Of Course You Do

Of Course You Do

1.

Tara Sunder's eyes opened before her alarm went off. She reached over to find the other side of the bed empty so she laid still and listened. She could hear the clanking of a spoon in a cup down in the kitchen. Tara lifted her head and looked at the other side of the bed;

Did he pull the sheets back over when he got up, or did he not bother coming to bed all night?

She dropped her head back down on the pillow and contemplated what the day might bring. Henry hasn't been the same since 'The Incident” at the bank, not that anyone could blame him. But life has been anything but easy since, not for Henry's employers at the bank, not for Henry, and certainly not for Tara.

I'm sure things have been a little strange for Victor too... Tara smiled.

She wondered if she'd see Victor again today and felt a slight tingle. Victor had been around a lot lately... Time to get on with the day. Tara roused herself from bed.

Still just wearing her oversized bed-time t-shirt, Tara made her way down to the kitchen. She saw Henry was showered and dressed in his business attire, sitting with his coffee at the kitchen table. He didn't look up from his crossword puzzle or say anything as Tara came in and poured herself a cup.

“Good Morning,” Tara said sarcastically as she sat down at the table across from Henry.

Henry still didn't look up from his puzzle, locked in concentration.

“Mmm-hmm. Good morning.” Henry muttered.

Tara kept her eyes on her husband. Studying him. The way he sat hunched over his crossword, slurping coffee now and then, rubbing his temple as he strained to figure out an answer, just a shadow of the man he once was. What was she feeling? Not contempt. No. Pity. Ever since 'The Incident'...

“The bank called yesterday.” Tara said, “They say you should take all the time you need, and not to rush coming back-”

“No! I need to get back to work.” Henry said slamming down his pen and crossword. Finally, he looked up and met Tara's eyes. “I have to go.”

With that, Henry got up from the table and made his way to the door. As he slid his shoes on, he looked back to the kitchen;

“I may have to work late, there's probably lots of work to catch up on.” Halfway out the door, Henry added; “I love you.” and was gone.

Tara stayed sitting at the kitchen table. She grimaced, slowly nodding her head to herself as she looked blankly out the kitchen window. She took another sip of coffee and glanced over at Henry's crossword. Her mouth fell open. The crossword was filled out, all the letters had been gone over repeatedly, but the words... Henry had ignored the clues and seemed to have filled in all the blank squares with a combination of the words; NO, NOT OK, DEAD, and BROKEN.

Tara looked back out the window and shuddered.

2.

About an hour and a half later, Tara had done some housework, gotten a load of laundry finished, and was just getting out of the shower when she heard the back door opening.

“Vi- uh...Hello?” Tara called down the stairs as she leaned out of the bathroom door.

There was no answer, but she could hear someone talking. It definitely sounded like Victor. Tara started down the stairs to listen closer not bothering to wrap a towel around herself.

“Listen, my friend, that's what stocks do. Unless you need money for something urgent I strongly recommend you hold. In fact, buy more while the shares are on sale...” Victor said, apparently on the phone. “Yes, of course you do. That's what the smart money is doing, that's what my money is doing... exactly! I'm investing in the same equities I recommend to you... Ok. Just think about it, there's time. I have an important meeting to get to we'll talk later.”

Victor pressed end on his phone and pulled Bluetooth from his ear as he looked up and saw Tara standing naked halfway down the stairs. Victor stopped and smiled broadly.

“Did you park down the street?” Tara asked.

“Yeah, of course, darling.”

Definitely Victor. Tara nodded to herself. Victor was so self-assured. So together. So on top of everything. Soon to be on top of her. Tara bowed her head and put her finger to her lip, flirting. Then a girlish giggle as she turned and ran up the stairs.

Victor chuckled as he pulled off his tie and chased after her.

3.

Tara laid back on Victor's chest still feeling the waves of pleasure roll over her. She certainly loved the attention Victor gave her. She had come to think of him as something like her second husband.

