#AmWriting Short Stories

​This page will showcase short stories by F. Vawters McCloud and by a new, incredible, up and coming author, O’QUINN WARRING.
 
Each month a new short story will be added to this page. The stories will each have a different theme, plot, and twist. Wilhelm may even be lurking in the most unassuming story.  F. Vawters McCloud also may post these short stories on WATTPAD, which is a website devoted to book readers across the world. These are unedited stories being shared as McCloud and Warring create. Some may even become their next new novel! Every new idea will be posted exclusively here on WhoIsWilhelm.com.
 
Follow F. Vawters McCloud on WATTPAD under username: WilhelmYork and stay tuned for the story of the month!
https://www.wattpad.com/user/WilhelmYork

A Stalker's Dream

​I secretly watch them. They are a dreamy couple. Everything about them seems perfect. I sit in my car at our office parking lot waiting for them to pull up. She’s pregnant. She’s wearing a really cute flaring frilly pink dress. The color makes her rosy skin look airbrushed. She’s wearing pink gloss and eyeshadow. Her makeup always looks professionally applied. I heard she wants to be a make up artist. She went to school for it, but it takes too long to establish a career doing something like that. Now she’s in school to be a dental assistant, so I hear.
 
He was driving, so she gets out to go onto the driver’s side. They meet at the hood of the car to kiss. Her hair stops in the middle of her back. It’s full bouncy and luscious. She has very nice blonde streaks in her sandy brown hair. She wears it mostly straight with three or four huge spiral curls at the tips, with a short split at the top. She has swooping bangs, that lightly graze her eyelashes. She moves her bangs back, so he can kiss her. He’s at least a foot taller than she is, as he grabs both sides of her dainty waist, and gently kisses her. I’m entranced as I focus in on his lovely mouth. His lips looks soft and sweet as he slightly puckers to give her this loving peck. He kisses her, then lightly licks his lips, as if to savor it.
 
She drives off as I intensely watch him walk to the office entrance. I hurry and jump out of my car so I can be a few feet behind him. His name is Absalom Beaumont. We work at a plastic and aluminum factory called Cups & Cans. He’s not from here. I overheard he’s from a country near Venezuela. He’s very beautiful. His skin in perfectly tanned all year round I’m sure. He’s only been working here a couple months. I heard his girlfriend’s mother is friends with the plant manager here. So Absalom works under the table. I hear a lot of stuff about him, because he doesn’t talk to me. I’ve tried to hold conversations, but he only gives me short closed ended answers, or doesn’t respond at all.
 
We enter through the office to punch in, then go into the plant area to work. Cups & Cans is very small. However, it’s cleaner than most plants. Absalom and I work in plastic. He’s friends with a guy here named Boderrick, but we call him Bo for short. Bo boasts of his so called women constantly. I watch as Absalom laughs. Wow, his laugh is amazing. He has beautiful white teeth. When he laughs his small eyes are unseen. He looks like an innocent boy. He only has a frown for me most times or a small agitated smirk. So I love to watch he and Bo interact. It makes me smile most of the day.
 
Absalom is getting ready to speak. My eyes are zoned in on his mouth. He’s  saying, I...won’t...
 
         “Augusta!”
 
         “Uh yes, Mr. Sampson?”
 
         “Are you going to gawk at Beaumont all day or run your line? I pay you to run your line, so get to work! It’s all jammed up on Darryl’s end! Jesus!”
 
         “I’m sorry sir!”
 
I quickly glance up towards Absalom & Bo. They’re now staring at me irritated. I’m so humiliated. I imagine grabbing Mr Sampson by the back of his neck and jamming his head under this melted boiling hot plastic. He’s screaming like a banshee, but I don’t let him up. I finally pull him out and his face has melted off. As I pull him his skin is clinging to the molding plastic. I chuckle, then I hear Darryl’s voice. He asks, “Are you okay?”
 
         “Yea. Thanks Darryl.”
 
         “Sampson is such a dick! You barely speak above a whisper, yet he’s shouting at the top of his lungs as if you’re refusing his commands. I can’t stand him!”
 
         “It’s okay. And sorry for letting your end jam.”
 
