It was late evening, and Janice kicked herself for not taking an Uber.
The crosstown buses going from East to West Harlem were on their own time and didn’t give a damn about her nerves.
Swiveling her head between her phone and her surroundings, she was determined to grab the first Yellow Cab that passed. But they were acting funny too.
“Damn,” she mumbled to no one and everyone.
A big deal on the job, her expectations were all-consuming, devouring everything in sight, especially her personal life. Lately, she began to consider a family, not just work. But that required a man that could keep up. (Nothing like the one that wasted her time this evening.)
If she smoked, it would have been lit by now. Though she drank and fantasized about the Merlot waiting for her, nice and chilled, which right now was better than any lover.
Ready and willing, she thought; and it didn’t talk back.
Lost in her wants, she didn’t notice him until necessary.
“Can I help you?” She asked, bucking for space.
“Can you help a brother out? Five dollars, naw ten, from a woman like you?” Asked the scruffy and heavily bearded man.
Looking at him, her eyes were tight and dominant. A bum. He was nothing to her.
“No, I don’t have anything for you.”
“Nothing?”
“What’d I say? No, so go on.”
Running his eyes up and down the beauty before him, he spat. “Hah! You’re no better than me. Don’t forget that.”
Laughing, throwing her head in the air, words spewed out of her mouth like fire. “You’re perfect! Perfect in every way!”
“No, I’m not, and neither are you, Janice.”
On a dime her laughter stopped, her face turning serious. “How do you know my name?”
“Ahhh, see. Don’t try to get right now. The dirt is done.”
“What’re you talking about? Do I know you?”
“Sure, why not… Come on girl, try. At least put up a fight.”
“You’re crazy,” she said, taking a few steps away with him hobbling to catch up.
“Wait, I’m sorry, just listen.”
“Why should I? You haven’t even answered my question.”
“What?”
“My name, how do you know it?”
“You look like a Janice.”
“Liar.”
“Maybe, I have… had… a daughter with that name.”
Letting him get close, she peered intently, searching for the truth. “I don’t know you.”
“Yeah?” He smiled. “It could be what you’re thinking?”
“You read minds too?”
“I’m not your long-lost father.”
“I’ve got a father.”
“Then brother. From a different…”
“I’m an only child.”
“Not anymore.”
A bus approached.
“Goodbye, whoever you are.”
“You really don’t know? It’s Lloyd from Branch Corp.”
About to step on the bus, she stopped. “Are you getting on?” The driver asked gruffly.
She didn’t respond, and he closed the doors abruptly, pulling off.
“Lloyd? But…”
“You remember now? My career, family, and life are over because of you.”
Moving away from him, Janice stumbled. Quickly, he was on top of her.
“I never did anything to you.”
“Liar! You took my job, and I lost everything, nothing’s left.”
Pulling a hunting knife out of his pocket, she flinched, expecting the blow, expecting blood, yet too frightened to scream.
Exhaling, he plunged the knife deep into his chest, blood spurting onto her face, her screams for help echoing throughout empty streets.
Pushing him away, she scrambled to her feet as he reached for his last breath, gasping, before going silent and consumed by darkness.
Seconds later, she disappeared into the night.
