The Haunted Chest Read online

  Do you like stalking me?” Jessica Holland asked Newton Shetani while they were on their way home. It was another argument on the same topic they had a day before and Jessica was getting bored and offended of having to be reminded of her past over and over again.

  A year of marriage, but Jessica’s past always came to her and Newton was not prudent whenever he started the topic.

  “No! Jessie, so you now find this topic to be some kind of a stalk, right?”

  “Newton, let us try and forget about my past. That topic is unavailing if you ask me.”

  Desperate, mad with frustration, Newton looked straight into Jessica’s blue eyes. Anger rose in his throat as he recalled what had happened an hour ago “a man stops you in the middle of the road and tells you...no...thanks you for the the good show you gave him when you two were in bed...with him...and you call this matter futile? You call it unavailing?-- And you did not get offended by any of what that guy said.”

  “Why should I, Newt?”

  “Why should you!?”

  “Listen, Newt, that is in the past. After all you married me besides you knowing that I was a porn actress.”

  “I think there are things you can’t tell me.”

  “Like?”

  “Like you are still selling your body to earn some bucks.”

  “Newt, don’t disrespect me. The fact that I am responding to every one of your stupid, sardonic questions doesn’t mean you can just say whatever you feel like saying. And the fact that I am still listening to that trivial issue doesn’t mean I’m in agreement with what you are saying. I have a heart you know.”

  “If you had one, you wouldn’t had been showing yourself necked on TV.” Newton said. Jessica’s blue eyes grew wide as she looked at Newton, her eyes slowly become wet when she swallowed through her stringy throat. Tears begun to stream down her cheeks as she saw her husband speak in a tone which never pleased her. And she could see just how mad Newton was after bumping into one of her ex-workmate, Joseph; who twice featured with Jessica in a movie at the xxx video bluster (an adult film company) which Jessica had worked for, for more than five years straight before falling in love with Newton Shetani, a simple ship attendant. “Where was your shame then huh!? Where?” He continued as anger rose in his throat, and a tone of sarcasm which sounded harsh in Jessica’s ears escaped from his mouth.

  Jessica ducked her head as Newton’s words came rushing in her ears. Newton, like any other husband, needed to protect an image of his family. After marriage he had insisted that they shift from their current home to a place were no one knew Jessica as a porn actress and a blond block buster adult movie star, but Mrs Shetani. I guess this is too much to ask for. Newton’s thoughts always rattled whenever he remembered Jessica’s past work.

  Jessica lifted up her head and glanced again at Newton. She tempered her voice as she caught Newton’s glance “why did you get married to me? If you saw me to be a whore. Why marry me in the first place?”

  “I thought you were the wife God plotted for me. I thought wrong. I thought that I would find happiness and joy in your company. I believed the so called love phrase…” He continued. “But in the abstract thought you turned up to be something else, all that I saw then was nothing but mere fantasy, everybody out there has those. And the funny part with fantasy is that it’s never real. And it will never be. I think it will never work.”

  Jessica held Newton’s hand “what are you saying? That the love I feel for you is fake--?” Pausing in her words, “what are you trying to say to me, Newton? That our relationship is never going to work out?”

  Newton swung his glance away from Jessica, and back at her again, he saw her weep and soak herself in tears as she repeatedly glanced at him. Am sorry Jessie, but this will never work for the both of us until am certain you are no longer striping your body necked for those losers. He swallowed through his throat as thoughts surged in his mind-- he removed Jessica’s hand which had gripped on his jean and gave her an uncertain look and then walked away. He moved into another road which led to his house. Newton’s eyes darkened as thoughts surged in his mind.

  I am not sure anymore of the type of person I chose to spend my entire life with--I can not trust Jessie anymore. Newton thought as he walked away.

  Jessica glanced at Newton as she watched him walk away. She fell on her knees and pressed her hands on the ground as she cried repeatedly. Her head was still ducked down as mixed feelings begun to rise in her heart, she lifted her head and could see Newton afar and about to make a sharp escape.

  Newton Shetani and Jessica Holland had been married for a year, pretty much a short time and would be considered newlywed, but their relationship, which inclined to be like they had spent many years together. Every time the two argued, their marriage lost that sentimental value of love and it slowly grew apart.

  Jessica Holland begun to work for a porn company at an age of sixteen, pretty much illegal--but with the great show she gave her manager, and her eagerness to help cure her sick mother who had suffered from Lung cancer, the company illicitly brought her aboard. For years, she helped pay her sick mom, but on her third year working for the adult company her mother passed away. Jessica Holland therefore had no reason to stay in the porn business anymore but since she had gained millions of followers and fame around the cities of Transtevator, she decided to continue with her career as an adult film actress. However, on her twenty-second birthday, she met Newton Shetani who among all men found something in her (something special) apart from her striped necked talent and she fell in love with him and thereby stopped acting. Newton seemed to be the only important person in her life then, but her past seemed to keep on tormenting her and it always did despite the two years that she had quit acting.

