The Calling

by Ashley Lynn Willis

  His body was inviting despite the wet clothes, cold air, and breeze. She molded herself to him, taking the heat she needed. A slight flush spread across his cheeks as he raised his lips to hers. When their mouths met, it was at the same time familiar, yet different.

  She could taste his grief, but also the hope he had for the future, a life that entwined both of them forever. In that moment, she saw a white dress and Justin dressed in black, their first home, and children with golden skin and blond hair. It all overwhelmed her in the way a haunting song could bring forth emotions that lay dormant, undiscovered, unknown.

  As his lips moved against hers, she knew he was the one, the man who would stand by her through cancer and heartache and a painful past that wouldn’t be suppressed. And she would do the same for him.

  “I love you, Justin.”

  He pressed his hand to her stomach, acknowledging the life they would bring into the world. “I love both of you.” He kissed her deeply in a way she never wanted to end. Then, she realized it didn’t have to end, ever.

  Epilogue

  Mandy stood in the bathroom and stared down at her daughter’s big brown eyes and ringlets of blond curls. Behind the little girl, a tub of warm water waited.

  “You have to take a bath,” Mandy said for the tenth time.

  The child folded her pudgy arms across her chest and stuck out her lower lip. “No!”

  Mandy blew out a long breath, every muscle in her body aching after a long shift at work. “Get in the bath, now!”

  The toddler scowled, but she inched closer to the edge of the tub. “I no wanna bath,” she whimpered.

  “You love the water, honey. It’s no different than going to the beach, just no sand.”

  “Noooooo.”

  Mandy reached down and turned off the flowing spigot. She checked the temperature one last time with her elbow. “You either step in now, or I’m getting Daddy.”

  The toddler’s eyes widened, and she shimmied her naked bottom closer to the tub lip. On her tiptoes, she slung one leg over the rim.

  Relieved the battle was over, Mandy turned around to grab a washcloth. A high-pitched giggle bounced off the bathroom’s tile walls.

  Mandy whirled around. Her daughter plopped down in the tub, her little tushie sitting on the skid resistant flowers glued to the bottom, but not a drop of water touched her.

  “Not again,” Mandy moaned. “Justin. I need help!”

  * * *

  Justin sat in the living room, drinking a beer with his dad and watching the Cowboys get slaughtered. “How many times can the quarterback fumble the ball? I swear I could play a better game than him.”

  Over the rumbling of the TV announcers, he heard Mandy call out, “Justin!”

  “Sounds like the little lady needs some help,” his dad said. He pointed at the television. “I’ll let you know what you miss, though it’s probably only going to be a few touchdowns by the Packers.”

  Justin set his beer on the coffee table and sauntered toward the bathroom. As soon as he strolled in, he had to stifle a chuckle. “Having problems?”

  Mandy frowned as she hunched over the rim of the bathtub, her burgeoning belly barely clearing the edge. His daughter sat in a dry island with water surrounding her on all sides. A cupful of water hovered over her hair but, though the cup was upside down, the liquid stayed stuck inside.

  Justin put on a stern face, swallowing the guffaw in his throat. “Cecelia, you need to mind your mother.”

  Mandy’s honey blond hair fell into her eyes, and she swatted at it. “She loves the water. I don’t understand why she’s being so stubborn.”

  “She takes after her dad.” He stepped to Mandy’s side, kneeled, and grabbed the cup. “She just hates having her hair washed. I was the same way at her age.” He tilted his head toward the door. “I told you I’d take over bath duty. Now, go hang out with my dad.”

  Mandy grabbed a washcloth and fidgeted with it, nervously. “But you have to get behind her ears. She collects dirt there. And behind her knees.”

  “I can handle it. You’re getting too big, anyway.”

  Mandy threw the wet washcloth at him. It landed with a sopping thud against his chest, then plopped into the tub. “I’m not big. I’m just pregnant.”

  He leaned close and patted her stomach as he nuzzled her ear. “You’re beautiful, and you know that’s what I meant.” She was never more glowing than when pregnant. If it were up to him, he’d keep her that way.

