Jeff froze, slowly turned back to him. “Excuse me?”
“The woman you were talking to before.” The man looked up at him.
“You should stay away from her.”
Anger welled in him, followed by a touch of fear. “What woman?”
“The pretty one you were talking to in Copley Square.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes you do.”
“Have you been following me?”
The man shook his head and sighed.
“Answer me,” Jeff said, moving a step closer.
“No,” he mumbled, “I haven’t been following you.”
“Then how do you know about her?”
“I was already hanging at Copley Square. A vendor there gives me a pretzel for free every morning. He’s a good guy. Anyway, I saw you talking to that woman. Then I saw you two leave together.”
“Yeah, well that’s none of your business.”
“She offered you work, didn’t she?”
Jeff tried to swallow, nearly choked. “How do you know that?”
“Guy like me, I see a lot, hear a lot. Most folk-especially city folk-don’t notice someone like me. No more than streetlights, garbage cans or telephone wires running over their heads. It’s all right there in front of them, but they learn to filter it out until they don’t even see it anymore.”
“Apparently you missed your calling as a poet, but-”
“I’m just saying you should stay away from her is all.”
“And why would you say that? Do you even know who she is?”
“Do you?”
“It was a business meeting and none of your concern, I-for Christ’s sake-I don’t have to stand out here and explain myself to some homeless loser like you.” Jeff stabbed a finger at him. “You stay the hell away from-”
“I’m trying to help you.”
“Well if you don’t mind I’ll skip the life advice from the local neighborhood bum.” Jeff started up the steps again then thought better of it and turned back. “I’m not telling you again. Stay away from me, my wife and this building. Got it?”
“I’m not some piece of garbage, you know,” the man said, his face a mask of sorrow. “I’m a human being, the same as you.”
“You’re nothing like me.”
“Neither is your wife. She’s a very nice person.”
“Leave my wife out of this.”
The man struggled to his feet and stumbled back a few steps, bloodshot eyes never leaving Jeff. “She’s beautiful, intelligent, caring and very giving.”
“Get the fuck out of here or I’ll call the cops.”
“Do you ever wonder what she sees in you?”
“I’m warning you, asshole.” Jeff’s hands clenched to fists.
“Stay away.”
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll kill you.”
“Go ahead.” The man smiled. His teeth were brown, many were broken, his gums bloody and diseased. “I’m dying anyway.”
Jeff was still taking the stairs to his apartment when his cell phone began to ring. His former coworker Craig Henderson’s number appeared on the small screen. They’d worked together for years and Craig had become his closest friend in that time. “Hey, man.” Jeff pinned the phone between shoulder and cheek as he fumbled keys from his coat pocket. “What’s up?”
“Got some great news.”
“Good, I could use some.”
“You know that general manager gig I was going for at that independent superstore on the cape? They just called me back. I got it.”
Jeff unlocked the apartment, slipped inside, closed the door and leaned back against it. “Congratulations, Craig, that’s awesome.”
“Here’s where you come in. I can replace any existing staff I want. If you’re up for running the car audio department I’ll bounce the current guy.”
The idea that someone else would have to lose their job in order for him to get one was troubling, but Jeff told himself he couldn’t worry about such things. “It’s a bit of a commute but yeah, of course, definitely.”
“Not exactly sure what the salary is because I haven’t seen the budget yet, but from the numbers they threw at me I know it’ll be real close to what you were making before. I start next week. You’d be starting about a week later.”
“Sounds good.” He pushed away from the door and tossed his keys on the kitchen counter. “I’ll take it.”
“Then consider yourself hired, bro. I’ll be back to you in a day or two, soon as I know the particulars. I’m taking Katy and the kids out to dinner tonight, the drought is officially over!”
“Craig, seriously, man, thank you. You just saved my ass.”
“You’d do the same for me. Talk to you soon.”
“Later.” Jeff disconnected then forced himself to stand still a moment and take it all in. The guilt about what had taken place earlier continued to throttle him relentlessly, but for the moment it took a backseat to relief and joy. He knew it would be a long time-if ever-before he’d be able to forgive himself for what he’d done, but at least at this point the job would allow him to get them out of debt and back on the right track. It also meant he could forget about Jessica Bell, Foster Hope and whatever the hell their creepy company was all about.
From now on, I’ll make it right. I’ll do everything in my power to make Eden the happiest woman on the face of the Earth. I’ll never screw up like this again.
With newfound purpose, Jeff showered, changed his clothes then headed out to the local market. Without care for what things cost, he filled a shopping cart and got all the items he’d need to put together a romantic dinner at home. He’d get the apartment cleaned, make a nice meal, maybe light a few candles and then, over a glass of wine, break the good news to Eden.
He had just unloaded all the groceries when a call came into the house phone. “Hello?”
“Jeff?”
He recognized the voice immediately but pretended he hadn’t.
“Yes?”
“Jessica Bell.”
“Hi.”
“Hi. I wanted to let you know we’ve reviewed your application and everything seems to be in order. Mr. Hope has given me the authority to go ahead and offer you the position. He’ll discuss salary and benefits with you himself. He’d like you to come into the offices where you interviewed tomorrow morning for an orientation and-”
“Jessica, I’m sorry to interrupt, and please tell Mr. Hope I appreciate the offer, but I’ve actually taken another position.”
“I see.”
“But again, thanks for your time and-”
“Jeff, this is very disappointing.”
“I’m sorry, but as I say, I’ve already accepted another position.”
“I hope this isn’t about what happened between us.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping to head off the headache that was drifting in behind his eyes. “That was a mistake,” he said softly. “I’m not upset with you, I-it’s not like we planned it, we-it just happened and I feel terrible about the whole thing. Look, I’d rather not discuss it, OK? I have to go.”
“So there’s nothing I can do to persuade you to-”
“No, there isn’t.”
“Mr. Hope will not be pleased.”
“I apologize if I wasted your time or his, but-”
“Did you hear what I said? Mr. Hope will not be pleased.”
OK, enough. “Well that’s too bad, Jessica, but not my problem.”
“Are you sure?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He shuddered from a sudden chill as a quick burst of nervous laughter escaped him. “Are you threatening me?”
“I’ll let Mr. Hope know of your decision. Good luck to you.”
Though the line clicked and fell silent with disturbing finality, Jeff couldn’t shake the feeling that he hadn’t heard the last of these people.
– 5 Eden entered the apartment looking haggard and exhausted, purse slung over her shoulder, a plastic bag containing items she purchased from the local drugstore in one hand and her keys in the other. Just inside the door, she hesitated and looked to the table. It was set with their good china and silver, their best cloth napkins and draped with a matching tablecloth. Red candles burned in silver holders on either side of a beautiful flower centerpiece, and the aroma of broiled steaks and a hint of garlic filled the air. She smiled cautiously as she dropped her purse on the counter and crept deeper into the room.