Beneath the Surface

It was another long day at work for Derrick. Having so much on his mind at once, he felt he barely worked at all. Not only did he lose multiple accounts, but his position was terminated. He was told to finish the day, and his last paycheck will be mailed to him. After clocking out, it was time to go home. He packs his suitcase, packing everything important before leaving. He returned all paperwork to the return bins on his way out. His boss was to disregard the profound images displayed on his paperwork. After all, it’s not like he could get fired.

Exhausted, Derrick turns on his car. He pounds his fists on the steering wheel, accidentally letting out multiple honks. Frustrated, he rolls down the windows to take in the cool autumn air, adjusting himself before putting the car in drive.

This time of the day was his favorite, or used to be. Before Penny died, they’d go on countless ventures together. Ripping through the streets of a small town in Arkansas, Heber Springs. She always agreed to burning rubber.

Derrick takes a deep breath before stopping at the intersection, leaning back in defeat. He takes a look around, basking in the glory of all the red and oranges. Penny’s hair looked like those trees, glistening in the sun. He couldn’t help but remember the details about her. After all, he promised he’d never forget.

At the next intersection, he could have gone right and gone home, but instead, he went left. Not ready to go home, Derrick tears through the backroads, ignoring all laws. They didn’t apply to him; they never did.

A car blasts its horn as Derrick blows a stop sign, almost T-boning a teenage girl. Suddenly, his fuel gauge warning light came on. The loud ring brought Derrick to his senses. He presses down the brake pedal, forcing his car to a screeching halt. Every time he hears those brakes, he hears Penny’s reminders, “You gotta get those fixed, D. One day you won’t be able to stop!” Derrick lets out a sob of defeat. He can’t help but let his mind wander to his problems. After all, he still has to go home and take care of his sick mother. Everything he has goes to her, and now that Penny is gone, he has half of the money he used to have. He can’t fix those brakes.

After pulling himself together, Derrick slows down as he reaches the local gas station. His uncle Johnny works the place, always being friendly to his customers. He’s extra kind to Derrick, knowing what’s happening in the family. He keeps his conversations short; his time is still his money even when Derrick’s around.

Before getting out of his car to enter the gas station, Derrick notices a woman driving a truck. She’s driving down the road bumping Back Street Boys with the windows fully down. He scoffs as if he’s never seen such a woman with such mannerisms. She sat tall with her hair down. Her hair was silky and almost as dark as the truck. She’s smiling tightly as she sings along with the lyrics. Realizing she’s noticed his stare, he looks down quickly, not wanting to scare her off.

Derrick fiddles with his car keys as he watches her enter the gas station. “Lord, forgive me.” He muttered under his breath as he got out of his car. When he entered the gas station, the door rang loudly upon his entrance, demanding the attention of other patrons. The woman from outside, in particular, caught his eye; he was finally able to get a good look at her, and she was utterly beautiful. She gazed upon him bitterly, rejecting his admiration.

“Why hello there, my best customer!” Uncle Johnny said, coming towards Derrick. He opened his arms, welcoming an embrace.. “How’re you? How’s my sister been?”

“You know, it’s getting worse every day. She’s in a lot of pain.” Derrick replies, knowing Johnny keeps it small. He glances at the woman frequently, making sure not to meet her eyes. He observes her taste and compares it to his own. Honeybuns? Might as well get a glazed donut at that point. He thought to himself. “I need forty on 3.” Derrick finishes, handing Johnny two twenties.

“No problem.” Johnny returned behind the counter, typing his request at the register and sending him on his way.

Derrick took his time pumping his gas, hoping any moment the woman would walk outside and he’d have another chance to admire her before he got dinner.. She took her time inside, laughing away with Johnny. He could tell they were laughing; he wished it were he who was making her laugh. In some ways, she was similar to Penny – the long flowy hair, not a care in the world what anybody else thinks, how wide her smile got when someone made her laugh. Suddenly, a voice boomed, “Alright, Johnny, I gotta get going! Work starts at six, and the rush is just an hour later!” The woman exclaims, holding a bag of goods. Johnny comes out behind her to offer his hand. I could’ve at least been a gentleman. He thought to himself.

