Kathy Abbott
A Short Story from the Regulator Series
C.K. Jackson
Kathy raises the red grapefruit to her nose and inhales the citrus; the smell helps bring her mind back to the present. She loves her job at Shop N’ Go and looks forward to going to work every day but she’s been daydreaming since she started her shift. Her one-week vacation starts today so, even though she is at work physically, mentally she is already relaxing with her boyfriend at her apartment.
Kathy peels the grapefruit like an orange. Juice drips onto the pile of paper towels laying on the table in front of her, reminding her once again why she is tired of eating them. She’s been eating them twice a day for the past two weeks hoping that she’ll soon fit into her favorite jeans again. Still, they are messy and she’s growing tired of the taste. When she finishes the fruit, she walks over to the trash bin to toss it out. The door opens just as the grapefruit hits the bottom of the can and she turns to see Robyn enter the room.
“Hey Robyn. Come and sit for a while. Are you on break?” She points to the table under the window. “My table’s over there.”
Robyn smiles. “I just need more coffee before getting started on the shelves. I’m checking expiration dates today. Sucks to be me right now. What are you doing? Still eating those grapefruits, huh? You’re gonna turn into one of them one day.”
Kathy giggles. “I thought I’d eat my grapefruit before the silver rush.” Each morning at eleven o’clock the local senior center drops off a busload of participants to do their grocery shopping. Like clockwork everything slows to a crawl in order to accommodate them. Kathy smiles while bouncing in her seat. “I can’t wait to end this day already.”
“You’re way too happy today girl. What’s going on? And don’t tell me it’s because of your vacation, either,” Robyn says.
“I was just thinking about my date tonight. Between that and my vacation, I’m ready to go home,” Kathy replies. She feels as if she is walking on air and hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her date all week.
“Oh shit, that’s tonight! I almost forgot,” Robyn says. “You still didn’t tell me who Mr. Sexy is, though. When’s the big reveal? And don’t bullshit me, because I’m not in the mood.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll let you know after our date because I don’t want to get you all excited only to find out he’s an asshole … or that our first date is our last. That would be horrible. You may need to wait until I get back from vacation to hear the dirty little details, though. I’m planning on locking us in a room for the next five days.”
“I hear that, girl. Okay, I’ll be patient but not too patient, so you just make sure to tell me everything first. I’ll be pissed if I see it on Facebook before hearing it from you.” Robyn sips her coffee and nods to the clock. “Don’t be late getting back to your register.”
“I know. I’ve already been written up once this month for being late. See you later.” Kathy gets up and walks out of the room.
At five foot five, Kathy is not model beautiful, but she’s pretty. She doesn’t have much of a nightlife but, when she does go out on an occasional date, she tells Robyn all the juicy details. This time she hopes to share the news that she is in a committed relationship. All she wants is a boyfriend who loves her and her new boyfriend is the first guy she’s dated who understands her. When she talks, Clint listens. He remembers their conversations, no matter how silly they might be. Clint takes the time to cheer her up when she’s upset and he never look for ways to end their calls until she’s ready to end them. He is kind and patient, and she likes that about him. For now, though, they’re keeping their relationship a secret. It’s not like he’s cheating on a wife or a girlfriend; she’s asked him those questions already. No, they agreed to surprise their friends and families with the news together.
Tonight is important for them. It’s not like one of their usual dates and since it’s their first time meeting in person she has gone to a lot of effort to look good. She’s had her hair cut and, in the last week, she has perfected a new eyeliner style. Both have worked to bring out her best feature, her incredibly light-brown eyes. Even her nails and toes are painted with his favorite colors. Everything she’s wearing is new, down to her panties. He’s special, and she wants him to know it; she has never gone this far to please someone. She pulls on her coat, picks up her keys, grabs her handbag, takes one last look at her clean apartment, and walks out to her car.
***
Kathy slows to match the speed limit upon entering Freemont. Until now she has been traveling at breakneck speeds, singing along to her speed-worthy road-trip playlist. But the last thing she wants is to get a ticket on the first day of her vacation. She stays on State Highway 35 South until she reaches the Freemont Mall, then turns into the parking lot. She keeps left as he has instructed.
The mall has gone through many updates and some major renovations throughout the years; it’s now a monstrosity that spans several acres. The parking lot that circles the exterior of the shopping center’s brick building is sprinkled with various businesses and eateries, allowing shoppers easy access to a variety of stores, restaurants and one triple-level parking garage.
The parking lot is so huge she feels as if she could get lost in it but she shakes off the trickle of fear with calming thoughts. Just keep going. He’s there, waiting just for me. But it is getting dark and she is in an unfamiliar place. The adrenaline rush has her in a heightened fight-or-flight state and her senses are in overdrive but she is choosing to ignore them.
The closer Kathy gets to the meeting place the harder it is for her to hold in her excitement. Tonight is their first time meeting in person since they started dating online, six months ago. It is also her first relationship since her breakup with Daniel last year. She still carries the pain from the day she walked in on him and his new girlfriend. She scowls. It would have been nice if he had broken up with me first.
