Page 42 of For Now

Chapter Twenty-Six

The daybefore Jeff left me, I was at the farmers market picking out fresh fruits and vegetables. I picked up a juicy Gala apple and my phone dinged. I placed the apple in my basket and pulled my phone out of my pocket. There was a text message from an unknownnumber.

Text: Why are youhere?

Me: Who isthis?

Text: Answer thequestion.

Me: Um…why am Iwhere?

Text: At themarket.

Me: Who are you? You’re watchingme?

I started to frantically look around at the crowds but no one stuck out to me and very few people seemed to be actively on theirphone.

Text: Just answer myquestion.

Me: I’m gettingfruit.

Text: Do you love yourhusband?

I looked down at my weddingband.

Me: Please, who is this? It’s notfunny.

Text: You should pay for your things and go back to yourcar.

At this point, I was so frightened, I didn’t know what to do. I dropped the basket on the counter and rushed apologies as I ran toward my car. I kept looking in all different directions trying to make sure someone wasn’t followingme.

I got into my car and locked the doors, lookingaround.

Text: Why are youscared?

Me: Please leave mealone.

Text: I can’t dothat.

Me:Why?

Text: Because you belong to me. And even after you leave, you will still bemine.

I put my car in drive and ignored the texts. I drove home as fast as I could. When I pulled into the driveway, I waited to get out. I peered down the street in both directions and checked my rearview mirror. I got out of the car and into my house in record time, locking the doors behind me. I went into the kitchen and living room, checking all the windows and the patio doors. Everything was locked. I sat there, heart pounding, hands gripped around my phone.Ding.

Text: Welcomehome.

My throat immediately went dry. I looked up and saw Jeff standing there in the door frame, smiling. No. Smirking. He wassmirking.

“It was you?” I asked indisbelief.

“I need you to understand something, Delilah,” he said, putting the phone in hispocket.

I gulped as hard as I could. He shifted from one foot to the other. I couldn’t place the look on his face, what it was, what was behind it. I was shaking,waiting.

“You belong to me, Delilah. Do you understand that? I need you to understand that even if I’m not here, you still belong to me. I need you to understand that no matter where you go or what you do, I will know about it. I will keep my eyes on you,” he said. His voice was so stiff, sorigid.

“I understand,” Isaid.

---