“So this is your last session. How do you feel?” Corine is sitting in her chair and very relaxed.
    “That it is. It’s weird honestly.” He rubs his hands along his thighs back and forth slowly. “I can’t believe the time is already complete. I am thankful.”
    Corine looks at the table, she’s a little bittersweet to see there time has ended. She even laid out fruit for him and coffee for them. This session needed to end of a good note for her. She has enjoyed seeing the change in Chase.

Chase is sitting at his desk listening to music. He is so focused on work that he hasn’t heard anything happening around his house. While taking a moment to stretch he sees his wife walk past his office. “Susan?”
She pokes her head in, he hair is clipped up, she has a laundry basket she’s balancing on her hip and runs her fingers through her hair. This reminds Chase of when he first realized that she was the one for her. They were helping out at this event together and she was talking to the people, picking up garbage and had a tray on her hip. She saw people not doing anything and just balanced it all on her hip, raised an eyebrow and asked them if they thought to do anything or if they thought there time was better spent elsewhere. 
He loved her sassy attitude and that she was so strong willed. He still sees that. “Yeah, what can I do ya for?” She seems exhausted and worn out. Whenever he comes back he is always confused about time, what has been going on the past few days, and the mood of the house. This time is no different. Susan is tired and doesn’t want to say anything to change Chase’s mood.
“I just wanted to talk to you.” Chase gives a smile.

“Chase do you have a religion, faith, practice or anything that you hold on to? Or even just something that you have with your morals or anything?” Corine looks innocently at Chase. She hoping that there is something that can give her an understanding to why he seems to want to bring understanding to this all that is more than a court order.

  Chase just stares at her and he gets annoyed that she never shows emotion. Yes, he can tell when she gets annoyed with him, hut all he can think about is how he’s told her awful things and she has never shown any sort of emotion. Not even the slightest bit of sadness or a look of disgust what do I have to do to get her to tear or laugh or say I am repulsive. 

 “Corine, I have told you some of the worst things and you never show an emotion, either you have thick skin or a God, now I am a Christian.”

“Well, doesn’t Christ say to forgive?” Corine leans back in her chair and watches the changes in Chase’s face. He squints his eyes at first then looks around the room. He goes for the snow globe on her table and picks it up. He’s focused on this but Corine lets the silence bring a peace to the room. She doesn’t want to change or push him. 

“Yes. He does but, he doesn’t say anything really towards those who actions can’t be explained does he?” Chase only watches the ball moving in the globe. Speaking softly and slowly.

“No I guess he doesn’t.”

“That, that is what I cannot understand or give action or reason to. I walk into my house and days will pass and I cannot think of things to say, or I feel like I am talking and not one is saying anything to me.” Chase puts the globe down and sits back. Then he moves forward puts is hands on his knees and looks up. “You know, this one time, I was fighting with my wife. If was before this situation. I couldn’t understand why she was acting the way that she was. She was going crazy and screaming, I was scared. I was honestly scared of why she was acting the way that she was. I even wrote about it and make precautions with my daughter as a safety measure. I gave her a bunch of cash with a letter to keep it safe incase anything happened to me.

I go back and I read these entries and that these actions happened, that’s not me. I shouldn’t be scared of my wife. She’s a foot smaller than me. I read these things and think, what was happening? My memories are all jumbled and I know that my thoughts are not exactly what is happening.” Chase has been holding his hands and just looking at his hands as spreads them out. moves them as he talks, and brings them back together. He continues to look at them, breathes in deeply then looks at Corine. “How can I ask God to explain these things to me? I can’t follow everything when I don’t know what I’m being asked to.”

“Then are you relying on your own power to make yourself better?” 

Chase goes back to looking at the coffee table then gets up and looks at the books on her self. He’s deep in thought, wondering why Corine is saying these things? The wall seems to be closing in around him. He runs his fingers along her shelf also as a distraction or something to settle him. Some of the books are old and worn. He lingers on one and it’s a book by C.S. Lewis. He has his books at him, he wife read them, he’s read them, and when his kids were young his wife would read the Chronicles of Narnia to his kids. He can’t help but think as to why this woman is helping him.

“How long have you been a psychologist?”

“Umm, probably since I was born, it was sort of just a natural instinct I guess.” Chase looks back to Corine. He nods and walks back towards the couch but simply stands in front of the couch.

Corine watches him and he seems to be having his own conversations. “Is everyone else the problem?”

“Yes.”

“What makes you say that?” Chase goes back towards the book shelf.

“I ask for help and support. Even understanding, but no. It’s simply too much for them.” Chase runs his fingers along the books again and this time he takes out the C.S. Lewis book. “Have you read this?”

