I saw what you did

Chapter six

I stand in my driveway still as a statue reading the printed words over and over again, I flip the card over for the 10th time seeing if there is anything printed on the back but it's blank. I work up the courage to check my surroundings to see if there is anyone visible in the tree line but there is no one in sight. I shakily unlock the front door sprinting to the master bedroom where our safe with important documents is under the bed, placing the note in the safe I lock it up and slide it back under the bed so I can worry about it when I get home.

I rush to the SUV jumping in and peeling out of the driveway and down the short distance to get on to the freeway to head towards Perkin's Medical Center where I work as a medical records clerk, I have worked here since right after Jack was born. Pulling into the employee parking lot I glance at the clock on the radio and it says 8:05am. Late again.. I slam the car into park and sprint making it to the time clock at 8:10am. Standing next the time clock is my supervisor Frank a balding 60 year old pudgy man, staring at his watch he looks up and says "You're late again, second time this month. Do you have an explanation?" I swallow the built up saliva in my throat trying to catch my breathe after the marathon I just ran to get here "Yes, I woke up late I was nauseous and threw up on my way here." "Gross, I'll give you a break this time but don't be late again." I give him a thumbs up and a "Thanks boss" and he waddles his way back to his office and I hear the door slam moments later. 4 doors down on the right is my office I head that way reaching the door I open it to see Marsha my best work friend sitting in my chair behind the desk. I jump slamming my hand against the wall "Jeez Marsha you nearly gave me a heart attack I wasn't expecting anyone to be in here." She laughs, flashing me a bright smile "I seen you were running late and I didn't want to miss you. Some of us are going out to the Tavern tonight and I wanted to invite you. So what do you think?" "I think it depends on who is going you know I don't like crowds." Marsha rolls her dark brown eyes at me, she is nearing 60 years old but she is healthy and fit with dark brown hair to match her eyes that nearly reaches her butt in length. "I think it is just Jess, Carl, Steven, Frank, and myself. Not to many you'll be fine!" She says with enthusiasm in her voice. "Besides if you don't go there will be an uneven number and I'll be forced to talk to Carl or Frank because Jess and Steven have something going on. You know I'd rather talk to the brick wall than talk to those 2 morons! Please!" She says with a pouty face and her hands clasped together like a little kid. I laugh "Fine I'll think about it but only because Jack is going with his grandma tonight to pick out something for his birthday next Wednesday and Mark is out of town." Another lie I am getting quite good at that. "Well it's Thursday so you know what that means." "I do, it's wing night and you know I'm a sucker for wings." I say through a smile. She flashes me a toothy grin and says "I'll check back with you later." I watch her walk down the hall to her office as her hips swing back and forth. She truly is in great shape I should take more of her tips seriously. I sigh and turn on my computer. The screen boots up and my desktop picture comes into view, a photo of Mark, Jack and I taken for our Christmas cards this past holiday season. It was freezing that day even in my flannel red dress, black leggings and Ugg boots on, we had a fresh snow fall the day before the shoot making it look like a winter wonderland. I look at our 3 smiling faces my fake smile showing all my teeth trying to look as happy as can be with my imperfect family. Only I know that the long sleeve flannel dress was covering bruises on my arms where Mark had pushed me down the night before after a bender. I brush tear away from my eye not even realizing I was crying, sucking in my emotions I start my work for the day.