Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Drama

Chapter 12



    Alex was back into town and I was looking forward to seeing her. These past few weeks turned up nothing in her search. Just listening to her voice on the phone I could hear the the disappointment. I don’t blame her, I mean, how was she supposed to find them anyway? She didn’t even know Josh or the circle he runs in. She tried, for me, she dropped everything and went to bring back my boys, instead, she comes home empty handed. Deep down I knew that she wouldn’t find them but I let her go because this seemed like something she needed to do. I will just be happy to see her. It’s been so lonely here and I could use some distraction from this hell I have been living. 


  I haven’t showered in days. My hair was a ratty mess and I am sure that the odor I was giving off wasn’t too pleasing either. I still had a few hours before Alex would arrive so I decided to shower and maybe do a little something with myself. I slowly shuffled down the hall in my slippers and robe. I paused for a moment as I passed their bedroom, my heart sank into my stomach as I stared at the pictures on their walls. I would stock up on old frames just so I can frame their artwork. I wanted them to know that I was proud of the little scribbles they drew for me. I traced my fingers over the self portrait Drew made of himself, I felt that lump sneaking up into my throat. I took a deep breath, stood up and walked out. I needed to shower and pull myself together, I needed to be strong for them. Deep down, I know that Josh loves our kids and he would never hurt them and that is the little glimmer of hope that keeps me getting out of bed each day.



  My skin was still red from the heat of the shower as I wiped the fog off the bathroom mirror to see my reflection. While my eyes were still a little puffy they weren’t as bad as they have been, definitely something a little makeup could fix. I pulled the towel off of my head to comb through my hair. It had grown out some and so had my greys. There wasn’t much, but it was for sure noticeable standing there under the bathroom lights.  I quickly ran a comb through it then I pulled the concealer out of my makeup bag and began to apply it to those bags under my eyes. Over the years with Josh I had become quite skilled in the ways of hiding things with make up, for example, the nonstop collection of bruises he often left on me. 



   I let my hair air dry as I was too weak to hold a blow dryer. I put on a little blush to add some color to my face as well as a little bit of mascara to pop my eyes a bit. I felt a little more alive than I had in weeks. Although the rain had finally stopped, it was still a tad chilly out so I threw on some jeans and a sweater. I was finally clean and dressed and decided it would be best to grab a quick bite before Alex arrived. I turned off the lights in the bathroom and as I turned to walk out I saw the bed. I guess I haven’t spent much time in this room since that night. There was dried blood on the sheets, the restraints he used to tie me up still lay on the bed where Ivan tossed them after cutting them off of me. I felt an anger boiling up inside me as my focus was locked into this mess that Josh created and I ran over to the bed and pulled the corners of the bedding off and bundled it into a giant ball. I opened the double doors of our room and headed out to the patio and I tossed the bedding into the firepit and doused it with lighter fluid. I could feel the warmth of the rising flames on my face as I stood frozen watching the fire grow. I knew it was getting bigger and I should probably try to put it out, instead I just stood there, unable to move. My eyes were burning from the smoke and I started to cough. It was then that I felt someone shove me out of the way and rush to put the fire out. When I hit the ground I looked up and saw that it was Alex who was scrambling to put the fire out. When I realized what was happening I jumped up and ran to the kitchen to fetch the fire extinguisher and ran back to put out the mess I had created.



  All that was left was a soggy smouldering mess. Alex rushed over to me and pulled me into her arms, she then cupped my face in her hands to get a better look at me, similar to the way a mother would do to a child to get all their attention. I suddenly felt so small and so fragile. I could feel the tears making their way out of the corners of my eyes. My only thought was why did I even bother with the makeup. Through my tears Alex bent down to kiss me. For a brief moment all of my troubles seemed so far away. I could feel the butterflies dancing around in my stomach. I felt this wanting ache deep inside me as I felt her breath on my face. My knees suddenly became weak. Parts of my body that I thought had been dead began to tingle in delight as her fingers slid through my hair. I wanted her, with everything inside me, I needed her. I wanted to feel her naked body next to mine as my sadness melted away with a single touch. Suddenly, everything made sense. We stood out there in the cold embraced in each other in silence. 