Corine looks at the book and gives a small nod and smile. “Yes, it’s one of my favorites. When I started college my father gave it to me. It was his and he wanted me to have it.” Chase smoothes his hands over the cover, Mere Christianity, this was one of the first books he read when he became a Christian. He slides it back into the shelf and moves back to the couch.

Chase pulls up to his drive way and just sits in his car. He sees that both of his daughters cars are in the driveway. His sons is out in the road. All of them are in the house going about their lives. They all move about their day to day lives while he remains thing stranger or invader in their day. Patting down his jacket he hears the crinkle of the paper and takes it out of his pocket and puts it in the center conceal of his SUV. Sighing before leaving his car, he check his phones for recent emails then makes his way inside. The family dog barks but then sees its him and his tail goes between his legs, his head bows slightly and his goes into the laundry room where his bed is.

From the kitchen comes to smell of a freshly cooked meal. Laurie has music playing while she cooks. Christine is at the table doing her homework while Jackie is on the computer with head phones one. Both absorbed into their worlds. Down in the basement the older two are working, he saw the emails that his eldest had sent out while he was out, while his son had not.

“Hello family.” Chase says as he continues down the hallway past the kitchen, past Cassie and Jackie into their family room where he puts on the television. This is his routine and he always puts on the news, walks down to his office, gets his computer and then will sit there doing work and have the news play. He begins opening unopened emails while he wife enters and sites on the couch behind him, his daughter then comes to lay on the adman. They continue the conversation they were having in the kitchen. Chase’s face becomes contorted. There is too much noise from the people on the television, focusing on these email, and their nonsense chatter. Chase thinks he needs to stick it out because they came in here to be with him.

“Dad how did your day go?” Christine ask.

Chase turns to face her, gives a big closed lip smile, turns back to his computer, “Keeping at it girl.”

“That’s good. Bad traffic coming back?”

“Not bad. Ya know, I have these email to return so let me just focus on this. Would you guys mind going to the kitchen.” He gives a slight wave with his hand directing back to the kitchen. His wife and Christine does as he instructs and return to the kitchen. Chase keeps his focus on the computer.

When they’re out of ear shot they pick their conversation up again. “Mom, he looks better but I don’t know if he’ll get over Cassi calling the cops on him.”

She plays with the towel folding it in different ways to do something with her hands. “We didn’t have any other choice and she believe she was doing the right thing. What else were we suppose to do?”

“Mom, I’m not saying it wasn’t. We don’t have anymore money to spend on staying in a hotel room and we have left the house before and that doesn’t seem to help.” Christine gets up and walks over to the counter. The day they called the cops comes back to her. Her father had been in a bad episode for months and they were at their wits end. Thankfully this time he was only yelling but it always escalates quickly. In the past they let it play out and would step in when the tension began to great. This was just at the beginning of his episode but the previous one he wasn’t only physical with their mom. He crossed a line with holding onto or fighting off her two sisters.

Christine couldn’t let that happen again. However she’s the oldest. Should she have made the call rather than letting her youngest sister make it? Cassi gets the blame but it’s not all on her.

“All we can do is pray and not say anything to upset him.” He mother puts the towel down and takes the laundry to her room.

Christine gets out the tea and puts water on to boil and just looks around the kitchen. Each spot holds a memory of what happened over the past year. She wished they could all be happy memories but the past couple of months have taken that over. Her father yelling at the top of his lungs that it gives her chills and makes her ill, then seeing her mother crying and sisters just looking so confused. None of them knew what the right thing to do was, or did they just ignore it? The kettle whistles letting her know the waters ready. She pours the water and heads up to her room.