Darryl sighs giving me a faint smile deep in thought. He then says, “I’m good, baby girl. Let’s hurry and finish so we can take our break on time.”
 
I focus on my job so not to miss my break with Absalom. Darryl and I only go a couple minutes into our break before we’re all caught up. Darryl’s walking slow as he lights a cigarette, but I’m speed walking. “Augusta slow up. The break room’s not going anywhere.” He chuckles saying. Darryl heads outside to smoke as I go into the break room. I get a pop out of the vending machine. I see Absalom and he’s on his cellphone. Talking to her I’m sure. I’m so jealous I start shaking. I feel tears welling up so I hurry into the plant so no one will see me crying. I go to the restroom and wash my face. I look so ugly. Why couldn’t I be pretty? My hair is thin and brittle. My eyes are small and buggy. I have a pug nose. My lips are thin and cracked. My skin is just lifeless, and always dry. Make up seemingly makes me look worse. I stare at myself momentarily then hurry back to watch my beautiful man for the last 8 minutes of my break.
 
The work day has ended and it’s time to go. Absalom is waiting for his ride by the door entrance. He’s blocking the door. I have to ask him to move. I’m a nervous wreck. I pace back and forth. I see others approaching so I softly say, “Excuse me. May I get through?”
 
He glances back at me, and then opens the door. He’s standing behind it holding it open, but looking out at the street for his ride I’m sure. I say, “Thank you.” He simply holds the door still staring toward traffic, never acknowledging me. Once I’m out of the way he reenters and leans against the door watching for his ride.
 
I get into my car and smile. I look up and see his girlfriend pull up. Perfect timing. He gets in on the passenger side. They pull off and I follow. They stop at the Mega Mart. I park a row over from them. I put on a hoodie I purposely brought to have a change of clothes, and my shades. I slowly enter as they get a cart. They enter and the greeter says, “Hello welcome to Mega Mart.” Absalom nods, his girl says nothing. She doesn’t even look the greeter’s way. The greeter welcomes me and I decide to nod my head just as Absalom. They get a few items. I can’t really hear their conversation, so I’m getting frustrated. Finally they leave and head home.
 
I hate the Summer now. It takes forever to turn night. I have to circle his neighborhood for hours before I can watch him get ready for bed. I’m sitting in the parking lot of a bar down the street from their house when I see a SUV pull up to it. Absalom exits and gets inside. The SUV pulls off and I follow. Absalom lives in the heart of the ghetto. Extremely rough neighborhood, so I’m glad his friend has a nice home in a clean area. His friend looks Arabic. Attractive guy too. He has a newly built home amongst these older homes in his neighborhood. He and Absalom sit on the porch vaping. Shortly after another older luxury car pulls up. A guy is driving, then he and three women exit the car. Absalom’s not saying much, but they all seem to be well acquainted. They then all load up into his friend’s SUV and head west.
 
We drive about an hour and a half from the metro city area. They finally stop and go to a local bar, then afterwards they head to a park.
 
It’s now past 10 p.m. I hide in the dark amongst the trees, only a few feet away. I parked my car in the lot adjacent the one they’re in. They start a bomb fire and sit around it drinking and smoking. Absalom’s friend then says, “So Abs, you going to live with Larissa and her entire family your whole life? What’s your next move son?”
 
         “I need some real money. Trying to do things right for my son. But this ain’t working.”
 
Oh my God, his voice is wonderful. I’ve never heard him say so many words. His friend continues, “I can hook you up for a little while. You know, make some fast cash, be out, and get a place for you and your son. Ya feel me?”
 
         “Sounds good, but Risa won’t let it happen man. I’ll be in jail. She’d be showing up at the spot worried about the girls working there.”
 
Another Arabic looking guy then says, “Is it that good? ‘Cause I’d let her go! Your girl is crazy mad man!”
 
Absalom chuckles then says, “Oh it’s way better than good, man.” The thick Latino girl snuggled up under Absalom all day stands up in front of him saying, “She’s not better than me, baby.”
 
The group starts laughing, hissing, and teasing. Another girl snatches her saying, “Sit your drunk self down! You’re trying to get you and Abs killed!”
 
         “Yea we better get you home dude. You know Larissa’s at the door with a nine, waiting to blow your junk off!”
 