  Unlike Jessica, Newton Shetani grew humble but he loved money of which at times forced him to step foot in prison. His main priority in life was to make money--and make lots of it if he got the chance, but it is doubtful that God has chances for greedy persons like him. Newton had to scrub boats and ships only to make a living and was in need for more money when he had gotten married to Jessica Holland. He wasn’t that much hooked up in relationships in his past years, Jessica Holland was thenceforth the first true love partner he had. And after being stabbed many times by Jessica’s past, he no longer knew the meaning of love. He always tried as hard as possible to bury everything from Jessica’s past which included her being taunted by her ex-co workers and her fan base. He wanted to bury that by moving to another city or town where he and Jessica would not be known. Beside the fact that he could not be known wherever he moved to, Newton reasoned that he could at least get cordial greetings from neighbors, and be seen by all, that he and Jessica were a normal couple. That would be in contrast to what was happening now-- his wife always looked at by other men with a glance of lust. Why doesn’t she reason with me?

  Jessica’s eyes darkened as she glanced at Newton who had then disappeared into another road “I love you Newton, and that is all that matters...I love you.” Her voice muffled as she stretched her glance forward.

  But Newton was not ready to look back. He kept his glance fastened ahead as troubled thoughts whirled in his mind. Why can’t I have peace of mind, for once in my life. I married her in the name of love, but this doesn’t seem to be love to me. Was it infatuation I felt? Or maybe I was only fascinated by her fame? Damn! What is wrong with me? Newton lifted his hands and placed them on his face as thoughts continued to ramble in his mind.

  Slowly and gently, he rubbed his face. And for a second he glanced back to check on Jessica if she was following behind or maybe still on the other road and crying.

  What is up with girls? I can’t seem to understand them. His thoughts snapped the moment he saw that Jessica was behind him. But quite aloof and not wishing to get close to him.

  He shifted his glance and fastened it on the road ahead. He slipped one of his hands in the pocket and tried to loosen his glance which had seemed narrow. He softened h
is lips as he strode along the road, and remembered what had happened for them get married. What really had transpired on Jessica’s twenty-second birthday that Newton began to date her..

  As a famous porn actress, Jessica Holland was having her twenty-second birthday on one of the ships she and her workmates rented--which had happened to be where Newton Shetani worked as one of the ship’s attendants and also appointed for a one day service as a party waiter.

  It was like it were yesterday when he walked towards Jessica with a tray of champagne glasses; handing them to everyone on deck, and refilling those glasses which had gone empty.

  It wasn’t like Newton never knew Jessica’s and her fame, actually she was at the time the talk of the town of Transtevator-- and Newton never liked that fact one bit, the fact that she was into bad acting. Newton knew of Jessica’s career and never liked it, at first he only knew and pictured her as a whore, at least not until he had fallen in love with her, and heard of the reason why she had found herself into that type of acting. For a complete year they dated, Jessica quit her career, Newton put a ring on Jessica’s finger and they were both married in a church and pronounced husband and wife on Jessica’s twenty-fourth birthday.

  Since their wedding, Newton always insisted that they leave Transtevator and move to states like New York, California, Pennsylvania, or his favorite-- Las Vegas, but Jessica found Transtevator to be her one and only city she can live in because she had been born and raised there and she hoped to die there. She cherished the city even more because it was there that she had buried her mother.

  Newton puffed between his teeth and glanced behind. Again. And he could see Jessica afar with her head ducked.

  I don’t know why, but I don’t think I can continue trusting you, Jessie. Newton thought as he paused to glance at her.

  Newton thought back to a moment when he had been stopped by some guys and asked if he had really married a ‘whore.’ Newton never saw Jessica in that perspective, but the manner in which Jessica behaved when approached by a guy and many who asked her to sign them an autograph made Newton think of her like that. She always fixed her face with a curved smile...and also injected a smile in her voice whenever she spoke to her fans. At times, Newton felt like he was missing something...he felt like Jessica was cheating on him, and worse...that she was still in her old ways; and again working for an adult film company.

  And every time when he changed the channels on his television screen at mid-night only to fined adult movies, he could see her stripped necked with other men in bed.

  Although Jessica’s habit was of the past, it sure kept taunting her through her jealous husband.

  It is not that I don’t know of her past habit, but it is quite difficult believing that she is no longer in the ways of acting porn.

  Newton swung his glance behind and could see Jessica afar, walking slowly and until then not wanting to get close to him. She placed one of her hands on top of her guitar-shaped curved hip as she walked forward. Wind blew her hair behind and her pretty face ducked as thoughts troubled her.

  Newton begun to slow his speed, he slid his feet on the ground and hoped that Jessica cold reach him. But Newton wasn’t ready to prove to Jessica that he was no longer mad at her. He thought that if made that certain to her, she would take an advantage of his feelings.

  Rather, he continued to walk slowly and hoped that Jessica would talk her way into making him believe that whatever she said was true and that she wasn’t acting for any adult film company.

  But why does she keep relations with the people she once acted with. I hate that fact that my wife is looked at as a slut by my neighbors. Newton thought.

  “Newt--” After minutes of following behind, Jessica called out.

  He glanced behind and could see Jessica stopping and taking deep breaths-- she placed both her hands on her hips and received Newton’s glance.

  “You will meet me home!” Newton responded and covered his face with an exaggerated anger.

  “What’s with you, Newt? Your wife is ding and you stand meters away from her?” she said in a weak tone.

  “The dead don’t speak.”

  “What!?”

  “Meet me home, honey.” Newton snapped. And shifted his glance from Jessica. At least clear in her eyes that Newton wasn’t falling for her prank. And slowly, she too begun to walk forward. Behind Newton. And then upright with one hand dropped down and only brushing her hip.

