"Eight o’clock only a few more hours of this shit." Adam Reynolds mumbled to himself as he was looking at his watch. It was a nice watch at that. It was a gold Rolex that belonged to his father. In fact it was the only thing he had left of his fathers. Most had to be sold to satisfy the creditors. Cancer had managed to take everything away from the elder Reynolds except this watch. Adam somehow found a way to keep it.
"Nice party, Adam." A slightly intoxicated friend said as he was looking for his next drink.
"Thanks." Adam replied without much emotion.
It was his wife, Erin’s twenty-fifth birthday. He wanted to do something special for her. So far their marriage had been rocky. They still fought quite a bit about money mostly but there was no doubt that he loved her more then anything. So, if throwing this party and catering to a few drunks made her happy then so be it.
"Of course this party would be a hell of a lot better if that wife of yours would lose that top."
Instantly, Adam recognized the voice. It belonged to Karl Evans. Karl has been a thorn in Adam’s side for years. They both grew up in the same small town. Karl was always bigger then Adam- a situation that Karl constantly exploited as they were growing up. Karl’s dad owned the largest construction company around which meant two things: one, Karl had money and two, he was use to getting anything he wanted. However, there was one thing he wanted and didn’t get- Erin.
"What are you doing here, asshole?" Adam asked as he crossed the room to the direction of the voice.
"Oh, a tough boy now, hugh? I heard you were throwing some party and that your hot wife would be here so I stopped by for a few beers."
"Well, get the fuck out of here."
"Adam Reynolds! Shame on you! That’s no way to talk to a guest." A slurred voice said.
"Hey, sweetie. Do you like the party?" Adam said happy to see his wife even if she once again had too much to drink.
"I love it." Erin said kissing her husband.
"Oooooh. Can I have one of those?" Karl asked as he reached over and pinched Erin lightly in her behind.
"What you can have is a mouth full of broken teeth." Adam said as he connected with a right cross to Karl’s jaw.
Karl immediately fell to the floor. Everyone stopped to stare at the two combatants.
"I’m going to cut you a break, Reynolds. So your wife doesn’t have to witness you getting your ass kicked on her birthday, I’m going to let it go. But I owe you one." Karl said as he got up and rubbed his jaw. "This isn’t over yet."
"It had better be for your sake."
"Your wife’s got a tight ass. I can’t wait to see it again." Karl said staggering out the door to his car.
"Well, are you fucking happy?" Erin slurred out to her husband after everyone had left.
"What?"
"You made a complete ass out of yourself. I can’t believe you hit him. I’m surprised he didn’t kick your ass."
"It wouldn’t have been my ass that would have been kicked."
"He’s kicked your ass since grade school and he would have done it again."
"Your faith in me is touching."
"Okay, where is it?"
"Where’s what?"
"Come on, Adam, my present. Where is it?"
"Um, well dear you had the party."
"You didn’t get me anything did you?"
"Honey, we’ve talked about this before. You know I haven’t been able to sell any manuscripts lately."
"So, you didn’t do anything for my birthday?"
"I put that party together. I’m sorry sweetie. It was all I could do."
"You fucking tight ass. Things are always tight for us. Why don’t you get a real job? I bet Karl’s dad would hire you."
"What are you saying? I’m a writer not a carpenter."
"A writer that can’t pay the bills."
She was right. They lived in a small one-bedroom apartment that was too close to the street and in a relatively poor neighborhood. The roof leaked and they rarely had hot water. He knew his wife deserved better.
"I’m sorry." Was all he could think to say.
"Things were tough on your birthday and I still found a way to get you that word processor thingy…..or whatever the fuck it was."
"You’re right. I’m sorry."
"You can’t even give me a child."
His wife’s dagger throws were real accurate tonight. They had tried to have a baby for the better part of a year now. The doctors, whom her parents paid for, said that everything’s normal; yet, no baby yet.
"Fuck you!" Erin slurred.
"Where you going?"
"I’m leaving!" She shouted as she slammed the bedroom door.
***
The sun shined brightly through the curtain and hit Erin Reynolds in the face. She tried to open her eyes but the pain in her head caused her to close them again. It was then that she heard the familiar sound of the lock to the door being opened.
"Hi, honey. Did you decided to wake up?"
"Adam!" She shouted.
Despite the pain in her head she jumped up and ran to give her husband a hug.
"Oh, sweetie! I love you so much. I am so sorry." She said with tears in her eyes.
"Hey, dry those eyes. It’s okay."
"No, it’s not. I said some terrible things last night. I can’t even look at you."
"You were right."
"No, Adam, I had way too much to drink. The things I said were awful. Please, forgive me."
