I am a man that wants things to go my way; when they don’t, I get very frustrated, borderline angry. I am not getting what I want; I am not getting the information that I want, the results I am looking for. It is taking too long; patience is not something I practice very well.
I want to know who Ava Brown is, and I want to know today, both the one lying next to me and the mysterious one that Dominic came across.
We need to have this conversation.
Trayton ~ “Baby girl.”
Ava~ “Yes?”
Trayton ~ “Can we talk now? Mom said, you been asking questions.”
Ava~ “Yes, I have been. It’s so easier asking her than you.”
Trayton ~ “Why do you say that?”
Trayton ~ “Baby, you are not scared of me, are you?”
Ava~ “I am scared that you are a bad man that hurt people.”
Trayton ~ “Baby, I only hurt bad people.”
Ava~ “What do you mean?”
Trayton ~ “I hurt people that have hurt other people.”
Ava~ “Did a bad man hurt your dad?”
Trayton ~ “Yes, a good friend and a business partner, a very bad man.”
Ava~ “What did he do?”
Trayton ~ “He got someone to kill him, and my mom.”
Ava~ “Is this why your mom is still scared?”
Trayton ~ “Yes. She was in a home for seven years. She did not speak to anyone”
Ava~ “But she does now?”
Trayton ~ “Yes, after I visited her to talk about you.”
Ava~ “Really? Why?”
Trayton ~ “Because I don’t know if I know how to treat women right.”
Ava~ “You treat me right no matter how full I shit I am.”
Trayton ~ “And you can be full of shit.”
I watch her as she takes in what I have just told her, she seems to be taking it well so far, but she wants to know more.
Ava~ “What happened to this bad man? Did he go to jail?”
Trayton ~ “No, he did not.”
Ava~ “Did he get away with it?”
Trayton ~ “No, he did not.”
Ava~ “And the people that shot them?”
Trayton ~ “No, they did not either.”
Ava~ “What happened to them then?”
Trayton ~ “I killed them”
What I fear would happen happens. She pushes away from me, clear shock on her face, even a horrifying look of fear.
Trayton ~ “Ivy, please don’t be scared of me.”
Ava~ “I am not. I understand why you did it.”
Trayton ~ “Then what is wrong?”
Ava~ “I am scared to get hurt.”
Trayton ~ “Ivy, I would never hurt you. I love you.”
Ava~ “What?”
Trayton ~ “I said I would never hurt you.”
Ava~ “After that.”
Trayton ~ “I said I love you.”
She has gone dead quiet. I did not mean for it to come out, but it has come out, and I am glad it did. I actually am relieved; it’s been burning me up for such a long time now. I don’t expect her to say it, but she needs to know that I love her, and I will not let anything happen to her.
Ava~ “Baby, I have never had someone say that to me and really meant it.”
Trayton ~ “Ivy, I mean every word of it.”
She grabs me around my neck and kisses me full on my lips. She pulls away and stares deep into my eyes with a big smile on her face.
Ava~ “I can’t say that word but me too.”
Trayton ~ “What are you talking about?”
Ava~ “I do that word too.”
Trayton ~ “I can settle for that.”
She has made me the happiest man in the world, now more than ever do I need to know what haunts her.
Ava~ “I have to go talk to your mom.”
Trayton ~ “About what?”
Ava~ “Girl stuff.”
Trayton ~ “Okay, I will be downstairs.”
Downstairs I only find Dominic in the lounge.
Trayton ~ “And now? Where is the rest of everybody?”
Dominic ~ “The girls left, and I think Joseph is in the shower. Why do you look so damn happy?”
Trayton ~ “I finally told her.”
Dominic ~ “Told her what?”
Trayton ~ “That I love her.”
Dominic
“It’s about fucking time.”
Dominic ~ “You had my damn balls in a knot.”
Dominic is off; there is something wrong, he is not acting himself; I have known him long enough to know it is bad.
Trayton ~ “Did you and Emma fight?”
Dominic ~ “No, we good.”
Trayton ~ “What is up with you then?”
Dominic ~ “I need to tell you something. Where is Ivy?”