  It was in the afternoon when the couple decided to walk to a supermarket where they met Joseph (Jessica’s ex-workmate) and a number of fans who asked for Jessica to sign them an autograph. Quite intense in Newton’s perspective, he canceled all their plans to shop for household supplies. Jessica’s behavior made Newton decide not to move further. And then forced both of them to make turns and consider that day’s lunch canceled.

  Newton wasn’t going to have an appetite after that quarrel, and neither would Jessica.

  He ducked his head as he walked away.

  For minutes, Newton and Jessica walked in the scorching sun of the afternoon. The sun hit their foreheads and at times a mini blowing wind (warm too) would hit their faces.

  Newton puffed out loud, while walking. His heart twisted with a feeling which he wasn’t certain of-- whether to feel ashamed having to marry Jessica, or compassion over the way Jessica had looked after he had shouted at her. Ambivalent thoughts surged in his mind as he walked. Why? What seem to be my problem. Jessica is pretty, and I have as well come to know of her inner beauty after I had made her my wife. She knows moral values, she knows how to love, but what seems to be...? Unable to reason with what was happening in his relationship, Newton didn’t find it easy to recollect his thoughts upon comparing just how Jessica reasoned on that matter, how she talked to her neighbors, and how she responded at her fans requests for selfies. Newton did not know what else to believe anymore.

  He puffed out again the moment he glanced at his house which was right in between two neighboring houses, and it faced the road. It was placed in between a short plank fenced which excluded it from its neighbors. The house was painted white to distinguish it from the other neighboring houses. For example, to distinguish it from the house at the left which looked creepy and owned by a creepy old couple: Jack Boxer and his wife, Futtesh Nawar. They were pretty old, but they always insisted on being addressed by their names. Mr Boxer’s wife, who made Newton’s days worse whenever bumped into him, was in her early seventies, but still saw herself pretty, and prettier than Jessica Holland. She always mocked Newton on his choice to marry a wife whom in Mrs Boxer’s judgment, seemed immoral.

  Newton twisted his lips into a smile as he walked forward, close to his yard. He dropped his curved smile when he saw yet again the old couple’s house.

  Take it easy, Newt, the old man isn’t around. He isn’t home. Newton took a deep steady breath as he walked forward.

  “I really need a shower right now,” He said in a low faint tone as he paused to rub his face. An exhaustion which covered part of his face.

  Right at the edge of his yard, he stopped and glanced at his and Jessica’s huge house. Staring at it with a covetous look of wanting more. Newton considered his house to be an investment-- An investment which sure brought him no money in return. If only Jessica agrees in us moving to Las Vegas--that way, I would sell this house and make more money in casinos--I’m pretty sure I’m destined for big, after all, I was born when the state was under civil war, but here I’m...and alive...this and more proves just how lucky I’m...what if I use that luck to win us a fortune and not stay in this city and be cooped between our pasts and two annoying neighbors.

  “Hey, get out of my way!” Mrs Boxer hit Newton’s legs with her walking stick.

  “Sorry, ma’am.” He turned around. And said upon seeing that it was his neighbor.

  “You better be young man--”

  “I’m really sorry, ma’am.”

  “What did you just call me?” Mrs Boxer asked, still bal
ancing on her walking stick, her glance lifted up to get a clear glimpse of Newton through her specs.

  “Nothing ma’am.” Newton responded.

  “Why do you call me...ma’am?”

  “I...I... I don’t know...because you are--” Newton paused in between his sentence.

  “Because what? Curled haired.” Mrs boxer continued “do I look old to you?”

  “Ah--” Newton wanted to continue but thought better of what he was about to say.

  “The cat has caught your tongue?” Mrs boxer said, her voice muffled through her throat as she spoke “do I look old to you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I’m still young and sexy...at least better than your wife...your ugly blond wife...what’s her name again? yes...Jessica...who names her daughter Jessica in this new era...we are in the twenty-first century damn it! I wouldn’t even think of naming my daughter Jessica--” Mrs boxer said.

  Newton’s eyes darkened as she watched the old lady balance on her walking stick, but still talked as much as yesterday. Newton glanced at Mrs Boxer and hoped that she finished talking soon and walk back to her house--at least that would allow him too to go into his and take a shower which he had longed for. But--

  “You know what, ma’am--”

  “Ah! Not ma’am...Futtesh Nawar...the only diva in these parts of Transtevator...”

  “OK, Futtesh” Newton continued, forcing the old lady’s name out of his mouth, “may I walk to my house now, I think I should be in my house, and you in yours. What do you think?”

  “Alright, make way!” Mrs Boxer hit him on his legs again as she begun to walk away, sliding her feet as she kept her back curved and her head ducked down.

  Newton glanced at the old lady and puffed out loud to what had happened--who would name her daughter, Futtesh, anyway? Newton’s thoughts snapped as he watched the old lady walk away--foot by foot into her house. He shook his head.

  And before he could continue into his short fence, he was stopped by Mr boxer who was coming from behind, treading towards Newton, with one of his hands place on top of his back. Mr Boxer’s back was slightly curved and he was not willing to stretch it further in fear of what would happen if he did. His glance was fastened at Newton who at most occasions ran into his house when he was stopped by the old man. But this time, Mr Boxer sure caught him.

