He's Back

"It’s been a long day," Tia said. She leaned over and gave Dion a kiss. "Happy birthday. Don't overdo it. And no driving!" She handed him a card. “Alex and I wanted to make sure you get home safely. It’s for you and Kelli to use for your ride home. And who knows, there might be another surprise for you there.

"Thanks, you two. We're glad you came," Dion said.

Alex shook Dion's hand, turned toward the door, and lead them outside to the car. They pulled into the driveway thirty minutes later and went inside.

“Kelli really surprised Dion tonight. It was a great party. I’m so happy she was able to keep it a secret.”

“Let’s have a glass of wine and then go to bed. We promised your brother we would help him move tomorrow.”

“Wine sounds great. Grab the chocolate on your way back too.” Tia put on some light jazz, kicked her shoes off, and flopped on the couch.

“Are you making that wine?”

“Be right there.”

Alex had the wine, two glasses, a box of chocolate, and a bag of chips. She loved that man. He knew her so well. He put everything on the coffee table, and poured, handing her a glass then sitting beside her. She snuggled in close, putting her head on his shoulder.

“I’m glad we came home when we did. Our friends will be there to close the place down. Honestly, I’d rather be here with you.”

Before he could say a word, they heard a knock at the door.

“Who could that possibly be? It’s after midnight.”

“I’ll check. You stay here.”

Never one to listen, she pushed past him. She looked out the peep hole, but no one was there. Tia yanked open the door and looked around. There it was, on her welcome mat. A box wrapped in brown paper.

“It can’t be.”

“What can’t be?”

“No. Not again.”

“Tia—"

“He promised me this was over.”

“Who? Who promised you? What are you talking about?”

Her hand shook as she pointed. “It’s been years. I thought it was over. He said it was over.”

“Tia, you’re scaring me.”

“Alex, a couple years before we met, I was being harassed by a co-worker. It started out harmless but escalated from there.”

Alex pointed. “There’s something written on it.”

She didn’t need to look, but she had to know for sure.

They both bent over and stared at the package. Only her name and address graced the box.

Alex leaned over further to grab it.

“No,” she screamed. “Don’t touch it. I’m calling Detective Brown. He promised me this wouldn’t happen again.”

“Promised you what wouldn’t happen again?”

“This. Him. These packages. You have no idea.”

“Let’s go inside. I want you to tell me everything. Start from the beginning. I have no idea what’s going on.”

“You don’t understand.”

“I want to.”

“I don’t understand. How did he find me?”

“How did who find you?”

She shook her head. He was supposed to be in jail for the next twenty years. How did he get out?

“Tia—"

“After the trial, Detective brown and the prosecuting attorney promised me that he’d never hurt me again.” Her hand trembled as she pointed at the box. “This. This is how it started. Small packages. And it got worse. After his conviction, I thought it was over. Detective Brown said it was over and that he’d never harass me again.”

“I’m not going to let him hurt you.”

“He wanted to date. We went out a couple of times. It didn’t work out. At least it didn’t work out for me but he couldn’t let it go. He sent me things. Always wrapped in brown paper. And he always wrote in green sharpie. At first, they cute gifts, then—” She shook her head.

“I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“You wouldn’t. I never talked about it. I wanted to put it behind me. I never thought—”

He brushed a tear from her cheek.

“Alex, I shut him down. Refused to talk to him. I wanted nothing to do with him. But he kept trying. Kept calling. At work, he told our co-workers we were dating. I denied it. But he persisted. Insisting that I was his. That’s when I knew.”

Alex put his arm around her and led them both inside. Tia stopped just inside the door, pointed, and shook uncontrollably. “How did he get in here? We were only outside for a few seconds. We’ve got to get out of here. He’s crazy.”

Alex pulled out his phone. “I’m calling the police.”

“We’ll call from the car. He’s crazy. We need to get out of here.”

Tia grabbed her purse, pulling on her shoes as she made her way to the door. “Alex now.” She threw the door open and stopped dead in her tracks. Another package. Three. In the same night. This couldn’t be happening again.

“Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

That she whispered. Rustling leaves and crackling coming from the bushes.

Alex rushed them to his car and yanked open the passenger door. Sitting on the front seat of the car was another package. A fourth package. Dear God. He’d found her. Where was he. She turned her head frantically looking for him.

“Get in. We’ll deal with this at the station.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. It took her months of therapy to get over this the first time. She didn’t know if she could do this again.

Alex pushed her in and ran to his side of the car. He stared the engine and sped away, calling the police as he did. He filled them in on what he knew, and Tia asked for Detective Brown. He wasn’t in, but the message would be relayed.

Alex’s phone rang seconds later.

“Listen to me. He’s escaped. And all he talked about was getting revenge. Get here as fast as you can and don’t stop for any reason.”

Tia knew him. He might have wanted her to pay, but he enjoyed watching her suffer. Like he did before. She breathed faster. She wouldn’t let him get to her. Not again.

Not ever.