Just Like Animals

№ 16

"Hello?" Chris had cracked his front door just enough to see Jaime standing there in the cold. He didn't even get a response before she pushed past him, pulling her snow-covered hat off and tossing it on the coat rack.

"I'm really worried, ya know?" She started, shrugging her coat from her shoulders and stepping out of her boots.

Chris knew what she was talking about all too well, "What's going on?" He innocently inquired, following Jaime as she plowed her way through the house to the kitchen.

With a hard swallow that made it sound like Jaime was going to start crying, she began to unravel, "He's been gone for almost three weeks. He won't text me back and he won't answer my calls. I know we split but I'm worried." Taking the kettle from the stove, she filled it with water and put it back on the burner with a crash.

At a bit of a distance, Chris stood and watched as she rifled through the cabinets. From his perspective, he could easily see the cookie jar sitting precariously on a high shelf, inside, Ricky's phone, keys, and wallet. His gaze was broken when Jaime slammed the cabinet door shut and dropped a coffee cup on the counter.

"I didn't think he would freak out like this. All I wanted was some space - just temporarily until I got my shit figured out - and now I can't even talk to him or see him or..." Her voice trailed off as she began to cry. Chris grabbed a box of tissues from the counter and offered her one. Jaime saw the outstretched arm as an invitation though and embraced Chris in a tight hug, crying into his chest for a moment until the kettle began to whistle.

She took a tissue and began to clean herself up as she helped herself to a tea bag and honey. While she needed something to warm her up after braving the winter weather, she needed the emotional warmth too. She began to walk to the den, Chris following behind and anxiously checking the room for hints of Ricky.

Sitting on the floor by the fireplace, Jaime clutched the mug in her hands and tried to self-regulate by watching the fire flicker. Behind her back, Chris quietly tidied up, covering Ricky's duffel bag with a blanket and tucking away anything else that could tip Jaime off.

"Do you think he ran off? Like with someone else? I know what you said the other day... but that's the only possibility I can think of." She sat for a moment, turning back towards Chris when she didn't get a response.

Chris quickly kicked Ricky's sketchbook under the couch and came to Jaime's side, sitting down and wrapping an arm around her.

"I haven't been completely honest with you," he started. He knew he had to cover his tracks. "Ricky came here after the party..." And he had to eliminate himself as a suspect.

At first, Jaime looked surprised, but her brow furrowed as worry took over.

"He was really upset. He didn't know why you left. He seemed kinda depressed." It wasn't a complete lie, just a fib - an exaggeration, a small alteration of the truth.

Jaime swallowed hard, mouth suddenly dry from anticipation and anxiety.

Chris pulled Jaime into his side, trying to soothe her but also to calm his own nerves. "He said he might go to his parents... I have no clue if he made it there and I should've checked in but I didn't know it was this serious." He was trying as hard as possible to make the story believable.

It was quiet - barely audible - but Jaime began to cry again. "I didn't want this to happen," she whispered.

The two sat in silence for quite a while, Jaime occasionally taking a sip of her cold tea or Chris handing her a tissue. Eventually, she stopped shaking and she started to regain her composure.

"I should go. I'll call Ricky's parents and if he's not there, I'm going to start calling hospitals." She explained, finishing her tea and handing Chris the mug.

Chris showed Jaime out, helping her put her coat back on and walking her back to her car. "If you need anything, just let me know. I'll be there day or night," he assured. Jaime only nodded in response, starting the engine and reversing down the driveway.

With Jaime gone and off his trail - with no mention of the police - Chris felt a sudden sense of relief. In a way, it was closure. Not for him, but for Jaime. To an extent, also for Ricky.

He stood outside, watching the snow fall slowly covering the tire tracks. It was peaceful; it was serene. For as long as he could tolerate the cold, he stood outside, just appreciating the moment of calm.

Chris took a deep breath, letting the crisp air penetrate his lungs and seep into his veins. He pulled his shoulders back and stood tall, cracking his knuckles before turning and heading inside.

He still had to deal with Ricky.

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