by S. Cook
Chapter Eight
Lynette
Hours later, I’d finally fallen asleep when I was abruptly woken by my father banging on my door. I pulled myself from the heavy daze of sleep.
“Hold on!” I shouted, knowing it would do no good.
I rubbed my eyes, fighting the exhaustion that was threatening to drag me back under.
I forced myself into a sitting position, rubbing my eyes. They focused on the blurry clock. It was only eight-thirty.
“Jesus, Dad,” I mumbled to myself.
I stood up on shaky legs and walked to my bedroom door. I unlocked it and opened it quickly.
“What?” I snarled up at him.
Terry Sr. was tall and wide. He’d played football in his youth, but now the muscle that had once been there was wasted away to flab. Still he was an imposing figure and took up most of the door.
My father looked me up and down and turned away.
“Put some clothes on.”
I looked down at myself and quickly closed the door hiding my barely clad body. The t-shirt from the night before didn't do much to cover my panties. I pulled on a pair of yoga pants that were on the end of my bed and opened the door. My father's bloodshot eyes met mine.
“I need you to run to the store for me.”
“Dad, no, it's too early. They're not even open yet.”
I moved to close the door and he stopped it with his hand.
“Lynette, I need your help honey,” he said, the pleading evident in his voice.
I sighed, it was always worse when he was sweet to me.
“Dad, there's nothing I can do. The stores aren't open yet.”
“Go to the bar. Get me something.”
I backed away from the door.
“No, I can't. That's a rule. You know that, it's the one rule. Don't drink the stock.”
He nodded.
“I know, I know. It's just that I'm shaking.”
He held out his hand for me to see. There was a visible tremor.
“Dad...”
I had no choice. I didn't know where he'd been the last couple of days, but now he needed a drink and he needed it in a bad way. And whenever that happened he always came home. And it would just get worse if he didn't get one.
Much worse.
I’ve seen this all before. Too many times to count.
I grabbed my phone and collected my keys before padding out of the bedroom. I passed my father in the hallway and tried to hold my breath. The smell of stale booze surrounding him made me almost ill. Pulling on my sneakers, I quickly left the house.
The morning sunlight was bright and I wished I’d brought my sunglasses. The light hitting the white sidewalk was causing me to have a headache. My steps were sluggish. I needed to get some sleep.
Last night had hit me hard. I let my mind wander back to what had happened. Touching my lips at the memory of Gabriel's kiss.
I wanted to enjoy it, the idea of him wanting me. At least for a little while.
No one wanted me. Not with all my problems. But then out of the blue there was Gabriel and he did. I pushed the doubt out of my mind. Just for today I want to keep something for myself.
I reached the bar and let myself in. Once inside I locked the door and took in the hazy darkness of the bar. The plate that we had half-shared was still sitting on the bar. Walking over, I grabbed it and carried it into the kitchen. Washing it quickly, I dried it and put it away.
Yawning, I wandered into the office and sat down on the cot in the back. On the office desk was the gift from Gabriel. I still hadn't opened it. Stifling another yawn, I stretched out on the cot and closed my eyes.
I needed to rest for just a few minutes. My father could wait an hour. I wasn't going to last much longer without sleep. I curled up on the cot in the quiet darkness of the bar.
There was a mosquito in my ear. I swatted at it and tried to roll over, but it kept buzzing, flying around my head. I opened my sleep-crusted eyes, confused. Realizing it was my phone, I answered without checking it.
“Hello?” I said, still half asleep, slowly remembering that I was in the bar.
“Did I wake you?” Gabriel's voice was full of concern.
“Yeah. . .” I said slowly, awareness coming back to me in bits and pieces.
“I'm sorry. I thought you would be awake by now.”
I pulled myself into a sitting position and rubbed my eyes.
“We're not all on military time, you know.”
“It's three in the afternoon.”
I pulled the phone back from my ear and checked the time.
“Crap!”
“Is something wrong?”
“Uh, no. I just overslept. Can I call you back? I have to take care of something.”
I didn't wait for his answer. I jumped up from the bed and grabbed an old knapsack from under the cot. I rushed out of the office completely forgetting about the package from Gabriel.
I grabbed a bottle of liquor from behind the bar and shoved it in the bag. Rushing out the door, I hustled the eight blocks back to the apartment.
I opened the door slowly. Slipping inside, I was immediately on edge. My phone was in my bag, buzzing like a bee against my thigh. It was Gabriel. I knew without looking. But I didn't answer, couldn't answer. Not now. I had something more urgent to attend to.
“Dad?” I called out sheepishly.
There was a groan from the kitchen. I walked towards the back of the apartment to what was left of my once clean kitchen. There was my father with his head down on the table with shards of glass from a broken whiskey bottle on the floor beside him. I wondered where he’d gotten it.