Trayton ~ “Talking to my mom. What is going on?”
Dominic ~ “I managed to get my hands on a photo for that AvaBrown we told you about.”
Trayton ~ “That’s great news”
Trayton ~ “Let me see it.”
Dominic hands me the photo of that girl that appeared out of nowhere, AvaBrown. I have not really been worried about it, I have considered it as a dead-end, and this photo will just confirm my suspicions.
Trayton ~ “It’s Ivy! My Ivy!”
Dominic ~ “Sorry man. I wish I did not have to show you that.”
Trayton ~ “Do you have anything else? Where did she come from? What did she do?”
Dominic ~ “I don’t know yet. It’s fucking hard to pin her down. I am not getting anything through the legal system. She has not done anything bad that I can find. I have picked her up at the Bureau, though, but the records are sealed.”
Trayton ~ “Fucking unseal them. I want to know who this woman is. You don’t just appear out of nowhere.”
This is not how I wanted my day to start; upstairs is a woman that I love and care about, and I have just found out that she might not even be who she says she really is.
How do I deal with this? I don’t want to push her away, but I don’t know who she is. I can’t be around her right now, not until I know what is going on.
…………………………
Upstairs with Ivy…
I need to speak to Mary about this whole I love you thing; how can I say it after what had happened.
I knock on the door, but instead of waiting, I just enter.
Ava~ “Oh fuck Mary.”
Mary ~ “Ivy!”
Ava~ “Sorry I should have knocked harder.”
Clearly embarrassed, I make my way downstairs, where I find Dominic alone in the kitchen.
Dominic ~ “You look like you seen a ghost.”
Ava~ “God don’t ask me. I thought Trayton was down here?”
Dominic ~ “He had to go see someone. He said he would call you later.”
Ava~ “Okay, then I am going to head home.”
…………………………
With Trayton…
I am not a person that hurts other people on purpose, but in my line of business, I have learned to become wary of certain things, that is, people with secrets, good or bad; I hate and do not stand for people with secrets, I know I have my own secrets. She has a secret, too, and judging from where her secret lies, it has to be a big secret. I am in no way judging her; I want to know what it is so that I know how to confront it.
I go back into the kitchen after she left.
Dominic ~ “Man, what are you doing?”
Trayton ~ “What would you do, Dominic?”
Dominic ~ “Ditch her ass.”
Trayton ~ “I am not ditching her ass. I promised her I am not going anywhere.”
Dominic ~ “But you are hiding in the poolhouse?”
Trayton ~ “Just shut the fuck up and help me.”
Dominic ~ “What about that woman you used to fuck that work at the Bureau?”
Trayton ~ “Fuck I have not thought about her. But she is going to want to fuck before she gives me anything.”
Dominic ~ “Don’t fucking look at me. Use that slut upstairs.”
Trayton ~ “What the fuck is he doing in any case.”
Dominic ~ “Taking the longest fucking shower ever.”
Trayton ~ “Go get the fuck. I want to leave in half an hour.”
I don’t know if I am doing the right thing here. She is going to be pissed off with me when she finds out. My biggest fear is what I am going to do when I find out, and it is really bad. Am I going to be pissed off with her or will I turn my back and break a promise I made.
Trayton ~ “Are you fucking drowning yourself in the shower?”
Joseph ~ “Just shut up. I felt like taking my time.”
Trayton ~ “You can be glad I’m not in the mood to smack you for telling me to shut up.”
Mary ~ “You sure like smacking Joseph.”
Trayton ~ “It’s because he acts stupid most of the time.”
Dominic ~ “Only most?”
Trayton ~ “Are you going to be okay here alone?”
Joseph ~ “I can stay with your mom.”
Trayton ~ “No, I need you to do something for me.”
Joseph ~ “Like what?”
Trayton ~ “We can discuss it in the car.”
Joseph ~ “No, bro, tell me now.”
Trayton ~ “No, Joseph, we will do it in the car.”
Mary ~ “I think that is my cue to go.”
Trayton ~ “No, mom, it’s fine.”