How long can this last? She wondered.

Victor was absent-mindedly playing with her hair and puffing on his vape when he noticed a framed picture of Tara and Henry on the bedside table.

That's odd. Don't women having an affair usually put those pictures away in a drawer or something?

Tara snapped her head to look at the picture that very instant. “That's my Henry.” she said. “Do you recognize him?”

“No.” Victor said. “... you two look pretty happy there.”

“We were.”

“But now?”

“Now things are different. Henry is different. Ever since the incident at the bank... he's not himself.”

“Hmmm...” Victor looked again at the picture.

“Do you ever feel like you're not yourself?” Tara asked, turning to study Victor's face.

Victor felt the sudden interrogation and chuckled as he looked down at Tara.

“What? Me? Naw, darlin'. I know who I am.” Victor smiled.

“Hmmph. Yeah. I guess so. You're all confidence.”

Tara turned back around to lay her head on his chest again.

“You stand up straighter than Henry, you sound more confident. You wear the same kind of suits, but you seem to wear them more-”

“Does he know about us?” Victor said.

“He doesn't suspect a thing. I'm sure of it.”

“What do you think he'd do if he found out?”

“Oh, I sometimes wish he would figure it out, you know?” Tara said staring blankly at the ceiling.

Victor raised an eyebrow and looked down at her.

Tara looked up at his questioning face. “Yes. Really. I want my Henry back. Even if it means losing you. Not that I don't enjoy all the attention, Victor. You are smooth.” Tara smiled. “But my Henry could do everything you do and more... before the incident.” She looked up at him again to see his reaction.

Victor just nodded and gave her a half-smile; using the silence to process.

“I do like the attention, Victor. I need this now. And I appreciate all the help with investing, my account is on its way to a second million.”

Tara grabbed his hand and held it to her face. “I suppose I love you both now. My two husbands.” Tara said. She looked at the picture on the bedside table before closing her eyes and falling into a restful nap.

4.

Tara woke up around noon. Victor had already left. He was likely busy dealing with more clients. He seemed to be making himself and his growing list of clients a great deal of money!

Way to go Victor! Tara thought wiggling her hips as she raised her coffee mug. She was standing in the kitchen looking out the picture window at the copse of trees beyond her yard. There's a small path leading into the woods and Tara was focused on the fractal spiral shape formed by the branches of the trees around the opening. Her mind wandered around investing, technical stock analysis, and the Fibonacci sequence...

Tara was startled when the doorbell rang, followed by a quick knock. Dang! She had spilled some of her coffee. She set down her cup on the windowsill and turned to get a rag to wipe up the spill but then stopped and looked up the hall to the front door. Then she looked down at herself.

Oh, I'm a mess! She thought.

When she got up from her nap, Tara had only bothered to pull on some sweats and a t-shirt. She fussed with these now, trying to straighten herself up a bit before answering the door, but gave up.

“Can't shine up a turd.” She sighed as she walked to the front door.

She wasn't expecting anyone and opened the door cautiously to see who it might be at this time of day. Jehova's Witness? No. It was Henry's Boss from the bank; Mr. Newport. She recognized him from staff events. And with him was a dark-skinned woman with a kind face, who Tara did not recognize.

“Hello Tara-” Grant Newport began, extending his hand

“Mr. Newport. Hi. Er, Henry's not home...” Tara said shaking Grant's hand absently.

Grant looked at Tara quizzically for a moment, then continued solemnly; “Yes, I know.” he nodded and now clasped Tara's hand with his other hand.

Tara frowned noticing the solemn look on Mr. Newport's face, then looked down at his hands clasped around hers and she yanked her hand back.

“Is something wrong?! Did something else happen at the bank!?” Tara demanded.

“Everything is fine dear.” Said the dark-skinneddark-skinned woman in a soothing sing-song voice that immediately calmed Tara down a few notches. Though she was still on edge wondering why Mr. Newport and this woman were here calling on Henry in the middle of the day. Perhaps Henry didn't go to work, but they said he wasn't expected to...

