Jaq With a Q (Kismet)

by Jettie Woodruff

  “Oh, okay. I guess that will be okay. Goodbye.”

  “Goodnight, Jaq.”

  “Wait. You don’t know my address.”

  “Oh right, you’re quick. Good job,” I praised, mentally chastising myself for the slip.

  My phone went into the air, plopping to the sofa as my hands met my knees. I stayed in that position, my eyes momentarily focused on a brown swirl in the tile, trying to take it all in. For the first time in years, I was excited about something, something huge.

  Reaching for my phone, I stood up and dialed my brother’s number. “Silas,” I said excitedly.

  “Hey, bro. I’m sort of busy; can I call you later?”

  “Silas, I’m going to the house.”

  “The house?”

  “Yes, the lake house.”

  “There’s no power.”

  “I’ll have it turned on before I go, genius.”

  “Oh. Okay, great. Can this wait?”

  “You with a girl?”

  “Sort of.”

  “Fine, you can call me later, just answer one question so I know whether or not to look elsewhere. Can you get me a couple prescriptions?”

  “Um, sure. What kind of prescriptions?”

  “I don’t want to get into it yet if you’re distracted.”

  “Yeah, I’m definitely distracted. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  I’m really not sure if I slept at all that night, too many things running through my mind. The house, getting her there, the medication, her being hungry, so many things I needed to do. A purpose. I had a purpose again.

  Chapter Two

  For the first time since I had started my new job, I called in sick, and truth be told, I really wanted to call and say I quit, take my subject back to Maine, and start my experiment. The gratification I would get from that would be greater than her own, greater than a Nobel Prize, a breakthrough that could make a difference in so many lives. I knew I could do it. If only I could talk her out of that apartment.

  My first stop was the local phone company. I waited with a red number twenty-two, a paper tag that would tell me when it was my turn. My nerves were crazy, almost to the point of pacing. What if they needed inside? What if she wouldn’t go for that? The chances of that were high. Very high.

  I jumped, my body jolting from the unexpected ring in my pocket and stood. “Hey,” I answered, looking up to the number seventeen and then my tag while I walked to the far end, away from people.

  “What’s up, bro?”

  “A lot, Silas. I met this girl, well sort of. It’s complicated.”

  “Yeah, I had one of those last night, too. She’s sexy as fuck and I’m here for a week trying like hell to make her a five-night stand. Are you smelling what I’m cooking?”

  I furrowed my brows, a light shake of my head, and sarcastically replied. “Yeah, that sounds complicated.”

  “Right? Your turn. Who’s the lucky lady?”

  “Well, she’s not really a lady. She’s barely eighteen.”

  “Um, yeah, disapprove.”

  “No, it’s not like that. Remember Dad’s old journals? The ones with that wild girl?”

  “You found a wild girl?”

  “No, not exactly. She’s scared.”

  “I’m so confused right now, Oliver. Why are you going to the lake?”

  The lady behind the counter called the number before mine, speedily rushing my call. “I’ve got to go. Are you going to be around? I’ll call you in a little bit.”

  “I’m in Portland, getting ready to go into a meeting. I’ll call you. This isn’t anything illegal, is it?”

  Twenty-one. Twenty-one.

  “Not yet. We’ll talk later.”

  Lucky for me, the lady didn’t ask questions. She didn’t care whether I was paying for someone else’s internet services or not. Unlucky for me, they needed inside. I set it up for that afternoon, unsure if I could get them in.

  Next came the grocery store. I had a feeling she wasn’t really picky, so I filled a cart with things I liked. A lot of fresh fruit, raw vegetables, and lean meat. Potatoes, bread, and condiments. I even stopped just before arriving in her neighborhood for a carton of ice-cream. My favorite. Butter Pecan.

  Wallace stood by my side holding the bag while I dialed her number, patiently waiting for his pay.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, it’s me. Can Wallace come up?”

  Her voice was shaky, and I had a feeling she’d been nervously waiting for this all morning. “I don’t think this is a good idea anymore.”

