Stronger With Her (22 page)

I flip him off and look at Jason. He shrugs but nods in agreement.

“I’ve really been that bad?”

“No, not really,” John jumps in. “But we don’t like to see you how you’ve been. This Runt is a much happier Runt, and that is what we want,” he says with a grin.

“All right, enough of the touchy-feely bullshit. What are we going to do about that fucker that seems intent on ruining the best thing that’s happened in my life in years?”

We kick around ideas for the next hour, drinking John’s beer and having a few laughs. When I get up to leave, I feel a little better. I have the beginning of a plan to get my revenge and get my girl back.

S
aturday morning and I’m back to questioning the situation with Stephanie. I texted her last night, but she never responded. I’m not surprised, but I was hoping for something. I check The Shady Sprocket’s Facebook page to see if Vixen is dancing tonight, but her name’s not on there. One less thing to worry about, I guess. The thought of other men looking at her makes me violently angry. I know I can’t stop her if that’s what she wants to do, but I hope that someday I can reason with her and find out why she does it.

Before my thoughts turn to scenarios that will land me in jail, I get up to face my other challenge of the day. Something I’ve been putting off for a long time and it needs to be done if I ever want to move on with my life.

“Where are you headed so early, dear?” Ma is sitting on the couch drinking a cup of coffee.

“Um, I’m going to go talk to Danielle,” I reply quietly, looking at the floor.

Ma nods solemnly. “It’s time, James. I’ll be here when you get back.” I move to give her a kiss on the cheek, kneeling down to look into her eyes.

“I need to move on. I need to go forward, but I’ve been stuck for so long,” I whisper.

“You can do this. She’ll understand,” Ma says squeezing my hand. I look up and she has tears in her eyes. “It’ll be just fine,” she says with a small smile. I nod, get up, and walk out the door without another word.

The drive is slow and interminable. Traffic is heavy today and it takes twice as long to get there as normal. I stop at the convenience store and pick up Danielle’s favorite flowers. I don’t know why she likes the artificially colored daisies, but she does so that’s what I get.

The last few minutes of my trip are the worst. Seeing all the stones decorated, shiny marble reflecting the sun’s rays like mirrors makes me wonder who really benefits from this kind of display. I wind my way around the narrow drive, hoping that no one else will be around for this. When I get to the top of the small hill, I put the truck in park and take a deep breath. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here, but I feel the pain like it was yesterday. The song, “Day Is Gone” by Noah Gunderson is playing on repeat in my head as I walk through the grass to the third row.

I drop to my knees in front of the polished black headstone. I can’t stop the tears as they fall down my face when I brush some dirt from the names carved into the stone.

Danielle Armes

February 23, 1989 – May 3, 2011

Madison Owens

February 28, 2010 – May 3, 2011

The day my life ended is mocking me. That drunk son of a bitch took everything I had and ruined it. My precious baby girl and her mother, stolen in the blink of an eye.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been here for a while, Danielle,” I say. “This is so much more painful than I expected it to be.” My hands are shaking and it’s getting harder to breathe.

“I need to tell you that I’ve met someone. Her name is Stephanie and I think you’d really like her. She’s brilliant, beautiful, and she makes me feel again. I haven’t had the balls to tell her about you yet and that’s causing problems. I need you and Maddi to know that you’ll always be in my heart. I can’t keep living my life in the past, you know? I wish you were still here.” Tears spill over my eyes and I don’t bother trying to stop them. The emotion is building so fast. I take a breath to try and calm down.

“I wish we’d never had that fight,” I whisper as my face falls into my hands.

I can’t stop the sob that breaks free. I’m sitting on the ground crying like a little girl, talking to a piece of marble, but somehow it makes me feel better.

I get myself together after several minutes, clear my throat, wipe my face, and stand up.

“I’ll love you forever, my sweet girls. I hope you’re happy where you are and you can be happy for me.” I kiss my hand and press it on the top of the grave marker. Once I have the flowers in the vases on both sides, I walk back to my truck.

After I’ve got it in gear and I’m pulling away, I turn on the radio. Bon Jovi’s “Always” is playing. It takes me back to a happier time. Danielle loved this song, and I take it as a sign that she’s okay with me moving on.

I wake up to the sound of incessant knocking.
What the fuck is going on?
Once I open my eyes, I realize that I’m in my office on the couch.

“Hold the fuck on,” I say angrily. Who is pounding on my door?

