Tears in the Rain (PT. VII)

Earlier that day Walter texted that he would be home late from the job; a problem had come up that had to be rectified. It started to get late, and I was getting sleepy. I at least wanted to be in bed when Walt did come home so he would cuddle me like he used to.

As I was heading down the road about to turn onto the highway, I spotted a black Chrysler 300 pulling out in front of me. I knew it was Walt’s from the plates that read JAQUE a shorter version of his mother’s name Jaqueline Miles. I thought to honk my horn but didn’t see the need as we were both heading to the same destination, I’ll just see him home. I followed Walter all the way down the highway, seeing as our exit was about to come up I started to brace my finger to initiate my turn signal off the freeway. I was thrown for a loop as Walter drove straight past the exit ramp. Where could he be going at a quarter to midnight? To get gas? There was a gas station not even a block from our house. A sharp pain started to bubble in my stomach, that something was off beam.

“Where the fuck is he going?” I questioned out loud.

I trailed Walter down the highway until he turned onto St. Luke’s Road; the dark southern part of town where low-income families tend to reside. Why would Walter be here? My mind raced with a million and one questions, trying to ignore the possibilities of the most obvious answer. Walter drove up a narrow road, up a hill, to a set of somewhat decent homes. He pulled into the driveway of one home; not to give suspicion, I drove past the home and turned at the first street I saw, parking near the curb. I sat there, holding my stomach tight.

Walter got out of the car, locked it with a beep, beep, and headed to the front door walking right on in as if he lived there. My heart was pumping like an Olympic track runner. I could not believe this shit was happening, not like this…

I reached for my cell phone scrolling down to Walter’s name. My thumb froze at the talk icon, I wanted to call him and curse him THE fuck out, but I was afraid. Madison’s words flooded in my head, “Sounds like weakness if you ask me.” The next fifteen minutes I stilled my nervousness. Once I felt they had hardened and cooled enough, I exited the vehicle as quietly as I could; creeping over to the house that Walter vanished into.