Ethan
"The fuck did you just say to me?" My voice is low, but threatening, and just about everyone in the bar turns their heads.
"She probably just left your whiny ass, Dolan." The man before me, who's supposed to be one of my friends, being my coworker and all, but right now, I want to pummel him into the ground. He laughs with his buddies, but no one else is laughing but him, and I'm thinking that they see just how pissed I am.
Taking out my anger, my fist delivers a right hook to his jaw, I hear a crack, and he stumbles backwards. I flex my knuckles before downing the rest of my beer and shuffling out of the bar before anyone can say anything. I hop into the pickup and peel out of the parking lot, rolling down my windows to feel the night air on my face while I drive down the highway.
I take a peek at the photo of Jess on the visor above my head, wiping a hand over my mouth with the other one on top of the steering wheel. My knuckles will surely be bruised tomorrow.
When I get home, all of the lights are off, except for a lamp in the living room. I walk in quietly to see my brother sitting on the couch, his laptop open on his lap. He notices me and looks up.
"Look who's home," He teases, but then he catches sight of my right hand that's at my side.
"What the hell did you do?" He hisses. I sigh, closing my eyes briefly before opening them again to see him staring at me.
"This guy was talking smack....I just taught him a lesson. It's no big deal."
"No big deal? E, he could press charges."
"He's too much of a wuss to do anything. I'm going to bed." I confirm this by turning around and walking up the stairs, suddenly feeling extremely groggy. Once I get to the bedroom, I let out a depressed sigh. Coming in here hasn't gotten easier with each day that passes, although, I feel like it should.
I take all of my clothes off but my boxers, throwing them into the hamper. Thank God I know how to do laundry. I climb into bed, not worrying to plug my phone in, and lay my head down on the pillow. I close my eyes, but open them again to see my wife's pillow next to me. I reach over and grab it, hugging it against my body. I put my nose into it, still smelling her perfume. I take it in for as long as I can, and end up falling asleep with the pillow tightly in my arms.
When I get up the next morning, the house is completely empty. I shuffle into the kitchen, only wearing shorts, and I see a note on the counter from Grayson. I rub my tired eyes and run a hand through my messy hair.
Went to work, dropped the kids at school. Text me if you need anything or get any updates - G
Thanks, bro. It brings a little smile to my face, and I leave the piece of paper there, opening the fridge and locating one of my protein shakes. I shake it up for a few minutes while walking into the living room to turn the news on. As I'm drinking, Jess' pictures comes on the screen, and I nearly choke.
"A local woman, Jessica Dolan, has been abducted about three months ago. We have reason to believe that she was taken at the Red Pier and Lighthouse after a workday. If you see her, please contact any of the numbers that you see on the screen. Her family is missing her dearly, as well as her friends and coworkers. We'll see you at 10:00." The reporter signs off, and commercials begin to play. Im not sure why that bothers me so much.
They're bringing awareness to the fact that my wife is missing, why do I feel the need to scream at them and say that they're violating our privacy? I've got no idea. All I know is that if I have to live without Jess much longer, I don't know if I'll be able to live anymore.
