At Home

Chapter Two

             The work day feels like it goes on forever. At lunch time, Maya and I sit in her car talking about the newest guy she met from whatever dating app she is using these days. Apparently his name is Blake, and he tried to impress her with his "mad kazoo skills". I let out a laugh and Maya levels me with a glare. I guess it wasn't a funny bit he was doing, he actually thought that is how you get girls. I zone out with the occasional nod, and "no way" while my mind drifts to the weird text I got this morning. I wonder how the hell bitch neighbor Karen got my phone number.

            "Are you even listening to me Carter?!? He was trying to play 'Uptown Funk' on his kazoo in the middle of the restaurant. It was mortifying!" Maya's elevated voice snapped me back to the conversation. "Oh wow, he was really pulling out all the stops. You're telling me that didn't make you want to fall into his bed?" I say with a laugh. "Very funny bitch" Maya let's out with a huff. "What is going on in your head that could possibly make you zone out while I am telling you about what is the worst date of my life?" I stare at her for a moment contemplating if I want to share the weird text I got this morning. Maya snaps in my face, "Well, spit it out!"

             I decide against sharing the text, and instead tell her I was just thinking about the serial killer documentary I binged last night. Maya rolls her eyes at me before a little smile appears on her face. "Ah, that tracks. Always studying." I give her a look of confusion. "So you can learn the mistakes serial killers make that get them caught. So, you don't make the same errors??" Maya continues. A laugh bubbles out of me and next thing I know we are both laughing so hard we are crying. "I love your unwavering support" I say. "What if I ACTUALLY became a serial killer in the future?" Maya shrugs and says with a straight face, "I would help you hide the bodies obviously." We stare at each other for a moment, before bursting into laughter again. "In all seriousness Car, you couldn't hurt a fly. Unless someone hurt Blue, then I could see you going all John Wick on their ass." "Fuck around and find out!" I say while making karate chop motions with my hands.

             I glance at the clock in her car and groan. "I can't believe lunch is almost over. I don't want to go back in there." Maya nods her head as she shares my pain. "4 more hours, then we get to do this shit again tomorrow. Yay!" Maya says sarcastically while rolling her eyes. "Hey, wanna go get after work drinks? Trevor is working and I could probably pull some strings. Get us some free drinks?" She says while wiggling her eyebrows. Ah Trevor. Maya's on again, off again boy toy... thing. It's been 3 years of will they, won't they. I like Trevor. He always treats Maya well, and is really funny. He has become a good friend of mine. He is exactly what Maya needs and I tell her as much every time she brings him up. "Poor Trev, when are you going to lock that down. Y'all are so cute together!" I say. Maya rolls her eyes at me. "He wants the whole wife and kids thing and you know I am too much of a free spirit for that." That is always her excuse, but I know the real reason is because of how her last relationship ended. I don't have the energy to push today so I just nod my head. "Anyway... drinks? Yes?" Maya questions. I think about it for a moment before shaking my head no. "I promised Blue I would play soccer with him after work. You should have seen the puppy dog eyes he gave me this morning." I say. "Wow, blown off for a dog. I see how it is. At least Blue Baloo is the cutest puppy on the planet." Maya says. "Fine, I'll come over after work and bring the goods." She continues. Maya always invites herself over but I never mind. She even took it upon herself to make herself a copy of my house key and regularly comes over to play with Blue if I'm "not home for too long". She leaves me goofy videos on my ring camera that always make me chuckle. "The smokeable goods, or the drinkable goods?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. "Why not both?" She shrugs. "Now let's get back inside. Hell is waiting."

              Maya and I exit her car with dissatisfied grumbles and walk back into work. The rest of the day surprisingly goes by rather quickly. I clock out and Maya says "I gotta run home but then I'll be over." I smile, "Sounds good. Blue is gonna be so happy to see you". "I know." Maya smirks. "See ya soon bitch." I walk out to my car and get in, dropping my phone in the cup holder and throwing my untouched lunch bag in my passenger seat. I really should eat more but I am never hungry mid-day. I sigh and open my lunch bag and pull out the Cheetos. Health is my passion clearly. I open them up and pop one into my mouth. My phone buzzes in my cup holder. I grab it and swipe up without looking at the notification. I see the red bubble with a "1" indicating a new message. I click messages and freeze. I see another message from "Unknown" I hesitate for a moment before clicking on it.

Unknown: About time you ate something.

             I drop my phone in shock, looking around frantically. A few of my co-workers are standing talking in the parking lot. I see Maya through her car window. She looks like she is on speakerphone with someone. She looks over to me and rolls her eyes. It must be her mother. Or maybe Kazoo guy? Clearly someone she doesn't want to talk to. She gives a small wave before backing out and driving off. I look back down at my phone. Why would bitch neighbor Karen care if I ate or not? What the FUCK is going on? I grab my phone, lock it, and drop it back in my cupholder. I don't have time to care about this right now.