No Way Out

by Ancelli

  “Listen to me—she’s not worth your freedom. Get in your car.” Tom grabbed his arm.

  He pulled his arm away, and pointed at Lorie. “You have crossed the lines many times, but this time is the last. Now you will feel my wrath, you bitch!”

  Lorie’s eyes widened and her lips slightly opened in apparent shock. “You’ve never…” Tears rolled down her pinkened cheeks.

  “Keep away from me.” Perry ambled to his car and placed the gear in drive. He slammed his foot on the gas and skidded down the road. He continued driving, praying for strength. He was slowly losing his way; if he hadn’t left when he did, he didn’t know what he would’ve done.

  ~~~

  Perry pulled up and parked behind Mr. James’ old Cadillac. He could see Alicia’s parents in their kitchen. His phone hadn’t stopped beeping since he’d left his house. He needed to change his number. He rested his head on the steering wheel. He’d almost put his hands on Lorie. There was only so much a man could take. Someone tapped on his window, making him twist his head to the side.

  “Perry, are you okay?” Mr. James asked, concerned. “What happened?”

  Perry slowly opened the door, and stepped out. “James, if I let out my rage on Lorie, I’m going to end up killing her,” he snapped. “I can’t take it anymore.” He punched the top of the car, making a dent. He didn’t fucking care at this point. “I’m trying so hard to keep it together.” He closed his eyes for a couple of seconds, trying to control his anger. “I’ve reached my breaking point.” Perry opened and closed his fist, feeling the aftereffects of his striking the metal roof. “I’ve tried to be a stand-up guy, but when you have a fucking woman hitting and treating you like shit, taking your kindness as weakness…” He sighed, looking at the man who’d embraced him as a son. “Look, forget it.” He would laugh in his face, too.

  “Son.” James placed his hand on his shoulder. “You made the right decision, leaving her. I know the strength you have. If, you even lifted a finger against her, she would be in the hospital. I remember the way you destroyed those fellas in the ring when you were only a teen.”

  Perry swallowed, recalling the night he’d seen Alicia’s dad in the front row of the underground fight. Both their eyes had widened in surprise at seeing each other in that environment. At the time, James had had a problem with gambling, and Perry had needed money to pay the rent that month. They’d promised never to mention that night to anyone, and James had promised to get help for his gambling issues. Perry made sure he won that night, sending his father-in-law home with triple the funds he’d walked into the gym with, and Perry had ended up in the ER that night. That was Perry’s last fight; his body had taken on more than it could that evening.

  “Take a deep breath, son.” James continued to pat his shoulder and then he pointed at the dent and the shattered glass in the back. “This right here is material: it can be replaced.” James took out his cell and took several pictures. “We’ll take it to the garage tomorrow morning.” He picked up a few pieces of broken glass and threw them in the garbage. “You need to pay a visit to your old stomping grounds, Miko’s.” Perry hadn’t given the gym any thought. Maybe James was right. Getting in the ring might help. “It will help you release all that rage you’ve been keeping bottled up all this time. I think it’s time for you to return to your safe haven. Come on, Noreen will be happy to have a guest staying with us. I get on her nerves.”

  “James, it’s okay. I’m going to stay at my aunt’s,” Perry said, following the old man.

  James opened the car door and popped the trunk. “You’re staying here.”

  “I didn’t come here for this,” he said. “I just needed to calm down before I went to my aunt’s, because she would overreact and pay Lorie a visit.”

  “That might be what is needed.” James started taking out his suitcase. “Your aunt’s will be the first place that woman would go looking for you. The second place will be at Alicia’s, and in the state your mind is right now, it’s best if you keep miles away from her. You’re staying with us—end of discussion. Your wife won’t show up here.” He picked up a suitcase and walked up the steps to the front door, and Perry followed with the other two suitcases. “Noreen, Perry is staying with us for a bit.”

  Noreen walked out of the kitchen, cleaning her hands in a kitchen towel. “You can stay with us as long as you need.” she smiled. “Mia will be delighted, having her daddy living so close.”