  I used her hunger, debating on asking if I could bring it myself. The vibes I got from her told me she wasn’t quite ready for that. “I brought food.”

  “He can’t get in without the code.”

  “What is it, Jaq? Tell me what it is.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “Don’t be. Everything is fine. Tell me the code.”

  “I can’t do this. Never mind, okay?”

  I was too close to let her back out now. “No, it’s not okay. I have all this stuff for you. Tell me the code, I’ll bring it to you.”

  Her reply was instant and loud. She wasn’t about to let that happen. “No! Let the boy come. Wallace.”

  “Okay, good girl. What’s the code?”

  “What if he comes back?”

  “He won’t, Jaq. He’s nice. Tell me the code.”

  “54956.”

  “It’s okay. I’m right here. I’ll stay on the phone with you.” Holding the phone from my ear, I ushered Wallace to go, whispering the code. “Go, knock gently. Are you there, Jaq? Wallace is coming up.”

  The tone was almost a whine. “No, I can’t. I won’t let him in.”

  “He’s not going to hurt you, Jaq. I promise. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. Just keep talking. Tell me about your day. Did you sleep well?”

  That was definitely a snort, sarcasm for sure. “No, I don’t really sleep.”

  “I didn’t sleep much either. I had you on my mind.”

  “You did?”

  “Yup and you’re going places. That’s a promise.”

  “I feel like you’re up to something. I don’t understand why you would do this.”

  “I’m not up to anything.”

  A loud gasp was heard and then silence, followed by a whisper. “He’s here.”

  “It’s okay. Open the door. It’s just Wallace. He’s just going to hand you a bag.”

  “What if it’s not?”

  “It is. Look out your peephole.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “Jaq, I’m right here. Unlock the door.”

  I listened to the locks being unlatched, four I think, and then I heard Wallace.

  “I gots your food.”

  “You’re okay, Jaq. Tell him to set them down.”

  “Uh-uh.”

  “I’ll just put them right here, okay?” Wallace said with a quiet tone, pleasing me with his behavior toward her.

  Right after I heard the door slam, she nervously said goodbye. “I got it. Goodbye.”

  “Wait, I have someone coming to hook up your internet at one.”

  “I’m done, dude. Where’s my pay?”

  I dropped my phone and frowned at Wallace, shushing him with a finger over my lips.

  “No way. I’m not doing that.”

  “What if Wallace comes back? He’s a tough kid, he’ll protect you. He’ll stay there while they work.”

  “That’s gonna cost you more.”

  “I’ll just use my neighbor’s internet. I know when it’s on.”

  “Okay, how about this? You can lock yourself in the bathroom and I’ll stay on the phone with you while they’re there.”

  “Broccoli and grapes. What do I look like? Where’s the pizza, the chips, the soda?”

  “I’ll order you a pizza and soda tonight if you let them come in and turn on the internet.”

  The quietness was a considering sign. “I don’t know. Is it just o
ne person?”

  “I don’t know, but you don’t have to know either. You can hide behind the bathroom door and I’ll talk to you until they’re gone.”

  “I do that all the time.”

  I frowned, wondering what we were actually talking about. “Do what?”

  “Never mind. When?”

  I slapped Wallace’s hand away while fetching my wallet. “I’m not sure, after two. They’re going to call me when they’re on their way. I’ll call you and let you know as soon as I know. Okay?”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “I’ll take that. In the meantime, there’s a cellphone in the bag. Spend some time on that, think about that, not the phone guys. Can you do that?”

  “It’s a smartphone.”

  “Yes, it is. Fully charged. Set up a nice ringtone, pick a nice photo for your screen, find a game. Focus on that, that’s it. Okay?”

  “Okay, I’ll try.”

  “Good girl. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Goodbye.”

  I let out an anxious breath of air and slapped a ten in Wallace’s hand.

  “What’s wrong with her? What’cha gonna do?”

  “I have no idea. She’s sick.”

  “She crazy. You want me to come back for the internet people?”

