I called Joe again yesterday while Adam was out with his mates. Joe's girlfriend answered. The prickly way Evie spoke told me she wasn't happy about me calling. I don't care. Adam and I have a son together. (Callum's four.) She can't stop us talking.
It felt so good to hear his voice. He never crosses the line, whether Evie's there or not. She usually is though. Sometimes I flirt, call his mind to the good times we shared. He doesn't reciprocate, but doesn't shut it down either. Maybe he enjoys the attention. Evie probably doesn't show him enough. I'm a good flirt. I do a good slow burn, easing up the heat and pushing the boundary softly, deliciously... By the time they realise what I'm doing, they're too hooked to stop me.
When Adam left today, I picked up the phone before the door shut.
"Hello?!" Evie's voice was snappish, cold.
"Oh. Hi," I keep my tone warm and pleasant. I'm not the bad guy here. "Is Joey there?"
There's a heavy pause. My casual Joey did it. Everyone calls him Joe, or Joseph.
"He is, actually. But he doesn't want to talk to you."
"Really?" I chuckle. "He's a big boy, he can tell me himself."
"That's the thing," she sounds shrill, "he can't. You can't keep talking like this, every day. You're not together anymore. He's with me now."
"We've a child together," I remind her.
"I know," she clears her throat, her next words sounding firmer. "Of course you need to speak about Callum. But we need boundaries. I've- umm, we've set up an email address. Anything about Callum, you use that. I'll text it to you, but then Jos- Joe will block your number."
I bristle.
"What if there's an emergency?"
"Then you can call me. I'll get the message to him right away."
"And if I can't reach you?" The sneer touched my voice.
"You still have his mother's number?" She sounds smug. I purse my lips. "Goodbye," she says.
What if there's an emergency?
I'm always nagging Callum to put his cars away. I fish one out, red, to match the carpet, and, humming, leave it on the stairs.
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Word count excluding note: 366
Submitted on Saturday 22nd June at 22.31
*Quick Author's Note*
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Comments (13)
Not fair! I mean, you have a kid together! omg.. the nerve of some people! unbelievable.
Ah, so the ha'penny is you, i been attributing it to Hannah. The ex is worth poor Callum tripping down the stairs? He gone, embarrassing the self for an ex is a no no. Not worth his salt, i say.
Oh, my. That went dark in a hurry!
I used to know people like her. Reading this made me grateful that I no longer do.
Oh shi...this was really quite dark...subtle...like the way people like her work really. Could sound like you're making a fuss about nothing until it's too late. Superb writing, LC! It made me really angry at the end.
What a horror , reminds me of someone I used to know
Okay someone is gotta get Callum away from this crazyyyyyy psychotic woman!!
Holy bloody hell. She’s absolutely terrifying. Poor kid being used as a pawn. This was chillingly brilliant.
This was convincingly and believably chilling on several levels. Very well written per always, LC!
Oof, this one made my blood hot for a second. The worst part is there are people who think like this and think it is alright.
Looks like she’s right.
Oh my, that’s quite a narcissist right there, putting her own child in danger for an “emergency.”
Jesus, reckon they should have blocked this one sooner.