“Chase how about you sit in the chair and I get the couch.” Chase just entered her office and she’s walking around rearranging the magazines on her table.
“I get the chair? Does this mean I get your notebook and pen too?” His voice is on edge and his eyes have this darkness to them. He stands in doorway with a slight scowl and there is a darkness surrounding him.
“If you’d like.” She says still looking down at the table, she has yet to look up and notice how he’s standing or much of his tone being so focused in what she began before he entered.
Chase makes his way there and takes the notebook on her desk and a pen. He starts tapping the pen on the notebook, having his leg cross over his other as he moves the chair side to side waiting for her to play her role. “Well, Corine, are you going to sit?”
She stands straight up not realizing that he had actually taken her notebook and sat in her chair. “That chair suits you Chase.” Corine sits down and smoothes out her pencil shirt, crosses her legs, lays out on her couch and closes her eyes.
“Now, what’s your deal? Why aren’t you married?”
Corine eyes shoot open and she raises herself up. She tries to conceal her reaction to this question so Chase doesn’t know the full effect of his question on her. “Well, honestly.” She looks down at the rug, examine the corners of the rooms then brings her face back to look at Chase. There is no kindness to his eyes or expression. No matter what she says to him it could break her or it could set him off.
The silence in the room begins to get to Chase. He puts his feet on the floor and they can’t sit still. “No answer?” There is only judgement to his words, he leans forward, puts his hand on his knees to help him stand. Walking to the book case she watches as his one leg seems to be kicking. He cannot be still. Chase turns back to her and looks her in the eye. He opens his mouth then catches himself. He continues to walk, first to the chair but he doesn’t sit, he keeps his back to Corine and looks out the window.
Corine knows to stay silent. He will think this out and say what is running through his mind. Pushing it will only work against him.
“My head was spinning out of control; I saw fear and anger in my children’s eyes as I smashed the car mirror. I could hear them yell. I know they’ll leave me” he shrugs “and they have no reason to stay, I cannot take this back. I wanted to kill someone.” His voice keeps his edge but there is something to it that sends chills up Corine’s spin and her heart breaks a little for him. “I never wanted to be like my father.” He pauses and puts his head down. “Be abusive. See terror, the terror that I saw in my children’s eyes because they’re afraid of me.” He begins scanning the room and settles his eyes on the snow globe with the golf ball in it. It’s now been moved to the book shelf. Standing there he just hold it, he doesn’t try to put the ball on the tree but he just watches the ball move in the water from it being picked up. When it finally settled down he began again, “I went to get comfort from a drink, cold and crisp; it slide down my throat so nicely. A drink like a good scotch, always makes me calm and makes the hatred I feel for myself go away. It allows me to relax for a second, then the other me takes over.” He put the snow globe back on the shelf. “It’s like I’m having an outer body experience, I watch myself throw anything in sight and yell things I don’t mean, things I don’t even understand. My children turn their backs to me; I know they hate, they hate who I’ve become. I want to stop myself. Try to make it all stop. The yelling and throwing I just want to calm down but nothing seems to work. Doc, tell me.” His face is filled with shame, but he hides this from Corine.
The rest of the session Chase just continued to pace while Corine would ask him questions. His answers were short or didn’t match what she asked. Before leaving he asked her if she would sign his paper. Corine did as she always did, he quickly folded up and put in his inside pocket of his jacket.
“Well, thank you.” He looks her in the eyes as he always does when saying thank you, he walks out of her office, get into his car and sits fir a little while. Sitting there he just stares at his steering wheel. He pulls out the paper she signed, he counts them and there are twelve signatures. He signs. Shakes his head slightly, then folds it back up and puts it in his pocket. Turning the key in his ignition he then puts it in drive and heads down the road.

Chase ends up in a parks parking lot. He sees families playing together, this is the last weekend they have before returning back to school. He watches fathers push their children on the swings and others walking behind their children on bikes. He remembers doing that with his children. They’re all grown up now. Chase get out his wallet and sees the old photos of his kids when they were young. He slowly begins to cry.

“How did this all happen?” He holds himself while the picture slowly falls out of his hand. Chase begins to fumble for a napkin to clean the tears away from his face. “Where should I go?” He looks out around the park and then turns to the sky awaiting an answers. Lowering his head he just breathes heavily turning the key in the ignition and backs out of his spot.

    The garage door opens and tension suddenly builds throughout the home. Chase gets to return home after his ten days removal from the home. Only his wife is home. Chase enters the home, makes his way to the bedroom. He puts down his belongs on his bed and looks around the room. “There is an unwelcomeness here.” Chase opens up his bag and begins to unpack the contents of it. There are some hotels soaps, his clothes he packed, and the bit of work he thought to take with him. He picks up the soap and think how he, would not have these if he wasn’t forced to be removed from his house. He clenches the soups in his hands that the bar begins to crack a little.
    “I can’t stay here. It’s not safe.” He whispers to himself putting the contents back in his bag. A door is shut downstairs and this makes Chase stop. He puts his bag down and begins to tip toe to his door. He doesn’t hear any voices but he does hear footsteps. He makes his way down to the kitchen and there is his wife. She looks worn out and tired. Chase cannot handle seeing her and begins to back away. He heads back up to his room, he goes into his closet looking for clothes to pack.
    “I saw the car out front. I guess dad’s back.”
    “Yes, I believe he is, I haven’t seen him yet, have you?”
    “Nope.” Chase over hears his daughter speaking to his wife in the kitchen. The house is so open that voices easily travel throughout it. Returning back to his bag to finish packing Chase leaves his closet and goes into the hallway, looks down the staircase and waits to see if he can hear any voices or movement. There is only silence so he returns to his mission of leaving. When he reaches the bottom of the steps he sees his wife and daughter sitting in the living room.
    Chase stops and looks at them, he just sees complete sadness in their gaze. Christine has stopped eating and his wife just freezes.
    “Hey dad.” Christine manages to get out.
    “I’m going to stay in a hotel. It’s not safe for me to be here.” Chase then turns and leaves.