  “Thank you,” Perry said, placing his bags down on the floor.

  “Stop thanking us. We’re family and we take care of each other. What happened to your car?”

  “His wife,” James said, taking a seat. “You’ll be staying in Alicia’s old room.”

  Noreen stared at him. “Did you report it?”

  “It’s okay. My marriage is over.” Perry sat down on the leather couch.

  “You need to get a restraining order on her.” Noreen stared at him.

  “I don’t think that’s necessary,” Perry said. He shook his head. Now they viewed him as weak.

  “You did the right thing walking away, Perry,” James chimed in. “Take a bow, boy. Most men can’t hold back and then they are the ones behind bars.” He turned on the TV. “Keep your head up. It takes a real man to leave without doing damage.”

  Noreen strolled over to Perry and placed a kiss on his temple. “We’re here for you.” She walked away to the kitchen. “Lunch is ready. Get up, you don’t have a maid.”

  Perry chuckled. “I see where Alicia gets it from.”

  “Like mother, like daughter,” James said, getting up. “Come on, boy, Noreen’s food makes everything better.”

  “I know.” He followed suit.

  Chapter Eight

  Perry parked in front of his old stomping grounds. He needed to release all the aggression he had inside, and James was right: Miko’s was the perfect place to do it. The sign on the old building was barely on the hinges. Perry hadn’t been on this side of town in a long time. He wondered how Miko was doing. The last thing he’d heard about the old man, he’d been hospitalized. His aunt Lola went to visit him. She said he seemed to be in good spirits.

  He slowly opened the car door and grabbed his gym bag. He’d packed a pair of boxing gloves and wraps. Perry opened the glass doors, strolled into the gym, and immediately felt like he was home. The place looked and smelled like musk, the same as it had years ago. There were a couple of teenagers training in the ring, and a few other people using the new weight machines. There was a monthly fee for using the gym, and every Friday Miko had a fight scheduled. Perry shook his head. The man hadn’t changed a bit. He was still a hustler. He’d used Perry as a teen, but they’d both benefited at the end.

  He strolled over to the manager’s office, and stopped at the threshold. Miko was behind a small desk. He was twice the size he used to be, his head was covered in grey hair, and he wore glasses in order to read the newspaper.

  He didn’t even look up. “I don’t have time—”

  “You don’t have time for me?” Perry chuckled as soon as he saw the man’s face beam when he recognized the voice.

  “Perry!” He popped out of his seat. “It’s been years.” He gave him a bear hug. “Life has treated you well.”

  Perry embraced him. “I don’t know about that.” He slowly pulled back, watching his mentor, the man he’d looked up to.

  “What are you doing here?” Miko asked.

  He grabbed his boxing gloves. “I need to take out some aggression. How much will it be?”

  Miko cocked his head. “Lola would kill me if I take a cent from you. How’s the wifey doing?” He sat back down in his chair.

  Perry wasn’t sure who he was referring to.

  “That girl was a firecracker.” Miko chuckled. “She tore into me at the hospital when you got hurt. Alicia dared me to get in touch with you again. I’ve never seen a woman go to bat the way she used to. She stood up to anyone that dared come at you.”

  He jus
t stared at the older man. Perry hadn’t known Alicia’s had a conversation with Miko. “That’s why you cut all communication?”

  “Between your girl and Lola.” He smiled. “Yep, you were better off staying away from the gym. I wasn’t the best role model for you. Lola has been a feisty thing, since we were kids.”

  “You did your best.” Perry raised his eyebrow. “I didn’t know you and my aunt knew each other as kids.” He stood, grabbing his bag.

  “I saw her here and there.” He stumbled over his words.

  “Did you and my aunt mess around?”

  “Hell, no!” Miko raised his voice. “You just made me gag.”

  “She visited you at the hospital.” Perry watched him closely.

  “A lot of people came to visit. She was being nosey, that’s all,” he replied, not looking him in the eye.

  Perry walked out of the office. “You want to spot me?”