“Tara, this is Saffron Havene.” Grant said.

“Nice to meet you Mrs. Havene.”

“Oh, you can call me Saffy, dear.” Saffy smiled.

“Er.. May we come in?” Grant asked in a clipped, matter-of-fact tone.

Tara's curiosity was piqued and her need for answers made her brusquely step aside and swing the door open.

“Please.” She said motioning them in.

5.

Tara poured the last of her pot of coffee into two cups.

“Cream? Sugar?” she asked.

“Yes, please,” Grant said.

“Just a bit of cream for me thanks,” Saffy answered.

Tara finished making the coffees and brought them over to the kitchen table.

“I apologize for showing up at your door like this Tara. I did try phoning.” Grant said. Tara just raised her eyebrow and said nothing, so Grant continued;

“You know, 4th National offers excellent benefits. Mrs. Havene is here from our Employee Benefits department, at corporate, in HR-”

“We just have some forms we need filled out to co-ordinate with long-term disability,” Saffy said as she pulled a manilla envelope from her bag and set it on the table. “This will open doors to counseling and any medical services that may be required.” She added as she set down some pens.

“All paid for by 4th National of course,” Grant said, holding up his hand to quell any potential objections.

Tara was just standing there watching the presentation playing out at her table and found herself shaking her head slightly.

“I don't think any of this is really necessary. It's not like Henry is going to go for counseling...” She said with a slight laugh. Grant turned solemn again and bowed his head staring into his coffee. Saffy paused shuffling her papers and looked up at Tara.

“We thought you would want to avail yourself, dear,” Saffy said.

“...although he probably should get some help. He hasn't been the same since 'the incident'” Tara continued.

Grant now looked up at Tara. “Henry...hasn't been the same?” Grant clarified.

Tara sighed. “No. Not at all. He slammed down his crossword and headed off this morning saying he needed to get back to work, he even thought he'd work late. I'm going to go ahead and assume he never made it into the bank?”

Grant slowly shook his head, studying Tara.

“Hmm. No, I'm not surprised.” Tara said. She suddenly felt a little awkward and turned back to the counter to set up another pot of coffee. “Like I say, he hasn't been himself. But he won't go to counseling, he thinks it's weak. Going for help is admitting defeat...” Tara was opening cupboards and fidgeting with filters and coffee. Grant leaned forward to listen to Tara. Saffy looked confused and started shuffling through her file looking for something.

“...But he definitely needs help.” Tara continued. “Some days he doesn't have any drive whatsoever, other days he's determined he's going to return to work. But he never actually makes it into the bank... those are the days my other husband comes around...”

“How's that? Your other husband, dear?” Saffy asked, shooting a look at Grant.

“Oh, yes. Victor. My other husband.” Tara laughed. “He's got all the confidence in the world. On those mornings when Henry decides he's going to go back to work, Victor usually stops by... about an hour or so after Henry leaves...Victor parks down the street and uses the back door so neighbors don't see him. Victor thinks of everything, he has his shit together. He's your typical cocky investment broker.”

Grant was speechless. Saffy looked at Tara with compassionate eyes.

“So, you've got two husbands now?” Saffy said.

“Yeah.” Tara snorted as she poured water into the coffee maker. “I'm married to two men... oh, forgive me. I know it's not funny. I do worry about Henry. I don't know why I'm telling you all this. I haven't had much company lately”

“But Henry is-” Grant began to say, but then felt Saffy pat his arm to hush. He turned to Saffy and saw her shaking her head. With her other hand, she tapped a crossword puzzle that was left on the table. All the letters were scrawled repeatedly until the paper was nearly worn through. Grant suddenly felt very uncomfortable but understood that he needed to watch what he says.

