11. Wednesday

Chris

I felt like a kid again. The previous day was the most outrageous I had ever experienced. The most exciting day I had had in a long time... Not only did I meet my fantasy girl. The one that had been bombarding me those last few months. But I also saw her disappear into thin air. Above all that, I touched her. Twice. Once when she was in front of me. And when she was not… I’m sure of it. Although I had driven past her after school, the thought made me sick… She saw me sitting next to my wife in the car. I didn’t want to be married anymore... I couldn’t sleep the previous night. I was in my study most of the time, trying to figure out what to say to Juliet. How to approach her. Or if I would at all.

I stared at my wedding photos on the wall for a long time. I had put them up to convince myself that there was still hope for my wife and me. I had tried to fix our relationship. Sita never wanted the same thing as me. She was content with a friendship as a marriage.

Since that first day, I saw Juliet. I knew that I could not handle the farce anymore. I wasn’t that guy that settled and accepted half a life. Or… I just didn’t want to anymore. I stood up and walked over to the wall taking down each frame. I opened them and put the paper through the shredder. Even if Juliet would never be an option. My marriage was over.

Thoughts about what I would do in the future brought me back to my work at the school. I wanted to leave… I have wanted to go for months. Sita was there. If we divorced… I wanted to be as far away from her as possible. The consequence was that I would end whatever was going on with Juliet and me… And she was why I hadn’t resigned yet. Our meeting kept playing over and over in my head. The fact that she wouldn’t have believed Carl. Why would she not believe him? Why could she not answer my question or look me in the eye? We had been making eye contact for months until I was in front of her. She was as red as a tomato. I smiled, thinking about how embarrassed she was. There really could be no other reason. It meant she must have had some feelings for me. That Carl and Charlene knew of… A crush, maybe? It wouldn’t be the first time a student thought highly of a teacher. The desire was there… But she had never given me anything more than that.

No, I couldn’t believe it! Someone like her could never have a crush on me. I was so dull. As I watched her, I took note of some of her mannerisms. Juliet played most of the time. Laughed or was very serious. There were always boys and friends with the three of them… But… if she did have a crush on me… And I had talked to her again… It would mean I was pursuing her. Even if I just went to confirm my suspicions. It would be selfish. Pushing the boundaries of propriety was wrong. I could never do that to her. Going to talk to her just about disappearing and why she even could… It would mean I only cared about that.

***

I parked at the school that Wednesday morning. From my car to the school’s front door was a short distance. That morning it felt to me like a walkway to hell. One choice meant how the rest of your life would be. Frustrated, I ran my fingers through my hair. My other hand stuck in my pocket. My bag with my journal and notes hung around my shoulder by my side. I walked through the offices toward the school grounds. Had to pass the receptionist. I stared at her, and she smiled. “Is there something I can help you with, Chris?” She asked in her nasal voice.

My nerves were shot. I knew that if I crossed the line that day… I might as well go to her class, drag her out, and make her tell me what was going on. Tell her that I was in love with her. That I fantasized about her… It was the school clothes she had on standing across from me the day before. Or that she needed to be summoned by a teacher to come and talk to me. My friend. A close friend… The school environment of pimple-faced kids greeting me was a constant reminder of the age difference between us.

“No, thank you,” I said. “Have a good day.” I walked past. I was decided. I would not be that guy.

“You too, Chris.”

***

Sita

That morning Christopher had left the house earlier than usual. He didn’t go to sleep the previous night. Something was wrong with him. Whatever happened between him and Juliet shook him. He was in his office most of the time. I went in to try and figure out what was going on. Luckily his laptop was on the desk. Chris had no privacy… I had all his passwords. Not that he gave them to me. It was easy going through every folder and website he had visited. There was nothing strange on his PC.

I decided I would take that time to dump the files of the cameras I had hidden all over the house. I haven’t done it in a while, but it might shed some light. Other than that, I needed to get to school. I was already late.

I stood at the door, surveying the room to see if everything was in place. I noticed the walls. “Our wedding photos.” He had taken them down… Mixed emotions ran through me. He had given up…

I had not seen them in the trash. My eyes shot to the shredder. I walked over as my pulse quickened. Lifting the machine part, I got to the basket where the shredded pieces were lying. I didn’t even have to rummage. They were there. Pictures in tiny strands. My throat felt tight. My eyes were burning. I sat there until tears rolled down my cheeks.

For years he had pushed and prodded me to go for counseling. To find a way to move forward. The assignment was never something I wanted. I had to do it. It was my duty. Consummated the marriage because it was what I was supposed to do. After that… I just couldn’t. Whenever he touched me, I would close up. Walls would surface, and I ran away. I had noticed him staring at one specific schoolgirl the last few months. How he changed his routine and familiar places so he could watch her.

At first, it didn’t even bother me… What did it matter who he used to get off on? It was just a fantasy. She was stunning for her age. She stood out among all the girls in school and had the personality to draw anyone’s attention. And younger girls were known to catch the eye of thirty-year-old men before.

Just because my grandfather thought Christopher was the hybrid did not mean he was. They had no proof but a hunch about something that happened when he was born. Where did the legend come from anyway? I could have been sure. If I could get over my issues about sleeping with my husband. It just didn’t feel right.

***

Sita And Her Grandfather

“I think he is planning on leaving me,” I whispered, staring out over the mountains.

