The Forging Read online

“Mike I can’t take this. I’ve never taken any charity in my life. I’m not going to now.” I tried to put the envelope back in his hand.

  “Damn it, Nate. If you don't let us help, consider it a gift to your little girl’s college fund,” Mike took the envelope and stuffed it into my shirt’s pocket. I didn’t know what to say. Mike and I had never been exactly friends, but he had always been fair to me. Put me up for the assistant manager job too. He is a decent man. I respect him even if he is a bit nuts about his desk. He wished me luck, turned, and walked back to the store. There is no spring in his step. He shuffled slow and not quite in a straight line. He walked like a man convicted to spend his last precious moments in a chair which plugs into the wall. This had been hard on him, and it isn’t getting any easier either. When Mr. Waters breaks the news to Marcy, Mike will have to pick up the pieces.

  I yelled at Mike’s back as he walked back, “Don’t let them break you, Mike.” He stopped for a moment and turned back toward me. We locked gazes for a moment, and Mike did a little nod of affirmation. Mike headed back to the store with a stride which no longer belonged to a broken man.

  I sat in my car for a few minutes. My mind is blank. A plan is what I need. Nothing came to mind, notta, bupkiss, snake eyes. I would even settle for a “Hail-Mary” plan. What am I going to tell Char? What does a man say to his family when he loses his job?

  He lies. That sounds right.

  I have enough in the emergency fund to cover the bills for a couple of months, and with unemployment, I could stretch it a few more. In time, I am sure I could find another job. Yes, I’ll be like a cat and land on my feet. Oh, yes, delude yourself. It will be a sound start to a new beginning.

  I could hire a lawyer and make a fight of it. I have never backed away from a just fight. They had no right to fire me. They had no proof I am involved with Mark Galos. What made them think I am in cahoots with a madman? Yes, I’ll hire a lawyer. Months of depositions, negotiations, offers, and counteroffers. We will come to an agreement, and when it comes time to sign on the dotted line, they will back out. We will come to another accord, and my lawyer will say we can negotiate a better deal and then we back out. Months will turn into years. It will go on and on with no resolution. If we do come to a deal, Mr. Law Degree will take forty percent, and I will get my job back. I will be working for a company looking for any excuse to fire me once again. What a joy it will be. Hire a lawyer. What am I thinking? I’m not thinking at least not with my brains.

  I can’t lie to Charlene. I have never lied to her before. I took a vow to love, honor, and cherish her and a lie like this would dishonor her and our marriage.

  Still, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. I’ll have to put some spin on it. I’ll tell her I will find a day job with weekends off. That sounds believable. Maybe I will find a job in the daytime with weekends off. Yea right and maybe monkeys will fly out of my butt.

  I’ve been delaying the inevitable long enough. I need some music to drive home by something snappy and happy. I know. I commanded my mental iPod to play “Walking on Sunshine.” It started right up without a word from my DJ. That is strange. I listened for a moment in the dark there in my car. I keep stalling. Fear is keeping me from doing what I need to do. The fear of disappointing my wife. It’s time to head home and break the bad news to Char. I put the key in the ignition and turned it. Nothing. My car didn’t make a noise. Crap!

  I walked around to the front. I opened the hood and looked in. Well, the engine is still there, so that’s not the problem. I glanced at the tires. They had air. That’s not the problem. Working on cars had never been my forte. I have always hated getting my hands dirty. I’m a lover, not a fixer. Oh, I know where the gas goes and how to start it, but that is the extent of my automotive knowledge. I may have perfect recall, but I had never read a book on car repairs. Even if I had read one, knowledge alone can’t replace practical experience. This night could not get any worse.

  I felt the wetness of raindrops starting to hit me. They are slow at first, but as I looked up to the heavens to ask why, it started to pour. Double crap. I slammed the hood back down and dashed back into the car before I got too wet. Evidently not fast enough because by the time I made it back into the car, I was soaked. My wiseass DJ started playing “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” “Quit mocking me,” I thought to myself.

  “But I do it so well. Oh yeah!” came back from the DJ.