  “Noooo bath!” Cecelia cried.

  Well, maybe not always pregnant, not if the next one was as much of a handful as Cecelia.

  He kissed Mandy on the forehead at the same time that he dumped the cupful of water on Cecelia’s head. Cecelia squealed so loud he though his eardrums would burst. Cringing, he turned back to Mandy. “Go relax.”

  Mandy nodded, the grim look on her face relaxing. “Thanks, sweetie.”

  Using the tub for leverage, she pushed herself to her feet. He stared at her round belly while she waddled toward the living room. In less than a month, they’d have a son, but at the moment, he needed to concentrate on the dirty little girl in the tub.

  “Wanna have some fun?” he asked.

  The frown on Cecelia’s face turned into a smile of anticipation, and she nodded enthusiastically.

  He stuck his index finger into the tub, called on his powers, and watched the water surrounding Cecelia begin to swirl like a whirlpool. Around and around it went as it inched closer to her chubby legs.

  She squealed again, but in delight. When the water finally enveloped her, she didn’t even care. “Again, Daddy!”

  He grinned so wide, he could feel every crinkle on his face bunch up. He could spend the rest of his life playing with his little girl. As he pulled back his hand, the water continued to swirl around her. She was doing it on her own. Her powers never failed to amaze him.

  Inside his chest, hollowness opened as he wondered how her abilities would affect her future. Each day, her gift seemed to strengthen. At this age, she was obedient, only practicing her skills at home, as she was instructed. But someday, she’d be on her own, with the choice to use her powers as she wished. He hoped she’d choose wisely.

  As he leaned down for the baby shampoo, a thin spiral of water crashed into his chest.

  Cecelia giggled uncontrollably. “Daddy wet!”

  He grabbed a dry washcloth and mopped himself. He should discipline her, but her cheeks were so rosy with delight, he couldn’t even make himself frown. She had him wrapped around her finger, and she darn well knew it.

  “You’re just like your mother, Little Cece.” He wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Excerpt from Killing Abel

  Coming in Fall 2012

  Killing Abel

  by Ashley Lynn Willis

  Copyright © Ashley Lynn Willis

  Chapter One

  Constantine sat in his ‘67 Firebird, listening through a voice receiver as Jessica said goodnight to her date. After twelve years of eavesdropping, he had the perfect setup, with bugs planted in her cell phone, her car, and every room of her apartment. Well, not her bathroom. That was too much, even for him.

  To track Jessica, all he had to do was call a number. She had no idea her voice transmitted clear as a bell through his cell phone. Thank God for technology; otherwise, his job would be a lot more difficult.

  He flicked his cigarette butt out the window, tugged a new one from the pack, and lit it. The tip flared, and the acrid scent of burning paper and tobacco filled his nose. God, he loved that smell. If he had a beer to complement the tobacco flavor, his evening would be complete. Not while on the job, he reminded himself as he peered up at Jessica’s window.

  A middle-aged woman strolled past his car, her bleached hair piled high on her head, blocking his view of Jessica’s apartment. She twitched her nose like a field mouse, her disapproving gaze flitting around until finally coming to rest on the thin tendril of smoke wafting from his open windo
w.

  “It’s not like I’ll get cancer,” he said low enough that the woman couldn’t hear.

  As she glared at him, he blew a puff of smoke in her direction and winked. She straightened, the scowl on her face priceless. Why were people so uptight these days? Then, her eyes narrowed, and she leaned a little closer. After she got an eyeful, raking her gaze across his shoulders and down his chest, a small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. Oh, dear God, the woman probably thought he was hitting on her. She took a step closer, her smile widening, and her hips swaying.

  Time to nip things in the bud before she blew his cover.

  “Sorry if the smoke’s bothering you, ma’am,” he drawled. He pointed toward a random apartment. “I’m just waiting for my little lady to come down.”

  Her face fell, the lines around her eyes creasing, until she seemed to catch herself, and her scowl returned full force. “Just don’t dump your cigarette butts in the parking lot. It’s tacky.” With her nose in the air, she scuttled off.