  “Where thou hitting on my wife?” Mr Boxer asked, and walked a step further towards Newton.

  That’s stupid, how could I hit on a woman at her age, she is as old as my great great grandma? Newton sorted through his thoughts as he glanced at Mr Boxer with a glance of bewilderment as he was unable to respond to the question he had been asked by Mr Boxer. He rather fastened his glance at the old man.

  “Answer me kiddo!” Mr Boxer insisted.

  “Why would I?”

  “I don’t know, thou have realized that thou are married to a prostitute. And thou find my wife sexy...does that give thou a hint?”

  “Se...sexy?” Wait a minute, does he think that his wife is sexy? Old people tend to amuse me “no, sir--”

  “Thou better not kiddo!” Mr Boxer begun to walk back towards his house “I’m keeping an eye on thou kid!”

  What was that all about? I just wish that when I grow old, I don’t turn up to be like this looser. I just wish not.

  He puffed between his teeth and shook his head before he could proceed to his fence. He clamped his mouth tight as thoughts whirled in his mind.

  Newton saw in Jessica, a better wife, but the people surrounding him always looked down on his and Jessica’s relationship. They saw Jessica as a whore and a prostitute, but those and many other hate mails Newton was still getting from his neighbors weren’t going to make him to stop loving Jessica.

  Newton considered each name the neighbors had given his wife and also the words he had to said to Jessica each time they had an argument and Newton felt guilty for the pain he had made Jessica go through.

  Newton walked into the fence and gently locked the small gate behind him. He couldn’t see Jessica anywhere behind, but Newton thought what else could have held her behind other than ‘Fans!’ Nothing else could come to mind other than that, especially considering the fame Jessica had in Transtevator. Newton swung his glance at all directions, but could still not get a glimpse of Jessica anywhere. He could only feel the silent wind of the neighborhood, blowing to his direction--touching and lifting his top hairs and making him feel that warm afternoon breeze. She will come, she knows the way home, after all I’m the reason she isn’t with me.

  And Newton felt that his pragmatic character always made their relationship bizarre to live in. Newton loosened his glance and opened the door at his front-- and made a silent entry into the house.

  “Surprise!!!”

  Newton’s heart jumped the moment he got a sudden surprise from Jessica and his sister: Norah Shetani. It wasn’t like he hated surprises, but this? Newton glanced around the living room which had been decorated with pretty matching colours. And in front of his eyes stood a huge cake.

  “Happy birthday!”

  Newton’s heart bet rampant as he recovered from the scare he had gotten from Jessica and Norah-- he wasn’t able to understand why Jessica would still wish him a happy birthday after the huge argument both had. He tempered his voice and injected a smile in it as he stared at both Norah and Jessica.

  “Come here--” Newton said.

  Norah and Jessica rushed into his arms.

  “Thank you so very much” Newton said, “You know you are the only ones I have left in Transtevator...I’m sincerely grateful for all this you have done for me...but wait a minute...Jessie, how did you reach home so quick?”

  “Norah gave me a ride back.” Jessica responded with a smile curled on her lips.

  “Clever--” Newton snapped.

  “How is the surprise, my dear brother?” Norah asked upon breaking free from the hug “don’t tell me you forgot about your own birthday. Did you?”

  “Truthful...I did forget.” Newton responded.

  “I came here as soon as Jessica reminded me.” Norah continued, “do you like the surprise?”

  “Like it? I love it...and I love you two.” Newton continued, “come on, let us cut the cake.”

  Jessica walked forward “not so fast, Newt--”

  “Why? Am starving.”

  “After you say sorry for what you did out there. You really hurt my feelings you know.” Jessica crossed her arms and opened her eyes wide as she stared at Newton, “am waiting--”

  “I’m sorry,Jessie...am sorry” Newton walked towards Jessica and wrapped his arms around her, and whispered in her ears, “let us not talk about that in front of my sister, please. You know how my sister hates to see us argue.”

  “OK, we cut the cake.” Jessica said, forming her mouth into a wry smile as she approached the cake.

  “I’m getting a bigger piece because I’m the youngest, and because I bought this cake,” Norah said and walked forward. She kept her glance fastened on the huge cake which had sat on the table. And a rising appetite which rushed on Norah’s tongue. “Am starving too!”

  I can’t seem to understand one thing. Newton’s eyes darkened as bewildered thoughts rattled in his mind. In front of him was Jessica: his wife, a person he had a fight with a while ago. But there she was, excited and dancing with Norah right at the center of the living room. Jessica seemed happy, but Newton could not understand her actions, Newton reasoned that Jessica was only trying to let Norah feel that nothing had happened that day. And it is pretty obvious that Norah knows nothing that I had an argument with Jessica, I could have been lectured and scolded by her by now. Norah is Newton’s only relative-- his sister, and Jessica sure had her ways in pleasing Norah-- in fact, not even Newton knew how to calm her down if she at any time was faced with a dilemma, but with Jessica knew how to.

  After having to lose both their parents in a car accident, Newton wanted to secure his sister’s well being. And
Jessica sure came in handy-- Norah was very much open with Jessica than with her own brother. That made Newton realize just how important Jessica was to his sister as she was to him.

