Untangle Me (33 page)

I became obsessed with my email; I wanted this job, I needed it. Every time my phone dinged I jumped to check it. Just when I was about to give up hope, it arrived.

“I got it, Sophia,” I said still slightly in shock. “I have to fill out the background check agreement and take a drug test.”

“Congratulations, baby… You’ll get it, I just know it.” She wrapped her arms around me and placed a kiss on my cheek.

“I have ten days to submit the background check and get the drug test.” I read off the email confirmation. The possibility of being denied still weighed heavily on my mind. The end of my probation drew near and I didn’t know how it would end. I felt the world shifting; favoring me for once. Maybe now was the time to contact my probation officer about Lisa’s harassment. I didn’t have anything to fucking lose.

She’s back

I fidgeted, unable to stop, as Kayden talked to his probation officer on speakerphone. The officer explained that he would be in violation of probation if he didn’t pay the remaining restitution by the end of next week…a warrant would be issued for his arrest. He pleaded with the man. My stomach twisted and turned listening to the conversation. Didn’t anyone have any compassion anymore? He couldn’t have an active warrant during the background check process.

“Mr. Haas, can I get an extension?” Kayden asked.

“No extensions are given. You’ll have to turn yourself in and ask the judge for leniency.”

I put my head in my hands, trying to hide my reaction. I wanted to cry, but uneasiness settled in stripping me of any tears. I felt the light at the end of the tunnel being snuffed out before my eyes. I couldn’t just sit there passively anymore; I opened my laptop and searched for probation laws in Florida. There had to be a way around it, a way for him to avoid arrest.

“Can I make an appointment to meet with you sometime this week?” Kayden asked.

“Sure, if you feel it’s necessary. How about Wednesday, at one?” Mr. Hass replied.

“I’ll be there, see you then,” Kayden replied waiting for a response before ending the call.

The sound of an incoming message drew my attention away from my screen and to Kayden’s phone, but I couldn’t see the screen.

“Is it her?” I asked. Could this day get any worse?

“Yes,” he said, he huffed while reading the message on her screen. “She’s such a bitch.”

“Let me see what she said, this time,” I said, holding out my hand.

Tammy: I would’ve had the court forgive your restitution Kayden, but you let Sophia send in your last payment... She sealed your fate. I would’ve done everything I could to clear your name, but you hurt my feelings. I’ll make that bitch pay, you’re just a casualty.

“Kayden, you need to show everything she has sent you the last couple of months to Mr. Haas,” I said to him. She needed to finally feel some consequences of her actions. “Doesn’t hurt to try, you know? Maybe he’ll listen to you.”

“I don’t think it will make a difference, but I’m going to try,” he said to me as he took the phone back.

“Let’s print everything out. Maybe we can get this all straightened out before the end of your probation and your background check is completed,” I said, getting up to turn on the printer.

I grabbed my phone off the counter as I walked out of the kitchen. Switching the screen on I stopped, shock overcoming me… Kayden was no longer her only target

“I have a message, too. She just doesn’t fucking give up,” I said as I unlocked my phone.

Lisa: When Kayden is arrested, it’ll be because of you bitch. I’m going to send the cops to your house, your parents’ house, and any address I find that is connected to you until they find him. Remember, it’s because of you that he’ll be sitting in jail. I’ll wreck your life, Sophia. Kayden will be mine again… He will always love me. You’re just a financial means to his survival.

I swallowed hard with her words; I knew they weren’t true, but the sting no less painful. Had she just threatened me? Lisa was totally delusional if she thought that Kayden would come back to her. I’d make sure that wouldn’t happen.

“Do I even want to know what she wrote?” Kayden asked.

“Not really, but we’ll print it, too. Find that pink envelope she sent you in New Orleans. We’re going to leave tonight. I don’t want to wait two days to meet with him. It’s your only hope,” I said. I could feel my blood begin to boil every time I thought about that bitch. I wanted to knee her in the face and I’ve never been the violent type. Someone had to fucking stop her, and I was up for the challenge. I’d go with him, help him. I had a solid job and a college education, people always trusted a librarian.

Walking through the front door of his mother’s the smell of freshly baked stuff peppers assaulted my sense. My stomach rumbled after a road trip filled with coffee and junk food. She ran to the door, wrapping us in her arms and kissing our cheeks.

“It’s so good to see you two. I’ve missed you. I made your favorite Kayden—stuffed red peppers and homemade mashed potatoes.” My mouth salivated as she spoke.

“The bitch sent me a message today,” his mother said as we sat down at the table.

I lost my appetite, bile rose in my throat. She invaded our lives and ruined even the simplest thing.

“What did she want?” Kayden asked.

“Here, read it for yourself,” she said as she handed Kayden her tablet.

Kayden didn’t say a word as he read the messages with furrowed brows. He passed the tablet to me and I was stunned by her acidic words.

Lisa: I’ll send the police everywhere to find your son. You can’t hide him, either can his girlfriend. It’ll be hard for him to run without a truck.

“That bitch, she had your truck towed,” I said handing the tablet back to his mother.

My stomach twisted as I excused myself from the table, leaving Kayden and his mother to talk.

He’d become a fixture in my life, part of my existence, and she was trying to tear us apart. Tears streamed down my face as Kayden walked into the bedroom. He wrapped me in his arms, comforting me. “Everything will be okay, don’t cry, baby,” he said, sorrow filling his eyes.

Probation

I barely slept, nervous about meeting with my probation officer. Everything hinged on his course of action—my job and my future. I stared out the window regretting every moment I ever spent with Lisa. I couldn’t lie there anymore and make myself crazy. I peeled Sophia off slowly, covering her body with a blanket.

I rested my hands on the counter, patiently waiting for the coffee to brew. I filled my cup when the glass carafe had just enough to fill it. I’d never been much of a coffee drinker, but Sophia survived on the shit. The cold cement floor of the lanai made me move quickly across the space to an empty chair.

I couldn’t waste any more time or put off placing the phone call to Mr. Haas, my probation officer, I needed to get my life straightened out. He had my fate in his hands. I held my breath as the phone began to ring.

“Mr. Haas,” he said sounding annoyed.

“Good morning, Mr. Haas, it’s Kayden. I need to speak with you today, it can’t wait until tomorrow. Do you have an appointment available?” I asked, hoping that it would be early to avoid waiting around all day, worrying.

“Just come on in, my morning is pretty light. I’ll be here all day,” he said.

“I’ll be in shortly. See you soon, and Mr. Haas... thank you.” The phone disconnected.

“When are we leaving?” she asked startling me.

I didn’t hear her open the lanai door. “Let’s have some coffee and get ready. He said we can come anytime.”

“Good. The quicker we take care of her, the better.” She smiled at me while stretching as I walked toward her.

“I love you,” I said, kissing her forehead.
What would Mr. Haas say about all of the messages?
I wanted everything to be over with already. I wanted to move on with my life, the life I built with Sophia.