I wipe the peanut butter off my lip. “Okay, you lost me. What exactly does that mean?”
“It means we are erasing the debt owed from all three cards, along with reversing the payments you’ve made the last three years. They will be transferred back into your bank account.”
I choke on my bite before I’m able to get it down. “Excuse me? Payments?”
“Yes. Please allow the bank twenty-four to forty-eight hours to transfer the money back into your account.”
I want to tell her I have no idea what payments she’s talking about considering I never knew about these cards until a month ago and James was certainly not paying on them. “And how much would you be transferring?” I ask.
“$42,651.52.”
My half chewed up bite goes flying out of my mouth, smacking my mom in the face. “Holy fuck!”
“Again, do please accept our apologies and thank you for banking with First West.”
“Yeah…uh…sure…” I hang up, standing there in shock.
Then I proceed to smack myself.
“Oh, dear, why did you do that? You’re going to hurt yourself.”
I look my mom dead in the eyes. “I need you to smack me.”
“I’m not going to smack you, honey. Who was that?”
“That was the bank. Unless I’m dreaming.” I smack myself again.
“Oh, goodness, knock that off!” My mom yells.
“So, you actually see me, right?” I’m not trapped in some alternate universe where I see people and things happen and—"
“Darryl!” my mom yells for my dad.
“What is it?” he asks, entering the kitchen.
“Something’s wrong with Katie. I think she’s finally lost it.”
He eyes me. “You all there, baby girl?”
I have no idea. I stand there as my parents cautiously await my next move. My skin starts to sting from where I slapped myself so I’m going to go with this is really happening. A grin slowly spreads across my face, making my cheeks hurt for a whole other reason. “Actually…I’m great!” I give my mom a huge kiss and then my dad. “I’m actually going to go shower. You know, make something of the day. Love you both.” I practically skip out of the kitchen before turning around. “Oh, and, Mom, really think about patenting that sandwich recipe. Real winner.” I skip out of the kitchen.
One week later…
I walk into the local coffee shop, unbuttoning my suitcoat. The potent smell of coffee brewing seeps into my nostrils, and I inhale the fresh scent of vanilla bean. My easy-going smile has been a permanent fixture on my face. Ever since the call from the bank last week, my life has taken a drastic turn. I greet the barista, gaze up at the wall menu, and recite my order.
“That will be right up. Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“That’s it! Have a splendid day,” I chime in with a smile and move out of the way and wait for my order. I reach into my bag and pull out my freshly signed contract with First Avenue Marketing. I can’t believe I got the job. The position turned out to be perfect for me. Two phone interviews and one in-person landed me an opportunity of a lifetime. And I couldn’t be more stoked about it.
The bank made me come in and sign some papers, claiming I wouldn’t sue them for negligence, which I kindly told them was no problem. Mistakes happen. I held in my laughter as I walked out of there five figures richer.
“Katie?” the barista calls my name. “Large latte, double shot of expresso, soy milk, and a shot of vanilla.”
“That would be me.” I smile widely, accepting my tasty drink. It’s crazy to say, but it’s like everything in my life is starting to fall in place. The worry I would never be free of the hurt and damage James did to me suddenly started to evaporate. Even he’s left me alone, which I’m thankful for.
I walk toward the exit when my phone rings. Trudy’s name crosses my screen.
“Hey! I was just about to call you. Guess who is now currently employed as Senior manager of content marketing?”
“Katie…have you seen the news?”
“No, why?” Who watches the news these days?
“Where are you?”
“I’m just leaving The Vanilla Bean. Why, what’s up? Why are you acting all weird?” I stop, waiting for her to give me bad news. Things have been going so well, part of me has been waiting for the shoe to drop.
“Girl, grab one of the newspapers by the exit. Turn to page three.”
Confused, I grab one off the stand and open it, searching for whatever has her up in arms. “What, did another ex of yours get engaged?”
Then I see it.
Local Man Goes Missing After Trip to Everglades.
A gray and white photo of James is plastered next to the article.
James Winston, thirty-two, a Florida resident, disappeared two weeks ago, after renting a speed boat with an unnamed female. The two were scheduled to return later that day. When the rental company reported the boat missing, local officials responded in a search and rescue mission. The boat was located off the uncharted parts of the Everglades. The unnamed female was still on the boat, but James was not. In a statement, we learned the female woke up alone, with no recollection of how James exited the boat. Local officials confirm it is impossible anyone would survive the terrain of the alligator infested waters. Their search has been called off.
My coffee slips from my grip, splattering at my feet. I barely feel the burn from the hot liquid as I re-read the article.
“Holy fucking shit.” Holy fucking shit!
“Right? I can’t even believe it. Like holy karma, right?”
“No, I mean holy fucking shit!” My raised voice causes a table full of customers to glance my way. My mind races back to New Orleans. Back to my confession with Macareus. “I wished this…I wished this would happen.”
“Didn’t we all?” Trudy sighs.
“No! Like, I did this!”
I wish my ex would go swimming with the