  “Like old days.” They strolled over to the punching bag. Perry wrapped his hands up, and slipped on his black gloves. Miko gripped the bag from the back, and Perry started punching it. The first punch was beyond soothing. The more he hit the bag, the more he felt the weight beginning to lift from his shoulders. His life flashed in front of him, and the only people that mattered were his girls and Alicia. Where would he be without that woman? She’d held him down when no one else would. “Fuck” he said, underneath his breath. He’d fucked up big-time. He should’ve just asked Alicia to marry him that day in her office, and instead he’d been an asshole to her. He should’ve been happy all her hard work had paid off. She thought he didn’t love her enough, but that was so far from the truth. She was imprinted on his soul; Alicia was all he’d ever wanted, and all he would ever want. He’d known Lorie was a mistake the moment he’d walked into that bathroom, all those years before. Perry punched the bag harder as sweat started to roll down his face, making his eyes burn. He prayed when the results of Tiffany’s paternity test came back that he wasn’t her father. He felt like shit for hoping she wasn’t, but he couldn’t help himself.

  “Take it easy.” Miko released the punch bag as Perry started kicking it, too. “What’s going on?”

  He continued hitting the bag, ignoring the question. Perry didn’t come to the gym to speak. He came for some physical therapy, and right now, he felt content. His knuckles ached as he continued his assault. Miko walked off to the ring.

  “My boy still has it,” he said to another guy beside the boxing ring. “Look at him go.”

  Perry gasped for air as he slowly hit the bag. He was exhausted, but he left refreshed. He would pay for this workout tomorrow morning. Perry pulled off his gloves. Closing and opening his fists, he unwrapped his knuckles. They were slightly swollen. Miko handed him a bottle of water. “Thanks,” he said, out of breath, and took a long gulp.

  “Go home before your lady busts through the doors.” Miko chuckled.

  “You don’t have to worry about Alicia.” He placed his hands on his knees. “We went our separate ways a few years ago.”

  “What the fuck?” Miko blurted out. “You let that girl go? Are you crazy?”

  “Yep, I was crazy to let her go.” He wiped his face with a towel. “I can’t turn back the hands of time.”

  “What the hell happened?” Miko asked. “You were saving up for a ring.”

  “I was selfish.” Perry picked up his bag. “Alicia and Mia were the best thing that ever happened to me. I took my family for granted.” He threw the towel in his bag. “They made me a better man.” He didn’t mention Tiffany and Lorie because he didn’t want to explain shit that wasn’t anyone’s business but his.

  “Mia?”

  “My daughter.” Perry smiled, and pulled out his wallet to show a picture of Mia, with Tiffany and Alicia in the back.

  “Alicia gained some weight, but she’d still as beautiful as she was years ago. Your baby girl is adorable.” Miko stared at the picture. Perry swore he saw sadness in his eyes. “Who’s the other little girl?”

  “My daughter too.” Perry took the wallet away from him.

  “You have two daughters with Alicia?” Perry could tell he already knew the answer to that question.

  “No,” Perry answered softly. “It’s a long story.”

  “That’s why you two broke up?”

  Perry cracked his neck. “No, she came later, but I’m not getting into that story right now.”

  Miko cleared his throat. “Lola didn’t tell me you had kids.” He smiled. “They are beautiful. What are their names?”

  “Mia and Tiffany.” He rubbed his knuckles. “I’ve changed for them.”

  “I know the feeling.” Miko leaned against the wall.

  “I never asked this before, but do you have kids?”

  He shook his head. “My one regret.”

  Perry felt sorry for the old man. He couldn’t see his own life without his girls. Being a father was a role that brought emotions he couldn’t explain. His heart celebrated when the nurse had placed Mia in his hands seven years ago, and then again, when he’d finally met Tiffany a couple days after she was born. He should’ve known then that Lorie was bat-shit crazy, because she hadn’t even told him when she’d gone into labor.

  “It was nice seeing you again.” Perry hugged the older man, and leaned away. “I’ll be back next week for another session. I might bring a friend.”

  “See you then, son,” Miko said. There was something in his voice. “Don’t tell Lola you saw me or that you came here.”

