Detective Max: Chapter 2 (part 2)

“Hey Max!” The first message says.

 

“It was really great seeing you the other night! Since I’m in town for a few days. I was wondering if you maybe wanted to catch a movie and some dinner?”

 

Ugh fuck, I almost forgot about my run-in with John. I just stare at the screen, trying to think of a way to subtly reject him.

 

“You gonna answer that?” Henry says behind my shoulder.

 

“Agh! Dude, don’t fucking do that.” I jump.

 

“Sorry, I thought you saw me behind you. So, you going to accept his offer?” Henry questions.

 

“Probably not.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because… I just don’t want to. John and I are on two different planes of existence.”

 

“That’s a fancy of way of saying ‘it’s not you it’s me.’” Henry smiles.

 

“Well what about you? Any dates lined up?”

 

We’re now standing in front of my car. Henry and I tend to do this thing where we just talk for an extra 30 minutes before one of us finally leaves.

 

“Heh, I wish. But, I think I’m going to enjoy the single life for a bit.”

 

Not going to lie, I’m a little disappointed to hear that. I mean, it’s not I asked him out. But, to know he’s not interested in dating at all makes me feel down.

 

 

 

The feeling of coming home is something I’ve been craving all day. I change my clothes and walk into the kitchen. I should eat… but my hands go for the vodka sitting in my cabinet. I take it out and make myself a cape cod.

 

Once, I sit down, my mind starts to drift away from the day. For once, things feel… peaceful.

 

Until my phone rings.

 

I groan loudly as I look at the screen

 

“MOM” the screen says.

 

Ugh, this will either go okay or terrible. There is no in-between when it comes to my mom and me.

 

“Hello?” I answer.

 

“Maxine! Finally, you pick up the phone. I’ve been calling you!” Mom shouts.

 

“I’ve been working Mom.”

 

“I know, but it wouldn’t kill you to call your mother occasionally.”

 

I can argue that statement, but to keep the peace, I won’t.

 

“I saw you on the news today! You still wear your hair like… that.” Mom says. Even though we’re talking on the phone, I can see her face sneering.

 

“Yes, I do.”

 

“Well, I showed your dad and he was so happy. Your brother on the other hand, has been so busy with work. He’s already like the boss of his office. Not officially, but he’s the only one there with a college degree from a decent college.” Mom brags.

 

Here we go, Mom bragging about Steve as if he were the only one in the family who made something of himself. Never mind the fact I live in my own apartment and have a decent job.

 

I zone out listening to mom brag about my obviously great brother. She goes on and on until she says.

 

“You are coming to the wedding, right?” Mom says in a tone that was more of a demand than a question.

 

“Oh, of course.” I answer.

 

“Good, because I don’t want Anne’s family to think we’re this petty dysfunctional mess of a family.”

            I should have known, she just cares more about her image than me being there. I could send a fucking actor in my place and she would be fine with it.

 

            “Oh, and make sure you do something about those… things on your arm.” Mom dances around the subject.

           

            “Yeah mom… Look, I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later. Okay?” I say, looking at my arms.

 

            “Okay, don’t forget to call!” She says before hanging up.

 

            I let out a sigh of relief once we get off the phone. The conversation was… bearable. Though I don’t like the idea of mom bringing up my scars. What does she want me to do? Feel bad for being suicidal?

 

            Anyway, I shake the negative thoughts out of my head and just finish my drink. Once it kicks in and I get that drowsy feeling, I stumble in to bed. I check my phone and notice Henry hasn’t replied to any of my texts. Which is strange because he usually responds back quickly. Before I can think about it longer, I fall asleep.

 

 

 

I walk into the station, expecting Jacobs to be at his desk. He usually beats me here and is already sitting, with a cup of coffee, reading a new case. But, I’m met with an empty chair with no sign of Jacobs at all.

I look around and try to see if I can find the red headed detective.

“Hey, Det. Magalie? Have you seen Jacobs?” I call over to her desk.

She looks up from her paper work and her face eases with realization.

“Oh, you didn’t know? He called in sick today.” She tells me.

That’s strange… He would have told me if he were sick. I mean, it could be something embarrassing. Like, diarrhea or hemorrhoids… Maybe both.

Anyway, I push those weird thoughts aside and get to work. I’ve worked alone before, so the feeling isn’t that strange. However, I can’t stop thinking about Jacobs. He didn’t answer of my text or calls.

After work, I decide to stop by his house to make sure he’s alright. My boots crunch under the fresh snow. Henry’s neighborhood looks so peaceful in this weather.

“Jacobs!” I ring the doorbell.

No answer. That’s strange, his car is in the driveway.

“Jacobs! Jaaaaacobs! Henry! This isn’t funny! Open the damn door, it’s cold!”

Knowing him, he’s probably hiding behind his couch laughing his ass off.

Well, he must have forgotten about the spare key he told me about. I go over to some bushes and get the key from under a rock.

“You know, making someone stand outside in the snow isn’t very funny.” I say while opening the door.

I see Henry, sitting on his couch with his gun in his hand with his finger on the trigger. It wasn’t pointed at me… but himself.