  Newton stood right next to the cake...the remaining cake which was half way to be finished up. Newton placed his hands on the table as he curved his back, and gently stared at the cake. His eyes were wet as he remembered just how harsh his words were when he had spoken them to Jessica. He gnashed his teeth as each word rushed in his mind. Remembering just how he had spoken to Jessica. His cheeks burned with annoyance as he did not know what he was to do. He swung his glance to the other side, and begun to stare at Jessica and Norah who seemed to had been enjoying themselves. And gently he lifted one hand from the table and rubbed his face. He slid his hand down from his forehead which had at that time become oily after coming a long way from the supermarket in a scorching sun of the afternoon. He gently slid his hand down to his cheeks until holding on to his comic shaped chin.

  He kept his hand fixed on his chin, and stroked it gently as thoughts came rushing in his mind. At that moment, he realized just how much important Jessica was in his life. Not only in his, but in his sister’s too. He squared his chin and watched his sister and wife dance. Both seemed happy and excited. It was a joyous occasion, and Newton realized that Jessica was surely a perfect match for him, no one could be better.

  And after arguing with Jessica at the supermarket as well as on the road on their way back home, Newton hadn’t expected good from Jessica apart from a cold shoulder which he had not gotten yet. He twisted his mouth into a smile as he glanced at both his sister and wife. He curved a smile which he flushed right at the upper of his shoulder as he watched Jessica and Norah dance. He kept his hand on his chin and his other on the table until he decided to drop both his hands down to walked away from the table. Newton flushed a smile as he stared at Norah, and gently he begun to walk towards a couch which was pushed at the far corner wall a while ago by Jessica. Slowly, Newton walked and was upon the couches, he gently flopped into one. He opened his eyes wide as he got both glances of Norah and Jessica. He kept his mouth twisted into a smile as he watched them dance. He took a deep steady breath before puffed out between his teeth and flushed a smile at Jessica and Jessica again.

  Norah wore a smile when she decided to tread towards Newton, she tried to pull him up from the couch to make him dance with her and Jessica. It was Newton’s birthday after all, but Newton was having a guilt of thought after having said bad things to Jessica an hour ago. He rather kept himself stiffened on the couch and insisted that he’d rather watch the ladies dance. I’m happy, this is the best birthday present ever. Having my sister here and Jessica with me...He thought as he stiffened in the couch. And gently he folded his arms on top of his belly as he watched the ladies enjoy themselves. He screamed “Hooray!” to them as he watched.

  Jessica stopped dancing and begun to walk towards him, she placed one of her hands on her hip--and covered her mouth with a wry smile as she walked even closer towards him. She had still wore the same clothes she had wore when going to the supermarket. A pink short dress, which showed just how shaped her body was. The dress which touched tightly her waist and pressed her breasts-- and showed just how beautiful she looked. And her white skin which sure brightened up the dress even more. The dress which met half-way her thigh...and quite tempting if you ask me...Newton clamped his mouth tight as he watched Jessica’s hair throw behind and gave him a clear glimpse of Jessica’s pretty face. Her smile, though wry, confused Newton even more. But a thought which reminded Newton that he was still mad at her--Jessica; her not cutting her connections with her ex-workmates and her not willing to show a cold shoulder at her fans. Newton reasoned that if she tried to show a slight cold shoulder at her fans then Jessica wouldn’t have gotten much attention from many.

  “Come on darling, you’re missing the fun. You’re the birthday boy remember? What is it with the cold behavior?” Jessica asked. She had stood right in front of Newton with both her hands resting on her hips. Her face flushed a wry smile as she spoke. Her legs touched each other, and Newton could curve out Jessica’s curved hips. But Newton was not falling for her beauty this time. Most of the times when they had an argument in the house, Jessica, with her charming looks and pretty body would win her way in an argument and Newton would always be the one to ask for forgiveness. But not this time, Newton wasn’t falling for any of her tricks.

  “Newt--” Jessica said.

  And slowly, Newton begun to tilt his neck, he gently lifted his head which was at that time ducked down. He lifted his head and begun to again to study Jessica’s guitar-shaped body, but closed his eyes when he was about to glance at her tightly engulfed breasts. Wait a minute...I won’t fall for that. Not today.

  “What?” Newton snapped, he kept his eyes closed, and swallowed through his throat and continued to speak. “What now, Jessie?”

  “The dance floor is now open for arrogant people.” Jessica said and kept her glance fastened at Newton.

  “What?” Quickly he opened his eyes and glanced at Jessica’s fine body. He exclaimed “WOW!”

  “What did you say?” Jessica asked, she lifted one eyebrow in mute supplication and still kept her hands rested on her hips as she glanced at Newton.

  “Nothing--” Newton continued. “Who is arrogant?”

  “I don’t know...you maybe...after ditching me in the middle of the road, and right now pretending to be in harmony, like nothing ever happened out there. Does that define your question, Newt--?”

  “It would if I were you,” Newton continued after loosening himself from the couch and beamed forward. “After being in an argument with me...no, no...the ‘birthday boy,’ you run home and pretend like nothing happened in less than an hour...and here you are wishing me a happy birthday if all you give me is torment.”

  “Oh--now you won’t even thank me for making this party a success? I could have canceled this birthday party if it were up to me. And probably tell your sister why you and I had a fight. Would you want me to do that, Mr Reputation?”