  I was about to think it couldn’t be any worse, but I stopped myself before the car’s roof could be ripped away by a tornado. On the other hand, Char has always wanted a convertible. I pulled out my cell phone and called for a tow.

  Click. Click. Click. The sound of keys tapping on the glass of the driver side window started before I flipped my phone closed and made me jump out of my skin. “You called for a tow, sir?” the feminine voice asked.

  “Jiminy cripes, give a guy a little warning before you startle him.”

  “Sorry, are you the gentleman who called for a tow?” the tow driver asked through the glass. She stood there looking at me.

  I opened the door and jumped out quickly, trying to avoid getting the inside of my car too wet. “Yes, I called for the tow,” I stood there facing her as I spoke. She is wearing yellow slickers with reflective strips on her back, front, arms, and legs. I couldn’t manage a decent look at her face in the rain. She has the hood up, and it cast shadows over her face.

  “What seems to be the problem?” her voice is pleasant sweet even.

  “It won’t start. Other than that, your guess is better than mine.”

  “Well, let’s take a look-see,” she kind of giggled her response. She walked around to the front of the car and popped the hood. From my vantage point, I couldn’t see what she is doing, and I didn’t want to look over her shoulder. I hate it when someone hovers over me. So, I gave her the courtesy I would want. “Give it a try.”

  I got behind the wheel and turned the key. Vroom. It sounded better than when I drove it to work. Wait, I shouldn’t use the “W” word anymore. I left the car idling while I talked with the tow-truck driver. “What did you do?”

  “Oh, I only coaxed it a little bit. But she’ll run fine for you now. You know machines are a lot like women. If you show them a little special attention once in a while, they will purr at your every touch,” she closed the hood and brushed off her hands. For the briefest of moments, I could see her hands. They are rather striking. There is no grease or grime on them. I could see long slender fingers with an impeccable French manicure. I never understood why a woman would get a French manicure. It leaves your fingernails looking like fingernails with a large white stripe to mimic a free-edge and clear or blush polish on the rest of the nail. It seems pointless to me.

  Since her face is still shrouded in shadows, I could only guess if I am looking her in the eyes. “New on the job?” I asked.

  “No, it seems like I have been doing this forever.”

  “The reason I ask is your hands are beautiful. You must be extra careful while you work,” she immediately hid her hands. Odd. Most women proudly continue to display a feature you compliment. She became uncomfortable and started to fidget a bit. “I’m sorry. Don’t worry, it’s not like I have a fetish or something,” I pulled out my wallet. “So tell me. How much do I owe you? You really saved my bacon here.”

  “It wasn’t any work. I can’t charge you. We’re square.”

  “I can’t let do that. Your boss will be mad that you didn’t charge me. Please. What do I owe you?” She saved me a great deal of time and effort. I couldn’t let it go.

  “I’m my own boss you could say. And I say no charge today. You can pay extra next time.”

  Next time? I hope my car doesn’t break down again. Her face is still shrouded in shadow, and I felt rather than saw her smiling. I don’t like to be beholden to anyone. I pay my debts. Always have. “There must be…”

  Before I could finish my sentence, she took a few of those beautiful fingers and put
them over my mouth. “A gift should be taken for what it is without anything more than a thank you.”

  An electric charge ran through my body. It is sinfully pleasant and made me feel awkward. It has been a very long time since a woman’s touch, other than Charlene’s, has done this to me. I took a half step back. It feels like I am cheating on my wife having this kind of sensation. I know I wasn’t cheating, but it still made me feel ashamed. “Thank you,” as I spoke the words, they came out slow and halting. “For the car, I mean.” Wow, I sound like I am still in high school. I can be such a putz sometimes.

  Most of the time.

  She lowered her hand, “You’re welcome,” she said with a smile, “Isn’t this better than the cold exchange of monies for services rendered?” She turned and started back toward her tow-truck. And as she walked, she spoke over her shoulder, “Nathan, if you feel like you need to pay me, you can always do a kindness for a stranger someday. It will earn you a little positive karma. We all need a little bit of positive karma,” she got in her truck, started it up, and was on her way.

