The Life Thief

by Cherie Mitchell

  “Someone came into my house the other night, Hank. I forgot to lock the door and Michael was away. They lit candles in the living room and left me a love note of sorts. This credit card thing,” she tapped her handbag, “It really is just the icing on the cake.”

  “Someone broke in to light candles?” His kindly face crumpled with concern. “Did you call the police?”

  “Yes, I called them straight away and they were very good. They searched the entire house but the person had already gone. It was my own stupid fault for leaving the door unlocked.”

  “But you said they left you a note. Did the note have your name on it?”

  “Yes… it was a note very similar to the silly little notes Michael leaves around the house for me.” Used to leave for me. They’d been fighting so much lately that leaving her a cutesy note was probably the last thing he wanted to do.

  “So the intruder knows you. Have there been any other strange things happening?”

  “A few. My cat went missing. A man approached us on the street the other night and threatened Michael.” She exhaled, trying to reduce the tight, pinched feeling in her chest. “I think it might have something to do with the upcoming council elections. Michael is on tenterhooks and he’s very busy at work. He said the man was probably just someone from the community with a grudge against the council.”

  “Yes, he said he was swamped when I phoned him about the credit card yesterday. I tried your number twice but it was busy. I phoned him instead of leaving you a message but perhaps I should have left one.” Hank considered her for several minutes while Becky steadily worked on calming down her breathing. 3, 2, 1. “Forgive me for saying so, but you don’t look well. Have you thought of taking some time off? I think people will understand if you do, especially if they know an intruder broke into your house.”

  “Do you know how busy I am? I can’t take any more time off. I had five days away several weeks ago, although I’m struggling to believe it ever happened.” She stood up and smoothed down her skirt. “I should get back. Sasha is holding the fort and our temp girl is away sick today.”

  “How is the business going? We must be due for your annual review soon.” He clicked his mouse a couple of times and peered at his screen. “Next month. I’ll call you in a few weeks and we can organize a time that suits both you and Sasha.”

  “Sounds good. And business is going well. Possibly too well.” She gave him a weak smile. “Thanks for your help. When can I pick up the new credit card?”

  “We can do that right away. Technology has improved significantly. Pop by to see the counter tellers on your way out and they’ll arrange it for you.”

  “Thanks.” She turned away as he spoke again. “And Becky? Do look after yourself. I don’t like seeing you so pale and drawn.” He winked then, a gesture that reminded her of her own father. “I’m very fond of my clients and some of them more than others.”

  Becky stopped at a convenience store down the street to buy a bottle of water. Her stomach felt queasy and uncomfortable and she knew she didn’t want to risk drinking coffee when she felt like this. She waited next to an overstocked display stand of Cheetos while the person ahead of her was served.

  “I just saw the cutest thing,” the chatty woman was saying to the cashier as she paid for her purchases. “I know we have a terrible homeless crisis here in Portland but some of these people really make their pavement spaces so cozy. There’s a girl over by the park with a sweet little kitty in a cage. She told me she can’t bear to give it up and she’s hoping to find somewhere for them both soon. I gave her some money to buy cat food. I like to help out when I can, especially if it’s for a good cause.” The woman stepped back, not noticing Becky standing behind her, and trod down hard on Becky’s toe. Becky shrieked and the woman dropped her handbag in fright. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there.”

  “It’s okay,” Becky said through gritted teeth as her toes throbbed with pain. She’d narrowly missed knocking over the display stand as she attempted to pull her foot away from beneath the woman’s heel and she just wanted to buy her water and get out of the store. “It was a simple mistake.”

  “I feel so bad.” The woman scooped up her handbag and passed her credit card back to the cashier. “Put this lady’s purchases on my card. It’s the least I can do.”

  “No, you don’t have to do that. It’s only a bottle of water. I can pay for it.” Becky suddenly felt claustrophobic and overwhelmed. She had a desperate urge to scream. She hadn’t felt like this since those first bad days following Tony’s arrest. She needed to get out of here.

