Desire (1 of 2)

* Based on a true story

Lust's passion will be served; it demands, it militates, it tyrannizes.

~ Marquis de Sade

If Frank Stone used to be attractive, that attractiveness has left little trace.  Being a 31-year-old man, he’s not ugly per se, but even Bradley Cooper wouldn’t be associated with the word “sexy” in any form or shape if he were 230 pounds. 

            Frank is working in a shoe factory.  For now.  He has to repeat the same motion every 5 seconds from 8 to 5 except a one-hour merciful lunch break.  The long hours of sitting makes him heavier and his butt bigger.  Every day when he walks out of the factory, his puffy face is drenched in defeat, his feet dragged, and his back crooked.  He should be grateful though, people tell him, because this is his 5^th job in the past 2 years.

            “Who’s dead?” Cecil the janitor mocks.  “Cheer up, would ya?  I want to cry when I see your face.”

            “I’m just tired.” Frank leans on the rusted gate and rubs his forehead. 

            “Tired of what?  And you walk like a zombie.”

            Tired of this shitty job, tired of my pants getting tighter and tighter, and tired of going back to that gloomy home.  I deserve much better.  My goodness, is there ever a way out? 

            Probably not.  Not yet at least.  He crawls home. 

            “Mom, dad’s home!” Frank’s 9-year-old son Luke opens the door.  “Where have you been?  Mom’s upset.” Luke lowers his voice. 

            “No worries,” Frank smiles and pats his head.  He’s a good kid; kind and lovely.  Too skinny though; I should get him some steaks to buff him up a bit…

            “Did you get the eggs like I told you to?” Frank’s wife, Marie, comes out from the kitchen.  She wipes away some flour on her somewhat a little bit chubby face.  Her big forehead is covered in sweat; some white and pink stuff sprinkled on her red hair.

            Frank blushes.  “I…I’ve been busy all day; I didn’t get the time to go to the supermarket...”

            “I knew it!” Marie rolls her eyes.  “I knew it.  You never remember a word I say.  I was gonna bake some cake, now I can’t because of your ignorance.” Her red hair looks like it’s on fire.

            “Just borrow some from our neighbors,” Frank sniffed.

            “Neighbor who?  Ever since you lied about your job they stop talking to us.  If you still have the balls to show up at their front door, be my guest.”

            “I didn’t lie!  I’m planning to become a pharmacist, you know!?”

            “Yea, probably 10 lives from now!”

            “Shit!  Fuck the god damn cake, you bitch!”

            “I’m a bitch!?  I’m the only one who sacrifices in this house!”

            Luke slips away into his room. 

            Frank shouts: “Yea right, you sacrifice!  I’m the one who works like a dog to bring home bread, and guess who wants to stay home all day doing nothing?”

            “Bring home bread?!  Bring home bread!?  Are you fucking kidding me?  What kind of bread are you talking about?  How long can you hold a job?  Six months, top!  How many jobs you’ve quitted in the past 2 years?  Try 10?  Or 20?  Bring home bread?”

            “You shut up!  You hear me?  I’m not talking to you!”

            “You loser!  I’ve had enough!” Marie stomps her way into kitchen. 

            “You’ve had enough?  I’ve had enough, bitch!” Frank storms into the study and slams the door.

                                         

            Two days later. 

            The cold war with Marie freezes the house.  Frank runs away from home and drives around.

            It’s a beautiful Sunday morning in March.  The sun paints the world a sheet of gold, though the air is still chilly.  Flowers on the sidewalk are starting to blossom. 

            Frank spots a coffee shop and decides it wouldn’t hurt to have a good breakfast. 

            The moment he opens the door, the smell of coffee mixed with fried hamburger welcomes him.  The radio is playing Adele’s Someone Like You.  There are just a few people in the shop.  Waitresses dressed in yellow flock together behind the counter talking.  Each small round glass table has a white porcelain vase with a lily. 