She has never been to this mall before so she is careful and alert. As she rounds the perimeter of the parking lot she notices that there are fewer cars passing her than when she started into it.
She makes a right turn off the perimeter road and drives toward Mario’s, a department store located at the end of the mall’s brick building. Across from Mario’s is a section of the parking lot that remains unused most of the year. It is the perfect meeting place.
***
Clint is parked in his SUV. It’s cold out this evening, so he’s keeping warm by running the engine. Old-school rap and hip-hop stream through his radio while he waits. They met on Facebook. Kathy is the kind of girl who accepts friend requests with the expectation that she will remember when and where they met at a later date. His profile pic was a car and, when they first Skyped, she matched her profile picture perfectly. They have been speaking to each other every night since.
His freshly showered scent mixes with the small, black air-freshener tree under the passenger seat. The heater has risen the temperature inside his truck and it’s so warm now that he’s already placed his coat in the trunk for the night. The clock on the dashboard shows it’s getting close to eight o’clock. She’ll be arriving soon. One last look in the mirror. Perfect. He taps the radio’s display and starts streaming a playlist he created for her. Nothing but love songs, and all by her favorite artists.
***
Kathy spots his black vehicle with dark tinted windows, and rushes to park next to it. He lowers his window, allowing her see his face and, as soon as their eyes meet, she becomes a giddy teenager. He steps out of his truck and walks over to her driver-side door. Kathy catches her breath, turns off her engine, places her keys in her handbag, and leaps out of her car into his arms.
They stand holding each other. “Come on, let’s get in my ride.”
>
Kathy almost skips to the passenger side, she’s smiling from ear to ear and can’t help it. Sliding onto the front seat the first thing she notices, while placing her handbag on the floor next to her feet, is the car’s black, leather interior. She inhales, taking it all in so she will always remember their first date.
“I love how you keep your car so clean.”
“Come here, girl.” He pulls her into his arms. “Finally, I can get my hands on you.” He gently grabs the back of her head, and kisses her hard. When he opens his mouth, she slides her tongue in.
Kathy pulls back, taking in his handsome face. “Oh. My. God. You look even better in person …” She pulls him closer, drawing in his scent, and kisses him again.
“You made it here, so my directions must have been good. Did you have any problems along the way?” Clint asks.
“No problems because your directions were better than good, they were great, and you’re lucky they were, too.” She laughs, and punches him softly on the arm. “I am so happy you’re working close to my town this week, this spot is perfect.”
He gives his million-dollar smile and she has to remind herself to breathe. Her heart is beating so hard she thinks it might explode. He smiles, motioning to the back of the truck so that they can be closer to each other. Kathy opens her door, gets out of her seat and slides into the back.
Clint also gets in the back but lays across the seat while Kathy lays on top of him, with her head on his chest. She lifts and turns herself so she can reach his lips and they kiss. Clint reluctantly separates from her. “Can you stay for a few days?”
“Of course, babe, I cleared my schedule for you,” she says.
“Damn … you did?”
Clint kisses her again and it feels right to Kathy. This is what I want. He’s handsome, sweet, thoughtful, I can’t ask for more.
“Wait … there’s something I want to tell you. Sit up for a minute,” he says.
“What is it?” Oh … Please don’t say that you have another girlfriend, or you’ve been clowning me all this time, I can’t go through that again.
They sit up and Clint holds her hands. “You know that I work in private security right?”
“Yes.”
“Well … Sometimes I have to do things that I don’t agree with, things I don’t want to do. But it’s my job, so I do it. I need you to understand that it’s strictly business and never personal. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Clint, but I know you and I know you would never do anything to harm another person. Why are you telling me this?”
“I just want you to know this about me. I would never let anyone harm you. You mean everything to me.” He smiles. “Thirsty?”
She beams back. “Yes, please.”
He reaches over the back seat into a cooler and pulls out two drinks. He stretches and yawns. Kissing her gently on the lips he opens a cola and passes it to her. “Damn you’re beautiful.” He opens a bottle of water for himself and they lay together, drinking and watching the stars through the sunroof.
Kathy turns and looks into his eyes. “I wish we could stay like this forever.” She feels herself relax in his arms. She’s getting tired and thinks he can tell because she keeps closing her eyes, slipping in and out of sleep. She feels heavy, her limbs are too worn out for her to even think about moving.
“It’s okay, babe, take a nap. I got my woman with me now, and I’m not going anywhere.”
She feels beautiful and amazing after hearing him call her his woman and the last of her internal barriers slip away, leaving her wide open.
Clint repositions himself, allowing her to lay her head on his chest. He strokes her back and runs gentle fingers through her hair, all the while holding her close.
She falls asleep easily.
***
Clint waits for her breathing pattern to change. Eventually it slows; she is sleeping soundly. He waits an extra five minutes to allow the drug to take effect. Convinced she will not wake soon, he climbs out of the back seat and into the front. Behind the wheel, he puts the truck in drive and leaves the parking lot, turning right onto Highway 35 South. He proceeds for five minutes before making another right turn into the Apple Garden restaurant’s parking lot and it doesn’t take him long to find the black SUV, almost a twin to his own. Kathy is still passed out on the back seat of his truck when he arrives. He has to bring her in tonight and, despite his objections, the needs of the family always come first. Disobeying an order is a guaranteed death sentence.