"Sweetie, you don’t even need to ask. You deserve so much better"
"You love me with all your heart." Erin said gripping her husband tightly. "No one could ask for more."
"I got you something." Adam said holding out a wrapped present.
"Oh, you didn’t need to."
"Yes, I did." He said as she unwrapped the present and took a diamond bracelet from its box.
"Oh, Adam." She exclaimed.
"It’s the exact one you saw a few weeks ago."
"But sweetie, it was so expensive. How did you-" It was at that moment she noticed her husband’s wrist. "Adam, your watch. Where the fuck is your watch?"
"It’s okay."
"Show it to me."
"Honey, it’s okay."
"Adam, it’s the only thing you have of your father’s. Where is it?"
"Dad knows what you mean to me. He would have approved."
"Please, tell me you didn’t sell the watch just so you could get me this."
"Let’s not talk about it anymore."
"Adam……"
"Hey, he was a nice guy. He agreed to hold my watch for six months. I can still get it back. Everything will be all right. Enjoy your present, please. For me…okay?"
"You’re the best." She said kissing him deeply. "I love you so much."
"I love you too…forever."
***
She shifted her car into third gear as the excel orator hit the floor. A new shop opened up on the other side of town. If what she read in the paper was correct they took items in trade for other items. It was the only place Adam could have taken his watch. A watch she must get back no matter what. It was early enough in the morning. With any luck she could be in and out and into work on time.
"Hello." Erin asked as she entered the shop to the chime of doorbells.
"Hello." An old man behind a dusty counter said.
He was short for a man- shorter then Erin herself. He had small round glasses with short white hair. Propped up beside the counter was a wooden cane indicating that the old man had his share of trouble getting around. Through Erin’s eyes it seemed like this guy couldn’t hurt a fly which made her feel a whole lot better.
"I believe my husband was in here earlier."
"Hmmmmm." The old man said trying to remember. " I had a guy in earlier looking for something for his wife. He brought a watch for trade."
"Yes! Yes! Thank God. I found the right place. Look, I need that watch back."
"Oh, I do have the watch right here." The old man said reaching behind the counter and setting the watch down in front of Erin.
"Great, here’s the bracelet." Erin said handing him her gift.
"That’s an awful nice bracelet. A pretty lady like you should have it. Are sure you really want to give it back?"
"It is beautiful and I would like to keep it but I need the watch back"
"Well, what if you could walk out of here with both?"
"That would be nice but I don’t have enough money to do that."
"What if I didn’t want money?"
"What are you saying?" She said disgusted by the dirty thoughts that must be going through this old man’s mind. "If I go to your back room and fuck you I’ll get the watch?"
"Oh, no. Nothing like that."
"Well, what then?"
The old man reached below the counter and handed Erin a rolled up parchment.
"What’s this?" She asked.
"It’s a contract."
"What kind of contract?"
"Basically, it says that I give you both the watch and the bracelet and in five years you give me your soul."
"Excuse me? My soul…..are you the devil?"
"Maybe I am or maybe I’m some senile old man. Either way you sign that paper and you not only get to give your husband back his father’s watch but you get a very expensive bracelet. Do we have a deal?"
"I think you are both crazy and senile but I’ll take the watch and bracelet."
"Just sign below."
"Fine let me get a pen out of my purse."
"Oh no." The old man said handing her a long sharp pin. "It has to be signed with your own blood."
"What? That’s sick."
"Sorry, it’s not my rules."
Ten minutes later Erin Reynolds was back at work with a sore finger.
***
"Where has the time gone?" Erin Reynolds asked herself as she was walking arm in arm with her husband. In the last five years her husband has had three best selling books. They moved into a large house close to a school. The school was important for their twins Owen and Renee. Erin had long ago told her boss to perform a certain anal impossibility giving her more time to spend as a mom and wife.
"Penny for your thoughts." Adam said giving her a light squeeze.
"I’m just thinking how lucky I am."
"We’re both lucky, sweetie."
"Adam, do we have company?" Erin asked as they approached their house. An old man was at the door with his back to the approaching couple.
"May I help you?" Adam said reaching the porch stairs.
"No, but your wife can." The old man said turning around. It had been a few years but the appearance of the old man remained unchanged.
"Oh, no." Erin muttered under her breath.
"Oh, yes." The old man said with a smile on his face.
"Hey, you said I’d have more time."
"More time? What does he mean, Adam?"
"Oh you never told her, Adam? Well, your husband sold his soul to me earlier that morning."
"What?" Erin stammered.
"His writing success, this house, and your beautiful children do you honestly think God gave them to you? Ha! That’s funny. But relax Adam. I’m not here for you. I’m here for her."
"What?" Adam asked looking at his wife.
"Adam, I’m sorry."
