Bases Loaded (5 page)

“What the fuck? How did we go from that to this?”

“How many?” I genuinely asked.

“You are seriously crazy?”

“No really, how many times can I get you pregnant?” I thought it was a serious question. I wasn’t getting any younger and she wasn’t either. I was going to have to get a jump on it.

“You are so fucking crazy.”

“Yeah I know, Norman Bates crazy. Now many Black Italians are you willing to have?”

“One.”

“Kari there’s no way, one kid is not enough. I can’t lock you down with one kid. That would only be two total kids for you.”

“Two kids is more than enough.
Trey and the Blatalian kid”

“
Blatalian, that’s funny.” I smirked, Black and Italian. “Even numbers are better.”

“What are you talking about?”

“My three and your two is five. You got to have two of my Blatalians and then with Trey that’s three and then all together that’s six.”

“Mason you are so fucked up in the head.”

“You can handle me and you are very good at handling my head.” I grabbed my crotch and she rolled her alluring eyes.

“You really want six kids.”

“Yeah why not?”

“Don’t write checks your ass can’t cash.”

“Whatever, I can take care of all my kids. So I’m good as gold. Stop fucking Jack and stop taking birth control.”

“Dude, you must be smoking crack. I’m not having any more children out of wedlock. So when Tess signs them divorce papers that you have never even filed
as of yet, then talk to me.”

I reached up and cupped my hand around her little neck. I pulled her down to my lips and pushed my way pass her plush pillows and sunk into her mouth. When I was finished getting my feel of her lips I pulled away to look at her beautiful brown eyes.

“I’m going to get a divorce. I’m going to see a lawyer. We will be together. You will be my wife and you will have my children.” She was looking at me, assessing me. Her mouth was slightly open but I still had a firm grip on her neck. “Okay.”

“Okay.”

I rolled her flat on her back and rotated on top of her. I spread her legs and hunched in between them. My hand drifted in between her legs and right to her juicy pussy lips. I opened her lips with my thumb and forefinger. I was looking for something.

“Mason, stop. Don’t do that. Leave the string alone.”

“Shhhhhh, be quiet.”

*****

I don’t know what time Kari left me but I woke alone in the hotel room bed. I rubbed my eyes and checked the bedside table for my cellphone. I had missed calls from Tess. I had text messages from Tess. The last text was ten minutes ago. So that means she is still alive. She hasn’t killed herself. The god’s are smiling down on me. Maybe I can get out of this marriage with both my balls.

I called my sister to check on my kids. Everything was cool. She dropped Tim and Hannah off at school. Apparently Tess didn’t feel the need to harass my sister like she did me. I have always thought that Tess was afraid of my sister. I’m not sure why
. Tess and Karen are definitely nothing alike.

I was going to go to work and act like nothing happened. Business is business. I had to go home and grab some fresh clothes. This visit to the hotel wasn’t planned so I didn’t bring anything with me. I guess I could have just spent the night at the office but that raises a lot of questions.
I hate having to explain myself. I hate that Mike and RJ look up to me. I may be a stand-up guy to some but I’m an asshole to others.

I checked out of the hotel and drove home. On the way there Tess called me. I didn’t answer. I would be home soon. Home, I’m starting to hate that place. I built it but it no longer feels like a home. It feels like a haunted house. Me and Tess are ghosts roaming around with no
absolutely connection. We’re just haunting each other. I never in a million years thought my marriage would fail. I never imagined I would even be thinking of divorce. I succeed in everything I do. Failure is for fuck ups and I’m not a fuck up. Bullshit, I am a fuck up. 

I put my key in the door and braced myself for the unknown. Tess was not downstairs. I surveyed every room, even the downsta
irs bathroom. There was no Tess. I walked up the back staircase taking two steps at a time. It was so quiet in the house I could hear myself breathing.

When I got to the bedroom I saw Tess. She
was lying in bed with the remote control in one hand and her cellphone in the other. She wasn’t bleeding, gasping for air or dying from what I could tell.

Her eyes grew large when she noticed me enter.

“Where have you been? I’ve been calling you since yesterday.”

“I went for a drive and th
en got a room at a hotel.” I walked over to the dresser and removed clean boxers, socks and a sleeveless tee.

“I was worried. Why would you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Leave without a word. I’m still your wife.”

Oh god, please not for long. That was a mean thing to think. “I didn’t give it any thought. I just needed time alone.”

“Or did you need time with her?”

I decided to ignore the question.

“Mason I know you hear me.
Were you with Kari?”

“I hear you. I’m just not answering stupid questions today. I’m getting my clothes and getting dressed for work.”

“You’re going to work? You’re going to just act like nothing happened?”

“Yes, I’m going to work.
It would be impossible to act like nothing has happened. You should enjoy this time alone without the kids. Go pamper yourself, go to the hair salon or get your nails done. Go to a spa. Relax.” I was saying random things and I was not at all sure why I was saying them. “Go shopping or something.”

“You are cheating on me and you th
ink retail therapy will make me feel better.”

Well wife, my cock has never made you feel better
. I only have money, my asshole personality and my cock. Pick a fucking option, A, B or cock. “I don’t know what will make you feel better. I know I would feel better making money and doing my job.”

“Do you spend money on her?”

Geez Louise, I decided to ignore that question as well.

“Where are the kids?”
Great, she asks a question that I can answer.

“Hannah and Matt are at school. Karen dropped them off this morning and Tim is with her now. You can call Karen and talk to her about the kids.”

“When will they be back?”