It’s past midnight when Absalom gets home. I finally know his girlfriend’s name, Larissa. And he calls her Risa. Absalom enters the house and all I hear is screaming. Their bedroom’s in the front on the right side of the house. Their curtains are sheer so I can see straight into their room. They argue past 1 a.m. Larissa’s punching Absalom, but there’s nothing he can do but restrain her because she’s pregnant. He finally puts her in a bear hug and starts kissing her. I stand watching in disbelief. How can he desire to kiss her? She’s kissing back passionately now. She then says, “Let me go so I can undress.” He releases her and starts removing his shirt. She snatches off her dress and starts tugging at his pants as they remain kissing. I watch until he’s naked, but I can’t stomach him making love to her. I run off to my car and cry all the way home.
 
I didn’t get home until after 2 a.m. I couldn’t sleep. I was so disappointed with Absalom. How can he be so stupid? She’s a deranged lunatic. Because she’s pretty he just lets her rule over him? What’s wrong with him? I sit up all night disheveled. It’s now time for work. I take my shower and head to the office. I wait in my car per usual, until he arrives. Larissa drives off and I exit my car. I decide today I need to talk to him. Maybe I can speak some common sense into his empty beautiful head.
 
He punches in and I’m on his back. I punch in and say, “Good morning Beaumont!” He cuts his eyes back at me and says, “What’s up?”
 
         “Have a good night last night?” Now squinting, he scowls my way then heads to his area. He greets Bo and they start walking and talking. 
 
I washed my face and moisturized it heavily so I could wear makeup today. I’m wearing my pink tee with pink sweats. I have on pink gloss and pink eyeshadow like Larissa wore the other day. I feel pretty. I’m not discreetly watching Absalom today, but blatantly staring at him. Sadly, Absalom never ever looks my way. But Bo notices me. He whispers something into Absalom’s ear. Absalom looks and gives me a grimace of repulsion. Bo bursts into laughter, then says, “Augusta! Baby, you making us want a huuuggge bag of cotton candy over here!” He’s now pushing on Absalom laughing hysterically. I’m so upset. I ask my team leader to be relieved. I go to the restroom and scrub my face clean. This hand soap leaves my face burning. I don’t carry a purse so I have no products to moisturize with. I then take the lip balm out of my pocket and use it to sooth my inflamed face.
 
I get back to my area and Bo looks at me and starts laughing again. I then envision me snatching my lever off of this conveyor belt, rushing over to him, and jamming it in his mouth until it comes out of the back of his neck. His eyes roll up in his head as he falls to his knees. I then use the toe of my shoe to knock him over. I then place my foot on his chest as a brace so I can snatch the bar out. And once I snatch it out his tongue is connected to it. I then lean in and say, “Now you will forever shut up!”
 
I come out of my daydream snickering. Now I can’t stop laughing. I have to cover my mouth. Everyone’s starting to look my way. I can’t control it. Annoyed, my team lead asks, “Are you alright Augusta?” I lift my finger then run back into the restroom. I finally calm myself, but now I’m too embarrassed to face Absalom. I look into the mirror then think, no worries, you saw him naked. I chuckle then head back to work.
 
It’s lunch time and Larissa picks Absalom up. I go to follow but Bo stops me by grabbing my forearm. “Hey Augusta, what’s up? Where you going for lunch?” I snatch away from him. “Whoa, what’s your problem?”
 
         “I’m sorry Bo. I didn’t see you. You startled me, that’s all.”
 
         “Mmhmm. So where we going?”
 
         “Oh um, probably the Mexican joint up the street.”
 
         “May I roll with you?”
 
         “Oh um, okay, sure!”
 
Laughing he says, “Cool.” I hoped and prayed Absalom and Larissa were here, and they are. We walk in and Bo goes over and punches Absalom in his arm. He turns and tries to punch Bo back, but he jumps out of the way. Bo then says, “What’s up beautiful?”
 
         “Hey Bo.” Larissa dryly says.
 
         “If Abs makes you this miserable you may want to try someone new.” She leans her back up against Absalom, then pulls his arms around her waist saying, “I’m never leaving my baby. He’s all I’ll ever need.”
 
