After Hours

Reliving the past

Alana

Almost a month since I started working for Kingston real estate. I really enjoy what I do and Mr Kingston is always grateful for anything extra. I'm getting home late tonight, after stopping off at the grocery store to pick up a few items that I would need to get through the weekend. just as I am about to step onto my old school wrap around porch, I almost trip over a package set on the top step. the package has no return address so there's no way of knowing it's source. I force down the rising panic and fish at my keys and go inside, package in tow. forcing myself to go through my nightly routine. I put away my groceries, grab a quick shower, and change into my pajamas. as I'm slicing up vegetables to put into the stew that I will be eating on all weekend, my curiosity finally wins. with the knife still in hand, I go over to the box that I had abandoned on the counter and cut the tape sealing it.

inside the box is a manila envelope containing a single slip of paper and a small stack of photos.

The paper simply says...

I am watching you. -J

With shaking hands I ruffled through the short stack of photos all of them containing pictures of me going about my day today life. all of them were recent some of me at the grocery store others going to and from the office one of them entering my home.

I can't suppress the fear that is threatening to overwhelm me. I reach for my bag and get out my prescription for anxiety.

I fall asleep sometime after two in the morning. First my dreams take me for a walk down memory lane. That once upon a time when my life was sort of normal. James is smiling as I walk towards him. He takes me in his arms and kisses me passionately. I was so in love with him.

Then I fast-forward to my pregnancy, I was so happy. So ready to have a child with my soul mate. I remember thinking what an incredible father he would be to our daughter.

Then the night everything changed...

I hear a gutteral sound. Like a man in pain. I moved quickly towards the stairs. I get to the top landing just in time to see James pulling a knife from a man's chest. I try to back up, but trip over the rug. Falling face first down the steps.

I remember coming to in a hospital room. With James hovering over me like a worried boyfriend. Like he hadn't just killed a man in front of me.

"The doctor will be in soon. I have to make a phone call. "

He kisses my forehead and is gone.

"Is the baby okay?" I ask frantically as the doctor enters the room.

"Well, yes... you'll need to take it easy.."

"Listen, that man. He is dangerous. I need you to tell him I lost the baby."

"Sir, you don't understand. My life could be in danger. How about this. I tell him I lost the baby. And you don't say s**t. Can you handle that?!"

"I uhh..."

Time is up. James re-enters the room.

I don't have to fake the tears and panic that overwhelmed me.

He is there by my side.

"The baby's gone...I have to go through surgery in the morning."

He tries to keep his features calm, but I can see the anger in his eyes. It was in that moment, I knew I made the right decision.

After a few minutes, he leaves me to mourn alone.

I quickly pull the needle from my arm, grab my clothes off a chair and slip out of the hospital.

I was on the run for a couple of weeks before he found me. By that point, I had purchased a handgun. I woke up to him standing over my bed. I didn't have time to think. I slid the gun from under my pillow, pulling back the hammer and squeezed the trigger.

The boom of the gun brought me fully awake.

Bang...bang...bang...

It took my mind a few seconds to realize that someone was beating on my front door. What the hell?

I slip my gun from under the pillow and head to the living room. The clock on the wall read 10:26. Oh s**t! I'm already late for work.

I peak through the blinds and see a jacked up black truck in the driveway. I say a short prayer as I peak through the peep hole in the door. Mr. Kingston?!

I quickly unlatch the chain, the deadbolt and the door lock. And pull the door open.

"Mr. Kingston. I'm sorry..."

His hands are raised in mock surrender. He seemed amused.

"I take it, you're not much of a morning person."

I look down at the gun I'm still wielding.

"Oh, sorry. Force of habit. Living alone and all." I let out an akward laugh.

"I, uh...I brought coffee and croissants. I figured you were having a rough morning. Or Maybe a rough night."

He said it suggestively as his gave raked me from head to toe.

All I wore was a loose t-shirt that made it to mid thigh and a pair of undies.

I knew where he was lingering.

I didn't have to look to confirm that my oversized breasts were visible through the thin white cotton. Or that my n*****s were standing at attention in the cool morning air.

I finally take a step back and, for the first time in almost two years, I let a man into my personal sanctuary.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize it was so late."

I am speaking to his back as he walks around my living room, taking everything in.

"This house looks like it belongs to an old lady." He wrinkles his nose at the yellow stained doilies on the coffee table.

"It is... I mean it was. My aunt left it to me when she passed. I don't think anyone lived here for a few years before she died. I just haven't changed much."

"Is that who you inherited your wardrobe from too?" He laughed at his own joke.

"Yes, actually, I did."