The Disappearance of Jada

“Hey Henry, how you holdin’ up?” The man walking into Henry’s office asked.

“Jare, Jada’s been M.I.A since Tuesday night. No text or phone call; and her friends didn’t hear from her on the night we had our fight.” Henry responded as he closed the file of papers he was reviewing and slammed it on his desk.

“Well, it’s day number 3, man – don’t you think it’s about time you let her friends and family know she’s still missing? And maybe, just maybe, also notify the police?” Jare asked.

“Maybe. I guess it is about time.” Henry answered as he tapped his finger repeatedly on the file.

“I mean, it’s not like her to stay away for this long…. right?” Jare sat on the corner of the desk as his intentions were not to stay long.

“Right. Maybe it wasn’t the argument that made her disappear, maybe something actually happened to her.” Henry said as his eyes wandered toward an empty wall.

“Yeah, I mean, if anything – it’s just to be safe.” Jare said as he noticed Henry’s blank stare toward the wall.

“God forbid something really did happen to her. I’ll look like a suspect because we argued and then I waited so long to call the police” Henry said while still focusing on the empty wall.

Jare gave Henry a slight smile, not because he agreed, but because he was a bit shocked by the statement. What he wanted to say was “that’s and odd thought and it’s pretty selfish to think of things like that,” but he figured he better keep the thought to himself. Henry was known for getting aggravated easily and if you were one to get aggravated in return, things would really heat up. So, Jare decided to leave Henry where he was and not approach any further.

“Alright then, I’ve got a few files to go over as well, so I’ll check on you later. I’m going to say good morning to the others first.” Jare said as he found his way out the office, noticing that Henry might’ve not even heard him. He was still focused on the blank wall, as if watching an intense and consuming movie.

“That was weird…” Jare thought as he made his way into another co-worker's office.

“Hey Linda, do you have a moment?” he asked as he noticed she did indeed have a moment since she was scrolling through social media on her phone.

“Jare, for you I will always have a moment.” she answered as she turned her phone over to give him her undivided attention.

“Sweet as always. Listen, let’s keep this between you and me, please. I uh,” Jare paused for a moment to process how he could communicate the next words to his co-worker. She waited patiently knowing something important was coming up, “I just came from Henry’s office. I’m not sure if you know this, but his wife, Jada, has been missing. Today makes day 3.”

“Oh, my goodness, no, I didn’t know. How did I not know this?” Linda asked while standing up with a panic, ready to go see Henry.

“No, no, don’t feel bad. No-one knows. I believe I’m the only one.” Jare answered as he pulled a chair out from across Linda’s desk.

“What do you mean no-one else knows? If someone is missing, shouldn’t everyone know? Shouldn’t we be looking for her? Do the police know?” Linda asked as she slowly sat back into her chair. She noticed how concerned, yet calm Jare was, and she knew there was more to it.

“This is just my thinking,” Jare said as he rested his elbows on his thighs to then rest his chin on his clenched hands that made a fist, “ok, apparently, they argued on Tuesday night and she stormed out of the house. Henry said he wasn’t worried because she always stays at a friend's house and then returns the next morning. But Wednesday came, and she hadn’t returned. He figured she’d be home after work – but when he got home from work, she still wasn’t there. He texted a few of her friends the night prior, you know? When the fight occurred, and asked if Jada was with them. Everyone said no. He believed someone was lying because she must’ve still been upset. Apparently, the argument was worse than other times.

Wednesday and Thursday passed, and today is Friday. He still hasn’t heard from her, he hasn’t checked with her family, and he hasn’t checked in with her friends again. Yesterday he told me her phone is turned off and the Find My Phone thing isn’t working.” still letting his mind work on putting the thoughts together, Jare paused.

“It’s like it makes sense, but it doesn’t. If it’s an unhealthy marriage, then who knows what could’ve happened. She really could just be with a friend and worrying him on purpose to teach him a lesson. Maybe she finally left him for good. I’d be damn proud of her. I saw the bruise she had on her arm a few weeks ago. Baseball my ass. That woman is never outside in public.” Linda said as she adjusted herself on the chair and crossed her legs.

“You know, that wasn’t even the weird part of the whole encounter.” Jare said as he finally made eye contact with Linda.

“No?” She asked, curiously moving in closer to Jare to hear what he had to say.

“No. When I mentioned he should inform friends, family, and to call the police just to be on the safe side – he was more worried about becoming a suspect just in case something really did happen to her. He wasn’t a bit truly concerned about Jada.” Jare stood and tapped the table,

“If the police come asking questions, feel free to redirect them to me and let them know about what I just told you; but please don’t tell anyone else. I could be overreacting. She could truly be safe and actually chose to leave Henry. Hopefully.”

“Does this mean he will be calling the police?” Linda asked.

“I advised him to… but I’m not sure. If he doesn’t by tonight, I’ll let him know that I’ll be reporting her missing myself.”

