Trailer Park Royalty

Part 1 Lot #11- Nick Parker

When it comes to Big Pattie's Mobile Home Park, no one despised the place more than her son, Nick. He grew up yearning to move away from southern Virginia and head towards Washington DC and work in the museums. Nick achieved his dream and found a woman he fell in love with not long after arriving in the DC area. By the time Nick and Alice were celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary, things became rocky. It's not until things take a drastic turn when they're out to dinner.

"Alice, psst, hey sweetie, are you okay?" Nick asks, then swipes his long hair behind his ear.

"Yeah, I guess I'm just thinking about things, you know. Like, Sally starts First Grade soon, and Tannor is going into Fourth Grade. Plus, work has been crazy busy, and yeah, I promise I'm good." Alice says as she never looks up into her husband's big green eyes.

Unable to shake a nagging sensation churning his gut into knots, Nick sits there and nurses his beer. One thing Nick enjoys when they go out to eat is draft drinks. His favorite is from a microbrewery located near Cleveland, Ohio. The Great Lakes Brewery Company always manages to create seasonal flavors that Nick looks forward to drinking. This evening's selection this evening doesn't seem to be doing anything for him as fear controls his mind.

Alice sits there and ponders over the regret in her mind. She's a fact-checker for the local news in the Ashburn, Virginia suburbs. Over the years, she's felt bored with her marriage. The kids are well behaved and proper with Nick's parenting skills, but she feels like Nick lacks enthusiasm for more in life. He gets up at four o'clock every morning to work out before he gets a shower and makes breakfast. Alice's life was supposed to be this grand adventure of traveling to new places every year and try more exotic foods; not take a few days to visit family and spend time at Niagara Falls every autumn. Then they would drive up to Boston for a single early season New England Patriots game and seeing the Leafs change color.

"Are you sure that you're okay? Alice, baby, you seem like there's a mystery to the universe on your mind, and if you don't let it out, then a black hole will form and swallow us up." Nick says jokingly, trying to get his wife to smile.

It takes a moment for the joke to sink in, but after it does, Alice finds herself feeling better for just a moment. She gives Nick a smirk and takes a drink of her wine.

"I guess I have a lot on my mind tonight. Work has been hard, and I should be happy. It's our anniversary, and you finally made it to become the museum's manager. I am so happy that your attention to detail has paid off. I mean, you're one of the longest-tenured employees, and the crowds love your tours. I'm sorry, I need to forget about work and be here with you. My husband, whom I love and have two beautiful kids with too. Cheers!"

Through the rest of dinner, things seemingly fall back in place. It's not until after the couple gets home that things take a bit of a turn. Alice's phone vibrates, and she doesn't waste time excusing herself to the bathroom to make sure the message isn't seen.

"Pardon me, love; wine is going straight through. Get the bedroom ready, and we'll do our usual anniversary celebration." Alice says and tries not to rush for the bathroom door.

"I'll be waiting." Nick sings with one hand in the air and the other over his heart with his eyes closed.

With the door locked and sitting on the edge of the bathtub, Alice takes out her phone and reads her coworker's message.

I can't stop thinking about you. I know it's your anniversary and all, but I need you! Please say you've given it some thought and want me to. I know when I kissed you could cost us our jobs, but dammit Alice, I can't let this go." Trent Atkins, the sportscaster at work, texts.

Before Alice responds, she thinks back to that night. There was a raging storm, and she was alone with Trent in the producer's office. She checked up on a potential trade deal for the MLB deadline when the power started to flicker. Alice has always been afraid of storms and the dark. She grew up in Nebraska, and tornados always leaving her town in ruins. Trent has always been attracted to Alice since their introduction on his first day on the station's job.