  “What is that all about?” Newton asked, he rose both his eyebrows and stared up at Jessica, glancing at nothing but her bosom.

  “I don’t know, remind me. Since you care so much about your reputation. Don’t you think you might as well have an answer to that question?” Jessica asked.

  Norah wasn’t paying attention to any of what they had been discussing but rather took that opportunity to grab herself another bigger piece of the cake, after all, she was again starving after a long stressful dance alone on the dance floor. Norah thought that what Jessica and Newton had was nothing but a romantic conversation, considering Jessica’s stance, and the way Jessica had landed her hands on her hips. The loud music which played in the house disrupted Norah’s hearing she couldn’t get anything that Jessica and Newton talked about. She took another plate of cake, a fork, and walked to the other corner of the room where a couch had been rested. She rested her feet on the couch and the plate which had the cake on her laps. Norah dug in.

  But Newton and Jessica were arguing yet again, and did not consider that they weren’t alone in the house, but Norah too was in the room. Newton who rested his back on the couch and heard Jessica speak and kept quiet as he continued to stare at Jessica’s bosom which had been pressed against Jessica tight pink dress.

  “Who is wrong between us two?” Jessica asked.

  “What kind of a question is that? Of course you are--now what difference does it make?”

  “A tiny difference. It proves just how bias you are...my dear husband.”

  “Bias?” Newton lifted both his eyebrows.

  “Since no one wants to accept his wrong doing,” Jessica continued “I challenge you to a competition. Whoever wins this competition will not be blamed for ever starting this silly argument. And whoever looses will have to apologize to the other and promise to scrub the floors this entire week. What do you say about that?”

&
nbsp; “What’s the challenge?”

  “The challenge is in the bedroom--” Jessica snapped.

  Damn! This girl is naughty. Newton thought as he glanced at Jessica.

  “It’s not what you think, Newt, I wouldn’t be in bed with you after calling me a whore.”

  “who said I was thinking of that?” Newton continued, “I wouldn’t either.”

  “I’m challenging you to play chess, in the bedroom, so that your sister doesn’t witness you loosing.”

  “Chess huh---”

  “Nothing else.”

  Newton begun to stroke his chin as thoughts exchanged in his mind, Newton knew of the fact that he had been in a relationship with Jessica for two years straight, but never had he beaten Jessica in a game of chess. And accepting this challenge will only force me into saying sorry to Jessie. Again. I wouldn’t want that. Newton kept on stroking his chin as thoughts exchanged, him then trying to figure out a way out. And tried to figure out how he was to avoid the challenge without him saying sorry to Jessica. Newton knew that he had no other way out; he knew no sport, nor game and only had two options in his mind and non of which was accepting Jessica’s challenge. He stared at Jessica with a penetrating glance as he stroked his chin.

  “NO--” Newton replied in a voice of steel. And then shifted his glance to face Norah who was at the corner of the room helping herself with a lump of cake.

  “Seriously?”

  “Uhm, I have spoken my decision.”

  “So you choose not to talk to me? Until when, Newt?”

  “Until I’m certain.” Newton snapped.

  “Of what!?”

  “Please, let us have this conversation once my sister has left. I don’t want her to have a bad impression about all this.”

  “Fine!” Jessica snapped. “Since you care so much about your sister, at least dance with her, and don’t let her have a bad impression about you. You can dance with her. I disgust you, right?”

  Jessica turned around and begun to walk away, and Newton had seen just how Jessica looked, Jessica’s eyes that were wet and her cheeks that burnt with frustration, despite her trying hard not to let Newton notice her cheeks burning, but Newton had already seen them, and was again blaming himself for having made Jessica mad.

  “Jessica, I didn’t say that!” Newton said, but his voice was faint as it muffled in his throat. Words which Jessica did not hear, in his glance, He watched Jessica climb up the stairs to the rooms up. He stood up from the couch, and called again, but Jessica did not hear with the loud music playing in the house, Jessica couldn’t hear any of Newton’s words.

  But he rather watched her walk away.

  He ducked his head as a twisted sensation rose in his heart after he had considered what had happened. I didn’t mean to. His thoughts snapped. He took a deep steady breath and hoped to dilute the thoughts that had seemed ambivalent, but couldn’t fine any solution to that dilemma. And at the time, Newton felt as if it was his wife who had tried to rip the family apart. He always tried to find someone to blame for his wrong doings, and he was good at it. Good thing that Jessica never accepted defeat when if it wasn’t her fault.

  Something which had taken place at the supermarket, until then was affecting the couple. Newton was to blame for what was happening, but Newton felt that Jessica was having an affair with some other guy, which wasn’t true.

  If she’s not, then she is still acting for adult film companies. Newton had no solid evidence to prove his allegations, but to him, how Jessica had a way with her fans and her ex-workmates was enough to prove that Jessica was doing something behind his back.

  Newton puffed between his teeth as he stared at Norah who had her plate cleaned and walked back towards the cake. He had a reason to smile, he watched Norah walk on her toes and a plate which Norah gripped on with her both hands. Norah quickly glanced around the room--she scanned to check if anyone was watching. Newton tilted his neck and then stared back at Norah right at the corner of his eyes. Norah who lifted up a knife and gently stabbed it on the upper surface of the cake--he pressed the knife down until it met the tray on the bottom. Again eager for another bigger piece.