I stand behind listening wide eyed. Bo feels my stare I guess, because he instantly looks at me then says, “Oh my bad, this is our coworker Augusta. Augusta this is the awesome Larissa.”
 
Waving I say, “Hi Larissa.”
 
She slowly gives a full up and down pan of me, then nastily and dryly says, “Hey.”
 
I then say, “I like your outfit. And your makeup is perfect.” She simply gives a pursed smile, glances up at Absalom who doesn’t even look my way, grabs his hand, and then they turn to leave. Absalom says to Bo, “I hate you.” Bo shrugs laughing. He then shouts towards him as he exits the restaurant saying, “Well I love you!”
 
The cashier then says, “That’ll be $15.66.” Bo looks at me and says, “Can you pay for mine too? I’m a little low on cash.”
 
         “Oh um, sure. It’s cool. You don’t owe me anything.”
 
         “Good looking out Augusta.”
 
We get our food and leave. As I enter the plant gates Bo says, “Can you drop me off at the front door?”
 
         “Sure.”
 
         “Thanks.” Bo gets out and I go park. I have 10 minutes before lunch is over. I don’t even eat my food I’m too excited. Larissa was actually jealous of me. She must’ve felt Absalom’s and my connection. Why else would she treat me so mean? He must’ve mentioned me one night. She’s probably been itching to put a face with the name. I’m glad I dressed pretty today. She got to see me at my best.
 
Lunch’s now over. I walk into the plant on cloud nine musing over what just happened. Bo usually speaks loudly. I can hear his entire conversation most times. But after lunch, he’s speaking softly. All day he keeps looking my way whispering. Absalom is even looking my way. I wonder what they’re saying? I imagine Bo says, “Augusta looks great today.” And Absalom replies, “She looks great everyday to me.”
 
         “She’s cool people. Lunch was fun today.”
 
         “For real?”
 
         “Yes! And you see how Larissa looked at her? Scared she may take her place!”
        
         “I want her to, but I have a son on the way.”
 
         “Man, Augusta would be the perfect stepmother!”
 
         “Yea, I can see that.”
 
         “AUGUSTA! STOP THE LINE!” My team lead yells bringing me out of my daydream.
 
I was so into my fantasy I didn’t press one cup. Gobs of unshaped plastic is piled up on Darryl’s end. Bo is laughing hysterically as Mr Sampson curses me out. But Absalom is intensely watching me. Does he see more to me today? How I wished I knew what he was thinking.
 
We get things back in order. Mr Sampson tells me if I mess up anymore I’m terminated. The day ends. Absalom is waiting by the door. He opens it. I say, “Thanks Beaumont. Have a good night.”
 
         “You too Augusta.”
 
Oh my freaking God! He said my name! I leave feeling like a new person. Something has surely changed with us. He finally sees me! I don’t go home or follow him. I go to the mall. I purchase a nice gray jogger set. Larissa was wearing gray today. I then buy new sneakers with glitter on them. I let the ladies at the makeup counter do my make up, then I purchase what they used. I even go to the bath and body store and purchase a pretty fragrant body spray, bath gel, and lotion. My rent will be late this month, but I don’t care. I need to please my man!
 
Instead of wearing this tired ponytail, I get up and curl my hair. I apply my new make up, put on my new outfit and go to work feeling like a goddess. No, I’m more than a goddess. I’m Absalom’s woman! I then go to my music app and download an old song my aunt loved by Vanity 6 and proceed to work with Nasty Girl blasting. I then remember dancing to that song and my mother walked in on me. She yelled, “No one wants to see your fat ugly nasty ass gyrating to that perverted song! Cut that trash off in my house before I kick your fat ass!” I then cut my radio off and drive to work in silence. 
 
Because of all the primping I’m running behind schedule. I sit waiting for Absalom and Larissa, but I realize he’s already inside by now. It’s 10 minutes before start. I rush inside, punch in, and am on my post. I look over to Absalom’s work area and only see Bo. The line starts and I keep looking to his area, but he’s not there. My team lead and Mr Sampson say something to Bo, then my team lead starts doing Absalom’s job. Huh?
 
