Old Man Sanchez

Chapter 3: Unexpected Caller

     Old man Sanchez had stayed in his house for the time of two whole days. Day in and day out. He never left due to what he had seen with his very eyes: his family's deceased bodies. His house phone had been ringing, but he didn't have any intention of answering.
     But today was different. The phone rang again and again. Coming to the end of the call, there was a pause, signaling that someone was in the middle of leaving a voicemail. After the last ring, the machine read the number of the caller that was nearing closer to leaving a voicemail.
     "981-235-0172..."
     Suddenly, Sanchez's eyes popped wide opened. He knew who it was that was calling.
     Getting off of the couch, the old man walked to the phone sitting on the counter in the kitchen. Before he unhooked it, he stared at it. The speaker blared after leaving a beep.
     "Hey Dad... Just want to talk to you. I... I know we haven't talked in a while, but given the circumstances, I think it'd be good if we touched bases... Justice has to be served... Y- You have to do something, for crying out loud! Do you not care about it? Are you too old to take initiative?!"
     Closing his eyes, Sanchez grabbed the phone and slowly put it up to his ear.
     "Hello..."
     "Sanchez."
     "...Rebecca."
     The woman on the other end of the phone was Sanchez's daughter-in-law. Well, to be more specific, his ex daughter-in-law. Shortly after Marie's birth, both Sanchez's son and Rebecca separated due to a loss of love between the two. Rebecca wanted nothing to do with their daughter. Instead, she was out trying to live big as a model and even got a job opportunity as an actress for how good she looked.
     "I'm sorry about Kyle and Marie," said Rebecca. "Have you checked to see if there were any leads?"
     "You just care about whether or not there is money involved," replied Sanchez. "I know your true intention."
     "What if you're wrong? What if I'm genuine?"
     "Because... you're you, Rebecca."
     Rebecca began laughing. After her last laugh, a sound of a metal click entered the tense conversation, followed by the sound of crackling- something burning. 
     "Ah... You've started smoking again, haven't you," asked Sanchez.
     After an inhale and exhale, Rebecca continued the conversation.
     "Takes off the stress. Maybe you should try it... What are you doing to ease the pain, old man?"
     "Nothing as of now. I have a way to get back at the ones responsible for killing my son and beautiful granddaughter."
     "Mhm. On another note, how will their funeral be paid and taken care of?"
     "I am planning and paying."
     "Ah, I see."
     "If I come across any leads, I will call you back. Or maybe I won't."
     There was a short pause. Maybe Rebecca didn't want to end the call so soon.
      This phone call shined light on how the two never got along in the past. Sanchez didn't hate Rebecca. It was never hate. He just never approved of the woman who stole Kyle's heart.
     "Okay, Dad. Kill the bastards if they show themselves. Kill them for me... Torture them before you off 'em though. You deserve that much for yourself."
     Sanchez removed the phone from his ear and hung up. Staring at the counter, he pounded both hands onto the surface, grunting in the process. The phone bounced an inch from the table and landed a second after, causing the phone to unhinge itself.
What should I do, he asked himself.
     And just like that, an idea floated toward his conscious. He remembered that Kyle was talking about an incident that occurred at his job. His boss was firing people left and right. Maybe the boss had answers.
Without a moment to lose, Sanchez moved toward his closet in his room and picked out an outfit to wear. He moved his hands around, shifting through clothes until, finally, he picked out a leather jacket and some white pants. Putting them on, he walked out of his room.
What's wrong with me, he thought. Why should I care if I die..? If I die in the process of avenging my people, then so be it. I've lived this life with fear- but after today, I'm living for myself and those I've loved.
     Walking through his living room toward the door of his house, he looked to his right and looked at the picture that sat on the side table, a couple of inches away from the door. The picture showed his true love that unfortunately passed five years ago.
     What would you do, my love, he asked himself. If I was more aware, they'd probably still be alive, huh?
Sanchez shook his head and walked out of his house and toward his car. Around this time, it was 2 in the afternoon. His upcoming destination: his son's job.
     The old man was set on inviting himself to Kyle's former boss. Maybe the man knew something in regard to the death of Sanchez's family. Sooner or later, he'd find the answers, whether he liked it or not.