Possessive Daddy Next Door

A lot of the damage isn’t salvageable. The kitchen’s going to need to be entirely redone, or at least I’ll have to find halfway decent cabinet doors, although I’ll never get them to match. I have no clue how I’m going to afford any of this or if it’s even worth it.

We should run. Tonight, right now. I should pack Tab’s things and get the hell out of here.

Monday comes and I wake up early. I think about going into work at the manor but decide against it. I take Tab to daycare, because I figure she’ll be safe there at the very least, surrounded by teachers and other students. They wouldn’t dare go in there. They might be dangerous, but they’re not stupid.

I spend the rest of the day doing repairs and trying not to think about Delia.

I hate the way I reacted toward her. I was a fucking dick and I know it. She was just trying to help me and I pushed her away like it was somehow her fault.

But if she knew what all this meant, she would understand.

I don’t want her to get involved. I’ve lost enough to all this, and I can’t risk losing her as well.

For the first time since my wife died, I’m feeling something again. Delia’s waking it up inside of me and I can’t deny my hunger and desire for her. But it’s more than just that.

She’s good with Tab. She’s smart, she’s funny. She’s successful, even if she thinks that she’s a failure right now. She’s everything I want in a strong, incredible woman.

And if I stick around, I’ll just end up getting her killed.

Just like my wife.

I pick up Tab at five and bring her back. We have pizza and sing songs. I let her watch cartoons.

I hover in the kitchen and think about moving when my phone rings. I look at it and answer.

“Yeah,” I say.

“Hey, Max.” The voice is low. I can picture his face already, and I know he’s smiling. “Been awhile. How’s hiding?”

“Not good, Taylor. They found me.”

I can see that face, and I can see the smile disappearing.

“You’re fucking with me.”

“No, man. I’m not.”

He lets out a long sigh.

Taylor, my former partner and best friend. He’s still back in Philly and has been since we left. I called him from a payphone, which do still exist, and left a message for him with my new number.

“I figured it was bad or else you wouldn’t call.”

“I don’t know how they found me. I’ve been careful. No media. New name.”

“They’ve got eyes everywhere, man. You know how they are.”

“Not down here, they don’t. This is fucking rural Virginia.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. How do you know they found you?”

“Someone ripped my house to pieces a couple days ago. Nothing’s missing, just my shit’s all broken up.”

“Maybe it’s some drunk-ass redneck. Or some idiot on meth.”

“Could be. But they would’ve taken something.” I rub my face with my free hand and stare at Tab. “We’re settled here, man. Things are good for us.”

“That’s good to hear. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately.”

“Tab likes her daycare. I guess I should call it school. She has friends.”

“She’s two now, right?”

“Little older, but yeah.”

He laughs. “Talking? Walks and all that?”

“Yelling. Running.”

“I wish I could be there to see it.”

“Look, I need advice. Or maybe help, I don’t know.”

“What can I do, brother? You know I’ll do anything.”

“I don’t want to move. I know I should up and run the fuck away, but I can’t bring myself to do it.”

He’s quiet for a long moment. “All right. I hear you on that. You got a gun?”

“I got a gun.”

“Security?”

“Installed some cameras. Got a full system on the way.”

“Good start.” He sighs. “Look, I’d tell you to hire people, but I doubt you’ve got that kind of money.”

“I really don’t.”

“Then go to your locals. Tell them what’s up. Tell them you’re—”

“You think they can help?” I interrupt him. “I mean, the guys we’re talking about… this is small-town America.”

“I hear you. Shit, I’d come down there myself, if I could.” He hesitates. “Mary’s pregnant.”

I laugh, a huge grin on my face. “No fucking kidding?”

“We got married last year.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“I know, man.”

“You guys were just dating when… when it happened. I didn’t think that would last.”

“It lasted, man. I wanted to invite you. Make you my best man, but you know.”

“Yeah, I know.”

We’re silent for a long moment.

“Anyway,” he says. “I can’t go anywhere right now. But I can give you a list of people maybe. I still think the locals can help.”

“I’ll think about it. Maybe they’re not as bad as I think they are.”

“Better than nothing.” I can hear the worry in his tone. “Be careful, brother. I want to see you again when this is over.”