I’m frazzled. I’m trying to get anyone’s attention. Where’s my man? The one freaking day I’m late he doesn’t show! I’m so upset I feel myself getting sick! Mr Sampson comes to me saying, “Focus Augusta! There’s no team lead today. I need her to fill in over there until I get a replacement for Beaumont! So please don’t require me to have to look for two new employees!”
 
         “Beaumont no longer works here, sir?”
 
         “Do you see him Nancy Drew?”
 
         “No sir.”
 
         “Super keen observation you have there, Augusta. Now focus!”
 
Today is torment. First break I go to Bo. “What’s up Augusta?”
 
         “Hey, um where’s Beaumont?”
 
         “I guess he quit.”
 
         “You guess? Aren’t you his friend?”
 
         “Up in here! We don’t kick it outside of work. ...Excuse me, I have a phone call.” Bo walks away.
 
I leave work and go straight to Absalom’s home. His car isn’t there. I sit there past midnight and he never comes home. I go home, go to work, then return to his house. Just after 7 p.m. his car pulls up. I let out a sigh of relief as my Absalom exits the car. He goes to the passenger side to open the door. An older woman and young woman come out of the house to meet him. He helps Larissa out, as the two women go to the backseat and remove their baby. The older woman says, “Oh my God, he’s beautiful!”
 
Absalom is escorting Larissa inside. I want to floor my car and run her over, but I’ll kill my beloved too. I sit watching this happy moment disgusted. I go grab food and read until it’s after dark. I then go to their bedroom window and watch their new little family interact. It’s very hot outside tonight. They have their room window cracked for air, allowing me to easily hear their conversation. Absalom is so proud of his son, you can see the joy in his eyes. Larissa climbs on the bed and lies next to him. Absalom says, “Thank you.” She leans in and starts kissing him. She almost knocks the baby off of the bed! What a buffoon! But Absalom laughs saying, “Be careful baby.” He gets up and puts the baby in its bassinet. Larissa stands and starts undressing. He admires her body smiling. He then says, “Wow, your body’s still beautiful.” She starts undoing his pants. I jog to my car repulsed.
 
Why would he lead me on like this, if he still wanted her? She thinks he’s a good guy, but I saw him at the park with those other women! And what about me? She needs to know how he’s led me on all this time!
 
Going to work is unbearable. I endure a couple weeks then I quit. I find another job in another industrial park closer to Absalom’s house. He’s basically home with his new baby several weeks, then one evening he and his father I assume, pull up together. The next day he, his father, and Larissa come home together. Then the next evening they pull up arguing. I’m curious to why.
 
The next morning I show up at their home around 5 a.m. By 5:30 Larissa, Absalom, and the father leave together. However, the father drives his own car. They three enter a plant not far from their home. This time Absalom drops Larissa off at the office doors, but he proceeds to the back. It’s apparent they work together now. I guess she was so jealous he worked with me, she had to go and find a job with him. She’s pathetic. I feel so bad for him because he’s only staying for his son.
 
I follow him trying to find a moment he’s free and away from Larissa. Thankfully after only a week Larissa no longer works there, but she comes for his lunch. Being that he and I work the same hours, but in different locations now, I’m sporadically missing too many days to watch him during work hours. I’m praying something gives, then finally after months of waiting on my opportunity, he’s finally alone. He’s sitting in his job’s parking lot. He’s in a zone, staring straight ahead as if he’s waiting on something. Suddenly, he perks up and turns to exit the parking lot. The traffic’s clear, but he’s sitting at the entrance staring to his right. A black Charger goes racing by, then he peels out following it. I then follow him.
 
The Charger pulls up at a bagel shop. Absalom parks away from it, sitting watching it. The car door opens and a very pretty woman exits the car. It’s late Spring. It just stopped raining and the sun came out. Suddenly, a brisk breeze whirls by and it blows her beautiful shiny black hair all over. She rubs it out of her face grinning. Her smile is captivating. It’s then I look at Absalom who’s secretly watching her. His eyes light up as she walks to the entrance of the shop in her own world laughing at herself. The bagel shop is mostly glass so you can see her inside. She’s laughing and talking with the workers who seem to know her. She orders her food then sits at the stool area facing toward Absalom’s car. I look his way as he holds this faint smile entranced. She looks at her cellphone, answers it, and then starts a conversation laughing. It’s then Absalom slowly rides past the window intensely watching her. She’s engrossed in her conversation. Her head’s back laughing, but as she brings it down her eyes meet Absalom’s. She gazes his way faintly smiling. He then drives off.  Absalom doesn’t even get a lunch. He returns to his parking spot. He waits until she returns and then he immediately heads back inside his plant. I sit at the gas station stunned.
 