“I don’t know.” Does it matter
? Karen is doing us a favor. Her youngest is sixteen she is not trying to kidnap our kids.

Stop it! Mason, stop! Why are you being so hostile to her? She hasn’
t done anything. She is still your wife. Be nice, treat her with respect, not contempt. Now repeat that shit over and over in your head and write my new mantra one hundred times on the chalkboard. I cracked a smile but made sure to hide it from Tess.

I grabbed some clothes out the closet and went into the bathroom to change. I made sure to take my cell with me. I didn’t need any more dramatics. I surely didn’t need any more remote controls thrown at my head.

I always changed in front of Tess but for some reason I felt strange about it. That’s precisely why I’m in the bathroom changing. I know Tess doesn’t desire me. Maybe I always knew it but I never actually admitted it to myself. I was too arrogant to think she didn’t want me, my cock or my sex. Now I have acknowledged it. I have accepted it. But it feels weird to be naked near her now. I’m truly going crazy. I need to get my ass out of this house. I need to bury myself in my work, the only thing I can’t fuck up.

When I was fully dressed I exited the bathroom. I left all yesterday’s clothes in the hamper in the bathroom. I went to the dresser for my car keys. They weren’t there. I immediately knew she took them. Why me? Why me? Why fucking shit balls me? I should just shoot myself in the head now and get it over with. All I want to do is go to work.

I had such a good time with Kari last night and now I’m miserable all over again. I turned my body around from the dresser to face my klepto wife.

“Tess can I get my car keys?” Pleaseeeeeeeee.

“What keys?”

The one’s you took off this fucking dresser drawer. “My car keys.”

“I haven’t seen your car keys.”

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
Am I on
Punk’d
? This could not be my life. This childish immature bullshit is my fucking life.

“Tess, give me my keys.”

“I don’t have your goddamn keys!”

“Okay, I am going downstairs to make me a cup of coffee.
” I deeply inhaled and exhaled. “I’m really calm right now. When I return to this room I expect my motherfucking car keys to be on top of this goddamn dresser.” I pointed to the exact place. “I know they will be here when I return. I know you don’t want me to choke the life from your body. Don’t make me Drew Peterson you. Our kids would miss you. Your family would want to have a body to bury.”

Did I just say that? Yeah I did. Tess
’ eyes were on my eyes. She was scared shitless. It was over the top to throw former Bolingcreek resident Drew Peterson into the conversation but she had to know I meant business. Wives disappear all the time. You don’t have to be a cop to make that shit happen.

Tess looked like she peed her pants right there on the spot. She looked like a frightened cat. I was talking bullshit. I would never kill my wife. I would never kill a woman, any woman. But I sure would threaten my wife. I guess I just did.

“Tess don’t fuck with me.” I wish we could be civilized about this but I’m sure that’s a fantasy.

I made a
hasty dash from the bedroom. I was in the kitchen faster than fast. I was on a mission. I was going to leave that house. I was going to make some coffee. I needed it. I felt like I was in a trance. I was up late with Kari. So late I’m not sure when I even finally drifted off. One cup of black coffee will wake me up. I stood in front of the coffee maker and watched it brew. The smell was heavenly and the taste was the same.

There was no doubt in my mind that my keys would be on top of the dresser. I took a few sips of coffee, just enough to wake me up. I decided to leave the coffee mug on the kitchen counter.

Being cool and calm probably is irritating the shit out of Tess but there is really nothing to fight about. We’re just not working. We never will, deal with it and let’s act civil for the sake of the kids.

I
went back up the stairs and all I could think about was the impact this would have on my children. Divorce is a failure. I failed as a husband and as a father. Keeping my family intact is my duty. I botched the very basic part of a marriage, fidelity.

My eyes shot straight to the top of the dresser. They were there. I rushed in and grabbed my car keys and I rushed out the room without giving Tess the attention that she craved.

I arrived at the office in minutes and I walked right pass Mikey. This is a different kind of walk of shame. I’m sure Tess blabbed to Melissa and therefore my dumbass dickless brother knows my business. I went into the backroom and took a seat at the desk. I started checking my emails and a few minutes later RJ walked into my open door.

“Uncle Mason, how you doing?”

“Fine, what do you want?”

“I want see how you are
doing. I got your Rover. It’s parked out back. I see you drove the Maxima. I thought you got rid of that Maxima.”

“It’s paid for so what
ever. I could give it to Sonia, if my sister doesn’t buy her a car. Did Sonia get her license yet?

“
She passed the class but you know there’s a waiting period before you can take the test.”

“Okay, I didn’t know that.”

“I kicked it with my little cousins yesterday. Hannah is like a super-nerd.”

There was a brief silence were RJ was weirdly observing me.
“RJ do you have something to say?”

“No, Uncle I just, I don’t know. Shit happens.”
RJ quotes me.

“
I can handle my shit.”

“I know. I’m going up North to see how the subdivision is going.”

“Yeah get up there and check it out. Marcus is off today. Who’s in charge up there?”

“Branaski.”

“Okay just pop over there and take a look. Don’t step on his toes. Take a few pictures and leave.”

“Okay boss.” RJ gave me his goofy grin and he left me alone.

I threw myself into my work. I successfully blocked out all the drama. I focu
sed on the day to day tasks. I was finally able to clear my head of all the bullshit. Tess hadn’t called or texted. This made the day go that much smoother. Then I started to wonder if her silence meant she was doing something reckless. I started having morbid thoughts of her hanging by the dining room chandelier. After I blocked those morbid thoughts things appeared lighter and brighter. The day was going well. I was able to successfully distract myself from my chaotic life.