Authors: Regina Bartley
Six- Dumber
With my popcorn in hand, Sketch followed me to the center of the room where we took our seats. He sat right next to me. No hesitation at all. Like we were friends and that it was completely normal.
While I was taking my bath I thought that it would be a good idea to try and get Sketch to talk a little more. He had so many questions earlier and I figured that if there was something fishy about him that I would be the one to figure it out. I’d have to be smart about it, because he reports everything to Max. But we had this little agreement earlier. I wasn’t going to say anything about all the questions, and I figured that as long as I didn’t push him too far, I could get some answers for myself. He was so different when he was the only one there. I could use it to my advantage. At least I hoped I could.
The theatre room was huge. It seated more than twenty people and it was by far one of my most favorite places in the house. As long as I kept up on my work around the house, Max would let me watch movies often.
It was like a sanctuary in there. The thick walls were painted dark blue, and the seats were a light shade of gray. They were soft and made you feel like they swallowed you up when you sat down. Not to mention they reclined. I’d been known to doze off in them at times.
The lights leading down to the screen were dim and I had the remote in hand about to start the movie. I situated myself in my reclining seat and covered up with my little blanket.
“What are we watching?” Sketch asked as he made himself more comfortable. He was wearing a loose fitting pair of gray sweat pants and a Seattle Seahawks tee. This was the most normal that I’d ever seen him.
“Dumb and Dumber,” I replied.
“Really,” his face curled up and showed the deep lines across his forehead. “You like that movie?”
I shrugged. “It’s okay. I like to watch something funny and lighthearted before I lead into something more serious. It makes me less of a cry baby.”
His eyes scanned my face before falling to my lips.
I shifted in my seat.
“So what serious movie will we be watching next?” He asked.
“I was thinking
The Green Mile
. I love Tom Hanks.”
“Never seen it,” he reached for the popcorn that was resting in a bowl between my thighs.
“What? You’ve never seen it? Are you serious right now?”
He nodded.
“We are definitely watching it then. It is an awesome movie. It makes me cry though, so prepare yourself,” I said.
He gave me a wary look. Our conversations seem to come easily when no one else was around. I really liked it. I’d never had anyone that I could talk to like friends. It felt different, and good. It also led me to believe that I could ask him things, but I would take it slow.
“You ready?” I asked holding the remote out in front of me.
“I guess, but I really hate this movie.”
“That’s because you haven’t watched it with me.” I flirted, and hit play on the remote quickly.
I flirted. Holy crap I flirted.
I had to take a deep breath and I couldn’t look in his direction.
The movie was loud and we couldn’t talk while it was on.
Thankfully.
The movie was funny, and I laughed a lot. I never heard Sketch laugh, but I knew that he had to think some of this crazy movie was funny. He had to. It was so dumb that it was funny.
Several times I would get sidetracked when our hands met each other’s in the bowl. It was almost as if there was a bolt of electricity at each touch. I was probably losing my mind. He never pulled back at my touch so he must have not felt it. Not like I did.
The movie was over so fast. It felt like it had only just begun. I used the remote to mute the sound and another remote to raise the lights.
“Well?” I asked as I finally forced myself to look at him.
“Still bad,” he said. “But you were right. It wasn’t as bad with you.”
Oh ears, don’t fail me now.
I thought. They were lighting up from the heat of his admission. I’d never been flirted with, and he was flirting. Just like I did. It felt so good. It made me think that maybe my original plan of asking him questions wasn’t the best idea. Maybe his questions were actually concerns because he cared.
We shared a look that made my stomach flutter.
His cell phone rang from his pocket and he pulled it out to answer it.
“Hello,” He said in his deep seductive voice. “Everything is fine.”
I was sure it was Max. Sketch’s tone was clipped and his face became dark again.
“I understand. I’ll make sure of it. Bye.”
He tucked the phone back away in the pocket of his pants. He didn’t say anything else just released a heavy sigh, and a few mumbled words.
