Transcending Queen (6 page)

Beyond Joseph, there was Jack hidden in
thorny rose bushes cussing in pain but still undertaking the duty
to keep Melissa safe. After following Joseph for a while, it was
clear he was tracking whoever posed a threat to Clayton. Joseph
follows Melissa and Jack now trails him, suddenly he felt like he’s
been on a merry-go-round a little too long. It didn’t seem right,
but round and around they all went. “Shit, what now?” he said when
he saw Joseph perk up. He peered through his binoculars to see
Father Clayton inside again with Melissa.

“Crap, I got to get her out of there.”

Back at the house, Colin released his grip
sensing I had calmed down.

“I wasn’t even trying to scare you.”

“It was a misunderstanding. We’ll work it
out, but for now I really have to go.”

“Whoa wait, sometime this week you’re going
to have to help me eat some of this food we made last night.”

I hastily agreed as I turned heading towards
the front of the house when he caught up reaching out seemingly to
open the door. But in the blink of an eye, he leaned against it
blocking my exit strategy. Baffled, I rapidly grew concerned as the
situation seemed out of control. He made it known he was in charge
as I feared what he had in store for me next. Just then, I caught
something move out of the corner of my eye, it was Jack heading
straight for us as Colin leaned in towards me.

Fear set in as I blurted out, “I can’t! Jack
is coming up the walk.”

Colin glanced out to confirm what I had said
to be true. A disheartened look came over his face when he opened
the door and moved out of the way to let me go. I went without
another word. I needed to say so much, but it all happened so fast
my mind drew a blank.

“We’re out of here, Melissa.” Jack insisted.
“Don’t say anything.” We walked back to the motel in silence while
I wasn’t sure what was going on. My brain was still processing all
the events and once inside our motel room we would be able to hash
it all out.

“Do you know what just happened out
there?”

“Not really.”

“Joseph’s tailing you, I’m assuming for
Father Clayton.”

I didn’t say a word as he confirmed what I
already knew to be true ending my paranoia. A picture of John
flashed before my eyes, but just as rapidly I rejected it.

“That’s it, no response? Aren’t you a little
shocked?” Jack quizzed.

“I am, I just need time to process it
all.”

“Well, I can sure as hell give it to you
straight. Everyone is watching everybody else, we’re on his radar.
This changes everything.” Jack attested.

A knock came at the door unexpected, as it
opened Joseph stood on the other side. “I didn’t expect you here
now.”

“Yeah, well I’m here.” Joseph attested.

“What brings you?”

“The truth, are you going to let me in?”
Joseph asked.

“Of course, come in.” He stated as he scanned
the neighborhood making sure no one else is lurking about.

“They’re searching.” Joseph stated.

“I was afraid of that.”

“They’re not to be trusted.” He
acknowledged.

“Who is really?”

“What is going on with you? It’s like this
information doesn’t faze you. What gives?” Joseph asked at a
loss.

He stared out the window turning his mind off
and tuning out the world. It’s tragic really, the feelings that are
surfacing and the thoughts that are abundant in his mind. “I’m
falling in love with her.” Father Clayton solemnly stated.

Chapter 7 – The Truth

I immersed myself in the dream of what could
be when Jack snapped me from it.

“Hello? Are you even paying attention? Where
did you go just now?”

“Never mind, what now Jack?! What do you want
to do? Everyone is watching each other and they want to know why
we’re here. Somehow, I know this isn’t news to you.”

“I thought this would be easy. We’d come in,
figure this shit out and make some easy money!”

“So now you’re frustrated and taking it out
on me. Are you out of your mind?! I don’t care if he’s being
accused or not, it was never going to be easy.”

“We just need to find the truth, Melissa.
That’s all.”

“What truth? I got a news flash for you, how
about no one cares about the truth. They only want little drizzles
of it drenched in lies and rumors. People aren’t looking for an
adventure like the one we had with Max, they want to live
vicariously through us. By the way, his house is clean so maybe
he’s not who you think he is. I couldn’t find a damn thing.”

