Chasing Vivi(40)

Suicide. The word makes me nauseous.

As I sit here, my phone pings. It's a text from Eric.

I give everyone an apologetic look. "Would you excuse me? I have someone in my office I need to see."

My knees even shake as I walk. Get a hold of yourself, Prescott.

Eric is standing at the windows, looking out at the skyline. It's dark  now and all the buildings are lit up, making the scene look like a  postcard.

"How did it go?"

"Dude, this view. Better at night than during the day."

"Yeah, I know. So, the interview?"         

     



 

He gives me two thumbs up. "I rocked it. But hey, you didn't tell them they had to hire me or anything, did you?"

"Nope. I told them you were a friend, but if you weren't a fit, that was their business."

"Okay, cool. I want this job really bad, but I also want it on my talent and merits, you know?"

"I do. So it went well, though?"

His grin pretty much is my answer. "Yeah, really well. They're supposed  to call tomorrow." Eric is pumped as hell. It makes me feel good that I  can help him.

"Great."

"Did someone shit on your parade today?"

A bitter laugh escapes from me before I can stop it. "You don't know the half of it."

"Damn, I'm sorry, man. Anything I can do to help?"

I slide my thumb across my lower lip. "It's a family matter, really. There's nothing you can do, but thanks for the offer."

"Hey, I also wanted to let you know Vivi called me earlier. She left a message and texted. Is everything okay over there?"

I wish I knew. "I'll find out when I get home. So, I have some family stuff going on that I have to get back to."

"Oh, not a problem. I don't know how to thank you, even if I don't get  the job. And, Prescott, please don't tell Vivi I helped you. I don't  want her to know. But just so you know, I hope you two work it out."

"Thanks, man." I slap him on the back and lead him toward the elevators.  When we get in sight of them, I head back to the family gathering.

Right before I walk in, I hear Grand say, "So you think it was mostly  her volatile relationship with Jeff that led to her suicide?"

"That and the idea she was never able to cultivate the relationship with  Prescott's true father. I think it weighed heavily on her. In all the  years I knew Simone, she was never happy with Jeff. The one thing I know  for sure was she loved you with her whole heart, Prescott."

And doesn't that make me want to go and kill that motherfucker?

Laura leaves and promises to call if she remembers anything else, although I'm not sure what good it will do.

When it's just the three of us again, Granddad says, "Son, I know you  want to go and take your revenge out on him for what he did, but keep a  level head. We only know what Laura said, and time can distort the  truth."

"Do you really believe that, Granddad?"

"I don't know what to believe right now."

"I do. Mom committed suicide. You all thought she was fine and she wasn't, so she must've been hiding something."

Grand is shaken. Her skin is ghostly pale and I reach to hug her. "I'm sorry, Grand. I don't know what to say."

"Nor do I, Scotty. I'm so sad she felt she couldn't reach out to us. All these years we've wondered."

We decide to go for drinks and dinner. Before we leave the offices, I  see a text from Vivi and let her know not to wait for me. I can't focus  on that at the moment. Grand is hanging on to the both of us like  lifelines.

During dinner, they both get me to promise I won't do anything stupid. But it's Grand's voice that gets me to agree.

"I've lost one child. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you."

"Don't worry. When I go to evict him, I'll be well represented. I'm not  going to do it alone, but now I don't feel bad about it either."

They both are in agreement.

It's after nine by the time we leave the restaurant. My head throbs, and  my heart aches. I don't really want to go home and face Vivi. She'll  want an explanation, for which I'll have none. I won't open this part of  my life up to her. Maybe one day, but not tonight.

One of my corporate apartments is close, so I go there instead. It's  actually one I showed Vivi. There's a locked closet where I keep some  suits and things, toiletries, and other items on hand if I decide to  stay there for the night. It's empty and lonely after being with Vivi  for the last couple of days, but I need space to think about what  happened earlier.