  “No, I insist.”

  “Okay.” Becky took her water bottle and fled the store, running down the street until she reached a vacant lot. She leaned against the falling-down fence, panting heavily. What was wrong with her? She felt as if she was losing her mind. 3, 2, 1. With shaking hands, she removed the lid from the bottle and gulped down mouthfuls of cold water, almost choking herself in the process. Get control of yourself, Becky. You’re a mature, sensible grownup now, not a silly teenager.

  Two young men with long, unruly beards and tight, skinny jeans stopped to stare at her. “Are you all right, Miss?” one of them asked. “Do you need any help?”

  “I’m fine, really I am.” She gave them what she hoped was a mature and in-control smile. “Probably just a bit overheated.”

  The shorter man looked up at the chilly grey sky and glanced at his friend. They walked away without saying anything more, both looking back over their shoulders at her as they passed by. Becky took a deep, shuddering breath and sipped slowly at her water until her equilibrium returned. I’m fine, really I am.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “The neighbors have a new dog. I chased it off the front lawn when I get out to get the newspaper. Maybe that’s what scared your cat away.” Michael passed her a cup of coffee and climbed back into bed beside her.

  “Who? Sandra and Alan?”

  “No, the old couple. The Beechfields.” He sipped at his own coffee and sighed with evident satisfaction.

  “I don’t remember seeing it. Maybe they got it after the break in. I don’t blame them for feeling scared.” Finally, she and Michael were getting on with each other again. The massive fights of the past few days had taken their toll, leaving her feeling battle-scarred and wary. Michael seemed to be waving the white peace flag today and she was prepared to accept it, although they hadn’t made love since the night before he stayed at the hotel. The night before the intruder came.

  “What’s the plan for today?” Michael opened the newspaper and spread it across the bedcover. “It’s rare that we both have a weekend day off. We should do something.”

  “I need to get some new candles. I can’t bear the smell of those apple pie ones anymore.” She shuddered as a cold shiver ran up her spine. “Just the thought of someone walking into my living room to light them makes me want to vomit.”

  “I’m not big on shopping, Becks. You know that.”

  “You could have a coffee while I pick out my candles. I want to go to the candle shop in Pioneer Place. There are plenty of coffee shops around there for you to choose from. We can go for that walk we’ve been talking about afterward. Hey!” She grabbed his hand excitedly. “We could book in for a couple’s massage.”

  “A couple’s massage?” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Sounds kinky.”

  “No, it’s nothing like that.” She was already climbing out of bed. “I’ll have a shower and straighten my hair, and then we’ll go. We can have breakfast out.” She opened her top drawer to fetch her hair straightener. Her hair was getting longer and less manageable. She really needed to make the time for a trim.

  “Why don’t you curl it instead of straightening it?” Michael suggested.

  She looked at him in surprise. “Why? I thought you loved my straight hair.”

  “I do. It suits you. It’s just a suggestion. I thought girls liked doing different things with their hair.�
� He smiled winningly at her then turned back to the newspaper. “I’ll jump in the shower after you.”

  She hesitated in the bathroom doorway. “Oh, and Mom asked when are we going to visit them again. I feel guilty that we’ve left it so long. We probably should’ve gone out there for lunch today.” She grimaced. “Am I being selfish for wanting the day to ourselves?”

  “There’s nothing selfish about it. We work hard and we need to make the most of our time off. I’m sure your mother understands.”

  “I guess. Anyway, we do need to make the time to go out there, and sooner rather than later. You know they love having us and they want to show off their renovations.”

  He was reading an article in the paper now and she could see he wasn’t really listening to what she was saying. “Anything you want, Becks. You make a date and I’ll see what I can do.”

