On 11 September 2021, at 4:45 pm.
Katherine Glover was driving with her newborn daughter to KO Supermarket. As she approached a red light, she eased her foot off the accelerator.
Katherine's cellphone began to buzz, she gazed at it for a while before she could pick it up, It was a unknown caller, Katherine declined the call and proceeded to drive onto Lewis Lane St. She fixated on the rearview mirror, watching her daughter Mila sleep peacefully in the baby seat, Katherine smiled with quiet joy, then shifted her attention back to the road.
Katherine's cellphone buzzed again, and this time curiosity got the better of her. She picked it up and answered.
"Hello.", Katherine answered cautiously.
"Hey Kathy, it's Antonio.", Antonio responded.
A gasp portraited her shock "Hey Antonio, how're you doing?", Katherine asked shockingly.
Antonio uttered a sigh "I'm alright, just a bit bored, how about you?", Antonio asked.
"I'm doing great, just heading to KO so I can purchase a few items.", Katherine replied.
Antonio cleared his throat "Hey Kathy, I was wondering if we could talk?", he asked grievously.
"Yea sure, talk I'm all ears.", Katherine replied.
"It would feel better if we spoke in person, rather than talking over the phone.", Antonio responded.
"It would, but I'm not in the neighborhood right now.", Katherine replied devastatingly.
"Not really a problem since I'm in funky Town, we could meet up at KO parking lot.", Antonio suggested.
"OK sure, what time should we meet up?", Katherine asked.
"Asap!", Antonio responded hastily.
"OK…no problem, I'll see you soon.", Katherine replied generously. Katherine dropped the call and continued to travel to KO supermarket.
Ten minutes later, Katherine finally reached the entrance of KO's parking lot. She slowly drove around, scanning for an open spot.
Suddenly, Mila woke up and immediately began to cry, 'Oh no, I have to sort Mila out quickly.' Katherine thought to herself. Katherine finally found a spot to park in, she parked and turned off the engine, then stepped out of the driver's seat and moved to the backseat to comfort Mila.
Katherine dug into Mila's backpack and took out the baby bottle which had already been prepared, Katherine then fed Mila, gently soothing her as she drank. While Katherine was nurturing Mila, her cellphone started buzzing, but it was left on the front driver's seat, just out of her reach, Katherine decided not to bother picking up. She let the phone ring until it eventually went to voicemail,
"Hey Kathy, I'm in the parking lot…could you please pick up the phone?", this message played through voicemail as Katherine was still nurturing Mila, suddenly by surprise…
THUMP!
A hand struck the back window of Katherine's car.
Katherine yelped "what the hell!", she said. Antonio appeared at the window with a smile on his face.
Antonio laughed like a maniac "Oh man you should have seen your face.", he said jokingly.
"that's not funny! you're so childish.", Katherine replied— anger drenched in her voice.
"Yeah—yeah, can I come in?", Antonio asked.
Katherine unlocked the door and let Antonio into the car. His eyes softened as he looked at Mila, dozing off peacefully in Katherine's arms.
"You are such a great mother Kathy.", Antonio complimented her.
"Really?…sometimes I feel like I'm a bad person.", Katherine stated.
"No, you're not. You're the best woman I've ever met. Your joy, your love, your peaceful spirit — and your beauty — they're all contagious. It's like breathing you in. I can't imagine my life without you.", Antonio said earnestly. Katherine sat there, mesmerized, as tears quietly rolled down her cheeks,
"Don't cry, I'm here if you need someone to talk to.?", he uttered in her ear softly.
"I'm sorry… it's been a while since anyone made me feel seen.", Katherine replied with a blissful smile.
"Doesn't Stephen praise you once in a while?", Antonio asked her.
"Our relationship doesn't feel the same anymore, it almost feels like we are both invisible to each other, but he is my husband and I can't betray him.", Katherine confessed to Antonio.
"Kathy, love is a two-way street. If your husband's not showing you affection, you shouldn't let that hold you back from finding someone who will. You deserve to be loved completely.", Antonio responded adoringly.
