Chapter 7

"I need to borrow your car." Blinking my eyes against the sunlight and slipping in the room. Kenny's voice startled me from my peaceful sleep. I saw him move around the house swiftly, in a hurry dressed in his Police uniform. "The damn truck down now I'm running late." He explained. Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes to wake myself up. It's ok with Kenny taking my car but…..

"If you take my car, how will I get to work?" I asked, my voice raspy from sleep.

"You have to go in at about twelve right, I nodded. "Alright, I just dropped you off during my lunch break. Then I will pick you up after I get off work." It wasn't the best idea because Kenny tends to stay late at his job. But I didn't feel like arguing today and I was still extremely tired.

I had a long day yesterday, looking over my patients files, cleaning the house, and trying to keep my thoughts occupied. It has been a few days since the incident at the restaurant-well, it was hardly an incident. Still it had been a while. Kenny and I haven't gotten into an argument or anything. Oddly, he was calm. Not to say rampage as usual, but surprisingly, he is tame. He hasn't mentioned creating a child lately, not that I am complaining. Yet, I was still on edge. Kenny won't hurt me, but for some reason, he seems off. I prayed he hadn't discovered the pills hidden in the bathroom.

"Ok, I said, looking up at him. He came over and kissed my lips quickly.

"I'll see you later." He bid farewell and rushed out of the room. I heard his footsteps thudding downstairs before hearing the front door open then close. Alone. I was alone and still tired. I dragged my eyes towards our table to the right of me and saw my fone. Leaning over, I picked it up to check the time; it was six-thirty in the morning. Placing the phone back I rolled over and sighed. Lifting the covers up above my head, I closed my eyes.

Just a couple more hours.

I jerked awake, startled. My heart beats a mile a minute. Harsh thuds reverberate through the house. Or at least that's what it feels like to me. My head was beginning to pound as the sound of banging reached my ears.

What is happening?

Quickly jumped out of the bed, I grabbed my phone and dialed the emergency services. Not yet pressed the ring button, but waiting to see at least if I was being invaded yet. I quietly shuffled out of my bedroom before nearing the stairs. The banging sounded again, but this time I could make out that it was the front door. As I went downstairs, I looked around just in case something jumped out at me. I soon reached the button of the stairs and darted to the kitchen quickly. I didn't want to die as an idiot without a weapon. I grabbed a kitchen knife, and made my way to the front door again, gripping both my phone and knife tightly. Reaching the door I called out in a deeper voice, imitating a man.

"Who is it?" Looking out the peephole, I saw who it was, sighing in relief. I unlocked the door.

"Jesus, you scared the crap out of me Rick." There he stood in a police uniform similar to my husband's. Rick was older than Kenny by a few years, with a grey beard and equally thin grey hair. However he became good friends with Kenny and me when Kenny joined the force. He was a nice Caucasian man and occasionally visited for dinner. I beckoned him in, then closed the door behind him. "Why were you pondering on the door like the FBI? Is Kenny in trouble?" I asked.

He smiled, "Well hello to you too, Missy. Don't worry, your husband is ok, but I'm running late. Kenneth sent me to pick you up." I still don't know why Rick insists on calling Kenny by his full name. I assume it is a country thing. But why will Kenny send him?

"What do you mean? Why did he-"

"Chief needed Kenny to do a patrol, and he said you needed a ride to work. But judging by you still being in your PJs, it looks like you don't." I glanced at the time on my phone and gasped.

"Shit, running late was an understatement. I handed the kitchen knife to Rick and ran upstairs. The sound of his laughter echoing through the house as it followed me made me even more upset. More so at myself. I can't believe I slept that long. Luckily, I didn't miss an appointment, but if I didn't get dressed in about two-minutes, I would be. It takes at least a half hour to get to my job. I could have sworn I set my alarm on. It was unlike me to be closed to late, never mind the fact that today may be the first.

On the bright side, my OCD causes me to plan ahead, meaning the clothes I'm wearing are nearly folded in my dresser. I thought I would look great in a tan, thin sweater with a v-neck that didn't show too much. A tan skirt that reached just about the top of my ankles and had a small slit that stopped at the start of my thigh. And lastly, my tan heels and black purse. After putting on my clothes, I ran inside the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I didn't have time to do a full face routine, but I made sure to wash it. Then I moved my locs to the side, pinning it with a clip. No time for makeup except for gloss, then I was ready. I rushed downstairs to see Rick still by the door.

