Bequeathed

Chapter Nineteen: Unwanted Husband

Claire is in her room packing the last of her things. Her toiletries, perfumes. This time around, there is no trace of Rob. He’s taken his stuff with him. Claire regrets that their lives were not more intertwined. She wishes that they had been so wrapped up in each other that it took him more than a few hours to separate himself from her. How long did it take him to gather his things? Fifteen minutes. It took him around fifteen minutes to grab his tie, shirt, jogging shoes. The toothbrush he left. Five minutes. It took the love of her life five minutes to leave her behind. If they had been sharing an apartment, it would have taken much longer. They would’ve had a discussion about who takes over the lease, who gets the dog - in this alternate reality, they have a dog. Claire would have had the opportunity to confront Rob, make him honor his pledge not to leave her. Pledges should mean something.

There is a heavy knock at Claire’s door. She runs to it. Her mind is on Rob so she pulls it open without checking. In her mind, Rob has come back to her, and in a few months, they can even revisit the topic of marriage - their marriage; a legitimate marriage. They can at least move in together. Claire smiles at the thought of sharing Aunt Bev’s house with Rob. Her smile falls when she sees who is behind the door.

“What are you doing here?”

“Here to help my wife with her move,” William says.

Claire pushes her door close; William inserts his foot, blocking the door. Claire stomps on his foot. William groans and pulls back his foot. Claire watches him through the peephole; he puts his face up to it.

“Leave,” Claire demands. “Or I’ll be calling the police.”

“Call them. I’d like to report a case of domestic abuse.”

William doesn’t leave. Claire goes to her bedroom for her phone. She returns to the door and checks the peephole; William is still there, watching her. She waits, fifteen minutes, half an hour…William is still there, lurking.

“You’ll need help with those boxes, Princess.”

Princess. Claire cringes. She finally decides to call the police. Within minutes they show up at her door.

“Thank heavens you’re here,” says Claire when she opens the door for the officers. “He won’t leave. He’s harassing me.”

A wry smile plays upon William’s lips. “My wife is throwing a tantrum. I’m sorry she wasted your time.”

“I’m Jack; he’s Sam. Are you the one who called the police, Ms…?”

“He’s harassing me.” Claire points to William. “How did you even get into the building? I didn’t let you in.”

The officers look to William. “Do you live here, Sir?”

“Well, no. My wife and I are newly married. We’re about to move in together - “

“You wish.” Claire cuts in.

“As I was sayings, officers. We are about to move into our new place. I’m just here to help her move.”

“Is any of this true?” Officer Jack asks.

“No. None of it,” replies Claire.

“What about the part about him being your husband?”

Claire studies the pink polish on her nail. “That part is true.” She looks up. “But he’s harassing me. He’s psychotic.”

“You’re the one who called the police on your husband,” says William. “All because I’m trying to do something nice for you. If you think it’s psychotic to cater to my wife, then I guess I’m psychotic.”

“How did you get into the building, Sir?” Officer Sam asks. He places himself squarely in front of William so that William has to speak around the wall of his body.

“Ahm. Someone let me in.”

“Who? Who let you in?” Claire demands. “No one let him in. Nobody in this building would let him in. He must have snuck in.”

“Who let you into the building, Sir?” Officer Sam’s back is to Claire, still, she hears severity in his tone. She relaxes a little.

“Sir, if you snuck in, we’re going to have to take you in,” declares officer Jack. “Whether or not you’re married, that’s an offense. It doesn’t sound as if you live here.”

“She’s moving out, why would I need to put my name on the lease. You’re being crazy.” William tries to step from the shadow of officer Sam’s body. Officer Sam shifts, blocking William again. “What I mean is, we’ve only been married a few weeks. We’re about to move in together. She’s not keeping this place.”

“You’re coming with us,” officer Sam says. “Maybe our sketch artist can work up a sketch of the person who let you in since you can’t provide us with a name. We’ll compare that sketch with the residents who live here. Let’s see if we can put this thing to bed.” While officer Sam is speaking he’s escorting Wiliam down the hall. Claire exhales some of the tension she’s been carrying.

“Ma’am, if I might make a suggestion…” Officer Jack starts, waits for Claire to respond.

Claire nods.

“It sounds as if you guys are very newly married…you haven’t moved in together, yet you already have to be calling the police.” Officer Joe looks down the hall at William’s departing back. “I can tell you from experience that these things tend to get worse, not better….I would really hate for you to be calling us for something much worse than a forced entry.”

Claire remembers the bullets, the sound, the heat penetrating her body…the crippling pain. She regathers all the tension she’s been letting go of.

“I don’t want to overstep, but you should consider annulling the marriage. If he does anything else, file a restraining order.”

Officer Jack leaves as well. Claire considers all the things she has done differently. She has ensured that William doesn’t have her number so the calls haven’t started. She’s called twice: once to discuss the terms of their union, and another time to confirm the date of their wedding. She blocked her number on both occasions. Claire considers all the other things she will do differently. She’ll keep her apartment; she’ll need options. She will also find out all she can about this William James, and she knows just the person to do it. P.I Andrew Harris will find all of William’s skeleton. She will pay him well and ensure their meetings are all on her terms. No more stealthy rendezvous.