No Body, No Crime

October 5, 2012 6:55pm

The red booth sticks to my thighs as I waited for Jamie to arrive. The front doorbell rings and my head swivels towards it, it wasn't her. " honey I'm gonna need you to order something because if you don't I got a room full of people just waiting to take that booth off your hands." the waitress looks down at her order book impatiently, tapping her foot waiting for my response. " Jaime's never late I swear, she'll be here soon. You know what, I'll order an appetizer so it'll be ready by the time she's here." I bat my eyelashes at her hoping to get in her good graces, "Fine, but if she's not her by the time it's out Imma have to move you to a single table." She takes my order and whispers to the other waitress to keep an eye on me. My throat is dry and my leg aches from shaking with anxiousness. I shoot out another text:
Me: Hey Jamie are you feeling alright, I'm still here waiting. If you're running late, take your time
Me: Oh I ordered an appetizer by the way.
Me: If you're driving please don't respond. Love you, drive safe :)

I put my phone away in my bag, a flood of nausea washing over me. " I think you got stood up kid, I'm gonna have to move you. I'm sorry." The waitress takes my food to a small table in a corner and I eat alone. After that pathetic dinner I slide into my car and dial Jamie. It rings once, twice, and then nothing. " This is Jamie, I can't reach the phone right now. Call back later bye." Her sweet country accent fills my car. My stomach is in knots and breathing isn't easy. She always answers my calls. I start my car and take the familiar drive to Jamie's farmhouse. The whole drive my thoughts swarm my brain, buzzing around whispering, "she got in an accident and is on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere." Or, " She's trying to avoid you, she finds you annoying and doesn't want to be your friend anymore." Finally I'm greeted by her gravel road and the warm glow of the flood lights. Her car isn't in the driveway. My stomach sinks to the floor. I make my way to the door raising my hand to ring the doorbell, when Johnny swings the door open before my hand can reach the bell. " I don't know where she is?" My worst thoughts have been proven. I drop to the floor, the concrete digs into my knees. " Mare, her work called, they said she never showed up." " No, not Jamie." I sob out. I begin to rock back and forth repeating, " No, not Jamie." over and over again.