Obscurity

Chapter 61: The Fallout

(A/N: I don't typically warn readers ahead of big pivotal or revealing moments such as this one but I figured in the interest of being considerate, and since this story hasn't dealt with real heavy issues thus far, I'd give a heads up.

This is a TRIGGER WARNING for those who don't think they could read an attempted sexual assault scene. It isn't explicit or graphic, but for those who may have experienced something similar in their personal lives, it could bother them. This event is important to the backstory and relationship dynamic between Spencer and Alma.)

Alma

3.5 years prior

I was in our kitchen stirring a pan of what could possibly pass as spaghetti sauce when my cell rang.

"Hey." I answered.

"Hey honey. I was just calling to let you know I'm going to be late again. I'm really sorry, it's just this new boss always has something she wants done immediately. But hey, it's overtime! We can use the money." Spencer apologized and added a pro to the con.

I sighed heavily. "This is the third day this week, Spencer." I complained. I threw the stirring spoon into the sink in frustration.

"I know babe. I'm really sorry."

"You act like we need money. The money is fine. My trust is still fine. I don't know why you act like we're poor and you can't say no to whoever your boss is." I said impatiently.

"Yeah, I know. But that's your money. I need my money." He said.

"Fine. How late are you going to be?"

"I don't know. An hour or two?" He said. "I'll call you when I'm on my way home."

"Okay. I'll save your dinner for you." I said, frustration evident in my tone. I didn't like this new job he recently got. I didn't like the fact the new lady boss was always keeping him after hours. I wondered if he was the only one staying over after work or if there were others as well. My mind trailed to the inevitable thought that he could possibly be having an affair. I pushed the thoughts away, ashamed for even thinking them.

"Love you."

"I love you too, Spencer."

When I hung the phone up, I glanced at my cell phone screen and made a mental note it was nearly six o'clock. I figured Spencer would be home sometime around eight. I made him a plate of semi-palatable food and stuck it in the microwave. I lost my appetite, so I went into the living room to watch some television.

Fifteen minutes or so went by and I heard the sounds for a notification on my cell so I checked my phone. It was a text from Spencer's long time friend Court. The misspellings and missing words in the text made it nearly unreadable.

Hey Alma I cnt gt in tuch with Spenc. Iz he with u?

I rolled my eyes. He was drunk as usual judging by the text contents. I didn't reply. I closed the messaging app out and went back to watching my show.

A flurry of new messages flooded through, my notifications ringing off the hook.

Alm iz he wth u? Its imptant

Hellllo?

R u ignrng me?

My phone kept buzzing and dinging away, but I ignored it. Court could kiss my ass. He annoyed the hell out of me, and I wasn't wasting my time trying to decipher drunken texts. He could get in touch with Spencer later.