Page 53 of Hello, Listener
“Maybe… maybe he’s feeling under the weather.”
“No, that isn’t it. He would call me and bitch about how sick he is.” She laughs at the notion and nods her head in agreement.This just doesn’t feel right. Something is seriously wrong.
“Don’t worry, chica. I’m sure he’ll come through those doors. He’s probably just running a little late.”We’ve already established it’s not like him to be late.She picks up her clipboard and gives me a sweet smile. Her heels click on the hard floor as she walks towards the kitchen. I grab one of the rags from under the bar and begin cleaning a few glasses.Anything to keep my mind occupied. I feel like I am going insane.
As the night goes on, I catch myself staring at the front door.Jace, you have to come in. Please fucking walk in those doors.Through my peripherals, I see Janice’s face clouded with worry, joining me in checking the doors. I’m not the only one. She has to feel it, too.My phone is still a loss for answers as I scroll through the many texts in the thread.Still nothing.
Something is seriously wrong, I know it.
The shift ends, and Jace hasn’t graced my worried presence. I wonder if I keep fixating on the dark street in front of me, something would happen; like he would magically walk in thesedoors, panicking because he slept in, or lost track of time. I guess I can only continue to hope.
“Money is all accounted for.” The sound of the register sliding closed wakes me from my overwhelming thoughts. A fake smile is the best I can come up with for my sympathetic boss.Who the hell am I kidding?I grab my purse and jacket from the brass hook behind me and walk out from behind the bar.
“He’s going to turn up. Don’t you worry your pretty little head. I bet he’s sitting in bed, surrounded by tissues and cold medicine. He’s probably just too exhausted to answer his phone.” She opens the glass door, and we both walk out of The Neon Rose together.
It’s fucking two A.M. and I should be asleep in my bed, but here I am sitting in my car, watching Thalia walk out of The Neon Rose. She doesn’t see my black Mustang across from the bar in the shadows of the other buildings.Wasn’t it lucky that I was already out, exploring the nightlife that is New York City?
I keep my stare with a greasy Philly cheesesteak in hand as she walks down the long stretch of sidewalk alone.Where the hell is that Jace kid? He’s always tagging along everywhere she goes. It’s too fucking late for her to be walking by herself.While still hanging on to my greasy sandwich, I take my phone out of my side pocket with my free hand and send her aquick text.
Me:
Hey, Sweetheart
I continue to stuff my face with the best fucking Philly cheesesteak in the city, and watch her glare down at the light coming from her phone.
My attention stays on my screen, waiting to watch it light up with her message in my hand.
Thalia:
Hey, Lee
Me:
What are you up to tonight?
I type while stuffing my mouth with another bite, licking off the liquid cheese that slides down my lower lip.
Thalia:
On my way home.
I watch the three dots appear on my end of the conversation.What is it, Sweetheart?
Thalia:
Do you want to come over? I mean, if you’re not too busy. I just don’t want to be alone tonight.
She stops in her tracks on the sidewalk and keeps her attention on her phone as if she’s waiting for my response.Absolutely, Sweetheart.
Me:
I would love to see you. Just give me a sec, and I’ll head over to your place.
I put the greasy sandwich in the brown paper bag, already dripping from its unhealthy juices. Grease from the steak covers my tattoos when I wipe my beard with the back of my arm.Perfect, just the way I like it.
My eyes stay on her as she continues her walk on her route towards her apartment. Waiting until her body is no longer in clear focus, I start my car and back out of my space in the shadows. My car moves slowly and far enough behind her.If she sees my Mustang, I’m fucked and she’ll think I’m a fucking stalker. I’m not a stalker, just highly fucking interested in her safety.
My attention doesn’t divert from Thalia’s form as she stops in front of her apartment complex. She glances down at her phone and stuffs it back into the pocket of her jacket.I’m almost there, Sweetheart.I pull into the small parking garage that faces the front side of the building.
