by Hoff, Stacy
“I’m sorry for you the new guy’s bad.”
“He’s no you, that’s for sure. But when he got angry last week and told Mark off, the office turned into a boxing ring.”
“Who’s winning?”
“Well, Mark’s got the power, but the new guy doesn’t seem to grasp that concept. Not sure why. When he gets fired a few weeks from now, maybe you’ll be the one interviewing him at Global.”
“Don’t think so. Not after hearing that lousy reference. Though I do feel bad for anyone who has to deal with Mark.” She shook her head sadly and gave a thin laugh. “Look at the situation working for him got me into.”
“Steph . . .” Ana started.
Mrs. Lang interrupted the conversation by setting a silver tea set down on the Queen Anne style coffee table. “Here you go, girls. The last episode of The Evergladiator is almost on, and I thought we could all use a pick-me-up before we watch.” Stephanie saw her mother’s sad expression. “We’re all here together, honey. Even with the horrible day we’ve had with your father’s passing. Even though what we see now may be worse, if possible. We’re all going to get through this.”
The doorbell buzzed, but the door was immediately pushed opened anyway. Stephanie’s brothers walked into the living room and quietly sat down.
“Hi, sis,” Greg, the older and taller one, greeted. He leaned over, giving her a hug. When Greg let go, Brian gave her an affectionate kiss.
“Everything’s all set now at the funeral home, so we rushed over,” Brian said.
“Thanks, guys. You remember Ana, right?”
“Of course,” they said in unison, giving her warm handshakes in turn.
“We appreciate your coming over for Stephanie,” Greg said solemnly.
“Though of course things will turn out okay for Colin,” Brian hastened to add.
There was hope in Brain’s voice that made Stephanie want to cry all over again. She hung on to her composure and bit down on her lower lip.
“You’ll get through this, sis,” Greg said.
Ana picked up the remote control for the ancient, twenty-four inch, curved screen TV. She gave them a questioning look as her thumb hovered over the power button. Stephanie nodded. But before Ana could press down, Greg took the remote control out of her hand.
“You sure you want to watch this?” he asked, voice filled with trepidation.
“Piece of shit show,” Brian grumbled. “No offense.”
“None taken.” Stephanie laughed despite herself. “I made that very same observation to my former boss the moment he told me about it.”
“We can watch it for you, you know,” Brian offered. “Let you know . . . errr . . . how it turns out. So you don’t have to see . . .”
“I know what you’re saying,” she said softly. “But for weeks, watching this damned show has been the most tangible way of my connecting with Colin. Not too tangible, but still . . . Seeing him on TV now will give me my chance to do this. And I need so badly to connect with him . . .”
“Whatever you want to do is fine,” Brian assured her.
“Let’s get this sick show over with,” Greg said tersely, pressing the power button. The television sprang to life. It was time to watch the end.
Chapter 34
The announcer’s voice came on, increasingly louder as Greg kept hitting the volume button.
“Welcome back, America! This. Is. The. Last. Episode! We left off with a wild Floridian hog—a four hundred pound, sharp-tusked, carnivorous killing machine—besting Colin Brandt, our contestant here on The Evergladiator. The hog had Colin’s arm in its mouth, breaking bone as it tried to munch away on his flesh.
Will Colin win the million-dollar prize and win the title of America’s first Evergladiator? Or will he become feral pig food? We’re going to find out, on this, America’s newest and hottest show—THE EVERGLADIATOOOOOORRRRRR!”
Footage immediately followed, showing the massive hog biting down on Colin’s arm. The snap sound of breaking bone was almost too much to bear. Stephanie’s stomach tightened in response, her body bending more forward toward the television. Someone put a hand gently on her back. Who it was, she wasn’t sure. No way was she going to look away from the TV, not for a nanosecond.
At the end of last week’s re-cap, the screen faded to black. A still shot appeared of an Everglades swamp, with the show’s title written in red across the screen. The words were stenciled, military style. Slowly she became aware of the opening song. It would be the last time she’d have to suffer, waiting in suspense, while the upbeat ditty droned endlessly on.
The spirited tune was not only completely at odds with her apprehensive mood, but also with the show’s suspenseful theme. At least the southern-accented, manly-voiced singer was a good hire. What am I, crazy? Who cares about the show itself!
Amazing. Her thoughts could wander off into the “professional” at a time like this. Self-preservation, she realized. Dealing with her personal issues right now was too much to bear. And yet here they were, pressing down upon her with suffocating weight. Tantalizing to think she would ever be able to grab hold of them, wrestling them down, like Colin did with the alligator that attacked.
The blare of the announcer’s voice brought her back to reality.
“The Evergladiator is brought to you in part by Sporting Goods Stores of America. ‘Be a sport, shop Sporting Goods.’ You’ll find a store conveniently located near you.” Pause. “We’ll be back right after our commercial break.”
“I’ll go put on some more hot water,” Mrs. Lang said, scurrying off.
“How you holding up?” Ana asked.
“From the looks of it, not too well,” Greg answered soberly.
“I’m doing . . . okay,” Stephanie responded tonelessly.
“Have a little hope. I have,” Brian responded. “He’s going to be fine.”
