A Night I will Never Forget

Everything that can go wrong does go wrong for Chris.

A Night I will Never Forget

I watched the bubbles sizzle in my glass cup. Roman coke,the only way I can get down the rancid taste of alcohol. I took a sip and pushed it down with my tongue, making an effort not to show my disgust. The atmosphere was crowded. Everyone in the club had something to say, and what they are saying is so important that they need to shout over the next guy. My friends from work and I sat at the bar. They smiled and laugh, having a good time. Or they could be pretending, I would not be surprised. I came here to talk business, yet all they seem to want to talk about is ladies. My buddy, Evan, turned towards me and patted my shoulder.

“You alright bud?” he asked, “I know this is not your thing, but it’s good to get out. You know, you have to move on at some point.”

He was right. Ever since my ex girlfriend, Emily, left I have done nothing but spent time at home. It’s not so bad though. Eventually the loneliness grows so big that it becomes a friend, and then you’re not lonely anymore. Since Emily left, I have taken a new job that is closer to my home. I help keep the books. The job is boring, but my new coworkers are nice. They have been urging me to get out but it’s been a challenge for me. Emily and I used to go out to all sorts of places, and the thought of going anywhere new without her makes me feel as if I’m missing a piece of myself. Finally, Evan convinced me to go out after months of trying. I was nervous, but being here reminds me of the reasons why I hated to go out when I was single. It’s just a big game of who is going to hook up with who and who is going to get wasted the fastest. It’s like being in the wilderness, except with crappy music and overpriced beverages.

“Yeah, I’m alright.” I answered. I took another sip.

“Are you having fun?” He smiled. “You can go on without your ex girlfriend. Why don’t you talk to a couple girls? It’s been five months, man.”

“It’s just too soon.” I said. “You wouldn’t get it. You’ve never been in a serious relationship.”

Evan laughed, throwing his head back and slamming his glass on the table.

“Don’t you see why?” He laughed. “You’re right. I’ve never been in a serious relationship. Maybe one day I will, but I’m just enjoying being young. You’re twenty four years old. Life is too short for this nonsense.”

I shook my head. Evan just does not understand. I miss her so dearly. I can imagine sitting next to her at this bar while we people watch. That was always our favorite thing to do.

“Hey man.” He began. “I dare you to flirt with at least one girl tonight.”

“No.” I immediately denied.

“C’mon.” He grinned.

I looked away. There was some pretty girls here. One that caught my attention had blonde hair, red rosy cheeks and she reminds me of Emily. She was talking to other girls, laughing and talking about whatever girls talk about.

“Give it a try.” He said. “And then I won’t bother you.”

“Fine.” I groaned.

“Were you looking at that girl… with the red shirt.”

He was describing the girl that looks like Emily.

“Yeah. I was.” I timidly smiled.

“I know you like them blonde girls. Go over and talk to her.”

“How should I approach her?” I asked. He rolled his eyes at me and laughed.

“Can we pretend we’ve done this before?” He asked.

“Well, I actually haven’t. Emily and I were set up by mutual friends.” I explained.  

“Ah I see. You’ve never dated a girl before her,huh?” Evan asked.

“Nope.”

           “This is worse than I thought” Evan began. “Listen. It is not hard. Just ask her questions about herself. Girls like to talk about themselves. Buy her a drink and tell her she’s beautiful. It ain’t hard.”

            I watched the blonde girl. Her friends walked away from her during this time when suddenly a young man approached her. She seemed uninterested as he flexed his protein shake induced muscles.

           “What if she’s already seeing someone?” I asked, distracted by her beautiful aura as she dealt with this man who could be described with a few choice words.

           “You say ‘my bad’ and move on.” He said.

            I looked at him and he gave me an encouraging smile.

             “Go for it.” He said. “That guy over there has nothing on you.”

             “I think I will go for it.”

            I sat until I built up the courage. What could possibly go wrong?  The worst thing she could say is no. I got up, feeling the floor hit the bottom of my shoes. It felt official.

            “Yeah Chris!” Evan shouted “You got this!”

           I made my way through the people. Driving my way through like a complicated obstacle course. I felt drinks spill on me and received dirty looks as I interrupt awkward dance sessions between potential lovers. I then saw her. She was still talking to that guy at the bar.He was chatting away and she stirred the ice in her drink with her straw. I stood there holding my roman coke. She looked uncomfortable, like she didn’t want to talk to him. I walked forward so I could hear the conversation over the mindless chatter.

           “Please let me buy you a drink.” He pleaded.

           “No thank you.” she said.

           “C’mon. Just one.”

            “No.”

           I pretended to look at the menu as I eased drop. I felt a stare. I glanced at her and she was eyeing me. I quickly darted my head away.

                “I’m sorry, I’m just not into you.” she told the guy.

