Transitions by Mike Hormek - HTML preview

Chapter 3

Dear Jack,

I hope this letter finds you well. I sit here eagerly awaiting your response, my heart racing with anticipation. It feels like an eternity since we last connected, yet every moment without you seems incomplete as I sit here. In the quiet solitude of my room, I find myself reminiscing about our conversations, the words we shared that transcend the confines of these prison walls. Each letter you sent became a lifeline, a beacon of hope in the darkness of my days. Your words painted vivid pictures in my mind; with each line, I felt closer to you, as if you were beside me. I yearn for the day when I can finally hear your voice, feel your touch, and look into your eyes without the barrier of paper and ink between us. I long for the warmth of your embrace, the whispered promises of a future together that we dared to dream of in our letters. Jack, my heart beats for you, and I can't help but imagine the possibilities that await us now that you are free. I understand that your release comes with its challenges and obligations, but I can't shake the feeling that our connection is something special and worth fighting for. I know there are uncertainties ahead, but I'm willing to face them together, to stand by your side through thick and thin. Please, Jack, don't keep me waiting any longer. Reach out to me, let our love bridge the gap between us again, and let's dare to make our dreams a reality. Here is my number: 702-555-1219

With all my love, Jane

"Wow." he thought. "This could get serious; I had better call her and nip it in the bud."

The next night, he worked up the nerve to call Jane.

"Hello,"

"Hey, this is Jack."

"Oh, hi, Jack! I've been waiting for your call. How are you?"

"I am alright getting settled in. It's been two months since I got out, and I have a job with a legal firm. Listen, I want to talk to you about something. We talked a lot in the letters, but there needs to be a better understanding. I appreciate the letter you sent me, but I wish you, as a friend, nothing more. "

Jane pauses, voice slightly strained, "Oh...I see."

"Yeah, I hope you understand. I value our friendship but don't want to lead you on."

Jane's voice tightened. "No, I understand perfectly, Jack. It's fine."

"Okay, Okay, good. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page."

Jane's voice suddenly became cold, "Yeah, I got it. Thanks for calling, Jack."

"No problem, take care."

Jack hangs up the phone.

Jane hangs up and cheerfully says, "Oh, I will take care of you, Jack. Don't worry."

A disturbing smile spreads across her face.

Jane sat in her cramped apartment, staring at her phone. The screen illuminated her face in the dimly lit room. Jack's number was still in her mind, etched in her memory. She replayed their last conversation in her mind, the disappointment still fresh.

"He only wanted to be friends," she muttered bitterly, a mix of hurt and anger simmering within

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her. But Jane was not ready to accept rejection. Not from Jack, nor anyone. She believed they had a connection, a spark that a simple statement of platonic intentions couldn't extinguish. So, she made a decision fueled by obsession and desperation.

Jack and Sarah began a severe relationship immediately upon his release. She held his belongings during his incarceration, so he moved in with her.

Jane wondered if Jack had gone to work at his lawyer's firm. It took some serious detective work to identify his lawyer through contacts within the prison who supplied her with copies of the signin logs. It took a little while to recognize the firm where Sarah worked. She decided to call the firm and ask for Jack. The receptionist answered the phone.

"Hello, Mason and Mason. Can I help you?"

"Yes, Jack Busby, please."

"Hold on, I will see if he is in?"

"WOW," she thought," I hit the jackpot."

"He is out of the office. Can I take a message?"

"Yeah, I bet," she thought.

"No, I will call back, thanks."

The receptionist told Jack, "some woman called for you but did not leave a number."

"What number showed up on the display?"

"It was unidentified. I expect it was a burner phone."

Jack was curious but did not dwell on it.

Jane finds Mason and Mason's addresses and parks down the street, waiting for Jack to exit. She trailed behind him, keeping a safe distance but close enough to ensure she wouldn't lose sight of him.

She now had his home address.