That was it.
One minute was all it took for his mood to be turned upside down.
“Everything okay?” I asked when I knew I shouldn’t have.
“Fine.”
Okay.
I stood up from my seat and stretched my arms above my head. My muscles were still aching and the soreness in my face was returning.
“I’m going to go and get some aspirin and refill my drink. Do you want anything?”
“No,” he said.
I could see the muscles in his jaw flinch and I wondered why he’d gone back to being so cold.
I started to walk away.
“I should probably go with you. I’m not supposed to let you out of my sight, and I can’t have you getting into trouble.”
I’d almost risk a smack to my face to laugh at that comment. We were having a good time. Then like a light switch he turned it off.
I was so dumb to think that he’d be different than anyone else. He was the right hand man, and I was totally overstepping my bounds. Fourteen years of being the quiet observer I’ve learned a lot about people. What makes them tick, what keeps them happy, and most of all what kind of an effect Maxwell Costin has on their lives.
I swallowed the pills, and rinsed my glass out. “I think I’m going to pass on the movie. I’m just going to go to bed.”
His arm came across the front of my body and rested on the sink. He was blocking me from walking away. “I’m just doing my job.” He said.
I looked up at him. “I know.” My voice was soft. “And I’m supposed to be doing mine.”
His eyes narrowed and he searched for the answers in my eyes.
“I’m sorry that I made myself so comfortable around you. That isn’t something I normally do. I’ll keep my mouth shut from now on. I’d hate for you to get into trouble because of me, and those knuckles of yours hurt.” My eyes glassed over. I felt so stupid that I flirted.
When he started to speak, I stopped him.
“Don’t okay,” I sighed. “Let’s just go about things the way we started, where you barely speak, and I keep to myself. It’s safer for the both of us. I’ll be in my room the rest of the night.”
“What about our movie?” He asked. Of all the things I’d just said, he was worried about the movie. He looked just like a small child and I almost gave in. I almost reached for his hand and took him back to the movie room, but I couldn’t do that.
“Another time. Goodnight, Sketch.”
Seven- Party planning
Two days of solitude had me itching for Max’s return. The past days were spent alone in my room watching bad reality TV, and only coming out when I was hungry. I managed to give myself both a manicure and pedicure in my alone time, but mainly I cleaned. Sketch stayed posted up outside my door most of the time, but we hardly spoke anymore. It was easier that way.
While cleaning out my closet, I found my journal from my first few months here with Max. It was the first time that I’d stirred up anything from my past. At first I didn’t want to read it, but after it stared at me from my bedside table for an entire day, I broke down. I tried hard not to remember what happened in my past. Forgetting was so much simpler, and anytime I asked Max about my parents he’d get angry. He said it wasn’t something that we should discuss. I knew that he missed them and that was his reasoning, but so many years without acknowledging them was making me lose all of the memories. I didn’t want to lose them forever. After looking back over my journal I realized that the times that I blocked out were important to me, and it was like these past fourteen years had given me amnesia.
Seeing the journal and talking like a friend with Sketch made me think that I could revisit the past. That maybe I was strong enough, or at least stronger that I was all those years ago. So that’s what I did. I sat down with my journal and my nails, and engrossed myself in the words that I’d forgotten.
The entry from my first night here was the worst one.
-I don’t know what day it is, but I know my parents are dead. The man with the long beard and snake tattoo was the one that did it. From the crack in my parent’s closet door, I saw the man stab my father in the chest several times. Then he cut my mom’s neck and I watched her fall to the floor. My dad told the man that they were the only ones home when he asked where I was. Dad told him that I was at a friend’s house.
I listened as they tore through the house making sure that he wasn’t lying. He screamed, “Where is she?”