I stand slowly, wiping the sleep out of my eyes and walk across the room. Once I’ve got the lock disengaged and the door open, I see Joe and Jason standing there.

“What the fuck, Runt?” Jason asks pushing his way into my office. “We’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Ma’s pissed just so you know,” Joe adds as he walks by me, smacking me on the back of the head.

“What are you guys talking about? Why are you here?” I ask.

“It’s Monday fucking morning, you asshole. Ma’s been worried sick since you haven’t been home and you missed Sunday brunch. John told her you needed time to work your shit out so we didn’t come find you yesterday. If we’d known you were camping out here we would have drug your ass home last night,” Joe says irritatedly.

“You’re shitting me,” I say shaking my head. “Seriously, you’re yanking my chain. It’s not Monday.” There’s no way I’ve lost an entire day.

“See for yourself,” Jason says gesturing toward the lobby. I look out and see Simone at her desk. She looks up and gives me a sympathetic look.

“Fuck me,” I mutter shaking my head.

“Well, now that we know you’re still alive, I suggest that you call Ma and let her know. She’s about to have a coronary,” Joe says.

“I’ll give her a shout in a few. How was lunch yesterday?” I’m most concerned about what, if anything, they did to Jacob.

“It was just like any other Sunday, man. We acted like we didn’t know a thing. This is your fight, not ours. We’ll back you, but we’re not going to start anything,” Joe says.

“I gotta say it was hard not to punch him in the face, though,” Jason adds.

“Thanks, guys, but you’re right, it’s my fight. I’ll figure out a way to make that fucker pay. Now, shouldn’t you be working?” I ask with a small smile.

“Yeah, whatever, dickwad. We’re going. Just don’t forget to call Ma,” Joe teases as he and Jason leave. It doesn’t take Simone long before she makes an appearance carrying a duffel bag.

“They brought you a change of clothes and your toothbrush. I figured you’d want to at least get rid of your morning breath.”

“Thanks, Simone. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I say sheepishly. It’s humiliating to be found crashing in your office by the one person who’s not family but knows everything about you.

“Lucky for you, you’ll never have to find out,” she says as she drops the bag on the desk. “When you’re ready to get her back, let me know and I’ll help,” she says and walks out of the room.

I’ve finally gotten my shit together, called my mother, and am getting some work done. It’s been difficult to concentrate, but I’ve managed to at least get through the morning. Simone took care of getting my lunch so I didn’t have to stop working. I’m putting the finishing touches on an email to a client about a new design when there’s a knock on my door.

“Come in,” I say distractedly. I don’t want to lose my train of thought.

“Well, here I expected something a bit more sinister based on what I’ve heard about you so far,” a female voice says. I look up but don’t recognize the blonde woman standing in front of my desk.

“May I help you?” I ask as politely as possible.

“Actually, I’m here to help you. If you’re smart, you’re going to listen to every word I have to say,” she answers as she moves over to sit on my couch.

“Well, that’s a very interesting introduction, but I don’t know who you are or what you want. Care to enlighten me?”

“Stephanie is one of my very best friends and you shit all over her. I’m here to discuss this situation and make it right.” I feel like someone just kicked me in the nuts. Never in a million years did I expect this today.

“You’ve got my attention,” I say coming over to the sitting area to talk. “I’m James, but I’m sure you already know that. You are?” I ask extending my right hand.

“I’m Christin,” she answers without shaking my hand. I pull it back and sit down across from her.

“All right, Christin, I’m listening. What can I do to fix the situation with Stephanie?” I’m willing to listen to anything this woman has to tell me. God knows my methods haven’t been worth a shit.

“First of all, you need to be honest with her. She doesn’t do cheaters and she’s been betrayed too many times in her life to trust easily. How much do you know about her past?”

“All I know is that her sister committed suicide, but she didn’t want to tell me more than that. What else do I need to know?” I’m scared of what she’s going to say, but I wait it out.

“That’s up to her to tell you. What you need to remember is that she values honesty above all else. She’s had to deal with some creepers in her life, your brother included. Did you know he used to harass her at her old job?” That gets my blood flowing and I feel my hands clench into fists.

“I did not, but with him I’m not surprised. He’s a dick. I’m taking care of it,” I say through clenched teeth.

“Good because if you don’t, I will, and it won’t be pretty at all,” she says settling in. “Now, you’re going to have to make a grand gesture. Bigger than the flowers from last week. Probably bigger than anything you’ve ever done. Are you willing to do it?” She has a sly smile on her face.