Joseph

Saturday, December 12, 2002

Evening

The supermarket was less packed than usual and I just walked around with my small cart. Putting the variest ingredients and meats in my cart. Now that Sebastian didn't live with me, I could get whatever I wanted. The aroma of freshly baked bread and muffins filled my nose as I entered the bakery section. I hadn't had a sweet in a long time. It'd been so long since I'd had anything that wasn't a small bag of candy. 

"Free sample?" a woman asked with a tray of cupcakes.

"Uh, sure!" I chirped. She handed one to me. I bit into it, and it tasted like a rainbow in my mouth. I took two more bites, licking the frosting off my lips. "Can you tell me where I can get these?"

She giggled as she pointed to a cashier. I was taken aback by the person. "Pete?" 

He looked up from his phone with a huge smile. "Joseph? hey!" He sputtered, with his cute little white apron on.

"I didn't know you worked here..."

He rubbed his neck, looking embarrassed. "Yeah... Since we don't have work for a few days, I got a second job. Just to pass the time, but I'm about to get off in a few minutes."

It'd be nice to talk to someone... "Wanna hang out? Tired of being stuck in the house."

His face grew into that huge smile I was used to. "Sure!"

"Okay, well, Sweet Pete, what do you suggest I get?"

He looked behind him, scanning the endless trays of cupcakes and other sweets. "Uh- How does..." he trailed, "A cheesecake with berries sound?"

The hunger in me grew more with that description. "Sounds amazing!" He took it out of the fridge, setting it on the counter. "How much?"

"I'll pay, I picked it..." He mumbled.

"Pete, shut up and let me pay for it," I insisted, handing him my debit card.

He swiped it. "Fine, but I owe you. " he grinned, handing it back to me.

"You hanging out with me is the payment," I smiled, putting it at the bottom of the cart. "So I'm gonna go put all this away but I'll come back and give you that ride you wanted." a huge red tint grew on his face, and his eyes darted around the room, "Pete, a ride in my car!" I clarified, laughing.

"Oh right! Sorry, my mind went south..." Might have just opened another side of him... "I'll be near the Chinese food store when you come back."

"Ooo, I should get that too!" I squealed, getting a few stares. "I'll be back," I mouthed, getting a laugh out of him.

The ride home was quiet but positive. The anticipation of eating something that wasn't a plant, or fruit was enough to keep my mind off everything. Then it crossed my mind. "Alex... Shit!" I gasped, pulling my phone out of my pocket pulling into the driveway.

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Alex

Are you okay? I'm worried... Just call me, please. I typed.

I stepped out of the car, grabbing the bags from the backseat. My mind raced around every bad scenario, waiting on a response. Minutes went by of nothing and my stress went up with it.

Stepping into my house, everything smelt of fragrance and the air was cold.

Alex, please text me back. I just need to know you're okay.

A few seconds went by of nothing...

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He's fine Joseph. Just put everything away and pick Pete up. Think positive. I shoved my phone in my pocket, putting the groceries on the table. I went back outside, picking up the cake and other groceries out of the trunk. 

"Joseph?" somebody asked. I turned around to an officer.

"Jack?"

He smiled, taking the cake out of my hand. "Let me help..." He slammed my trunk close, following me into the house. "So I got a lead."

I set the rest of the groceries on the table, turning to him. "So what's going on?"

He set the cake on the counter. "We questioned his friend Rachel, and she named Alex as someone we should look out for." My heart dropped at the name. "You know him?"

"Yes, I'm dating him"

His eyes widened. "You do know he killed someone, right? He has a pretty long record"

"Yes, I know, but what about Alex?"

"Where was he? The day Felix killed himself?"

"It wasn't him."

His eyes grew with suspicion, and I knew I'd have to think of my words wisely. "It wasn't? and why do you feel that?"

"The voice on the phone wasn't his," my mind went back to the guy from earlier. "But it did sound like a guy that was here just a few hours ago."

He pulled a notepad out, writing with speed. "Did he have a red car?"

The image of Alex shoving him to his car popped up. "Yes!"

He jotted down on his notes again. "Thanks for the information!" He stressed, rushing out the door.

I pulled my phone out in a heartbeat, calling and texting.

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Alex

Please respond to me, just call me... I'm worried.

There was no response, and that just freaked me out even more. I needed a distraction, and that's what Pete was gonna be...

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The drive back to the market was quick and stressed filled. after being lost for a few minutes, I found the Chinese store. I pulled up and his face was like a deer in headlights. "Your car is so hot..."

I chuckled, unlocking the passenger side. "Come on, we have to figure out where we're going."

He ran around the car like a child, getting into the car. He looked around the inside in pure amazement. "Damn, you're so lucky..." His face turned to a frown, and all the energy he had just fallen. This would be the first time I'd ever seen him not smile, and I didn't like it.

"Hey.." I beamed, nudging his shoulder. "When a better model comes out, I'll give you this one for free."

His eyes widened, bigger than I'd ever seen from him. "Joseph, stop joking with me."

"No, I'm serious and the next one comes out in four months so it's all yours then."

He just stared at me in pure shock. "Joseph, you seriously are the coolest human I've met other than Sarah," he bubbled, shaking his head in disbelief.

All I did was laugh, looking out at the people walking around the parking lot. "So, where are we going?"

He opened his mouth before his phone went off. He scrolled, reading something before a huge sigh escaped his mouth. "They need me there, I'm sorry Joseph..."

A huge wave of disappointment washed over me. I wasn't mad at him or anything. I just needed someone at the moment. Support. "I get it, maybe another time..."

He looked out the window, then at me. "I didn't wanna tell you, but I saw Alex. " He rubbed his neck as I stared him down. "Threaten that patient."

My eyes were glued to him. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"He said he'd cut me if I told you..." He put his arm on my shoulder. "Joseph, he's not a good guy..."

"Did you tell the cop this?"

"No, do you want me to?" he asked, causing this surge of energy through me.

"No! Don't say anything!" "Promise me, Pete!" I exclaimed.

"I promise!" he rushed. My feelings were all over the place. It felt like a ton of bricks were being thrown at me. Every hit made me wanna cry harder and harder. "Joseph, I can call off."

My thoughts were fixated on Alex and only Alex. "No, I'll be fine..."

"I'll call you after, okay?" I just nodded, giving him a weak smile.

As he ran through the now pouring rain, the thought of Alex being the reason just bubbled up in my head. The voice on the phone didn't sound like him, but maybe Lance was right... Maybe I'm doing the same thing I did with Sebastian...

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Hope you enjoyed the Chapter!

Sincerely, R.J