Just as the story hinted at a climax, Alex caught the sound of some awkward singing outside her apartment. Nearly ten in the evening, she assumed the serenade to be that of some drunken fool making their way to their bed.
Setting her book on side table, she stood from her recliner and crept cautiously to the front door as the singing got louder.
Within seconds, a boisterous Tyson burst through singing his rendition of Beyoncé’s “Drunken Love.”
Nearly horrified, Alex stepped back, unsure of what to think of her brother’s bizarre behavior.
“Tyson! Are you insane? There are people trying to sleep.”
“Sorry, Sis.” As he made his way past her, she noticed the large grin on his face and cocky swagger about his walk.
“What’s with you? I take it your date went well?”
“Oooohhhh yeah. Amazing.”
Deadbolt locked, she turned to her smug brother. “I hope you’re using protection.”
“Do wha…Alex! I didn’t mean it was…she’s not like that. It wasn’t like that.”
“Damn, Ty. Calm down. And for God’s sake don’t ever sing that song again. I thought something was eating the neighbor’s cat.”
The smirk of disapproval on his face assured her he was less than impressed with the scolding.
“How’d it go?”
“Good.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“Nah.”
“Ty…”
“Pasta, bread, salad, she told me she wanted to see me again.”
“Oh? Goodnight kiss?”
“You know it.”
“Aw. See? You’ll be saying my girlfriend before you know it.”
“Hope so.”
“Don’t rush it. You’ve got time.”
Her words seemed to widen his smile. “Well, right now I need to piss before my bladder ruptures.”
Alex emptied the dishwasher as Tyson emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later.
“So I was going to switch weekends with Jenny. Her mom is flying in from Montana—”
The pounding on the front door cut her off as she and Tyson looked toward each other somewhat shocked.
“Tyson! I told you that you were singing too loud!”
“Shit! Alex…what do we tell them?”
“Let me take care of it. Just chill in here and keep your mouth shut.”
Walking to the door, Alex anticipated the apartment manager on the other side; she was surprised to find an officer of the law instead.
“Alexandra Ayers? Are you Alexandra?”
“Yes.”
“Is your brother, Tyson, with you?”
“Yes…what is this about?”
The young male officer—black and humble in appearance—his hat within his hands, appeared to be having difficulty making eye contact.
“Um…may I come in?”
“Yes. Officer, what is this about?”
Tyson cautiously peered toward the scene. “I’m sorry. I was just messin’ around. I wasn’t even being that loud—”
“Hush, Tyson. The officer isn’t here because of your singing; are you?” Alex’s scolding silenced Tyson.
“No ma’am.”
“It’s my mother…isn’t it?”
“Yes ma’am.”
Welcoming the officer in, the three stood quietly a moment.
“When was the last time you spoke to your mom?”
Her palms sweating in her sweatpants pockets, she looked to her brother, and then back to the officer. “It’s been over a week. I spoke with her about a week and a half ago.”
Regardless the initial lack of details, Alex knew the overarching outcome. She knew what the officer would say. It appeared Tyson, however, was still somewhat lost.
“What’s wrong with my mother? Alex…what’s wrong with Mom?”
Slowly, she moved to Tyson, offering a one-armed embrace as she looked yet again to the officer. “Go on. Please tell us.”
The lump in his throat could have been cement; his forehead glistened with tiny beads of perspiration. “Ma’am…at seventeen hundred, we responded to a call from one of your mother’s neighbors. They um…they noticed something. They could smell something.”
“Oh my God! Is my mom dead?” Tyson’s shrieks filled the apartment.
“I’m afraid so.”
Almost instantly Tyson was fleeing to his room as Alex remained steadfast and upright—stoic.
“How?”
“We don’t know yet, ma’am. The Medical Examiner—”
“Speculate.”
Finally—his gaze met hers. “There was an empty bottle of Klonepin and some scotch in bed with her. She’d…she’d been there a bit.”
“Damn her…God damn her! I knew it was only a matter of time. I knew it.”
“I’m so sorry, ma’am.”
“It’s okay. I’m okay. I’m fine I’m just worried about him. He actually liked her.”
The officer appeared almost taken aback by the comment.
“You look tired, Officer. Coffee?”
“Oh…um…yes. That’d be great, ma’am.”
“Have a seat. And don’t call me ma’am. We’re probably the same age.”