            Frank chooses a seat next to the window so he can see the cars and people on the street.  For some reason, seeing people from all walks of life and ages fascinates him.  When he sees a man about his age he imagines himself being that man, leading a different life: Maybe an engineer devising the cars of the next generation.  Or a businessman going to an important meeting that’ll settle a million-dollar deal.  If he sees a pretty woman it gets kinky: he would be her lover, they would share a cup of coffee in Starbucks, go to a movie, then go home and have a bubble bath together…

            “What can I get for you today?” A voice interrupts the daydream.  Frank looks up.  

            She must be 19.  Twenty-two top.  Red lips, black hair, and green eyes.  Frank stares at her for 5 seconds.

            “Sir, what can I get for you today?” the waitress repeats.

            “Yes,” Frank smiles.  “Uh…two jumbo eggs, two toasted English muffins, three pancakes, smoked bacon, and a Virgin Mary.  Tonya.” He looks at her nametag.

            “Three pancakes, smoked bacon...anything else?”

            “No, that’ll be it.”

            “Be right back.” She never looks at him.

            Frank takes off his wedding ring.

            When she comes back with his order, his heart is pounding and his mouth is dry.  “Say, Tonya, how long have you been working here?”

            “About 8 months.” She shrugs, still not looking at him. 

            “How do you like it?  I’ve heard the boss is a chucklehead.”

            Tonya smiles.  “She’s alright.”

            “Totally.  You don’t mind if I ask how old you are?”

            “Twenty.”

            “In college?”

            “Nuh, never thought about it.”

            “College is overrated anyway.  You know, if you want a better job, I have some connections…”

            “Right.  Enjoy.” She grins at him and turns away.  Frank closes his eyes and smells her fragrance in the air. 

            He doesn’t really know what the food tastes like, because all his senses are concentrating on her.  When he’s finished, she’s busy talking to other customers.  He waits for her to look in his direction, and when she finally does for a second, he manages to give her the most courteous smile.  She looks away.

            He leaves a big tip for her.

            On Monday morning, Frank gets up an hour earlier to get ready.  Marie is still sleeping.

            He first drives to a flower shop.  It’s close.  He tries Target.  Not open till 8.  He finds a Wal-Mart and buys a box of gourmet chocolates, then goes straight to the coffee shop.

            “Hi, Tonya!” When Frank opens the door, he feels a hundred butterflies in his stomach.  All the waitresses turn to look at him in surprise.  Tonya stares at him.

            He tells his legs to approach her, then demands his dry mouth to open.  “I just want to give you this chocolate… hope you like chocolate.”

            “What?”

            “You’re right, forget about the stupid chocolate.” He throws the box on a table.  “I just want to say you’re incredibly beautiful; since the first time I laid eyes on you I can’t forget you.  I know I’m nobody, you must have ten boyfriends and a hundred secret admirers, I mean nothing to you; zip.  But… but if you are willing to give me a chance; just one tiny chance, I promise: I’ll try all my heart, my mind, and my life to make you smile.  Just give me a chance.”

            Two waitresses start to giggle, another drops her jaw.  “Now, sir…” Tonya chuckles.

            “Frank.  Frank Stone.”

            “Mr. Stone…”

            “Call me Frank.  Please.”

            “Ok, Frank.  What on earth are you…”

           “No, you don’t have to tell me right now.  I can wait.  I’ll wait.  Don’t answer me yet; just think about it.  Please.  I promise I’ll wait, even if it takes forever.”

            “Well…”

            “Just think about it.  I beg you.  Please.” He’s looking at her while walking out of the shop; his right arm is extending as if to reach her.

            A week later. 

            It’s 5 o’clock sharp.  Frank steps out of the factory.  “Look who’s here,” Cecil nudges a guy next to him while staring at Frank.  “Hey Frankie!  What’s the hurry?” Cecil yells.

            “Nothing…just can’t wait to go home to the wife and kid, you know.” Frank keeps walking hastily, not even looking in his direction.

            “Steve my man, let me tell ya: this guy is up to something.  I can smell it.” Cecil whispers.

            “Why did you say that?” Steve frowns.

            “Well, don’t you see he’s like hurrying to somewhere?  Like this just can’t wait?  Let me tell ya,” Cecil pats Steve’s shoulder and nods, “he’s definitely not going home.  No man married more than 3 years would go home like that.”  Both holler with laughter.

