Love Amidst a Dark Secret

I decided to stay in the country with my aunt and uncle for a few weeks since the divorce has been finalized. Three years of back and forth and finally, we were done. Arguing over who keeps the kids and on what holidays. Who keeps the couch, the house, and the dog. The separation was unbearable, but it was something that had to be done. After learning of all of the affairs and drugs, I couldn't allow myself to stay. I knew he had a gambling problem and he drank more than he should have. Those things were forgivable, but the infidelity was not. Going through all of these years, I was exhausted. My boss told me to take some time for myself because she knew what I had been going through. So, I took her advice and now, I'm in the beautiful countryside with fresh air and green grass. It was quite the change from my life in the city.

I drove up to a light blue barn with many cars parked in front. My uncle told me to meet him here because this barn was recently restored from its original shell to become a restaurant. I walked past the massive, light pink oleander trees and opened the large wooden door and could not help, but to look at the ceiling. This "barn" was so incredibly large. I was taken aback. I looked over at my aunt and uncle waving to me. I walked over to them and hugged them tightly. "It's been so long. How are you two?"

"Oh the same as usual." My uncle replied. "Are you hungry from your trip?"

"Very much so." I said excitedly looking at the menu. I glanced up and saw a captivating man. He sat at the picnic table with his baseball cap almost covering his eyes. He leaned over his cup of coffee with his tight shirt making his muscles protrude. I studied him in all of his glory and wondered if he was lonely. He caught me staring as he looked up quickly with his glistening tiffany-blue eyes. My heart stopped for a moment as he got up and walked toward me. "Uncle Charles, how are you doin'?" The handsome man said to my uncle, shaking his hand.

"Oh good. Your restaurant has really taken off." My uncle exclaimed.

"Yes. I'm glad it has. I wasn't sure what to do with the property after I inherited it."

"Well, you've done a great job son. Have you met my niece, Autumn?"

"No, I haven't. My name is James." He said with a glistening white smile on his face.

"Nice to meet you." I said. I could feel my cheeks turning red. "Do you want to join us?"

"Yes. I would love to." He sat down so close to me that I could feel the fabric of his shirt on my arm. My aunt noticed and winked at me. I tried to keep a straight face. I looked up at him, "So, what made you decide to open a restaurant?"

He paused for a moment and said, "After my parents died, I wasn't sure what to do with the property. People call this place a barn, but it is also my house. I live on the top floor. I thought, 'might as well make this place into a business so that it can pay for itself' and here I am." He smiled sadly at me. Music started to play and everyone was moving tables to the sides of the room. I looked over at him, "Do you have dancing here?"

He gleamed and said, "Yes, starting at 8pm."

"Oh wonderful! I love to dance!" I said excitedly looking at the couples dancing.

"Would you like to dance with me?" He said with uncertainty.

"Gladly." I took his hand and we made our way to the dance floor. We danced to every song that played. With every glance and smile, my feelings seemed to deepen for this handsome stranger. We twisted and twirled and talked the night away. I felt a tap on my shoulder and it was my aunt. "We are going home sweetie. It's past midnight." I looked around and we were the only ones left in the restaurant. "Oh," I said surprisingly. "I didn't even realize."

"That's okay. We will see you in the morning." My aunt kissed my cheek and they left the restaurant. James went to the door and locked it so that the customers wouldn't think the restaurant was still open. He dimmed the lights and pulled me close. He put on a more mellow song and we swayed to it. He began to kiss my neck and I unbuttoned his shirt. He lifted me up and carried me upstairs. He placed me on his bed and lit a candle. I drifted off into utter bliss. I never thought I would feel this way again.

Later that night or morning rather, James turned the TV on. The reporter stated, "Breaking news. A man by the name of Joseph Thomas died late last night alone in his apartment. He and his neighbor were going to go to the local bar together, but when Joseph didn't answer, the neighbor was concerned and called the police. The police are thinking that he may have been poisoned, but are not sure of foul play. We will keep you posted."

"James, did you know that person?" I asked with concern.

He turns off the TV. "I was acquainted with him." He kissed me on the forehead, "Go to sleep."

The next morning, I was awakened by banging on the front door. James was getting dressed quickly. He caressed my face and said, "I had a wonderful time last night. I will never forget you."

"Why are you saying that as though I won't see you again?"

"Because you may not" He leaned down to kiss me and walked out of the bedroom. I heard the front door open and got up to look out of the window. He was in handcuffs being escorted by a police man to the car. I could feel the pit of my stomach churning. There were three police cars for one man. I decided to get dressed and go to the police station to see what happened.

At the police station, I asked to speak to James. I wanted to see what this was about. They said I could only speak to him for a few minutes. The officer escorted me to a table and I sat across from James. His hair was disheveled, but he was still incredibly attractive. I was hoping this was some sort of mix up or an unpaid traffic ticket. I looked at him inquisitively. "So, what is this about?"

He looked down at his hands. "Do you know how my mother and father died?"

"No, I know almost nothing about you."

"My father killed my mother in a drunken fit of rage. He called me the night it happened. He sobered up in the morning and felt such shame that he hung himself. He left a note on the table explaining why he did it." He took a deep breath. I put my hand on his and said, "I am so sorry to hear that."

"Yes. That was about 5 years ago. Yesterday was the date of his death."

"I don't know what to say. Did he explain why he murdered your mother?"

He looked at me grimly. "My father found out that she had been having an affair with a man by the name of Joseph Thomas for eleven years."

"Oh, the man who died last night? Did you kill him?!" I said with shock.

"I did because he took both of my parents. My mother was going to leave my father for him. This sent my father over the edge. He was a recovering alcoholic, but he went on a drinking binge after this."

"Even if the news drove your father to drink, it doesn't mean that Joseph killed your parents."

"Regardless, he is dead now."

We talked for a few more minutes and said that he took some of the oleanders that were outside of his barn and mixed them with Joseph's takeout order. Apparently, they are very poisonous especially in large quantities. James wanted me to wait for him to get out. I told him that I just left one crazy relationship and didn't need another one. He was disappointed, but understood. I stayed with my aunt and uncle for a few more days, but I kept thinking of James. I decided to leave early and go back to the city. After this experience, I think I will hold off on dating for a while.