               “I didn’t want you anyway!” He yelled, slamming down his drink and cracking the glass. He got up and marched towards the crowd, bumping into me.

            “Sorry.” I said, nervously. I wasn’t sorry.

             I watched her sit alone at the bar. He friends were off somewhere and I could tell she felt embarrassed from her encounter. I walked up to her and glanced at the empty seat. She looked at me, and gave me a shy smile.

            “Do you mind if I sit here?” I asked. She nodded yes. Promptly, I take a seat and we sit in the allure of thick silence in an obnoxiously loud room. She would open her mouth to say something, and then close it in self doubt. I would do the same. As I searched my mind for a sentence or a question she finally asked something.

“Do you like it here?”

“Besides guys like that, it’s not bad. It’s nice to get out, haven’t done that in a while” I said.

“Why not?” She yelled over the loud music and mindless chatter of club goers.

“Well, it’s not typically my thing. Do you like it here?”

“To tell you the truth, I’m only here because my friends dragged me.” She said, laughing. “Yet, now I think I like being here a little bit more.”

“Is that right?” I felt the blood rush to my face.

“Mhm.” She giggled. “What’s your name?”

“Chris. You?”

She took a sip of whatever she was drinking. Her cheeks were even redder in person and her eyes can leave you speechless.

“Anne.” She said. “Would you like to go somewhere more quiet?”

The two of us got up and pushed through the drunks. I looked back at Evan and the guys and they were cheering me on. Little did they know, we were not going off to hook up. We were going to talk. As we pushed through, I could feel the cool air from outside hit my skin. We walked through the exit, and it felt good to be in fresh air. We took a seat at the bench right across the sidewalk from the club. She sat politely. Her legs crossed and her posture straight up.

“That’s a lot better.” She said. “I just hate loud music like that.”
“Me too!” I agreed, happy that we had so much in common.

“So, it you hate clubs so much than why did you go tonight?” She asked.

“My friends dragged me too.” I said, “Now I’m glad they did.”

“So, tell me about yourself.”  

I told her about growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey and my life in college. I told her about moving out here to Long Island and getting a job with my company and then getting promoted. She shook her head as I spoke. While I was talking, I realised how boring my life had really been.

“So, anything else you want to tell me? You mostly told me about your professional accomplishments. I wanted to know about you.” She said.

“Well, there isn’t exactly much to talk about.” I told her. She laughed.

“I’m sure there is. Well, let me tell you about myself then. I grew up in the city. My family was always wealthy and let's just say I lived a pretty luxurious  life. Then, my parents caught me doing some...questionable things so I got kicked out. I moved in with a guy I was talking to at the time and launched my own art studio. It was really popular. People from all over came out to see the art, yet my friend who worked with me was using the studio as a means to sell drugs. That’s probably why it was so popular. Anyway, I got out of there as quick as possible because jail would suck. I moved out here and began waitressing during the day and bartending at night. It was a good life for a bit. I began saving for school and I got myself a dog. I enjoyed being alone because I dated my whole life. I went on dates, but nothing serious. So one day I decided to get serious with someone. He moved into my apartment and it felt so unreal. The amount of happiness I felt must be the way brides feel when the groom says ‘I do’. The guy was a manager of stores who moves around often. As time passed, I knew he would have to leave, but I did not let it bother me. Then one day, he was asleep. His phone was ringing non stop, and the calls were from a lady named Debra. I picked it up, and told her he was sleeping. She seemed angry. She asked me who I was and I told her. I asked her who she was and she told me. The guy was a married man with children. So, I kicked him out. I did everything to get rid of him. I dyed my hair, bought cleansing potions and incense, took yoga, and spent as little time as possible in that sad apartment  I was offered a secretary job that paid more than my two jobs and I took that. And now I’m here, telling a stranger my confessions.”

We sat there listening to cars passing by and feeling the base of the loud music vibrate our feet. Her life is quite a trip.

“I had a bad breakup too.” I told her. She nodded her head.

“I figured.”

“She just saw me for the boring and the uninspired guy that I am, and she left.” I told her. She patted my back.

“Screw relationships!” She said. “They’ll break your heart and poison your soul!”

I stretched my hand out towards her, and she laced her fingers in mine.

“I didn’t tell you this and I should have. You are beautiful.” I said. Her cheeks became redder and she smiled, revealing her beautiful white teeth.

“You say you are boring, but I’ve experienced an array of men. And, you are by far the most interesting. That girl that left you is probably regretting it right now. I know I would.”

I looked her in the eyes. Her blue eyes stared into my brown eyes. In that moment we connected. The name Anne began to sing through my mind and I felt my heart flutter as it once did. Oh, love.

“Thank you.”

“Would you like to go somewhere more private?” She asked. I was surprised, yet intrigued.

“I would.” I replied. “My apartment is close by.”

“That works for me.”

