Just Be True To Me

“Ain’t no way they’re just cousins.” She glanced through all the windows. “Maybe they do that out here.” Replacing the binoculars with a camera, she snapped photos as they exited the building, zooming in on their intertwined fingers.

Mia’s name popped up on her screen.

Hesitating, she answered it. “Hey, sis. I finally found him.”

“What’s he up to?”

Tamara continued snapping pictures. She captured Clifford kissing the woman on the cheek and opening her door. “Uh, nothing much. He’s been running errands. He met some other guy. I’m still trying to figure out who he is. What’s up with you?”

“Somebody was following me.”

She rested the camera in the passenger seat and turned the bluetooth off, holding the phone to her ear. “Who? Are you okay?”

Mia gave a vague recap. “He gave me a package. I haven’t opened it yet. He said it’s about Clifford.”

“Open that sh*t.”

“I’m scared. I’mma wait until you get back.”

Tamara started the car and eased out of the spot. “Stay at my place until I get home. I’ll call you back in a little bit.”

***

Clifford checked the rearview mirror. He had the feeling that someone had been watching them since they’d left the facility. He kept his speed slow and watched through all the windows.

Janet patted his leg. “All your crazy girlfriends have moved on, I promise.”

His eyes floated in her direction. “You’ve been talking to my ex-girlfriends?”

“Well, I am well on my way to being a therapist.”

Per his usual routine, when they arrived at the restaurant Clifford chose a table near the back, sitting on the side that allowed him to watch the door. He half expected Mia to show up given how many times she’d called him. He took the opportunity to call after his mother excused herself to wash her hands. His demeanor softened as soon as she answered.

“What can I do for you Clifford?”

“Just checking in. I also want to apologize with being so short with you. I get like that when I have a lot on my plate.”

“It’s all good.”

“I, uh, how are you?” His back straightened upon hearing laughter in the background. It sounded too deep to be a woman’s. “Are you busy?”

“No, I’m working on the case.” She told the voice to stop. “I’m a little drunk.”

“Where are you?”

“None of your business. I mean, at my office. I’ve got one of my friends helping me.”

Her voice suddenly sounded distant. He whispered her name, his panic rising when he got no response. “Mia. Are you okay? Mia?”

“Mia? Is that your girlfriend’s name,” Janet asked, retaking her seat.

Clifford apologized and excused himself. He continued whispering Mia’s name as he scurried into the restroom. Despite only one of the stalls being empty, he stepped inside and locked the door. “Mia?”

“Sorry, I dropped my phone. I know you’re probably busy. I’ll call you—”

“I’m not busy. I can talk,” he said. “What’s going on? Who are you with?”

“Is that jealousy I hear in your voice Mr. Clifford Knight? You ain’t got no reason to be jealous. I’m not your real girlfriend.” The call ended.

The voicemail answered when he called back. The same thing happened the next three times he called. The person in the adjacent stall jumped after he punched the wall. He kicked the toilet paper roll back across the line, the door crashing into the wall after he pushed it open. The man that was washing his hands turned his chin up, disgust on his face after Clifford left.

Clifford almost tipped his chair over as he went to sit. His face was bright red, his skin hot. The waiter caught the tail end of his rage as he ordered. “And bring me a shot of bourbon.”

“We don’t have bourbon here sir.”

He dropped his black card on the table. “Then go to the nearest liquor store and get me a bottle.

The young man’s fear prevented him from moving.

“Go.”

In his haste to grab the card, he snatched the table cloth as well, spilling the water into Clifford’s lap.

“Sh*t. Are you always this fu*king clumsy? When you get back, bring me your fu*king manager.”

“Clifford,” His mother said. “Watch your mouth.” Apologizing, she retrieved the card. Her face fell after she sat back down. “That is not how I taught you how to treat people.”

“He spilled water all over me.” Swiping and dabbing made the mess worse. “You could have at least let him keep my card to go get me another shirt.”

She snatched it out of the way before he had a chance to grab it. “This is a small town and most of the people are nice, but you’re a big-shot now. You have a target on your back.” She nodded in the young man’s direction, who was still watching them. “His name is Max and he just finished a 90-day stint.” She slid the card across the table. “You’re not who you used to be, Cliffy. You should know full well about people wanting to take advantage of you. They were trying when you didn’t have anything.”

His head dropped. “Yes ma’am.”

“There’s a store two doors down.” She nodded in the direction.

***

Tamara was halfway through her bowl of ice cream when she stopped in her tracks. She ducked inside the nearest store, her panic increasing as she saw that he was coming straight for it. She skipped to the back, making it into one of the dressing rooms at the same time as he entered. Watching from behind the curtain, she watched as he explained the condition of his soaking shirt.

The clerk pointed in her direction.

She retreated until her back pressed against the mirror. Upon hearing the hangers slid across the metal rod, she dropped to her hands and knees, able to see his legs from the space underneath her curtain. The plan to sneak out was thwarted as he stepped in front of it.