New Story, working in progress...

Tilting the snow globe ever so slightly for the golf ball to land on it’s tee and stay. He seems to have it at the perfect level, speed, and the ball is making it’s way up the tee. Then, as it’s about to land, the speed of leveling off the snow globe is too fast causing it to fall off. This task, it what holds his attention during these required hours that he’s forced to sit here.
He enjoys the feeling of his feet against the shag rag. While doing this, he sits on the edge of the couch, which is arched up on the one side, it’s meant for him to lay down and face her while she sits at or desk or at her chair. It’s a nice view, he can look out the window, but that’s not why he’s here. So he sits up right, to avoid engaging and plays with the snow globe each week to get the ball on the tee, it holds his attention. Every so often, after constantly failing he’ll look up at her book shelves to mix it up.
“Chase.” He looks over to her sitting in her chair, legs cross and hands relax on her arms rest as he leans back. “How did this week go?”
Chase turns back to the ball, trying to get it on the tee. Same questions he thinks, there is not real mix to this woman is there? “How did it go?” He says under his breathe but he knows she can still hear him. He continues to play with the tee and fails yet again. He puts it down on the coffee table in front of him, then stands and makes his way across the room to look at her book shelves.
She then turns her chair to be directed at him and watches as he exams her shelves for the up-tenth time. The pen in her hand she starts tapping in the air then chews on the tip slightly. She quickly stops, her habit of chewing on pen caps irks Chase and will lead him into these tangent of questions that she cannot stand. Thankfully she stopped before he turned to look at her.
“What’s this book?” He pulls a book off the shelf that has a red cover with an arrow pointing up then one pointing down.
“It’s called Crazy Love, it’s written by Francis Chan. Do you know him?” She says in a calm voice. Her eyes are holding his and he realizes she’s waiting for him to answer.
Chase puts the book back to where he pulled it from, “I may have heard of him from one of my kids talking about him. Yeah, that’s probably it. Why do you have it?”
“A close friend gave it to me to read and I did, then I read it again. Each time I’ve read it, I’ve been at a different point in my life and each time it has gotten me through that time. I’ve learned a little something new about myself.” Chase is now looking at her and realizing there is not a lie or something in that statement to get him to say something. He doesn’t like it.
Chase moves back to the couch and lays down. He stares at the ceiling with his one arm pulled back to be behind is head and his forearm rest under his head. “How much time is left?”
She checks her watch, “Ten minutes.”
“Well, today didn’t drag on.” He gives a slight smirk and looks at her then back at the ceiling. “Have I told you about my family.”
“A small amount. You’ve shared how you care about them dearly and you couldn’t image being without them. Oh and that you don’t want to lose them.” She continues to look at him while she says all this.
Chase shifts a little while she speaks these words. The words hit him harder than he was thinking, the thought of losing his family. Of all the things she could have said she choose to phrase it with ‘lose them.’ He lets the silence fill the room, time elapsing more so that he can have the final word.
She watches as his face changes, clearly deep in thought. From previous sessions she knows not to say anything, too many questions rattle him and that can set him off. Today he seems calm, like he’s having a good day.
“I wasn’t talking about them.” His words linger in the air, the emotion behind Chase’s words weren’t anger or sadness. He wasn’t even matter-of-fact about his statement. It wasn’t his wife or children that he was talking about. His family that he grew up with. This sinks in to her and now she’s not sure where he’s going with this.
“No Chase, I guess you weren’t. I’m sorry for assuming.” She begins to write and Chase watches her for a while. Her face never changes. She’s always so calm. This let’s him relax. Chase notices the only change is her hair slowly moving in front of her face. Chase watches her move it slowly behind her ear. He sits up and goes back to playing with the golf ball.
“My Dad was a hard ass. No not even a hard ass, he didn’t know how to work. He was a sure piece of work. Do you know what it’s like sleeping under a bridge?” He calmly speaks and plays with the golf ball, still failing to get it on the tee. “Yeah, it’s not a lot of fun. Sometimes Dad decided to not pay taxes, work, or do anything that an adult should do.” Chase pauses and says softly, “It’s not what a Father’s should do.” He almost gets the golf ball on the tee. Chase’s whole body moves slowly, even his legs helping him tilt. The ball falls off the edge. “Yeah, my Mom would be a wreck. When I became a teenager it became easier to leave. The few friends I could reach, they would let me stay over for a night, but when they ran out, that was the only place to turn. Not exactly fun when it’s cold out.”

New Stories!