Sighing, Nick sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I am tired and old. Your parents died, and I am going to leave you here alone. This is a good chance for you to be happy, Sita… Go think about it carefully… You have a chance to turn everything around if you want to. You guys spent a lot of time together before the marriage. Everything was fine. You told me you thought he was the one regardless of everything else.”

I sighed, hesitating to tell the truth. “I lied to you. I felt it necessary… To do my duty.”

Shocked, my grandfather got choked up by the revelation. “I would never have forced you. Why didn’t you tell me the truth.”

I turned to him and moved forward, putting my arm around his neck. “I thought I could do it. Many women have married for less. I just did not know… It’s not your fault.”

“Why did you stay so long? Chris has been miserable.”

I was struck by the question. I did not have an immediate answer. My feelings that morning were proof that I had gotten used to having Chris by my side. He is handsome and at home most of the time. Following him and having people surveying him had shown me he had never cheated on me. Until… Juliet.

“No, jealousy about this girl?”

My features pulled tight. When I thought about that little vampire, I did get mad. She had not even done anything, yet she had his full attention. I nodded. Of course, I was jealous. She was on my territory. I felt stupid… I wanted him, but I also didn’t.

***

Charlene

I rang the bell at Juliet’s house for the fourth time, waiting a few minutes. No one was home. I called her cell, but she didn’t pick up. It was working but just kept ringing. Worriedly I walked to the side of the house, going through a small side gate, peeking into the garage window. I didn’t see Mr. Farrow’s car. Did they take her to school? Without telling me?

I left. No point in hanging around there.

At the bridge, Carl was already waiting. He waved at me when I walked down the small hill and road leading to the stream. Waiving back, he gestured questioningly with his hand.

I shrugged. “Did she say anything to you?” I asked as I came closer.

Carl shook his head.

“Their car isn’t there either.”

Carl’s eyes cast to the ground. “I know we said we would not talk about it too much. But, this is weird.” He said eventually.

I nodded, staring into the water that lapped below us. We had started walking across the little blue bridge, but I had stopped midway.

“There have been so many times that things with her family came up or stuff she couldn’t explain to us.” He kept talking.

“I know. Yesterday… After Chris… She was lying. Chris was lying. Did you see him fumble… And that would’ve been okay. If something had happened between them. But no one is home. Chris has nothing to do with them, being AFK every week….”

Carl stood staring at me. “Would it be unfair to make her tell us what she’s hiding? Is it wrong of me to wish she would confide in us? Let us in a little more! You always come up for her, Chars… Tell me not to push. Whatever is going on gets swept under the rug.”

I didn’t say anything because I was hiding so much from them. I liked Juliet because she was my friend no matter what. I didn’t need to do anything…

“Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.” Carl crossed the rest of the bridge angrily. I wasn’t saying what he wanted to hear. “Maybe they went somewhere for breakfast. And Juliet will be waiting at the school.”

Carl gave me the ‘don’t be stupid’ stare. “You’re just as bad as she is. I can’t cope with you guys acting like teenagers!”

***

Juliet never pitched. The fifth period was computers with Chris. I was kind of worried that we hadn’t heard anything from her. Not even a text.

“Carl, did you get any messages yet?” I whispered.

He shook his head from side to side… But he checked his phone regardless. Carl cared even if he was frustrated.

That morning when I woke up, I had a funny feeling. My stomach was upset. Yesterday when Juliet had met up with us at the gate. I was so emotional when Jerry spoke so roughly to her. It felt like I had no control over my mouth. I said some stupid things. Maybe I was also in love. I shook myself. I felt foolish… Worrying about my friend that was somewhere with her parents.

Juliet and Chris made me think about love… Benjamin’s face came to mind. We had such a good holiday together. We got on really well. He had dark brown hair. Highlighted, and it was growing out. It was long and hung over his ears... Having him with me over a white Christmas. A ball for new year’s. Dancing… was the best time I had ever had. We went sightseeing. Our parents were busy with business.

Being back in that small town with nothing to do, was really depressing. Dealing with stupid crap! Irritated, I threw my pen on the desk. Checking my phone screen for the umpteenth time. No messages from my friend. I hadn’t told Juliet everything about Ben and me. I don’t know why…. It wasn’t like Ben was my first time. Maybe it was because she was still a virgin. I jumped up and walked toward Chris’s desk.

“Mr. Rheed…”

Dumbfounded at my tone and my hands resting on his desk, his eyes said more than he would’ve wanted to.

“Yes, Charlene?”

I was chewing my lip nervously. “If there is anything that happened yesterday… that we should know of… I would appreciate it. We’re getting a little worried. I haven’t seen her since….” I didn’t know the man. I didn’t know his reactions or how to read him. He shook his head slowly. My shoulders slumped. It was worth a try.

***

After school, Carl and I walked back home in silence, deciding to go to her house again at the last minute. “Who’s car is this?” Carl asked.

“I don’t know… It was here this morning.”

There was still no answer at the door.

“Should we go around the house just to make sure?” He asked.

I stepped out and opened the side gate. We headed towards Juliet’s bedroom. The window was open. We drew back the curtains. Her room was a mess. Clothes on the ground. Cupboard open. Schoolbag standing at the door. A made-up bed.

“She didn’t sleep in her own bed last night?”

“Well, what now?” Carl asked.

I shrugged. “Let’s go home. At least we know she is with her parents, right?”

Carl looked doubtful and took out his phone to call Mrs. Farrow. There was no answer.