I hid away in their closet and was very quiet. The only reason that I was in their bed that night was because I had a nightmare. If I didn’t, then I would have been sleeping in my bed, and they would have killed me too. When the bad man broke in the house, my dad told me to get inside the closet and to not make a sound. So that was what I did. I wish I‘d shut the door all the way, because through the small crack I watched the snake man kill them. He took my parents.
I don’t know who that man was, but my father did. He called him Jim. Several times I heard him call out that name. He said, “Why are you doing this, Jake?”
When Max found me in the closet a day or so later, I told him that somebody named Jake did this. He hugged me tight and told me that he would keep me safe. He said I would always be safe with him, and I believe him. He wouldn’t hurt me. My father was his best friend. He’d keep me safe from that bad man.
His words didn’t make the pain go away, just helped a little. It still hurt. My heart was breaking. Max said that it would go away soon, but it doesn’t feel like it. Something inside me feels missing, and I don’t have anyone to talk to.
I hadn’t seen my only friend Cora in weeks. Her mom and my mom were best friends. She used to come over to my house a lot. I could use a hug from her right now, but Max says it’s not safe for me to go anywhere outside the walls of this house. He’s even letting me sleep in the floor beside his bed. He’s nice to me.
I hope they catch whoever did this. He’s evil. He took away everything I love.
I have to quit writing now, because I’m too sad. I just want to sleep away the bad thoughts. I’ll write again soon.
Goodnight Journal. Love Sadie.
I read that journal entry three times while Max was away. Each time I’d hoped that it would’ve gotten easier, but it never did.
I had forgotten about my friend Cora, and wondered where she was now. She was the only friend I ever had. I bet she had an amazing life now. She’s not fucked up like me.
I glanced at the clock and it was just past five a.m., and time for me to get up and get busy. Max would be home soon.
Last night in the midst of my wallowing I decided that I would plan a special birthday party for him. His birthday was next week. He always did special things for me on my birthday, and I wanted to repay him. The journal made me realize that he’d kept me safe for so long. He’d fed me, clothed me, and only asked for cooperation in return. It would be nice to do something good for him. Hopefully it would brighten his day, and make him realize how much I care for him.
Surprising him would be the hard part. I’d have to get Sketch on board, and talk to the maid.
I tucked my journal under the mattress for safekeeping and made my bed. If Max had seen it out, I’m not sure what he’d think. It was better to just let it go unseen.
I was dressed and ready for breakfast when the door to my bedroom swung open. I had just pulled my hair back out of my eyes, when I looked up and saw his face.
“Max,” I ran into his arms and nearly tackled him to the ground. I breathed in the smell of him and brushed my lips against the curve of his neck. I held back the tears.
“Someone missed me.” He hugged me back.
“So much,” I said.
“I missed you too my love, and I hear you’ve been good while I was away.” I kissed his lips, but remained tucked inside in his arms. “I think we’ll go to dinner tonight. I brought you something that you could wear.” He handed me a small red box. He was always bringing me presents home from his trips. It was a nice touch, but not necessary.
I lifted the top of the box and inside was a bracelet with diamonds and black stones. It was stunning, and I’m sure it wasn’t cheap. “Max,” I exhaled. “This is so beautiful. Thank you so much.”
“Not as beautiful as you.” He kissed my cheek. “I have some papers for you to type up and I need you to call Samuel and see if they will still be coming for dinner on Tuesday night. I need to confirm it, so that I can work my schedule around it.” Samuel was Max’s only brother. He and his wife visited sometimes, but Max didn’t like having them around much. They didn’t get along that well and I figured that it was his wife that made him come. If she didn’t make him, then he’d probably never visit.
“I’ll do that now. I’m glad you’re home”
“Me too babe,” he swatted my ass as he turned to leave.
I followed him out of my room and into his office. The smell of Max lingered throughout the room, and it was always comforting. He handed me the hand written papers that he wanted me to type up.
I did that often.
Some days there would be so much that I’d be behind the computer working for hours. It wasn’t too bad this time, just a few pages.