Alas, it comes that time where one story has ended and a new one shall begin. I am not sure when the new one will be posted. I have had classes so I haven't been able to post. I have started a new one that I am hoping to post the first bit soon!

    Dang this fall weather literally came out of no where. I am happy to be wearing cords, have my boots on and a flannel. This could almost be said to be the happiest outfit a girl could have a in the fall. Along with my jean jacket and this bud in my hand. “Ryan you never disappoint.”
    “That’s what all the ladies tell me.” He lowers his sunglasses a little and gives her a wink then turns back to look out on the view. Alexa’s one rule to them smoking is that they must go for a hike to be in the woods. She likes being one with nature I guess you could say. She knows it’s clique but being a typical teenager smoking in a parked car or on some sports field is just way worse for her. Plus, it limits the amount she’ll smoke and makes it almost more nostalgic.
    “Ryan sometimes you amaze me with how into yourself you are. It fits you.” She looks off into the distance. Something is the way the wind pushes the changing leaves gives her an unsettling feeling. She watches as they twist and contort to the winds will. As it breaks free from the branch and falls to the ground off the cliff it gives her a feeling and release. Her buds now finished. Without having to say anything Ryan helps her up and they walk the path that brought them there.

Suburbs Living

Coming to this place you realize that to the world we all look the same and seem to be the same. That is the furthest thing from the truth. Sure each territory has it’s check list for requirements but what does that say when the person who has everything that is said to make them succeed and apparently be the wealthiest and most successful person is the worst and has no set future. They seem like the model citizen but anyone could simply make a story for someone else's life. That what seems to be my thing. I’m Alexa and I’m a professional people watcher.

I come to this local coffee shop where I hear all sorts of things. One would think I’m a writer or some creepier person, but no. I am looking to help people. You would think in the suburbs that nothing is going on. Maybe there aren’t murders, much crime, or things to make national news, but the things that happen here are pretty incredible. Listen in to these ladies that just came to sit on the two couches by me. This seems to be their typical Friday night.

The one with a perfect french manicure, red lipstick, and chestnut brown hair perfectly loosely curled seems so candid in her conversation it’s almost like this isn’t a public place. “Tom seemed to have forgotten the rules last night.”

“I know. There is allowed to be touching between partners but he was working on the both of us.” The friend whose done up similarly but blond hair twisted to the side. She leans in to say softer, “I was being so pleased that I didn’t even notice till I heard her moaning.” Her eyes goes slightly wide to look around the cafe to make sure no one heard. Well sweetie, I heard you.

“No way!” The friend exclaims but in a whisper.

The blond nods here head and almost seems to be remembering the moment and is getting excited all over again. “He has some incredible skill. Granted he was rubbing us both while Blake was enjoying his time with the girls.”

“Well, they are fun. I’ve had my fair share of fun with them.” The friend says a she brushes her hand along her friend’s side.

It seems as though these women are doing foreplay here in the middle of the day! I can’t even continue to listen cause it’s making my mind wander. You would think swingers would be a bigger deal, but no it’s the parents who meet here for their morning or afternoon pick me up. While it seems as thought they are talking stock trades, it’s really drug prices. 

“Alexa, what’s the play of the day?” A guy wearing cut of cords, high tops, a tank, and shades where you cannot see his eyes. His hair is short but is slightly longer on the top that he keeps it parted to the hard left and small fohawk. 

Alexa gives a small smile when she hears his voice. “Hey Ryan. So far nothing major. Housewives entertaining themselves with teenage behavior, and so far no stock trades.”

“Well, it is still pretty early for that.” Ryan leans on the table with his arms cross looking around at some of the thing going on. “Now my dear, what is your delight.”

“No thanks Ryan.” She gatherings up her notebooks. Putting her purse on her shoulder and slowly walks for the door. “You coming?” She doesn’t even turn back to wait to see if he follows.

Future

    “One of these days you’ll all see how wrong you were. Yes, I had nothing going for me. My mother did not have a high school diploma. My sister is a stripper. Well I could not tell you how a father acts. Those were the footsteps I knew to follow in. But, I want a future, possibilities, like to travel out of the country. I want to dress up for a ball. Dance the waltz. I want to ride an elephant. I want to wake up to see the sun rise. I don’t know if I will get a chance to do these things. That doesn’t really matter. All I want is the possibility.”

