Smokescreen
“Oh, Maxwell, we can get through this.”
“There’s nothing to get through. You have a drug problem and brought me into your shit. I want a life. You’re not trying to move on. This was a temporary arrangement.”
Her face falls and lips start to tremble. I don’t feel bad, instead my mind wanders to a brunette sitting in god knows where reading lies Erica helped orchestrate.
“Erica, I’m done. You’re moving out. I’ll have a realtor call you tomorrow.” I get up to leave and hear the first plate hit the floor.
“You fucking bastard, I’m not leaving! I love you!”
I walk quickly to my room and lock the door. A series of crashes and bangs fill the house before the sobs start. It’s the same fake sobs I hear weekly. Erica has no idea, this time I’m serious. She’s gone.
“Think you can get me a new phone in the next hour and save everything on this one?” I ask the IT guy sitting in front of me. He stares at the phone like it has Ebola.
“I can try, sir.”
“Good and I need tracking on one of the numbers in there. Stella Sullivan. All her contact info is on my computer too. I want you to find her location by utilizing the IP address she is currently using to send emails to Dana.”
“Yes, sir.” He leaves and Dana comes in with several messages and a new cup of coffee.
“Have you heard from her?” I ask hoping the answer changed from two hours ago.
“No, honey. I haven’t. Have you looked over the emails I sent?”
“Yeah, and you’re right, she’s brilliant.”
Her sympathetic eyes stare into mine and I slam my hand down on the desk. “Damn it!”
“Maxwell, it’s Mason’s birthday party this weekend, what should I order for him?”
Mason is my middle brother and is a techie. “Get him the new iPhone 6 and a year’s subscription to whatever shit deals with online gaming.”
“Okay, now you want to talk?”
“No—I don’t know.” I look into Dana’s warm hazel eyes and tell her everything.
An hour later, IT calls and has a new phone and the IP address for me. He gives me the address for Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan in Alpharetta. I start to go there immediately, but Dana stops me.
“I think you need to handle Erica first. I have the realtor information and she already has several listings for you to look at. Why don’t you let me work on thawing Stella’s hurt—at least for a few days?”
“A few days! I’ve already haven’t seen her since last Wednesday. I need to see her, touch her, explain that it isn’t what she thinks.”
“I’ll send some flowers to her parents’ house and the office today. Laci’s at the office, I’ll call her and explain some of the situation. Maybe she’ll help get Stella to listen to you.” She pats my hand and leaves me alone.
I reluctantly agreed with Dana but my gut is screaming at me to go to her now. The longer she has to think about the lies Erica planted, the more she’ll pull back. It’s only an hour before I can’t take it anymore. Deciding I need to at least hear her voice, I call her. IT gave me a new number, which may be a saving grace. She won’t know it’s me.
I dial her and wait impatiently. By the third ring, I get nervous. Finally there’s a connection and the melodic sound of her voice, “Stella Sullivan.”
“Stella,” I groan.
“Max? What do you need? I sent everything to Dana.”
“Please listen to me, it isn’t what you think. She sabotaged me. Edward—”
“Stop it! Edward this, Erica that … I’m sick of it. Didn’t look like you were pushing her away when she was kissing you and pressed against your body! I’m not an idiot, Maxwell! Don‘t treat me like one.” The wounded emotion in her voice guts me.
“Listen to me! Really listen to me! I’ll explain everything tomorrow. After you see what I have to show you and hear me out, you can make your decision. But don’t cut me out of your life without giving me a chance. I’ve never lied to you, ever. You have to give me a chance, please?” The last word comes out hoarse and weak, but I can’t hide the desperation.
Silence fills the phone and she breathes heavily.