really gotten back into the ins and outs of our relationship.
I called Evelyn the day after the Ava incident, and we set up this little date because it coincided with both of our days off. It’s nice to see Evelyn dressed down in tight blue jeans and a Ravens T-shirt that shows her stomach when she moves almost at all. I keep having to pull my eyes up when she raises her arms even the slightest bit so I don't look like a creeper, but I can't help the fantasy that keeps floating through my mind where my newest flogger kisses her exposed flesh. I’ve been suppressing thoughts like that, but I’m not sure how long I can keep it up. Evelyn is definitely worth trying, though.
“So, have you heard anything about Ava?” Evelyn asks as we walk in front a replica of the Liberty Bell just down the street from a historical courthouse.
“Yeah, a little,” I reply. I don't really want to talk about Ava, but I understand Evelyn’s concern. Ava did attack her, after all. “I know she's still in the hospital with a slight fracture in her pelvis from the fall down the stairs. She only made it worse by trying to break out of the grips of the paramedics after you left. They had to sedate her just to be able to drive the ambulance.
“The cops came by my house yesterday and asked if I wanted her charged, and it took me a while to come up with an answer, honestly. I feel so bad for Ava, I don't want to mess things up for her any worse than they already are. However, I came to the conclusion she won't get the help she needs if we keep sweeping her actions under the rug. She got away with a bunch of stuff before—stuff from her previous relationship I can't talk about, but I don't want to keep the cycle going. If Ava doesn't get help, I think she could hurt someone. That night at my house was all the evidence I need to support that claim. So, I told the police to charge her with whatever crimes she committed. They got her for breaking and entering, assault, and stalking. However, with her mental issues, I doubt she's looking at long term jail time.”
“Yeah, it’s more likely she’ll end up in a hospital of some sort,” Evelyn says. “You did the right thing, Malcolm. I’m not one for calling the cops every time things get a little heated, but what went down at your house was scary. I don't know what Ava was like before, but what she showed us that night was extremely serious. Hopefully she’ll get the help she needs now.”
“I hope so. I just want us both to be able to move on” I reply, and I’ve never felt more sincerely about a statement. All I want is for Ava to move on, and for me to be able to move on from her. I've had all I can take from Ava Pierson. “Now that Ava is gone, I’m looking forward to a bright future. A future that hopefully involves you.”
Evelyn stops walking and sits on a bench next to the replica bell. In front of us is an open field filled with birds and squirrels chasing each other up tall trees. It’s beautiful, and seeing her sitting there makes it even better. She lets her gaze hover over the open field before looking at me and releasing a heavy sigh.
“What?” I ask.
“What is it about guys like you?” she asks.
“What do you mean?”
“You're beautiful, Malcolm, but you scare the hell out of me.” I don't know how to respond, so I just sit down next to her and allow her to continue. “You're like this strange paradox, where you have a great career—one that I love and share with you. You're incredibly attractive, you're great at your job, you're smart, and you're driven. But then there's the other side. A darker side.”
“It’s not dark,” I chime in, feeling the need to defend myself. “The word dark implies evil of some sort, and it's not like that. I have preferences just like anybody else. Other people’s preferences don't work for me, and mine don't work for them. There isn't much more to it than that. It’s different, not darkness.”
“I’m not implying that you're dark, Malcolm,” Evelyn rebuts. “But the depths of your sexual desires are very deep, deeper than anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s