I pulled the liquor bottle out of my bag and placed it on the table next to him. He looked up at me and grabbed it with a trembling hand. I sighed and started cleaning up the mess he’d made.
My father stood, taking his prize with him to the living room without saying a word. Later he would ask me for money and I would give it to him and then maybe he would disappear for a few days or maybe not.
This was my life.
Not Gabriel.
Not those glimmering moments of safety and contentment in his arms.
Those were all lies.
My phone went off every few minutes. I didn't look at it. I simply swept up the glass shards and dumped them in the trash. It took me an hour to finish cleaning. When the kitchen was complete, I picked up the bag and walked back to my bedroom.
Shutting and locking the door behind me, I half dragged myself to the bed and pulled out my phone. Gabriel had called me eight times. There were voice-mails that I didn't have the heart to listen to. I closed my eyes and thought about how to best handle this. Clearly my life couldn't just stop for him or even for myself. But I wanted him. God, how I wanted this man.
My phone vibrated in my hand.
“Hello?” I said in a rush.
“What's the matter with you?”
It was Tanya.
“Nothing. Are you calling in again for the night?”
“No, wasn’t planning to. Aren’t you going to open? I was just there and everything is all locked up.”
My eyes opened wide as I turned to the clock. It was after five.
“Oh shit!” I mumbled.
“What?” Tanya asked.
“Nothing.” After a deep breath, I continued. “No, we’re not opening tonight. There's been a family emergency.”
“Oh yeah, right, emergency. I'm sure. Whatever. You need to check your Dad into rehab, Lynette. He’s dragging you down with him.”
“Thanks Tanya for that advice. Feel free to mind your own fucking business.”
The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. I held my breath for a moment, waiting for her answer.
“Whatever you say boss. Have a good night.”
The line went dead in my ear and I let the air out in a stream. I put the phone down on the bed and curled myself into a tight ball. I shouldn’t have snapped at her and would ap
ologize next time I saw her.
My life was a mess. If Gabriel calls, I'll tell him I can't see him again.
Chapter Nine
Gabriel
I was beginning to feel ridiculous.
After I left Lynette at the bar last night, I waited for her to call me, but she didn't. As possessive as I may sound, she should have called me, or texted me at least. When people say they’re going to do something, they should do it.
I can’t say I’m surprised though, considering what she is dealing with.
That still didn’t make it right. I understood that her mind was in a million different places at the moment, but that was no excuse.
I spent most of the night, and the morning waiting by my phone, but it just stayed silent on the side table next to the bed. Then when I did call her, she hung up on me, which frustrated me even more.
To pass the time, I went for dinner at a diner nearby. The coffee was strong and hot. As I glanced out the window, the young waitress walked up to my table.
“Is everything alright, sir?”
I glanced at her and managed to crack a smile. There was no point in me taking out my frustrations on her.
“Yes, everything is good. Thank you.”
“Can I get you anything else?”
“Just a refill, please,” I said and motioned to my empty cup.
“Of course.”
She disappeared briefly but was back again with a pot of coffee. As she filled up my cup, she frowned.
“Are you waiting for someone, sir?”
I glanced at her and shook my head. “No. Why would you ask that?”
“You’ve been staring at your phone the entire time you’ve been here.”
“Do you always keep such a close eye on your tables?”
“Only the one with the good-looking guys.”
I chuckled in amusement and said, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Is she coming?”
“Who?”
“The girl you’re waiting for.”
“I guess not,” I muttered.
“Too bad. She’d be stupid not to show up.”
“Aren't you a little young to be so flirty?” I asked.
“I’m just being honest. Enjoy your coffee,” she said and walked away.
I chuckled to myself. I stayed there for a short while longer and then paid the tab, giving the young waitress a more than generous tip. She looked a little disappointed when she didn't see my number written on the receipt.
I drove to the Speakeasy, but it was closed, which was odd. She didn’t mention being closed. I would’ve expected Lynette to be there early, cleaning up, or hiding from the outside world.
Instead she was nowhere to be found.
Had she opened the package, and was now refusing to talk to me?
The worry gnawed inside me and I dialed her number again.
“Hello?” she answered.
I wasn't sure whether it was relief, or anger from worrying about her the entire night, that washed over me when I heard her voice, but my shoulders relaxed and I let out a breath.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Gabriel, I am so sorry. I had to take care of something and then...”
“And then what?”
“Nothing.”
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.”
“Jesus, Lynette. What is going on with you? There’s something you’re not telling me.”
I tried my best to stay calm and couldn’t.
“Something’s not right. I asked you to call me when you got home, and you didn't. Then I had to wait until three o’clock, driving myself crazy that something happened to you. Then you hung up on me. What am I supposed to think?”
“It’s nothing for you to be concerned with,” she said softly. “I’m fine.”
“You don't sound fine.”
“Okay. You win. I'm not fine.”