  I stood there in the rain getting even more soaked as I watched her drive away. After a moment, I shook myself back to reality then sat in my car. I looked at the time on my cell phone. Well, if I head home now, Char is sure to be up still. I need to wrap my head around all that has happened today. I think I will drive around the city a bit and settle my thoughts. I turned on the car’s radio to listen to some tunes. Normally when I am alone, I’ll use my trusty memory for music. With so much on my mind, I didn’t want to expend the concentration. I needed all the neurons I have to work this problem through.

  Going nowhere, in particular, I eventually found myself on Shelter Island. I parked the car to look out over the bay. The rain had finally let up. I walked around to the front of the car. I leaned back and rested against the hood. The wind is blowing, and there is a little bit of a chill to the air, not to mention I’m still soaked to the bone. The warmth the engine is giving off kept my butt pleasantly toasty, so I weathered the chill okay. The lights of the city danced on the water as I stood there watching. I could hear the ripples on the bay lap up against the rocks which line the island. My mind is finally at rest, it is quiet, calm, and relaxed. I can think.

  “You are so screwed,” the voice in my head told me. “Yea, tell me something I don’t know!” I dread telling Char the news. She worries. Mostly she worries about me. Since she saved my life, she has always worried about me. Having someone who worries about you makes you feel all warm inside.

  I have been here looking out at the bay for fifteen, maybe twenty minutes with my mind blank. I am only being. I have never been one for the whole Zen thing, but I must admit it does have a certain appeal. I looked at the time again. It is safe to go home. Char is sure to be asleep by now, so I headed home.

  I stopped at the corner “Oh thank Heaven for Seven-Eleven,” bought a newspaper and Diet Pepsi. In the morning, I won’t waste any time. Right after breakfast, I’ll start looking in the Help Wanted ads. In a little display by the register, there are bouquets of flowers for sale. I grabbed the freshest looking one and bought it. The flowers will make a pleasant little surprise for my girls.

  I opened the front door and entered as quietly as a ninja. I was greeted by the familiar thumping of Blossom’s tail on her bed. I quickly set my purchases down and went over to give the old girl a pat. Next, I put the flowers in a vase with some water and placed it in the center of the dining room table. I turned the lights off and headed to the bedroom. Once there, I quietly changed into my jammies and slipped into bed. At first, I thought I would have a hard time getting to sleep with my body clock being backward, but surprisingly, I was able to drift off quickly.

  Chapter Five

  The whimper then low growl from Blossom woke me out of a restful sleep. I threw off the covers and sat up in bed. As I tried to rub the sleep from my eyes, I told my wife. “Char, I think Blossom’s time has come. Stay here. I will go be with her.”

  Oh crap! Not this dream again. I hate it when I have recurring dreams. It’s bad enough I can relive my bad memories. Now I relive my nightmares too. Not this time.

  “Are you sure? No, I should be there too,” Charlene answered. I sensed she is crying.

  “There is nothing you can do for the old girl. Try to go back to sleep,” I reached over and squeezed my wife’s hand. I stood and slowly made my way to the living room. Blossom’s growl started to grow louder. I heard the sound of someone trying to jimmy the lock on the front door. “Who can it be behind door number one? Give me a second, and I’ll unlock it.” I yelled back to Char, “Honey, we have company.” Before I could open the door, the sound of pounding then wood splintering replaced the jimmying. “Oh, now you’ve done it. I will have to replace the door.”

  Char came out of the bedroom, wrapping a robe around her. “Nathan, what’s going on?” She screamed, “Oh my God. Someone’s trying to break in,” she went running out of the room.

  “Don’t go running off Char, it’s only a dream,” I heard the door finally give way. Mark Galos pushed his way through the remnants of my front door. “Hi, Mark. I’ll be with you in a second. Have a seat. Say would you like something to drink?” I turned around to head for the kitchen. When I had finished the turn, I felt a slamming into my back. I heard a snap and felt an odd tingle. I fell forward and crumbled to the ground. I have a lovely sideways view of my living room and down the hall towards my bedroom.

  “What are you playing at Mr. Clerk Guy? You know I’m here to kill you.”

  I couldn’t move. I guess my back is broken in this little dream of mine. I heard him take a few steps toward me. Suddenly his feet are in my view. I tried to look up at him, but I still couldn’t move.