            “Tonya, you know you are just three roses short of opening a flower shop?” Another waitress, Mandy, looks at the bunches of flowers on a table.  “This is getting ridiculous, don’t you think?”

            “He’s crazy, I know,” Tonya smirks.  “But let him do whatever he wants.  I don’t care.”

            “You kidding me?”  Mandy widens her eyes.  “Do you like him?”

            “Look, Mandy, I think he’s harmless, and I never promise anything.  Nobody gets hurt.”

            “You enjoy the attention, don’t you?  But last time I checked, psychopaths don’t have labels on their foreheads.  I think he’s creepy if you ask me.  You should let him know what you think about him, the sooner the better.”

            “You worry too much.”

            Mandy looks at the door.  “Speak of the devil.”

            Frank pushes open the door.  In his hand there’s another bunch of fresh pink roses.  “You’re playing with fire, one day you’ll get burnt.  Watch out, you hear me?” Mandy throws Tonya a look, then walks to the counter.

            “Hi,” Frank looks at Tonya with hopeful eyes.  “You look great today; more lovely than those flowers.” He hands her the roses.  Tonya sniffs the flowers and then leaves them on the pile. 

            “Aren’t you getting off work now?  It’s almost 5:30.”

            “No rush here.”

            “I see, I see.  I’m just wondering…there’s a movie…”

            “Well, I don’t feel going anywhere, if that’s what you’re asking.”

            “How about dinner then?”

            “I’m not hungry.  Thanks for asking though.”

            “Now, I’m thinking…”

            The TV’s sudden loud volume draws Tonya’s attention.  She turns to the news.

            The news reports: “A police officer saved a toddler who was choking on a coin and stopped breathing.  After responding to an emergency call, officer Peter Smith arrived at a home to the distraught parents with a 2-year-old in their arms.  The child was not breathing and was turning blue…”

            “Mandy, look!” Tonya frantically waves her hand.

            “What?”

            “Look!  That’s what I told you this morning!  The story my great-uncle told me!”

            “The retired-police-officer-and-biggest-hero-of-all-time great-uncle?”

            “Yes, of course!  See how that cop saved that poor kid?  He used to work under my great-uncle!” 

            “Good for the kid.”

            “Men look so hot when they save lives!  I need men like that to protect me, like Brue Willis and Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element.”

            “Bruce Willis is not even a cop in that movie.”

            “He’s in Special Force, close enough.  Ok, how about Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in Speed?”

            “Keanu is no cop in that either, he’s in SWAT…what am I doing?”

            “I’m going to get myself a cop and have his babies!”

            “What did you take this morning?”

            “What’s wrong with cops?  They’re hot in their uniforms and they save lives!  What can be more cool than that?”

            “Oh, I don’t know… how about donut bellies?  Oh, sexy.” She bites her fingertips and purrs. 

            Tonya narrows her eyes.  “You’re getting good at mocking me, I’ll give you that.”

            “I am a cop,” Frank suddenly interrupts.

            “Excuse me?” Mandy raises her voice.  “What did you say?” Tonya widens her eyes. 

            “I’m a captain.  I’ve been working here in this town several years but never got a chance to come to this area.  Now I’m glad I came.”

            “Really?” Tonya gasps. 

            “Really.  A couple weeks ago we just saved a toddler in a similar situation.”

            “No way!”

            “Oh, yes way.  I have quite a lot of other stories if you want to hear.  As a matter of fact, why don’t we go somewhere so I can tell you all the stories?  What time is your shift tomorrow?  I can come pick you up at 5:30.  How about that?”

            “…ok.” Tonya smiles.  Mandy’s mouth drops open.

            “See you tomorrow.” Frank grins, nods at both girls and walks out of the door.

            “I can’t believe it… it’s a captain that’s pursuing me all this time… I mean, a captain!”

            “Whoa, whoa, hold on, girl!  Let’s not get too excited and lose our heads!” Mandy waves her hand in front of Tonya’s face.  “Hello?”

            “As I said, you worry too much,” Tonya throws an apron at Mandy.

