Family Night by Tim Miller Read Free Book Online Page B

should have listened. I need to get you out of here.”
         “It’s ok Jules. You didn’t know. You had to try.” Now they were both crying. Sarah tried to choke back the tears. Julie had always been the tough, strong one, but now she needed to be strong too. She took several deep breaths.
         “We’ll be ok Sarah. It will be fine. I love you.”
         “I love you too baby.”
         Sarah tried to think positive, but couldn’t help feel like they had just said goodbye.
     

Chapter 15
     
         Eddie was almost sad to drive home. It had been such a productive night and the kids had fun. He was so proud of how they had performed. This was a new experience for all of them and they had nailed it. Jeffrey was growing up so fast. He didn’t hesitate to use the cattle prod when it was time. Then Brandi, she kicked the woman in the stomach all on her own and hard too. It was just after 5 a.m. as he pulled up to the house.
         There was a strange car sitting in the driveway. He’d never seen it before . A sinking feeling hit him suddenly. They were getting home several hours earlier than planned, but they were all exhausted. He pulled the car into the garage and helped the kids into the house. Both were half asleep. He got them settled onto the couches and went back to the van. Reaching into his bag, he took out his mask and dug through his tools, deciding on a hatchet.
         Walking through the house, he didn’t put the mask on yet, he wanted them to see his face. Down the hall and to the bedroom, he slowly turned the knob and pushed the door open. There fast asleep was his wife, Margie, and some guy he’d never seen before. The guy was much younger than he, much more handsome too. He had a full head of hair, not the receding hairline like his own. He was tan and muscular, not pale and soft.
         Despite how mean Margie had been to him, he couldn’t stop the hurt he was feeling. They had once been deeply in love. He had tried his hardest to give her everything, only to fail in many areas both personally and professionally. As they got older, Margie had gotten more bitter. She began to blame him for not having more money, for not being happier. He’d shouldered it for a long time, striving to do better.
         It was just a couple years ago when The Mask called out to him. He’s seen it in a thrift store of all places. The thick, fiberglass Guy Fawkes mask had caught his eye. He knows it didn’t literally speak to him, but it spoke nonetheless. He’d bought The Mask and his life had never been the same since. Then gradually the mask had taken over more and more. As he stood in the doorway watching his wife in bed with this other man, another part of Eddie died.
         He stepped into the room, and shut the door, locking it. He’d shut it hard enough to wake them. Margie sat up in bed.
         “What the fuck Eddie? You’re not supposed to be home till noon,” She said.
         The man in bed with her sat up, looking surprised.
         “Uh, hey man. This isn’t what it looks like,” the man said. Eddie ignored him, just staring at them.
         “You just gonna stand there? Aww, look at you, standing there all butt hurt. This is why I fuck other guys. Because you’re such a pussy. Just go sleep on the couch and shut the door when you leave.”
         The man in bed with her looked at him, then back at Margie.
         “Maybe I should just go,” he said.
         “Fuck that. Just lie back down. He isn’t gonna do shit,” she said as she rolled back over.
         Eddie slipped the mask over his head and began walking toward them. Margie sat back up wide eyed.
         “What the fuck is this? You think you’re gonna scare me now. God, you really are pathetic.”
         “Dude,” the guy said. “You’re freakin me out, man.”
         He paid them both no attention. Eddie was no longer there, only The Mask. He circled around the bed