  “Norah--” Newton said and rushed towards Norah, he grabbed the knife from Norah’s hand and turned off the stereo player.

  “What, Newt...am starving,” Norah said in a funny tone, she folded her lips and arms as she stared at Newton.

  “What did the Doctor say?” Newton asked.

  “What Doc?”

  “That Doc...ah...I don’t remember his name, but I do remember him mention that much sugar is bad for your heart?”

  “Yes, I do recall, but who said I’m taking sugar?”

  “This thing here contains...” Newton began to speak but cut off by Norah.

  “Listen, Newt, I’m a university dropout...I’m supposed to be a doctor by now if it weren’t for mom and dad ding in that stupid car accident...I would have continued my studies...what am I saying? Listen, Newt, I have studied medicine...worked for a number of clinics part-time, internships to add up to my credentials and this cake you see here has no sugar...”

  “Hey, Norah, don’t confuse me, I can taste sugar in this cake.”

  “There is a difference between sugar and dissolved sugar, brother...I don’t think you would understand any of that. Lesson sixty-one in the third semester of the third year. You wouldn’t understand any of that either. Just give me the knife.”

  “Norah, don’t try to act smart with me...I know that I did not attend tertiary education, but I’m certain that you are taking me for granted.”

  “OK...just a small piece...after all this thing is tasty...uhm...you gotta have some of this stuff brother...you will realize that you have been missing a lot.” Norah said while stuffing her mouth full.

  Newton’s eyes darkened as a thought reached his mind. I’m missing a lot. He thought of Jessica and just how cruel he had treated her. And slowly, he walked away from the table and back on the couch. Thoughts scampered frantically in his mind. Unable to reason properly-- Newton ducked his head and hoped that he would find a solution to what had been happening to him and Jessica. And to where did the love go to. He found it difficult to think of a solution nor think straight, but again found fault in Jessica. He tried to differentiate between his mere thoughts and his emotions, what did his heart speak? Newton’s eyes darkened even more when he threw himself on the couch. He placed both of his hands on his face and puffed between the spaces formed by his fingers, and then regretted ever to had started the argument with Jessica. This was the least that Newton thought would happen.

  Norah walked towards Newton, she wiped her mouth before getting closer. And Tried to annoy Newton as she told him of how sweet the cake was, but that did not seem to had shaken Newton. Not even a little. Newton rather kept his hands placed on his face as irrational feelings begun to rise up again, along his throat. But Norah was the last person Newton would want to upset then. Newton sat silent as Norah continuously shook him and begged that he enjoys himself, it being his birthday party. Newton gently removed his hands from his face and forcibly wore a wry smile.

  “What is wrong, Newt?” Norah continued, “I’m your sister, you can tell me what has been bothering you. I’m sure I will help.”

  Newton swallowed through his throat as he received Norah’s glance. “You wouldn’t understand any of it, sis, you wouldn’t.”

  “Listen, newt, mom and dad are both gone. We are here for each other. Try me...and see if I will fail to understand any of it that has been bothering you.”

  “No--you won’t.”

  “And by the way, where is Jessica?” Norah swung her glance around the room until it got back at Newton. “Oh! It’s confirmed. It’s a family fight right? Tell me about it...I too am married and I always come to ask advises from you. What makes you think I wouldn’t understand yours?”

  Newton looked into Norah’s eyes as he held her hands. “Do you think I’m bias?”

  “Yeah.
..a little.” Norah snapped.

  “Arrogant?”

  “Yeah, a little. And greedy...a lot.” Norah said and decorated her face with a tiny smile.

  “That’s the thing. I knew you wouldn’t, Norah. You may be married, but that doesn’t mean you can help solve my problems.”

  “Did Jessica say all that to you? She is right, Newt, the problem with you is that you have never accepted your mistakes. You always run up to blame others for the wrongs you do. Jessica is a sweet lady...I like her...she is a sister I never had...if you ever try to annoy her...it is I you will be dealing with. I promise.” Norah stood up and glanced at Newton, “you better ask for forgiveness from her...I’m leaving, I’m sure Daglus must be waiting for me at home...I don’t want to offend him, he is bias just like you are,” Norah continued after kissing Newton goodbye. “I’m leaving, Newt, take good care of my sister, will you.”

  “Tell Daglus I pass my greetings.”

  “I will!”

  Newton puffed out loud as he watched Norah walk through the door. And it were like Norah knew Jessica well--they had spent a year together, and Norah knew that Jessica was upset, better not cross her path...nor even had a thought to calm Jessica’s temper. Newton was Jessica’s husband, for better and for worse, no wander they had to bear each other’s company. Jessica had to bear the feeling of loving someone who hardly looked up at her bright side, but always looked at her past behavior. Jessica’s worst side. Which probably would be called her dark past.

  But what Newton did not accept was the single fact that a porn-star--a person who acted adult movies would change so quick and easy. Newton found Jessica, to had been a good pretender, and he never believed any of what Jessica said. Jessica’s looks when upset, Newton found all that as a character Jessica learnt when acting. That and more--but what Newton did not understand was that Jessica too had feelings. Feelings that could be hurt. And Jessica too having a heart which is equally fragile like his.