  “Well, get up. I’m not done tormenting you yet.”

  “Sorry, can’t help you. I can’t move.” He kicked me in the ribs, I think. I didn’t feel anything. “Sorry, Mark. I don’t feel like playing anymore,” I put my will to work to end this nightmare. Nothing had changed. I didn’t understand. Willing my dreams to change has always worked before.

  “You go all mental on me there, Mr. Clerk Guy? Your cross-examination too much for you? Lose your grip on reality? Well, I’ll get no enjoyment with you like this. Guess I will have to find someone else to entertain me.” He stomped down the hall and turned the corner for the bedrooms.

  Ok, this has been enough. I set my will to change the dream again. I tried so hard sweat started rolling down my face. I heard Char scream and my daughter cry. I heard the sounds of a scuffle. Mark Galos howled in pain. No. This is my dream. I am in control here, not the figments. I closed my eyes and pictured a better dream. How about a cabin in the woods with a roaring fire? I felt a kick. This time it was to my face.

  “No closing your eyes. You have to watch. Keep them open, or I’ll cut your eyelids off, so you’ll have to watch,” he had my wife by the hair. It looked like he dragged her into the room by it. He had roughed her up. There is a welt on her face and the beginning of a black eye. She was whimpering.

  “Don’t hurt my daughter. I’ll do anything you ask. Please don’t hurt her,” Char took her hand and started stroking his leg. “Anything!”

  “Anything? Can you die for me?” Mark Galos reached down with both hands and grabbed the sides of my wife’s head. Then with a twist and a jerk, the sound of my wife’s neck breaking came to my ears. “Wow. I haven’t done that in lifetimes. I’m glad to know I still have the touch,” he let Char’s lifeless body drop. “Sorry, bitch. You’re not my type.” He spat on her. “That is for the bite.”

  “This is a dream. This is a dream.” I screamed, “THIS IS JUST A DREAM!” My wife’s eyes are staring at me. They are lifeless, but they still shouted accusations at me. This isn’t a nightmare; it is a night terror. I feel guilty and ashamed. I failed my family. Even in this dream, agony filled my being.

  “This is getting boring. There is no satisfaction in it anymore,” Mark Galos took his foot
and pushed my head so I could see his face. “Mr. Clerk Guy, my time is getting short. Know this. Your daughter will die also. She won’t die tonight, but she will die soon. I will have a little pleasure with her at first. She will experience such sweet torment. I will extract payment from her for your debt to me. Fair compensation to me for wasted time. You could not let the robbery go. You wouldn’t let it fall through the cracks. They sent me to a loony bin based on your statements. But who would not be a little crazy wasting so many lifetimes as a witness to witless fools? Yes, I won’t waste what I have rightfully taken. Your daughter’s life is mine now. I will let her live for a few days, perhaps a week. I will let her live with the horror of seeing you both like this before I make her pain end.” He reached for the sledgehammer he used to break into the house. I saw him lift it high above his head.

  “I don’t understand this. I want to wake up. WAKE UP!”

  “What? You think all this is a dream? Not hardly,” he swung the hammer down onto my head. All around me is the cold blackness of oblivion.

  “Nathan, wake up you’re having a nightmare.” Charlene was gently shaking me awake.

  I woke with my side of the sheets and my pillowcase soaking wet. Night sweats, I hate night sweats. You have a cold, clammy feeling the second you realize what happened. “Huh? What time is it?” I asked.

  “It’s still early. Why are you home? Did you have a migraine again?” Charlene turned toward me in bed with her hand resting on my shoulder. The room is still mostly dark with a hint of sunlight making its presence known. It is neither dark nor light. The half-shadow of twilight gave the room an eerie noir look.

  “I will tell you after breakfast. I’m going to take a shower,” I started to stand, but Char kept her hand on my shoulder and wouldn’t let me rise.

  “Not so fast. It’s not every morning I can cuddle with my man. I want to enjoy this.” She laid her head on my shoulder. She took a deep breath in through her nose. She whispered, “You smell good. You smell safe,” she started making lazy circles on my chest, letting the hair there curl around her finger. It tickled and felt pleasing at the same time.