Free Transcending Queen by SK Thomas

don’t attend church these days?”
    “No…not now.” She said.
    I lingered in disbelief wondering if there
was more she’s hiding or maybe I’ve seen too much to think it was a
big deal, “I got to go, but thanks for your help.”
    She shook her head and forced a smile
releasing me from the awkwardness of this situation.
    Father Clayton strolled into the steak
restaurant to find Joseph sitting in a booth by the window.
    “So, what do we got?” He asked as he sat down
thoroughly ready to enjoy a tender, juicy steak and some nice wine
perhaps.
    “Melissa’s on her own, Jack has cut the
cord.” Joseph informed.
    “So, this is all about little old me?”
    “I think we already know that answer.”
    “Keep tabs on Jack and make sure he stays
away from Melissa. I want my time alone with her, weak and
unprotected.”
    “I think you’ve already done enough. I
thought you said you loved her?”
    “Knowing me, do you really think I’m capable
of loving anyone besides myself?”
    “Point taken, I’m just saying, it’s getting
confusing. I’ve never seen you mix personal affairs and business
together. You seem torn trying to be this guy you’re not and that’s
a weakness.”
    “If there was anyone that could make me love
them, it would be her. But they came with one agenda on their
minds, to ruin me and I won’t be taken down especially not by a
young girl.”
    “This whole game they’re playing now could be
a trap within itself. Why don’t you forget about her altogether and
let it go.”
    “Do you think they can outsmart us? Don’t you
worry, I’ll get everyone where we need them to be and make her wish
she’d never come across me. We have to teach everyone a
lesson.”
    “I understand your obsession with Jack, but
she’s just a child. You should let her out of it before it spirals
too far out of control.”
    “Well now Joseph, I believe I can have my
cake and eat it too. You just watch me.”
    Deconstructing my conversation with Luann, I
was convinced there was more she’s not telling me. I would have to
spend some extra time with her in the hopes she’ll tell soon
enough. But the real question is still unanswered, “Where the hell
is Jack?” My thoughts then reverted back to several nights ago when
I ran down to get a soda out of the vending machine and spotted him
in the parking lot. I was about to call out when a woman entered
the picture, a woman I’d never seen before. So when I saw her lean
over to give him a kiss I was shocked. I watched perplexed not
really sure what I should do next. When he glanced back my way, I
crouched down a little out of reflex and scooted back to my room
before he noticed. I couldn’t connect his plan behind it.
    After making my way back down to the lobby I
asked Luann, “What’s with Jack and that woman?”
    “She showed up probably a couple nights ago,
they’ve been tight ever since.”
    “Who is she?” I insisted to know.
    “Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t
recognize her.”
    “Oh c’mon, these are small communities around
here. You’ve never seen her before?”
    “I don’t know everyone. There are plenty of
people in neighboring areas. She could be from a city several hours
away!”
    I bit my tongue and when that hurt too much I
clenched my jaw gritting my teeth having a hard time understanding
why Luann wouldn’t have any clue about this chick. “What time is
it?”
    “Um, looks like 6:30 pm, why?”
    “I got another session, that’s all.”
    This bad plan was progressively getting
worse. At church, service took place at 7pm. While I found an open
pew in the middle aisle, Father Clayton gave me an evil eye for
showing up late until I blended in. Other townspeople of all ages
were seated, pretty low number tonight but his big day seemed to be
on Sunday. These nights were for people with odd work schedules, a
crisis that couldn’t wait or some elderly who came more than once a
week. I suppose coming here beat sitting at home