Inconsolable (6 page)

“Trinity?” Uh oh, the look in his eyes means he knows Brooklynn. I hope I didn’t do anything wrong. “Is he okay? Actually I’ll call her when I leave. Can you cut my hair then ma’am?”

“Um sure, Anna. My name is Anna.” I reach out to shake his hand and he smiles.

“Oh, forgive me.  You had me worried when you said Trinity was sick.  I’m Garrett.” 

Oh shit!  Garrett, as in the asshole baby daddy.  He sure doesn’t seem like an asshole. 
Anna, let go of his hand. You’re still holding his hand.
I pull away and blush.

“Sure, come on back. I don’t know anything about Trin, except she was taking him to the doctor. You’re his daddy?” Damn you and your nosiness. You are no better than Barb, Anna.

“Yes, he’s mine. You can’t help but love the damn kid,” he says and I decide right there that I won’t judge him by the things Brooklyn says about him. He doesn’t seem to be that awful of
a person. Maybe Brooklyn just really wants to be with him again. That happens. I’ve read it in Cosmo. I smile and usher him into the room where my hair supplies are.

“He’s a good kid.  How are we gonna cut your hair today?”  I slide the cape on him as he sits in the chair.  I look in the mirror and run my fingers through his hair. 

“He’s a very good little guy.  I just really need it trimmed up.  I’m trying to let it grow out a little but these damn curls around my ears drive me crazy,” he says as he grabs the offensive curls. 

“Sure thing.  I’m sorry again about Brooklynn not being here,” I trail off as I start to cut his hair and he just throws his hand into the air.  My opinion is those curls are probably what drive other women crazy. 

“That’s typical
Brooklyn, she’s probably just not wanting to see me today. This happens a lot actually. I try to help her more than I should. She’s the mother of my child,” he replies and meets my eyes in the mirror. Okay, really need to stop staring at this man. I don’t know what it is about him, but he’s making me get butterflies in my stomach. Maybe it’s just because he’s hot. Totally not my normal type.

“Well, that is just wrong.  But I can say, she tends to be somewhat selfish.” 

“Don’t I know all about that selfishness.  I’m probably one of the causes.  I have made sure that she’s been taken care of.  Now that we aren’t together anymore, she puts my name through the mud,” he responds and when I blush he laughs a belly type laugh.  “Yep, see she’s talked shit to you.” 

“Sorry,” I finish his hair and smile. “Would you like me to shampoo your hair?” I really hate having fair skin and red hair. When I get flustered it shows. Damn it this man has me flustered.

“Sure, I hate having all this loose hair.  That’s a first, Brooklyn never does that.” 

“Well, my momma raised me right.  I do unto others as I’d have them do unto me.  I would want someone to wash my hair.  It’s actually my favorite part of getting my hair done.”  I say as I pull his cape off of him and shake all the hair onto the floor then lead him to the shampoo bowl.  He lays back and I turn the warm water on running it over his scalp.  I work some shampoo into a lather and work it into his hair, massaging his scalp. Once he’s all rinsed and sitting up, I smile. “How was that?”

“Wow, I think that may be my new favorite part of getting a haircut.”

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s the best part.”

“I agree.  How much do I owe you, Anna?”   

Oh sweet lord, that man should not be able to crook his lips like that. Slow your roll heartbeat. Please.
   “Twelve dollars please.”  I smile and walk to the front as he runs a towel over his wet head.  He comes in and puts a twenty in my hand.

“Keep the change, thanks Anna.”  He smiles and heads to the door.  “Oh, wait.  Can I reschedule with you in two weeks?  You’re a lot nicer than my baby momma.” 

I can’t help but bust out laughing at his comment.  “Sure, I’ll put you down.  Same time?” 

“Yes, thank you. See you then. Have a good weekend.” He slides his hat on his head and I wonder why men even bother getting their hair cut if they just put their hats back on. Shaking my head, I look up to see Diane in the door of the kitchen with a smile on her face.

“What’s that smile for?” 

“Oh, nothing at all,” she responds and takes a sip of her coffee. “I just didn’t think you would be the one to fraternize with the enemy,” she smiles and Barb starts laughing in the other room.

