  “Andrew, there’s a bouquet of roses on the table.”

  “I didn’t send her roses. She hates roses. Ella, what the Hell is going on? What else do you see?” I ask.

  “Nothing. All her boxes are still here. Who are these flowers from?” Ella asks.

  “I don’t know Ella, this is scaring the shit out of me. It’s not like her to not answer her phone. She has that thing on all the time,” I state.

  “Okay. I’m going to look around here and see if I can find anything else. You keep calling her until she answers. I’ll come to your house when I’m done here,” Ella says.

  I hang up before I can answer her and continue to try to get a hold of Bailey on her phone.

  “Bailey, please call me back. Where are you?” I leave another message. My heart is racing, because I’m just not feeling good about this. The lump in my throat is growing to the point where I can’t breathe.

  I’m pacing when the door clicks open. I run to see who it is. Ella walks in looking worried.

  “Ella, have you heard from her?”

  “No. I looked all over her house. It’s hard to see if anything is missing, because everything is in boxes,” Ella explains.

  “I don’t understand. We had dinner together Thursday night, and everything was fine. We were talking about wedding plans,” I recall.

  “What happened to her?” she gasps. “Do you think someone kidnapped her?”

  Holy shit. Why would someone do that? “I don’t know. Maybe I should call the police.”

  I grab my keys and head for the door. “Where are you going?” Ella asks as she follows me.

  “I have to look for her, Ella.” I say.

  I can’t bring myself to open the blinds. I’m not even sure what time it is, or what day it is. I don’t want to see the sun, it’s too bright and cheerful for my mood. This isn’t even a mood. A mood is a temporary thing. This feels like it will never end. A blackness has taken over my entire being.

  I can’t go back to my house. Everywhere there are reminders of the life we were supposed to be starting together. All those boxes packed and ready to move into to his house. All the wedding plans we already made. All I can hear is that woman saying “he’s my boyfriend.” My boyfriend. Over and over again, I run it in my head. The singing, the beautiful long legs walking out of his bathroom, Samantha, my boyfriend. I start to dry heave at the thought. There is nothing left in my system to get rid of. It’s all gone.

  “Did her mom call you back yet?” Ella asks. She looks as tired as I feel. We spent the entire night driving around looking for Bailey’s car.

  “No, I’ve left three messages for her,” I say.

  “That’s not surprising. What about Officer Thorne?” Ella inquires.

  “No. I posted on Facebook hoping that someone has seen her or that she is at someone’s house.”

  “Andrew, you’re exhausted. Why don’t you go up and get a few hours of sleep,” Ella suggests.

  I pull my hands through my hair and plop on the couch in defeat. “I can’t go to sleep not knowing where she is.” I stand back up and start to pace the living room, trying to come up with something else to go on. I pass the dining room table where Ella threw her purse and all of the contents spilled out. I stalk up to the table when a little piece of paper catches my eye. I snatch it out of the pile and hold
it up to Ella.

  “Where did you get this?” I quickly ask.

  “It was sitting next to the roses,” Ella confirms. I grab my keys and start toward the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I know who sent her the flowers.”

  I speed down the road. Ella is in the front seat holding on for dear life. My face is on fire and I feel like my head might explode.

  “Andrew, can you please slow down. I drive with a lead foot too, but this is ridiculous,” Ella begs.

  I’m not slowing down. While I feel slightly better because I now know that Bailey hasn’t been kidnapped, my worry has turned into pure rage. I spin into the driveway and slam the door so hard the car shakes.

  “Where are we? Whose house is this?” Ella asks on my heels as I stalk to the front door pounding it with both fists.

  “Jessica, open this god damned door now,” I yell as I pound again. Ella gasps.

  “Jessica sent the flowers? Why?” Ella asks with anger now in her voice.

  “I don’t know. That’s what I’m going to find out,” I bellow.

  Jessica opens the door with a bright smile on her face. She knew I was coming at some point.

  “Andrew, what a pleasant surprise,” she feigns fakely.

  “What in the hell is this?” I ask thrusting my hand with the now crumpled note in front of her.

  “Well, it looks like a note.”

  “Cut the shit Jessica. I know this is your handwriting. I know you sent the flowers to Bailey,” I say.

  “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jessica’s fake innocent look is pissing me off even more. I push the door all the way open and push past her walking into her living room.

  “I’m not leaving until you tell me what the Hell is going on. What did you do to Bailey. Why did you send her to my house?” I question.

  “Fine you big baby. It was just a little practical joke. I had my very gorgeous friend take a shower at your house. Bailey showed up thanks to my note,” she says. Jessica, looking very pleased with herself, sits on the sofa across the room from me. “I knew Bailey’s low self-esteem would take a hit seeing a leggy model coming out of your bathroom,” Jessica laughs. She actually has the balls to giggle at that.