  With an idea already in mind, I looked at my watch and got in my car; time an important virtue. “I’ll call you. Thanks, Wallace.”

  “It’s Hooker. Stop calling me that,” he yelled, his bark way worse than his bite.

  “Now, where does one find spy cameras in New York?” I questioned aloud, driving through the rundown streets with my thumb searching for an address on my phone. I couldn’t help but think about her back home, where she could go outside anytime she wanted without being afraid. And then I thought about the mess and what kind of shape the house would be in. I was thirteen the last time I was there; the last time anyone was there. For all I knew the place wasn’t even livable.

  There were two spy stores in the city, one on the east side and one the west. I chose the one closest to me, in awe of the technology. Genius and expensive. The minuscule batteries alone cost a fortune. Nine hundred-fifty-two bucks and three tiny cameras’ later, I was set. Now if I could just get them placed without her knowing. Her hiding in the bathroom was perfect, me talking to her on the other side of the door was not. Hell, I would just tell her I would be the one there. It was my money, she was eating my food, and using my phone and internet. If this was going to work, it was going to be my way.

  I parked my car on the same side as her apartment, a parking lot almost directly in front of her apartment. Of course, I didn’t see any movement, not that I was expecting to, and the drapes never moved. The tiny cameras I had just cut off an arm and a leg for had me overly impressed. Smaller than a pencil eraser. Now, to get them up there. My eyes shifted to the second floor as a deep breath filled my lungs.

  “God,” I cried when my phone rang in my lap. Being jumpy like this was sort of foreign. I hadn’t had this much exciting adrenaline in years.

  “Hey, bro. So give me the scoop. What are you up to?”

  “Man, Silas. I don’t know. This chick called me from out of the blue a few weeks back, only she called the wrong Oliver Benson.”

  “There’s two of you? Good Lord.”

  I ignored the humor attempt, my fingers pinching the bridge of my nose for a quick second and then turned back to the expert hacky-sacker, a kid not much more than a toddler. Alone on the sidewalk, not an adult in sight. Nothing about this was funny. “From my own research, I think there’s four. Two in New York. Anyway, she was looking for a hit man.”

  “Whoa. Hold the phone. What the hell are you doing, Oliver?”

  I rolled my eyes and shook my head at my idiot brother. “I’m not going to knock anyone off, and that’s not why she called.”

  “But you just said—.”

  “You didn’t let me finish. She wanted a hitman to kill her.”

  “Why? And why didn’t she just do it herself.”

  “She’s scared.”

  “Of what?”

  “Everything, I have no idea, but I’m about to find out.”

  “You’re taking her to the lake? You know that place hasn’t been opened in what …?”

  “Yes, I know, but not yet. She won’t let me get close to her.”

  “Is she in a psych ward or something?”

  “No, she lives in a shitty part of town. I haven’t got the story on that yet, but I know she’s been there for about three months. I just don’t know why yet. Someone approached her a couple weeks ago, and I guess she lost it. Sat down in the street and started screaming.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “This kid. He’s been keeping an eye on the place for me. He said she took off running, leaving her groceries on the street. That was the last time she was out of her apartment.”

  “What are you going to do, Oliver? I don’t like this.”

  “You know what I’m going to do. I just have to find the formula. Surely he left it somewhere, maybe the journals.”

  The anxious grunt came before the words. “Ha, um yeah. You’ve flipped your lid. I told you to go into business school. You never listen to me. You can’t induce love through a manmade drug laced with LSD. Stop, leave the girl alone. Let’s do something. An adventure. Brazil. I was there last month, and man, you want a place to find the meaning of life? Go there. The beaches are truly cosmic.”

  “Yeah, like I’m going to jump on a plane and fly anywhere. I’m doing this, Silas. She needs me. She needs someone.”

  “Why you? Where’s her family?”

  “I don’t know yet. I’m just now scratching the surface.”

  “Oh, my God. It’s finally happened. You’ve lost your mind. Oliver, get a hold of yourself, dude. Listen to what you’re saying. I don’t like it, Oliver. I’m the oldest. You’re supposed to listen to me. Listen, damn it.”