   Riing, riiiiiing, I jumped up at the sound of the house phone ringing. Alex and I locked eyes. “No one ever calls that number” I said racing to answer it, hoping it was Josh with my kids. “Hello?” I panted into the phone. On the other end I heard a soft voice, “Mrs. DeWolf?” She asked. “Yes” I replied trying to figure out why this voice was familiar. Alex listened in trying to decipher what was going on from my end of the conversation. “Hi, this is Sherry from your husbands office,” she stated. “I am calling to see if I got the dates mixed up or if Mr. DeWolf’s vacation was being extended?” My head started to spin, nothing was making sense and I wasn’t sure what to say, I can’t trust her. She has been my husband's secretary for years. “Hello? Mrs, DeWolf? Are you still there?” she continued. “Yes, I’m sorry. I guess I am a little confused on the dates as well. Josh isn't here at the moment, was he supposed to be back at the office today?” I asked trying to play it cool. I looked at Alex who was clearly confused and I just shrugged my shoulders while I waited for Sherry to double check his calendar. “I see on his calendar that he was scheduled to be back in the office today, I have also tried his cell phone and it seems to be off”, she stated. “Uh, oh yes. Josh always turns his phone off when on vacation”, I quickly made up. “Let me have him call you when he returns, I am sure he can clear things up”, I suggested. “Okay, well let him know that I will cancel his meetings today and will reschedule when I hear back, thank you so much Mrs. DeWolf, enjoy the rest of your day”, she said politely as she hung up.



  I could tell that Alex had so many questions as she waited for an explanation. I walked over to the couch, sat down and the phone slipped from my hands and fell to the floor. I looked up to Alex to see her patiently staring down at me. “He planned this whole thing, he took a vacation and planned this whole thing”, I repeated. “What do you mean he took a vacation?” Alex demanded. I could see that she was getting a little frustrated trying to put all these pieces together, frankly, so was I. 



  I explained to Alex what Josh’s secretary told me and we sat there chatting trying to figure out his game plan. Was he just trying to scare me? I thought to myself. He knows that I would be too afraid to call the cops, so his plan would make sense. It actually sounds like something Josh would do, he got off on making me suffer. Does that mean he’s coming back? I had so many questions, and the more I thought about them, the more angry I became. Alex made a good point, if he was planning on coming back, wouldn’t he have been back on the day he scheduled himself back at work? Nothing made any sense anymore. What was I supposed to say to Sherry when Josh never calls tomorrow? I just want my kids home.


   I glanced over at Alex who was now sitting opposite of me on the loveseat. I choked back the tears that were fighting to escape my eyes. The look on her face worried me, “Everything okay? What’s on your mind?” I questioned. She looked down and stared at the floor for a minute, I was nervous now and wishing that I never asked, when she looked back up at me with all seriousness, “So, what about that bonfire you started outside? I'm just wishing we were able to make Smores before we put it out,” she responded quickly with that little half smile she does. I couldn't help but laugh as I walked over and snuggled up next to her. “There is an entire closet full of Josh’s clothes, we can still make Smores”, I fired back. She put her arm around me and I laid my head back on her arm, looked up at her and our eyes locked. 


 
  She had the kind of eyes I could get lost in. The kind of eyes that could peek into the very depths of my soul. With one glance, she knew exactly what I needed from her. Her fingers were like magic as she traced the outline of my lips before leaning in for the kiss. Her lips held the venom that would knock me off of my feet. I was her prisoner, or was I? If I kept running back for more, I was a willing participant, prisoner wasn't the correct term. Her tongue tickled down my neck and I could feel the heat rushing down my spine to the tips of my toes. My body fell prey to her hands as she gripped my hips and pulled me down on the floor next to the fireplace. I trembled as my insecurities surfaced, with a soft whisper into my ear, she put all of my fears to rest. I laid back and completely gave in to her. She carefully removed every ounce of clothing I had on. She broke her gaze, and with those same eyes that lured me in, she looked my body up and down. Her mouth just barely hung open, revealing her insatiable hunger. She locked her eyes on mine again while her tongue lapped up the salty taste of my skin. I moaned in delight as she devoured the sweet spot hidden between my legs. My nails instinctively dug into her arms that she had wrapped around my waist. This must be what heaven feels like, I thought to myself. Without warning my toes curled up and I arched my back. "Dont stop!" I screamed as her tongue hit all the right spots. Over and over I felt such intense pleasure. I opened my eyes to hers and instantly I knew I was home.