“What do you mean you’re in love with her?”
Joseph quipped.

“Just what I said, I didn’t mean for this to
happen.”

“She just ransacked your house, you don’t
find that odd?” Joseph asked.

“I know why they’re here. I understand.”

“This is yet another scandal waiting to
happen. My God, what are you thinking?” Joseph asked.

“You know what? I think we’re out here living
in the middle of nowhere and people are tired and exhausted. I
think if there’s no scandal then people will make one up. They need
something to keep them from going insane, to entertain them as long
as it’s not at their expense. They need someone to fall from grace
and who better than a man of God, I mean as long as it’s happening
they might as well tear down the person they think has a direct
connection while they watch to see if God himself will save
me.”

“Fuck, well there’s your sermon for next
Sunday.” Joseph admitted while storming out.

Later that night Melissa informed, “Jack, I
can’t do this anymore. You’re on your own, I’m done. You bring me
out here, leave me in the dark and dangle me in front of this man.
I’ve been through this before with John and I refuse to do it
again.”

“Melissa, c’mon this is what we agreed to.
We’re doing this together.”

“I can’t, not again, it’s too much. I’ll be
around, but you’re on your own.” I slammed the door while stepping
out into the cool night air when it seemed as if my life shifted
right before my eyes. A little growth just took place whether I
wanted it to or not, it happened and maybe for the first time I
felt a little empowered. I wondered through the darkness not
knowing where I was headed and didn’t care.

Father Clayton spotted Melissa marching down
the street and followed in plain street clothes until she stopped.
In the twilight and into the night, it’s a blessing to be able to
walk these streets in everyday clothes when others busy themselves
with their families, a time when nobody really paid attention he
could stroll around and think without interruption.

Joseph had been driving around when he
noticed Father Clayton down the block walking. He was very aware he
might be meeting Melissa, so Joseph parked his truck and chose to
follow on foot. He acknowledged Father Clayton wasn’t in his right
mind blinded by whatever Melissa has dangled in front of his face.
Joseph felt compelled to serve as the voice of reason while trying
to stop him from anything regretful or utterly stupid. If Father
Clayton ever crossed the line, she could use it against him in so
many ways.

I arrived at a park and took a seat on a
swing gazing at the clear night sky. Glancing up, I noticed the
abundance of stars overhead. In Tupelo, my childhood was filled
with days of swinging at the park and sliding down tall slides. I
remember how happy it made me spending time with my friends
thinking it would never change. Those were the days when I actually
liked small town living and had treasured those memories. I trusted
to see a star shoot across the sky leaving a fiery trail in its
wake but that didn’t take place. For once, I embraced the silence
of this town fixing my view to the houses surrounding the area as I
could see their lights shining bright inside. I could imagine
people making dinner, doing homework, tending to the regular
household chores. They didn’t know how lucky they were to have a
quiet, comfortable life and enjoy average days followed by equally
average nights. I wished for such simplicity but that wish has not
come to fruition yet in any form of my existence.

Father Clayton knew to keep his distance as
he watched her gaze at the stars wondering what she could be
thinking and pondered what it would be like to invade her space in
this cool night air. He craved to have his way with her imagining
hair smelling sweet, caressing soft skin and kissing her wet,
supple lips. Envisioning himself being just a man, not a saint on
an almighty pedestal that people put him on as this is his cross to
bear.

Jack lay on his bed defeated. He refused to
admit it, but he really did miss his best friend. There always
seemed to be too much to do, so he never really took time to mourn.
His thoughts switched to Melissa and even though she finally stood
up for herself, he is left more alone than ever. The silence
deafening, he still wanted a normal life that always seemed to
escape him one way or another, “What is normal?” He didn’t even
have a clue how to answer that question. He wasn’t interested in a
wife, kids and white picket fence but since being thrown from one
case to another as a detective, he decided it’s not any better than
working undercover. He recalled notions he had like staying in one
place for more than a month, repeat customers and going home every
night. He could visit his favorite spots and enjoy simple
pleasures. “Is it even possible? I’ve never known such things.
Other people make it seem so easy.” Yet for him, chaos has no days
off.