Maybe after my head clears a bit, I'll be able to look at this more  calmly. The fact is I've heard of these situations but never thought it  would happen to me. Then again, who does? I'm not close to my dad nor  have I ever been. What I'm feeling is more of a betrayal than anything.  And anger that Mom couldn't tell anyone, or find a way to get help.

Pouring a glass of bourbon I keep on hand here, I gaze out at the view  as I sip it. Memories of Mom begin to crash into me, and then they're  replaced by Vivi's face. I'm either losing my mind or this is a clear  indication I need to get my shit straight and decide what to do with the  gorgeous piece of ass who's waiting for me at home.         

     



 

Wait, that's so fucking wrong. Vivi is not a piece of ass. She never was and never will be. And that's the problem, isn't it?

This whole thing has spiraled out of control and now I'm at a loss on  how to deal with it. I knew what kind of life to live before I walked  into that coffee shop and saw her sitting there. I would've kept living  it, unencumbered. But fate had different plans for me, it seems. And now  it makes me wonder what the hell it has in store for me next.





Chapter 26





Vivi





The light creeping into the room is a surprise. When I went to bed last  night, I never thought I'd be able to sleep. Here it is, morning, and  when I check the clock, I realize it's time to get up. Regina will be  here very shortly. It's shocking that I never heard Prescott come in  last night. Or even this morning to change. Weird.

After I brush my teeth and wash my face, I drag my sluggish feet into  the kitchen and notice the food from last night is still out. Why didn't  he put it away? But the place is eerie, so quiet. And he should be up  and showered by now. I walk up the steps slowly, calling his name as I  go, but he doesn't answer. I'm not sure which of the rooms he's using,  so I check the first and it's unused. I go on to the next and it's the  same. The last bedroom is the one, but it's empty. The bed is made and  when I check the bathroom, it's obvious the shower hasn't been used. He  didn't come home last night.

But why? Did something happen, maybe to one of his grandparents? If that  were the case, he would've reached out and called. I'm suddenly pissed.  Really, really pissed. That's the only reasonable explanation for him  not getting in touch. Like he's going to call to tell you he's spending  the night with another woman? Get the fuck real.

Marching back down the steps, I go straight to the shower and bathe.  This is it. I've had enough of this mercurial living situation. I don't  know what's up or down anymore and I have enough shit to deal with-like  how the heck I'm going to pay my medical bills, or bills in general for  that matter. I can't work for how long with this stupid broken arm? I  wish I could get my hands on Joe Delvecchio's balls right now. I'd smash  the hell out of them until they resembled pancakes.

When I'm done showering, I dress and hear Regina in the other room. I go to greet her.

"Good morning, Vivi." Her cheery voice greets me.

"Regina, I don't know how to tell you this, so I'll just say it straight  up. I'm moving back to my apartment as soon as my hair is dry."

"But Mr. Beckham wants me for two weeks."

"I'm so sorry. You'll have to speak to him about that."

"Does he know about this?" she asks skeptically.

"He didn't come home last night, so I couldn't tell him," I say sourly.

"Oh, dear."

"It's best if I'm in my own place. I think you understand."

"Sure I do, sweetheart." Then she asks, "Do you need help with your hair?"

"Of course I do, but I won't let you. I'm doing this on my own. Just  like I showered and taped my arm up on my own. It's not too bad. Not as  good as you doing it, but I did fine. Oh and dinner was delicious. I  left it out for Prescott but since he never came home, I'm afraid it's  ruined. Sorry."

"No need to apologize. You fix your hair and I'll make you breakfast."

"That's a deal."

I fume the entire time I'm tearing the brush through my tangles, sure  I'm ripping half my hair out. Right now, that's not important to me.  Vacating this apartment is. I gather my things and stuff them into my  bag. When I'm ready, I join Regina in the kitchen.

"I'm worried you won't be able to cook for yourself."

I wave my hand. "No worries there. I have a roommate and he likes to cook."

"Your roommate is a man?"

"Yeah, but he's gay."

"Will he take care of you then?" Her expression is hopeful.