I can’t miss or be late for work anymore. I request a shift change and am granted the 5 p.m. start time in two weeks. Once on afternoons I followed Absalom everyday at lunch. And every day without fail he followed this woman, except when Larissa came.
 
Knowing the things I did, following him after work, it’s then I knew I needed to start following him after he left work! I request to return to the morning shift and in two weeks I’m back on days. That very evening I wait at the gas station. I see the black Charger, then Absalom’s car, then I follow close behind. Absalom’s house is only blocks away, yet the woman gets on the expressway and he follows. We follow her over 30 minutes before she comes up an exit. She parks in the back of a small apartment complex. Absalom circles around front. A man greets her once she exits the hallway and enters the front of her building. He kisses her. It’s then Absalom speeds off. She and the man look toward the speeding car. The man thinks nothing of it as she continues staring down the street towards Absalom, deep in thought.
 
I should be upset, but I’m not. Seeing high and mighty Absalom turn into me, is redeeming! I just begin to laugh inside. Suddenly it bursts through and I laugh hysterically all the way home.
 
A few months later, Absalom’s object of obsession gets another job. Then a couple months after she leaves, he gets hired at that same plant. Coincidence? Hardly! Clearly he’s with this woman, but I can’t be at two places at one time! My mind is turning all night long. I’ve dreamed of a moment such as this my entire life. It was finally time to make my dream come true.
 
I camp out at his home. However, his car isn’t there. I lurk near his house until Larissa and the older woman, her mother I’ll assume, come out. They get into her mother’s car and head to a community college. The mother drops Larissa off. I park and hurry inside to follow her. The class is too small for me to sit in, so I ask another student what time the class ends. She tells me, so I hang out on campus until class is over. I return five minutes before her class ends. I anxiously wait for her. As soon as she exits I speed walk past her. She scowls my way. I look and then pretend to do a double take. I say, “Larissa right?”
 
         “Who are you?”
 
         “I met you through Absalom.”
 
         “That’s a lie.”
 
         “No! He and I worked together at Cups & Cans. I met you at the Mexican restaurant.”
 
         “Yes I remember, but Bo introduced you not Abs!”
 
         “Yes, you’re absolutely right.” I stand staring her way contemplating if I want to do this. She gives me a nasty look then says, “Okay bye.”
 
         “I’ll tell Absalom I saw you!” She stops dead in her tracks. She turns saying, “You don’t have to tell Absalom anything! I can tell him myself! Who are you anyway? And why are you all in our business?”
 
         “He’s dating my cousin.”
 
Larissa instantly starts crying. Inside I’m spinning with my hands up! It feels like heaven seeing her conceited narcissistic ass cry from utter devastation. Through gritted teeth she says, “He’s not dating anyone, he’s my husband!” I want to say to her, that’s a lie as nastily as she said it to me, but I simply cover my mouth as if in shock saying, “Oh my God! He’s married? I’m so sorry, and I swear my cousin doesn’t know!”
 
         “Is he staying with her?”
 
         “I doubt it. But they work together.”
 
         “Where!?”
 
Her desperation almost makes be burst into laughter right in her face. I have to cover my mouth and turn my head. I give a fake cough then return to facing her. Patting my chest I say, “Excuse me. But it’s right down the street from her old plant. They work at F & N Automotive.”  Squinting she says, “He’s at F & N now? He’s making money like that and hasn’t given his son anything?”
 
         “Wow, I’m so sorry Larissa. I just wanted to say hello. I hate I’m the one to bring you all this bad news.”
 
         “No you’re a Godsend. Had you not stopped me, I’d know nothing still. Thanks Augusta, but I need go.” I wave good bye as she hurries off. Wow, she remembered my name. I knew I made an impact the day she met me. I head home so pleased with myself.
 