“I know. Henry is my true love.” Tara answered. She bowed her head and braced herself on the counter. “Maybe, all three of us need therapy or counseling or something... Excuse me. I just need to...” Tara turned to leave the kitchen. “I'll sign your forms, I just have to, um...” She said and made her way up the stairs.

6.

Grant watched Tara disappear up the stairs then spun around to look at Saffy wide-eyed; “W-O-W” he mouthed. Grant then leaped from his chair and moved around Saffy to snap up the crossword puzzle. As he studied the puzzle, trying to make out the words, Grant said under his breath; “She has two husbands...”

“I think,” Saffy whispered, “Henry is Victor-”

“N-no-no.” Grant shook his head at her. “You don't understand.”

“Yes. He shows up only on days Henry leaves for work, after Henry leaves? Just started happening after the 'incident' at the bank. It's common for someone to create a brave alter-ego after a traumatic event.” Saffy explained.

“The thing is-” Grant began.

“She needs help, I could hear her crying up there in the bathroom. Henry definitely needs help-”

“No! He doesn't.” Grant hissed.

Grant then heard footsteps on the stairs and hurriedly put the crossword back on the table trying to set it back in the same position as before. He stepped away from it and stood next to his chair just as Tara came back into the kitchen.

“Tara are you ok?” Grant asked. He could see that her eyes were still red.

“Yes. I'm sorry Mr. Newport, Mrs. Havene, things've been really stressful.”

“You don't need to apologize, dear,” Saffy said. Grant nodded.

“What forms did you need me to fill out?”

“Oh, I have them ready dear, just these two.” Saffy slid the forms across the table and began to flip through papers in her bag. “I'm confused though, is Henry also-”

“Euh, Tara.” Grant interrupted, “We could leave these forms with you or...If you want to just sign the forms, we can fill in the contact information and such from our records. I think we need to be going.” Grant said. Saffy was taken aback by Grant's sudden urge to leave.

“Sure. Just leave them. I'll pass them along to Henry and try to talk him into signing up for counseling. He should be home soon...”

Grant gave a determined nod to Saffy, and though bewildered by the sudden hurry, she began to pack up her papers and pens.

“Tara, we'll be in touch. Someone will be by tomorrow to collect the forms.” Grant said, making his way to the door.

“The forms are just a formality, dear. If you need any help in the meantime, don't you wait to call someone.” Saffy said and placed a few pamphlets on the table as she got up.

Tara saw them out and watched from the window as they walked to their car.

7.

“Why the sudden rush to get out of there?” Saffy asked as they were walking to the car.

“She needs professional help Saffy, and we are not that,” Grant said. “I was worried we might say something to set her off. But I'll have the right people visit tomorrow. People trained and certified for this kind of thing. I don't need any issues with insurance.” Grant said. Saffy didn't like leaving Tara in such a state but she understood the business side of it.

“She has two husbands to take care of her.” Saffy mused.

“Hmmph, yeah.” Grant shook his head. “Two husbands...”

“It sounds to me as though Henry has developed a split personality to deal with the incident at the bank,” Saffy said. “I felt a little unprepared, though. Does Henry also work at the bank? I didn't have any paperwork on him. I'm sorry I wasn't more familiar with the case-”

“No, Only Tara works at 4th National. I've worked with her every day for the past few years and she barely seemed to recognize me. In her mind, she seems to have replaced herself at the bank with Henry.” Grant said. “But Henry never worked at the bank. He was coming to take her out for lunch the day of the robbery.”

“Oh dear....Oh. I see.” Saffy said. “...was Henry one of the hostages? That would explain him inventing a brave alter ego. Poor man.”

“Your theory that Victor is Henry's alter ego makes sense, except... Henry wasn't just one of the hostages, Saffy. He was the hostage.”

Grant looked back at the house and saw Tara in the window. He wondered what was going on behind her blank expression. Watching them leave? Or waiting for Henry, perhaps Victor, to come home.

“Henry was the one they killed.”