“He has to be,” she answered, too softly for anyone to hear. Her mother came back into the room, sat down next to her, sinking deep into the couch cushion. The last of the singing and dancing commercials finished up. Oh goody. Three new products never to buy.
The living room got silent as the program returned. The television screen showed the hog on top of Colin, the hog’s blood, snot, and drool, dripping down onto Colin’s handsome, panicked, face. The hog’s teeth bearing down on Colin’s arm.
Stephanie’s own fingernails drew blood in her tight fist. With a yelp, she relaxed her hand.
“What happened?” her mother asked.
Stephanie just waved her comment away. “Nothing, I’m fine,” she answered distractedly.
Colin picked up the knife like a dagger. She watched him swing back the blade in his right arm, his shoulder rotating ninety degrees. Making a sound like a smashing water balloon, the blade sank into the pig’s eye. Blood rushed out of the socket, an overflowing pool. It covered Colin, head to waist, with sanguine splattered circles. It looked like a satanic Jackson Pollock painting. With Colin as the human sacrifice.
Her jaw dropped.
“Holy Sh—” Brian jumped up, almost flipping his chair.
But then they watched the great beast suddenly let go. It howled and stepped backward, falling on its haunches.
“Colin’s going to win,” Ana said confidently. There was a sense of certainty in her voice Stephanie appreciated but couldn’t quite share.
Without pausing, Colin picked up a sharp piece of stone and ran to the hog. The beast’s jaws drooled and snapped.
“I can’t watch!” Stephanie shrieked.
“He’s fi—” Ana started.
“He’s not finished.” Stephanie’s mother interrupted. “Give him a chance. Stephanie’s lost so much already. She’s not going to lose Colin, too.”
“But he’s going to be fi—”
Ana started to protest.
“Shhh. I owe it to Colin to watch how his show ends up.”
When the room grew quiet, Stephanie took a deep breath. Now she could focus on Colin. She watched him—what was he doing? It looked like he was hesitating. Was he calculating? Sizing the beast up? Making a plan? There was no time for any of that!
True to her prediction, the hog’s massive head suddenly snapped around, nearly biting Colin on the chest. Colin was thrown backward. Had he missed the razor sharp tusks? A minute later, she could tell the tusks had missed him, perhaps only by miracle millimeters.
The hog howled and lifted itself up on its hindquarters. Then it sprang, toppling Colin over. Crashing over him. Settling itself on top of him like a lion on its prey. Baring its teeth at him. The hog bent its neck over Colin, ready to give the fatal bite.
She held her breath. It was impossible to watch, but it was too hard and wrong to look away. The hog howled. Louder. Announcing its victory. The teacup in Stephanie’s hand shattered, sending shards of broken porcelain everywhere. Silence filled the room, but the void was quickly filled with a happy, happy, tune sung by a bottle of bathroom cleanser that sang and danced.
The doorbell rang. Brian snatched up the remote control and pressed ‘mute.’
“Who would come at a time like this?” Stephanie’s mother exclaimed.
“It’s probably one of your neighbors, Ma,” Brian answered. “They don’t know about the show. They only know dad passed away. They probably want to drop off a casserole.”
“Or it’s FTD,” Ana added. “From the office.”
Brian and Greg, like Gemini twins, both raised an eyebrow at Stephanie.
“No, I’m not going to work for them again,” Stephanie answered their silent question. “And I’ve got bigger things on my mind right now than employment.”
“I’ll get the door,” Ana said, rising.
“Thanks, dear,” Mrs. Lang said. With a crash, the teakettle she held suddenly plummeted, spilling hot water onto the wood floor and well-worn throw rug.
“Oh my gosh, Mom. Are you okay?” Stephanie ran to help her mother.
“Yes,” she exclaimed, looking a little flustered but otherwise fine. “I’m just so distracted, I can’t even hold on to a teakettle.”
Greg and Brian joined Stephanie and their mother.
“Go sit down, Steph,” Brian said roughly. “You don’t want to miss anything. Call out the second it comes back on.”
“Yes, sit back down,” Ana said, walking over to the door.
Ignoring everyone’s command to sit, Stephanie stood, desperate to do something—anything—to keep her occupied. Through her fog of confusion, she heard Ana turn the latch, fling open the door and gasp, “Oh thank God!”
At least something’s going right. Not even hesitating for a moment to find out what, Stephanie rushed after her mother into the kitchen.
Chapter 35
“Television shows have taught me the importance of dramatic timing,” Colin said. “Though it looks like I’m a little late, after all.”
“Ya think?” Ana snarked, quickly stepping out onto the stoop and shutting the door behind her. “It’s good to see you. Alive. I wasn’t sure you got my texts.”
Colin grabbed her hard in a bear hug. “It’s great to see you, too, Ana.” Furrowing his eyebrows, he looked carefully at her. “I tried to answer you back, but they did something to block my outgoing messages. Most of the time, incoming messages were blocked as well. I was surprised I received yours. I’m glad I did though.” He paused. “It’s terrible her father passed on. How’s she doing?” He regretted the words as soon as they came out of his mouth. Stupid question. If he knew Stephanie at all, he already knew the answer to that one.