“Why don’t you let Derrick over there give you a hand? He’s of much help.” Johnny makes a gesture towards Derrick, noticing he was in admiration of the woman. “Go on, Janet. He doesn’t bite.” Derrick's face reddens, immediately falling once he feels the surface get warm. He knew Johnny would do something like this, but it had only been months since the death. He didn’t feel as if it was time yet.

“It’s alright, I am in a rush, just needed something to get me by for a while. Bye, Johnny, bye, Derrick, it was nice meeting you!” Janet yells from a distance, still standing by Johnny. Derrick was in his car by this time, tired and frustrated by Johnny’s efforts. He didn't want to make any more conversation. He just wanted to get dinner and go home. He turns his car on as he watches Janet return to her truck. Nice meeting you, too. He thought to himself.

As Derrick leaves the gas station, his phone rings loudly. That was his mother calling, asking about his whereabouts. He’s usually home at this time to cook something nice for his mother, but his detour added a long while until he comes home.

“Hey, Mom. I was just going to call you.” Derrick starts, reassuring his mother he is alright, knowing he should have called her sooner.

“I’ll see you in a bit.” His mother says groggily. She hangs up abruptly, forgetting the “I love you.” She’s been different lately, since her illness has gotten worse. She hasn’t been sleeping or eating. She’s forgetting who she is.

After driving for what seemed to him to be forever, but was only fifteen minutes, Derrick rolled up to Mary Anne’s Dinner Diner. The sign above the roof lit up the entire parking lot, leaving no room for darkness. How comforting, he thought to himself.

Mary Anne’s Dinner Diner was busy at this time, so Derrick wanted to make a quick trip in and out. Looking down at the ground, not wanting to interact with anyone, he made his way inside.

“Hi, welcome in. Staying in or taking out?” A voice says. Derrick pulls his head up as he hears Janet speaking to him. “Oh my- why- are you following me?” She laughs lightly at her joke. Derrick noticed something about the way she spoke that reminded him of Penny. A certain twang to her vowels. He was in awe of her; he couldn’t help but stare. This made him come across as serious and cold to Janet. She straightens up upon noticing his demeanor.. “Sorry, staying in or taking out?” She repeated herself.

“Taking out,” Derrick replies firmly. He pauses for a moment before looking at Janet, deciding if he should make a move or not. “But if you see me tomorrow at the same time, then yes, I am following you.” He laughs lightly. Janet looks relieved, slightly leaning towards him, she starts again.

“And what can I get for you tonight, Derrick?” Janet whips. He liked the way she said his name. It was alluring and tempting. Almost inviting him to indulge.

“I’ve never been here before. Can I have a moment to look over the menu?” Derrick replies. That was true; this was his first time here. He had no idea what they served.

“Can I recommend to you our Sticky Pot Roast? It’s our most popular dish.” Janet says to him. She’s tapping her pen on her notepad as she speaks. Something about the way she was moving made Derrick impatient. He started to admire Janet. She had a beautiful smile that made him feel warm, and hair so long and beautiful he wouldn’t mind getting lost in it.

“Yeah, sure. That sounds great. Can I have two of those, please? To go?” Derrick answered. He was grateful for her recommendation, saving him time and allowing him to get back to his mother quicker.

“One for you and one for the lady?” Janet replied to him, writing down his request. His face changed when she questioned him, turning bitter and sour. At a stroke, he remembered his late wife, Penny. For a moment, he’d forgotten about her. He broke his promise. Promise me, D, please! Echoed in the back of his head. Derrick took a moment before replying to Janet. HE wouldn’t forgive himself for that.