I wanted to wait and call Samuel when Max wasn’t in the room. We were expecting him Tuesday so that would be perfect. I could just plan to have the party that day, and he would only have to make one trip. It wouldn’t be his actual birthday, but close enough.
I sat behind the desk typing on the laptop while Max was talking on his cell and pacing the floor. Sketch lightly knocked and Max waved him into the room. I only peeked over the top of the screen for a moment.
I wasn’t going to worry about what he was wearing or how hot he looked.
I wasn’t.
I swear.
Just one more peek at him…
Dammit.
He was so freaking hot. Maybe I was no judge of hotness, but I kid you not, he was beautiful. The crooked smile, the Thor like body, the scar in his left brow, and let’s not forget to mention those bedroom eyes. Ugh. I shifted in my seat and stared unwillingly at the computer screen.
He and Max talked about a few odd and end things before they eventually left the room. There was no talking serious business in front of the lady. That would be me. At least with them gone, I could sneak in a phone call to Samuel, which I did. I talked to his wife Brandy and she agreed to keep it a secret and promised that they’d be there. I could count on her. Samuel, on the other hand was a different story. Thankfully she’d be persuading him, or dragging him, whichever worked.
I printed out the papers for Max and laid them neatly on the desk. They came back into the room on a mission, neither of them acted as if I was even there. They hurried over to the desk and started plotting. I had almost backed myself out of the door quietly when Sketch’s voice stunned me. I heard him say the word Bram, and I sucked in a breath. It must have been a loud breath because they both stopped what they were doing to look at me.
“Kitchen, Shay!” Max insisted.
“Right.” I said no more, just left the two of them there to continue.
I was still a bit rattled from hearing the name, Bram. It’d been a long time since I heard that name, but I recognized it. You don’t forget a name like that. My dad used to talk about him all the time. He’d been to our house on several occasions, but his name wasn’t supposed to be mentioned around Max. Ever. My dad said that they were enemies. I never knew why, and up until this point no one had ever spoke of him again.
My guess was that this wasn’t the first time that name had been mentioned. I was just never around to hear it.
I messed around in the kitchen for a little bit, doing some baking. I talked to the maid about the surprise party for Max and she thought it was a great idea. Well, she didn’t say that in so many words, but I could tell. She promised to help me spread the word, and she agreed to make the cake. I couldn’t wait. I needed to talk with Sketch so that he would know what was going on. He saw more of the workers than I did. The only time I saw them all together was at my performances and I was naked, so that wouldn’t help me. Sometime that night I would need to speak to him alone.
Later that evening after I showered and dressed for dinner with Max, I caught Sketch alone.
Finally.
It felt like every time I saw him that he was with someone or too busy to talk.
When he came to my room to see that I was ready, I let him in. He gave me a funny look. I’d forgotten about the wig I was wearing. It gave me these thick dark bangs, and straight, sleek hair. I looked like a completely different person. I hated them, but Max wouldn’t let me leave the house without one on.
“I’m almost ready,” I said as I sat down on the bed to slip on my shoes. “I wanted to talk to you about something, but I needed for you to be alone.”
“I’m listening,” he said, still gazing at the top of my head and not at my face.
“I’d like to surprise Max with a birthday party on Tuesday evening. He is expecting his brother Samuel to be here for dinner, which he will be. But what he doesn’t know is that it will be in celebration for his birthday. I’d like for all of the employees to be present.” I stood up and adjusted my dress.
“What do you need me to do?” He asked. He didn’t even hesitate.
“I just need for you to quietly let everyone know so that it is a secret. Tell everyone that they have to be there. It’s important.”
“Okay.”
Wow, that was easy. I was going to have to mark this down on my calendar, as the day that Sketch wasn’t a complete ass.
Even if he had been, he wasn’t going to get to me tonight. I was getting out of this house, and I couldn’t be happier about it. It’s the little things.