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Valarie
Chapter nine.
By: Amber Boles
7:40 P.M.
Anthony parks in the guest parking lot, and walks to the third floor. Anthony is nervous. Scared. He has a pretty good idea what just might happen tonight. Is he ready? He already feels guilty enough for kissing her. Even spending the night on the roof with her. There's this bitter feeling of disloyalty to Mariah.
Mariah. The love of his young live. She caught his eye at nap time in Pre-K. She pulled her mat next to his, and fell asleep. Anthony was in love. They shared everything. Their lunch. Their toys. Mariah was everything.
In elementary school, Mariah was in his class until fifth grade. Fifth grade they were assigned different teachers. That year, the momentarily split. Until Middle school. He saw her, she saw him. They were in love again. (I know what you are thinking, 'they have no idea what love is.' I assure you, Anthony and Mariah know more about love than my grandmother.)
They were together until the day they graduated from High school. They even applied fro the same collages, and decided on the one they both wanted.
They had a beautiful house that Anthony paid for with the money he had inherited from his grandparents. Nearly paid off now. They both had part time jobs, they were comfortable and happy. Paying the bills and collage, with money left over. Quite lucky for young children. They even got to have a wedding.
But what happened that night Mariah's soul flew away, and left behind an empty shell on earth...?
Mariah and Anthony drive down the highway, heading towards home. The road is dark, except for slants of light coming from light posts. Mariah places her hand over Anthony's. He adverts his gaze from the road for one second to return Mariah's yearning smile. He focuses on the road again. Not really wanting to.
Anthony's brand new 1998 Honda civic rides smoothly. Finally, his own car.
Mariah rests her head on the window. Anthony thinks she's a bit drunk. When someone turn twenty-one, you can bet there will be booze. Just like there was at Anthony's friend Keith's party. Anthony just wants to get home and sleep with his wife. They've happily married for a year. Hopefully many more to come.
Anthony looks over again. She's asleep. Angelic.
The car behind Anthony has their high beams on. What a jerk. Unfortunately, he can't get out of the line of light, the other lane is going the other way. He tries to drive, but it's blinding him. Then he sees lights coming towards him. Crash. Ouch.
"Nine-one-one, what's your emergency?"
Nothing.
"Hello? What's your emergency?"
"Help..."
7:48 P.M.
Anthony reaches the door to Val's apartment, unaware he had been walking the whole time. Does he still want to knock?
The door opens. "Hey," She says. Her voice airy and sweet. Anthony just smiles. "Come in." So he does.
8:58 P.M.
Anthony crushes Val's lips with emotion and force. And Val, with equal emotion and force. They laugh and fall back on the bed. Val flips Anthony on his back, all without breaking their kiss.
Then, boldly, Val starts unbuttoning Anthony's shirt. And Anthony unbuttons Val's.
Val cannot believe it's happening. She successfully removes his shirt and runs her hand over his tanned chest. They lock eyes. They breath hard and begin to laugh. Val's shirt is no more.
"Nice bra," Anthony teases.
Val looks down. She's wearing a green camouflage braw with pink lace trim. She thinks her face might have turned cherry red. Val rests her head on his chest.
"Should we keep going?"
Val doesn't need an answer, the phone rings. She reaches over Anthony and picks up the phone.
"Hello?" She says. She hasn't fully caught her breath yet.
"Don't you want to know who I am?" The mans voice what apparently 'knows'.
"No I don't. Who are you?" Val tries to keep her voice down, but she knows Anthony is very much listening.
"Aww, you hurt my feelings. Shall I tell you anyway? Why yes, I believe you should know." He chuckles mad and amused.
Val gets off Anthony and stands in her bra on the edge of the bed. Anthony Sits up behind Val too. Silently ease dropping. Val doesn't really mind. In fact, she'd much rather he does listen in.
"My name is Henry. I am your mother's distant cousin--" He stops and says no more. "That is all for today. Maybe I'll call tomorrow and tell you more." Click. He hangs up.
"Who was that?" Anthony questions. Val shakes her head.
"Henry. My mother's cousin. And her murderer."
He stands up. "Her... murderer? You're not going to call the cops?"
Val once again shakes her head. "What can they do. All I know is he's her cousin and his name is Henry. I'm assuming he killed her since he keeps saying her 'knows', but that's all I got. There is no case." She grabs her shirt from the floor and pulls it over her head.
Val wants to just erase what just happened and continue.
"I should go--"
"No! Anthony, I'm... I'm scared!" She finally admits it. She is scared. Not of dieing. No of course not. She's scared she'll never find peace on the other side if she dies. But inside she knows he can't stay. Which reminds her.
"Anthony, this all feels wrong. You and me I mean." How is she doing all this while Mariah innocently waits at home. Val feels like a monster.
"What? What do you mean?" he rests his around her shoulder.
She takes a deep breath and sobs. "Anthony, I know you still love her, but she's not there anymore. I mean sure, it's Mariah, but it's not... Oh! I don't know!" She cries into his arm. Her chest expanding with air, only to be let out with tears and cries. "Anthony," she staggers. "I think you should leave."
9:19 P.M.
He opens the car door and get in. starts the car and drives home to Mariah. He loves her, Val is right. But she's IS gone. Maybe he should move on... But how? He promised everyone he would take care of her forever. But he didn't know not really having a life sucked. Anthony thinks Mariah really isn't his problem, He just made it his problem.
Mariah's mother and father could take care of her again. It's not as bad as it was years before when there were three five year olds, two teens and a baby. By now, Jess is gone, and the five year old are now in school. And Mariah's sister Katie decided to go to school in Germany, really, they can handle Mariah.
But it feels wrong. Wrong to just give up. It makes him look like he doesn't care. And oh, does he care. He just can't handle it all. For heavens sake, he's only twenty-two!
His eyes get hot but he refuses to cry frustrated tears. Not until he gets home.
Oh, Mariah...