“You two are trouble. You know that poor man has to be living in hell with Brooklyn for a baby momma.” I put my hands on my hips and glare at both of them.

“Oh I wouldn’t doubt that.  That is one crazy girl.  Reminds me of that song by Miranda Lambert,” Diane says and sips the rest of her coffee.  “The only good thing that came from that relationship was Trinity.” 

“Okay, quit gossiping you two.  Didn’t your momma teach you if you didn’t have something nice to say, to not say anything at all?” 

Diane lets out a snort and Barb cackles.  “Girl, my momma was the one teaching me to gossip.” 

“That doesn’t surprise me.  You two are incorrigible,” I retort and grab the broom to sweep up the hair from Garrett’s haircut.  Looks like today is going to be a great day. 

~~~~~~~~~~

A month later and finally Mary-Beth calls me. I walk into Penny’s to order a vanilla iced coffee while I listen to Mary-Beth yell and scream about how Jameson is coming home in just a few short days. She can’t wait and I really can’t either. Jameson annoys me, but it’s really in that brother you never had kind of way. He can act like he doesn’t like me, but I know if something happened to me he would defend me in a heartbeat.

I go over to the town house and make sure all of Mary-Beth’s stuff is in order since she’s been spending all of her time at the hospital with Jameson.  I make sure Maggie is fed.  She is growing like a weed.  I wonder if maybe I shouldn’t drop her off at the groomers while I’m at it.  Jameson loves that dog, so I think I should do something for her.  I am sure she is missing him just as much as he is missing her. 

I walk into the townhouse to see Mary-Beth’s clothing strewn all over the place.  How in the hell does this girl live like this?  How in the world is Jameson going to live like this.  OCD Marine doesn’t even begin to describe him.  Maggie comes running and wags her tail.  So I reach over, grab a treat out of the jar and pat her head. 

“I know girl, but your parents will be home soon.  Come on, want to help me clean up?”  Now I know I have lost my mind.  Maggie lets out a whimper and runs to hide.  Of course you would.  No one wants to clean the debris left in the place of hurricane Mary-Beth.  I start by putting all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and then tackle all the clothing that is placed everywhere.  I put it all in the dirty clothes hamper, start the clothes in the dryer and re-wash the ones in the washing machine because I’m sure they have been there for a few days. 

Three hours later and Mary-Beth’s house is completely clean.  I hope when Jameson comes home in a week or so that this will stay clean.  I couldn’t imagine going through everything Jameson has and having to worry about a messy house, as well.  I grab Mags, put her leash on her and decide I will take her to the dog park.  I haven’t gone to the hospital to see Jameson yet because I figure he doesn’t want company.  It has to be hard going from a walking man to not having anything at all.  Mary-Beth claims he’s trying to be positive, but I really think that it’s him putting on a front for her.  I have known him a lot longer than she has and Jameson is very good at masking his feelings. 

Maggie and I walk to the dog park and she is jumping with excitement from getting to play.  I let out a small chuckle and unhook her leash from the collar as soon as we get in the gate.  She takes off running, playing, and sniffing all the other dogs in the park.  I go, sit on a park bench and pull out my Kindle.  It’s a beautiful day out.  I look up at the sky and say a silent prayer that the day stays that way.   

I grab my Nike’s and slide a T-shirt over my chest. I walk out of the front door of my apartment and light up one of the cigarettes from the pack I bought on my way home from Janice’s house last night. Janice, wow. I don’t know what I was thinking doing that. I am not that type of man. Or at least I wasn’t. I finish the cigarette and plug my IPod in as I make my way to the road. I start at a steady jog, running around the block. Maybe instead of booze and women I should stick to running. Psh, I know that isn’t going to happen.

I hear a horn honk and then shake my head as Meredith passes me by.  She was one of my good friends in high school.  The really nerdy girl that everyone picked on.  Just because the girl had bottle cap glasses and frizzy black hair didn’t mean she wasn’t one of the most genuine people you would ever meet.  I hear she is almost done with her teaching degree at Mississippi State.  I wave as I keep my pace.  I run past Mom and Dad’s praying they won’t be outside.  I have enough voicemails from Mom to last me ten years.  Maybe I should try to go to work for Dad.  It would at least get my mind off of things. 