  Newton puffed again, and took a deep steady breath which he released after a count of seconds. And swung his glance towards the stairs that Jessica climbed a while ago. He loosened his glance and begun to walk forward, towards the stairs that were to take him to the rooms up. And at least take him to his infuriated wife.

  He clamped his mouth tight as he climbed up the stairs. Silence had hit the house, and only his feet and irritating creak sounds coming from the bottom wooden stairs. He gently lifted his feet as he walked forward. He closed shut the thin line on his mouth, his arms had dropped down as thoughts scampered in his mind. He knew less of what was about to hit him. He did not know what Jessica had planned for him. And after Jessica walked out of the living room with a sad face, and a concluding stiff phrase...Newton had all the reasons to get worried. Right in front of the bedroom door, a step away, Newton took another deep breath and puffed between his teeth as he held the handle at his front.

  Newton slowly opened the door and walked first his head into the room to just make certain Jessica wasn’t still holding on to a grudge, he swung his glance around the room and could then see Jessica lie in length and silent on the bed. Still in her clothes and had not yet wore her night gown. Newton walked in the room and could as well see that Jessica was still awake, but not willing to talk to him. Newton reached form the bed, he said something funny and hoped that it could amuse Jessica and make her snap out of her cold state, but that wasn’t working--Jessica was silent with her eyes wide and wet. She silently wept and made wet his pillow below her head.

  Newton tried stroking Jessica’s cheeks. But that neither worked until he decided to act all ignorant of what was actually wrong with Jessica. And an immediate update that Norah had left.

  “Please, Jessie, I hate to see you sad...at least say something...what is wrong with my wife? What is upsetting her?”

  Newton slept beside Jessica and placed both his hands below his head and begun to stare the sealing of the roof. And every after ten seconds, he emptied his lungs to a refill of fresh air. He tilted his head to glance at Jessica who had given him her back and not willing to look at him.

  “Jessica, please--” Newton continued. “Don’t make me sad, please talk to me.”

  But Jessica wasn’t just ready to talk to Newton after an argument both had. It was twice that day that they had argued over one thing: Jessica’s past which Newton always used as a weapon to annoy Jessica.

  Newton rested one of his legs on top of Jessica’s hip and hoped to provoke Jessica and to make her speak for once-- Newton placed his hands on Jessica’s waist and gently stroked her belly hoping to get attention from Jessica. But it sure wasn’t worth it. After minutes of insisting to calm Jessica, Newton dropped his leg from Jessica’s hip and got up from the bed--walking towards the other side, and only in need to look into her eyes as he spoke. He finally caught Jessica’s wet glance.

  Jessica quickly rubbed her face when she caught a glimpse of Newton at front of her.

  “What is the matter? What is wrong with you?” Her voice sounded with ripples and obvious in Newton’s ears that Jessica inwardly cringed.

  “Let us find a solution to this, Jessie.” Newton said. He wore a worry face as he spoke.

  Jessica pushed herself up to sit on the bed. She glanced at Newton. “A solution to what? You mean a solution to this madness?”

  “Let us not go there.”

  “You are the one taking me there.” Jessica begun to cry again, tears slid down her cheeks as she continued and got short hiccups as she spoke. “What more do you want me to prove? I have gotten married to you in a church. You of all people, Newt, I wasn’t expecting such insults from you. You know the reason why I had acted in the first place. I was forced to do that--I had no other option, my mom was dying. I was the only one to provide for my ding mom, I had to take care of mom, buy her medicines, pay house hold bills. After mom passed away I had no other alternative than to pursue what I had already started, I was a broken girl by then. But after I met you...I started going to church. You gave me life, Newt, I was lost when I was an actress. But at least now I can count myself to be among those who lead a descent and normal life...you changed me...but with these arguments we have each day...you are going to change me into a person you think I’m.”

  “Don’t say that, Jessie--we can find a solution to this.”

  “You’re right, Newt, there is a solution...” Jessica said. She jumped from the bed and walked away, she strode towards their closet.

  Please let it not be what I’m thinking right now, I don’t want her to leave me. It wouldn’t be right. Newton thought as he watched Jessica open the doors of the closet. And swallowed through his throat and puffed when he saw Jessica only remove from there a laptop.

  Jessica had her face still covered in anguish when she walked back towards the bed and placed the laptop on the bed and snapped it on.

  Newton squatted silent as he watched Jessica land her fingers on the keyboard. And in Newton’s mind; he only thought of money, and hoped that she doesn’t remove him from the joint account both shared-- which he had made Jessica to be the soul owner of the account, and kind of the account’s admin. She better not. A thought struck in his mind as he shot a suspicious look at her. But Jessica had better plans other than that concerning money-- she went online and searched for famous fortune tellers, and quickly, she brought the screen to Newton. Four powerful well known fortune tellers living in neighboring states of Transtevator. Newton read out in his heart.

  “Why should we, Jessie? Just let it be.” Newton said upon hearing Jessica’s suggestion.

  “It is either this or I pack my bags and leave, Newt. Why don’t we let the fortune tellers speak just how faithful I have been to you.” Jessica said.

  “If I choose, will you put a smile on you face?”

  “I will try--”

  “Will you take a shower with me?”

  “I will think about that.”

  Newton begun to stroke his chin as he glanced at the screen of the l
aptop and sorted in his mind and tried hard to decide who it was that he had to go for. “This one here...Mama Lina...what do say?”