Chapter 16
Creedence
I cried myself to sleep that night.
Me – I miss you.
No reply.
Year Two - Age 22
“Come out with us, Cree! It’ll be fun,” my roommate said.
I shook my head at her and smiled, “Y’all go have a good time.”
She looked at the picture I had of Ripper and me and smiled a soft smile.
Me – I love you.
No reply.
Year Three - Age 23
I sat glued in front of the television as they showed things going on over there.
My heart leapt when I thought I saw him... but it wasn’t him.
He wasn’t six foot four.
He wasn’t two hundred and thirty pounds.
His hair wasn’t dark enough.
His green eyes weren’t mossy enough.
Year Four - Age 24
Me – I love you. Wherever you are. I hope you know that.
No reply.
Year Five - Age 25
“I’m telling you, Doc Rios has a thing for you,” Malinda, the registered nurse I was shadowing that day on the peds floor, said.
I shook my head, “I’m not interested.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Are you serious? He never gives anyone attention. That blonde hair, those blue eyes, girl, if he’d do me, I’d be all over that.”
I chuckled, “He’s not dark enough.”
Her head tilted to the side, “What do you mean?”
He wouldn’t rip someone’s throat out.
I shook my head, “Nothing.”
She placed her hand on my arm, “Is there someone?”
I bit my lip and nodded. “Haven’t seen him in almost six years.”
She frowned. “I’m sorry.”
I shrugged, “He’s got demons. Took me a few years, but I get it. I’ll be here until I can’t anymore.”
***
I saw someone move out of the corner of my eye.
What the fuck?
Year Six - Age 26
Malinda, the nurse I was working with that day, looked at me and asked, “What did you mean last year when you said he wasn’t dark enough?”
“I mean that if Doc Rios walked in on someone slapping me, he’d call the cops. My man, he wouldn’t call the cops. He’d beat the holy hell out of him and then cut off the hand that person used to slap me and shove it down their throat.”
Her face paled. “Are you serious?”
I looked at her.
She took in my look and quietly asked, “You are. Aren’t you?”
I nodded.
Then she looked at Doc Rios, who finally quit trying to flirt with me months ago, and nodded, “Yeah, he isn’t man enough.”
***
“That was weird,” Kristie, the girl who moved in across from me and had fast become a friend, said.
I lifted a brow as our elevator carried us up to our floor.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Apparently, they ran a background check on me. I got the results in my email.” She muttered.
I frowned. “I didn’t have to do that. Must be something new.”
She shrugged.
***
I saw a bag of Reese’s Pieces lying on my island. When did I buy those?
***
My neighbor and I were about to have a knock-down, drag-out fight. I knew it was her who just slashed all four of my tires.
Why?
Because I called the cops when I smelled meth from her apartment.
And then a day later, the super was moving all her stuff out of her apartment.
She was found mutilated on the side of the road.
Was it sad?
Yes.
But did she probably deserve it?
Also, yes.
Year Seven - Age 27
“Hey there, princess, how are you doing?” My dad asked during our weekly FaceTime calls.
I shrugged, “Doing okay. We lost one last night.”
He winced, “Sorry.”
I smiled, “It’s okay. He’s in a better place.”
And he was. He’d been brought up from the emergency room after a neighbor rescued him, having witnessed his father beating him.
He took his last breath at zero two forty in the morning.
“Any word?” he asked.
I knew who he was talking about.
I shook my head as I bit my lip and tried to stop the tears that were threatening to spill down my cheeks. “No.”
God, when will it get easier?
He sighed, “I’m sorry.”
I shook my head, “Don’t be. He’s out there somewhere. One day he’ll be back.”
“You're too young to be like that, princess. You need to live.”
I smiled, “Reverse the spots. Put you and Mom in my place. What then?”
He sighed, “I’d be doing what you're doing. Going through the motions but not living.”
“Exactly.”
“I find him, I’m kicking his ass,” my mom called out.
“Yeah, kicking his behind!” Gage yelled.
Dad chuckled.
Mom growled.
***
The creepy guy who lived in the apartment next to mine is gone.
***
‘The apartment building has changed ownership. More details to follow soon.’ Notice in my mailbox.
***
The man who we all knew beat his wife was found hanging from the ceiling fan two days later.
***
The couple who were supplying drugs to the neighborhood kids found themselves gunned down in a turf war.
***
My perfume bottle, which was half empty, was gone.
I growled.
That motherfucker.
I got in my car and started for the clubhouse.
That sneaky little shit.
And then... when I got to the chain-length fence... I stopped my car and stared.
I braced my forehead on the steering wheel.
I drove past it and headed to work.
He was the one hiding in the shadows.
After my shift at the hospital, there was a note on my kitchen island.
Year Eight - Age 28
The underwear I had on the day before was gone.
I smirked.
Year Nine - Age 29
Someone followed me home from the restaurant where I had dinner with my girlfriends.
Someone anonymous paid for my meal.
***
The curtains shifted with the breeze.
I knew that scent.
***
I tried to stay awake to see him, but I failed.
And in the morning... I saw it.
How long had it been there?
A black backpack sat at the side of the chair on the floor.
I opened it and peeked inside.
Clothes.
Clothes for a big guy.
I knew that big guy.
***
The air shifted... I felt him.