“Alright boss, keep me updated and I got your back on whatever you need from me.” Linda said while flipping her phone back over to continue her daily consumption of social media.

“Will do. You let me know if you see or hear anything from Henry.” Jare requested. Linda winked at him in agreement, and he was on his way for a day’s work.

Jare knew he would have a difficult time focusing. His stomach turned at the thought that he could possibly be phoning the police in the evening to report what seemed to be the disappearance of Jada Madden.

—

6pm came around slowly for Jare. He was only able to distract himself from the thought of Henry and Jada during business phone calls. Other than that, he had a difficult time focusing on paperwork, meetings, and even during lunchtime. He looked at his phone and wondered if he should call the police, since the end of the workday had finally approached. As his eyes pierced through the pencil he continuously tapped on the desk, Jare heard a knock.

“Come on in.” He said, happy he was broken out of his thoughts.

“Hi Jare,” Henry said while slowly walking in and closing the door behind himself, “listen, uhm, I appreciate you coming in and talking with me this morning.”

“Of course.” Jare responded as he gestured his hand toward the chair across from him. Henry quickly sat down and began to scratch his ear as if it were to help him think.

“So, have you mentioned it to friends or family? Maybe you’ll be calling the police tonight?” Jare asked, hoping Henry was responsible enough to handle the situation. Jare didn’t want to be a part of it any more than he already was.

“Actually, that’s what I’ve been doing for the past few minutes. I’ve notified and explained myself to Jada’s friends and family. I did call the police, but we agreed it would be better if I went down to the station and spoke with someone in person. They’re actually waiting for me, so I better head out. I just wanted to thank you for putting my head in the right space and to update you on where I’m at with things.” Henry said. He shook Jare’s hand and gave it a tight squeeze.

“No need to thank me. Just happy I could help. Let me know if there’s anything you need from me, man.” Surprisingly, Jare said this as he felt the twist and turns in his stomach become worse. He thought hearing the news that Henry finally notified the police would bring him ease and happiness, but it was quite the opposite.

“Well then, assuming things go well over the weekend, I will see you on Monday.” Henry said as he waved goodbye and exited the office. Jare prepared his belongings and waited a few minutes to leave to make sure he didn’t run into anyone else. He wanted to go straight home, and he knew he worked with a few talkers that would keep him there well past 7pm.

Jare sat in his office chair working on getting his thoughts and emotions together. Unfortunately, his efforts were interrupted as he heard a knocked on his door again.

“Come in...” he said loudly, and then whispered to himself “... I guess.”

“You look upset.” Linda said as she walked in with all her stuff, seeming to be ready to go — yet also as if looking for a full conversation.

“No, not at all. Just ready to head home.” He said, hoping she’d get the hint and either end the conversation now, or keep it short.

“I walked past the lunchroom around 25 minutes ago. I overheard Henry on the phone, but it was only for a second. He did say he saw Jada after the fight.” Linda said while nodding her head up and down, as if answering “yes” to Jare’s confused expression.

“Are you sure he said that?” Jare asked, intrigued as could be.

“Yes. I was taking my time grabbing water, though I had a bottle in my office, but he doesn’t need to know that. Anyway, I heard him say, and I quote, ‘we had an argument Tuesday night, she left as usual, came back Wednesday and things were great between us. We kissed and made up. Suddenly, she was gone again.’ Then he slightly turned and noticed me getting the water, so I quickly quenched my thirst and got out of there.” She jokingly said.

“I knew something was off when he came in here admitting that he called the police.” Jare responded.

“So, he said he called the police? Do you believe him?” Linda asked.

“I have no choice but to. I’ll call him tomorrow morning to ‘see how he’s doing,’ and find out then. If not, then I’ll have to tell him that I have no choice but to make the phone call myself.” Jare said, now suddenly wishing he didn’t have to make the call — but he couldn’t let Linda know that.

“Alright then, I just thought I should let you know since you asked me to keep you informed. I’ve got to get out of here. My husband owes me a foot massage.” Linda said as she walked out of Jare’s office without actually saying goodbye.

Jare again waited a few minutes to finally make his way to the car. His stomach was still twisting and turning, and his mind was racing with thought after thought. Before he knew it, he was parked in his garage with the door closed.

—

“When did I get here?” He asked himself as he wondered if he had stopped at all the stop signs, and if he had stopped at any red lights. He couldn’t remember the drive, but he was happy he made it home safely.

Jare walked into the house and closed the door behind himself. It was dark, cold, and silent. Jare stood in the entrance of the living room without turning on the lights.

“Dark, cold, quiet, — and lonely.” He said to himself as he dropped his suitcase on the floor.

“I am a deserving man. I deserve a better life than this.” He said as he turned on the first switch — illuminating the entrance of the living room.