  She stood under the shower for a long time, allowing the hot water to run over her. She was looking forward to that massage. Hopefully the masseuse would have the same talented fingers as the woman at the retreat. The tension knot at the back of her neck refused to move, even when she turned the water up as hot as she could bear it. She circled her head around, gently stretching her neck out. Maybe she should take some painkillers before they went out for the day.

  “Becky.” Michael suddenly whisked the shower door open and Becky shrieked in fright. “Why are you screaming? I need to have a shower. You’ve been in there for ages.” He was already climbing in with her, his body large and looming in the enclosed space. “I have to go into work.”

  “What?” She stared at him dumbly as he thrust his head under the running water, hogging the showerhead. “We’re spending the day together.”

  “Not anymore.” He reached for the shampoo bottle as the water ran in rivulets down his back. She could feel herself rapidly growing chilled now that her relaxing shower was interrupted. She angled herself past him and stepped out to grab a towel.

  “What do you mean, not anymore?” She was talking to the closed shower door because he’d pulled it shut after she climbed out. “We’d just finished making plans.”

  He pulled the door open a few inches and peered out at her with scrunched-up eyes. Shampoo bubbles slid down his face and steam rose up in lazy curls in the air above him. “You’d just finished making plans. You know I don’t have any interest in candle shopping or a massage. Go and pamper yourself for the day. You deserve a girly day. I have to go into the office. They’ve just phoned.” He crashed the door shut again. “We’ll do something together for dinner. Maybe we can try that new seafood place.”

  She had dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans and was sitting on the bed when he emerged from the bathroom, cleanly shaven with his hair slicked back and a towel wrapped around his waist. He walked past her on the way to the closet and her nostrils filled with the scent of one of his more expensive colognes. “You smell nice,” she said dully.

  “Have you seen my blue shirt?” He flipped through the hangers in the wardrobe. “The one with the stripes?”

  “It should be there. Michael, why couldn’t you say no? Why didn’t you say that we’d already made plans for the day? I wanted to spend the entire day with you.”

  He dropped his towel as he shrugged his shirt on and began to button it. “You know how crucial it is that I’m on call when situations arise. I need to show them that I can handle responsibility.” He walked across the carpet to stoop and kiss her nose. She could see his penis dangling under the hem of his shirt and she glumly wondered what had happened to those carefree days when she would’ve reached for it. Or when she would’ve leaned forward to place a teasing, lingering kiss on the tiny mole on his upper thigh. He would’ve responded immediately and that would’ve been the end of any talk of him going into work on his day off. What was happening to them?

  He ruffled her damp hair and walked over to the chest of drawers to fetch some boxer shorts and a pair of jeans. “Do you want to go ahead and book the restaurant? I’ll probably be shut up in meetings all day and my phone will be off. Make it for eight. I can be sure I’ll be there if you make the booking for then.”

  “Yes, I’ll book it.” She got off the bed and walked over to where he was standing by the drawers, zipping up his jeans. She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and pressed her face into his back. “Michael, we have to make sure we make enough time for our relationship.”

  He twisted irritably away from her. “Don’t get your makeup all over my shirt.”

  “I’m not wearing any makeup!” She stood and watched him as he sat on the chair to pull on his socks. “Are we in trouble, Michael?”

  “What? What are you talking about? Don’t be so dramatic.” He stood up and looked at his reflection in the mirror before turning and brushing a fleeting kiss across her cheek. She got another strong whiff of his cologne. She remembered buying it now, a surprise for him after he’d mentioned he liked the TV ad. They used to give each other gifts all the time. What had happened to them, and how had it happened so quickly? “I’m off. Shall I meet you at the restaurant? Grab an Uber there and we’ll come home in my car.”

  “Sure.” She heard him clatter down the stairs and then the front door slammed behind him. The silence of the house felt heavy and ominous. She went to lay back on the bed, all interest in shopping and massages now gone. She curled herself up in a ball and gazed at the tattoo on her wrist. Was her life unraveling? Michael didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong. Was it all in her imagination? Did she need to see a therapist again? She’d thought she was over all of this self-doubt but it seemed she’d merely submerged it. She closed her eyes and began to breathe slowly and rhythmically, a coping technique her therapist had taught her after her suicide attempt. She could get through this. She would get through this. She was not ready to lose her dream life, not after she’d put so much time and energy into building it up into what it was. 3, 2, 1.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Alice has put on weight.”