  “You’re still afraid of my aunt.” His lips curled up. “It will be like the old days, our little secret,” he said, going out the door to reality. As he was leaving the gym, his phone rang.

  “Hello!” Alicia sweet voice echoed through his body.

  “What’s up?”

  “I’m checking up on you,” Alicia said. “I didn’t hear back from you yesterday.”

  “I’m staying with your parents.” Perry didn’t want her hearing it from someone else.

  “What?”

  “Something happened and I needed to talk to your dad and he convinced me to stay for a few days.” He got in the car and stared at the back of the car where the glass was now missing.

  “What happened?” she asked, concerned.

  “Nothing you need to worry about.” He started his car.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Did you show that chump the door yet?”

  “He’s a very nice person, Perry. I might have feelings for him.”

  Her words were like a knife through his heart, but what did he expect? He’d been in a loveless marriage for two years, and no way could he expect Alicia to turn into a nun. It was a miracle she wasn’t already married yet.

  “Perry, are you still there?”

  “Yes,” he said softly, “you might have feelings for him.” He smiled. “You don’t love him?”

  Now it was her not answering.

  “I already know the answer, mami.” He pressed his foot on the gas when he saw a familiar car following. Fuck, he said underneath his breath. Lorie. He needed to lose her; no way was he letting her know where he was staying. He pulled into a motel downtown and she continued down the road. What the hell was she doing on this side of town? “I made you a promise years ago.” He sighed. “Alicia, I fucked up, but you always came first. You are my zing—”

  “And you are my zang.” She spoke barely above a whisper, but he heard her. “I have to get back to work.” She hung up without even saying goodbye.

  “Bye, love.” He parked at the motel for about twenty minutes and made sure Lorie wasn’t on his tail again.

  The next couple of days, Perry took different routes to work, and stopped at the same motel, just in case. He wasn’t going to put Alicia’s parents in harm’s way. A few days later, he found a small apartment close to Alicia and Mia. It would be available in a couple of weeks. Perry hadn’t seen Tiffany going on three weeks. His heart ached for his little girl, but for his own sanity, he had
to do what he was doing. Lorie had gone off the handle when she’d been served. Every time his aunt went over to get his daughter, Lorie wasn’t home. Their first court date was approaching soon, and he couldn’t wait to sue for shared custody.

  Chapter Nine

  Two weeks later

  There was a knock on the door, and Perry punched the pillow. “Yes?” His grogginess showed in his voice.

  He’d had a late night at the gym. Miko and Perry had gone out for a couple of drinks afterwards. Miko was the only father figure he’d had, growing up on the rough streets. He wasn’t perfect, but he was the one who’d taught him how to treat a woman, and to control his temper. No matter what mess he’d put Perry in, he would always be a special person in his life. He missed the old man.

  “Good morning,” Mrs. Noreen sang. “Get ready for church! You missed last week. If you’re staying under my roof, you’re going to church on Sundays.” As he heard her walk away, Mia began giggling.

  “Can I come in, Daddy?”

  “Come in.” He sat up in the small, twin bed, cracking his neck. His back and neck hurt from how firm the mattress was. How did Alicia survive sleeping on this bed? He placed his feet on the wooden floor.

  “Bendición, Daddy.” Mia opened the door with a grin on her beautiful face.

  “Que Dios te bendiga, princess,” he said, yawning.

  “Grandma is not playing around. She takes church very serious.” Mia tilted her head. “She called Mommy and woke her up, too.”

  Perry rubbed his eyes. He couldn’t wait until he moved into his apartment in a couple of days. He loved Alicia’s parents but they had too many rules. “Is your mom here?”

  “Yes, she’s eating breakfast.” Mia sat down next to him. “Daddy, are you getting a divorce?”

  Perry twisted to the side, staring at his precious daughter. “Yes. Do you know what a divorce is?”

  “Yes, silly.” She swung her feet. “It’s when parents live apart, like you and Mommy. Did you and Mommy divorce, too?” Her eyes opened wide at the realization.