Chapter 8 – Moving On Alone

The next morning I reminded myself I was
officially off the hook which brought a smile to my face. Away from
all the problems I left in Barrington, no longer working a case and
free to do whatever I wanted. For now, I would take pleasure in
being able to breathe and take some time to reevaluate things. Up
to this point, it’s been messy from the very beginning and the more
I tried to incorporate damage control the faster things spun out.
Exhaling, I came to understand I had no idea where to go from
here.

After jumping in the shower and getting
dressed, I headed down the stairs where I ran into Jack.

“Hey Melis….” He uttered but I was quick to
cut him off.

“Not now Jack.”

“But just listen….”

“Leave me alone, I need time. At least give
me that, huh?” I rattled off as I kept bouncing down the
stairs.

“God damn it!” he cursed in frustration.

I headed straight to the front office and
searched for Luann.

“Hi, muffins are by the front door again next
to the coffee.” She said while checking someone in.

“Thanks, but I’m not here for muffins, can we
talk?”

She looked at me as if she was still offended
from the other day, “Sure?”

“The situation has changed and I’m no longer
partnered with Jack. I’m standing here with no money but still want
to stay here. Is there anything I can do?”

“Don’t worry…he figured the least he could do
is still pay for your room. He really does care about you.”

“Is there anything I can do around here for
some extra spending cash?”

“See Jack, he said something about still
owing you for the work you’ve done thus far.”

“Is there something going on between the two
of you? You seem to know an awful lot.”

“Just friends, there’s no scandal here.”
Luann insisted with a smirk on her face.

I leapt back up the stairs cussing the whole
way, it sucked to have to beg Jack for money now. Barging into his
room abruptly I decided to demand it, “Ok, I had a conversation
with Luann, money please.”

“Oh, I’m supposed to leave you alone.” He
said as his smartass tone was easy to detect.

“Jack, don’t make this any harder than it
already is. Please, just give me the money so we can move on. We
desperately need our space from one another.”

“Fine, you stubborn little shit.” He said as
he handed over what he owed.

“Thank you, don’t take things so personally.”
I had nothing to lose and even with my newfound freedom my life
remained in shambles and ripped apart. No matter how much I tried
to ignore it, I still couldn’t deny it. I had to be honest with
myself and that honesty carries truth like no other, I have
nothing. The only strategy that sounded feasible was to give up,
but how does someone go about something like that? Lie down, refuse
to eat, deny friends? “I guess there’s several, if not millions of
ways to self-destruct.” I thought as I locked my eyes onto the bar
that I hate so much.

“Tony you bastard, get me a beer and a shot
of your best vodka!” I merrily shouted while finding a nice worn
down seat at the bar.

He glanced at me with a strange expression,
“You sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. Line them up; it’s going
to be a long night. We’re celebrating while I drink someone under
the table!”

“Celebrating what?”

“Well, let’s see now, one of two things. It’s
either for giving up on life or because my life is a train wreck.
I’ll let you decide.”

“Oh shit.” He mumbled under his breath while
rolling his eyes.

“Oh shit is right. Try my life on for size,
then you can cuss.”

“C’mon, you have nothing on me.”

“Forget it, doesn’t matter. Just give me my
drinks.”

He slid that first beer down the bar as I
stopped it with my hand and actually had a moment of hesitation
checking out the other guys sitting nearby. I couldn’t stop now as
I seriously needed this, even if just for a couple of hours.

“Tony, don’t slide the shots huh?”

“Sure, no sliding anymore. Go ahead and prove
yourself, what are you waiting for?”

With those words I drew the glass of beer up
to my mouth and tipped it back gulping as fast as I could.

“Hey ho!” They all shouted as I downed it in
mere seconds. The shot came next, “Hey ho!” I heard again as they
cheered me on.