Mary ~ “I want to go shower anyway.”
Joseph ~ “Let me go grab my phone upstairs.”
Trayton ~ “Is it just me, or is Joseph acting weird?”
Dominic ~ “He is always acting fucking weird.”
…………………………
Later in the car with Trayton…
Trayton ~ “Joseph you need to do me a favour.”
Joseph ~ “Sure, what is it”?
Trayton ~ “I need you to fuck someone for me.”
Joseph ~ “I don’t think I heard you right. You want me to fuck someone.”
Trayton ~ “Yes, that is what I said.”
Joseph ~ “Do I look like a slut to you?”
Trayton ~ “Yes you do.”
Joseph ~ “I can’t believe you fucking said that.”
Dominic ~ “Come on, we all know you are one.”
Joseph ~ “Does not mean you can whore me out.”
Trayton ~ “Wait till you see her. You are going to want to fuck her.”
Joseph ~ “And where did you get her from?”
Trayton ~ “I used to fuck her.”
Joseph ~ “So I get your fucking scraps.”
Trayton ~ “It was a long time ago.”
Joseph ~ “Why must I fuck her in any case?”
Trayton ~ “I need information from her.”
Joseph ~ “What happened to pick up the phone and talk to her.”
Trayton ~ “I can’t. She works for the Bureau.”
Joseph ~ “Fuck no do it yourself.”
Trayton ~ “Fucking just do it.”
Joseph ~ “What do I get out of the deal?”
Dominic ~ “Now you really sound like a whore.”
This is a new fucking low for me. This woman has me by the balls, and right now, I am not thinking straight; all I want now is the truth. And who thinks Jo might even enjoy it? I can’t remember her being bad at all.
Joseph ~ “What is the worst you can get.”
Trayton ~ “I don’t know. What can a girl her age possibly do that gets her ass listed with the Bureau.”
Dominic ~ “She is so tiny I can’t see her ass getting into any serious trouble.”
Joseph ~ “What are you going to do if it is really bad?”
Trayton ~ “I have no fucking idea. What can be worse than what we do?”
Joseph ~ “Don’t let me start going down a list.”
Trayton ~ “Rather shut the fuck up then.”
Just then, my phone lights up.
Ava~ “Hey, baby, just wanna say hello.”
Trayton ~ “Hey baby girl. Just in the middle of something, I will call you later.”
I hate lying to her; hopefully, it is going to be okay after this, then I don’t have to.
Dominic ~ “Was that her?”
Trayton ~ “Yes. You should have seen how cute she was when she said she loves me.”
Joseph ~ “She really fucking said it?”
Trayton ~ “No, she said that she does that word too.”
Dominic ~ “That is kind of cute, but why can’t she say it.”
Trayton ~ “I did not fucking ask. I was just happy she kind of said it.”
…………………………
At the girl’s apartment…
Ava~ “Trayton is acting weird.”
Emma ~ “What do you mean?”
Ava~ “This morning he disappeared without saying goodbye. And now he says he can’t talk cause he is in the middle of something.”
Becca ~ “Maybe he is just busy.”
Ava~ “No, he is up to something.”
Emma ~ “I promised him I won’t tell, but he said he wants to do something nice for you.”
Ava~ “Nice like what?”
Emma ~ “He did not say.”
Becca ~ “Maybe that is what he is up to.”
I hope I did not upset him because I did not say love; I just don’t think I can say it yet, or even know how to yet. I have not said that word for many years, and I said that I never ever would again, but Trayton has made me see things so much differently.
Ava~ “Oh fuck, I must tell you what I saw this morning.”
Becca ~ “The whole incident with Mary this morning?”
Ava~ “How do you know?”
Becca ~ “She phoned me.”
Emma ~ “She asked that you should not say anything.”
Ava~ “Fuck I am not opening my mouth at all.”
…………………………
In the car with Trayton…
Trayton ~ “It is just around the corner here. I will talk to her about hacking the records.”
Joseph ~ “And I get to fuck her.”
Dominic ~ “What about me?”
Trayton ~ “Emma will fucking kill you.”
