The Angriest Angel

Chapter 18

Avery was in no hurry.  Despite Nathan's warnings, she was confident that Chase respected her enough to wait until her arrival before leaving his house.  She stopped along the way and picked up coffees, believing that honey always worked best, especially with surly people like Chase.  Threats would only further alienate him, and he had no idea what the forces against him were capable of doing.

When she finally arrived, there was an unfamiliar white luxury car in his driveway.  She parked in the street and quickly made her way toward the porch of his house.

There was a man standing in front of Chase's door.  His back was to her, and it looked as if he was reading something in his hand. 

At the sound of her approach, he turned around.

It was an unfamiliar indigena.  He wore a black polo shirt with tan pants, and held a small yellow note in his hand.

"Good morning," she said pleasantly.

"Good morning," he said.  "Are you here to see Chase?"

"Yes."

He glanced at the note and handed it to her.  "I found this on his door.  I only just got here myself."

She read the note.  It said 'Sorry Ocean Eyes, I couldn't wait.'

Avery didn't get angry.  Disappointed yes, angry no.  Nathan was right; he needed to be watched more closely. 

She closed her eyes and took a deep, centering breath, pausing for a moment, and then slowly exhaling, steadying herself as best she could.

"I can only assume you are Ocean Eyes?" the man asked.  "He always had a way with nicknames.  Hey don't worry—it could have been much worse."  He extended his hand, "I am Jay, Chase's cousin.  He called me from the police station yesterday.  I acted like a jerk, told him I wouldn't help him.  I went there this morning and they said he was out, so I came to check on him."

"I am Avery, his case manager," she said.  "He is under my supervision.  He was not supposed to leave without me this morning."

"Ah," Jay grimaced in understanding.  He checked his wrist, "It's almost eight o'clock.  He must have gone to work.  Imagine that!  The one time he does something responsible, he still manages to break the rules."

Avery was familiar with his place of work; it was all in his file.  She knew where it was located, and it was not far from here.

"Are you sure that's where he went?" she asked.

He shrugged, "No, it's just a guess."  He took out his phone and said, "I'll try calling him."

She shook her head, wondering how she could have been so stupid.  He could be anywhere.  In hindsight, she should have gotten here much earlier.  Trusting him was a foolish mistake.

Jay shook his head as if it were ringing longer than it should. 

"I have to go," Avery said, turning back to her car.
"Sorry," he said.

Avery stopped, and wheeled around, "Why does he do this?  I told him—specifically—I said to wait for me.  It is not difficult!"

Jay shook his head as if at a loss for words.  He glanced at the house and then back at her, "I don't know.  Chase has always been that way—he pisses people off.  He rails against you until you lash back.  It's almost like he wants it.  He gets off on punishing himself."

"Why?" she asked.  It didn't make sense to her, and she needed to know.  "Please explain it to me?"

Jay said, "I don't want to make excuses for him, but he's had it pretty rough."