  “She has? I can’t say I’ve noticed.”

  “Yes, she’s curvier.” Sasha ran her eyes over Becky’s body. “Her figure is more like yours now, although now that I look at you properly I can see that you’ve lost weight.”

  “Probably due to all the stress.” Becky had noticed that her clothes were looser but she hadn’t paid too much attention. She had more important things on her mind, such as the breakdown of her relationship. “Come and have a look at these photos, Sash. Do you think I should use this one or the one with the pool as the feature photo?”

  Sasha peered over her shoulder. “Definitely the one with the pool.”

  “Sash…” Becky turned around to face her. They had the office to themselves while Alice was out buying sandwiches. “I think Michael is about to break up with me.”

  Sasha started to laugh but her mirth quickly faded when she saw Becky’s solemn face. “I thought you were joking. Why would you say that? Michael adores you. It’s plain for anyone to see.”

  “Something has changed. He’s less affectionate, less supportive of my moods. He used to drag me off to bed every chance he got but he’s hardly touched me for weeks now.”

  “He is busy,” Sasha pointed out. “You both are. Are you making enough time for each other?”

  “I’m trying to but we keep getting interrupted. His work comes first.”

  “He’s at an important crossroad in his career. Can’t you remember how much time this business took up when we first started it? Chad used to tell me that he couldn’t remember what I looked like unless he compared my real life face to the face of the woman on his screensaver. He even wrote my name across my photos in his phone gallery. He’s such a kidder.” Sasha chuckled at the memory. “We got through it and everything gradually returned to normal.”

  “It’s not just that. He’s… more sarcastic. Less tolerant. It surprises me because I didn’t know he had that side to him.”

  “How long have the two of you been l
iving together?”

  “Two years. I found the house two years ago. We jointly signed the contract and went halves on the mortgage soon after.”

  “Have you heard people say that couples go through a seven year itch?” Sasha had returned to her desk. She stretched her legs out in front of her and tugged her skirt down to cover her knees. “I firmly believe that there’s a seldom talked about two year rash. Chad and I went through it about a year ago.”

  “You did? I thought you and Chad had the perfect relationship.”

  Sasha put her head back and laughed. “Perfect relationship? I doubt there’s any such thing. We argue about having kids all the time. Chad wants them now and I want to wait. It’s a constant bone of contention between us.” She dropped her bombshell casually. “We separated for a short time six months’ ago and we both saw other people during that time.”

  “What!? Why is this the first I’ve heard of it?”

  Sasha gave her a mischievous wink. “I don’t tell you everything. You were snowed under with work at the time and I didn’t want to bother you with my problems. We were only apart for a short time and then we got back together. Chad and I have had our fair share of squabbles. Everyone does. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t.”

  “I suppose you’re right. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” Should she feel hurt? Sasha had said she didn’t tell her everything but Becky had thought they did share everything.

  “It was my little secret.” Sasha gave her a naughty smile and Becky remembered how much of a free spirit her friend used to be. Perhaps it wasn’t so surprising that she’d made the most of her brief freedom while apart from Chad.

  “I’ll just be glad when the elections are over and Michael and I can move on from all of this. The identity theft and the intruder incident haven’t helped matters.”

  “Did anything more happen about your lovesick, candle lighting intruder?”

  “No. The police said there was nothing more they could do and that I should call them if I see anyone acting suspiciously around the house. I’m being very careful to lock the door behind me now, even if I’m just at home for a few minutes. I know that I’m jumpier and more on edge since it happened. It must be frustrating for Michael when he needs me beside him as his biggest supporter.”