Brad’s soothing, baritone voice came over the line. “Hi. I’m not disturbing you, am I?”
“No,” she said softly. “I’m just about to go pick up Scotty, but I’ve got a few minutes.”
“Okay. I just wanted to say it was great to see you again.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah… I feel the same way too, Brad.”
His voice had a calming effect on her, and the feelings of frustration and indifference quickly went away. Brad McGrath had been her boyfriend in high school, but their relationship frayed when he left to join the Army and she took some classes at a local community college. The separation soon became permanent, and they quickly lost touch. Cathy had met Nick soon after, and they both fell hard for each other. Yet seeing her old boyfriend again made her feel like reliving a life she once thought was long over.
Brad chuckled. “I couldn’t believe it was so long ago. You still remember prom night?”
“Of course. We were crowned king and queen. Happiest time of my life.”
His voice turned serious. “Yeah, I still remember it like it was yesterday. Look, I know you’ve got a good husband and two beautiful kids. But if you ever want to just get together and talk about things, I’ll be around.”
Cathy bit her lip. Brad had told her about his own wife, and how he got divorced. After he left the military, Brad moved back in with his parents for awhile before starting up his own commercial dive business which quickly grew profitable for him. Now he had a huge beachfront property, but no one to share it with except the occasional date.
When she answered him, she had to stop herself from crying. “I-I don’t mind, Brad. We can still meet up. In fact I would like that very much.”
“Your voice is cracking. Are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine. I just… I just miss the old days, I guess.”
He started laughing again, putting her at ease once more. “So do I. You remember Don Hutchins? The big man on the football team?”
“Yes I do.”
“I bumped into him too when I moved back into the old neighborhood the year before I bought the beach house. He married Nora, and they have like, six kids now.”
“Six? And with Nora? Wow, that is news.”
“Yeah, he told me he wanted to get everybody together for a reunion. You up for it?”
The thought of seeing her old high school friends brought forth a jumble of disjointed memories, and it quickly collided with the present. “I-I’m not sure, Brad. I don’t know if I have the time anymore.”
“I understand. If you can’t make it then it won’t be a problem.”
“Can… can we talk about this in a few days? I… need some time to sort things out.”
“Of course. I’m sorry if I threw this all in your lap.”
“It’s alright,” she said softly. “I really have to go, Brad.”
“No problem, let’s chat again sometime.”
“For sure, Brad.”
“Goodbye, Cathy. Talk to you soon. Take care.”
“And you. Bye,” she said. Cathy was about to say “I love you” when she realized Brad had already hung up.
For a long minute she just sat there quietly before she switched gears and drove off, heading for the freeway onramp at the next street.
4
KIMBERLY DIRKSE THREW back her long brown hair with her hands, using the rearview mirror to make sure her curls and bangs were straight before she opened the car door and got out. She had been calling her boyfriend all day so she could get together with him to study for the finals, but Todd’s phone kept going to voicemail. Figuring he was at his house since his phone would automatically switch off whenever he was inside, she drove over to see what was up.
Todd Orr’s parents were in another state, and he had the house in Glendale all to himself as long as he stayed in college, they told him. The only other mandates they gave were that he kept it clean and no drugs or damage were inflicted upon it. Kim had wanted to move in with him now that she was a freshman at the same university, but her own parents said no. For some reason they didn’t like Todd, yet Kim spent as much time with him as she could, and nothing they could say would dissuade her.
She rang the doorbell and waited for a bit, but no one answered. Kim was just about to turn around and walk back to her car when she noticed the door was slightly ajar. Raising an eyebrow, she pushed the it open and peered inside. Todd had told her to always call before coming over, but a part of her felt something strange was going on, so she decided to investigate further.
Nothing seemed out of place, and Kim figured Todd must have inadvertently left the door unlocked when he went out. Making her way into the kitchen, she tried the door leading towards the garage and opened it. Todd’s car was still there. He’s here? Why didn’t he answer the door?
A high-pitched squeal coming from the opposite corridor instantly made her stop in her tracks, and she nearly dropped the phone she carried in her right hand. Kim’s eyes grew wide as a sense of terror came over her. She had watched countless reality shows on TV about home invasions, and her first instinct was to run out of the house and call the cops.
She heard another yelp, quickly followed by a more masculine groan. The second cry was definitely Todd’s. Kim moved into the shadowy corridor leading to the bedrooms, walking almost on tiptoe. Her fear had been overcome by a certain distrustful curiosity, and she needed to know for sure.
The sounds were coming from his bedroom. She tried the doorknob and it gave way. Pushing at the door until it opened, she peeked inside.
Her boyfriend was lying on his back at top of the bed. Another woman with long dark hair was riding on top of him, their naked, sweating bodies in the throes of ecstasy.
Kim cried out, and they both turned and stared at her. She recognized his partner—Monica, a sophomore in one of Todd’s elective classes. He had always talked about how smart and intuitive Monica was, and now it all came together.
Todd had a look of utter surprise and shame while looking back at her, hoping it was all a dream. “Kim, what are you doing here?”
Kim let out a sob before turning around, quickly making her way towards the front door.
Todd somehow managed to pull out and put his boxer shorts on, and closed the distance to place a hand on Kim’s shoulder just as she swung the door open. “Kim, wait. I’m so sorry.”
She forcefully shrugged his hand away. “Don’t touch me!”
Todd’s hands fell to his side. “I’m sorry.”
Her eyes were filled with tears, and Kim could barely see in front of her. She was only able to hoarsely blurt out a single word. “Why?”
Todd sighed and stood back. He wanted to come up with a good excuse, but his mental faculties had been dulled by the lovemaking, and all he could do now was admit the truth. “Uh, because she wanted it?”
Kim wailed and turned. Her hand swung, but Todd quickly backed away even further and evaded the blow. “You son of a bitch!”
He held his hands up in a gesture of peace. “Hey, calm down, alright? I said I was sorry.”
Kim’s lips were pulled back in anger, and she made a loud snort to keep her nose from running. Her balled fists were shaking as if an electric current coursed through them. Todd had been her boyfriend since they were sophomores in high school, and she always felt they would get married once they graduated from college. Her dreams of starting a family with him had now been shattered. It felt like the whole world had come to a sudden, abrupt end.
Todd gestured at her to cool down. “Hey, just take it easy.”
“Stop talking to me!”
His voice turned from apologetic to suggestive. “Okay. I know you’re upset. Why don’t you come back into the house, and let’s just talk this over, okay?”