I know I’ll probably be fired, but I can’t miss today’s events. I get up bright and early and wait for Larissa to leave her home. Around 11 a.m. she leaves, I follow. I almost crash into her as she suddenly turns up into the burger joint adjacent the coffee shop. She’s focused on something. Could it be Absalom? I look toward the coffee shop for his car and I see that black Charger. It exits and Larissa quickly follows it! Huh? How’d she know to follow the Charger? Now I’m extremely curious! The Charger pulls up into the plant gates. Larissa parks in the strip mall facing F & N. I park a few rows behind watching her. Larissa sits stalking this woman until her shift ends. It’s finally time for her to leave. She gets to her car and is greeted by a black SUV. The windows are tinted, so you can’t see who’s inside. The woman leans into it, as if she’s kissing the driver. She then jogs to her trunk, takes out two bottles of water, hands them to the driver, and then leans inside again. The SUV drives into the gates. The woman then drives off. Larissa hotly follows. And I follow Larissa.
 
We follow the woman to a very nice condominium complex. It’s sits off of the lake. I guess she moved. She now lives by her job. I wonder if the man Absalom and I saw her kiss lives here too? The woman enters her home. Larissa sits until it’s dark out, then exits her car to go spy on this woman. I can’t believe it. Everyone treated me as if I were the most pathetic human on earth, yet all the people I idolized are stalkers along with me! As I watch Larissa I see how piteous I’ve truly been. She looks like a total loser creeping around this woman’s home. I want to yell out, “Get a frickin life!” so badly.
 
Suddenly, the SUV pulls up. My heart stops in anticipation. However, the garage door opens and it pulls inside. Larissa’s frantically going from window to window to look inside, but she sees nothing I assume. She stands shaking her fist crying, then runs to her car. I follow her home. Once she’s settled in, I go home.
 
I stay up all night looking for jobs. I know I’ll be fired because I’m addicted to stalking Larissa now. I get to her home at 5 a.m. I assume she’ll be at F & N by 6 today. I assumed correctly, because ten after five she was headed out. By 5:15 a.m. she’s parked in the burger joint next to the coffee shop. Interesting. I circle the area a few times then I park across the street at the gas station. At 5:36 a.m. that SUV drives up and Larissa whips in behind it. The driver gets their order and drives off. Larissa follows. However, the SUV goes to that woman’s condominium.
 
Larissa parks only a few feet away intensely watching. The woman opens her front door laughing and teasing with whoever’s inside the SUV. She pokes her head out grinning from ear to ear saying, “Hold on! I’ll be out shortly!” The driver playfully taps the horn. She peeks back out saying, “Boy, it’s five in the morning! Shhh!” then goes back inside.
 
She now locks her front door and heads to the SUV. But before she gets inside Larissa charges her and starts beating her with a crow bar. The beating is so brutal, but I can’t look away. The skin from her face is literally sticking to the hooks on the bar. Things are moving quickly, but I see it all in slow motion. Suddenly Absalom jumps out. Looks as if he’s just gotten his hair cut. Not one strand is out of place. His dark groomed glistening hair makes his flawless supple skin appear as if it’s glowing. He’s wearing a white tee with black denims, and black leather boots. He looks so clean and shiny. Obviously his outfit is newly purchased. He looks up and our eyes lock. His smoldering deep eyes are filled with pain and fear, yet he gives me a confused glare as he rushes to confront Larissa.
 
He violently shoves Larissa back, then goes to help his woman. I look at Larissa and the hate in her eyes is diabolical. She grits her teeth so hard that her face doesn’t even look human. She then begins beating Absalom in the head with all her strength. He turns to stop her but the hook catches him in the eye. Larissa snatches it with all her might and commences to beating him in his face. As the neighbors start to come out and the authorities pull up. I discreetly drive off. I stop at the Mega Mart and purchase me a $15 bottle of wine. Tonight calls for celebration.
 
I return to work and tell my employer the deceased were my closest friends. I don’t get fired, and all day people ask me about Absalom. I may have never had him in life, but in death he was exclusively mine. For years now, anytime someone mentioned Absalom people would refer them to me. I’d intricately describe how he exited his SUV before he was brutally murdered. Every time I told that story, the listeners clung to my every word. My dream had manifested into reality. Yea, life was finally,...good.

Short Stories by F. Vawters McCloud