            When Frank comes to the shop to pick Tonya up, he’s wearing a police jacket.  “Hi Tonya my dear, are you ready?”

            Looking at the police jacket, Tonya raises her eyebrows at Mandy, who puckers her eyebrows and stares back at Tonya.  “Let me get my purse,” Tonya says.

            Since the moment Tonya gets into the car, Frank has been telling stories non-stopping.  “There hasn’t been much action lately.  A few weeks ago we caught a drug dealer, that’s all.  But boy, this guy surely was armed!  One of our men got a bullet in his leg.  Luckily it wasn’t serious.”

            “That’s horrible!  Have you ever got hurt?”

            “You mean throughout my career?  Twice, no big deal though.  The first time was when we responded to a bank robbery which led to some car-chasing and gun-fighting.  That one was brutal; I got shot in the chest, but I had the vest so only got some bruises.  The second time was my fault: I just became a sergeant, and I wanted to make a good impression, you know?  I was patrolling the area along and saw this guy in the car.  He looked suspicious and might have been armed, but I didn’t call a backup; I acted alone…that’s a mistake.  I wanted to be the hero, like those cops in the movies, right?  Like Bruce Willis.  Anyway.  I approached the car, and he must have been high or something, he pulled out a gun and pulled the trigger!  Can you believe it?  Luckily it jammed, but that already scared the shit out of me, you know?  He panicked, opened the door and slammed me on my side and took off.  I fell to the ground but quickly got back on my feet, pulled out my gun and shouted ‘stop!’ before he tripped.  Later I found my arm and leg was bleeding.  I was just purely stupid.”

            “You’re not stupid; maybe a little bit over-confident.  That’s all.”

            “I appreciate that.  But if that gun hadn’t jammed, I wouldn’t be here talking to you.  That’s quite stupid if you ask me.  I’ve learned my lesson though: never try to be a hero.  Ever.”

            Tonya smiles and nods.

            “Tonya, if you don’t mind, I have to go to my office and take care of some business.  It’ll be very brief, I promise.”

            “Ok.”

            They arrive at the police station.  Frank parks the car and turns to Tonya: “Ok, I would like to take you to meet my buddies, I really would; but you have to understand we can’t do that.  It’s for security reasons, you understand?”

            “I understand… I know security, my great-uncle talks about it all the time.  He’s a retired officer.  Someday you should meet him.”

            “Absolutely.  Now stay put, ok?  Be right back.” Frank opens the car door and walks into the station.  Tonya takes out a small mirror and a lipstick from her purse.

            About 5 minutes later, Frank is back.  “Done.  Let’s go now.  You fancy a quick drink?”

            “Sure.”

            “Where have you been, dad?  It’s almost 10!” Luke opens the door.  “Why are you smiling?”

            “Nothing.” You better wipe away your smile when you get home, Frank; seriously.  He reminds himself the 10^th time.  “Where’s mom?”

            “She’s watching TV.  She didn’t say a word all day.”

            Frank feels his stomach in knots.  He walks into the living room.  Marie is sitting still without any motion.

            “I, uh… was talking to some friends….”

            Marie tilts her head a bit and looks at him for a second, then turns back to the TV screen.

            He quietly walks into the study and closes the door.

            “Hi, Cecil!  What’s up!?” Frank loudly greets Cecil the moment he walks out of the factory.  “You look nice today.  Lose some weight?”

            “What in the name of…” Cecil widens his eyes.

            “How’s the family?  I heard your oldest is going to college this year?”

            “He’s going to college alright.  You ok?”

            “What?  Me?  Sure!” Frank happily pats Cecil’s shoulder.  “Fantastic!  Can’t be better!  We should get together and have a drink someday.  Ciao!”

            “What’s his deal?” Steve happens to walk by and sees everything.

            “Now it’s official,” Cecil leans toward Steve as he watches Frank walking away humming.  “He’s either stealing or cheating.  Maybe both.”          

            “Give that guy a break, would ya?  Maybe he’s just having a happy day.  Don’t you sometimes have a happy day?  Everything is just right?”

            “Yea, right.  You’re too young to know shit.” Cecile sniffs.

(to be continued)