Monday. The beginning of a work week. Like many others it's my least favorite day of the week because of how demanding and busy it is. I work in an accounting office and all I ever see is the desk in front of me, my trusty computer terminal, and of course- my paperwork. There is ALWAYS that to depend on. That's a good thing, however, because it means that I have work, which is more than I can say for my husband, Robert. Robert and I have been married for just short of ten years and have a loving relationship. The only issue I have about our marriage is that Robert likes to spend lots of hours a day meditating and practicing his religious beliefs. For this reason, he has no job! Claiming that if he went to work he would not be able to get to his hightened state and then would not be balanced. Somehow, I wondered if it was his way of just getting out of work because there were times when he would just not do anything. Just sit at home and chant to some invisible being in his head.
I arrived home this afternoon to a completely silent home. The only presence was the smell of incents and Robert's feet. This was not unusual because on Monday he often went to his gatherings in the park to sit with his weird hummingbird friends and make gutteral noises with their eyes closed. So, I chose to treat myself to a treat. To reward myself I decided to go out to the mall and buy some clothing for myself. A working girl has to get spoiled sometimes! So, off I went to the local shopping mall in search of some perk-me-up merchandise to cheer me up. On the way there, I got a call from my best friend of twenty years from High School.
"Hi Colleen!" I said, the phone pressed slightly against my cheek.
"Hey giiiiirl! Whatcha up to?" she said in return. She had an annoying habit of almost singing the word "girl".
"I am on my way to the Westland Mall. Shoes..."
"Nice. Wanna meet me for lunch, I have something to tell you!" She was giddy sounding.
"Sure. meet you there in like, ten." I said. What was she up to?
I pulled my vehicle into the the rear parking lot because it's usually pretty empty and I can always find a spot. I get out of my car and grab my purse, clumsily dropping it on the ground and spilling all of it's contents. There was my makeup, my wallet, lip gloss, spray perfume, cell phone, and all other sorts of miscellaneous belongings all about. Sighing in disgust at my clumsy self, I pick up all of my things off of the parking spot and hastily shove it all back into my purse and head to the rear entry of the mall. When I enter I pass all of the typical landmarks of the mall: the benches, the restrooms, the vending machines, and the advertisements on the wall. Nothing like the feel of arriving at the mall to pamper myself with an old friend.
I get to the food court and meet up with Colleen outside of the Taco Grande. She looks just I thought she would, all gussied up and smelling sweet. She was here to meet someone other than me and I should've known. She always does this! Invites me to hang out just to show off her latest guy pal. I never get attached because she is never with them very long. She is what you call "a go-getter". She is attractive and I could see the appeal if I was a man. Colleen has dark brown hair about shoulder length, curly structure to it, light blue seductive eyes (ALWAYS done with make up and lashes), and pouty pink kissable lips. Her frame is that of a tight nineteen-year-old even though she is actually thirty-six. I just had to hear what she was up to.
"I knew it, Laurie. You think I look bad don't you? Is it the skirt?" she said
"No, I just wonder what his name is this time is all," I said. "I know you are here waiting on a guy to show up."
"How do you know Miss Smarty-giiiiirl?!" she sang, playfully poking her finger at me.
"Because you always do this to me. Meet me here just to show off your new..." I was cut off
"Steven. His name is Steven. There! You happy?!" She interrupted, showing that giddiness again.
"Yah. I guess. Let's go meet him." I was thinking to myself, waiting to get this over with so I could go on my therapeutic shoe excursion. Hope it's quick.
We walked together to the shoe store down the way and discovered a man in a button up shirt and tie working behind the counter. He was a younger man of about 20 or so, medium build with a sharp haircut and white-toothed smile. He stuck out his soft-skinned, well-manicured hand for a firm and professional handshake. I was too busy focusing on his eyes and handshake to notice that his nametag read...
"Steven" said Colleen, "I'd like you to meet Laurie. She's my best pal from way back.
"Ha--hello" I said almost sounding like a shy schoolgirl. What was wrong with me?
"Hello Laurie. Nice to meet you dear, what can I get for you today?"
I was deep in trance and didn't notice that I was still shaking his hand. I let go of it almost as if it were a hot frying pan.
