He stood in the middle of the floor and slowly looked around at the various items in the living room of his apartment. A 37” flat screen television sat in one corner on a small black cabinet containing a metallic grey DVD player, a video game system, a couple DVD movies and video games. Along one wall stood three bookshelves. One was filled with music CDs. The other two with magazines, old textbooks, and various works of fiction. A black loveseat with small red and white diamonds served as a divider between the living room and dining room. He stood in front of the loveseat and smiled a little. An image of her sleeping peacefully while he sat on the floor putting together a Christmas present for his niece flashed before him. In a split second the vision disappeared. Taking his smile with it.

He walked into the dining room and looked at the small dinette set for two. The intimate wooden table was covered with a baby blue tablecloth. Two candleholders sat in the middle holding tall burgundy candles that were never lit. Another smile as he thought about the first night he cooked her dinner. She was surprised he could actually prepare a meal that did not require defrosting or microwaving. She looked so happy that night.

He sighed as he looked into the kitchen. A vision of her body pinned against the refrigerator as they played out a famous sex scene danced in his head. He ran his hand across the refrigerator door, pounded his fist against it then tapped his head repeatedly against the door. Before giving himself a headache, he left the kitchen and walked into the first bedroom.

This was his work sanctuary. His computer equipment, exercise equipment, and stereo were in this room. Whenever he needed time alone, this was his hideaway.

He stood at the door of his second bedroom. Scanning the room, memories of mornings they spent talking about life rushed his mind like a tidal wave. He could hear her voice echoing as he sat on the edge of the bed. Placing his head in his hands, he tried to quiet his mind but the voice kept coming at him. He finally got up and left the room.

As he walked back to the living room, he picked up the phone and took a deep breath before dialing a number.

“Hello?” answered the voice.

“Hi. I need your help. Can you come over please?” he asked.

“Terrence? What’s wrong?” replied the female.

“I need you to help me with something. Can you please come over?” he repeated.

“What is it?” The panic in her voice increased.

“I just need you to help me take care of some stuff and you’re one of the few people I trust to do it.” He started to sit on the loveseat but changed his mind.

“You starting to make me worry. Please tell me what’s wrong?”

“I’ll explain when you get here. Please don’t ask anymore questions.” He slowly paced the floor.

“Okay, okay. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

TO BE CONTINUED FRIDAY 12/4/20