Copyright © 2016 by Khristina Atkinson

January 2016

Genny Moretti’s life had been basically normal and routine for the past six months.  Her first week back to college with a full schedule had been hectic, but her husband’s birthday celebration had given her something to look forward to.  Having a three-day weekend with only one report due was certainly a bonus. 

Hank found Genny at the kitchen table, bright and early Saturday morning, with a spoon of cereal raised to her mouth in her right hand while her left hand was pressing keys on her laptop.  He had to call out a greeting before she even noticed his presence.  

“Good morning, GG.”

The sound of his voice startled her out of her own little world.  She glanced up at him.  “Good morning to you.”

“When did you get up?”

“I don’t know exactly.  Sometime around four thirty.”

“I reached over for my wife this morning, but you weren’t beside me.  I have to say I was a little disappointed.”  Hank presented Genny with a pout, but she was already too engrossed in the words on her screen to even notice.

“Please don’t tell me that after our escapades at the hotel yesterday evening and in our own bed last night, you were ready to go at it again.”

“Fine.  I can see that I’m not going to be able to pull you away from your research.  Maybe I’ll go for a run to work out my frustrations.”  He didn’t actually know if he was still in good enough shape for such an endeavor.  Exercise hadn’t exactly been at the top of his priority list lately.  “Are you coming along to pick up the kids?”

“Can you go without me, please?  I’m really making progress right now, and I don’t want to stop.”

Hank recalled the not so distant past when Genny practically raised Alivia on her own.  She'd delayed her own education at that point, so that he could pursue his degree and a possible career in football.  Now the least he could do was try to be understanding and make a few sacrifices of his own.  His wife wasn’t neglecting him.  She made considerable effort the previous night to show him how much he meant to her.

 

Genny finished her research paper a few minutes after Hank had left out the door.  She wished she had accompanied him to their parents' house.  There was a reason for her necessity to stay busy.  Brad’s stem cell transplant had taken place almost exactly a year ago.  She was drawn to the bookcase, staring at the urn that held his remains, and the tears started falling.

Genny made a trek to the attic to go through the boxes that contain her deceased husband’s belongings.  She pulled the composition books out with the title of the correlating book on the front of each one.  She had already read each of his books several times, but was hoping to find comfort in going over his thoughts and analyzing his process.  He was so brilliant.

The title of the last notebook she removed from the box caught her eye.  The Seaside Slayer wasn’t one of his published books.  She opened the cover and a note was addressed to her.

My darling Genny,

I’m afraid my time is running out, and I won’t be able to complete my latest work of fiction.  You, my dear, are a talented writer as well.  Perhaps one day, you’ll have to urge to finish it for me.

Love forever,

Brad

She was still seated on the floor of the attic, taking in every single word of page after page, when Hank returned.  “GG, I’m home!  Geeg!”

Her SUV was in the garage.  There was no note on the refrigerator.  He ran up the steps, but she couldn't be located anywhere upstairs.  There was only one place left to look.  He climbed the additional set of stairs and the attic door had been left slightly ajar.  Mystery solved.

“Babe, what are you doing?”

She looked up at him with a pleasant smile on her face.  Her sadness was gone for the moment.  “Hank, it’s wonderful.  I found the notes for a book that Brad never got to finish.  Look what he left me.

Hank read over the words of endearment to his wife.  Genny may have been Brad’s widow, but the man was still a sore spot for him.  The green-eyed monster was rearing its ugly head, and he had to fight hard to hold back how he really felt.

A change of subject would remedy the situation.  “The kids will be wanting lunch soon.  Why don’t we all go out?”  He needed her away from the house and that damn box of memorabilia.

“What time is it?”

“Almost noon.  I stayed to visit with our parents for a while.  I figured it’d give you more time to finish your paper in peace and quiet.”

“Thank you.  I’ll get cleaned up, and we can go.”

“For the Pizza Palace.  Really?”

“I’ve been rummaging around up here, and I’m all dusty.  I just need a quick shower.”

“Can I join you?”

“Oh, no you don’t, Henry Moretti.  There is no way I’m letting one of the kids see us naked in the shower together.”