Things Are Not as They Seem

    Why would I think manhunt would be a fun game? I am not athletic at all! I am that typical girl who is not coordinated to play sports. Guys did not choose me for sports and girls who were athletic get frustrated with me in gym. I hide up in this tree specifically to not be found. I forgot that I would have to get down from this stupid thing. Maybe someone will just come along and capture me before I have to find out. That would be nice.
    Oh man! Whose below? I should move to lay down to blend into the limb. I look down and see a girl standing at the base of the tree. Great, I’m going no where. She doesn’t even look like she’s trying to find people.
    “Why would you do that?” Her voice is so faint. I can’t see whose she’s talking to.
    “I told you not to keep asking and let it go.” A guy who I don’t recognize his voice but he’s coming towards her but the branches keeps him out of my line of view. Who is that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before.
    “Don’t turn your back to me.” The sound of her back hand smacking against his shoulder brings chills up my spine. Oh this is not going to end well. Why did I have to choose a tree to be in? Hopefully this doesn’t ruin my outfit. At least I wore converse knowing I would be running and that is the closest thing I have to run in.
    “Don’t hit me. What’s wrong with you?” He turns towards her, and if she was a guy, I swear he would have smacked her.
    “You!” Her screech and shrill cry come off soaper like and heart broken I can’t decided if she’s being dramatic or this guy is really such a bad guy.
    “Fine! Then I’m walking away.” He put his hands up defensively and begins to walk away.
    “Seriously?” She is just staring him down.
    “You obviously don’t want to talk and I am not going to stand here and wait for you to just tell me what a horrible person I am or whatever it is that you say I did wrong.” Oh this poor guy. He probably knows no one here and just is dealing with the most dramatic girl I know.
    “You know what you did.” She crosses her arms across her chest and just stares at him.
    “Obviously I don’t.” The guy is now more in my view and takes a step closer. I can vaguely recognize his voice now, but I can’t pin down who his is down there. I don’t think I have ever seen him before.
    “Cameron. Don’t lie to me. I am so tired of having you lie to me.” She pushes her back against the tree and slides down to sit with her hands holding her head. This girl is clearly really into this guy. God why did I decide to hide in this tree of all trees. This is just so uncomfortable.
    “I’m not lying. Look. It’s me. I really have no idea what your talking about. I spent the whole day with you.” He goes to move next to her and sits down to hold her. “Everything was great. Then we come here with all of your friends and suddenly your pissed with me.”
    She leans forward to create space between the two of them and then looks at him. “You didn’t tell me about hooking up with my friend.”
    “Hooking up? This is the first time I met any of your friends. If someone says I hooked up with them, maybe I did. I can’t say yes or no.”
    “You can’t say yes or no?” She gets up to walk away.
    “Yeah. I didn’t get a good look at who your friends were. The one guy I knew because he played a sport with my brother, but as for the rest, I don’t know. It’s not like I just go around hooking up with everyone. So for me it’s a no.”
    “She said you guys did.” She crosses her arms again and just stares down at him. Oh this sappy girl, guy drama is annoying especially when I can’t make out who the people are. Stupid branch. Stupid drama. Just why did they have to go under this tree. I begin to reach out moving it slowly.
    “Ahh!” Oh crap!
    “Oh my goodness! What are you doing?” They’re both standing looking at me now on the ground where to them it probably looks like I just died.
    “Umm, hi guys.” I croak out and begin to push myself up. “Well, interesting night.”
    “What were you doing?” Michelle looks at me with a mix of embarrassment, anger, and confusion.
    “Well, we were playing man hunt. I hide in the tree.”
    “You were there the whole time.” Michelle just looks horrified now.
    “How long is the whole time?” The guy looks a little uncomfortable now too. It’s not my fault they choose the tree that someone fell out of.
    “Oh God!” Michelle just throws her head back and puts her hands to her ears. Really? That’s going to help this situation?
    “Michelle calm down. Hi, I’m Cameron. I know the timeline is apparently crucial but are you okay?” He leads a hand to help pull me to my feet. I use it and brush the dirt from my legs and arms.
    “What do you mean?” I stare at him confused.
    “You just fell from a tree. That’s a good fifteen feet.” Now he just stares at me like I’m retarded.
    “Oh right. Embarrassment has taken over my mind.” Oh crap. I should be injured right? A normal person would be. I don’t feel any pain. I give myself a scan and don’t see any damage. “I think.” I move my limbs and neck, “I’m fine.”
    “Just to be on the safe side I think we should carry you to the base. Michelle will you help me.”
    “Yeah a person falls out of the tree. That’s convenient for you.” He hands just stay crossed  and she gives him a judging look.
    “Shut up. I know this doesn’t count as a capture but what are we supposed to do when we get someone?”
    “We bring them to the back porch of the house and there is a jail set up.” Michelle starts walking.
    “That works.” Cameron than lifts me up with ease. He’s pretty comfortable doing this.
    “Michelle where did you find this kid?” I turn to look forward at her walking ahead of us.
    “I was about to ask myself the same thing. Cameron you can bring her back and I will go get the first aid kit.”
    “Will do.” Cameron starts walking slightly slower.
    “Thanks Michelle, and Cameron it’s nice to meet you.” I turn and smile back at him. He comes to a stop now and holds me with firms hands.
    “Right.” When Michelle is suddenly out of ear shot Cameron seems to be looking around like he’s not sure which house he’s suppose to take me to. “So your not injured?”
    “Weird right. Do you know where we’re supposed to go?” I begin getting uncomfortable feeling his arms getting tighter and one slowly moving up and down my thigh. “I think I can walk.” I start to shift my weight for him to release me.
    “Don’t push yourself.” He says in a soothing voice with a hint of aggression. “You might have an injury you don’t notice yet.
    “No really it’s okay. Thanks Cameron.”
    “No.” His arms are tighter as I begin fighting him off. “Stop!”
    Cameron drops me from my flailing. I see his arm raise then it swings in and hits my face. Everything goes dark but I can still feel his hands holding me down. I am trying to fight back but my senses are all out of whack. Am I looking up? Is my face in the ground or has that blow made me blind? I begin to get feeling in my arms to fight back.
    “Calm down. I could tell you wanted this.” He’s working to get my belt undone.
    “Please stop.” His hand moves to cover my mouth. I can see again so it was just his hand over my eyes.
    “Oh so your a fighter.” He begins kissing along my neck. I keep pushing him off but he’s way stronger than I am. My kicking has caused my converse to come off. My bodies going limp and everything is now blurry.

