Bee to my Barnes

part 51

The banging against the solid oak doors rattled through the penthouse. ‘Buck. Will you open the door I know your in there!’ Steve’s voice bellowed from the other side. ‘C’mon pal. I can do this all day!’

Rolling your eyes, you shot back another whiskey before opening the door and walking off leaving him to enter on his own. A slight slur auditable in your words. ‘What do you want Steve’ Slumping back onto the sofa you flop your head back.

‘Buck, what’s going on. Your not returning my calls, you haven’t seen Beatrix since...you know.’ You could tell Steve was worried and to be quite honest you had no idea what was happening, you had barely eaten, washed or shaved since leaving the hospital. Every waking moment was spent focusing on pushing Beatrix out of your mind, drinking through your top shelf liquor to numb your feelings.

‘I’m just tired.’ You lie through gritted teeth.

‘Buck, come on, we have been pals forever. Talk to me.’ Sitting on the edge of the table to face you, it was true. Steve was the only person who has ever Stuck by you. Everyone eventually leaves...except Steve.

                         ____________

Going crazy being stuck in your apartment your not sure how many more episodes of the golden girls you can take. Throwing the remote control onto the sofa you slip into some trainers and slowly shuffle your way out of the apartment block.

Heading towards central park you find an empty bench overlooking the lake. Smiling as you listen to the laughter of the children as they zoom around on their bikes, the overheard chatter of the Passers by as you take in the orange and auburn backdrops. Watching as the leaves flutter to the ground they dance around a couple sharing a kiss under the September sun.

Sucking in a sharp breath trying to stifle the onset of pain as your hear pines for James, you wrap your jacket a little tighter around you, quietly wishing they were his arms. Walking down the path the leaves scattering the floor, crunching underfoot as you exit past the concrete pillars.

The smell of hotdogs and pretzels filled the air as you weave between the coffee and food carts littering the sidewalks, dodging the path of a tourist you pause by an old newsstand. The small cabin decorated with hanging confectionary as magazines and newspapers scatter every surface. Politely you give a weak smile to the wrinkled man, confined in this shoebox, before dropping your gaze to the bold headlines displayed before you.

DANGEROUS DUO GO DOWN– Phyco Paul and his cousin Vicky have been sentenced after their vicious kidnap and attack of one Beatrix Miller. It is believed the attack was in a foiled attempt to blackmail Millionaire James Barnes, CEO of Buchannan Barnes Security, the suspected boyfriend of Beatrix.

Handing over a few coins to the merchant, you take the paper reading and then rereading the article. The paper crinkled under your grip as the relief washed over you tainted with the prickled sting at reference to Bucky. You need to speak to him, and if he won’t answer your call he left you no choice.

Picking up your pace, now determined to get answers you march in the direction of the office.