A Hope and a Chance(17)
Author: Jennifer Foor

Last night had been one of the best nights of my life, but I couldn’t let Hope know that. I wouldn’t give her any reason to want to start a real relationship with me. If she knew what I’d done, and what everyone thought I’d done, she never would’ve been with me.

I couldn’t stop myself. She was so beautiful. Her skin smelled like honey and I hadn’t gotten enough of it. When I woke up and found her gone, I felt sad and alone again. I never expected to talk to her like I had. I saw it in her eyes that I’d crushed her.

How could I be such an insensitive bastard to her, of all people?

I tried to get my mind off of her. I took another cold shower, and started folding clothes, but when I found the dress on the floor, I lost it.

I had to call and apologize. I couldn’t live with myself knowing I’d hurt her. Even if she didn’t want to ever see me again, she deserved to know the truth. I put the clothes away and walked into the house. My plate was in the microwave like always. My sister and Mark were in the family room glued to the television.

“Hey guys, what’s up?”

They both turned to face me. “Chance, where did you go when you left the bar?”

“I came home.” I took a bite of bacon. “Why?”

“You know that bar we were at last night?” Mark asked.

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Someone went missing,” Buffy stated.

I dropped the bacon on the plate. “You’re kidding?”

“Just tell us that you did in fact come straight home, Chance.” Of course Mark would want to know.

“I swear to you.”

“Did anyone see you driving alone? Did you stop anywhere that may have caught you on camera?”

Shit!

“No, I was alone. I swear to you that I wasn’t involved. I came straight home.”

Buffy looked over at Mark and then back to me. “The police are running surveillance. If they see your picture…”

I interrupted, “Okay, I get it, Buff. I won’t go anywhere or leave town. Trust me, I know the drill.”

“Chance, we aren’t accusing you of anything. It has to be a coincidence. A terrible coincidence at that,” Buffy said. I knew what she was thinking. She was starting to second guess her faith in me. I was alone. I had no friends and now my own sister doubted my innocence.

I’d suddenly lost my appetite, so I stuck my plate in the dishwasher and headed back to my apartment. I hated that everyone just assumed I was guilty. There was only one person that could prove my innocence, but I’d already burned that bridge. The last thing I wanted to do was get her into trouble after I’d crushed her spirits. I would get through this alone, like I always did.

I waited all day and night for the police to put my face to the mug shot in the data base that they had of me. I watched the clock, wondering what was taking them so long. Finally when I had exhausted myself with anticipation, I fell asleep on my couch.

Loud knocking woke me up.

I stood up and stretched before heading to open the door. Two uniformed officers stood on the stoop. “Good evening, Mr. Avery. We were wondering if we could have a word with you.”

I held my hand up and pointed inside. “Sure come on in.”

The officers sat down on the couch that thankfully was laundry free. “We’re sorry to bother you tonight.” He slid a picture in my direction. “Our system got a hit on you being at this bar last night. Since you’re in the national database we were wondering if you could confirm that you were in fact there.”

“That’s right. I had dinner with my sister and her boyfriend. When it got late, I headed home.”

“Were you alone, Mr. Avery?”

Damn.

“Yes.” I lied.

“Sir, we have you on the outside surveillance cameras leaving with someone. The footage is not very good, but it was clearly a woman. Would you like to tell us what really happened?”

“A girl asked me for a ride home. I dropped her off outside of her community. It was around ten-thirty.”

They looked at each other and began writing down information. “Where was this community you dropped her off located?”

“It was off the main highway. I can’t be certain. She told me where to turn.” The lies kept on pouring out of my mouth. I was burying myself again.

“I see.” He snatched something out of his uniform pocket. “Is there anything else you can tell me?”

“No. Am I being charged with something?”

“A local woman went missing last night. Just keep the card, kid. We’ll be in touch.” He said as he laid his card on the table in front of me. “Here is my number in case you remember exactly where the girl lives.”

I saw the cops out, and watched my sister approaching me. “The officers said you left with someone. I knew you didn’t sleep naked. Why couldn’t you just tell us? Who was she?”

“Sorry, Buff, I need to get some sleep. It’s been a long day. Goodnight.” I said as I closed and locked the door on her.

I ran my hands over my face. I was in a heap of trouble just like last time. This couldn’t be happening to me again. Could it?

9

I hadn’t gotten much sleep, so when the alarm clock started blaring in my ear I picked it up and threw it against the wall. Immediately my mother came rushing into the room.

“Hope? Your grandmother is trying to rest. What was that noise?” She asked.

“Sorry, mom. It was nothing.” I covered my head with my pillow after answering. Once I heard my door close I lifted it away and stared at the ceiling.

I felt my phone vibrating and picked it up.

“Hope. Are you awake?”

“Obviously. What do you want, Rylee?” I was still pissed at her.

“When I got up this morning, while eating my cereal, I saw something I couldn’t believe. You’re going to shit your panties if I’m right.”

“This better be important.”

“Someone went missing at the same time we were in that bar. Can you believe it?”

“That’s horrible. It doesn’t really involve me though. I left early.”

“That’s why I’m calling you. The paper had an image of the guy they are questioning.”

“Is it the guy that you left with?” I wouldn’t have been surprised if he was some criminal.

“No, it’s the guy YOU left with.”

“WHAT?” How was that even possible?

“Yep, they don’t have a name, but I remember a hot guy when I see one.”