“No ma’am. For me and my mother at home. I was supposed to cook, but I’m running a little late.” Derrick replied. He was starting to feel guilty about forgetting about Penny, even in that one moment. He wasn’t able to look Janet in the eye anymore.

“You still live with your mom at this grown age?” Janet asks him. She seemed confused, but she had every right to be. It still upset Derrick.

“She’s dying, and I’m taking care of her. Can you get my food so I can get out of here?” Derrick replied forcefully. He’d finally had enough of her. Her looks may be beyond this Earth, but his temper goes below the ground.

“Give us ten minutes, please,” Janet replied. She walks away, leaving him by himself at the counter. Still frustrated, he took a handful of wrapped mints from a bowl. A penny for my troubles, and my Penny. He thought to himself.

Derrick arrived home, exhausted from a long day. Family Feud was turned on full volume. Derrick and his mother would always watch TV as they ate dinner, giving them something to laugh about while talking seriously. He set down the bags from Mary Anne’s, leaving them on the kitchen counter. He took off his shoes before stepping onto the carpet starting the hallway. “Mom! I’m back, I have dinner!” Derrick shouted. He waited for a response. She must have fallen asleep already. How can this woman sleep with the TV so loud? He thought. Derrick decided to wake her up.

“Mom, I’m home and I have food. Are you ready to eat?” Derrick says as he walks to the living room. He covered his ears as he looked for the nearest remote, the TV being on its fullest volume. After turning it down, he tried again. “Mom?” It was silent. He took a look around, confused as to what his mother might be up to. He took a moment to listen for her, anything. After waiting a moment and hearing nothing, he made his way to her bedroom. Knock, knock. “Mom, you in there? I got dinner.” Derrick repeated. He waited and listened for another moment before opening the door. Revealing a dark room, Derrick turns on the light, exposing a dreadful scene. He paused there, unable to make out what he was seeing; he couldn’t believe it.

“Momma? Momma, no-” Derrick took hold of his mother. She lay lifeless on her bed, limp and pale. Her thin, grey hair wisped over her face, covering most of her face. Brushing it away, Derrick let out a deep, painful sob. Unable to catch his breath, he held his mother in a tight embrace. “I love you so much, Momma.” He coughed out. Every breath he took was replaced by a weep and a moan.

Derrick let go of his mother, her body succumbing to the bed. He started to spiral. He lost his wife and his mother, his guiding lights. His whole life was shattered before him. Derrick was beyond depressed; he had been pushed to his limits. After losing his wife and his mother and getting fired from his job, he didn’t see a point anymore. Everything he dedicated his life to was gone. What would be better, but to be with them right now? He thought to himself.

Derrick thought of Penny and how pale her face was when she lay there in the casket. He thought about the way her car was pulled from the lake. How her windows and windshield had all been busted through. He thought about how the flashing red and blue lights were lighting up the darkness, as Penny's lifeless body was being taken from the water. He thought about how she told everyone goodbye before making her exit. He didn’t tell anyone goodbye.

“Nine-one-one, what is the location of your emergency?” The operator says.

“Uhm,” Derrick says, his voice cracking. He’s still crying, trying to catch his breath.

“Hello, is anyone there?” The operator replies. Derrick can hear typing in the background.

“Yes. I need to report two dead bodies.” He cries again, letting it out louder this time. Derrick gets up from the living room floor, making his way to his room. The closet, specifically, to unlock a safe.

“What is the address of the emergency?” The operator answers quickly and more frantically. The typing is getting faster.

“It’s 8753 Woodsong Dr,” Derrick replies, kneeling on the ground as he struggles to unlock his safe. Once he does, it’s over. He’ll finally be at peace with his mother and wife.

“Sir, please stay on the line. Responders are on the w-” Derrick unlocks the safe, abruptly ending the phone call, giving the operator no chance to finish, deciding now was the time. The sound of a gunshot rang through the house, and then silence.