Illusion of Luck

by Robert Burton Robinson

  “Yeah. And if he gets pulled over for speeding or whatever, they’ll see that there’s a warrant for his arrest.”

  “Well, we’re just glad to be done with it. Right now we’re driving to Shreveport to catch a flight to Orlando. We’ll get there around 2:00. I doubt we’ll go into any of the parks today since we’re both dead tired, but it’s only Monday, and we’ll be there until Saturday. So we’ll still have plenty of time left.”

  “I just hope you’re not overdoing it—after all you’ve been through.”

  “Well, I guess the smart thing would for me to go home and collapse for a week. But I just don’t feellike doing the smart thing.”

  “Yeah, I don’t blame you. But at least once you get there you can spend the rest of the day in bed.”

  “Definitely.”

  “Oh, yeah, for thattoo.”

  “Yeah.”

  Rebecca could hear the tired smile in Cynthia’s voice. They make a great couple, she thought. She had already spent enough time with Greg to see how much he loved her. And after witnessing the joyful reunion that morning, she knew Cynthia loved him just as much. They were so lucky.

  “Well, y’all have a wonderful honeymoon,” said Sandy.

  “We will. And thanks again for everything y’all did to help rescue me.”

  “You’re welcome. Bye-bye.”

  As soon as they hung up, Sandy said, “They’ve never had sex.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope. They wanted to wait until they got married.”

  “Oh, man. So, they wait all that time, and then just when they’re about to go crazy in bed, Larry shows up and steals her away.”

  “That’s right.”

  “What if Greg had never got her back? I’ll bet then he would have wished they had already done it—at least once.”

  “Well, I don’t think so. Once Greg makes a commitment, he sticks with it.”

  “What about you? What would you have done?”

  “Oh, Iwouldn’t have waited. But, if for some reason I hadwaited and then lost my bride on my wedding night, I’d be kicking my own butt from here to next Tuesday. To me, Greg has funny ideas about some things. But I respect him for it. He does what he thinks is right.”

  “So, you think they were foolish for waiting?”

  “No, I’m not saying they were foolish.”

  “You’re just saying that youwouldn’t have waited.”

  “Right.”

  “Like you couldn’t wait to rub up against my butt and touch my boobs.”

  Sandy grinned sheepishly. “What?”

  “You thought I didn’t notice what you were doing when we were in bed together at the LaQuinta?”

  “Onthe bed together—not inbed together. There’s a big difference.”

  “Whatever.”

  “And it was only oneboob.”

  “So, you admit to taking advantage of me while I was sleeping?”

  “Well, apparently you weren’tsleeping. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have known whatI did.”

  “Really? Well, just what would you have done if I hadn’t woke up?”

  “Well, I…”

  “Where else would you have touched me?”

  Sandy tried to think of a witty response.

  Rebecca didn’t wait for one. “If I had been a sound sleeper, you might have taken off my clothes.”

  Sandy smiled at the thought of feeling her naked body.

  She punched him hard in the arm.

  “Hey. Why’d you do that?”

  “Because I’m serious, but you think it’s a big joke. Have a good laugh on Rebecca, huh?”

  Sandy’s smile was gone. “I’m sorry.”

  “You ought to be.” Rebecca looked straight ahead. “Next time…wake me up first so I can enjoy the whole thing.”

  Sandy turned his head so fast, he nearly gave himself a whiplash. “Nexttime?”

  “Yeah—assuming you want to date me.”

  “Uh…yeah, I want to…date you.”

  “Hey—what did you almost say? You want to whatme?”

  “I’d love to go out with.”

  “No, no. You’re not getting off that easy. What is it you want to do to me?”

  Sandy spit it out all at once. “I want to do everythingto you and withyou. Okay? I really like you a lot. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

  Rebecca tried to hide her smile. “No…not unless you meanit.”

  “Well, of course I mean it.”

  “Great. Then how about picking me up Friday night at 7:00?”

  “Fine.”

  “Well, alright then. I’m glad that’s settled.”

  “Me too, ‘cause I’m sick of talking about it.”

  “Not as sick as Iam.”

  They looked at each other with stern faces for one second, and then started laughing.

  **********

  Even though Crow and Chaucey had been up until 1:00 AM talking, he woke up at 7:00. The couch had not been nearly as comfortable as his bed. But he’d been happy to give it up for his sweet Chaucey.

  She had left the bedroom door open, so he peeked in to check on her, and saw that she was still sleeping. He tiptoed in to get a closer look.

  She is such a beautiful woman, he thought, as he stood next to the bed. He wanted to protect her, as though he was the father and she was the young daughter.

  He leaned over and studied her lovely face and her long, dark, silky hair. As he explored every smooth curve of her face, each eyelash, and her full lips, he was overwhelmed with the desire to kiss her. But he knew it would be improper, so he restrained himself.

  He quietly turned and walked out of the room.

  She heard him leave, but still didn’t open her eyes. She was in the middle of some serious soul searching.

  Chaucey had always been critical of beautiful women who would only date men of equal or greater attractiveness. In high school, all the best-looking guys asked her out. But she soon learned to turn them down. She didn’t appreciate them showing her off like a new car.

