It happens so fast in my mind that I’m not even sure where this stupid chant came from. I once watched a cartoon movie where the characters were being chased by a predator. My mind kept hearing them say, “Zig, Zag, Zig, Zag”
So that’s what I do. I can’t see him behind me, so dart left, then right, and left again. I’m so close to the door.
Yes!!!
The next step right and then I pool all my energy into my version of a long distant jump over the bathroom threshold, landing with a loud thump in my bedroom.
I turn and look up at Alexander and say,“Suck it! Zigzag baby!”
I punch my fist in the air.
The smile on my face hurts. I’m so proud of myself for actually escaping. I get so caught up in the moment of succeeding that I forget what exactly I was running from.
Alexander is standing there, his brows creased in anger or confusion. I’m not sure, but I know I’ve never seen him this mad.
“Are you fucken drunk?” He barks again as starts heading straight at me.
Oh shit,I turn to run. I make about four zig zags before the bedroom door crashes open. All I see is a gigantic man with a gun drawn and I hit the floor with a scream. I roll over and crawl, my ass in the air, my hand over my butt so the towel doesn’t show my girly bits, making me look like a lame dog as I make my way to my bed. I can see the man pointing the gun all over the room, darting it around, looking for threats.
“What the fuck is going on in here? I heard a scream.”
Carlos’s deep voice registers and I stop mid-crawl and look up at him. He tucks his gun back in his chest holster and looks at Alexander, who is now out of the bathroom with his hands on his hips, glaring at me.
Alexander huffs out an exasperated sigh and points at me on the floor. I roll over onto my butt and lift my chin, clutching the towel tighter, trying to gather some dignity.
“Ask little zigzag.” He growls.
Carlos shifts his gaze from Alexander to me and his one eyebrow raised, momentarily stunned to see me sitting on the floor.
“What are you doing, Izzy? Why were you screaming, and what the hell are you doing on the floor?”
Alexander whips his head in Carlos’s direction; they both speak at the same time.
Alexander snaps, “Izzy? What the fuck?"
Carlos’s confused voice, “Zigzag?”
Alexander crosses his arms over his large chest.
Then they both look down at me like I’ve lost my mind, and maybe I have, but I want everyone out now.
With all the bravado I can muster, I tilt my chin up, and pull my towel higher.
“Yes. Carlos can call me Izzy. He’s been nothing but kind to me, and he’s gentle and attractive. So, I consider him a friend. So yes, he can call me Izzy. That’s what my friends call me.”
Take that Mr. Door Crasher. I like Carlos, he’s nice to me,youare not.
Alexander uncrosses his arms and fists his hands at his sides. His nostrils flare, and he coldly says, “You can leave Carlos. I was only going to have a word with your friend.”
My insides turn cold at his pitch, and I clutch my towel tighter.
That doesn’t sound good at all.
I look up at Carlos and his face is all kinds of red, and he backs away from us. “I’ll let you two... umm, talk.”
I watch him retreat as he turns and heads out the door. I return my gaze to Alexander. The look on his face is pure rage, and I scramble to get up from the floor. He is going to kill me now for sure. His eyes are silver again, his lips a solid white line pursed together, matching the creases of his clenched fist.
I make it two steps before I’m launched into the air, landing on my belly on the bed, all the air in my lungs rushes out in a gargled moan. Alexander is sprawled on top of me, and I can feel his weight covering my whole body.
