Authors: Aray Brown
“If you hurt one hair on their head...” Maize paused.
“I’ll kill you.” Maize threatened.
“You can’t kill a ghost.” Sandra said.
She swung the door open and walked out of the shop. Maize and the customers who were at close proximity where taken aback.
8.
“Blevins & Sons Investigations, how may I help you?” The receptionist answered, spotted him coming in. Maize sat her drink at her desk, smiled and made a beeline to his office. He slammed the door.
The main office had Brushed Pearl painted walls, full desk accompanied by a small lamp, a fairly old photograph of him and his father as first time business owners and a vintage black rotary phone. In the corner was a small cabinet, marked for special cases. Followed by the brown butter soft leather sofa he acquired from IKEA. Not to mention a nice view overlooking the skyline.
Maize scratched his head, sipped the Green tea latte, took a long drag from his last cigarette and reflected back to Zoe—the lovemaking—and managed to get Sandra off his mind. He looked out the window, admiring the view.
Suddenly the phone buzzed proceeded by the receptionist’s voice.
“Hamilton’s on Line 1.”
Maize slowly turned away from the stunning view, plopped on the edge of the desk, grabbed the phone and rested the receiver against his lips as if he was planning the next move very carefully. With one press of a button, Maize was connected with a man he considered to be an old dear friend.
“Spoonie, how’s the fourth best lawyer in town?”Maize laughed wholeheartedly, took in the last puff from the cigarette.
“What, you moved up? My nigga. Yeah I got it.” Maize combed through the file cabinet, withdrew a folder labeled S H Case. Spoonie was a high profile lawyer, in the middle of a big divorce settlement and needed his expertise to provide proof of infidelity where his client’s wife was concerned. She had signed a prenuptial agreement stating if unfaithful she wouldn’t get a dime of his money. His client suspected her of cheating early on. Maize tailed her for weeks.
“I’ll send it over right now.” Maize put it in a manila envelope.
“Better yet, I’ll do it myself. I’ll be there within the hour.” He said, glancing at his watch.
Click.
Maize hung up, opened the drawer, grabbed the frame, replaced the picture of him and Sandra with a recent one of Zoe and moved it to the front of the desk.
“What a pretty girl.” An older gentleman with salt and pepper hair said.
“Pop, what brings you by?”Maize said.
“Do I need a reason to see my son? So, when am I going to meet the girl that’s stolen my boy’s heart?” He asked.
“We’re not there yet.” Maize lied.
“This is the only meaningful relationship you’ve been in since the divorce. It can’t be just platonic.” The gentleman said.
“Dad, I gotta go. Come to dinner. You’ll see her up close and personal. Doris, hold all my calls.” Maize said, walking towards the exit.
In another office across town, Spoonie was hard at work, trying not to let this case consume him. The desk was a mess. Cluttered with documents and verification from another suit he was working on. He had a very unique filing system.
“Someone’s here to see you.” The receptionist announced.
“Send him in.” Spoonie said, addressing the receptionist.
A woman walked in, carrying a picnic basket. His nose was buried-deep in paperwork. Suddenly Spoonie looked up, got up from the chair and greeted her.
“What a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting you.” He smiled.
“Perhaps someone else?” the woman asked.
“My mistress, you know I’m getting it on the low.” Spoonie said, jokingly.
She hit him, playfully. They shared a kiss. She stroked his black with a tang of gray hair, adored his tall stature.
“Hi.” Sherry said.
“Hi.” Spoonie replied. She sat the basket on the table.
“I’ll see you later tonight right?” Sherry asked.
“Eight O’clock on the dot.” Spoonie gave her a peck on the lips, then a longer one.
“Are you preying on helpless and defenseless women now?” Maize asked.
They spied Maize lingering in the doorway, darting his baby blues.
“How you been Sherry?” Maize hugged her
“You’re looking good brother, almost as good as me.” Spoonie chuckled, indulged in a bro hug.
“You two have a lot to talk about. I was just leaving. See you later sweetie.” Sherry said.
“Later.” Spoonie said.
Maize grabbed an apple from the basket and made himself comfortable.
“So, what you got for me?” Spoonie asked.
Maize dropped the envelope on the desk.
“A two timing cheating ex-wife.” Maize added, taking a bite out of the apple.
“In flagrante delicto. In blazing offence.” Spoonie said, eyeing the pictures.
* * * * * * * * *
August 1999
Alex’s swarthy figure emerged from the muggy, wet dark shadows of the Penn Station, toting a large unmarked suitcase, sidestepping a puddle beneath his feet. Alex rode the escalator down to the lower level, paying no attention to the passers-by, drowning out the hustle and bustle of the nightwalkers. Notwithstanding its gloomy appearance, the ticket booth was still open—one person prowling inside—a man with black horn-rimmed glasses. He set the luggage down and drew near. His destination was apparent.
“I want a ticket to Chicago, one-way.” Alex conceded, retrieved his wallet.
“Traveling by bus or train?” The ticket clerk asked.
“Train.” Alex said.
“Do ya want business class or coach?” The ticket clerk inquired.
“Business class.” Alex replied.
“Have a good one, many happy returns.” He said, sliding the ticket under the small opening. Alex gripped the fare, brushed up against a sturdy surface and waited for the train to pull in. He fidgeted with his watch. It wouldn’t be long now. He thought. Alex absorbed the clamor coming from the loud speaker, announcing new arrivals as the Amtrak hauled into station. He joined the others on the platform. Then boarded, gave the fare to the conductor, scored a seat in the back row so he could be less visible. Stretching out and drifting off to sleep, Alex didn’t expect to be interrupted by anyone, let alone a beautiful woman.
