“How much of that whiskey have you had?” he asked and pointed to the bottle on the desk.
“Not nearly enough. What am I going to do now?”
“Do you know what Angel plans on doing with the information?”
“No.”
“Okay. Let’s not panic. Angel loves you. She’s having your baby. She won’t tell the cops. She’s not stupid.”
“She may not tell the cops, but I’m pretty sure she’s done with us.”
“Don’t think that. It’s too soon to write her off, Max.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You didn’t see the way she looked at me. Angel’s never going to forgive me. It’s over, Vlad.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Max. This isn’t you! Stop being a blubbering pussy. Get your head out of your ass and grow a pair.”
“Fuck off, Vlad! I’m being realistic. We’re fucked.”
“No, we’re not. I’m taking you home. You’re going to sit down with Angel and talk this through. You love each other and there’s a baby on the way. So, do what you’ve got to do and fix this.”
“Fine. Take me home.”
Vlad and I drove over to my place in silence. I was far too deep in self-pity to maintain any kind of conversation, meaningful or superfluous. All I felt was shame. I could only imagine what Angel’s parents would say if they found out what I was doing. And Charlie. Would he understand my position?
Inessa. I had to tell my sister. She and Angel had become quite close. I had to warn Inessa.
Vlad parked in my driveway.
“Are you going to be okay, Max? Would you like me to stay?”
“No. Thanks, Cuz. Thanks for the ride. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. Love you, buddy.”
“Me too, Vlad.”
I got out and watched as Vlad drove away. I tried the front door, but it was locked. I rang the bell and hoped that Angel would let me in. I’d never seen her that angry–it was new territory.
I rang the bell again. No answer. I foraged around the pot plants for the hidden spare key and unlocked the front door. The house was in relative darkness.
“Hello! Angel!”
No answer. I didn’t see my car when Vlad and I arrived, but I assumed Angel had parked the car in the garage. I went to the interleading door from the kitchen to the garage and opened it. No car.
Shit! I hoped Angel hadn’t gotten herself in an accident. She was too upset to drive. I shouldn’t have given her the keys to the car.
I took out my phone and dialed her cell phone. It rang for a long time before it went to voicemail.
“Angel, are you alright? I’m home. Please, call me when you get this message.”
I was pacing up and down the kitchen a few minutes later when I heard a message come through on my cell. It was from Angel.
“Thank God,” I sighed out loud and read the message.
I’m fine. I need time to think. Please, don’t call me again.
That was the extent of the message. It was an alooffuck you. Probably what I deserved, but it hurt, nonetheless.