Authors: Kevin Anthony
Harriet and Ford stayed close to each other as they walked through the government housing apartment complex. Graffiti was sprayed painted on the brick walls and the ground littered with bits of garbage. They had both received text from Valarie inviting to the address included in the message.
The collection of cold stares Harriet and Ford were getting from the tenants made them feel unwanted. They spotted a officer on duty his parked vehicle which made them feel safe. They arrived at an apartment door mentioned in the text that was located on the first floor of the complex.
Harriet cringed. “That was uncomfortable.”
“
I’m sure they were all just checking you out.”
Harriet let out a phony laugh. “I’m not interested and I’m sure they wanted my wallet.”
Ford knocked and the door was answered by Valarie looking as if she rediscovered the invention of the shower.
Valarie formed a wide smile. “Welcome to my heaven.”
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No, this is your hood,” Harriet said.
Ford rushed forward and hugged Valarie. “I thought you were dead or something.”
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I’m fine,” Valarie said as she squeezed him back. “I had a lot of thinking to do and I did it all in rehab.”
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Rehab?”
“
After our argument I thought it was time for a change.”
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I’m glad you’re back mom and sorry about everything that happened.”
Valarie let loose of Ford and stepped back. “No, I’m the one who should be apologizing for everything.”
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I’m sorry to cut in,” Harriet said, “But can we come in before some sort of gang war breaks out.”
Valarie stepped aside. “They’re no gangs. I like my neighbors, well; the ones who haven’t threatened to kill me.”
Harriet and Ford entered into the apartment. The space was suited for one person, its layout simple. On the right side of the apartment were the kitchen and bedroom, the left side the living room and bathroom.
Ford toured the place. “I like it.”
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I’m not saying I dislike it,” Harriet added, “But the location is dangerous.”
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We can’t all live beachside,” Valarie said. “I’m happy with it and that matters most. Plus, we get free cable.”
Harriet dismissively fanned her hand. “I won’t visit often, for my own safety.”
Valarie approached her. “Why can’t you pretend to be happy for me?”
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I am. You have no idea how excited I am that we have you back.” Harriet rubbed Valarie’s arms.
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Then tone down the negativity. Once I’m on my feet I’ll find a safer neighborhood.”
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Are you sure you don’t want to stay on my couch instead?”
Valarie narrowed her eyes. “Do you honestly want me living with you?”
Harriet nodded.
“
I dumpster-dive.”
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Since when,” Harriet questioned.
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It’s a new hobby and I would need a place to keep my findings, perhaps your bathtub.”
Harriet accessed her acting skills. “I love your new apartment and the neighborhood is just so daring.”
Valarie went along with the act. “The realtor described it as ghetto-fabulous.”
Ford drifted away from their playful banter as he recognized the purple and white striped couch in the living room. He took a closer look to notice most of the furniture was the same from their first home in Draper. It brought back so many feelings, especially his first urge to slash.
He couldn’t resist a smile as he ran his hands against the couch. “I remember this.”
Valarie had begun unpacking the box he brought in. “You remember what?”
“
This couch.”
Harriet stood beside him. “I bought this online. I didn’t even notice it was the same couch.”
Valarie stood holding a few items from the box. “Yeah it is. I hated it, but it’s a minor issue now. After I sold our old house I put most of our furniture into storage. I sold everything I had to get into rehab but refused to sell this couch and some other items.” She joined them by the couch. “It brings back a lot of memories.”
“
I was a man when we got this couch,” Harriet.
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And I hadn’t tried crack or meth,” Valarie added.
“
I was still in high school.” And had yet to slash anybody, he thought.
Harriet took a seat on the couch. “What happened to us?”
Valarie joined her. “What do you mean what happened to us?”
Ford climbed over the couch and flopped down in-between them. “I think life happened.”
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This is the first time we’ve sat down as a family since my surgery.”
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That’s shockingly and sadly true,” Valarie said. “That statement scares me.”
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Why,” Ford questioned.
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Because we allowed life to win,” Valarie answered. “We allowed our lives to drive us apart.”
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Not anymore, we’re back,” Harriet declared. “I had a sex change and you became an addict, but we’re here now. And Ford you stood by us through all of that like a champion. We fussed along the way but we’re still standing. You’re the strongest person I know, son.”
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You are,” Valarie agreed. “We raised a champion.”
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Thanks moms.”
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Valarie, how was it being in rehab,” Harriet asked.
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I learned a lot about myself, the source of my addiction and we were all given physicals and…well….”
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Mom, what is it?”
Valarie inhaled and heavily exhaled. “I’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.”
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No,” Harriet covered her mouth with her hands.
Ford thought everything was starting to improve. “That isn’t fair.”
Valarie wore a smile. “It makes me feel so good that you two are here for me. I hope you stay at my side as I fight this cancer. Once I found out I was sick I had no choice but to fix my life and live it right. My days of fighting on corners, drugs and whatever are over. I’m going to refocus back on performing on stage while I still can.”
They family shared a group hug and more tears.