"You could have sat down." I told him, upset with myself for letting him stand.

"Please. Missy, I sit on my ass all day. I was happy to stand. Are you ready?" I nodded, and he opened the front door, letting me walk out first before shutting it behind him. I turned and locked the door, then we both headed to his car. It seems I'll be riding in a police SUV today. Rick opened the door for me and made sure I was in before shutting it and walked to the driver's side. He sat down, made sure I was buckled, then started the car. He quickly pulled off and headed towards the destination.

Rick has dropped me plenty of times when Kenny couldn't. Sometimes I didn't mind, but today I kind of wanted to ride with my husband. Maybe I'm being silly. Although I can't help but think thank you whenever Rick takes me. I always feel like Kenny is avoiding me. One, because Rick has taken me to work more times than Kenny has. Two, I've told Kenny so many times to get rid of that truck, so we didn't have to keep doing this. Lastly, well, I don't have one. I just want my husband around me, is all. But he is an officer of the law, so I shouldn't be upset that he can't see me all the time.

I remember when he first started as an officer. We would always take drives together during his lunch break.

Occasionally, we would make love in them as well when we were passionate. Gosh, it feels like it's been so long since we've been us. I mean, it's been a while and quite frankly I miss the old days. Of us, just being us and no one else.

"So," Rick's voice jolted me out of my thoughts. "Kenneth mentioned you two were taking a break. On having a child." I'm not surprised Rick brought it up.

"Yes, the process has been hard on us, and I thought a break would do us some good. Maybe if we obsess over it less, then….." I felt like shit for saying the words, but I had to cover myself. As much as I consider Rick as a friend, he was Kenny's first. Both men tell each other everything. A memory of Kenny telling me as such comes forth.

"It's a police thing, rose. We've each other's backs.

Yeah. I was keeping my lips sealed shut. Besides, they do the same. Did the same. Although what I was doing was just as bad.

Rick clear his throat. "I see," he told me. " I hope it works out and you grant me a nephew or some shit. "He laughs and I did too…… nervously.

"So how have you been lately?" I asked, trying to steer away from the topic.

"Not bad. Still missing my family," he paused, I saw his brow furrow. "I-uh, I went to visit them recently." Now I felt even worse. Here I was, trying not to have a child behind my husband back while Rick wished he had his kids his family.

A couple if years back, Rick's wife and his two sons has gotten into an accident. He was working overtime and couldn't come home for Christmas. So, his wife had the idea to surprise him, but unfortunately, the room was far too icy. One wrong turn and the three of them perished. He doesn't say it, but Rick blame his self for what happened. Although I've repeatedly told him it wasn't his fault and forced him to go to therapy.

"That's great you went to see them," I enthused, knowing he didn't want pity. "How did you feel?" My therapist tendencies are appearing. At this, he cracked a smile and stopped the car as the light was red.

"Now don't you start therapizing me, Missy. I've already got one who's up my ass." I rolled my eyes, chuckling.

"Fine." I told him and the light turned green. "I'm glad you saw them and I'm happy to see you doing better day by day.

Rick nodded, "I'm trying missy." We spent the next few minutes making small talks and listening to music. Rick tried playing some country trash and I smacked his hand away from the stereo. Putting on some real music that didn't involve turning the light down low. Mary J. Blige began to blast through the speaker and I sang along. I saw Rick lightly bumping his head along to 'Family Affairs' . We jammed to a few more tunes and the next thing I know, he pulled up to my job.

"That was fun. Thank you for the ride, Rick." I told him sincerely.

"Anything for you, Missy. Hold on now so I can open my door." He unblocked his door, got out, and came out around to my side. Opening my door, he extended his hand which I took, and helped me out of the SUV. "Now you have a fantastic day at work and be safe. I'll stay until I see you get inside.

Knowing better than to fight him on staying I gave him a quick hug goodbye, then waved. I was walking as fast as I could to the entrance so I wouldn't be late for my first client. The day has just began and I already have a migraine making an appearance.