As the days progressed, her aggression became more intense. She started to call Jack incessantly, leaving voicemails filled with longing and frustration. Jack blocked her calls, but she would get new burner phone numbers and try again. She took vacation time from her job to keep up with Jack's movements. Jane followed him to his favorite coffee shop, workplace, and even his gym, sometimes with Sarah by his side, careful to remain unseen but always lurking in the shadows. Her rage intensified, knowing another woman had replaced her. Her voicemails mainly were the same, filled with longing. He usually deleted them but thought he would listen to the latest one.

Sighing, he reluctantly listened, her voice quivering with emotion. "Jack, why won't you give us a chance?" I know you feel it, too. I can't stop thinking about you. Please, allow me to show you how much I care." Jack's heart sank as he realized the extent of Jane's obsession. He called her and tried to reason, explaining that he valued her friendship but couldn't reciprocate her feelings.

"Look, I was in a relationship well before I met you..."

Jane interrupted, "Yeah, I know that bitch of a lawyer, Sarah."

"Wait, how do you know about her?"

"I have done my homework?"

"You know that stalking is a crime?"

Jane ignored the comment.

Her voice was threatening. "What do you think she would do if I gave her all our letters?"

Jack hesitated. "Jane, I have no intention of suggesting even a hint of romantic feelings for you.

It's all about you. And frankly, if you don't back off, I will contact the cops."

"You are a washed-up cop; they won't listen to you."

Jack hung up. Jane held the receiver to her ear, consumed by her fantasies about a love that would never be.

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Jack decided to tell Sarah about the letters he had written to Jane, trying to find the right time and words. Finally, he bit the bullet.

"I need to talk to you about something."

"What is it, sweetie?"

"Well, you know all inmates have pen pals. Some men, some women."

"Go on."

"Well, this woman on the food line started interesting conversations with me, and we began writing to each other."

"Why would you do that?"

"Only to pass the time. She was good with computers and gave me advice. But her letters leaned more toward a romantic tone when it got near my discharge. The last letter after I got out was the worst. So there was nothing in my letters to her to give her any reason to suspect any feelings for her.

So now she calls and threatens me with blackmail by giving you the letters."

"How did she find out about me?"

"From the prison visitor log, I guess."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"If she does not stop, I will call the cops. I will tell her to give you the letters; maybe she will stop."

Weeks turned into months, and Jane continued her relentless pursuit of Jack. She couldn't let go of the hope that he would someday return her affection, no matter how irrational it seemed. Finally, he texted Jane.

"Hello Jane, You threatened to give Sarah the letters I wrote, so let's meet. Give me the letters, and I will forward them to her. Once she reads them, she will send you a note that she has read them.

So, let's put this to rest once and for all. I don't want to call the authorities on you."

They agreed to meet at a public place, and she gave Jack a copy of the letters; however, there was no indication that she would relent on her aggression. As time wore on, Jack's patience wore thin.

He took measures to protect himself and Sarah, changing phone numbers and even applying for a restraining order.

Meanwhile, Jane's obsession grew more robust, her grip on reality slipping further away each day. In her mind, Jack was the love of her life, and she would stop at nothing to make him see that.

The cycle continued, and a twisted dance of obsession, rejection, and hatred for Jack and Sarah developed, with no end until Jane broke the cycle on that fateful day at Sarah's cozy suburban home.

The sunsets cast long shadows through the windows. The doorbell rings, interrupting the tranquility. Sarah opens the door, revealing Jane with a briefcase in hand, donning a convincing disguise.

"Sarah, with a surprised look, asks, "can I help you?"

"Good evening, ma'am. I apologize for the interruption. I represent Horizon Insurance Services.

We're offering exclusive deals on life insurance policies for homeowners in this area."

"I'm unsure if I'm interested," Sarah replies skeptically.

Jane said eagerly, "Please, just a moment of your time. I offer special insurance for homeowners here."

"Okay, come in," Sarah said reluctantly, thinking she could get rid of her quickly. Jane entered confidently and said, "Thank you kindly; this won't take long."

Sarah leads Jane into the kitchen. The atmosphere shifts subtly, tension simmering beneath the surface.

"So, what exactly are you offering?"

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"Our premium package includes comprehensive coverage for you and your loved ones. But before I delve into the details, I must discuss something with you."

"What is it?"