Katherine decided to put Mila back slowly on her baby seat, Antonio then carried Mila's babyseat and left her on the front passenger seat.
Katherine reached out, gripping Antonio's collar with a trembling hand. Her breath hitched as she pulled him closer, their faces inches apart.
Antonio's lips curled into a slight grin. He leaned in, but paused, searching her eyes as if silently asking for permission.
Katherine closed the distance. Her palm pressed gently against his cheek, and their lips met—soft at first, then desperate, aching.
The air in the car grew thick with heat and guilt. Antonio slid his hand under her coat, fingers brushing her side like he was memorizing the shape of her. Katherine unfastened the buttons on his red polo one by one, her heartbeat drumming in her ears.
Their hands moved like they'd done this a thousand times—like this was the only time. He lifted her onto his lap, her body trembling with anticipation and shame.
"Wait.", Antonio whispered, his voice hoarse. "Are you sure about this?",
She paused—just for a moment.
"We're already here.", she said softly, almost breathlessly. "Don't ruin it.", she said cunningly.
She guided his hand, and he responded without hesitation, his touch both cautious and possessive. The line between passion and regret blurred, and for a moment, the world outside grew distant from her mind, the fogged-up windows disappeared.
Crystal Avenue.
Stephen Glover stood quiet and vigilant in front of the sliding kitchen door that opened to the backyard. He stared outside, his gaze fixed, though his mind was empty. Then, a faint sound of a baby crying broke the silence. Without thinking twice, he turned and rushed toward the staircase leading to the second floor. He climbed the steps quickly and turned left down the hallway. When he reached Akirá's bedroom, he stepped inside and walked straight to the cot,
"Hey don't worry, daddy's here Akirá.", He said as he was picking Akirá up.
Stephen gently kissed his son's forehead and continued soothing Akirá with soft whispers,
Stephen placed his nose on Akirá,
"Akirá…did you mess yourself?", he asked euphoniously. 'I have to change him.', Stephen thought to himself, He took Akirá to the changing table and gently laid him down. Stephen began changing his diaper and cleaning him up with care. Once finished, he helped Akirá into a fresh set of clothes and carried him. The two left the room and made their way downstairs.
In the kitchen, Stephen opened the fridge and selected the baby's bottle. Akirá wriggled with excitement in his father's arms, desperately trying to snatch the bottle as they stepped into the living room.
"Hey relax…I'm going to give you just now.", Stephen said happily. Stephen sat down on the one-seater with Akirá, cradling him gently in his arms as he continued to feed him. With his free hand, he picked up the TV remote, turned on the television, and switched to a sports channel.
As the screen lit up, his teenage daughter came walking down the stairs. She headed into the kitchen and casually grabbed an apple from the fruit stand.,
"Afternoon Tokyo… ", Stephen greeted her, but Tokyo ignored him as she was walking towards the entrance door.
"Wow…are you really gonna' ignore your father?", he said sorrowfully.
Tokyo finally made eye contact with him "Afternoon Dad, how are you?", she asked sarcastically.
"I'm good, thanks for asking. Anyways…where are you going?", Stephen curiously asked.
"I'm going to my friends house.", Tokyo stated.
"It better not be a boyfriend's house." He replied anxiously.
"DAD!", she clamored embarrassingly.
"What? you're only 16 years old, and I can't allow my daughter to visit a horny rabbit!", Stephen said confidently.
"First of all, Ew…gross! second of all, I'm turning 18 in 5 months, and third, I'm going to visit Abigail.", Tokyo stated pityingly.
"OK…just don't do anything illegal, capiche?", He said politely.
"OK, I'll be back by 11 pm.", Tokyo stated.
"Yea, you better be, I don't want your mother to argue with me.", Stephen said dreadfully as Tokyo made her way out through the door.
Stephen dialed Katherine, but her cellphone went through voicemail. 'Why isn't she picking up her phone?', Stephen thought to himself, "Where's LJ when you need him?", Stephen muttered—regret clear in his tone.