Dominic ~ “No man, not that shit. What must I do?”
Trayton ~ “Just fucking sit there. We have to get this right.”
…………………………
At Trayton’s ex fuck…
I don’t know what to expect; Joseph will kill me if she damn ugly or put on a significant lot of pounds.
Riley ~ “Trayton. Damn, it is nice to see you. I was thrilled when you called.”
Trayton ~ “Hey Riley. Good to see you again. Those two are Dominic and Joseph.”
Joseph ~ “Damn, you are far hotter than Trayton said.”
Trayton ~ “Just excuse him; he has no damn manners.”
Dominic ~ “He only thinks with his head.”
Trayton ~ “And it’s not the one on his shoulders”
Riley sits us down in the lounge and passes us a beer along.
Riley ~ “I know this is not a friendly visit, especially when you Trayton.”
Dominic ~ “Oh, he stopped being like that.”
Riley ~ “Since when?”
Dominic ~ “Since he got hooked up with a cute little stripper.”
Riley ~ “Ah, that’s too bad.”
Joseph ~ “You can always fuck me.”
Riley ~ “Thanks for the offer Joseph but my husband will divorce me.”
Trayton ~ “You married?”
Riley ~ “Yes only six months now.”
Joseph ~ “Damn lucky guy.”
Riley ~ “So what can I do for you?”
Trayton ~ “I need to find a person.”
Riley ~ “But you good with that.”
Trayton ~ “Not when the file is with the Bureau.”
Riley ~ “And you want me to hack it.”
Trayton ~ “Yes, I need to get into that file.”
Riley ~ “Who is it?”
Trayton ~ “My girlfriend.”
Riley ~ “Wow, that is a new level of distrust”
Trayton ~ “I won’t ask you if it is not important.”
Riley ~ “What did she do?”
Trayton ~ “We don’t know. But up until a few years, she has been a ghost.”
Riley ~ “You know if I get caught, my ass lands in jail.”
Trayton ~ “I will pay off whomever I have to.”
Riley ~ “Then why me?”
Trayton ~ “I trust you.”
Riley ~ “And you know where to find me if I cross you.”
Trayton ~ “I did not want to say that, but now that you do.”
Riley ~ “I will get you what you need”
Trayton ~ “Thanks, Riley. I owe you one.”
Joseph ~ “I will give you that one.”
Riley ~ “Trust me; if I ever get a divorce, I will phone you.”
Trayton ~ “Will you send it to me?”
Riley ~ “Give me an hour or so.”
Trayton ~ “Send me your details.”
…………………………
Later at the club with Trayton…
It has been two hours, and there has been nothing at all. I feel like a teenager waiting for his under aged girlfriend to take a pregnancy test.
Trayton ~ “Dominic anything yet?”
Dominic ~ “It’s the same as thirty seconds ago.”
Dominic ~ “There is nothing yet.”
Trayton ~ “Joseph, get me a double whiskey.”
Joseph ~ “Coming up Trayton.”
I can’t stand this waiting; maybe I should send Riley a message, but then she is going to have to explain to her husband who I am, and I won’t do that to her.
Trayton ~ “Dominic.”
Dominic ~ “Nothing Trayton.”
Trayton ~ “Joseph.”
Joseph ~ “Whiskey”
It feels like I am going to explode; I don’t know what, but something is going to explode.
Trayton ~ “Dominic, anything yet?”
Dominic ~ “Nothing yet Trayton.”
Trayton ~ “Joseph, get me a stronger whiskey.”
Then Dominic speaks.
Dominic ~ “We have got it.”
Trayton ~ “Let me fucking see.”
I sit down and hesitate at first; whatever is in here will change our lives, both mine and Ivy’s. I just can’t say if this is for good or for bad yet.
Trayton ~ “Her real name is Maddison. Maddison Owens.”
Dominic ~ “What did she do?”
Joseph
“Why did she change her name?”
Trayton ~ “Oh my fuck.”
Dominic ~ “What’s wrong, Tray?”
Joseph ~ “Is it bad?”
Trayton ~ “It is very bad.”