Page 41 of The Family Man

“But you need a girlfriend to help you with those kids.” She’s really trying.

“Actually, I have a girlfriend,” I scream. I don’t have a girlfriend, but I do have a candidate in mind.

Emily’s face went from sad to livid. “WHO IS THE BITCH!”

“Listen, get the fuck out.” I didn’t waste any time. I grab her fireman style, and she screams while she pounds on my back.

We pass the children’s room.

“Zac?” I swivel around and of course Poppy’s eyes are wide open. I want to choke this foolish woman for waking my daughter up.

“Go back to bed, princess. Daddy is throwing out some trash.” I turn and walk down my stairs.

“How dear you!” She kicks and claws at my back.

As soon as I open my front door I dump her ass down on the front porch.

I lean in close, letting her see exactly how angry I am. “The next time you come here, you are leaving either in a box or in handcuffs. Get off my fucking property and don’t ever come near my family again.”

She scrambles and dashes into her car, throwing it in reverse. “This is not over! You are messing with the wrong one!” she screams. For some reason, a cold chill runs down my spine.

* * *

EMILY

I love him! I’m perfect for him! How can he not see it? He always comes back to me. I press my gas down, swerving through the traffic. I can’t concentrate, I want to drown this pain all out. Does he not know who I am? He should feel happy that I want his attention. I wipe at the tears that are running down my face. My sight is blurry, the mixture of eyeliner and mascara is burning my eyes. But I don’t care. A car cuts in front of me, I press down onto my horn.

“Stop driving like a fucking jerk,” I scream as I pull to left lane and drive to the side of the car that cut me off. I flip them the bird and I drive off.

Can’t people see I’m in pain? Why is everyone trying to upset me today?

Everything was fine till those kids showed up! I can make all his dreams come true! I blow a snot bubble; this pain is surreal. He told me to leave. Me! He dumped me on his doorstep like an Amazon package. A car horn blares in the background. My nails dig into the leather of my steering wheel.

We have a connection. A fucking strong one! Now this! A girlfriend? A girlfriend! Who is she? How do I find her? I want to find her and destroy her. Yes, I will handle her first.

I pull my phone out and search for Zac Sullivan.

Car horn booms to the side of me. “Get off the fucking phone!” someone screams at me as they drive past.

I can do what the hell I want. To hell with driving while being on the phone. Different articles appear of his success as a chef. Then I see that The Fields has tagged him in a pic. I clicked it, there she is.

Her smile is wide, is that weave? He is claiming a woman without her real hair. Black women’s hair can’t grow that long. I don’t; they can. Why? This is a bloody downgrade, from me to this! Who was she? I click her name which is also tagged in the picture it sends me to her profile. A car blares its horn. I veer to the left and cut off another driver.

I glance at my phone, and I scroll. She’s a professional organizer. What kind of career is that? I stare angrily at her picture. His smile is false, I know it is. I touch the screen because I can feel his pain. My poor baby is not having a good time. I can tell. He is trying to be a good man. Dating women of different races. I love that. Diversity is important. Look at her, she is a homewrecker! I feel my rage bubbling over.

“SHE IS A FUCKING FISHEYED WHORE!” I’m hyperventilating. I pull to the side of the highway, take off my engine, and I scream. Even though I hit the steering wheel, I don’t feel the pain. I just see the silent scratch that appears on my palm.

“See what she did! She makes me bleed!” I bring my bleeding hand to my mouth and lick my life’s essence. “I will make her bleed too. It’s the only way. He will see how pure and good we are together. I will make him see.” I wipe my nose and exhale.

I have the perfect plan to get rid of her. Then she will never come close to me or my man again. Emily Sullivan sounds perfect. I am not letting this bitch take my family away from me.

I dial a number. “Hi honey, I need your help. ASAP.”

I have a plan, and everything is going to be perfect. I start my engine. “See, Emmy? Everything is going to be A-OK,” I think to myself.

* * *

SAGE

---