  Once the woman disappeared inside her car, Constantine pressed his cell phone to his ear, hoping Jessica’s date, Mike, hadn’t left while he’d dealt with the cigarette patrol. He turned up the volume and listened intently.

  “Eddie’s Pub has swing dancing on Thursdays,” Mike said. “You interested?”

  Jessica cleared her throat. “Only if you’re okay with a few broken toes.”

  “How about a movie, then? I’ll pick you up at six?”

  Jessica giggled, her tone as pure as a crystal chime. “Sounds great.”

  Constantine glowered. Jessica only giggled when she really liked a guy, so even though he relished the angelic sound, it also pissed him off.

  She doesn’t even know you exist.

  The thought stung like angry fire ants, but he wouldn’t always live in the shadows. Soon, she’d know everything. He just had to be patient. Patience, he repeated over and over. In the meantime, he could appease himself by ridding her of Mike.

  Let the fun begin.

  He opened his door, dropped his cigarette, and snuffed the glowing tip with his boot as he stood. Just to keep the smoker patrol off his case, he kicked the butt toward a gutter and watched it disappear into the blackness. After slamming the door, he leaned against the car, his arms crossed over his chest, and waited for Mike to round the corner.

  Mike stepped into the light of a street lamp beneath Jessica’s second story apartment. The kid was probably around twenty-five years old, standing about six-foot-three, and built like a linebacker. Jessica’s smaller dates had been easier to scare, but lately, her taste had moved to taller, more muscular men. Constantine had three inches on the guy and a few more pounds of muscle, but he doubted his bigger size would intimidate Mike. He’d have to play with his head.

  Showtime.

  While formulating his plan, he strode toward the guy. Mike had a dreamy look on his face, his eyes slightly glazed. His obviously smitten euphoria pissed off Constantine further, but that wasn’t a bad thing. When bullying Jessica’s dates, being in a foul mood usually gave him the advantage. The punks took the threat more seriously.

  As he passed Mike on the sidewalk, he butted shoulders with the kid, knocking him off balance.

  Mike snapped out of his Jessica-induced daze, his spine going rigid, his stance widening. “Watch where you’re walking.”

  Constantine spun around to face him and snarled, lifting his lip up enough to show some teeth. “You smell like Obsession.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I just bought a bottle for my girlfriend. You smell like her.”

  Deep lines etched Mike’s forehead, and he pursed his lips like a teenager doing algebra in his head. “What the heck are you talking about?”

  “Jessica, my girlfriend. You smell like her.”

  Mike’s eyes widened, then narrowed into little slits. He snorted. “She’d never go out with a prick like you.”

  Constantine cringed inside. Was he really that far out of her league? Focus. The job wasn’t about him. It was about getting rid of the punk. The gears in his brain sprang into overdrive. Usually, a few nasty words and an intimidating scowl made Jessica’s dates back down, but the bigger guys weren’t as easy to frighten. The last thing he wanted was another fight. He decided to toy with the guy’s mind some more.

  He pulled out his lighter and flashed it in front of Mike, the streetlight glinting off its polished surface. “Titanium.”

  “I don’t give a crap about your stupid lighter.”

  “You will.” He pinched the lighter between his thumb and index finger, the metal compressing, bending inward, until the lighter fluid spewed out the bottom. Dammit. The liquid dripped onto his long-sleeved tee and jeans. That smell was impossible to get out. When he snarled again, he bared all his teeth, his anger no longer an act.

  Mike’s mouth fell open, his chin dropping to his chest. He glanced from the lighter to Constantine, then back to the lighter.

  Constantine growled a deep rumbling sound that vibrated his entire body. “That’ll be your head if I catch you around Jessica again.”

  Mike sneered, though a hint of panic showed in his wide eyes. “It’s plastic.” He swallowed hard. “I could do that.”

  “Really?” He threw the lighter at Mike, a little harder than necessary.

  Mike winced as he caught it and ran his finger over the smooth metal. His eyes fluttered in disbelief.

  “You can keep it as a reminder to stay away,” Constantine said. With clenched hands, he lunged forward, just far enough to scare the kid.

