“I have to go, Logan. It's late, the babysitter's waiting.”
He was pensive for a minute then locked his fingers in her hair, pulling her lips to his. “When are you coming back? We don’t have much time.” He held onto her.
“I'm not sure. But I'll try, before you—” She couldn't say the words.
He helped her out “—Go to prison.”
Her eyes saddened. She flipped the hair out of his face, stroking his skin gently before dropping her hand and rising. “I’m sure Micky can work out a shorter sentence. I'll talk to him.”
I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that happens.
She closed her eyes, desperate to hold back the tears.
“Are you going to give me your address, so I can write you?”
It took her off guard. What should she say?
“I can write you, can't I? Then you'll have it. But be positive Logan, maybe you'll get off. Who knows?”
He smirked, then sighed deeply. “You never know. But when I get out, we are going be together again. You have to promise me. Otherwise, I don't think I can make it. Remember, I'm doing this for you and only you.” He grabbed her shoulders.
“I'm not going anywhere.” Anything can happen in a year or two. Anything. Still, I can’t let him coerce me into promising.
“That's not good enough Kristen!” He stood up, taking her with him, the tortured look on his face alarming. “Promise me! If he tries anything, tries to keep us apart, I swear I'll kill him this time.”
“Logan! Don't talk like that.” She had never seen him this venomous.
“Why not? I did it once, it will only get easier. You'll see.” The fire in his eyes had chilled to pale blue ice cubes.
Outraged, she shook her head ripping out of his hands. She seized his face. “No! Stop saying that! Don't ever talk like that, you hear me? Never!”
His lips formed into a devilish smile. It was hard to tell if he meant what he said, but she couldn't risk doubting him. Not for a minute. She backed away, pulling on her shorts, curious if he would let her leave without a fight. Lighting a joint, he lay back to stare up at her.
* * *
“You know you don't love him. You'll never love anybody like you love me. Don't ever forget that.”
They stood in the parking garage. He kissed her long and deep. She smiled and slid her hand to the door handle. His hand forcefully held it in place. “Say it!” he demanded, the heat in his eyes raging again.
Her breathing intensified. Still refusing, her eyes smoldered.
“You are so stubborn. Say my name then.”
With a devilish twinkle in her eyes, she moved her lips. It was inaudible, but as expected, he heard it.
Satisfied, he released the door, letting her enter. She cranked the engine, looking down to whisk the tears from her eyes. After a moment, she put on her sunglasses, drove to the exit and screeched to halt. She ventured a peek in the rearview mirror, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. He stood rigidly in place staring at her. Not allowing second thoughts to infiltrate, she hit the gas pedal, accelerating into the street.
JAKE
The day turned out to be very productive, in spite of the sleep deprivation plaguing him from another restless night tossing, turning and taking care of Alex. After little more than three hours of sleep, it was difficult enough keeping his eyes open let alone focusing. To make matters worse, his neck ached from concentrating on the ceiling for hours on end while he painted. It was after five p.m. when it dawned on him. He hadn't spoken to Kristen all day, in fact, she hadn’t even entered his mind. At least not much. Apparently, he hadn’t been on hers either. Not one voicemail or text from her.
Screw it. There was no use trying to push it any further, first day of work or not.
After dousing his face with ice water for the third time, he packed his stuff, cleaned up and sped to the truck.
A bizarre feeling came over him as soon as he unlocked the front door. It was dark, the silence unnerving. Flipping on the kitchen light, he popped open a beer and sank into a chair. An unexpected noise outside brought him to his feet. Damn it! I could’ve sworn I shut the door!
Cassandra shifted Alex around in her arms.
“I’m so sorry, but I have to go to the store and your wife's not back yet. Can you take baby Alex, please?”
The intense pounding in Jake’s head flared up as soon as he saw them. He sprinted to the door, glanced at the baby and peered behind them. “Yeah, no problem. Thank you so much Cassandra.” He took the baby from her, cuddling him close. “Hey little man, miss your daddy?”
He kissed his son’s head, chuckling at the gummy smile it produced. “Did she say where she was going? When she'd be back?”
Cassandra turned back. “A meeting, she said. That was a long time ago.”
Jake's spirits sank. Slumping into a recliner, he laid the baby on his chest. There they were all alone with his uninvited new companions, self-doubt and confusion.
Where is she? I remember her mentioning a meeting with Logan and Micky. The building disappointment and exhaustion made his hands tremble. Forcing himself to focus on the baby in his arms, the one person who actually needed him, he closed his eyes, desperate for a few minutes of rest.
Don't jump to conclusions, Jake. Maybe she stopped at the store.
That had to be it. She wouldn't fuck this up again.
It wasn’t working. The tremors were too powerful. He put Alex down in his crib, his heart filled with love and anguish as he watched him doze off. That's when the bitter cold surge through his veins came out of nowhere.
* * *
As soon as Kristen pulled into the driveway, she ran to Cassandra's door, leaned on the doorbell and let it blare. No answer. She pounded on the door. Still nothing. She jogged around to the side of the house, pressing her face to the window. Everything was dark, empty. Where is she? Where’s my baby?
Quickly unlatching the gate, she dashed through the yard to Cassandra’s back entrance. That's when it hit her. She spun around, her eyes darting to their house. Her heart stopped at the sight of Jake's truck parked on the tarred path in front of it.
Maybe Cassandra and Alex are taking naps.
She tapped on the back door. Still no response.
Shit!
She turned back to their little house, her eyes feverish. It was pitch black also. What was going on? Seized by terrifying bad vibes, she struggled to overcome her shaking. When she reached the front door she jammed her ear against it, listening, hoping. Not a sound. On guard, she unlocked the door, and tiptoed inside. A dim light trailed out from the bedroom. The door was shut. Her heartbeat accelerated.
When she cracked the bedroom door open, she didn't see Jake. She peeked deeper inside, holding her breath, concentrating. The hairs on her arms rose. She heard his hoarse breaths behind her. It had to be a bad dream. She turned in slow motion to face him.
“Where’ve you been?” His voice was dull and bitter. He blocked her path to the living room.
A little terrified gasp escaped her lips. “Jake, why are you hiding?”
“I'm not hiding, Kristen. I was in the living room. You walked right by me. You really need to be more cautious.” But he knew what the real problem was. He was becoming more and more invisible to her.