My Fake Fling

THEA

“Iknow, guys,” I said to the dogs that were all looking at me with sadness in their eyes.

“I’m sorry. I know it sucks you have to stay inside all day. I can’t take a chance with our butthead neighbor. I need to protect you. I’m looking for a new place. I’m going to get us out of here. Soon, you’re going to have a big backyard to run around in. You won’t have to worry about people like Mr. Wedge.”

They didn’t look convinced. Probably because I wasn’t doing a good job of convincing them. They knew something was off. I couldn’t quite muster up the enthusiasm to lie. At least not well. My home no longer felt like home. There was nothing that made me want to stay. I was a prisoner in my own home. I couldn’t even go in my backyard without worrying about being yelled at by the stupid neighbor.

With the dogs fed, I could feed myself. After rummaging through the pantry and then the freezer, I settled on a sandwich and some leftover potato salad from a local deli. I really needed to make my meals ahead of time. Every weekend I said I was going to do it. Every weekend something came up.

I was halfway through my sandwich when my brother called. I almost didn’t want to answer. It was likely going to be more bad news about my father. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take.

“If you’re going to tell me he’s gone, I don’t want to know,” I answered.

“I’m assuming you’re talking about Dad,” he replied. “I’m not calling about him. I’m calling about something else. Someone else.”

“Who?”

“Don’t freak out,” he said.

“Don’t freak out about what?” I asked. “Saying that makes me freak out.”

“Was Reese at the shelter tonight?” he asked.

“Yes, why?”

I immediately felt guilty. I wondered if there was a chance he found out about the other night. Reese wouldn’t tell him.

“I just got a call from a man that said he was calling on behalf of Reese,” he said slowly. “He happened to be driving by the shelter and saw a man getting the shit kicked out of him.”

My heart stopped. “What?”

“Reese is on his way to the hospital,” he said. “I thought you would want to know since it happened outside the shelter. I’m headed there in a few. I’m on the other side of town. I’ll let you know how he’s doing, but you need to be careful when you’re there. That place is getting more dangerous by the day.”

“I’ll meet you there,” I said and ended the call. I grabbed my purse and was out the door in two seconds flat.

If something horrible had happened to him, I would never forgive myself. I should have driven by his car and made sure he got in okay. He did that for me. It was the least I could do. I parked and rushed into the emergency room entrance.

“Reese Bancroft,” I blurted out. “I’m here to see Reese Bancroft.”

“Are you family?” the nurse behind the glass asked.

“I’m his wife,” I said without thinking.

The words just tumbled out of my mouth. I didn’t even think about it. I was going to get in to see him one way or another. I’d tell her I was his mom if I had to. Thankfully, she didn’t question me. “I’ll buzz you in. He might still be in CT.”

CT. My heart dropped again. That couldn’t be good. It sounded very serious and even more terrifying. A door to my right opened. I rushed through and was led down a corridor of curtains. She pulled one back. “Mr. Bancroft, your wife is here.”

I stepped in just in time to see the man’s shocked expression. He tried to smile but there was an ugly gash above his lip. There was another cut above his right eye. “Hello, Mrs. Bancroft,” he teased.

“The doctor will be in soon,” the nurse said before walking away.

“What happened?” I asked.

“I met some friends on my walk to my car,” he quipped. “They weren’t happy to see me.”

“Reese, I’m so sorry! I should have brought Kona to work today. She always lets me know if someone is lurking.”

“It’s not your fault,” he said.