  Mike jerked back. “You’re crazy!”

  He curved his lips up in what he knew was a psychotic smile. “Yeah, I am.”

  Mike threw the lighter to the sidewalk, the metal clinking on the cement, and then took two unsteady steps backward. With his face as pale as bleached bone, he whirled around and darted to his car.

  Constantine rubbed his hands together and chuckled as he watched Mike duck into a pick-up truck and burn rubber. Minus the ruined clothes, that was the most fun he’d had all week.

  * * *

  Jessica stared straight through her computer screen. In her mind’s eye, she lounged on a beach the color of sugar, running her crimson toenails through the silky sand. At her side, Mike, shirtless, sported a rare eight-pack of washboard abs that glowed golden under the warm sun. He gazed at her adoringly, leaning toward her with his lips puckered for a kiss. She lifted her face to his, their eyes locking as they inched nearer, their mouths so close to touching.

  A wadded piece of paper smacked her in the back of the head. With a scowl, she swiveled her chair to face her office cubicle-mate. “What’d you do that for?”

  Ben tilted his mop of blond hair toward the row of management offices. “Doug’s on his way over. Look busy.”

  She wanted to fling the paper back at him, but instead chucked it into the trash and quickly turned to her computer. Part of her was furious with Ben for interrupting her Mike time, but another part was relieved. Daydreaming only got her hopes up, and with her track record, Mike would dump her before their next date. Besides, she had a crapload of work to finish by the end of the day, and her fantasy Caribbean vacation would just slow her down.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her paunchy boss make the circuit around the low-sided cubicles. She couldn’t help but crack a smile at the spectacle. It was like watching the engineering department’s version of ‘the wave.’ When Doug paused behind an employee, their backs stiffened, their eyes widened, and their fingers raced over the keyboard.

  Obviously, everyone had heard the rumors of layoffs. From the strained expression on Doug’s face, the chopping block was coming to their department. Better look busy.

  Jessica quickly finished the last dimension on a throttle quadrant drawing and prepared to send it through routing. She paused when she felt Doug’s eyes boring a hole in her head.

  “You finished already?” he asked.

  She hit send and twi
rled her chair to face him. She’d come in at six that morning to finish the drawing. “Your boss is always complaining he doesn’t have enough time between delivery and approval, so as long as you approve the throttle by this afternoon, he’ll have an extra day.”

  Doug’s sullen face broke out in a wide grin, the skin around his eyes crinkling. “You’re making me look good.” He glanced at Ben, his face turning stern. “Take notes from this young lady.”

  Jessica cocked her head toward her cubicle-mate, determined to give Ben some of the credit. He’d been her mentor since she started at Clyde Aircraft, and without him, she’d be lost. “I never would’ve figured out the dimensioning if Ben hadn’t helped.”

  Doug’s shoulders slumped, his chest collapsing as if he didn’t have the will to breathe. “You two were a good team.” His cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

  Her eyes widened, and when her jaw threatened to hit the floor, she snapped it back up. Did that mean they weren’t going to be a team much longer?

  Doug cleared his throat and pulled at his collar as if he were choking. “The delivery’s in ten minutes. Meet me at my office.”

  She nodded and watched as Doug scurried down the aisle, still beet-faced.

  “Did he just say what I think he did?” Ben whispered.

  “Maybe it didn’t mean anything.” Or maybe Doug had made a Freudian slip, and one of them would be getting cut.

  Ben perched an elbow on the desk dividing their space and rested his cheek in his palm, his expression one of total dejection. “My friend in HR says one engineer from our department is getting laid off. I’m sure it’s me.”

  “No, it’s not.” She tried to sound convincing, though she wasn’t sure at all after what Doug had said. One thing was certain. If the company laid off Ben, life wasn’t fair, because he had a two-year-old daughter and a pregnant stay-at-home wife.

  It wasn’t as if Ben didn’t work as hard as she did, he just didn’t live at the office because he had a family waiting at home. She had no one at her apartment, so her job had become her life. Even though she entwined her self-worth with her job performance, if one of them had to be laid off, she hoped she’d be the one escorted out the door.