After a walk of sharing our favorite music, movies and activities we made it to my apartment. We walked up the steps and stood at my door as I put the key in the lock. I twisted it and the door opened. I slowly walked in and she followed me. We stood inside my dark apartment

“Let me put the lights on.” I said, nervously.

I walked to the switch and flicked it on. My apartment was small, yet clean. Light blue walls, wooden floors, a clean kitchen with a marble back splash. I had a small flat screen tv in front of my leather couch. She looked impressed.

“Nice space.” She smiled, pacing around.

“I try.” I said. She stopped in her tracks and stared at me, I looked back at her.

“Do you have anything to drink?” She asked.

“I have some wine. What would you like?”

“Surprise me.” She grinned.

I walked into my kitchen and pulled a merlot from my cabinet. I searched my cupboards for wine glasses but could only find plastic cups. Suddenly, my phone began vibrating in my back pocket. I reached for it and saw that it was Evan. I ignored the call and continued my search, when it began vibrating again. Finally, I answered it.

“Even, I’m busy.” I told him.

“Chris!” He yelled. “You’re alive!”

I was confused and figured that he was trying to be sarcastic or funny.

“What do you mean?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

“Chris.” He breathed. “That girl is not who you think she is.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“She’s a psycho. You know Sheila, right? From the office.”

“Yeah…”

What did she have to do with the situation?

“Well, she was speaking to the girl’s friends and they tried to recruit her.”

“Recruit her for what?” I asked, annoyed.

“Go somewhere private Chris. What I’m about to tell you might save your life.”

I walked across the hall into my bathroom, and closed the door.

“Make it quick, she’s waiting for me.”

“Okay. They tried to recruit her into a cult that the girl in your apartment is part of. They are an anti-men cult. They told Sheila that the girl you took home was on the hunt tonight. Man, I am coming now. You need to get out of there.”

I began laughing. This must be a joke. An anti-men cult? Give me a break.

“I think you had a bit too much to drink tonight?” I laughed. “How about you go home and rest for a bit. Nobody is trying to kill anybody. She’s a sweet girl. I’m going to go. Goodnight.” I heard him yelling as I ended the phone call. He’s just jealous because he is going home alone tonight. I took a deep breath and opened the bathroom door to find her standing right there. Her eyes were wide open, and I have to admit I was slightly afraid.

“What’s going on in there?” She fakely smiled.

“Oh, my friend called.” I said. “It’s nothing though.”

She stood there nervously playing with her bracelet.

“Why so secret then?” She asked, her voice slightly more serious.

“I was looking for some cologne.” I said. “Multitasking.”

“Multitasking.” She repeated. “Alright.”

“Let me finish pouring the wine!” I said, walking to the kitchen. She blocked me.

“Don’t worry Christopher. I took care of it while you were...multitasking.”  She smirked.

She turned around and walked towards the living room. I stood there, searching for a solution for this problem in my mind. I really could not find a solution. I took another deep breath. Should I really take a drink poured by a girl who is supposedly involved in an anti men cult? Evan is probably just being ridiculous. There is no way this girl is part of a cult. As I walked forward, a nervousness breathed down my neck. Perhaps, I can “accidently” spill the wine. What’s wrong with playing it safe? She was sitting on my sofa. She had taken off her light spring jacket, revealing her pretty red blouse and feminine shoulders. She’s very pretty. I just hope she is not part of a cult.

She smiled. “Take a seat.”

“Okay.” I said. Why should she be telling me to take a seat in my own apartment? I took a seat. She stared at me as she let the strap of her red blouse fall, revealing more of her shoulder.

“Why don’t you take a sip? I made it special.”

“You know, I think I will hold off on that.” I said. “I am not feeling too well. I may just stick to water.” Her eyes widened and her lips pursed. I could feel her holding back a type of anger that I could not understand.

“You should at least take a sip. It’s just out of respect for me. I went through the trouble of pouring it for you.” She said.

“I really don’t think I should.”

I watched her sip on her wine, never letting her eyes leaves move away from me.

“I really don’t like to drink alone.” She told me.

“Sorry to hear that.” I said.

We sat on the sofa. I could hear the clock ticking and the sounds of cars and horns from outside my apartment. Quickly, this night had removed it’s true and evil face.

“You are being quite rude.” She blurted out. “Maybe I will get going soon.”

I stared at the wine. Why am I so afraid? I did not want to lose my chance with this woman because of my friend’s idiotic choice.  I slowly stretched my hand out towards the glass that I don’t even own. When my fingers reached the glass, I felt its smooth surface on my fingertips. I lifted up the glass and brought it towards my face, when suddenly my conscious took over. I dropped the glass. Wine splattered onto my black slacks. It was the most relieving spill that I have ever experienced in my life. Her dim eyes darted towards me like a dagger. What a stare?