“I think you’re sitting in my seat.” She said. Alex opened his right eye, setting his sight on her, sizing the woman up and moved accordingly.
“Traveling alone?”Alex asked.
“I don’t have to talk to you”
“Oh but you do, Sandra.”
9.
Alex arrived at his final destination, assorted flowers in hand, hopped out of the cab and told the driver to keep the meter running, whispering about the big tip in his near future. He stared at the dream house, peered around the quaint neighborhood, calmly rapped on the door and played with the wedding band he vowed never to take off. Unhinging the door, Alex saw her in all her glory. Even in scrubs, Zoe looked gorgeous. The look on her face was priceless and he treasured it.
“What are you doing here?” Zoe asked.
“I’m having a heatstroke. Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Alex asked.
“How’d you find me?” Zoe asked.
“I have my ways.” Alex replied.
“The kids are at school.” Zoe said.
“I’ll wait.” Alex said, muscling his way in the air conditioned home, merely grazing her. He got a whiff of her essence and got lost in the scent, eyed an unopened pack of cigarettes, secured one and patted his pockets in search of his trusty lighter. Before Alex reached for it, a sudden compulsion to see her in a hospitable state came over him.
“Do you mind?” Alex asked, perching himself on the sofa,
He monitored as she carefully lit his cigarette, and then inhaled deeply.
“Did you think it would be that easy to get away from me?” Alex asked.
“Yes, considering you never cared about me in the first place.” Zoe said. She witnessed a different side to him.
“Touché. Don’t I get an A for effort?” Alex asked, cracked a smile.
“Maize this is--“
“I know who it is. Alex, right?” Maize interrupted the introduction.
“Malcolm right”? Alex replied.
“Maize.” He corrected him.
“It’s a pleasure.” Alex lied, extended his hand. Behind that fake smile, his blood was boiling.
“Likewise I’m sure.” He lied, gritted his teeth and punched him.
Maize balled up his fists, ready to fight for what was his. In all the commotion they didn’t notice a young Price running up to him, leaving a cracked door behind.
“Daddy!” Medina exclaimed.
“Hey, how’s my girl?” Alex said, wrapped her in a full embrace.
“Where’s Issy?” Alex asked.
Standing in the doorway, Isabel looked right through him as if a ghost had taken over his body, and then gravitated towards Maize, therefore making her choice known. She wasn’t the forgiving type. Isabel saw him for what he was and remembered more than her twin ever did. About what really happened and not just some fabricated story.
“Issy it’s me. Issy! You’re turning my daughter against me?!”Alex said, irritated.
“No. You are.” Zoe chimed in.
“Just go.” Isabel interjected.
Alex gave up but vowed he will be back, presented Medina with a gift—a 14 karat gold pendant necklace, he fastened around her neck. He kissed her and ended the jilted send-off with the number to his cell phone.
Alex retreated to the cab, defeated but not beaten
* * * * * * * * *
“Is cash okay?” Alex inquired, observed all the areas of the room and envisioned what he could do with the empty space.
“It’s fine. Just sign here. Will your wife be joining you?” She asked, gestured to his wedding band, hoping there was some mistake.
“My wife, she’s tying up some loose ends.” Alex glanced at it, fiddled with it. He still saw it for what it represented and was prepared to be buried with it. Alex signed the lease, confirming Zoe’s worst fear. The house was beautiful, a tad on the expensive side, in a nice neighborhood. But most importantly, it was closer to her.
After Alex was released from the clinic, he sold their house and came to suburbia with just a suitcase packed with clothes and a five million dollar inheritance he got from his father’s passing. The only thing Frank ever gave him that was worthwhile. Prior to the trip, Alex visited Frank’s grave to make amends. Alex had planned on never forgiving him. But this was a step he couldn’t neglect. A final step towards healing, the therapist called it. He offered his condolences to the wife and younger brother and promised to stay in touch when he got settled. Of course he was a good liar. He didn’t care about them and it wasn’t his intention to connect with anyone who was held accountable for his mother’s fatal demise.
Alex couldn’t hide his true self any longer. Alex was a made up name and his scapegoat when in need of a detour. Only a select few knew the real one. Henry. The name given to him by his birth parents. In order to keep up appearances he created a fake persona and it worked. As for the why, it will forever be shrouded in secret. He made the executive decision to come out of hiding when he no longer needed to be Alex Price. He created a fake life but it wasn’t all an act.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Zoe asked, spying on him.
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m moving.” Henry said in a huff.
“Alex you can’t” Zoe said.
“I am, too late to get the security deposit back.” Henry said, entering the house.
“What do you want?” Zoe said, going after him.
“What belongs to me. What about you? What do you want?”” Henry closed the door behind her and cornered her.
“I want you out of my life.” Zoe said.
“Did you just come over here to tell me that? I know you still feel something.” Henry came closer.
“What we had was over long before you got here.”
As soon as Zoe advanced toward the door, he grabbed her and kissed her. Zoe pushed him away and slapped him abruptly. Henry reached for her, kissed hard, forcing his tongue down her throat like a starving man, as if he was in need of her. He had a burning desire no one else could fill, an itch no one else could scratch. Zoe struggled, except the temptation was so great she couldn’t resist. There was a part of her body that still craved his touch. She tasted his lips, entwining her tongue with his. Henry pushed her against the wall, lifted her up while she wrapped her legs around his waist. Henry unzipped his pants and penetrated her. Henry wanted her more than ever. He knew he could make her happy if given the chance and would spend the rest of his life making it up to her.
A single tear trickled down her cheek. It was a sign of joy and sorrow. She wanted to forget about him. But she missed him, missed his kiss, his touch. The way his alabaster skin felt against hers.