Ford was ready to focus on helping Valarie, but knew that would not be possible if he ended up with a knife in the heart. He had to set things right and get rid of the serial-slasher. Ford arrived home later that day and entered inside his darkened place; purposely leaving the door opened and sat on his coffee table, directly across from Rubble.
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The couch is on this side, numb-nuts,” Rubble chuckled.
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No jokes or smack talking, tell me who the slasher is Rubble.”
He laughed. “Don’t you want to know how my day went?”
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The only thing I want to talk about is the serial-slasher.”
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I don’t.”
Ford contained his frustration. “Why won’t you tell me?”
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I‘m not going to give away powerful information for a simple pat on the back.”
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I’ll set you free.”
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I don’t believe you.”
Ford stood up and headed into his room. He returned carrying a plastic bag. Ford reached into the bag and removed a furry, stuffed arm. He removed a pin and a needle from the same bag and kneeled down before Rubble. He sewed the limb onto Rubble. Ford returned to his seat on the table as he watched Rubble move around his newly acquired arm.
“
Tell me, who is the serial-slasher?” He nodded toward the open door. “I offer you freedom.”
Rubble continued toying around with his new arm. “You’re desperate.”
Ford removed the remaining limbs from the bag and sewed them onto the bear. “I’m ready to move on.”
Rubble jumped up and down and ran from one end of the couch to the other.
“
I’ve delivered more than enough. Tell me who the serial-slasher is?”
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I have limbs.” Rubble celebrated as he rubbed his paws together.
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Tell me and then leave at your own will.” Ford leaned in closer to him. “Now Rubble, my life is in danger.”
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It’s the tall blonde, Jace. He broke into your apartment that night; he’s the serial-slasher.”
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Fuck me.”
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Yep, ole blondy has you slashers running around like chickens with your heads sliced off.”
Ford’s mind raced as he did his best to uncover Jace’s motive. The only thing he knew about him was that Jace’s temper was explosive when triggered. He felt blinder now than he did before. His creaking apartment door snapped Ford back into the moment. He turned around to discover the door slowly moving closed and that Rubble was gone.
Chapter 22 – Dinner Date
Bravo ate a plate of fingers and a boiled foot breakfast. He took some advice from a cannibal forum and meditated for an hour and took a long bath. The cannibal cleaned his glasses, got dressed and headed over to Milo’s apartment. He stood before the door of his pursuer, took a deep breath and knocked.
Milo opened the door wearing gym shorts and a tank top. “This is unexpected.”
Bravo inhaled Milo’s scent deep and his stomach did not react. He formed a confident smirk. “Hey.”
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Are you here to charge me for that pizza you tossed in my arms? I didn’t actually eat it.”
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No, I’m actually here to ask you out.”
Milo laughed. “That’s also very unexpected. You’re usually ditching me.”
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Yeah, sorry about that. I’m…shy.”
Milo wiggled his jaw from side to side. “And now you want a date?”
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Yeah, maybe we can go grab lunch or something.”
Milo patted his flat stomach. “I just ate but I was planning on jogging at Jackson Park.”
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I’m more of a sitter than a jogger, but I think I can behave a bit out of the box today.”
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Awesome, let me go grab my sneakers.”
Bravo and Milo walked a few blocks to Jackson Park and started jogging the moment they set foot on the circular jogging path. The cannibal was panting heavily into the workout and doing his best to keep his glasses from falling from his face, while Milo jogged as if it was his profession.
Milo slowed his pace. “It looks like you can use a break man.”
Bravo willed himself not to collapse to the ground. “Just a little.”
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Do you want to hear something creepy?”
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As long as if doesn’t make me vomit, sure.”
Milo nudged Bravo in the arm. “I sort of always had a crush on you. When I was still a cop my partner and I stopped by Pizza Shack for a quick lunch. I noticed you in the back kitchen working, looking stressed out with your glasses all fogged up. You got a break and came out of the back to eat and read. Eventually some guy and girl stopped by to eat with you and you three were just laughing and chatting away. I knew nothing about you, but I just thought you were so cool and of course cute. Once I spotted you in a gay bar I just had to make a move.”
Bravo couldn’t contain his smile. “All of that just made me feel so amazing.”
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Are you as cool as I think you are?”
Bravo shrugged. “I like to read a lot and hang with my friends you saw, Ford and Sidnee.”
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I’m more of a movie guy. What do you read about?”
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The madness in our world: wolf-men, slashers, and everything else that can’t be explained by science.”
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I encountered a lot of madness during my time as a cop. There’s nothing harder than trying to catch a slasher.”
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Why?”
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Because it’s hard find a lick of evidence. They’re good at what they do. We can’t just walk up to them and arrest them just because of a hunch. I can walk into a room of people claiming to be slashers and can’t do a thing if there’s no evidence connecting them to a crime. It’s frustrating but there are bigger threats out there other than slashers.”
Bravo nodded. “I’ve read some wild stuff but I learned to live my life and not worry about them.”
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Yeah, I just adopted that mindset. I just live now and enjoy life.”
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And chase after pizza delivery boys.”
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I wasn’t going to let you slip away without at least trying to get to know you.”
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Milo, I look forward to getting to know you also and also get a body as half as decent as yours.”