Family Ties

    Once a month Ryan and his sister have a breakfast date at Ryan’s apartment. He moved out about three years ago and since she has been commuting to college they made an agreement that this would be a standing occurrence. Lately Ryan has not been so consistent with making the plans if there was something with the family or a group of friends, but he could not cancel their breakfast date. They both have been pretty quiet, which is far from normal when the two are together.
    Ryan looks up from his food and sees Cassi, his younger sister, glaring at him. “Why are you giving me that face?”
    Cassi leans forward and scrunches her face a bit. Stares back at Ryan unsure of what he meant. “What?” She says slightly defensive and hunching her shoulders widening her eyes for him to get the message of confusion.
    “That face. Like your trying to read my mind or you want to say something but you’d rather have the conversation with yourself.” He goes back to looking at his food and eating.
    “I don’t know what your talking about.” Cassi gets up from the table taking her plate with her.
    Ryan does not believe Cassi and does not hold back his tone in his answer. “Right.”
    Cassi stops and turns towards Ryan and gives a second for his answer to sink in. “No seriously. ‘The face’” She raises her one eye brow proving that she’s made a point of saying there is no face and he’s crazy. “That’s ridiculous. I was just thinking. It wasn’t directed at you.”
    “Cassi. You were staring at me like you were trying to read my mind.” He just stared at her waiting for a response. No came. “Why were you giving me that face?”
    “I wasn’t trying to read your mind Ryan.” Cassi puts her dishin the sink and begins to walk away.
    “Then what?” Ryan stares at Cassi thinking she’ll give an answer or at least some sort of excuse but she just comes back o the table and pulls the magazine she was reading closer to her face. The pages begin to fold back and before she can cover the name Ryan catches a glimpse of the title. “Cosmo! Seriously? Man Cassi, you don’t ask your brother questions from Cosmo. Boyfriend? That shouldn’t even happen. That’s something you keep between you and your little friends.”
    “Shut up! Ryan I was just thinking about something. I never said I would ask you. That’s weird.” She begins getting defensive but in a softer tone. Whatever was on her mind seemed to genuinely hurt.
    Ryan can sense she’s hurt so he begins to lay off. “Well, were you wondering if I have done whatever your question was?”
    Cassi just stares at the magazine now flipping through the pages. She seems disinterested in what she’s reading but there is something pressing on her mind. “No.” She says quiet as if a drop it, and she knows that Ryan will say nothing else about it.
    “Okay.” Ryan goes back to eating.
    “Yeah. Ryan you also don’t understand you don’t live at home anymore. You moved out after college, got a job, and you’re on your own. Listen. I am about to graduate. I had to help pay for school. I didn’t get the help from the parents like you did. You graduated with a cushion and could do whatever you wanted. You did class, your frat, and got the job you wanted. You didn’t have the struggles like I did.”
    “I know things weren’t the same. Not my problem.” Ryan’s done eating so takes his plate and heads towards the sink.
    “You know, you can be such a jerk.” She stands up to leave the room but turns back, “Ryan, just because you were given all that money, you didn’t have to work for it, it’s not right to keep it all to yourself. You don’t even acknowledge it was given to you. Sure it was a gift, a blessing from the parents, but it wasn’t a right.”
    “Cas, I got it. Stop coming over here to give me a lecture of how I am the bad guy in this situation. I told you I would help you out with school.” Ryan’s voice is stern and not in the least bit caring towards Cassi’s situation and their differences. He’s set and that’s what matters.
    “Yeah. With strings attached.” She turns and heads to the door.
    “Nothings free.” He says coldly turning his back.
    “Funny coming from you,” Cassi says calmly back with a strong attitude behind it.
    Ryan slames the plate in his hand into the sink making his way towards the kitchen door frame of the living room where Cassi is standing by the door. “I helped you! What did you pay for everything on your own? No! I helped you get to where you are.”
    “Bull!” She slams the door and turns toward Ryan shouting. “I came home from school because we couldn’t afford it, I got a job on my own, I paid my bills, and helped the parents when I can. Don’t give me that crap. Dad helped. Where were you?”
    “Working.” His tone is so cold and heartless it gave Cassi chills.
    “Yeah right. You got a job that you barely half assed, causing more issues for the family and almost ruined a business that has been around for twenty years. You know what screw-”
    Ryan hits hi hand against the frame of the kitchen door. “I half assed. Who helped?”
    “Not you!” Ryan throws his coffee from the table against the wall almost hitting Cassi.
    “Get out! I half assed? No! You guys are the worst. I moved out so I wouldn’t have to put up with this crap anymore. You guys are the ones who decided to stay. I didn’t. You’re not my issue anymore.”
    “Fine! It’s not like you ever helped anyway. Stay here. One day you will wake up wondering where all your friends are and why your family doesn’t talk to you. You cut everyone out who doesn’t tell you just how awesome and fantastic you are. Cause right now your just a douche.” Cassi heads out of the door. But first adds, “remember when we called you out? We said hey, if you keep going like this you are going to end up alone. Enjoy your money. I hope it’s good company.” Cassi slams the door as she walks down the steps to her car closing that chapter on her life.