Clint grabs Kathy’s coat and handbag, gets out of his truck and walks over to John and Eve. He hands the items to Eve through the passenger-side window.
“Here’s her coat and bag, I’m sure her keys are in there. She’s never coming back here so take her car to the chop shop and get rid of her phone. Go back to her apartment and pick up some clothes then meet us at Headquarters. If anyone asks, you’re her sister and, Eve, please respect her stuff.”
***
John drives his black vehicle back to the Freemont Mall’s parking lot with Eve as a passenger. When they reach Kathy’s car, Eve gets out. She’s wearing Kathy’s jacket and carries her handbag. She unlocks Kathy’s car, gets in, and drives off to the chop shop. John leaves in a different direction to meet up with Clint.
***
Clint exits the lot and travels for thirty minutes until he reaches a home in a residential section of Gull Village on the west side. He takes a look in the back to see if Kathy is still sleeping comfortably before driving up to the gate. Beyond the brick gates are three- and four-bedroom homes, originally built for affluent families. The modifications were made right after the house, which they call Headquarters, was built. The four-bedroom, single-family home sits on four wooded acres. A holding cell was added under the garage, after the town’s final inspection, and has been in use since its construction. The only people who know about the underground structure are the designer and the people who work there. Clint cruises up the driveway, circles the house, and moves toward the rear where the doors are open to the two-car garage. Ben is waiting inside.
Clint pulls in, lowers the windows, stops the engine, opens the door, and steps out of the SUV. “What’s up?”
“Come take a walk with me,” Ben says, walking toward the garage doors. “Peter and John will take her in.”
“Yo, man, why her?”
“She must have had a blood test that was processed at one of our new labs and got on the radar. I don’t know how she ended up on the list. I don’t have all the details of what’s happening with her right now, but as soon as I do I’ll let you know.” Ben motions to Clint to open the back door that leads into the house.
Once inside, Clint turns to Ben. “Tell Doc if he touches her, I’ll kill him.”
Ben nods. “I know. Don’t worry about that, she’s not like the others so she won’t be here long.”
Clint turns and kicks the wall with such force a chunk of drywall fell to the floor. “This is bullshit, Ben. And you know it.”
“Go to the gym and work that out before you do something you can’t fix. I’ll make sure she’s comfortable but don’t press your luck.”
Clint turned and searched Ben’s face for any signs of dishonesty before turning away to walk toward the gym, but, instead of continuing down the hall, he steps out of the room and stands to the side of the door and listens.
Ben takes his phone from his pocket. He taps the screen once the call connects. “Yo, what the fuck are we doing? I want to know why we picked up this girl and I need to know because I don’t have enough men to hold Clint down if he gets stupid up in here.” Ben paces. “Uh-huh. Yeah, do that and get right back to me. And don’t bullshit me because I will come up there … We both know you don’t want that.”
Satisfied with what he hears, Clint turns and continues down the hallway. He walks past the gym, out the door, into the garage, and through a concealed door that leads to the holding cells. He walks down the concrete steps into a hal
lway with one room on the left and two rooms on the right. Each room’s door has a small window. He stops at the first door on the right and looks in. Kathy is lying on top of the bed, a comforter draped over her body.
***
Kathy slowly wakes but her head hurts and her eyes feel like they want to jump out of her skull. She keeps her eyes closed and her head on the pillow. I feel like I’ve been drinking all night, what the hell? Clint must have taken me to his house. I’ll sleep a while then I’ll get up and look for him. She pulls the comforter up to her shoulders and falls back to sleep.
-End-
Note from the Author
I hope that you enjoyed Kathy Abbott. Her story continues in the Regulator Series where you will learn more about Kathy, Clint, John, and Eve. The series follows the lives of a group of gifted people who live in the fictional town of Gull Village, New Jersey. It takes place the year six girls are taken and the Gull Village Division of the Regulators is formed. They enter the race to stop an ancient evil.
If you would like to read more about the characters or the series, please be sure to visit www.ckjacksonwrites.com.
To my reading team, thank you for taking the time to read Kathy’s story and for sharing your thoughts with me. I would also like to thank my fellow writing-group members for reading my story and helping me to become a better writer. Thank you, Kat Betts of Element Editing Services, for reading my gibberish and helping me to create something worthy of publishing, you rock! And, finally, thank you to Frina at SelfPubBookCovers.com/FrinaArt for creating the beautiful cover art for Kathy Abbott.
Want to stay up to date with my writing? Take a look at the right sidebar of my blog to find out how to join my email list to receive free, no-strings-attached stories, as well as and sneak peeks at my novels before they go on sale.
You can also connect with me on twitter @ckjackson6, feel free to say hello, or stop by my website and let me know what you think of Kathy Abbott.
I look forward to sharing my next release with you.
C.K. Jackson
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.