"Well, don’t be." Adam said standing between the old man and his wife. "She’s not going anywhere with you."
"Bet me." The old man replied as he waived his hand toward Adam.
Adam tried to advance upon the old man only to find himself paralyzed in place. A group of teenaged boys shooting baskets in the driveway across the street stopped to watch the whole scene.
"Nice boys." The old man said gesturing across the street. "The one with the ball has quite the crush on you Mrs. Reynolds."
"Leave them alone." Erin said with a cracked voice.
"Let’s make his day shall we? Take off your clothes."
"What?" Erin asked with a shocked look on her face.
" Having kids, twins no less, has done nothing to your figure. I can’t wait to see. Go ahead."
"Look you sick pervert, undo whatever you did to my husband and get the fuck out of here!"
Suddenly, Adam began to choke and his face turned blue.
"Take off all your clothes or he dies right now. I own his soul too. It doesn’t matter to me."
"Okay, okay." Erin said starting to cry. "Let’s go inside."
"No, right here and right now. You had better hurry. Your husband doesn’t have much time left."
Sobbing Erin pulled her sweater over her head. She then kicked both shoes off and unbuttoned her jeans. The game stopped across the street. The groups of boys were staring at this grown near naked woman standing in front of them.
"Very nice." The old man said. "Don’t worry boys!" He yelled across the street. "The show’s not over yet! Is it?" He said looking at Erin.
Reluctantly, Erin unsnapped the hooks to her brazier and let it fall to the ground.
"A nice set." The old man said smiling. "Don’t you think so boys?" He asked to the group of boys shocked into silence. "Okay, you’ve come this far. Don’t be shy now. Let’s see the rest."
"You perverted bastard!" She yelled as her thumbs made their way to the waistband of her panties. With a thrust they were down around her ankles. "Okay, there you go. You’ve got a good look. The boys got a good look. Are you happy? Are we done?"
"Just about." The old man said to a now breathing Adam. "Remember, that word processor you got for your birthday about five years ago? Would you like to know how your wife got the money for them?"
"No!" Erin screamed momentarily forgetting her embarrassment.
"Oh, come on my dear. No secrets now. Adam, remember your good friend Karl?"
"What about that piece of shit." Adam said struggling to move.
"Yes, he is. In fact I have a special place all picked out for him. But lets stay on the subject shall we? How should I put this? Well, let’s just say that the boys next door are not the only ones other then yourself to see your beautiful wife in all her glory."
"What?" Adam asked taken back by the old man’s statement.
"Adam, it was nothing. We needed the money. I figured a look couldn’t hurt. He paid so much for it."
"If it’s any consolation he did have to pay extra for putting those two fingers inside your wife." The old man said turning to Erin.
"You son-of-a-bitch!" Adam yelled beginning to move again. "I’m going to kill you and then Karl!"
"Oh, I’m counting on it my boy. Yes, sir. I am." The old man said before he and Erin disappeared forever.
***
"Hey, rookie. Ever see someone die before?" An older guard said to the young police officer standing next to him.
"No."
"Well, you’re about to. Big hot shot writer snapped and killed his wife and her lover."
"I know. I was a witness at the trial."
"You were?"
"Yea, his wife was hot. One day while some friends and I were playing basketball she up and took off all her clothes for no reason. Just like that."
"You saw that? Damn, I would have loved to see that."
"He claimed that some old man was with them that made her do it. But I didn’t see anyone else. The DA said that his jealousy finally pushed him over the edge."
"Did they ever find her body?"
"No, her lover, Karl Evans was found with eight bullets in it. They never found her. I wonder what he did with her?"
"We’ll never know, kid. Come on. Let’s watch this killing asshole fry."
***
As soon as the switch was thrown, Adam Reynolds was blinded with light. His last thoughts were of his children. Children who grew up while he was in jail. Both were about out of school now. He had missed so much.
"Hello, Adam. Nice of you to join us." A familiar voice said.
Adam opened his eyes. There was fire dancing all around. The smell of brimstone was everywhere. The voice was familiar but the demon that spoke didn’t resemble the old man he once knew. Gone was the gentile old man. In his place was a bull-like demon with sharp teeth, glowing eyes, and a horned head.
"I told you I had a special place saved for your pal, Karl." The demon said gesturing to near corner. There he saw Karl Evans naked lying on top of his wife. Her legs were spread wide and she was moaning with all she had.
"God damn you!" Adam yelled with tears in his eyes.
"Oh, no, Adam. God damned you."
Bio: Tony Cavello, of Norwalk, Ohio, is a 31 year old engineer in the elecronics industry. This is his first publication.
E-mail: Lore101@aol.com
URL: http://www.accnorwalk.com/~lore
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