“Why? It’s only coron-o’clock. We have time to watch a movie. The only thing I have on my agenda for tomorrow is to start the virtual salon.”
I tug on my leggings, remember Mia’s big mouth, and moan. “Oh shit, I may be out of a job… my mother is really mad and my aunt will take her side.”
They may never speak to me again which is so unfair. It’s not like I ditched the wedding she has planned, I simply added another one.
Suds retrieves my bra, damp from the kitchen sink. “How about I say I kidnapped you and forced you to marry me?”
I remember walking down the aisle holding the fresh flowers he picked. As the warm breeze blew through the open backdoor of the church, I’d never been happier. No way am I going to apologize for that moment or let him take the fall.
“No, but I appreciate the offer. Mom will have to understand the big wedding is for her, the small one was for us.” I snuggle into his chest then we kiss for a long time.
Starving, we order food and when the doorbell rings on my phone app, I tell the guy to leave the bag downstairs, inside the door. Jumping off the couch, I skip to the door, turn the handle, and push.
What the fuck? It opens just enough to squeeze my tender boobs through. Then I step through a jungle of weights, climb over the treadmill, and out.
“Ah Suds?” Back in the living area, I pull containers out of plastic bags and place them on the coffee table.
“Yeah, babe?”
“Is there any way to make it easier to exit out the door?”
“Nope. That was it.”
“Huh. Guess I won’t be gaining any weight.”
“You’re welcome.” He chuckles but I’m not all that amused because now I don’t dare indulge in chips and guacamole.
After we eat, we sleep and I wake up early, thinking about the online killer. Cat hears me stir, pads up the staircase, and kneads my scalp until I open my eyes.
Wet nose to mine, she stares. “Mew.”
I put my pillow over my head but undaunted, she uses my body as a catwalk.
“Ugh.”Fine.I roll onto the floor while Suds snores.
No, no. I got this. Don’t get up.I slip on yesterday’s clothes, sans underwear, and circle down the steps.
Outside our big window, Groundhog Day continues. Only a few cars move, an ambulance wails in the distance, and weeds still fill the cracks in the sidewalks.
“Here ya go, sweetie.” As she nudges my ankles. I place Cat’s bowl by the door.
Suds bought us a pod coffee maker which makes yet another reason why I love him so much. He knows what’s important and prioritizes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit on the shelf so it’s on the kitchen floor next to Catrina.
Kneeling, I put a small plastic container in the hole and pull down on the lever. Oh my God. That was so easy.
Fuck. Jumping up, I grab a mug before I lose it all. Then, I open the refrigerator and finish the last drop of milk. Later, I will brave the zombie-apocalypse and shop at the corner bodega but I don’t have a mask.
There’s all sorts of ways to make one online. However, the crafters assume you have a sewing machine, some skills with a needle and thread, or just happen to have a bandanna. Perhaps, I’ll simply put a pillowcase over my head and make eyes.
Hmm… on second thought, not a great idea.
My computer on, I do what I have every morning since the start of the pandemic and compare the number of NYC cases to the rest of the world. Shit. Brooklyn is hard hit. We’ve surpassed even Italy. I may be stuck in my apartment for months, maybe even years.
After a mini meltdown, I need something positive to do so I restart my research and mull over the data. The online strangler targets people who live alone. We think he steals a package and dresses as a delivery man. He gains access to the home and kills his victim while a horrified audience looks on.
He’s clever. There’s no sign of forced entry and he leaves no evidence. The key to finding him is how he gets inside.
I login to the Jason app and after we work for a while, I ask, “Are there any videos of the victims’ front doors or sidewalk? Maybe the street?”