“Damn!” I said. “Sorry Anne.” I got up from the couch and walked towards the kitchen to grab a towel. I felt her stare lurk behind me. Now, I can move on from this and play the night safe. All I need to do is watch my drink. I am sure Anne has nothing but good intentions. I poured myself a cup of tap water and walked back into the living room. She sat on the couch staring blankly at the walls. Something was going on in that mind of hers. I sat back down next to her as she took a sip of her own wine.

“Why did you drop it?” Anne asked,

“It was a mistake.”I replied.

She simply nodded her head and placed her glass back down on the coffee table. The glass chimed once it hit the surface.

“Mistakes can happen.”She said.  

“Yes it can.” I said.

A layer of awkward silence developed between us. I wanted to break down the layer, but the information from Evan acted as a forcefield. Suddenly, she began to quiver and shake. She grabbed her chest and leaned down. I stood up and placed my hand on her shoulder. She began coughing hard, as if something was lodged deep in her throat.

“What’s going on?” I asked her, trying to get a view of her face.

“S**t… I think I drank the wrong cup!” She groaned.

“What do you mean?”

“Grab me a bucket I’m going to puke.”

I searched around my space looking for a container of something. I stumbled across a vase that my mother gave me as a housewarming gift. I guess now it will have another use. I ran over to her and handed the vase over like an offering. She looked at me with a questionable eyes. She put her mouth to the entrance and became sick. I grabbed her arm and lifted her up. I dragged her to the bathroom and plopped her down on the floor.

“Call the police!” She groaned “Poison!”

I left the bathroom feeling stunned. Did this actually just happen. I dialed 911 on my cellphone.

“Suffolk County Police. What’s your emergency?” The operator said.

“A girl in my apartment had poison. I think she might be dying.” I told her.

“Police and medics are on their way.”

I hung up the phone. The girl was groaning from the bathroom. I walked to the door. She was clutched over the toilet, her back arched.

“Is there anything I can do?” I asked her “Besides reporting you for attempted murder”.

“I’m dying!” She cried.

I learned on the door frame, listening to her groan and cry. I felt bad for her, but at the same time I wasn’t the one to put the poison in the cup.

“What did you put in the drink?” I asked her.

“I don’t know! My friends gave it to me. Oh, I feel so sick.”

“Well you really messed up, didn’t you?”

She continued to be sick in the bathroom, creating a mess needed to be cleaned later on. I heard another silence. I looked in the bathroom and her body gave her a break. She leaned over the toilet. Her face was pale and full of fright.

“Why did you try to poison me?” I asked.

“It was nothing personal.” She managed as she looked up. She wasn’t that sweet and pretty blonde girl anymore. “I had to do it to get into a cult.”

Her body let loose inside of the toilet again. This was quite frightening. I know nothing about medical stuff. I just ached to hear the signs of the sirens. Ten minutes pass as I listen to her moan and groan and apologize for what she tried to do. I forgive her though. I think karma has already had it’s pay back.  In the distance I heard sirens.  I ran to the door and swung it open. Medics were setting up a gurney and a police officer approached my door.

“Where is she?” He asked.

“The bathroom.” I told him. I walked him over and he looked inside, she was passed out on the floor. He leaned down next to her as he checked her vitals.

“What was she poisoned with?” He asked me, entering into the bathroom. He checked her heart rate “She’s still alive.”

“I don’t know. She tried to poison me for some reason, but she drank the wrong cup.”

“We need a medic inside immediately.” The man said. Two medics rushed in with the gurney and an AED.

“Is that your final story?” The police officer asked me. He smirked at me. “How would she drink the wrong cup?”

 I slowly backed away.

“Sir… I don’t know. I would never poison anyone.”

“We’re going to need to take you in for some questioning. If I were you I wouldn’t be backing away like that. You’re in some deep stuff.”

My heart dropped. How could a night end up like this? I am getting arrested for something I didn’t do. Her turned me around and slammed me against the wall. I felt the cold metal of the handcuffs grab my wrist. The officer read me my rights, yet it felt like static. Everything felt like static. How could this happen? The officer walked me through my house. I looked at the coffee table. There sat the poison glass of wine. As I got to the door, I felt the cool air hit my skin.

“I have a daughter.” The officer told me. “And it’s arresting sick men like you that make me feel safer letting her go out at night. Sicko.”

I started to cry a little bit as I watched my neighbors stare at me like a monster. I could even hear the Jones family saying how there was always something off with me.

It was like being at a fair with all the sirens and flashing lights. Evan stood at a far in the distance. I looked at him and he looked back at me. If only I had listened to him.

“I’m sorry man!.” He yelled. I shook my head. This can’t be happening. Behind me I heard the gurney being wheeled down my driveway. She lied on the gurney, staring at the night sky. The officer opened the door to the backseat of the car and pushed me in. This will truly be a night that I will never forget.

Author's Note

Not my best work.