  Not that average-looking boys didn’t sometimes do the same thing. For the most part, though, those guys were afraid to even talk to her. The way they saw it, she was not just out of their league, she was a completely different species.

  So, she started being the initiator. The first time she tried was the most memorable. She walked up to a classmate who was getting books out of his locker. “Hey, Johnny.”

  When he turned around and saw who was talking to him, he dropped three of his books. One of them landed on his big toe, causing him to hop for a couple of seconds. “Oh…hi.”

  “I’m Chaucey Reed and I sit across from you in Algebra class.”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “Well, I was just wondering if you’d like to take me to the movies on Friday night.”

  Judging by his reaction, she was pretty sure he had just squirted a little pee in his briefs.

  “Uh…”

  “Great. Pick me up at 6:00.” As she walked away, she spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear, “Can’t wait ‘til Friday night, Johnny.”

  The date had been okay, but nothing special. Nevertheless, by Monday Johnny was bragging like crazy, even though there was nothing to brag about.

  At one point, she decided to try some brainiacs. Again, the results were not at all satisfying.

  She knew the other girls looked at her with envy. ‘She can have any boy she wants,’ they probably said. And that might have been true. The problem was she couldn’t find a boy she wanted.

  Maybe if she had been less attractive the boys wouldn’t have freaked out and acted so weird. Then she might have actually liked them. It was a cruel irony that her teenage dating life had been ruin by her beauty.

  Now she realized her recent actions had been even more ridiculous than that of those high school boys—all because she thought a certain man’s brainwas beautiful. Her risky behavior had nearly gotten her raped or killed. And for what? Sure, the guy wa
s smart, and his writing was eloquent. But his heart was as black as tar.

  She had known for a long time that Crow was in love with her. Yet she had not allowed herself to consider whether she had feelings for him. Why? Was it because his IQ was lower than hers? Or because he was a grocer? Or maybe it was the fact that he lived across the hall. That was just too convenient.

  Perhaps it was time for her to quit limiting her feelings. She had never pictured herself settling down with somebody like Crow. But he was the best friend she’d ever had. And he was very much in love with her. Why did she keep fighting it? She should just let the feelings flow, for a change, and see what happens. Maybe she didn’t love him anyway.

  But maybe she did.

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  Sandy waited in his car while Rebecca went in to pay for the repairs on her Lincoln. When she walked out, he rolled down his window.

  “Okay. I’m good to go.” She turned and started to walk away, but then turned back to him. “Now remember: Friday night, seven sharp. Don’t be late.”

  “I’ll make it a point to be early,” said Sandy.

  “Oh, I get it. You’ll come early hoping to catch me before I’m dressed.”

  “No, no. I didn’t mean—“

  “—well, if you get there tooearly, Buddy, you’ll just have to wait in the car for a while.”

  “Okay. I will ring your doorbell at exactlyseven o’clock.”

  “That’s more like it.”

  She leaned in close and said, “Seriously, thanks. It’s been an adventure.” She surprised him with a kiss on the lips, and walked away before he could think clearly enough to say anything.

  Wow, he thought. Thanks, Greg and Cynthia.

  Rebecca had missed talking to her dad for the past couple of days. Then she realized it had only been one day. But when you’re awake almost around the clock it seems like more.

  Soon after his death, she developed a habit of talking to her dad while she drove. His old car had been the place they had spent much of their time together—especially when she worked with him.

  “I wish you could meet him, Dad. He’s really a nice guy—but not toonice. He’s kinda rough around the edges. Sort of like you. And I really believe I can trust him. I know—I’ve said that before and been wrong. But I’m smarter now. I know what to look for. But I’ll be careful, so don’t worry.”

  She picked up her cell phone and called her office.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Wendy. Good morning.”

  “Morning, Rebecca.”

  “Listen, I’ve had a crazy weekend. And I’m way behind on sleep. So, I need you to reschedule all my appointments for today.”

  “Okay. No problem. But we got a scary voice mail this morning.”

  “Some husband who’s mad because I shot pictures of him doing his girlfriend, huh?”

  “I guess so. But this one’s weird. It rhymes.”

  Rebecca was afraid she knew what that meant. But how and why?

  “I wrote it down. I’ll read it to you.”

  You spoiled my plans for her, you know;

  You had to save the day.

  So, now my body is sinking low,

  Halfway down to the grave.

  But be assured I’ll find my rest

  In peaceful revenge sublime

  Just to know in my heart, your body

  Will be buried under mine.

  If there had been any doubt as to the author, that last line clinched it for Rebecca:

  Your body will be buried under mine.

  Barry Undermine.

  Rebecca felt a cold chill creeping up her spine, but couldn’t stop it. The shivers spread across her shoulders and up the back of her neck.

  She wondered how he even knew her name. Then it hit her: he had Melanie’s business card. And the card had Rebecca’s name on it too. He might have heard Greg or Sandy call her by name. He probably figured that was how Greg tracked him down—with the help of Melanie’s partner.

  “Don’t erase that message, Wendy. I might want to let the police hear it.”

  “Okay.”

