Remember
Tiffany
O
nce again, my call goes unanswered. It’s a little after 8 pm and Nico should’ve been home hours ago. Ever since that night three months ago, he has been home like clockwork. He usually walks in, puts his things down, and immediately comes to find me.
We have spent every day having sex. Just this morning he had me bent over the kitchen sink as he impaled me from behind.
After dialing his number once again and getting no answer, I start to grow anxious. It isn’t that I was demanding Nico come right home after work or anything, but he’s usually good at letting me know if he’s going to be late. Not only has he not called to inform me of his lateness, he hasn’t texted me at all today which is also not like him.
This time, instead of calling Nico, I dial his brother, Salv. After Nico and I made it official, he gave me all his brothers’ numbers. He told me to use them in case of an emergency or if I couldn’t reach him.
“Well, hello, Ms. Best?” Salv’s smooth voice comes through the phone. There’s so much commotion in the background I can hardly hear him. “Hold on a second,” he says. “I need everyone to shut the fuck up,” he shouts and immediately the noise in the background ends. “What can I do for you, sis?”
“I’m so sorry to bother you, but have you heard from Nico today? I’ve tried calling him and everything. He’s not answering and I’m starting to get worried. That guy Saint is still out there and…”
“Whoa, whoa, Baby Girl,” Salv says with a chuckle. “Take a deep breath.”
I listen to his advice and actually take a deep breath.
“Do you know what today is?” he asks. I run through my mind trying to figure out what today could be. It isn’t his birthday, that’s in October.
“No, what am I missing?”
He sighs. “It’s the anniversary of his parents’ death. He always goes missing on today.”
I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand. I had no idea that was today. As much as he talks about his parents, he hardly ever speaks of their death.
“Do you know where he is?”
Salv is quiet for a minute. At first, I think he might have gotten disconnected, but I know he’s still there.
“Usually, he likes to be alone on today, but I have a feeling you’ll be good for him. He’s at his office.”
“Thank you, Salv.”
“Anytime, sis.”
I hang up the phone and quickly rush to the mudroom to grab my purse, keys, and shoes. Thinking of everything I know about Nico, I make a few stops before I pull up to his office building.
“Hello, Ms. Best,” Mr. Don, the front door security guard says as I rush into the building.
“Hey Don,” I say as I run past him to the elevators.
It feels like the elevator takes forever getting to the top floor. As soon as the doors open, I sprint out with my bag of stuff. No one is on the floor, which is a lot different from the usual hustle and bustle of the workday.
His office door is closed, I give a quick two knocks before letting myself in. As soon as I enter, I spot Nico behind his large desk. He looks nothing like the poised man that I’m used to seeing. His tie is hanging loosely around his neck, the white work shirt looks wrinkled, and the sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, his hair is disheveled, and his eyes are red.
“Angel, what are you doing here?”
Walking over to him, I place the bags on his desk. He turns in his seat to face me, and I stand in between his legs.
“I know what today is.”
He goes to open his mouth, but I place my finger over his lips to quiet him. “I know you’re use to being alone on this day, but when I told you I was yours that night I meant it. That means, you never have to face anything without me by your side. So, if you want to sit in silence, I’m all for it.” I turn to the bag I placed on the desk and open it up. “I brought a word puzzle book to keep me busy and quiet. If you’re like me and like to eat when you’re feeling down, I got a bunch of those little snack pies you like. I even went and bought you your favorite bottle of Bourbon. Just in case you want to get shitfaced.” I point to the brown paper bag inside the large grocery bag.
“I’m willing to do whatever you want to do to get through this day as long as I get to be here with you.”