“I don’t deserve the loneliness I’ve felt all these years. The disrespect of women choosing abusive and unworthy men over me just because they look better than I do. Just because they smell better and make more money than I do.” He said as he flicked on the next light switch.

“I deserve a wife. Someone for me to love and for her to love me.” Jare then kicked off his shiny work shoes and made his way through the living room. He looked into his bedroom and noticed how it was exactly as he’d left it before leaving for work in the morning.

“Henry took advantage of what he had.” Jare said loudly as he began walking away from his bedroom and down the hall to the next door down, “If I had a woman like Jada, I would’ve cherished her.” Jare pulled out his keys and unlocked the door. The guest bedroom looked exactly as he had left it in the morning as well. The bed made, the window bolted shut, and his new beautiful lady was tied down to a chair, hands cuffed behind her back, ankles cuffed to the chair, blindfolded, and Jada’s mouth sewn shut.

“Jada. Tonight starts the game of cat and mouse. Do you know who the mouse is?” Jare asked as he began to change out of his work clothes to avoid getting any evidence on them. He threw them out into the hallway and made his way back to Jada.

“You and I are, my dear. Well, I guess that makes us mice.

“Your undeserving husband, the one you chose over me, has finally called your friends, family, and maybe even the police to let them know you’ve been missing.” Jare caressed Jada’s lips and noticed she was too weak to pull away from him as she usually did.

“I did a fantastic job with the stitches, but maybe it’s time I cut them and allow you to eat something. I don’t want you to think I don’t care about you — because I truly do. Unlike that husband of yours. Do you want to know what he said to me today? You won’t believe it.” Jare asked Jada as he stepped away to get a knife.

Jada’s head hung low, and her wrists and ankles were bruised deeply. Her breaths were shallow and her skin was pale. All she could think about was how unworthy she felt in life. Tuesday night, she and her husband had argued over his infidelity. Henry then placed his hands around her neck and slammed her into a wall. Out of fear, sadness, and anger she ran out of the house. Luckily, her phone was in her pocket, but she didn’t want to burden any friends, family, or neighbors. They’ve all been telling her to leave Henry, they knew how badly he treated her — but she never listened.

Jada then on purpose, yet accidentally, called Jare. She knew he always had a soft spot for her, he always wanted her, he always promised her the life she wanted; but he wasn’t as attractive, rich, or manly as Henry was.

“Jare, hi. Sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean to dial you, I meant to dial my sister Jenny. I guess I’m a bit frazzled and accidentally dialed you instead. I apologize.” It was silent for a moment. Jada made her way to a bench near a bus stop hoping Jare would sound excited to hear her voice.

“Uhm, it’s me, Jada.” She said, as she heard Jare breathing, but not respond.

“Yes, Jada. I’m sorry to hear that you’re frazzled. And I’m sorry for taking so long to respond. I’m just in a bit of a shock. I never expect you to call me, but again, this was an accidental call.” He said to her.

“Yes, or no. I’m not sure. Henry and I got into a huge fight. I left the house and I’m sitting alone at a bus stop at,” she pulled her phone away to notice the time, “oh my goodness, I'm sitting alone at a bus stop at 11:36 at night. This is insane, even for me.”

“No, no. I work with Henry, I’ve known him for years — I know how intense he can be. I’m sure you made the right decision by walking out tonight.” Jare said, comfortingly. They both stayed on the phone in silence for a lengthy moment, until Jare finally had the idea.

“How about you tell me where you are, and I’ll come pick you up; but promise me you won’t tell anyone that I’m coming to get you. If Henry finds out, I could lose my job, I’d lose him as a friend, and with you being a married woman, it will look terrible on both of us.” Jada smiled as she knew she was getting what she wanted.

“It’ll be our little secret.” Jada said as she began to give him her location.

Jare walked back into the room with a knife in 1 hand and cold mashed potatoes in another.

“Did you guess what he said today? No? Well, let me tell you.” Jare said as he held Jada’s head up to start cutting the stitches.

“He said he hopes he doesn’t become a suspect in your disappearance since it took him so long to report you missing. Yes, you heard correctly. He’s more worried about himself than he is about you.

“Well, there you go. All done.” Jare said as he cut the last of it. Jada had tears running down her cheeks as she tried to not move her lips. She was in excruciating pain and would rather starve to death than move her mouth.

“I have cold mashed potatoes for you. Cheese and garlic.” Jare said as he began to gently feed Jada a half spoonful of the mashed potatoes.

“I told my co-worker, Linda, you remember Linda — I told her about Henry’s response. And we all know that woman loves to gossip. She also overheard him switch up the story he originally told me. First, he hadn’t seen you since Tuesday, then suddenly he saw you on Wednesday. We both know he didn’t see you on Wednesday.

“Anyway, before we know it, Henry will be the number 1 suspect in your disappearance, your body will never be found, the case will go cold, and you and I will be together forever.”