“Danger sex.  Now I’m really turned on.”

“You need to keep your penis in your pants.”

“You’re no fun anymore.” 

“Alivia is becoming increasingly curious about our extracurricular activities.  Remember she’s spied on us in the bathroom already with the door locked by peeking under the door.  Thank goodness we still had our underwear on.  I’m only trying to be a responsible parent who doesn’t scar her child for the rest of her life.”

“Your loss, baby.”

 

On Tuesday morning, Jackson cried as usual when she dropped the children off at Kid Zone Preschool.  She held onto him until the very last second she could spare and rushed to her Child and Adolescent Development class.  As she hastily took her seat, the young man sitting next to her presented his usual warm smile. 

Why did this guy look so familiar?  At first, she had chalked up her inability to place him to his obvious similarities to Hank.  He had the same dark, wavy hair, only a little longer and curled up slightly in the back.  His nose was almost identical and only a smidgen wider.  His amazing blue eyes were equal in beauty to the ones she had been staring into since her senior year of high school.  Her classmate was slightly thinner than her husband, since the recently addition of a few extra pounds..  Somehow, she perceived she had seen him before but couldn’t remember the exact location or occasion.  Her memory didn’t usually fail her.

Her curiosity couldn’t be contained, and after class she initiated a conversation.  “I know you from somewhere, but I can’t place you.”

“I’ll make you a deal.  Dr. Hayes has a reputation for being fierce.  If you promise to compare notes with me and set aside some study time to quiz me before each test, I can let you in on my secret.”

“Why would you want to study with me?”

“I overheard Dr. Hayes telling his TA that he was anxious to read your first research paper to see if it lived up to your reputation.”

“No way.  Are you serious?”

“Yes.  I am.  Now you know why I’m desperate to have you as a study partner.”

“Okay.  I’m willing.  So, what’s your big secret?”

“I work as a security officer at the college.  You probably didn’t recognize me without my uniform and hat.”

“You’re absolutely right.  I’ve seen you around campus several times.  I don’t have another class for an hour.  I usually use this time in the library.  Are you free to join me?”

“Sure.”  He extended his hand.  “I’m Xander Carrington.”

“Pleased to meet you, Xander.  I’m—well, I guess you already know my name.”

On their stroll across campus, Genny managed to bring up her husband and children as she engaged her new friend in small talk.  She didn’t want any misunderstandings about the possibility of a personal relationship.  When they were seated at a table in the library, her questions for Xander became more personal.  “Are you from Carolina Bay?”

“No.  I moved here a couple of years ago after my father died.  I needed somewhere peaceful to start over.  I love the ocean.”

“I’m sorry about your father.  I lost my husband, Brad, last summer.  I'm still trying to make peace with his death."

“Is Brad the father of your children?”

“No.  Hank and I were married before.  We were only eighteen.  He’s Alivia and Jackson’s father.”

“Eighteen?  That’s young.”

“We were high school sweethearts, but I agree.  Eighteen was much too young to be married.  How long have you worked at the university?”

“I took a training course when I first moved here.  One of the benefits to this job was free college, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”

“Do you remember Dr. Max Lewis?”  Hank didn’t ever want to discuss her former husbands, and now she had the attention of a total stranger who was willing to listen.

“Yes.  Of course.  He taught my Behavior Principles class.”

“Max was husband number two for me, and probably my biggest regret in life.”  The confession rolled off her tongue without haste.

“Didn’t he end up in prison for trying to kill his wife?”

Hopefully, the next part wouldn’t scare away her new friend.  “Yes.  That’s right.  I was his intended victim.”

“I’m so sorry.  My remark was totally insensitive.”

“I brought up the subject.  Are you curious how an intelligent and gifted man such as Dr. Lewis, who studied human behavior every day of his life, could be driven to murder?”

Xander was a little hesitant with his response.  “Only if you want to tell me.”