  Rebecca could not think straight. She was upset by the message, but too tired to deal with it. If she slept until the next morning, that was fine with her. She wouldn’t even bother to set the alarm clock.

  She didn’t really think Larry wouldn’t try to slip in during the night and stab her to death. But, at the very least, he’d give her nightmares.

  **********

  Sandy made it to the campus just in time for his 9:00 AM music theory class.

  “New look, Mr. Vockelman?” said the smart aleck on the back row.

  It was Sandy’s second day without shaving and his third day in the same clothes. If his students thought he lookedbad, they certainly wouldn’t want to smellhim.

  He opened his grade book and picked up a pencil. “So, I take it you’d like a big fat ‘F’ for today, Mr. Kelley?”

  “Uh, no Sir. I was just kidding…Sir.”

  “Well, Mr. Kelley, I am impressed. That’s the most ‘sirs’ I’ve heard from you all year.”

  The class laughed.

  The students might have thought Sandy would be in a bad mood, judging by his appearance. But they didn’t know about Rebecca.

  “Alright. Time for a little melodic dictation.”

  They got their staff paper and pencils ready to go.

  Melodic dictation is an exercise wherein the teacher plays a melody on the piano while students listen and attempt to write it down.

  Normally, Sandy played from a book of melodies. Today he was making it up as he went along. Would he be able to remember what he had played so he could grade their papers? Hopefully. But he was so lost in his newfound joy that he just didn’t care. Everybody would get an ‘A’ today.

  **********

  Larry’s perfect plan to win Cynthia had failed miserably. But he saw it as only a temporary setback. He might not ever win her heart, but he wouldwin her body. If she didn’t give it up willingly, he would just take it.

  What bothered him most was the thought that Cynthia might be somehow immune to his powers of luck. Ever since high school, ever since the big game, Lucky Larry had always seen things work out well for him.

  When he had decided to drop out of college after just one year, his parents were very upset with him. But he tried to make amends by taking over the yard work and promising to get a job. He had even helped his dad work on his car.

  It had been unfortunate that Larry had not fully tightened the brake lines though. His father had been unable to navigate the curve in the road and had rammed into a telephone pole at 65 mph. The police said he might have survived the crash if his seat belt had been functioning properly.

  Then there was dear old Mom. Larry had been talking with her at the top of the stairs when she lost her balance. It was the broken neck that had killed her. He had made a heroic effort to catch her when she started to fall. He could still remember the look in her eyes as her fingers slipped through his, just before she tumbled down the long staircase. She seemed to be saying: ‘Don’t worry, Larry, you will inherit a small fortune. We planned ahead. We thought of you.’

  He sat down in the chair and took off his shoes and socks. He needed a good nap before making the long drive. Taking a plane was out of the question. The authorities might already be watching for him.

  Greg and Cynthia would be arriving at Walt Disney World soon. They would check in to the Grand Floridian Resort. And then, no doubt, she and Greg would consummate the marriage. The thought of it made him sick. So, he tried not to dwell on it.

  The perfect couple would enjoy a blessed night of bliss. And the next day, he might even let them have some fun with Mickey for a while. But soon he would intervene. He would find an opportunity to snatch Cynthia away again—just when they thought they were safe.

  He stood up, took off his shirt and pants, and laid them across the chair. Then he picked up the yearbook and studied the picture. She was so m
uch prettier than the other cheerleaders. No surprise that she had been elected captain.

  He took off his underwear and threw it on top of his other clothes and admired his naked body in the full-length mirror. He checked himself out from several angles. In his mind, he was muscular and well-toned.

  He slipped between the sheets and turned off the lamp. The drapes blocked out most of the sunlight. For the first time since the start of puberty, he would skip his bedtime self-gratification ritual. Because he knew his dreams would be vivid. And that when he woke up, the sheets would be wet from virtual lovemaking. No matter how exhausted he was, he knew these would be the most sex-filled dreams ever. How could they notbe? He was sleeping in her bed.

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  Larry stepped into the cloud of steam and shut the door. He closed his eyes and stood still for a few moments, inhaling the mist of Cynthia’s shower. His hand tingled when he picked up her half-used bar of Dove. This is hersoap, he thought. He pictured her rubbing it on her arms, her breasts, and her legs as he lathered himself to immense pleasure.

  He had only slept three hours—until noon. But that would be enough to sustain him for the 15-hour drive to Orlando. He didn’t need much sleep—especially when he thought about her.

  Soon Greg and Cynthia would be in bed and Greg would finally have a chance to prove his manhood. But, of course, he would not be able to satisfy her. He seemed like a nice guy, and Larry was certain Greg would give it his best shot. But anybody could see he was way out of his league.

  Cynthia needed a realman—not some girlyman. Greg would be kind and gentle, and say sweet things to her—like a womanwould do. That just wouldn’t cut it for the super-hot redhead.

  Larrywas what she really needed—even though she might not realize it. He would tear her clothes off, throw her down and ride her hard. That was the only way to make her happy. Domination.

  So, he would rescue her from the sad disappointment she had married. She would resist—but mostly to spare Greg’s feelings. Why should a fine woman such as Cynthia be sentenced to life with a limp lover?