“Depressed,” Ana confirmed. “I would have put my money on hysterical, you know how she can wind herself up until she makes herself crazy. Instead, she’s been surprisingly resigned. Despite the fact she’s half-convinced you’re dead, too. I don’t know what it is exactly . . .I can’t quite put a finger on it, but she’s changed somehow. Either she’s finally gotten some inner strength, or this is the calm before the storm.”
“Maybe she’s finally starting to believe she can survive any storm that comes her way.”
Ana blinked thoughtfully. “That’d be really . . . nice . . . for her. A real change, but nice.”
“I’d like to find out. It’s been hell staying in seclusion. I pretty much knew she’d assume the worst.”
“Well, in her defense, the show was edited to make the pig fight look real bad.”
“Trust me, it was bad.” In an instant, he unbuttoned the left cuff of his oxford shirt and pushed the sleeve up his forearm. He watched Ana gasp, then press her lips together tight as she observed the raised, jagged line of flesh forming a semicircle with two large puncture marks on either side. The holes looked like leprechaun pots on both sides of a fucked-up rainbow. He rolled his sleeve back down and re-buttoned the cuff.
The scar was still scabbing over. Maybe it’d smooth out. Eventually. Right now, the jagged line was so rough hewn it was three dimensional. Anybody looking could tell where each stitch had been sewn. His forearm still hurt like a mother, too. Even now, with the cast removed. Of course, it had only come off yesterday.
In fact, before the tiny remote spa Teleworld booked for his seclusion, he’d spent three days at a Fort Lauderdale hospital recovering. They’d checked him in under the name of Albert Edgar Gador. Al. E. Gador. Hilarious. Turned out, the hospitalization wasn’t even necessary. Other than being real thin, and having a broken, mildly infected arm, he was fine. Physically anyway. Mentally, not so much. He missed Stephanie like hell.
He’d left seclusion early. It wasn’t even about missing her anymore. It was about being there for her. When Ana texted him Stephanie’s father died, he insisted Teleworld let him go a day early. They made him promise he was only going to speak to family. Good thing for Teleworld he was a man of his word. As of tonight, if she was up to it, he’d be making her a part of his family.
“Colin, there’s something you should know. Mark was told you and Stephanie might be dating. He said if he finds out you have been, he’ll make sure you don’t get the prize money.”
“What? That son of a b—”
“Yeah, he is.”
“How did he even find out?”
“Err . . .” Ana trailed off, tugging at her shift collar. “You know Jennifer, the receptionist?”
“I’ve met her, yes.”
“She showed Mark a card and a box of chocolates you supposedly sent to Stephanie.”
Colin tried desperately to recall exactly what he had written on the card. Damn. He couldn’t remember verbatim. But he was sure of one thing—he wouldn’t have included either of their names. “They can’t prove it.”
“I hope not.”
“Why would the receptionist give Mark the chocolates? I had the feeling she didn’t like Stephanie. I would have guessed this Jennifer was trying to get her fired. But now that Stephanie quit, I don’t understand what she was trying to accomplish.”
Ana shrugged. “Some people are terrible,” she said. “I don’t think Mark is a good person, either. He’s even worse when he’s in a panic, like now. He’s worried people could think the show is rigged. Then Teleworld will never get an audience for this type of program again. Unless, of course, Teleworld makes a big deal about not paying out your prize money to save the integrity of the show.”
“Integrity of the show,” Colin spat out. “Funny they should be concerned about integrity when they don’t have any.”
“No, they only care about money. High ratings determine the executives’ holiday bonuses. Be ready for a battle.”
Battle? He’d give Mark a battle all right. He’d start by hauling off and p
unching Mark in the nose. But despite his bravado, Colin’s knees hadn’t felt this weak since he caught sight of the four hundred pound hog.
Had he gone through all this only for them to try to take the prize money away? What would happen to the farm if they succeeded? He’d used every penny he’d ever earned to save it. He’d even moved away from the farm to earn that money. Despite the fact the farm was the only place he wanted to be.
And what would happen to Howie if the balloon loan couldn’t be paid off? Howie would lose everything, too. Colin tried to swallow but could not get saliva past the lump in his throat.
Ready to punch a wall with rage, he took a deep breath to re-focus himself. “Right now all I care about is Stephanie. Where is she?”
“In the kitchen. She’ll be out in a minute.” Ana opened the door wide and made a swooping gesture toward the living room. “Be sure you don’t give her a heart attack,” she warned. “She’ll already be shocked to see you, so don’t be overly dramatic.”
Stephanie walked back into the living room holding the newly refilled teapot. Out of her peripheral, she saw a tall somebody standing by the door and turned toward the console to put the teapot down on a trivet. “Hi, can I . . .?”
Her words failed. Her body, too. Her jaw still worked, but lacking control it bounced up and down helplessly as she hemmed and hawed. Her eyes were totally messed up as well. Obviously, they didn’t see right. Or saw ghosts. Colin must be dead because there was no way he could be here now. Somehow she stayed standing, though statue-stiff.
A mirage, maybe? Or maybe losing her mind? People claimed severe shock could make a person go crazy.
