Page 5 of Wishful Thinking

Chapter Four

What’s old is new again

Two Weeks Later

Sal walked into the double-glass doors and glanced at Gloria. She sat on her throne at the front desk, eyeing him up and down like he was dessert. Thick platinum curls piled high on top of her head; Neon purple lipstick visible from a block away. She licked her lips, grinning like a clown, the customary greeting each time he stopped by. A large lavender smear ran across her front teeth from the cheap lip lube, and Sal chuckled. Gloria batted her spidery false eyelashes and leaned forward, affording him a view of her breasts crammed into a purple push-up bra. He noted it was a size or two too small. The straps were visible from the oversized off the shoulder low-cut sweater that hung on her miniature frame like a gypsy tent.

“Well, stranger, you’re a sight for sore eyes. What’s been keeping you away? Gloria missed you, but you can make itbetter by giving old Gloria a hug. What do you say? I could go for one. Bob is on the rag; Justmaking you aware. Bob whines andbleeds more than afreshside of beef. I think it’s got something to do with Johnny, our star reporter hunk of love, quitting last week. I bet that’s why you’re here. You going to come work with us, sugar bunch? The Silver Dispatch could sure use a looker like you around here, again. I could sure use you around here. Eye candy is a rare treat around this dingy place.” She ran her hand around her hair, making sure none of the curls had escaped their haphazard bondage and Sal rolled his eyes at her. Gloria gazed at his tall lanky frame and fanned her face. His deep brown eyes reminded her of a wayward fawn and she just wanted to nestle him and keep him safe in her embrace.

“Hey, Gloria, no hugs today.I’ve got a bum shoulder and was told to take it easy. Yeah, I got a call from Bob. Poor man soundedkeyed up; I told him I’d drop by, just didn’t say when. Is he busy with someone?” Sal walked towards the gloomy hallway that led to the offices without waiting for Gloria's reply.

“I’ll just pop in, it soundedimportant. Catch you later, love” he added, turning her pout to a smile. Gloria was at least eighty-five years old and had been working at the Dispatch since Columbus landed, he figured. No one had the heart toset the woman loose.Gloriasduty was to sitand file her nails. It didn’t disrupt much. Gloria’s boring day was often spent screening phone calls for ad placements and flipping through the gossip mags. Sal didn’t have the heart to hurt her feelings. The old-lady talcum powder stench and gag-worthy cologne clung to him for hours the last time she had snared him in a hug. Sal made it to Bob’s office and peered through the window.

Bob had a rock’s glass in his hand; He leaned back, with eyes closed. Sal knocked on the cheap hollow door, not wanting to startle the guy. Bob glanced over, shooting out of his seat when he saw Sal.

“Come in, oh, thank God you’re here. I’m in a jam and need your help. Get you a drink? You may want one. Bourbon? You like bourbon, right? Rum? I have a cola in the fridge. A stiff rum and coke may help temper what I have to ask you. Please, have a seat. It sure is wonderful to see you.” Bob looked tired and his eyes were bloodshot. Sal watched him as he twitched and spoke fast. He found it very un-Bob like and watched his face as he moved towards the closet bar.

Sal took a seat in the ancient cracked, peeling leather chair that sat across from the desk. He leaned back, sniffing the air. Old cigarettes and sweat hung like a wet cloud in the stuffy room. He glanced at Bob.

“Rum and coke sounds great, what’s been happening? Gloria told me Johnny quit. Is that why you called? Bob,I haven’t done thiswork ina while. To tell you the truth,I enjoying being self-employed. The photography gigs make me more than I thought possible, and it isgreat cash for easy work. Who knew fancy weddings would support a slackerso well?”

Bob walked over and handed Sal the drink, the cubes clanking against the thick glass, and took the seat beside Sal.

“Damn, boy, that’s great to hear. I don’t… Oh, sorry, cheers. It is good to see you again, thanks for coming.” He held up his glass and clinked it with Sals, then swallowed down half the contents.

“I’m sorry forhaving to rouse you over here. I’ve got my daughter's wedding in New York and have to leave tomorrow, but here’s the thing. Do you remember that big broo-ha-ha back, oh, when was it, eighty-five? Yeah, that asshole Dick from the grocery store who had assaultedthose girls? He’s been doing time but word is that he’s getting out in a few days. Rumor has it he’s been talking to theguys in the joint, threatening payback on the chicks who spoke up or testified against him. One girl in particular; Your old college love, Tink. Do you still keep in touch? Heard she’s off living on a Caribbeanisland, playing in the sunshine and sand. This Dick jerk-off sounds like a real piece of work. You two werehot and heavy when you were interning here. That’s what I needed to tell you. She may be in danger. The police won’t do jack about it unless there’s a credible threat. Plus, I figured might be a story in there somewhere, we could use a great headline that isn’t Trump related. Guys chatting in the tank ain’t known as credible, get my drift? It could just be a bullshit story, but if it’s not, it’ll be the saving grace for Tink and the Dispatch, both.”