  “I’ve got to go. I’ll keep you posted. I’m about to plant a few cameras’ in her apartment.”

  “Oliver. Seriously? You’re going to go to jail.”

  “I’m not. I’ll talk to you soon. Oh, what about the list of meds I sent you. Can you get them?”

  “Yeah, they’ll be there tomorrow, FedEx, but did you know two of those drugs are placebo?”

  “Yeah, I knew that. I have to go.”

  I hung up without a proper goodbye, switching to the call on hold. There wasn’t enough time to explain that one. “This is Oliver.”

  “About time. I’ve got an order for 119 Dressler Street. I’ll be there in thirty.”

  “Sorry, I was on another call. I’ll see you then.”

  It took two tries to get Jaq to answer her new number. Just when I was about to hang up and try the old one, she answered. “Hello.”

  “Hi, it’s me.”

  “Ollie?”

  “Oliver, yes. The internet guy will be here—there, in thirty minutes.”

  “I changed my mind. I don’t want pizza.”

  “Nobody’s going to hurt you, Jaq. How about I come with them? You can go into your bathroom and lock the door. I’ll make sure nothing happens. I’ll protect you.”

  “No, I don’t want you to see how I live.”

  That piqued my curiosity. What did that mean? She lived in a slum neighborhood. I was pretty sure I knew how she lived. “If this is going to work, you’re going to have to trust me. I need to know everything.”

  “No, I don’t want you to come here.”

  I hid the heavy sigh, my eyes darting to my little cameras by my side and my strong backbone curving with defeat. Now what? “Can Wallace come? He didn’t hurt you. You can trust him.”

  “I don’t trust anyone.”

  “Jaq, we had a deal. You’re not trying.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “I know, but I’m giving you my word. Nothing is going to happen, and nobody is going to hurt you. I promise.”

  An a
udible breath was heard through the phone, and then she caved. “Okay, Wallace can come.”

  “That’s my girl. Okay, I’m going to go call him, and then I will call you back. I’ll talk to you on the phone the entire time they’re there. Okay?”

  “Okay. Goodbye.”

  “Bye, Jaq. You’re fine. I promise.”

  I rubbed my hands over my face and through my hair, trying to get a grip before phoning my helper.

  “Yo, what’s up, brother?”

  “Wallace, I need you to meet me at my car. I’m parked in front of the tobacco store.”

  “You don’t stop calling me that, you ain’t getting shit. It’s Hooker.”

  “Yeah, take my word on this one. Use Wallace, find a passion in life and go for it. Hooker’s going to be dead by the time he’s old enough to vote. Your mama deserves better than that. You coming or not? I see another kid here that looks like he could use a few bucks.”

  “Whatever, I be there in five.”

  Wallace was confident he could place the cameras without her being able to point them out, but he wanted more money.

  “Seriously? Fifty bucks for ten minutes’ worth of work? I’ll give you twenty. Take it or leave it.”

  Wallace gave me a dirty look and walked away with the small bag of equipment. I stared after him, feeling the blood pump hard through my veins, adrenaline I would never get used to. He followed the utility guy wearing a belt full of tools, and I dialed Jaq.

  “Hello.”

  “Unlock the door, Jaq. They’re on their way up. Wallace is with him. You’re fine.”

  “No. I changed my mind. I don’t want to do this. Just leave me alone.”

  “Go unlock the door, Jaq. Unlock the door and walk into the bathroom.”

  “I can’t.”

  My stern voice wasn’t meant to intimidate her, but I’m sure that’s what happened. It wasn’t like I had a slew of options coming my way. I had to be demanding. “Do it. Now,” I ordered.

  For a silent second, I thought she hung up, and then I heard a click followed by three more.

  “Good girl. See, that was easy. Now go into the bathroom and close the door.”

  “It’s not a very good door. The lock only has a hook on it.”

  “It’s okay, Jaq. Nobody’s coming in there. It’s just you and me. What do you think of your new phone? Pretty cool, huh?”