    “Skipping all the small talk and psyche break down, this is what I know about this girl. First, she’s crazy! Crazy like I thought I was about to die every second I was with her. Somehow I can’t imagine my life without her. Second, she has very little regard for others. When we came to an intersection, we had a red light and Rachel didn’t feel like stopping. So she just went through it! She caused an accident. Not with us thank God, but a car slammed on its’ brakes and the car behind it smashed into it. You want to know what she says?” Matt is so inthralled in his story he doesn’t care what the response is. ‘A guy I once knew had that car. I’m sure he deserved it.’” So dismayed by what he’s sharing Matt throws his head in the air in amazement.
    “Matt this girl seems like a head case.” His friend sounds concerned and confused.
    “Yeah, but she has a caring heart. Rachel saw a homeless man and went up to him and gave him the food we had in the carriage.” Matt’s sitting up and seems just in awe of Rachel.
    “Alright, well that seems good. So did you make it home or are you at her place?” Is friends voice seems awake now and shows interest in what Matt’s ending to the night was.
    “Well, umm, that’s why I called you.” Matt begins to look around unsure of how to say this to his friend. “ I don’t know if this makes me totally insane or not, but I am in the middle of Central Park in my tux and I have no idea how I got here.”
    “What?!” His friends exclamation makes Matt push the phone from his ear and wince.
    “Man speak softer, can you just get me?”Matt’s rubbing his head from a mix of a hangover and embarrassment.
    “Dude we live in the city, your in central park, just walk.”
    “Well that’s the thing.” Matt looks around more analyzing his setting.
    “What do you mean?” His friends confused and has a bit of judgement in his tone.
    Matt looks over himself again and delays responding to his friend.
    “You just said you’re in your tux in Central Park.” His friends voice does not seem amused by Matt’s story anymore.
    “Yeah about that. I have my tux jack and bow tie on. I have on briefs. I’m not going to be allowed in a cab or subway.”
    His friend explodes in laughter. “This had to be some girl.”
    “Oh she was. Also, I think I am going to see her soon.” Matt sounds excited again.
    “What makes you think that?” His friend is still laughing at him.
    “Well, unless a stranger wrote on my chest to meet them for coffee at 3 with an address, I think I’m seeing her.” Matt just keep smiling.
    “Way to be man. Do you realize what time it is?”
    “No idea. You’re calling me. Woke me up.” Matt now is curious about what time it could be and why he did not think of this earlier.
    “It’s about 2, so how far is the meeting place from you.”
    Matt looks down trying to read it. “Well, it says where I left you. So I believe this is the place.”
    “Nice. Hopefully she brings your clothes.” His friends laughs at himself.
    “Man I don’t even care.” Matt throws his arms up to show just how little he cares.
    His friend keeps laughing. “Alright man. See you later.”
    “Sounds good.” Matt hangs up and lays back in the grass letting the hangover take over. He can’t help but smile.