“Max assumed I was cheating on him with Hank.  He compiled a string of false evidence in his own mind, and then hastily jumped to the wrong conclusion.  Fortunately, I found the life insurance policies on me and my children in his desk drawer, along with a copy of the latest murder mystery from my late husband.  Brad and I were only friends at that point.  He had given me an advanced copy of the book.  Max was foolish enough to use the plot line.  I guess his plan had a certain ironic flair to it.”

“Wow.  You said you lost your husband Brad.  Dr. Lewis didn’t kill him, did he?”

“No.  Brad fought his second heroic battle with leukemia and lost.  He may be gone, but he’s forever in my heart.  Knowing him changed my life forever.”  She couldn’t conceal the sadness in her expression.  “Last year at this time, we were together at Monarch University.  Three months later, he was gone.”

Genny broke down and tears began falling down her cheeks.  Xander located a box of tissues on a nearby desk and rushed to retrieve a few for her.  “I’m so sorry.  I barely know you, but I needed someone to talk to.”

“Can’t you talk to your husband?”

“I try.  Hank changes the subject every time I bring up Brad.  I’m going to the ladies’ room to freshen up.  You don’t have to stick around.  I’m sure you didn’t realize I’d lay all my problems on your shoulders when you agreed to accompany me to the library.”

“Take your time.  I promise I’ll be here when you get back.”

“Thank you.  Will you watch my purse and my laptop?”

Genny was in worse shape than she originally believed when she exited the stall of the bathroom.  She splashed cold water on her face, and took a paper towel to wipe away the traces of makeup that her tears had trailed down her cheeks.  After practicing an apology in her head and taking a few deep breaths, she made her way back to Xander.  His reassuring smile when she sat back down made her feel better.

 

After Thursday’s lecture, Dr. Hayes requested a brief conversation with Genny after class.  “I’d really like to get together with you and discuss the findings you included in your research.  Would you be free to have dinner with me tomorrow evening?”

“I’m sorry, Dr. Hayes, but Friday’s are really busy for me and my husband with our children.”

“All right, Miss Moretti--”

“It’s Mrs.”

“Well then, Mrs. Moretti, is there a more convenient time for you?”  Her professor’s annoyance with her excuses was quite apparent.

“Actually, I should apologize to you.  With two small children and a full schedule this semester, I never have any free time.  I’ll be happy to meet you tomorrow.  Could we make it early evening, so I’ll be home in time to read my son and daughter a bedtime story?”

“Would six o’clock be convenient for you?”

At least, he was willing to compromise.  “Yes.  Where can I meet you?”

“Are you familiar with the Grand Court?  They have a lovely restaurant.”

“My husband’s grandmother owns the hotel.  I’m quite familiar with it.”

“Fine.  I’ll see you tomorrow at six.  Have a good day.”

“You too, Dr. Hayes.”

 

Xander was waiting for Genny outside of class to escort her to the library.  Philip Treadway, the TA from their class together, caught up to them and wanted to have a discussion in private.  She advised Xander she would meet up with him in a few minutes and took a seat on a nearby bench.

“I wanted to warn you about Dr. Hayes.”

When he seemed hesitant to further expand on his cautionary advisement, she prodded him along.  “And what is your warning?”

Philip glanced around nervously.  “Swear to me that you won’t repeat anything I’m about to tell you.”

“You have my word.”

“Dr. Hayes is not just interested in you for your mind.  Dr. Lewis was a colleague of his, and he plans on taking up where his friend left off.”

“You’ve lost me.”

He didn’t consider having to elaborate on his accusation and was suddenly uncomfortable.  “Are you denying that you and Dr. Lewis had an affair while you were his student?”

“Absolutely!  I was married when I was his student.  He was my marriage counselor later on.  We didn’t start a relationship until well after my divorce, and there was never an affair.  Max was a perfect gentleman until we were married ourselves.”

“I believe you, but rumors tend to take on a life of their own.”

The implications of their conversation were starting to become perfectly clear to Genny.  “What am I going to do?”

“You only have two options.  Give Dr. Hayes what he wants or drop out of his class.”

“Philip, I really appreciate the information, but I can handle myself.  I’m going to come up with a third option.”

“If I can do anything to help, let me know.”

“I appreciate your offer, but hopefully I won’t have to take you up on it.”