"Well, I was thinking of a pair of shoes. Nice ones that would be comfortable for the office!" I said.
"I guess, with all-do-respect ma'am that it would depend on what kind of office you work in" said Steve. His eyes meeting mine.
"I work in an office and sit for most of my day. I just want something that would go well with my dress clothes and something that would slip off easily if needed."
"Um..." Steven was blushing now and Colleen was laughing under her breath. I realized how that just sounded.
We just sat there for a moment or two chuckling about how funny that just came out and then got back to the shopping. Steven told me to have a seat on the little mirrored bench and try on a pair of flats that he pulled off of the shelf. I kicked off my shoes I was wearing and waved my nylon-covered toes playfully waiting to try on the new pair. He grabbed my foot and when he did it made me jump a little inside. Why, I don't know.
"Ooooh giiiiiirl," sang Colleen "you look killer in that pair. Go for it. Steven, you have good taste! Good pick!"
"Thanks. That was easy. They are as good as sold." I said, going to stand up and head to the counter.
I made my way up to the counter and placed the box of shoes on the counter to be paid for. I searched in my purse for my checkbook and my inkpen. I was quick to find that my pen had been lost out in the parking lot fiasco. Damn.
"You have a pen? I think I've lost mine" I asked, blushing myself.
"Here you go," he said as he handed me the pen, rubbing his hand softly on mine but not purposely. Or at least I thought not.
"Thanks."
I filled out the check and handed it to him, making eye contact as I did. Something about this kid was magnetic. I didn't know what it was. We grabbed the shoes and headed for the exit, both of us with a smile on our faces. We felt like foolish little schoolgirls in their first boy/girl party.
"Did you see the way he looked at you? I think he liked you Laurie!" She giggled as she spoke.
"What?! No, he was just doing his job. What do you mean he..." I was cut off again.
"I caught him looking up your skirt when you were trying on those shoes" she whispered
"Shut up! God, Colleen you are such a pig sometimes." I scolded, jokingly.
"HE DID! He was also looking around for clues..." she said.
"Clues? What is he Sherlock Holmes now too?!" I joked.
"He peeked at your left hand dear, he was checking for a ring." she was serious.
"I guess that he found one didn't he. Look, it's still there." I was showing her playfully, holding my hand out in front of me the way a woman does when she shows off her rings.
We giggled for a few and went and had a small snack at the food court to chat for about two hours. Then Colleen offered to come over to my place to have a giiiiirl's (I hate when she said it that way) night! Watching movies like old times. Sure, why not. Robert was off with his hippie-assed friends worshiping trees and playing glass jugs and jaw harps in his weekly circle anyhow. What was I really missing out on. Sounded like fun! So, we went off to my place to go watch some romantic comedies on the movie channel. When we got there I was surprised to find that there was a black BMW in my driveway. Who could it be?
"Colleen? Who is at my house?" I inquired honestly.
"I have no clue. Is there anybody in the car?" she answered.
We looked and discovered that it was empty. I was a little bit startled to see that it was unoccupied but I went up to my door anyhow and started to put the key in the keyhole when all of the sudden the door handle turned and the door flew open. Before I knew it I was being pushed in the house by Colleen, and pulled by someone unknown. I heard the door slam behind me and I was starting to grow frantic.Then the inevitable clicking sound of the lock. What was going on?! Next thing I knew I was having my arms pulled behind my back and my hands were being handcuffed together frantically. Colleen?
"Surprise babe!" laughed Colleen "I've got a surprise you'll never forget"
"What the FUCK Colleen! Let my hands go free right now, this isn't funny!" I was getting angry. Was it some sick joke?
Before I got a chance to see who the mystery BMW person was I was being blindfolded by some kind of weird leather nightmask. I felt her tying the back of it tight. Now I was just plain ol' scared! I had no clue what she was up to, and what about the other person?
"Laurie, listen up. I want you do as we say. If you don't we will punish you and your husband. Understand?" it was Colleen, in a much less-bubbly but assertive tone.
"Yes. Anything, just please don't kill-- OUCH!" I screamed, almost crying. She grabbed my hair and pulled.
"Good giiiiirl," she sang again "Now open your mouth"