352. Sinister Road. 'Planet skate park'. 5:00 pm
Lucas Glover, Stephen's oldest son, was at Planet skate park in downtownSan El Zorro, skating and performing tricks.
Then he spotted Ashley—a short, light-skinned African American with an oval-shaped face, beautiful green almond eyes, curly brunette Afro hair, and an hourglass figure. Ashley waved at Lucas. As he walked toward her, his friend Joshua threw an arm over his shoulder and was laughing,
Joshua laughed on the top of his lungs "Yo, LJ you should've seen how Brian just collapsed… ", he joked.
"Yea sure— ", Lucas replied— basically ignoring him.
"Why so serious? oh, you tryn'na hook up with Miss Ashley.?", Joshua mocked.
"Shut up bro…I'm just gonna go talk to her.", Lucas responded as he was walking towards her. Joshua stopped in his tracks.
Joshua lifted his hands into the air "Alright bro, just don't choke like last time!", he shouted as he returned to the arena.
Ashley held her hands on her thigh "Don't choke like last time?" she giggled.
"Don't listen to him, he's a bit crazy sometimes.", Lucas stated.
"So, how've you been?", he asked.
Ashley twirled her hair "I've been good you know, it's just the studies that's making me stress so much.", she said— her tone near fatigued.
"Tell me about it— ", Lucas began.
Ashley chipped in "Anyways, I was wondering if you could help me out with my studies tonight?", she implored politely.
"I don't know— ", Lucas hesitated.
Ashley interrupted him again "Please? you're the only friend I thought of.", she stated.
"OK…" he finally agreed, "when should I pull up?", Lucas asked.
"How about 10 pm?", Ashley suggested.
"Cool…guess I'll see you at 10 pm.", Lucas responded adoringly.
"Yea…I guess you will." she said— searching deep into his eyes "I'm gonna head out, I'll see you later.", Ashley said sensually as she began to walk away, Lucas stood there watching her—stunned struck, not knowing what to do or what to say.
Knock Out Supermarket. 5:15 pm.
The KO parking lot was completely empty and silent. Katherine laid with her head resting on Antonio's chest as they reclined in the car. Suddenly, Mila began to cry, stirring awake. Katherine jolted awake quickly.
Katherine vociferated "Shit…Antonio wake up!", she said worryingly.
"Hmm…" he muttered "what's the time?" Antonio asked.
"Fuck… I think we overdid it." Katherine said "It's 5:15. I gotta' get back home before Stephen starts getting suspicious." she continued— her voice shook with guilt.
"Damn… I'm sorry, Kathy. I—I messed up. I came to talk about something, but I pushed the situation a bit too far. Please forgive me.", Antonio sincerely apologized as Katherine was rushing to dress herself up.
"Anyways what was it that you wanted to talk about?", Katherine asked curiously.
Antonio clicked his tongue, he tried to get the words out "It's about Stephen—" he responded.
"What do you mean?", Katherine asked— her eyes narrowed at him.
"I mean." Antonio began "we've been doing all of this behind his back for a year now and—" he stated tensely.
"AND!?", Katherine replied devastatingly.
"I think it's about time we tell him about…US—" Antonio said nervously.
"NO! no way." Katherine replied angrily. "If we do that, he will leave me.", she said.
"It's OK I'll just—" Antonio responded adoringly.
"NO, it's not OK!" Katherine demanded. "Look let's just go our separate ways for now, and we'll talk tomorrow, OK?" she suggested.
"But—" Antonio began.
"No buts…look…I just really got to get back home right now.", Katherine responded.
Antonio grabbed his clothes and hopped out of the car, butt naked. Katherine stepped out as well and made her way to the driver's seat. She put the keys in the ignition and started the car. Rolling down the window, she gazed over at Antonio,
"Look I'm sorry that I'm rushing…but I've really got to get back home, I'll call you tomorrow, okay?", Katherine stated.
Antonio sunk his head "It's Okay, I understand." he replied.
Katherine shifted into reverse, backing out of the parking spot with a heavy heart. As she turned onto the main road, the weight of her decisions sat beside her in silence.