I took a deep breath, once again attempting to calm myself down.
“Where are you?”
“I’m at home.”
“I'm coming over.”
“Gabriel, no.”
“Why not?”
“There are some things I need to take care of. I can't leave right now. You don’t understand.”
“Then tell me.”
“I have to deal with this on my own. Okay?”
“Please, Lynette. I’m really worried.”
“You can't come here. I'll meet you.”
“Where?” I asked and realized just how urgent my voice sounded.
“There's a park about four blocks away from the bar. It's not very big. If you follow the trail, there's a gazebo in the center. I'll meet you there.”
“Fine. I'm on my way there now.”
“Wait! Give me forty-five minutes. I need to shower.”
“I'll wait for you then.”
“Okay. I'll see you soon.”
Forty-five minutes seemed like a long time to wait. I found the park easily, and even though the gazebo was a bit overgrown, it was also easy to spot. I sat down and checked my watch. She’d be here soon, if she wasn't running late, or outright avoiding me.
The latter seemed just as probable as the former.
The sun started to set, setting the sky alight in hues of orange and red, and suddenly there she was.
I saw her from across the park as she approached in a light green dress with her hair pulled out of her face by a headband. She looked carefree and serene as the breeze blew the soft material of her dress against her legs.
The sight of her made my entire body tingle. Not only in a sexual manner though. She was beautiful, sure, and the way her hips swayed was enough to drive any man up the proverbial flagpole, but the way she made me feel, was different.
I wanted to help her, protect her.
Not only out of duty, as she thought, but because I wanted to. I didn't feel sorry for her because of her circumstances. I wanted to be there for her as she walked through them, conquering them, just as I had conquered mine.
Well, some of them.
I stood up and took a few steps towards her, leaning heavily on my cane. In the whirlwind of worry and frustration, I had forgotten to take my pain medication. Normally the pain would be crippling. Today it was bearable. For now at least.
“You look beautiful,” I said in a low voice.
She looked down at herself as if I had just made the most outrageous remark on the planet and shook her head modestly.
“Thank you. I was in a hurry and didn’t have much time to get dressed.”
“Well, you look good, regardless.”
She looked up at me and grew serious.
“Gabriel, look, I told you that first night that I couldn't do this.”
I nodded again, remembering her words.
“I didn't expect this either. The truth is I want it now. After that night, I wanted you. I can’t stop thinking about you and it’s crazy for me, because I’ve never felt this way before.”
“You didn't know me then. You still don't know anything about me now.”
I closed the distance between us, and glance at her, our faces only inches apart.
“I may not know much about you. That doesn’t change how I feel.”
“My life is such a mess right now and you...”
“I what,” I asked, reaching for her hand.
“You’re just making it worse.”
“Tell me you don't want to see me anymore,” I said.
“You're not being fair,” she whispered, turning away so I couldn’t see the tears threatening to fall. It was too late. I already saw them.
“Look me in the eyes and tell me.”
Her eyes were sad and confused. I was still hopeful.
“This isn’t going to work.”
“Tell me why, and I’ll be gone. You’ll never have to deal with me ever again. I just need you to say those words.”
Her eyes were now focused on me in the half darkness, and sh
e placed her hand on my chest. I knew she felt the way my heart was pounding. A wave of doubt rushed over me, not knowing what she was thinking.
I hoped that she wouldn't tell me to leave, or that she didn't feel anything. If she did, I would know she was lying. The way she looked at me, showed me that even though she was stubborn as hell, there was something real between us.
“Gabriel...” her voice was soft. “Tell me about you.”
So, she wasn't going to answer my question, but at least she was making an effort to get to know me. That was a start.
“Ask me anything. What do you want to know?”
“Everything, anything really.”
“Okay. I’ll tell you.”
I led her inside the gazebo, which had cooled down significantly since we’d arrived. We sat down on a wooden picnic table, overlooking the park.
She fidgeted with the silver ring on her middle finger, avoiding my eyes. Suddenly I was nervous. I wasn’t used to talking about myself, especially when it meant bringing up painful memories. I didn't want anything I was about to tell her to make her change her mind.
To be on the safe side, I asked, “Where do you want me to start?”
“Your full name? Where you’re from? Normal things,” she answered.
“I’m Gabriel Thomas. I was born and raised in a small town in Maine. I joined the military when I was nineteen. I went on five tours. I saw a lot of death and terrible things. More than any person should have to see in their entire life.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. I made that choice, so I have to live with it. I would like to say I knew what I was getting into when I joined up. That wouldn’t really be the truth because how can anyone be prepared for something like that?”
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“No, I am only child. Naturally my parents were upset when I was deployed and devastated when I was injured. Now they’re just concerned that the family name will die with me.”
She smiled slightly and lowered her gaze.
“Why would they be worried about that?
“I’m a hermit who only goes on dates when his parents fix him up.”