Jane leans in, voice lowered. "It's about Jack. You read the letters I sent you. How can you stay with him?"

Sarah's voice raised,"Who are you? Are you Jane? Get out."

"Wait, we need to talk about and resolve this. I know your relationship with Jack. And I assure you he is not who you think he is."

Sarah defensively said, "What are you trying to say?"

Jane responded accusingly,"He's been dishonest with you. He's playing a game, Sarah. And you're just a pawn in his twisted little charade."

"That's not true. Jack loves me."

Jane, in a dismissive voice, added, "Love? Sarah, you're deluding yourself. He uses you to fill a void until he finds the next conquest."

"You have no right to say that. Get out."

In a sneering voice, Jane said," I have every right. Because I know him better than anyone."

"Bull shit, just over a few friendly letters."

"He professed his love for me. Didn't you read the letters?"

"I read them, and there was nothing there. Even if that were true, you have no right to interfere in our relationship."

Jane is becoming desperate and moving closer toward Sarah, pinning her against the kitchen counter.

"Please, Sarah, you deserve better than him. Leave him before it's too late."

"Back off; it will be too late if you don't leave."

Tensions mount as emotions reach a boiling point. Sarah's fist clenches as she grabs her iPhone on the counter: "I'm calling the law."

Jane knocks the phone out of Sarah's hand and again pushes her against the counter.

"You're insane; get out of my house."

With a gesture, Jane said,"You bitch, you will regret this. Mark my words."

As the struggle ensues, Sarah works her way toward the kitchen knife holder, pulls one out, and attempts to stab Jane, but Jane finds the blow and grabs the knife arm. Jane is bigger and stronger and has a clear advantage. They roll on the kitchen floor until Sarah becomes limp, and blood oozes out beneath her with a chest wound. She looks up at Jane.

"You will be the one who never gets Jack."

Jane panics, picks up the knife, puts it in her briefcase, and hurriedly runs out the door, failing to close it. She squeals her car tires upon leaving.

As luck would have it, Jack returns from running errands. He notices the front door partially open.

"That's odd," he thought.

Upon entering, he sees Sarah's partially exposed leg lying on the floor, protruding around the counter. As he knelt beside her body, he saw her cell phone lying beside her.

Breathing heavily, he notices the blood and checks her pulse. She is still alive and mumbling.

He grabs a kitchen towel and presses her chest to slow down the bleeding. On the other hand, he picks up her phone and dials 911.

"Can you hear me? Who did this?"

Sarah opens her eyes and blinks as if to focus on the face asking the question."Jack, Jack, it was Jane," she managed to say before passing out.

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In the stark white of the hospital room, Jack sits on the edge of a chair, his hands clasped tightly, his eyes red from crying. The doctor, a middle-aged man with a compassionate demeanor, approaches him with a heavy heart. "Mr. Busby, I'm so sorry...We did everything we could, but...Sarah did not make it."

Jack's breath catches in his throat, the weight of those words crashing over him like a tidal wave.

In a whisper, Jack asked, "What happened?"

"She suffered a severe chest wound...It was...It was...too much, and she bled out. I'm sorry, Jack."

Jack's world seems to shatter at that moment, his heart torn asunder by the news.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Jack said, "No...no, this can't be happening..."

The doctor gently touched Jack's shoulder and reluctantly said, "There is something else...Sarah was...she was pregnant...around six weeks. We could not save the baby. I'm sorry."

Jack's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he fell to his knees. An attending nurse grabbed his arm and helped him to a chair.

"I will get you some water," she said.

"Pregnant?" She never told me.

"I'm sorry, Jack, this is a lot to take in."

Jack's grief intensifies, the weight of loss compounded by the realization of what might have been.

The doctor solemnly added, "I wish there were words to ease your pain. Please know that we are here for you, whatever you need."

"Can I see her?"

"Of course."

Jack sat as long as the hospital would allow. He nods silently, his mind reeling with the cruel twist of fate that has robbed him of his beloved Sarah and their unborn child.

Sarah's family and a large turnout of Jack's former police officers attended The Celebration of Life. The gravestone did not disclose the sex of the child only 'unborn.'

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