Chapter 5
Alanna
Three Months and One Week Ago.
Curling up on the couch, I looked around the old cabin my father loved. The brown couch was still soft even after years of use. The paintings of wolves and other wild animals adorned the walls, and I loved to curl up with the patterned quilt.
I remember when Nana gave it to my father as a Christmas gift. She used earth tones in light tans and light greens as well as darker greens and browns. They blended well together making it stand out.
The scent of stale air still lingered even after being aired out for hours during the day. I liked to sit by the river, which was a few feet out the back door and watch as the water flowed freely.
Sometimes when I was a kid, I would wonder what life would be like if things were different. Today I asked the same question and, like then, I still didn’t have an answer to it.
Birds chirped happily outside as they flew by the window. More birds have congregated here over the last few days, and they brought more of their music. I enjoyed feeding and listening to them, and it seemed to draw more and more birds.
The little birdhouse that I built with my father when I was ten housed a small family of blue jays. Even though they were very beautiful, they were very vicious.
Tucking my toes under the quilt, I thought of my friend and how wonderful she’s been. Bianca was like a rock, always here or on the phone.
She kept her promise not to share where I was or what I was doing with anyone. Not that Reyes would ask her, and I didn’t have the balls to ask if he had. My head hurt just thinking about it.
After the hundredth phone call today, I answered the phone without looking to see who the caller was.
“B I’m sorry. I know I’ve been MIA today, but shit has been crazy. Also, I haven’t felt well,” I told her in a rush.
I waited for Bianca to tell me she was coming over with soup, but the response I got had my heart in my throat.
“Where the fuck are you,” the voice was cold, firm, and it belonged to Reyes.
“None of your damn business. That’s where I’ve been,” I snapped at him.
Who the fuck did he think he was? After that nauseating display with that redhead, I could only imagine the others that followed. My brain was sure to add some nice details with plenty of other women. Did they find themselves pressed against the counter like I was just a couple weeks ago?
“Don’t fuck with me, Alanna. Where are you?”
His voice has taken on this take no prisoners tone.
“Up the hill around the mountain and over the rainbow,” I replied with a huff.
“Alanna,” he growled.
“When you see the unicorn? Then you know you’re getting warmer,” I sing-song.
I wasn’t going to share my location, no matter what he said.
“You better be fucking alone,” his voice got darker and rougher.
“Well, I guess I’ll tell the basketball team to come next week instead,” I replied.
“Alanna,” I could hear the warning in his tone.
“Oh, but wait, that’s the football teams time,” I continued on a cheery note.
“I’m going to paddle your ass,” he tells me calmly.
I should take the hint and stop there, but I was on a roll, and so over his bullshit.
“I got a thank you card yesterday from the soccer team. It seems like getting around really can be fun,” I tell Reyes coldly.
I was reminding him that I remembered the redhead, and I wasn’t going to let this go.
“I mean you know about getting around, right? Well Reyes, thanks for a good time and all, but I have others waiting,” I tell him sweetly.
I didn’t wait to hear if he had anything to say. I just pulled the phone from my ear and disconnected the line. Reaching around I patted myself on the back for a job well done.
Not only did I get the last word, but I also gave him a few things to think about all the while making it very clear. This thing was over, and I wasn’t a weak pushover.