Good Company

~July 9th 1975~ 

'And you're absolutely sure? 100%?' Roger asked nervously, the telephone slightly shaking in his hands.

'Sir, I told you already. I am positive that inmate Prenter has not escaped or attempted to escape since he was brought in. If there isn't anything else I can help you with, I'm afraid I must hang up the phone now. I'm a very busy woman and I haven't got all day.' 

'No, that's all. Thank you very much.' He sighed. Glad that's cleared up. But who the hell was at Paul's house? And why did he recognise my voice? 

There really is one solution to all this. I must go and see for myself. But I can't, now, can I? 

The loud sound of the doorbell surprised him, for he didn't expect any visitors until the 12th, when Claire would come to check on them. The key rattled in the lock and Roger found himself looking at the mailman, Larry. They talked briefly sometimes, about sports, or the news, or whose man left who for another. 

'Package for Taylor, sign here please.' He held out a form and a pencil. 

'Thanks, Larry. How's the girlfriend?'Roger signed, curious as to who would send him anything.

Larry handed him the box, but gestured that he wasn't quite done. 'Hold on, I think I have something else for you,' he said while searching his bag. 'The girlfriend left, by the way. They all do, in the end. You learn to live with it eventually. When she's home, it's nice, but when she isn't I don't really mind anymore. Ah, here it is: Taylor. Popular much, huh? Lucky. My own friends won't even send me a birthday card. Anyhow, that's life. I'd better run, Loads of mail to deliver.' He jogged back to his van and waved as he drove off. 

'Some people just don't shut up,' Roger murmured with a grin. He checked the letter for a sender, but other than his name, address and zip code, it was blank. 

'Oh, that's Brian's handwriting.' Frowning, he read the letter. He didn't know why he frowned, his face simply did that whenever he read something. Brian once told him that he looked adorable, which resulted in a pout and various attempts to stop frowning, but he couldn't keep it up. 

Who's Pollyanna? Should I know her? Should I be worried about her? Brian's probably known her for a long time, maybe they even grew up together, that's why he wants me to inform about her with his folks. If she's changed, if she has a bad reputation... What if she's trying to seduce my Brian while I'm stuck here in the UK? He'll move to Spain and probably have adorable children of his own with big curly hair who can speak both English and Spanish and they'll excell in astrophysics. But I'm onto that Spanish bitch, I know exactly what she's trying and I will not allow her to steal him from me. I should have known he'd cheat on me, as if he'd ever love me again after seeing me all whiney and weak. 

'God-fucking-damnit!' He smashed his closed fist onto the dinner table and unvoluntarily let a single tear escape.'I thought I was fucking done with this.' 

He leaned on the table and crumbled the letter with such force that he dug his nails into his own hand, but he didn't ease up. 

'Hey Roger, are you okay? You look sad.' 

Roger turned around and saw John standing behind him, hands clutched behind his back and his eyes looking up at him hopefully. Freddie peeked around the corner, probably too embarrassed to go himself. 

'Oh honey, I'm alright. I'm just a little sad that daddy isn't home.' Roger dabbed his eye with his sleeve to dry any tears he hadn't cried yet, as a precaution. 'I'm over it already, see? I'm smiling!' he exclaimed while trying to crack a smile. 

'Daddy said you can't curse in front of us,' John blurted. He immediately covered his mouth with his hands, to keep the words from going out. 

'Did he? Well, daddy isn't here now! And that means that I can curse whenever the fuck I want!' Roger laughed when he saw the shocked faces. 'Oh bugger off, like you two don't say a bad word sometimes!' 

Freddie joined the conversation from behind his doorpost: 'I never curse! Well, maybe I said a few bad words, but that's history! I will never say a bad word again!'

'Is that so? I don't believe that one second!' He ruffled Freddie's hair, and went to get a glass of water. He closed his eyes and calmed his breathing before turning back to the boys.'Look, kids, I need to go away for a little while. I'm leaving tomorrow, and Claire's coming early to watch you.'

'What? Why do you need to leave?' John grabbed his hand and pulled him down a little. 'Are you going to see daddy without us? Where are you going?' 

'I'm sorry, but I can't tell you where or why. I need time to figure something out, and then I'll come right back to you and we'll go see daddy. I just... I have to do this first.' 

'That's just great,' Freddie spat. 'Daddy's off to some job in Europe and you have to figure something out. How's that for a dad?' He pulled John back and shuffled out of the kitchen.

'Listen kid, I ain't your dad. I won't be until your father marries me, and he hasn't shown any intention to do that since - oh never mind, I'm done. I am fucking done. I'm gonna call Claire to come over today and I'll see you in a couple days.' Roger snapped. He stomped to the front door and smashed it behind him.