This morning wasn’t so hard getting out of bed and I didn’t dream anything either.  Maybe this is the remedy.  Get drunk and bang some woman until you can’t keep your eyes open.  That would be the hypothesis.  Now it’s time to test the theory. 

After a good thirty minute run, I walk back into my apartment.  I grab my phone and see there is a message from Mary-Beth and one from Uncle Trey. 

MB – Hey Blake, J.
is home today.  Just wanted to update! Hope you’re doing well!

Trey – Call me kiddo, parentals worried.
  

I walk into my kitchen, grab the bottle of Scotch off the bar and down a few gulps. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand as I make my way to the bathroom. I peel off the layers of clothing covering my sweat clad body and turn on the shower. I can smell the alcohol seeping from my pores, but I can’t begin to care about that. 

Just as I step under the spray of the hot water I hear glass breaking and a loud bang. 

Immediately I hit the floor in the shower, huddling into a ball.  I am no longer in that shower, but on that dirt road in Iraq with four of my brothers huddling under the window seal as the gun shots ring out and the house starts deteriorating.  

Our cover is slowly starting to fade away. I watch as Kyle sticks his head out and aims his gun, firing to take out anyone he can. I, of course,
am the one thinking of what we can do.  My
eyes are calculating every exit. We have to make it out of here alive.

“Carter!  I need you over here!  I can’t hold ‘em back anymore, man!”  Miller is screaming out and trying to reload his gun.  I watch as Jameson eases his way over to him on the ground in a slow crawl. 

“They are gaining on us!” Jackson screams out and looks over at me.  “Johnson, exit strategy?” 

“Two ways! Kick this hole out and it should be big enough for us to squeeze out of.  Or, let Black take them out and walk out the front door,” I let out a big watt smile and laugh a little while Kyle seconds the latter.

“Let’s take these
bitches out,” Kyle screams over his shoulder and Matt lets out a sigh. 

“Kick it out,
Andrews.”

I come to and shake from the water.  I realize it has now gone cold as I sit with my arms wrapped around my knees.  My teeth are chattering from the cold water running over my skin.  I grab the handle of the shower door and pull myself up off the tiled floor.  I grab the towel off the rack, wrapping it around my body as I shakily walk down the short hallway to the kitchen.   Reaching for the bottle of Jack Daniels I unscrew it and take a huge swig, then grabbing the pack of cigarettes and lighter off the counter.  I take a deep breath as the poison seeps into my lungs.  I’ve faced death once before.  A little black smoke can’t hurt me anymore than that bomb did, right?

I walk over to the couch and take a drag from the cigarette, now half gone.  If my mother knew what was going on with me she would probably kill me.  I hear my phone buzzing and look down. 
Trey
. I grab the phone and slide my finger over the screen before pulling it up to my ear and expelling the smoke from my lungs. “Hello?”

“Get your ass off the couch, put down the bottle and put some clothes on.” 

How the fuck did he know I wasn’t dressed, how did he know I was drinking and how in the hell did he know I was on the couch? “Uh? What?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.  I’ll be there in twenty minutes.  You and I are going to have a come to Jesus moment, nephew.”

With that, the phone goes dead and I am left with my half empty bottle of Jack.  I take another swig letting the burn soothe my throat.  I put the cap back on the bottle and stand.  The room starts to spin, but it’s something I am used to.  It’s a welcome feeling for me.  The numbness is taking over.  I walk into my bedroom and grab the handle to my underwear drawer.  I grab the first pair of boxer-briefs I find sliding the dark green boxers over my legs and pull them into place.  I grab a pair of Hollister jeans off the hanger, placing one foot into them pulling too soon and landing in a heap on my back.  I slide my other foot into the jeans, stand grabbing a black Hollister t-shirt and sliding on my Doc Martens.  I may have been the nerdy kid in high school, but I always had the same shit as the preppy popular kids.  Mom made sure people knew my family had money.