Missing Thread

Chapter 2

Chapter 2Two nights later, Friday evening, suburbs of Port Arthur, Texas

Dylan Ortega's wife was angry. He noted her wild brown eyes flashing darker and braced himself for the backlash he knew his wife was about to bestow on him. Too late, he realized he'd pushed Camila to the point of no return.

“You're the man of the house? You make the decisions? You've been out of work for six months, Dylan. Our savings are gone, our mortgage is starting to fall behind, and the bills are next.”

Dylan bristled. “It's not my fault that I was laid off. I've tried to find other work…any work.”

“I know that. But it hasn't happened and now you're mad because I found work? Now is not the time for your estupido male ego,” Camila yelled.

His face reddened at her insult. “I'm angry because you didn't discuss it with me before you took the job.”

Camila marched right up into his face and put her hands on her hips. “Why would I? I've tried to have this discussion with you many times. You always say my place is at home raising the kids. It's your job to work to take care of us. Well, I'm not going to lose everything we worked so hard for without at least a good fight.”

“And what about the kids? Who's going to be here for them?” Dylan flashed back.

“You, that's who. When they're in school, you can look for work. You only need to be here after school until I get home.” Camila crossed her arms and jutted her chin out. “I guess you'll have to stay out of the bar for awhile.”

It was Dylan's turn to lose control. “You act like I'm in the bar all the time. That's not true.”

“Don't deny it. I know you meet the guys every day for beers. You're spending less time at home, and throwing money away in the bar that we can't afford.”

“I'm here tonight aren't I?”

Camila laughed sarcastically. “Oh get real. The only reason you're home tonight is because of this horrid storm. Half the area is without power which probably includes the bar.”

Furious with her accusations and the truth of her words, Dylan looked for an outlet for his anger. He wanted to smash his fist into her smug face, but he'd never ever laid a finger on Camila and he never could. He picked up a brass ornament on the coffee table and threw it past her head and into the wall, leaving a ragged hole in the plaster.

Camila screamed. “Bastardo! The kids gave me that for Mother's Day.”

Dylan turned on his heels and left the room. His need to get out of the house overwhelmed him. As he grabbed his truck keys and jacket in the hallway, he heard Camila's softened voice.

“Please…don't go out in that,” she pleaded.

He left anyway, slamming the door behind him.

The rain pelted against the windshield. He headed along the roadway towards the Neches River. Once out of the residential area, the road was dark. The torrential storm made it difficult to see beyond a few feet. Camila was right. No one in their right mind should be out in this. Knowing, once again, that his wife's wisdom outweighed his stilted thinking in more ways than one, his anger was fuelled even more. He took the curve ahead at a speed that matched his level of anger and found himself behind a car travelling at a slower speed. To avoid hitting the car from behind, he pulled into the oncoming lane. His wheels hit a puddle and skidded towards the car on his left causing it to move over onto the gravel shoulder. An adjustment brought his truck under control and he pumped the brakes to slow down. Through the rear view mirror he saw the car had stopped. Probably scared the hell out the driver. A shudder passed through him at the thought of what could have been. The smart thing to do, would be to turn around and go home. Dylan shook his head. He wasn't ready to face Camila. He needed some time and space to think things through and calm down. Dylan drove on into the storm.