Sal sat holding his glass, shocked. Years later, she still popped into his thoughts daily. He shuddered, seeing her testimony on the stand, the tears and quivering of fear as she stared across at the dirtbag who looked so smug in his cheap tweed suit. Her words stumbling over the details of how the prick had touched her, how he had thrown her down and fingered her, cumming all over her womanhood and leg, and how he had been hell bent ongaining ultimate access as he jacked himself off. Sal had seen his face, and he knew the bastard thought he would get away with it. Current and formeremployees had come forward to tell their story. In the court to testify, they alldisappeared. Everyone caved, except for his love,Tink.

“Bob,I haven’t talked to her in years. She left town, and I never heard from her again. I can’t say I blame her. I was a shit-heel. Young, stupid, and yeah, I feltlike a bag of shit over it, but what’s done is done. I can’t take back what happened, but I don’t think she’d want to speak to me. Can’t you tell her? Let her know the bastard’s getting out? That she may be in danger? She’d listen to you. You’ve got a prestigious position here and everyone knows you. She might believe you, she might not. I don’t think I’m your guy. Besides, what the hell am I supposed to do? Make her fall in love with me so I can move in with herovernight and protect her? That would be ridiculous. I think she’d rather see my balls cut off and fed to the fishes. I don’t know how I can help. Trust me, she will not want to see me. I’m sorry, Bob.”Bob swallowed down the rest of the bourbon and sat the glass on his desk. He sighed, shaking his head.

“I was afraid you would say that. Sal,but you have to. I’ve made reservations for you at a B&B nearher home. You’ve got a month, a paid month, I might add, to hang out. Get her to at least talk to you and then watch her. I didn’t say you had to screw her. Get close enough to be around. The cops on that island are bumpkins and won’t be much help. I know you’ve got a piece, and that’s a bonus. Christ, it’s my fault he knows where she is. My stupid informant narked when he owed that bastard something. I’ve got to do what I can to make sure she stays alive or I’ll never forgive myself. Go, make nice and talk to her. If you’re on that island, she can’t escape running into you, it’s a small place last I checked. Sun yourself and drink fruity cocktails. The islanders cater to tourists at the bigger joints, but they’rein gated areas. She lives on the outskirts where the locals live, so there’s no protection. Please Sal, a free vacation, and you can tell her you’re there to do a job taking photographs, she won’t know. You needto do this. I need to be able tosleep. If that piece of shit hurts her…”

Sal guzzled down the rest of his drink and set his glass beside Bob’s. He shook his head and smiled as visions of her came through.

Her blonde hair had been long and wavy, and her eyes, those icy baby blue eyes had melted him every time he looked into them. Salremembered her face in the dormthat lastnight. Deep hurt and pain cascading out with her tears as she stood in the doorway to his dorm-room, watching as he thrust and moved on top of her roommate, Gina. He was on the verge of maxing out his load when the door swung open. Gina feigned an act of surprise as she glanced over at Tink. He could hear her giggle as she bit his earlobe, that alone should have told him what she had been planning. Then she pulled his face towards hers, locking him in a deep kiss. Gina laughed as the door slammed. Sal lay there stunned. The slippery back-stabbing cunt. Gina had told him Tink was cheating on him, but from the look on her face, and the grin on Gina’s, he realized the truth just a fuck too late.

“Gina! Damn her to hell, the bitch.” Sal looked at Bob and considered his proposition. Inside his heart lingered a touch of hope that he could earn her love back. He missed her, he loved her, and would doanything to win her back. But would she let him near her?

He remembered that scumbag, Dick. The way he sneered at Tink as the judgesentenced him. He licked his lips at her as she glared at him, defiant through the process. She had won the battle for her dignity and Dick lost. Good riddance to a piece of shit. Sal watched her standing beside her lawyer, hugging the woman as they read the verdict. Shocked, yet jubilant, she never saw Sal in the back of the packed room watching her with tears in his eyes. The hat brim pulled low, his face obscured. Sal looked away as she walked down the aisle andthrough the two large wooden doors. He left from the back way, knowing the crush of journalists stood waiting beyond the doors to snap away and capture the moment of victory.

His heart broke for her, but he was glad. She was a strong woman.She would go places in life.Sal followed the aftermath of the trial as they awarded damages, amazed at her settlement of a million dollars. He couldn’t go back and change things. She’d assume he was after her money, especially after the way he had treated her two years earlier. She moved away after her windfall and he lost track. His girl was gone, and he tried to move on, or at least until today. Sal looked at Bob.

“I’ll do it Bob. I can’t let that piece of shithurt her. If I have to ambush her and keep her locked up to do it, I will. She’s a strong lady, but if she doesn’t see it coming… Iwill not take the chance. When do I leave? I assume you need to book a flight for me?” Bob wrapped his arms around Sal, squeezing him tight as Gloria walked in the door.

“Hey, better not hurt mypretty boy, there. He’s got abum shoulder. Right Sal? Hey Bob, Atlas Charters is on the line askingabout the puddle-jumper you wanted? Should I take a message or do you want to talk to them?” Bob grinned from ear to ear and looked at Sal.

“Guess I’ll be needing that flight, eh, Sal? Pack your bags son, you’re leaving tonight.”

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